Finally a finish!!

Remember in the last post that I'd bought a new camera that would become 'the horsey one's ' but not until I'd bought a new camera for myself????? Well she forgot that golden rule and when I finally finished a quilt yesterday 20 minutes before it had to be wrapped and on its way my darling daughter had the camera 30 minutes out of town taking horsey photos!!!! No I wasn't happy ! in fact I was so so so disappointed! Seems like I don't have many finishes and this was the biggest quilt I've ever achieved so to not have photographic proof...... I did take a photo on SH's phone but as to whether I ever work out how to transfer that to the computer!! (think I've admitted before that I'm technologically challenged! The quilt I finished was for my niece Skye's 18th birthday present (just happened that her birthday was in January - oops!). It was lovely and bright and I got it quilted rather than try and tackle that myself. By all accounts when SH delivered it last night she loved it. Unfortunately today I also remembered I hadn't labelled it!

The next quilt I am going to tackle and which I'd hoped to start today (I did get the fabric ironed) is a baby quilt for a workmates grandchild which was due yesterday! (mmm think there is a theme happening of me running behind schedule!!). I have different mint and white patterned fabrics and am going to try a shaggy quilt for the first time. I plan on backing it in polar fleece and am just hoping that will work with the shaggy?? Has anyone tried this ? got some advice??

The planning has finally started coming together for our US trip. This time in 3 months we will be there and half way through our adventure. We've had to modify our plans a little both because the budget was blowing out and we were going to be on too tight time schedule. So far I have booked our accommodation in Anaheim and also our baseball tickets! All of us are looking forward to that, just disappointed we won't be able to get to a basketball match too. The horsey one and I have booked concert tickets (for her really - I am tagging along because I can't let her go to a concert by herself and her Dad and Brother are NOT volunteering for this one!!) to see .....wait for it.......Miley Cyrus!!!!

Anyone got any recommendations for accommodation in San Francisco, Las Vegas or LA - please let me know.

Better go and watch some mindless tv before turning in for the night, I am one episode behind in Desperate Housewifes and as it is on again tomorrow night maybe I better watch that tape. I am still so far behind in my blog reading and commenting and also replying to comments left for me. Thank you for hanging in there with me and one day I promise I will be back on track!!!

Wedding bells are ringing!

Well I'm back again and yes I wasn't overly successful last time!! Why does life think it has the right to get in the way of 'good fun'! As I said I have SO much to share. I have decided to keep my posts short and sweet and much more frequent. Today has to be a pictureless one as we are having a few camera disasters. The horsey one broke her camera in China (she thinks she dropped it one too many times - yep that would do it!!) and lo and behold mine stopped working not long after. I rushed out and bought a new camera for the horsey one on the proviso it was for the whole family until I bought myself a new one. Now it is playing up so it might be back to the shop tomorrow.

Last week my sister (baby if you must know!) celebrated her 40th Birthday. She lives in England and Mum (whose birthday is the same date) was over there celebrating with her. In the evening her partner Iain (they have been together about 15 years) took her for a walk (in the cold and drizzle) along the canal near their home. She was panicking that maybe he'd planned a surprise party and everyone was arriving at that moment!! No need to worry, instead he proposed! To celebrate her accepting he screwed a small plaque into the fencepost that stated they had become engaged at that place on that date!!!!!!!!!!!! How romantic is that? The next exciting part of the story is I may just have to travel to the UK sometime next year to celebrate their wedding. I am so happy for her and wish her and Iain every happiness for the future.

I am still here!

No I haven't fallen off the side of the earth and yes I am alive and well!! Things have just been busy, chaotic, a little crazy and a little overwhelming lately. Those spare minutes I am always looking for have vanished altogether. I haven't been visiting blogs and if I have I haven't been commenting so please forgive me, you are all in my bloglines and I intend catching up with your news as soon as I can! I have lots to share, parcels, family news and there has even been finishes!!! Yes a quilt top is away being quilted as we speak. This week the computer has been in high demand as my HS completes a lot of homework including a large VIP project for school before our mid year holidays start at the end of this week. Oh I wish he had been blessed with 'organised' 'don't leave everything to the last minute' genes!!! Anyway the plan is I will be posting again with some regularity from now and catching up with myself. Wish me luck!!!!

Time to share .........

Think it's time to share some exciting news!!! Had kept it to myself until I had it confirmed, just seemed to be too good to be true!!

I won a major prize in a competition in our Sunday newspapers magazine. It was to celebrate the release of the film Australia on DVD. I received a phone call on my mobile (to enter it was as simple as texting your name and address - obviously someone actually does win these competitions!!!) and was rendered speechless - amazing for me!!!

The prize is a copy of the DVD (which I didn't have and hadn't seen the movie) AND a 12 day tour of the Kimberleys including airfares , accommodation, meals etc from Darwin to Broome for 2 people. It's worth almost $10000.00!!! We actually lived in Broome for 4 years and although we once drove to Darwin (for surf club championships) we haven't done all the gorges , parks and places like El Questro wilderness park on the way. SH must of been a little worried that he wouldn't automatically be the other person going as he was very quick to promise me an Argyle Diamond from the diamond mine in Kunnanurra!!!! We are also going to be able to catch up with very special friends in Broome at the end of the tour. Even better we are being allowed to take the prize next April (the tour only runs in the dry season between April and September) as it was going to be very hard to fit it in this year with our other holiday planned to the States in September. It is going to be something to look forward to and dream about and I feel very blessed that not only do I have one holiday to look forward to but two.
Peter thinks he might like to come too!!!!!!!

Exam week and another parcel!

It is mid year exam week in my household and I'm not enjoying it!!!! I didn't like exams when I was at school and I don't like them any more now!! My HS is not particularly studious, he doesn't enjoy school and has struggled over the years. He certainly doesn't put in as much effort as he could! Each time exams come around I resort to bribery and corruption (whatever works I say!) and make up 'study jars' full of chocolate and lollies that are only allowed to be eaten during studying!! Makes me feel better thinking it works! Only 3 days to go then a few months reprieve!!! Wish me luck!

I was very excited to receive a parcel in the mail today from April - Cake makes the world a better place blog. I was lucky enough to win her giveaway celebrating 200 posts. What a lovely parcel to receive, a gorgeous notebook (how does April know I am an obsessive list maker!), a crossstitch pin which is so intricate, a little heart and the most amazing crossstitch card - her work is just wonderful. Thank you very much April.

Parcels and Bon Voyage!

I received two parcels in the mail recently. This one was from Missie Krissie and was the necklace I'd ordered for my sister for her 40th Birthday with her 3 children's names stamped on it. I love it so I'm really hoping she does too! Kris also sent me a little gift. In the front of the photo is a wee little green envelope, well in that envelope is the dearest pair of earrings. As hard as I tried I could not get a photo that was in focus!!! They are drops which I usually find hard to wear but because they are so small these are perfect. Think I will wear them out with the amount of outings they are having!! Thank you so much Kris.

Also received 2 parcels lately from my sister in the UK. I had mentioned that I'd like to have a look at the 'Sew Hip' magazine so lo and behold she posted the last 2 months issues to me. Some of the things in there I won't ever do but there are a few projects I will have a go at and always nice just to see what is out there!

Well it's Bon Voyage to Mum today. She is off to England for 7 weeks to spend time with my Sister and her family. We went and took her out for lunch yesterday and got our final list of instructions!!! I will really miss her. Since Dad died about 13 years ago I have phoned her every day and generally know her whereabouts. She loves seeing my sister (my only sibling) and spending time with her 3 littlies but always gets apprehensive about the travel. I know she will have a fantastic time.

Mothers Day and more......

Had a lovely Mothers Day. My Mum and my SH's parents came for lunch and we had a lovely roast meal followed by a delicious nectarine crumble. SH picked these flowers from our garden for the table. I have decided I need to make a tablecloth and new placemats as I struggled to decorate the table the way I would like.

Mum brought a Mothers Day present for me which was lovely, a box of chocolates - yum! and this pen that she made with the children that go to Kids Club at her church. She is in charge of their craft activities. I'm sure all of their Mums would of been thrilled with this present. I'm loving using mine.

Jimmy was so cute on Sunday It's almost as if he knew it was a special day and decided to be good!!! When we finally let him inside ( I was reluctant when I'd spent the morning cleaning!) he crawled up onto my lap and proceeded to fall asleep. He is not quite the right size for a lap dog anymore, a little too big, and I'm sure he wasn't comfortable but he was happy!

When Mum came on Sunday she brought her latest quilt for me to look at. She has made it for my sister for her 40th birthday in June. Mum leaves for the UK in a fortnight so badly wanted to finish it to take with her. It is made with Moda's Wonderland range. The first photo is actually the back of it. Mum wanted to back it with black which wasn't available at her local shop so she pieced a back with her left over fabric. I think it makes it reversible now. The second photo is of the quilt front. I hope my sister loves it. I think its gorgeous!

I've been making more houses. I don't actually like these ones as much even though I thought it might be a good project to use brights! I'm very proud of myself, all of the fabric came from my stash (not that you can tell I've touched it!!!). Does anyone else have my problem, I struggle sometimes to cut into some of my favorite pieces in my stash!



Realised I hadn't ever showed any photos of my new bed! The room is still not finished, we don't have all the curtains up yet or anything on the walls. Think we will put Mums stumpwork up. This dresser is one of my favorite pieces of furniture. It came from my Grandmothers and was then at Mums. The shelves on the right (behind the stained glass) still hold original war book volumes that were also passed to us along with a few other old books we have collected. The bits and pieces on the top are gifts from 3 very special friends and I think of them each morning and

evening when I walk into my room.

This is our new bed and drawers (not the best photo). It is SO comfortable and I am so happy with our choice. Always puts a smile on my face!

Poor little Peter went to the vet for his operation yesterday. He was not impressed that he was fasted for the night before. We were advised to keep him confined last night and for the next 5 days!!! He is already back to normal and going stir crazy! Will keep him inside again today but he is already back to his cheeky ways!