The Cackle Club Queen

How disgusting am I!!!!!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:55:00 +0000

I am absolutely disgusted with myself that it has been sooooooooooooo long since I have been on my blog. I am so out of touch with everything right now. I can see I am going to have to devote at least two maybe three whole days with many packets of biccies and lots of tea to catch up on the beautiful things that you have all been up to. I am not posting any pics today, but I promise that by the end of the week I will definately have lots to post about.

Today I am just posting a quick hello to everyone to let you know that I have not fallen into a crack somewhere and disappeared forever. But where has the year gone?????? I can't believe that I have neglected my blog for so long.

Well, where have I been all this time I hear you ask....................Absolutely nowhere. I started work again this year (for the first time since having my boys) and it has taken up alot of my time. Not that that is any excuse. Between work and looking after my boys it has been a very busy first half of the year. I got offered some temporary work in the office at one of our local High schools this year which has turned into a full years work. It has been absolutely wonderful. I get school holidays with my boys and get paid for it. I work with a great group of ladies and I have had a blast so far. Who knows where it may lead.

Jaden started Prep this year and all is going so well for him. Reading already. I am constantly in awe of my little man. It seems he is growing all too fast...... Boo Hoo. It seems that between getting him to all his extra activities of an afternoon and on weekends I hardly get much time with him. So we have now started a special Mummy/Jaden time now on a Sunday afternoon. We have taken up golf together and I must say he is not doing to badly either. Of course, I am just the caddy as I know nothing about golf just that any shot forward must be a good shot right... Anyhow, it has been really nice going around the six half holes he plays on beautiful sunny afternoons just the two of us.

Bailey is also doing well and also growing up soooo fast. He will be starting Kindy next year and I wonder of course how I will cope (lol). I know he will do just fine. Of course he is doing everything that Jaden does of late. He loves his big brother so much and just has to be doing what he does. It is beautiful seeing him sitting next to Jaden pretending to read and using his finger following the made up words he uses. Just like Jaden.

Jamie has been an absolutely wonderful dad and husband. He has cut his hours back this year to help me get back to work. He does all the getting ready for school (since I have to be a work by 7:30 am) and dropping off and I do the picking up. It has been working really well and he has been enjoying being more involved with the boys (though he has always done lots with them). Jamie has started doing the reading with Jadens class this week and both he and Jaden are excited by this. I did activities with his class for the second term on Monday's and it was great to be a part of these things. Oh what fun it is to be a Mum (or Dad).

On the craft front.....well, not much has been happening there either. So you have not been missing out on much. I have caught up on a couple of quilts though. My Rosewood cottage quilt is all finished and quilted. My Angel Story quilt has been machine quilted in the ditch and is decorated on the boarders but I am diligently hand quilting all the squares so it has been what I have been working on. I have only got the last boarder on my red and white jacobs ladder quilt to go which will mean all I have to do is get it quilted. Janelle you will be happy to know that I have finished putting all my blocks together for my table runner that you gave me inspiration for. I have just been waiting to find the right fabric for the boarder and binding (I'm still trying to track some down). I have done the odd little gifts for friends here and there but nothing too serious.

My goal for this second half of the year is to complete my red and white jacobs ladder and keep up with my blogging. This I hereby promise (just the blogging part, tee hee...).

I have also made my top priority getting my PIF's finished for my three recipients. These will be coming very soon. I already have some ideas and will be contacting them shortly for their addy's. So ladies, if you are reading this feel free to contact me.

Anyhoo, I had better get myself organised and get my boys fed and into bed. Another big day tomorrow (Jaden off to compete in the Maryborough Eistedford with his Prep class, very exciting). Then of course off to bed with me too.

(P.S. I just previewed this post and realised how long it is....Sorry) Great to be back. Missed you all.
D. :=)

Cupcakes Galore!!! Mmmmmmmmm!!!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:10:00 +0000

Well ......last Friday we had to take Jaden off to Brisbane for an orthodontist appointment. Don't tell the Dentist though but we celebrated Jaden's bravery by a trip to the Cupcake Parlour at West End. We just happen to stumble across it when dropping off Jamie's RM's to be repaired (to a shop across the road). We didn't plan to go there but it was certainly a very nice treat and of course you just can't walk on past.......Not with all the yummies we could see inside......ohhhhh this is not good. I'm salivating just thinking about it all over again. They were very delicious little morsels. The boys (including one big boy - Jamie) really enjoyed it.

We cut all three cupcakes into fours and each of us got to have a taste of all of them. The one on the left was a choccy cuppie with beautiful choccy icing and malteesers on top. The middle was a little piggy (Bailiey's favourite, mine too) plain vanilla cuppy with lovely pink icing and marshmello nose and choccy bits. The one on the right was a rich choccy cuppy with peppermint icing. Yummmm. All deliciously moist with lots of icing. Perfect cupcakes. Of course we washed it all down with a lovely vanilla milkshake. The parlour was very pretty in its pink and white finery too. Such a special treat that I just had to share it with you in case you are in the area. I will definately be going back again next time I'm there. Shame I didn't bring home a doggy bag then on second thoughts....it wouldn't have lasted anyway. lol. Hoping you had a great weekend. D. :=)

Drum Roll Please............

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:27:00 +0000

I must apologise firstly for the delay in posting the winners of my giveaway. I have been having so much trouble with uploading stuff to my blog today that I gave up in the end. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! I had to make sure I did it today and definately before I went to bed tonight as I have to take Jaden back to Brisbane for the Orthodontist tomorrow and will be away for the weekend. Anyhoo better late than never.

As you can see my wonderful assistant drew this earlier today. Soooooooooooooo without further adooooo....

Names ready to go into the draw..................................

All in ready and waiting ...............................

Would you be so kind as to draw the first winner from the magical box dear name plucker..........
And the first winner of my first ever giveaway is................... Yay!!!!!!!!!!!! VIVIEN!!! (Golf claps) Congratulations Vivien. :=)

And the Second winner dear name plucker is................... Woooohooo!!! Congratulations CHOOK!!! (Golf claps)
Congratulations Girls on winning the these two beautiful patterns by Susanna from Tilda and Filur. I will be emailing your patterns in the PDF format so please let me know of your email addy's for that to happen. Thanks so much to everyone who joined in and to Susanne for donating the patterns (and of course to my wonderful name plucker outerer - Job well done). Please make sure you visit Susanne's Etsy Shop regularly. Her work is really beautiful.
TTFN D. :=)

I'm so excited!!! I'm having a Giveaway!!!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:35:00 +0000

I'm very excited to announce my first Giveaway!!! As you know my sister has become addicted to crochet and I have had such a wonderful response from people in regards to the cute little bear that she made for my DH. Sarah has discovered a beautiful Etsy Shop called Tilda and Filur belonging to a lovely lady by the name of Susanne in which Sarah has been purchasing her patterns. Please do visit her shop, as this is where you will find the pattern for the little teddy I featured in a previous post and lots of other gorgeous characters. Here are some pics from her shop to tempt your tastebuds. I'm sure you won't be able to stop at just one though, and I can assure you if you are like me, deciding which one to buy first won't be easy as it was hard enough just deciding which ones to show you here.

Susanne has over 50 patterns available to purchase from her shop and all at a very affordable price. The extra bonus is that once you have paid for your pattern you don't have to wait for snail mail to arrive. Susanne will email it to you within 24 hours of your payment clearing.

I have had so much pleasure in chatting with Susanne herself today and am very thrilled to announce that Susanne has kindly given me two (2) very delectable patterns from her range to share with two very lucky people. That's right I will be picking two winners!!! I can't show you any pics of the giveaway patterns as they are a surprise but I can give you a couple of clues. The first one is "Teddy Bear Hugs" which was one of Susanne's first designs and the other is "Teapot and Bears". Both are so cute.

Now here's what you have to do to go into the draw. Please visit Susanne's Etsy Shop and then come back here and share with me by way of a comment, which of her patterns was your favourite (I know it will be hard, you can have more than one). I will give you an extra entry if you make a link to this competition on your blog via sidebar or post. I will be drawing this giveaway Wednesday night (14th Jan 09) by way of the ever magic random number generater. So get cracking and visit Tilda and Filur. Be sure to let Susanne know when you are making your purchases that The Cackle Club Queen sent you. Good luck!!! D. :=)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:57:00 +0000

I can't believe I have not done a single post for the whole of December. I have hardly had time to scratch myself since the end of November with all the organising of a huge 5 year old birthday party for half of the kindy, (which if I must say so myself was quite a hit with the parents and kids) and christmas parties one after the other and everything else that comes along with Christmas. I can hear you all saying - Don't I know it. Here are some pics of the boys helping decorate the tree and two special packages left for me under the finished tree.

Because Jaden's birthday falls around christmas, we decided to have his birthday party early so he could celebrate it for the first time with special friends. He had been requesting a pool party so Jamie and I decided to organise his party out at our local weir where the council has a free pool and play area. It worked out really well. We all had fun over the road from the pool complete with jumping castle, games and minti man. We had a sausage sizzle and cake topped off with a swim. Good times had by all. I bought the cake from Bi-lo and iced it myself. It was so hot that the icing kept running off the cake. I think you should be able to work out who the cake is???

Jaden and I decided that we would make all his kindy mates a BonBon each this year as their christmas gift. Things snowballed then with Daddy wanting us to get more goodies to help him make some BonBons for his work team and us deciding we would make everyone one that attended the family christmas day lunch and also some friends that we give too. I think at last count we had made about 63 BonBons. We had fun doing them and they were well received but I think we'll think twice about doing that again next year (probably will). Well it's all over and done with for another year. Phew. Here are some pics of Jaden and I making the BonBons for his friends from Kindy. It was about 9.30pm before we got them finished. As we had to start them after poor little Bailey had gone to bed because he would have wanted to help too and then there would have been tears.

I did get to make something crafty before christmas though through out the christmas rush. I made this for my friend Barb. I was quite happy with the way this little christmas angel turned out. This pattern is one of Annie Smith's of Country Keepsakes which was featured in Homespun Magazine No. 66 (vol 9.11) I fell in love with these and had huge plans of making all my craft ladies one for christmas but only got one finished. I have all the fabrics all ready and will get the rest done (definately before next chrissy lol). They are addictive and I can't wait to make more.

Just before Christmas I received my secret santa swap present from Vivien in New Zealand. Thanks so much to Vivien and her grandchildren for putting my lovely parcel together. I was very excited when I received it and was lucky to only have to wait a few sleeps till santa came. It was an effort trying not to open any of them. This was what was inside all these cutie little packages - Some cute little santa tea lights, a lovely soap, cute and handy little torch light (great for the handbag), two cute little washers (Princess and Christmas) to carry in my bag that you just add water to (I use these a lot), a gorgeous handmade oragami box full of choccies (who doesn't love choccies) and a beautiful little handmade sewing caddy (my first one,can you believe it). I just loved everything. Thanks to Viv and her family and to Janette from Wildcraft Farm for organising this swap (also my first). Sorry about the lines in these pics but all of a sudden blogger is not playing nice, as the lines are not in the pics themselves. I will have to try and fix these later.
Here is a pic of the parcels I sent to Viv. I can't show you yet what is in them as I don't know yet if she has received them. Hope they got to her o.k.

I think that was all I wanted to tell you for now since it has been a while.
I will have a few weeks break now until I start my new Job (temporary/part-time) in admin at a High School and Jaden starts Prep (my first child to go off to school, bohooo). Time is just flying by me to quickly.
Hope you all had a wonderful christmas and an even more wonderful New Year!!!
P.S. My Angel Story Quilt and Rosewood Cottage Quilt are being quilted as we speak. Yippeee I can now start another quilt. lol.
My New Years Resolution is to complete my Sampler Quilt Top. Don't know if I've shown you that one yet. A lot of Needle turn applique to be finished. Another quilt, another day.
Happy New Year Crafting. D. :=)

I've been away but now I'm back!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:54:00 +0000

I've been away since Monday in Brisbane taking Jaden to appointments at the Royal Brisbane Childrens Hospital. Nothing serious, just checkups. Jaden takes after me in that he was born with a Cleft lip (me a cleft lip and palette). But it looks so great now and the Royal Childrens have such wonderful specialists there. It was the usual round of Orthodontists, Surgeons and Ear nose and throat Specialists. All looking good and home again now. Thankfully we don't have to go back now for another 12 months.

I have had three wonderful ladies join up for my pay-it-forward exchange, Clare, Viv and Melissa. You can check out the links to their wonderful blogs on my sidebar. Please do.

Here is a pic showing off some of my knitting skills just for Melissa from thistledewfarm.blogspot.com as I promised. This is the Jumper and Beanie that I knitted for my DH (this is actually him in it in our front yard) to wear on a work trip around Melbourne/Victoria last winter. It is made from Alpaca/Wool and little bit of acrylic. It was so beautiful to knit and did not take long at all. This is the first ever adult jumper I have ever knitted. He loves it and wore it quite alot whilst he was down there. I've knitted a few little jumpers for my boys and everyone now has beanies or hats of some sort now.

My sister has become addicted also but now is more into crochet. Here is a little something she made for Jamie (my dh). He asked her to make him this bear to take to work and put on his computer. I don't think he realised how small it would be. He just loves it though and it is currently travelling with him while he's working in Brisbane for the Recovery Relief from the storms they had recently.

I'd better go, more cleaning and organising my house before Jamie comes home this weekend. Was my chance to declutter. Going well so far.

Happy Crafting!!! D :=)

Nothing much happening here today.

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:09:00 +0000
I have not done much by way of craft today as it has been my special day with Jaden (4). Every Friday when dear Bailey (2) is in daycare, Jaden and I do something special together. Today we went swimming as it is sooooo hot and muggy here at the moment. He has been having swimming lessons lately and I thought the two of us could get in a bit of practice. He was very excited to be able to show off his new skills today to Grandma who came with us just for this purpose. Within no time at all he has changed from a screaming banshee if even flicked with a minute bit of water to a drowned water rat who I just can't keep away from the stuff. Even in the bath he has been donning the goggles and calling out to me to check on his progress. Usually when I'm trying to get tea ready. But I am so proud of him.

I did have something exciting happen today craftwise. I had some fabric delivered to me by my postie fairy. I have been eagerly waiting for the backing/binding to arrive to finish my Rosewood Cottage Quilt (shown on the left here). I ordered the fabric from Abbi May's Fabric Shop. It is one of my favourite shops at the moment. I realised I had run out of the fabric that I used for the outer boarder and I had wanted to bind the quilt in the same fabric (might I say I started this quilt some time ago and and have not been able to find the said fabric anywhere. Until of course I discovered some at Abbi Mays much to my relief). As the fabric was on sale I bought enough to bind and back the quilt in the same fabric. They have been wonderful and it arrived so quickly from the U.S. Now I can complete a quilt on my "UFQ" list and one of my goals for this year. Yippeeee. It is so exciting getting fabric in the mail.
Happy Crafting. D. :=)

My Turn to Pay-it-forward!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:34:00 +0000

I was so excited today to discover that I was one of the lucky three to sign up for Janelle's Pay-it-forward exchange. Thanks so much Janelle for doing this exchange.
Janelle is from http://www.threadsoffriendship.blogspot.com/ Make sure you visit their blog. I love it.

I think this is such a wonderful idea! This is how it goes : it's the Pay It Forward exchange, based on the concept of the movie "Pay It Forward", where acts of kindness are done without expecting anything in return, just passing it on, hoping that the recipients will do the same and pay it forward, like a never ending chain of kindness... How to proceed ?I will make and send a handmade gift for the first 3 friends who post a comment to this post, requesting to join this exchange, and promising to pay it forward to 3 other persons, etc.... I don't know what my 3 gifts will be. Your PIF won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent within 365 days (ample time) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. I'm more than happy to send something internationally - so everyone can be involved!!!
What better way for everyone to join hands around the globe and share our crafty goodness!!! So, who wants me to make them something - then you go and get to pass it on?
Have fun crafting!
D. :=)

Where do I start....

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:07:00 +0000

I have been really bad this week and have hardly had time to even look at my blog let alone anyone else's. I have so much catching up to do, lucky I've made myself a cuppa (and a few biccies) so I can finally catch my breath and have some reading time.

My dear hubby left on Monday morning on a flight to Melbourne for a two week trip around Victoria for his work. Yippee I secretly thought (though of course I miss him dearly) Craft till whenever, after the kids are in bed. Wooohooo! But alas things don't always turn out the way you plan. I have re-organised and cleaned my house and done some much needed decluttering (Garage sale time for sure) with not much crafting happening yet. And since I have not been getting my share of inspirational time reading all these wonderfully talented women's blogs out there I have been feeling a little bit lost.

Oh where oh where do I start....This is my first night without anything stopping me from getting in and doing something, anything. But I can't decide which UFO to pick up. I can't believe how terrible that sounds. This is a table runner that needs finishing. All I need to do is sew the binding down. You would think I would have done that by now. Maybe tomorrow...

I am so wanting to hurry up and get all my christmas stuff out and decorate the house already but unfortunately can't get motivated there either. Sad I know, but true. I'm hoping that maybe tomorrow something might kick in now that I don't have to do a trip that I was gearing up to do this week. December is such a short space of time to show off all your chrissy stuff so I usually start early November. This year I've been a bit slack in that department. I had even thought I might go all out this year and decorate with all my lights but am feeling a bit down and haven't got around to it. I had better get in soon or before I know it Christmas will be over (this is a Santa I made last year which I have have just unpacked with a few of my other hand made things. Will post them tomorrow too). So much to do tomorrow....

Oh well at least I've been plugging away at my Red and white Jacob's ladder quilt and nearly have it all together. I laid it all out last week and finally decided on the layout and now am steadily sewing the blocks together. I think I'm on my second last row. Won't be long now and I will have a little surprise giveaway to share with you. That gets me a little bit more excited.

Here are a few friends I have made that I will have to put away until after Christmas.

Oh well....until tomorrow. Happy crafting. D. :=)

An Amazing Quilt Giveaway!!!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:57:00 +0000

You just have to check out Dana's (Old Red Barn Co) amazing Quilt giveaway! These quilts are so gorgeous. You would be mad not to have a look at her amazing blog with these beautiful quilts. I just fell in love with these fabrics and would absolutely love to give one a home. Quick, stop what your doing and just go and do it now, I'll understand you leaving here and I'll catch up with you again later. lol. Happy Drooling. D. :=)

Nature at Play

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:49:00 +0000
I am adding a second post today as I just noticed that the last one I just put on was the 13th Post. I just could not leave it at 13. (Silly I know)

So I thought I would share with you some pics I took yesterday of what I thought must be a bit of a phenomenon. I was on the phone to a close friend who told me to go outside and look up at the sun, so I did and these are a couple of the pics that I took of what I saw. A full circular rainbow going around the sun which was directly overhead. How bizarre. Unfortunately I could not get a pic of the complete circle because when I would look up, the sun would hurt my eyes (of course) and I would just point my camera and shoot, hoping all the while that I was pointing it in the right direction. I thought it was pretty amazing as I had never seen anything like it before. Anyhow, I had better go get organised for the afternoon session of mummy chores (Kindy pickup, soccer, Hmmmmm what to have for tea....). Happy Crafting. D. :=)

50 little blocks ready to be sewn together....

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:36:00 +0000

All 50 little blocks are made and ready to be sewn together. They are just waiting for me to get the time to sit and organise them into the right order (which for me can take a bit of effort as I find it so hard to do random) lol. But here they ready to go. (Hopefully this won't turn out to be another UFO.) Pressure is on now. I'd like to have this together before craft night this week. We'll see. Happy Crafting. D. :=)

Some Giveaway's to check out.

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 22:41:00 +0000
I have just discovered, thanks to Stina, these gorgeous giveaways (check my side bar for the links). You have to check out Abbi's gorgeous blog and she is giving away a quilt. How generous of her. I've now got another new favourite. Happy Crafting D. :=)

Festive Charm Tablerunner Update

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:33:00 +0000
Just a quick update on how my Festive Charm Tablerunner is going... Well I have hardly been able to sleep since starting this project because it's just about all I can think about (so I'd better hurry up). I can't believe and never imagined how starting a blog could get me so motivated into getting my UFO's finished. I just want to get everything finished so I can show you all. I think discovering so much inspiration at my fingertips from other like minded people has been so wonderful. (such an understatement I know). Anyhow, here is the update on the runner.

So far, in between organising Jaden for his first two orientation days in readiness for Prep next year (I don't know who is more excited him or me for him - he's growing up way to fast), parent meetings for prep and kindy commitee breakup meetings (me being the secretary of minutes) I have 25 petite little blocks ready to go and the other 25 just needing the top and bottom rows attached. Then it will be down to deciding on the placement and then joining them all together.

Here are a few of the first 25 completed ones and this next pic is of the remaining 25 yet to be sewn. Not far to go now.
I'm having fun doing this project. So thanks Ruth for this one. I think this could be a good chrissy pressie project, quick enough to whip up a few at once - I won't get to far ahead of myself just yet, one project at a time (cause who needs more UFO's, certainly not me) lol. Will keep you posted.
Happy Crafting. D. :=)

Phew! At last some Craft.

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:11:00 +0000

I just had to let you know that I've just finished cutting my charm squares ready to make the lovely Ruth's Festive Charm Table runner. I'm very excited and can't wait to sew them all together. I'm hoping to do that tomorrow when Bailey has his rest (Jaden will be at Kindy and only bare necessities to be done when it comes to housework lol). Gee, I must sound terrible. Well I did say I was addicted. I'll probably dream about sewing them in my sleep tonight (as I quite often do about my projects)(please tell me I'm normal)lol. Anyhoo, better go get some sleep or else I might need a nanna nap tomorrow and wouldn't that be tragic not getting any sewing done. TTFN (TaTa for Now) Happy Crafting. D. :=)

Took some time out - Been Camping

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:22:00 +0000
Well, since DH went back to work today after having two weeks off, he decided that he would like to getaway somewhere at least once on his holiday. So we took the boys on an adventure and did an overnighter. We took the camper trailer to Cedar Grove Camping grounds in the Amamoor State Forest (where they hold the annual Gympie Muster). Absolutely beautiful there and it was rather quiet too which was really nice. This is my first panorama shot with my new camera. This is the lovely creek which is the swimming hole for this camp spot. The boys just loved it (even though I thought it was freezing cold).

Was the perfect spot and day for a little hand stitching though. Of course you really didn't think I spend the weekend without some craft did you. (lol) I took my secret squirrel project with me to try and get finished so I can hopefully share with you soon. More on that later.

I thought I would also share with you our setup when we camp. Quite modest my also with a touch of home. (I know you've seen these before but this is how they are lovingly used). lol. I also forgot to mention the shaggy cushions that I had made to match each of the boys quilts.
And of course the room would not be complete without the main bed. I must say it is all quite comfy.
Our surroundings are so beautiful and it really is quite a nice spot. We had some unexpected visitors early Sunday morning much to the delight of two little boys.
Just a few more pics of our camp site and surrounds and I'll stop boring you (after all it is suppose to be a craft blog). lol

There are some really great walking tracks around the site too. Jaden and I went on our own little adventure which was really special for me. I so enjoy my special time with him. They are just growing up too fast. (sob) Anyhow that was what I was up to this weekend. Would love to show you all the pics but I'd be here all night and there are more important things tonight like hello !!! Craft!!! lol. Happy Camping, I mean Crafting. D. :=)

Fun Giveaway!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:43:00 +0000
I just thought I would let you in on a wonderful giveaway I just found at http://seekatiesew.blogspot.com/2008/10/two.html. You must check out Katies blog. Lovely indeed.
Be back soon. D. :=)

Another Project Started (Don't tell anyone)

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:50:00 +0000

I know, I shouldn't be starting anything, but it's only a little one......

I got inspired today reading Threads of Friendship's blog (Janellybelly's table runner). It was so lovely I went straight down to my newsagent and bought the lastest issue of Aust Country Threads (Vol 8 No. 12) and came home and selected my fabrics. This beautiful table runner was designed by Ruth Buchanan who produces some gorgeous work. It was too beautiful resist. I just couldn't help it. Here is a pic of the fabrics I have chosen. These are from the Bound to the Prairie 2 Range by Kansas Troubles Quilters for Moda. Sorry I can't show you a pic of the finished product, you'll just have to wait till I'm finished, check out Country Threads or visit Janellybelly's blog and see her gorgeous creations. I can't wait to start it. Might just go and do that now. he! he! he!
Happy Crafting D. :=)

Check this blog out - I just loved it.

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:39:00 +0000
You just have to check out Tracey's blog. I was really impressed and fell in love with her work.
http://scraphappyquilts.blogspot.com/ Go visit it when you can. Happy Crafting and blogging. D. :=)

One more thing before I go to bed...

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:45:00 +0000
Just thought I'd Welcome Marnie with her new blog which I'm sure we'll see some great stuff from in the future. Check out Marnie's blog at pandanipatchwork.blogspot.com

Had a great craft night tonight. It was Amanda's last night tonight before we loose her to the bright lights of the big city Melbourne (I'm very very sad). Can't wait to start our net craft nights Manda. Even though we will be loosing Amanda, I welcome our "New Girl" to the block - Fenella. Fenella, hope you had a good night too and want to come back to our mad Cackle.

Nighty nighty, sleep tighty, See you in the morning lighty. (lol that's what I say to my boys every night. They reply " when the sun is shining brighty).
D :=)

Well all blocks are done. Show and tell tonight.

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:39:00 +0000
Well, since it was my day with no children yesterday (Jaden at Kindy and Bailey's day at daycare) I decided I would get motivated and finally finish the remaining blocks for my Red & White Jacobs Ladder Quilt. Here they all are - all blocks finished and here is a pic (don't take any notice of the blue quilt underneath.

They are not together yet but I thought I would give you a sneak preview of them before they are finally sewn together (they may not necessarily stay in the order that I have them in in this pic). I hope to get the top together with the white boarder in the next couple of days.

I also got to spend the day with one of my wonderful friends Karen (who is also part of my craft group). I actually started the Cackle Club about six or seven years ago now and Karen was my first ever member. She was so motivated by craft and was one of these ladies that always said "I wish I could make that" and I would reply "But you could" and so the Cackle Club was formed. Karen is also an Angel Story Quilter (below is a pic of my unfinished ASQ - sorry it's not real clear) who has only a few blocks left to do and has already started putting a few together. I helped her start another quilt yesterday which she is very excited about. I had such a lovely day yesterday. Thank you Karen helping me take my mind off some things.
DH (on holidays) took the boys fishing today (which Jaden caught his first Bass - He is very proud indeed as are Daddy and I) and all I did today was blog hopped. I must say I found some really exciting and inspirational blogs out there. It has been my first real opportunity to have a look since I have become blog hooked last week. I have certainly added them to my blog list. I was very excited to get an email from Gail Pan, my dream designer, today. I had been on her blog (which you really must visit) having a read. I love her designs. Here is a pic of the "My Heart of the Home" Backpack I made from one of Gails designs. It won me a beautiful fabric bundle from Homespun Magazine a little while ago. I have decided on the quilt to make with them but of course I have decreed that "No more quilts to be started until I finish some UFQ's" Drat that decree - I wish no-one had heard it....There were too many witnesses to take that one back. I tried. One day not so long ago, when I got a new parcel of fabric delivered I stupidly commented "OOOh I can now start my Muddy Garden Quilt. But of course what I got from DH was " But you said....blah blah blah" "Yeah I know what I said" I better get cracking on those UFQ's hey! lol.

That reminds me too - It is my 1 week anniversary. It has been a week since I started my blog. Happy anniversary to Me!!! lol.

I'd better go and tidy up the table for Craft tonight and send an email to Gail. I'll have to see if I can get a pic of the girls to share with you. lol. Must also say a friendship filled hello to my Craft Girls - Barb, Beth, Amanda, Kelli, Jodi and Karen who all touch my life in a million wonderful ways.

Happy Crafting for now. D :=)

All very exciting!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 07:40:00 +0000
I can't say how excited I was with my first comments to my blog. I think it makes it sink in that you really aren't alone in the world and that there are others out there that might like what you do and are excited about the same things. Well what aya know. Thanks.

I have actually had a little bit of time to myself today to catch up on a UFQ (though I do have a list of those that I might tell you about later). I have been working on a quilt that I have decided to do due to our little groups secret santa fat quarter swap last christmas. I had decided then that I would love to do a red and white quilt of some sort with intentions of maybe adding some redwork here and there and that was the colour scheme that my secret santas went with. Well, a couple of months ago I got out all my red and white fabrics and decided on a quilt to use them all in. A Jacobs Ladder design.

There is no redwork but I am happy with my choice and am hoping that it turns out o.k. Some of the fabrics are really lovely and all the white is different for each block. They are white on white fabrics that have not been so easy to come by. I intend to have 3 crosses across and three crosses down which means there are 36 blocks in total and each block is 12" finished. I think I might do a white boarder to show off some quilting and then bind the quilt in a strippy binding of all the reds that I have used in the quilt itself.

I also received from Beth (one of my Happy Cacklers) another fat 1/4 for my bithday that I celebrated just recently and have made a block to add to my quilt to remind me of her. I have been working on my last few blocks. I have over the last couple of months been doing a block or two here and there and last tally was 31 blocks. Well, I cut the last few and have been working on them today. I think that when I am finished putting them all together, I just might celebrate with a little give-a-way of something with my left over blocks. Will certainly keep you posted on that. I can't wait to have this one finished. Will post some pics of my other UFQ's later when my children have gone to bed. Their saturday night movie is about to start and I it's my turn to do popcorn.
Happy Crafting. D :=)

Stage 2 Complete

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 03:39:00 +0000

Well, I have been madly running around with my camera getting pics of just about anything and everything I have made for show-n-tell. Just to bring you up to speed of course and then it will be hopefully things I have finished from here on in (not lol). What would I do without some UFO's - oh what am I thinking - I'd start new ones of course. Anyway here are some pics of some quilts I have made.

This is my first ever completed quilt. I made this for my Dear Hubby (DH). He calls it his swag quilt. Though I nicely informed him (like heck it will) it will never be used for his swag. It is way to big anyway. Having said that though, we do use it in the camper trailer when we go somewhere.

This is one that I made for my eldest son Jaden when he was two (he is now almost five). This Quilt is called "Bear Hugs" from The Chook Shed. The bears can be changed to girl bears with bows on their heads if you are doing it for a girl. I have used scraps from my stash for the main part of the quilt.

Jaden just loved it when I made this for him (and of course still does). It gets used for just about everything. Well loved indeed.

This one I have recently finished for my now two year old son Bailey. It is a little hard to appreciate the farm animals but believe me they are just adorable. Included in this one are Chooks, Cows, Horses, Pigs and Sheep. It is a pattern called "Calico Friends" by Calico Farm Designs.

Unfortunatley I don't have a photo of this quilt completed but this is my first flannel log cabin. I made this one for my mum for her 50th Birthday last year. It is a double sided quilt as I ran out of fabric for the back and ended up piecing all the left over strips to insert into a panel in the back. I was really happy with the finished quilt. It had been quilted by a lovely lady by the name of Cheryl and she had done a gorgeous job of it. I was quite sad to have to give it away but at least I know I can visit it anytime. Cheryl also quilted DH's quilt for me.
Well that's some of the completed quilts that I have done for now. I might post some pics of my UFQ's later. The boys are back from their fishing expedition and it is now my job to view their catch lol. Hugs2U. D.

At Last!!!!

sootles3@bigpond.net.au (Dee) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:26:00 +0000
I have finally done it. I have been nagged (nicely of course) at by one of my close friends not mentioning names (Beth) to do this so now I have created a blog. I have been meaning to do it for some time now and have finally taken the plunge since one of my lovely crafty cacklers has decided to make her own big leap and move away to Melbourne. She will be dearly missed. This is to keep in touch with you Manda Panda.

Anyway, all that said and done, this is my first time at this blogging and hopefully over time this blog will start to look better with age (apparently like most women I'm told since I've just had another birthday and heading deeper into my thirty's).

Must go and do some more craft (and Mum things) as this is my day off. Will update you soon with photo's of all my UFO's and projects that I have in the Bank and of course projects that I have already completed. D:>.