On Hold!

So, I have made an executive desicion! All things quilty or stitchy is on hold until my house is sorted out once and for all! We moved in here 16 months ago, Ciára was 7 weeks old, we co-ordinated 4 weeks of renos, we then had Ciára's naming day with 50 people here then we went to Ireland for a month and NOTHING GOT DONE PROPERLY!!!! Since then we have shuffled, jammed in cupboards and moved around...in total frustration!! We have gotten to the point where enough is enough! Last Friday afternoon off we trotted to Ikea where we spent a small fortune on storage. We got home and we were go! Storage set up and toys sorted, dining room and family room re-arranged, huge Vinnies clear out from our wardrobe and chest of drawers, bathroom cupboard properly organised (all MAC in lidded storage boxes so no more little 18 month old fingers having a ball experimenting with lovely colours), the cupboard and chest in the study totally sorted and decluttered (this part was fun as my fabrics , patterns and quilty mags/books are in the chest), laundry decluttered as it was a bit of a dumping ground. All we need to do now is sort out the girls bedrooms, iron the 3 huge baskets of Mt Everest high piles! The girls rooms are in the process and we aim to have them completed by this weekend. Thankfully the kitchen was done a month or so ago when I went Tupperware mad! Then there is just the garage to go - this will be a mission, there are boxes to be unpacked, unused furniture to be sorted, and generally just STUFF everywhere. AS this is not a 2 hour job, we will wait for Dave's parents to arrive from Ireland and then go for it whilst they are amusing the girls...

So people, there will be even less quilty goodness from me than there usually is...but once my sanity has returned after satifying the soul experience then I will be back with more time and feeling more relaxed to do all of my quilting pleasuredom guilt free as I will only have 50 things on my to do list, rather than 500! (that is not counting the 500 things on the quilty to do list ! LOL)

See you when some creativity starts to flow again!

The Frustration is Killing Me!

I finally went and bought a walking foot for my machine last weekend. I have made do without it until now and have been fortunate enough that there hasn't been too much puckering on my quilts (except the Flannelette one that has ended up as a dolls quilt for the girls) but I thought it was time to start doing things properly! Dave went off to Singapore on Monday, and as much as I miss him when he is away on his trips, I usually rub my hands together with glee as I know how much sewing I can achieve in the evenings. So, out comes the walking foot, I attach it, seems easy enough even though the screw won't go in the whole way it is all tight EXCEPT for the needle is loose...minor detail - NOT!!! I have now tried to get the screw in further so many times that it's stuck and I can't unscrew it! As much as I hate to say it, I need a man to fix it!!! Dave is home tomorrow so here's hoping we can sort it out and I can try and catch up on it all. I had planned to quilt Strawberry Lemonade and try and get it bound as well as to make the bunting for Zoe's window...Sigh! All is not in vain though, I have spent plenty of time on my cross stitch and it is coming along nicely. I will add photos when I have a little more time.

It has been a busy week though and I am tired and looking forward to hearing the cab pull up at about 7am tomorrow morning to deliver Dave home to us! He will take the day off and come to swimming and we will take the girls out in the afternoon, a long weekend with him will be lovely. I am going to see Priscilla on Saturday with a girlfriend, really looking forward to that!

Oh...Quilty Goodness...

After a disaster with quilting the original table runner for the swap, here is a peak at the finished result before the binding was sewn. It is really simple and I hope the lovely fabric makes up for it! Also a few piccies of Za Za finished. She is going to her new home next week where I hope she will be loved and appreciated. It is my first completed large quilt and I love it so much I want to keep her...oh well! Now, sitting on my machine is the Retro number, waiting to be quilted, bound and popped onto our bed. It is on the home stretch now...

Gotta Love a Long Weekend...and New Bubbas!

We were very excited to welcome little Siobhan, she is a real cutie. I was a tad clucky, but not enough to go a 3rd round! Here are the proud parents with their little princess as well as me having a cuddle.


It was a long weekend here, we did lot of pottering around the house getting odd jobs done, playing with the kids and dog! Yesterday we drove into Darling Harbour to visit the Aquarium but the line was miles long so we gave it a miss and headed to the recently opened Wildlife World. The girls had a ball!




I got a card in the PO Box on Friday notifying me of a parcel, but as I had forgotten my wallet and had no ID they wouldn't pass it over!! So after kindy drop off this morning I headed straight to the village and was so excited to receive this lovely little bundle... Someday I will actually find the time to sew, at the moment it is more like snatching 15 mniutes here and there which is totally unproductive for me!

Zoe just loves to blow bubbles and I am never quick enough to actually catch the bubbles but this time I did...
Ciára has started feeding herself weetbix, this is the result of this morning's breakfast time. I am still finding crusty weetbix on her chair and the table. Lovely!

Welcome to the World Siobhan Mary

This morning at 4.15am my brother in law Alan and his partner Koy, welcomed their little princess to the world. Siobhan Mary was 4.1kgs, 55cm with dark black hair. All is well though Koy is understandably exhausted. We are so excited and happy for them. Can't wait to meet her this afternoon.

Love is in the Air...

Nothing to add at all but I just have to say how in love with my beautiful husband and gorgeous daughters I am. I am so blessed!

Spots & Stripes & 1930's!

A yummy parcel of Spots and Stripes arrived today from the EB Fat Quarter Swap - always such a nice suprise when they get here! I also bought a couple of lots of 1930's 6" squares from my local quilt shop when I was up there to drop Za Za off for a holiday to be quilted. Thought I would border them with some white homespun but am now thinking going with calico to fit in with the 1930's feel! Not that I am finding alot of time to sew...there seems to be alot going into my stash but not alot coming out of it to sew!!

A fabulous day today - a catch up with my oldest friend. Since she joined the police force it is so hard to find time to all get together, especially with the kids! We had a lovely time with them. The girls are still asleep after crashing out in the car on the way home, so I might go fold the washing and prepare dinner and enjoy some peace!

No Super Fit Here, Super Freak Maybe?

A couple of shots from the Bridge Run on Sunday morning. I especially love the photo of the Bridge. My official time is almost 9 minutes difference to what we timed - going from a mobile phone clearly is not the way to time yourself doing a run - so I felt very disappointed about that when I saw it! So my mission is to get to 55 minutes!! Doing another 10km run at the end of October in Lane Cove National Park. Just have to shake this horrid cold so I can start training! I think I am hooked...running and quilting - what a strange combination to be into!

These are the Sweet Daze of My Life!

With Za Za on a holiday to be quilted and having done 28 out of 40 circles on Strawberry Lemonade (and needing a little rest from it), I had a rummage through the lovely old Tassie Oak chest where all my quilting bits and bobs are stored. Oh yes, I exclaimed as I came across the lovely "Retro" quilt I started before I even decided to have lessons! A very basic first quilt for me, well that is what it was supposed to be!! I adore the fabric, "Sweet Daze" by Max New - the colour ways are definitely my favourite of the moment. Tonight I got half way through quilting it, and I love it! A few more hours work and it will be done, ready to bind! Then onto our bed, it will go.

I have a cold and am feeling quite sorry for myself. I had a real nothing kind of day yesterday while my girls were at kindy. I really enjoyed that! Today Zoe was at kindy and Ciára and I pottered and played the whole day. I made the desicion to go to training this morning which was a bad idea as I think it will set me back a few days when it comes to feeling healthy!

Dave is at a work dinner in the city tonight with some big wig of a company he deals with. They are at one of my favourite places, right on the Harbour Bridge, so i kinda wish I had to play corporate wife tonight, but the upside of it is that I got to sew sew sew!! I always stay up far too late when he is out!! Off to bed with some cold and flu tablets and a lemsip now!

Good night xxx

10km's Conquered!

This morning I did the Sydney Harbour Bridge Run, and I am delighted to say I ran the whole way, bar about 150 metres at the 7km mark when I had a huge drink! I also am happy to report that I did it in just over 55 minutes. All my training and hard work has paid off. Nikki has challenged me to do the half marathon next year - but that is a whole other kettle of fish for me. Maybe I will clock up another few runs and decide from there. It is about 10 years since I did any amount of regular running - I used to lived in Fairlight on the Northern Beaches and most mornings I would jog down to Manly and then do a couple of laps from Shelly Beach to Queenscliff and home again. I have struggled with my fitness since living in London (gotta love that Heathrow injection) and then coming home and meeting the love of my life and having children! Time was just getting away from me and I was last on the pecking order for any time to go and do a huge amount of exercise! Enough is enough though - the past few months have really motivated me to get that fitness level back up, and yesterday has inspired me to commit to running again! It will also set a great example for Zoe and Ciára - besides if Dave can run a half marathon and train for a full marathon - a measly 10k run every now and then is not going to hurt me is it!?

I raised $250 for the McGrath Foundation yesterday and I would like to thank my sponsors - you were a huge part of the reason I felt the need to jog the course. The McGrath Foundation is a great cause and I appreciate your support so much!

My First Jelly Roll Journey is on the Home Straight!

Today I completed the top of my Za Za Jelly Roll quilt, it was super simple until it came to lining up the columns...I think I did well though. I am really loving how it has turned out. The backing needs to be put together this evening, and then it is going on a little holiday to the quilter. I don't have time to quilt this one as it is for a gift...then to be bound and it is finito! Woo hoo! Better get moving, there is ironing to be done as well and an early night is absolutely necessary as I am doing the 10k Bridge Run in the morning (though it will be more like a shuffle!)

Going Za Za Over Jelly Rolls

Dave is at a work function tonight, the girls were exhausted after a long but fun morning at the zoo then a couple of hours with Zeus at the dog park so they were in bed and asleep by 6:45pm.

What's a girl to do then? With wine in hand & Sex in the City DVD on I set up my machine and started on my first Jelly Roll journey. I am loving it. The fabric is Moda's Za Za and the quilt is a very basic design from this book (which has about 5 post it notes marking future projects). I am really liking the way it is coming together as I really love the colours of this fabric, it is quite different from my usual taste! I might have to keep this one for myself, even though that wasn't the original plan!

Time for bed now, I will finish my strips tomorrow night in readiness for my DOUBLE ("WOO HOO") lesson on Saturday.

Life in Colour

Zoe taking photos of her mummy, it was very funny from my angle!

Ciára looks so angelic when she is sleeping. This was when she was sick last week.

Zoe the Rock Star

Ciára showing off her Yoga ability at the village

Our Zeusy Boy


p.s. I am not posting anymore photos of Strawberry Lemonade until it is finito - if I ever get through those applique circles - maybe I can do it in my sleep to save time, I have done so many of them I feel like I could!

Thank you

Now I know that I have a few readers, I will carry on blogging. I was feeling like it was a bit of a waste of time if no-one was reading it! Let's face it we all have so much to do, it is just one more thing on the list! Please keep leaving me comments so I am inspired to share my bits and pieces!

I had my "day off" yesterday - both the girls were at kindy. I got quite a bit done. My indulgence after drop off is to go and sit in my favourite cafe in the village with a mag, book or paper and have a coffee and scones. It is my sanity time just for me! Yesterday I sat with a copy of the most recent Handmade magazine. I wish a girl had more time to do things like sew and create! It inspired me to pull all my quilty and sewing books and magazines out and last night, whilst Dave and I watched the Underbelly DVD I flicked and flicked and flicked. Anything that really caught my eye as a future potential project got a post it note! Now to finish all my WIP's so I can start working my way through them. I am told that once you fall in love with quilting that you are constantly on the lookout for new projects to do once you get through what you are working on. I also love that it is completely normal for me to be working on far too many projects at once!

Ciára is asleep so I must make the most of this time, washing to get in, fold and put away, straighten the place up and then I am going to iron! Oh the life of a Domestic Goddess, whoever would have thought that I would fall into this category!

xxx

Do You Read My Blog???

I have been a bit bad with posting on my blog as I have no idea if anyone is actually reading it!

If you are, please please leave a comment so I know that you have been to visit!

Thank you x

Strawberry Lemonade....

I have done zilcho sewing since my last lesson, but last night my sew-jo returned with a vengeance. The machine is still out on the back room table ready to rock and roll once the princesses are sleeping tonight.

So, a bit more work on Zoe's Strawberry Lemonade quilt has been accomplished. Until it gets to the quilting stage, it is all I am going to concentrate on. All borders bar one have been added plus a few more circles appliqued. I am going to finish the borders tonight and add a couple more circles. I will be an expert at basic applique by the time this one is done!

Zoe is delighted with it so far and keeps bugging me to finish her "Strawberry Room!"


Sounds like Miss Ciára is destroying the bathroom cupboard again... better save my MAC!

I Have Been Tagged

I have been tagged
Thanks Kirsty for the tag.

I have to write either 6 random things about myself or if I have been tagged previously 6 things that make me happy and then I have to link the person who tagged me and tag 6 more people you know (and let them know you have tagged them in a comment on their blog)

As this is my first tagging I will leave it at the six random things.

1. I procrastinate about doing the ironing so much but then when I finally get stuck into it I really enjoy it

2. My husband and I eloped and were married in Langkawi, Malaysia

3. I was totally indesicive with naming our girls so I left it up to my hubby to do, I think he did an excellent job

4. I am the conservative one in our partnership, only on the big ticket things though, on everything else I am a shopaholic spendthrift

5. One day I am going to cycle Lands End to John O'Groats in the UK. I have hiked the coast to coast of England so want to go the opposite way! If my grandfather can walk it, I can cycle it!

6. I don't do anything by halves, I am a complete "bull at a gate"

Now I tag only 3 people because so many seem to have been tagged already

Belinda
Ruth
Missie

Lost My SewJo - Could Be The Hang Over Today

I have only appliqued one circle onto Zoe's quilt this week. Was hoping to be much further along for my lesson tomorrow. Today I have a great excuse. Last night, 3 of my lovely friends took me out for dinner for my birthday. We went to a great Japanese - Kyushu in Neutral Bay which is a little too handy to The Oaks. There was only one other designated drinker and I didn't think we drank all that much. My head tells another story today. A 2am bedtime and tiredness is already kicking in, I think there will be snuggles on the lounge with Zoe this afternoon, and a few zzzzz's whilst Playschool is on! I am 35 tomorrow, and feeling every day of it with this headache! A fun night out though with lovely friends. Thanks Liz, Rai & Nikki xxx

A Busy Tuesday...and More Quilting Goodies!

Dave and I had a lovely day yesterday. Both the girls were at kindy. So we headed into the village for a coffee and a sit in the sun as it was an absolutely stunning day in Sydney then off to the vets as Zeus had his 12 weeks shots. As I am such an emotional wreck when it comes to these things I asked Dave to take the morning off to come with me! Zeus was fine, he couldn't have cared less, amazing what a liver treat or two will do. Then we took him on his first public outing! It was very exciting. OK, so it may have only been a 10 minute walk from the vet to Petbarn, but he was well behaved in the shop, we were proud! Then we came home and sorted out the study which was very exciting for us, Dave did some work and then off to the gym and then to pick the girls up. Last night Zeus "graduated" from Puppy Pre-School, so that was very cute. Our next goal is to get him used to other people, and just as importantly, other dogs. There are alot of dog parks in our area, including the one on our street, so we will take him a couple of times a week for a social chit chat with other pooches!

A trip to check the PO Box this morning got me all excited! 3 quilting books I ordered arrived, and some of the FQ bundles of the Butterfly Fling fabric that I have ordered for Ciára's bedroom. It is so pretty and cute and perfectly girly, I just love it and can't wait to finish THAT WIP LIST so I can move onto redecorating her room! The order was split into 4 envelopes, and only one has arrived so can't wait for the rest of it. More dreaming of what will be!



I still haven't done the binding on the flannel quilt, that was going to be Sasha's quilt! I have decided to give it to my girls as a dolls blanket as I am too unhappy with the back of it. I have run out of time to do something else for her now so have bought a lovely gift instead. There is always a snuggle quilt for her 1st Birthday that I can do! I am still pottering along on Zoe's quilt, I have applique about 10 circles now, I think there is about 40 to do. I sit down at night with the intention of doing at least 3, but usually by the end of the 1st one I am too tired. I love it though and am happy to take my time on it as I am enjoying it so much. I don't think I will make my deadline for it as I am going to hand quilt it. As long it is nearing completion when her bed gets back from being restored then I am happy. I have plenty of other self imposed (inflicted!!) deadlines to meet coming up!

I am about to put Ciára into the pram and take her and Zeus out for a walk, here is to it being a success as we haven't done pram and Zeus yet!

Not A Fan Of Flannel!!!

I put Sasha's quilt together last night, I hated the flannel! I just couldn't get it to not pucker at all! It looks very cute until you turn it over. A very basic design, I just sewed charm squares together but I do like it. So now to do the dreaded binding and it is ready to parcel up and give it to the little princess. My only hope is that when I wash it, it looks more like it has that lovely crumpled affect rather than puckering. We will see. Will bind over the weekend and post pics.

We are off to Cirque Du Soleil tomorrow night, we love it so are quite excited...even if it is a work function for Dave's company!

Malibu Monkeys Are Go!

My brother in law and his partner are having a baby, due next month...I wanted to get something really bright that was gender neutral (their prediction is that they are having a boy, but that is what I said both times and both times out popped little princesses!). Anyway, when I saw this Malibu Monkeys fabric I thought, "Yep, that is it" and I am going to turn it into a raggedy edge quilt, a larger than cot size so they can use it as a floor mat if they want to. The fabric is very cute. 30 FQ's, there might just be some left over for my stash!!

This mumma is tired today. An easy day, I went to the gym this morning, the girls just love the creche and it was only the 2 of them today so they had a ball. Then into the village to do a few chores and home. We had a blind put in the entry today, it only took a year to decide whether to or not! Anyway, it looks ok, can hardly notice it is there. Must go to bed before 10.30 or I feel like rubbish today.

Now it is time for Playschool so that means I can set my machine up and do some more of Sasha's Snuggle Quilt, maybe I will even get it finished today?? Here's hoping ...

It's A Charmed Life I Lead.

My Computer is being super slow today! Very very frustrating

We have had a hectic few days. Life seems to be getting away from us. We can't believe it is mid August!

On Sunday afternoon we met our dear friends, Mel & Jon's, new little boy Finn. He was 6 weeks old and just gorgeous. I absolutely love this photo of Dave holding him. We went to Centennial Park and it was bitterly cold, but a chai latte and a walk soon sorted that out! Cute photo of Zoe loving her chocolate cupcake, but it wasn't so pleasant regurgitated at 9pm! Even her Dora doll copped it!

Yesterday was my favourite day of the week - Tuesday. As much as I adore my family it is so nice to have a complete day to myself. OK, so I might clean the house and do the groceries, but I get to sit and read a magazine if I want to, I get to watch MY TV whilst I eat my lunch if I want to, I don't have to listen to Justine Clarke or The Wiggles until I do the kindy pick up, I get to hang out with Zeus and not worry about him nipping the girls (he is getting better but we have been told he probably won't completely stop until he is 5 months) but the best thing is that I get to SEW SEW SEW!!!! Yesterday I completed putting the blocks together for Zoe's Strawberry Lemonade quilt, the borders are still to go on. This photo is off the 2 borders I will be doing, a 1" stripe then a 6" strawberry border. The binding will be the stripe. A friend had a bubba girl last week, Sasha Marvi so I am putting together this very basic but cute flannel throw for her to use on these chilly wintery days we are having. I sewed 2 squares in the wrong spot so need to unpick those (that is what I get for sewing while I am on hold on the phone!). Hoping to do it after my body balance class tonight. The shot of Zoe's quilt was taken in our back room with the afternoon sun pouring in, it was lovely but makes for a terrible photo!



I love this photo of Ciára, it shows her as the cheeky minx she totally is! Sometimes I can't believe how different my girls are. Both so unique and amazing but so totally different! Ciára has finally started walking this week. She has been taking steps here and there since way back in April but just wouldn't take off properly! Now she is off, I know I am alive again!

I know it is a just over a year since we moved into our house, but I still get such a kick looking out the study window across the road to the park. My New CX9 is beautiful too, we are really happy with it, though it can be a little bit thirsty on the juice!

Last but not least, a photo of my beautiful Zeus. He is getting so big. But he is brilliant, responding really well to the training we are giving him. We have been doing puppy school and last night he was quite anxious, which is really unlike him. He did brilliantly with the off lead stuff. He only barked once so I was really pleased and he has hardly had any exposure to the other dogs. I am really looking forward to him getting his 3 month vaccinations next week so we can start taking him to the park and getting him used to other dogs, and walking on the lead.

Well this domestic goddess (yeah right!) must go off and finish the ironing. I would really love to have a nap. We did training this morning, there was heaps of running, and though I feel fantastic I am knackered. The Everest high ironing basket calls. xxx

I am scared!

The lovely Belinda has organised a table runner swap for Christmas - my very first swap ever! I don't know if my quilting is fit for my family and friends let alone people from online quilting group! I will give it a whirl though!

Totally Moronic!

Yep, that's me!

Yesterday I tried to delete my old blog, but rather than doing that I deleted the current one! Thankfully one of the girls in my online quilting group had my blog open and managed to cut and paste it all for me so I didn't lose absolutely everything. Thanks Melissa, I am so grateful.

I have decided not to pop all my old blogs in except for my challenge list below!

It is Tuesday and the girls are both at kindy - my freedom day. Yahoo. I have groceries and cleaning up to do but plan to spend the best part of the day sewing.

Time to get moving!

Setting Myself A Challenge...or Nine!

So..I have a looong list of WIP's and projects to complete my Christmas time so I have decided to share with the blog world (well the few interested in my blog!!) my timetable to complete my list!!

1. Sasha's Snuggle Quilt - to be completed by Sunday 31st August
2. Zoe's Strawberry Lemonade quilt & Bunting - to be completed by Sunday 14th September (also must do painting for her bedroom - if I ever decide what to do. Note to self - talk to Little White Dove about ideas!)
3. Retro Quilt - to be completed by Sunday 21st September
4. Stephanie's 60th Birthday Quilt - to be completed by Friday 3rd October
5. Zoe's Dora Snuggle Quilt - to be completed by Sunday 12th October
6. Al & Koy's Bubba Raggedy Edge Quilt - to be completed by Sunday 19th October
7. EB Christmas Table Runner - to be completed by Sunday 26th October
8. Mai's 60th Birthday Lap Quilt - to be completed by Sunday 9th November
9. My Christmas Table Topper - to be compelted by Sunday 23rd November

OK, so you may not see me for awhile as I will have to start being super dooper organised - I am determined. Will post pics as I go!

Have I gone mad???