The last 2 weeks!

Had a wonderful weekend at Caloundra with my daughter, staying at The Ridges. Did some retail therapy and had a very nice dinner on Saturday night and then leisurely made our way home on Sunday after lunch. She hadn't been well for a while and she really enjoyed the break away.

Then, on Tuesday, got a call that my mum had collapsed at home and had been taken off to hospital in Sydney. Jumped on a plane that afternoon and spent until last Sunday down there. Hopefully, with some building up of strength at a rehab facility, she will be able to return home in a few weeks time.

My car is finally fixed, and it looks just like new again!

Tomorrow I'm off to the Henzell Street Quilters exhibition at Redcliffe. They usually have a lovely variety of work and a craft stall as well.

Update

I know, I've been very slack. Lots has happened since last post.

Firstly, my Happy Jack is just wonderful - I just wish I had more time to play! I've just about quilted my practice piece to death and have done a very old Christmas wallhanging.

July was not a very good month. Firstly I tripped while walking on some uneven ground and tore the ligaments in my foot - ouch! The doc said at the time I would have been better off breaking it, and I think he was right. It's still giving me curry and it's almost 5 weeks down the track. I've been having some acupuncture for the last couple of weeks and that has helped considerably.

Next, I bought a new car - a zippy little Honda Jazz. 2 weeks after I bought it I was stopped at a set of lights, looked in the rear vision mirror and saw a car bearing down on me. Thought "this car isn't going to stop" and sure enough he slammed right into the back of me. 89 year old driver said he just lost concentration! I just cried. I had No 1 son and 'Pascoe' with me - thankfully we weren't hurt, but had to get an ambulance for the driver of the other car - he ended up with a couple of smashed vertebrae. My car goes in to be repaired next week.

Took DD up to Caloundra for the weekend - stayed at the Ridges. She hasn't been well and I needed a pick-up, so it was really good - just the tonic!

It has arrived

My Happy Jack frame has arrived. Put it together (all by myself) last night - the DVD that came with it was very helpful - and believe me, if I can do it, anybody can!!! I'll do some practising on the weekend and then take a couple of lessons before I attempt "the real thing".

Had some of my quilts on exhibition at a Motor Neurone Disease fundraiser last Saturday - a High Tea was held and we had abt 120 people.

Busy at work getting ready for Open Day next Sunday - I'm in charge of Kids' Corner (rides, clowns, face painting, plaster modelling, colouring competition) - always a great day.

New Frame

I've done it! I've bought a quilt frame - a Happy Jack frame. Can't wait now until it arrives - have to wait up to 3 weeks - I'll be hurrying home every day until it comes.
Been very indulgent these last two days - also booked on a SE Qld shop hop - two Saturdays in July on a bus visiting several shops.
I have several tops waiting to be quilted, so I think my spending will be on batting and backings!

Just back from taking DD's two huskies for a walk (well and truly fulfilled my exercise for the day!). Here they are when we got home - plum tuckered.

Yesterday I visited the A&R Redcliffe Quilters show - had a lovely morning - such a friendly group of ladies and the morning tea was delicious. Sadly, they meet during the week - maybe soon I will have to bite the bullet and start one here at North Lakes on a Saturday or a week night (my next project maybe!).

Home from the Mountains

Not long back from a holiday down South.

Had a fabulous 3 days at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains with my very special friends, The Satellite Stitching Sisters. We meet twice a year in a wonderful country home where we enjoy each other's company, eat, drink and talk and also manage to do lots of sewing! We have known each other for almost 20 years, and our weekend retreats are the only time most of us see each other.

Also spent some time with my mum in Sydney, and that is always good. Mothers' Day was spent at a BBQ lunch at my brother's, with all the family, so mum really enjoyed that.

Came home to some gorgeous packages of fabric and gifts from my birthday swap partners. Thank you Janelle, Sylvia, Julie D, Julie S and Kerri - I will be thinking about what to do with them over the weekend.

Also got a surprise combined birthday and Mothers' day present from my son and daughter - a new plasma TV! My poor old one was about 15 yrs old. Now all I have to do is learn to drive the new one!

June

Stitches & Craft Show

Oh dear - it hit me yesterday that the recession is obviously having an effect. When I got off the train and was walking down to the Exhibition Centre I thought I must have the wrong weekend - only a couple of people were walking my way. Then, when I walked up the stairs there was no-one in the foyer and I went straight up to the counter to buy my ticket. The biggest shock was when I walked into the hall - no crowds and I would estimate only half the number of stalls!!!
My purchases were a couple of fat quarters and a pair of scissors. I did, however, spend a bit of time looking at the Brindabella quilting frame, which I'm seriously thinking about!

Started on the next 4 star blocks on my BOM in the afternoon.

Very cute surprise

Arrived home today to find a parcel on my verandah - I joined a Redwork Cushion swap, and mine came today. Thank you so much Margaret from Belmont, Victoria - it is very cute.

Looking forward to the long weekend. Had a busy week at work with International Guide Dog Day on Wednesday - we had a Graduation Ceremony for clients and their guide dogs, with special medallions being presented by the Governor. It was an absolutely beautiful afternoon, which was enjoyed by everyone - well worth the effort to bring it all together.

I'm off to the Stitches & Craft Show in Brisbane tomorrow. I don't really NEED anything, but let's just see what I might find when I get there!!!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth!!

I know, it's been a while - no excuses really! Easter came and went - I was very good with the eggs the bunny left - rationed them out, and still have some left!!

Was laid low for abt 10 days with a middle ear infection - felt like I was tipsy, but not a good feeling when it was constant. Anyway, getting over it now and at least can get about, so long as I don't have to move my head too quickly.

Finished a quilt top with Oriental prints I have collected and a pattern I bought from Ribbons & Rainbows last year. The pic doesn't show the sashing very well - it is 3 different shades of navy and it forms an interlacing design.

I'm also keeping up with my BOMs - Stars for a New Day and Breast of Friends - very pleased with myself

Tomorrow is the first anniversay of my husband's passing, so will not be a good day. The kids and I are going out for dinner. I think I'll just keep myself busy during the day.

TTFN

Filling in a Hot Day

Today I moved my sewing machine into the living room, shut the doors and windows and sat there all day in the air conditioning! I completed month 2 of Stars for a New Day so was very pleased with myself.

My thoughts are with those in Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide, as well as those in the flood ravaged North. My mum in Sydney is really struggling and for her, the cool change predicted this afternoon can't come soon enough.

My CEO is off overseas on business for 7 weeks, so I am looking after our Ambassador Dog, Pascoe. He's a retired guide dog, a black Labrador. I take him to work every day and he goes everywhere with me - even to Weight Watchers yesterday! Misty doesn't mind having him stay either.

New Book

Just received 'The Fabric of Society' by Annette Gero & Kim McLean - WOW What a beautiful publication - I'm going to have my head in it over the weekend.

If I pull myself away from my new book I'll start on my redwork cushion swap tomorrow.

It's weigh-in tomorrow - am working up the minutes on the exercise bike - still hard work though.

Block 1 finished

Last night while watching the tennis I finished block 1 of "Breast of Friends", the Homespun BOM. Also cut out pieces for block 2 (it was a long game!). Have just fused them on and will settle down again for another night of great tennis.

Good Week

Yeah - 'Inuk' was found on Monday! Happiness all around.
Lost another 500g this week - must have been all the walking on the weekend looking for the dog.
Bought an exercise bike yesterday - set it up in the loungeroom and aim to use it while watching the news at night. Mind you, I only did 3 minutes last night and was cactus!! Lots of work needed on the exercise fitness methinks.

Lighter than Last Week!

The first weigh-in this morning - and 0.7kg lighter! Pleased with result.

Not a good week - my daughter's beloved Siberian Husky - Inuk - has gone missing. Searched (on foot) for hours yesterday afternoon and today with no results. We've put signs up everywhere around her area and will do some more pounding the footpaths tomorrow.

I've gone BOM mad I think. Decided I'll do the one the mystery Breast of Friends in Homespun. I'll use fabrics I have, so each block will probably have a different background, but I think I'll stick with the pink shades for the rest - I do have quite a stack of reds/pinks/mauves. I'll put up a pic when I get the first block done.

Another new start

Yesterday I joined Weight Watchers - 15kg to get rid of!!!
Unfortunately sitting at a sewing machine doesn't constitute exercise - maybe I should try to get hold of a treadle machine.
It's just as well I've already finished off the Christmas chocolates and nuts.

Wed 7 Jan 09

Boy - what a scorcher it was today!

I work for Guide Dogs Qld, and today I joined Everyday Hero to help raise money for our Pawknock Appeal. This is such a worthwhile cause - please go to www.everydayhero.com.au/june_hamilton to help blind and vision impaired Queenslanders. We also have a new website which is worth a look : http://www.guidedogsqld.com.au/.

Tonight I will do a bit of work on my Cathedral Garden quilt. This is a large version of the cushion I made for my SCQ Mortal, Maree. I only have a few hours work left on applique around the borders.

The Journey Begins

Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Well, I've bitten the bullet and commenced!

Tonight I finished the first block of "The Quilt Show's" BOM, Stars for a New Day by Susan Garman. I love stars and I love medallion quilts, so I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to try to use fabric from my stash - but there may be a need to purchase some extra!!

June