Friday Night Stitch In

Hello petals...
I signed up for the Friday Night Sew in (button on the side there).... what did I get up to??? well considering I nearly forgot about it ROFL not a lot! I had a crap day at work (I am a debt collector for the state government) so one of the girlies at work and myself took ourselves off to the bar after work.. of course I was driving so I could only have a couple of drinks (two large vodka's) so of course, I couldn't run the gauntlet home so I had to wait a wee while for my drinks to 'absorb'.. do you know what? vodka makes me sleep (I am an insomniac btw)... anyhoo, what did I get up to??? wellllllll


the centre of my Adelaide Signature Squares is done.. I am going to put a border around this and as I had two more signature squares I am putting them into the border.. the backing is washed, I have the rest of my batiks out so I have audtioned a few and will do a pieced border..

This top should (and I use that word very loosely) measure about 60 x 72 " when done.. a large lap size...

I am not a fan of batiks, I like the palette I just dont like the 'feel' of the fabric.. it reminds me of the shower curtains that would stick to me when I was a kid trying to have a shower! I loved it when my parents reno'd the bathroom and we got a slidy door no more sticky shower curtains!

of course, I had started the signature squares, so wasn't a HUGE amount of sewing involved (two hours mebbee???).. so I dragged this out..


I am a 'leader/ender' sewer.. I made these four patches as leader enders last year, I made the four patch variation out of them and have enough for this sucker.. (well I might have to make some more but not too many).. I ran out of the double pink fabric so I ordered some from the US.. I bought it in backing width as it was a lot cheaper than buying it by the usual 44".. crazy... anyhoo, I am half done with this one.. I did have to do a bit of unsewing with this top, cause I kept sewing the flippin' triangles on the wrong way! doh! This top is made out of 19th Century / Civil War reproduction and a couple of 'would be if they could be's'... its more pink in real life that in the pic, I just suck big time at takin' pics.

This top should measure around 80" square when done.. not sure about adding a border to this quilt, but if I do, it'll probably be about 90" square

Now I would of liked a finish last night, I am trying to get all my UFO's up to top stage so I can start some new stuffs LOL


My hubby asked the question last night... 'where are we going to put all these quilts?'

My reply was 'bend over and I'll show you!'... hahaha.. we have a quilt 'chair' I have quilts piled up so high that they are toppling over :O) its a VERY unusual decorating item, one I've not seen one those home reno shows..

anyhoo, thats it from me.. I am off to do some sewing and off to do some washing while the sun is out.. its a beautiful day here in Newcastle Australia and NOT HOT.. woohoo.. last Saturday was 15C (30F) hotter than our temp we are expecting today..wooohoo..


take care petals :O)

Lissa

Tempting the Fates (or the evil pussy cat, whichever!)

Now now, dont be surprised, tis a post from me, again in the same month even... what is going on with the world, has it gone crazy??? I intend *cough*cough* to blog about my finishes or even flimsies, so at the end of the year, I can actually say 'Holy crap I did finish some stuffs'.. so without further ado...

I have been playing with blocks this week.. Once a year I go to quilty retreat with about 150 of my closest friends.. now this is always fraught with a little apprehension, as I dont like crowds.. thinking about it even now, I get that heart in the throat feeling, but I go each year and have fun each year and get a wee bit tipsy (sometimes drunk even).. and I sign up again for the following year! This year we are off to Bathurst, which is about a 5 hr drive from here :O)

Anyhoo in thinking of the retreat, I thought I'd better work on my signature squares from the LAST retreat (of course the year before and the year before that aren't finished but we wont go there)... Last year was half square triangles the theme was 'wine and roses'.. the colours had to be wine or rose coloured and batik (or rose)...




This is my first layout.. I thought hmm its so-so.. went to get a drink and a snack.. and come back to this....I know I was very very stupid.. I mean, he was EYEING off the blocks in the pic above, but sheesh from quilt layout to destruction in seconds... I swear he must be speedy gonzales! :O)

well seeing tho the booger cat didn't like this layout.. I tried this...

what do you think??? I think I like it.. the four that make up the pinwheel's are my roomies and I at the retreat.. I have a bit of fiddling with colour placement, but I am happy with this..

I also finished these two tops this week, and they have been posted off for a quilty holiday already... The first top is the blocks from the 9 patch swap I did with Christine last year..I am very happy with this.. I did try blue and also red as the alternating block but the brown sets it off nicely.. this will be a lap quilt for the lounge (we have big laps here)


This quilt top is from an AP&Q magazine from early last year.. it was supposed to have a 'pie border' (english paper pieced circles) now I just knew I'd never get it finished so I added more blocks to make this quilt humungous.. its a very very large twin size, I just added a very small float of 1" and then another border which I'll trim back to 3".. I think it looks good... my eldest boy likes it so I might have to share!


Speaking of booger cats (he is no longer a ba$tard cat by the way, he has been very loving this week, he is not a friendly cat at all, but he has been wanting to sit near me, and follow me around and snuggle next to me when I am watching TV.. I know, he must be on some chill pills or something!) The kids think this pic is funny, cause you can't see his legs or tail, its all there peeps.. the kids call it 'octocat' but alas, a cat doesn't have eight legs silly kids, but its still funny.. this is cosmo's fave sleeping position...


This is his other fave spot to sleep.. I chopped my sons head off, as he'd KILL me if I put his ugly mug on my blog.... he has just had most of his hair chopped off.. he has one of those 'rock band' hair do's now.. oh the joys of almost 16 year olds.. I shouldn't complain as 3 years ago, he wouldn't brush his hair or wash it without us nagging him, now I am always looking for my hair straightener! The beast's hair 4 months ago, was longer than mine and was heading to his waist.. he had 8" off last hair cut! its lovely hair though.. If only his 14 yo brother would look after his hair.. boys eh??? anyhoo... here is a pic of Cosmo the no-so-bastard-cat in his fave spot in the world... awoken by the beast for the photo opportunity! (yes it is a shoebox a smallish shoebox for a very large fluffy-bastard-cat)

well off to do some sewing and some washing.. we have sunshine today after 3 weeks of very iffy weather.. of course sunshine after 3 weeks of raining makes 1. the grass grow VERY long and 2. makes the weather very muggy :O( muggy = poopy weather.. Dags mowed the lawn on Thursday and I swear it needs doing again.. Miss Smelly is off to her friends for a swim in the pool so I'd better get some clothes on.. apparently going out in the car in your pj's isn't acceptable it embaresses 12 yo's.. who would of thunk that???

take care and quilty huggers.. 'til next time


Lissa

When Bad things happen to not-so-bad (nor good) peoples!

Hello Possums....

want to see a pic of what I am working on????



These lovely blocks were artistically arranged, placed after much to-ing and fro-ing last night... I also squinted at them from afar, took the SPECS off to even have a blurrier pic.. and was very happy with the layout.. well of course I came back to EEK... CHAOSS!!! all 5.1kgs of the furry booger...

Now to look at him..
I know... he is cute, and has that sort of 'butter wouldn't melt in his mouth' look about him.. but let me remind you all, he is a BASTARD CAT... pardon the french, but he is of very questionable parentage as well... a REAL bastard of a cat....... as I was telling him off for 'skidding' or 'quilt rearranging' as I am sure he calls it, he did a big 'dump' in his box, so I cleaned that up... when I come back inside, oh of course, he left me a present on the carpet, a lovely FURBALL... cats?? they are as bad as kids, but at least there is the RSPCA for naughty bastard pussy cats.. I can't threaten the kids with the POUND...

Of course we'd never send Bailey the Wonderdog to the pound.. she is a very good watchdog (sometimes she even gets off her bed to bark at peeps rattling the gate)
she likes to think she is an inside doggie, but she isn't.. she does do a mad dash through the house from time to time as she has taken a liking to bastard cat food :O) he is too fussy, but ol' Bazzie, well she adores tuna with wild rice and lordy knows what else we try to tempt the furry devil with..

here is a pic of Bazzie we took very recently, she is starting to look a wee bit grey around the gills (a bit like myself)

Okay, back to the quilt... I fiddled and have squinted (and took the specs off) and very quickly got a pic of it reassembled again.. I'll be stitching this tonight, I am not into parties or big gatherings, I am a bit 'shy'.. now I know people who have met me in the flesh might think this is HILARIOUS but I truly am a shy wall flower.. I have been known to have panic attacks thinking about having to go to big functions... Anyhoo.. this is the quilt... so far... I have about 20 seams or so to sew and its done!


These blocks partially were from the block swap that Christine had organised on her blog.. I had a few extra's that worked as well, its civil war / 19th century repros.. I think there could be a few 'would be if they could be's' but hey, I am not the quilt police so it works for me! I want to get this one finished to send with a few others off to my friend to get quilted sometime in 2010!

speaking of 2010.. Happy New Year to you all... I am hoping for a safe year for all my family and friends, an easier year for my dad.. much happiness for my dear brother and cooler weather! how long until Winter????? 6 months?? crikey!!!


take care possums...



Lissa
the itinerant blogger

Only 364 days to go...

Hello possums...

yes just a heads up... christmas IS COMING!!! its only 364 days to go.. Now please consider yourself warned.. there will be no excuses now for last minute shopping or sitting up on christmas eve waiting for the 'darlings' to go to _#()$*_)( bed so you can play santa...

I made this heart some years ago.. I think it looks cute.. I had to remember where I put it so I could drag it out this year...

I didn't do a lot of decorating this year... we have two tree's but since we have had a certain furry booger living with us, I only put one up.... he wasn't bothered at all by the tree this year, no ornaments committed 'ornamenticide' while we were at work/school... last year we'd come home and find more ornaments on the floor than on the tree...
So in thinking that we'd have 'ornamental carnage' I put a whole heap of red decorations into this tall glass vase I have had for at least 20 years, I bought it before I'd left home! Its a simple idea, it was on the table (didn't get a pic) with the forest of miniature trees..

So what did santa bring Lissapoo? well I got a new pandora bracelet (um no. 4 bracelet), a pandora necklace, 7 charms and two quilting books (the Elm Creek series).. I also got some lovely perfume (Giorgio which is my fave) and a few bits and pieces... So I was thoroughly spoiled (which I deserve to be)..

Sewing wise? um still not much happening here.. I have been buying fabric ten times quicker than I sew.....

So I thought I'd leave you a pic of Bailey the Wonderdog, busy doing what she does best.. see the blue pool in the background?? well its hers, its her favourite place to be in summer.. she even SLEEPS in it when its darn hot (it is summer here and we've had some scorchers already)

And this is Cosmo's favourite spot too.. the kids aren't allowed to bother him when he is in his play tunnel, it didn't take Cosmo very long to work out the kids don't annoy him here so he has some lovely sleeps in here!

Deeeaaar Santa... - Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber

Deeeaaar Santa... - Fat Quarter Shop's Jolly Jabber

A letter to Santa.....

Dear Santa....

well I did promise I'd be good this year... the lumps of coal I got in my stocking last chrissy were a bit of a reminder / nudge to remind me to behave myself this year..... to honest, the coal was a bit of a crap thing to do... I mean, you can't always be good can you???

I did promise I'd not drink copious amounts of alcohol and be oobnoxious... well, I only drank copious amounts once or twice this year (*fingers crossed*)...

I did promise that I'd finish everything I started, those chocolate bars were very tasty, the bottle of schmirnoff also VERY good... a few quilty things did get finished this year (*fingers crossed*legs crossed*)....

I did also promise that I'd retire from nagging my husband... I like to call it 'repetitive-persuasion-done-at-volume' this year, so yes, the nagging has stopped.. (*fingers crossed*legs crossed*eyes crossed*)

I also learned that the anklet I've been wearing was actually my HALO (Ooopsie) so its all shined up and glowing somewhere closer to my head....(I think they call it a choker???)

so ok, I fess up... I wasn't such a good possum this year, but but BUT... if you were to deliver something from your Elves at the Fat Quarter Shop like

or even

I'd be so occupied I'd not have time to run amok...

Now if I was to be considered on the 'NICE' list and erased from the top of the naughty list, I am sure either one of these lovelies would point me in the right direction... Of course I'd be too darn busy sewing up a storm to even think about creating chaos and havoc in my wake...

So please dear Santa.. I am reformed 'Naughty List Leader' and now shining my halo daily please send me some lovelies to play with....

Lissa

PS no I have not gone nuts... the Fat Quarter Shop is having a super giveaway, check out this post for information!

Ahem.. I lied again

Hello Petals..

yes 'tis I.. the itinerant blogger...

What have I been up to for five months? Um not a great deal! This working full time is certainly over rated.. between work and family I dont get a load of time to do any fun sewing.. I did get myself a new machine in September and alas, I've used it um for about 2 hours!

I did lose my quilting mojo for awhile.. and this horrid heat has put the kybosh on sewing no a/c in the sewing area...

I have also discovered Norwegian Blogs.. This blog "LeKaQuilt" caught my eye awhile ago Thanks to google translater I can now read the blogs as well as enjoy the eye candy.. I am not quite sure about what I like about what Norwegian quilters are doing, but they seem to do clean lines and the colour pallette they use interests me.. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I do enjoy reading the blogs! And I keep seeing SNOW on their blogs, which is hard to imagine after 43C yesterday at work.. and I was on the coast.. EEK.. and of course, yesterday was the day they decided to 'fix' our a/c at work.. we've been freezing all month and yesterday finally they got it right throughout the building...


Helen Stubbings Is doing a giveaway on the above quilt pattern.. its a QAYG job and I just love this.. I've not done a QAYG but I think this one would be fun to tackle! Lots of redwork and its just my 'colours'..

so what I have been exactly doing?? um not a great deal.. the bastard cat is mellowing.. he is sitting at my feet as I type, wondering what the heck I am doing on the darn computer and why I am not in the kitchen opening a tin or two for him.. he let me shave his tummy through the week, so he isn't feeling the heat so bad.. I feel for him when its summer.. Bailey the Wonderdog is in her pool already, we bought her last year another kiddies wading pool and she is having a snooze in it at 8am! its quite funny, I'll have to charge the camera up and take a pic..


Have I had any finishes lately? um no.. LOL I am awaiting some 9 patch blogs to come home from Christine's 9 Patch swap. I know EXACTLY what I am going to do with these.. I have a pile of 9 patch repro's from another swap, so I am planning on doing one quilt on point and one not like a scrappy irish chain and maybe make the quilt reversible? Idont know whether to do two quilts or or a double sided quilt.. hmmm

Anyhoo..enough rambling, please go and check out the blogs..

Oh a link.. this is a favourite of mine : QuiltShops if I am looking for anything in particular, I can usually find it here and on sale.. with our $ so good against the US I've been buying up fabric ten times faster than I am sewing.. ok, another lie there, not much sewing, but I have added about 50 meters of fabric to the stash in the past 4 months! I signed up for TWO BOM's as well.. The one & this one


what was I thinking?? um I wasn't thinking, thats the problem! Did I mention I loathe triangles????????? I guess I'll have them mastered after doing these two quilts...


take care


Lissa
the itinerant blogger
the sometimes patchworker

Ahem.... so I tell FIBS...

Okay okay okay...

yep my last post I promised not so long between posts and wow, nearly 4 months.. CRIKEY FOUR FREAKING months have passed by...

after numerous emails and reading this blogpost I thought of a NIKE ad and thought 'JUST DO IT'...

What have I been up to since February???

Um I could have finished a quilt or three (putting binding on the last one)


I did finish a couple of tops



2007 Scquilters Retreat - Bendigonia Behemouth BACK (all signatures)



Bendigonia Behemouth FRONT (not sure about borders so have put this into the 'too hard' basket at the moment)



Perth 2008 Siggy squares, I thought of sunshine, so I have sort of kinda did a colour wash with the sun radiating from the left hand side.. its a signature quilt as well.. not sure about borders probably do a simple thing (I am a simple person)

I might of even gone on another retreat.. and come home with some more fabric.. UH OH.. this is only SOME of it.. Um I didn't take any pics but there are some Pics on Bernadette's blog, as we were roomies!!!


I might have even remebered how to crochet.. my friend Bernadette found this pattern so I had to make it (I think I finished it in two nights??) a certain furry person loves it for some reason, have to keep it in the car otherwise I go to work with a scarf that looks like it is ANGORA instead of plain ol' wool... this is for a book mark of course, but I used bigger hook and wool rather than perle thread.. it was a bit wavy, but I am sure thats the person driving the crochet hook rather than the pattern.. I am only 39, but I hadn't crochet anything other than granny rugs for um, 25 years at least!



Now on my last post I did promise a giveaway.. I asked my son (aka the beast) to pick a number and he picked "ONE" so if you posted on my PREVIOUS POST you could of won... so VICKIE from NT if my guess is correct, please email me your snail mail and I'll pop a wee surprise in the mail to you!!!

her comment was....
Vickie said...
HOLY snappin duck poop, good to read you is alive and kicking girl..hmmm been spendin again eh?some nice goodies there-and whats with all this winning eh..new name fr you "queen of winnings"
cheers Vickie

1:15 AM

I have had a poopy week.. the shingles are back - yes again... no spots, just the pain, I am sure I'll survive.. what brought on this dose? last Saturday, I drove past my g/fs street, had planned on calling in then thought 'nah I'll go home' then something told me to go back, so I backtracked and I had a lovely afternoon chatting to my g/f and her hubby.. four hours after I got home, my g/fs hubby passed away.. he was only 41.. so I have had the shock of that and the funeral this week.. so no wonder I have shingles..


Also check out Mid-Ohio-Knitters Blog she is having a giveaway!!!


Well I think thats enough for you all to take in.. next post, I'll put up some of the redwork I've been working on!



take care


Lissa

Yep 'tis I...

Hello possums...

well I did promise that it wouldn't be so long between 'drinks' or posts..


This is about all I have done lately... not much, its Gail Pans 'freebie' stitchery of the month... I am lazy (as you might already know) so I am doing mine in redwork.. so far so good.. block 2 is ready to be stitched..

But I have been a tad busy (same o same o) and I am sure you are all aware of what has been happening to this poor country of ours.. 189 dead in the bushfires, I think they are up to 1834 homes gone, 7000++ people homeless and the number of dead is expected to hit more than 300 in the coming months... we have the fires in the south and and flooding up north, over 1000 homes flooded up there.... a lot of aussies are rallying together, donating quilts, orphan blocks, tops... if you want to help, please check out
Australian Red Cross - need $'s.. with so many people homeless, they need funds.. if you are overseas, $1 AUD - 64c US..
OzComfortQuilts - Jan is an amazing woman.. the amount of quilts she makes for charity each year is mind boggling.. she is happy to take off your hands, those orphan blocks, quilt tops, and of course, finished tops.. I have a few orphans to send to her.. I know this woman 'in the flesh' and she is a generous woman, so please, why not whip up a block or two or more and send to Jan.. she also has a tutorial on her other blog on how to make her QAYG blocks.. she has been calling for 10.5" finished 'heart string' style blocks..

There are so many people doing some wonderful things... I'll post a few more links in my next post..

we have a lovely country, a country of extremes in so many ways... we are on day 6 of rain here in downtown Newcastle, and we have been blessed not to have flooding in our area, although there are flood warnings further 'up the valley' please keep your fingers crossed for the farmers!

well not much sewing getting done here, to say I have had a poopy fortnight is an understatement and I know dragging a sewing machine out and doing 'something' or anything would cheer me up, but yesterday, well a quick trip to the quilt shop always cheers me up.. and to be honest, this is a FABRICOLOGIST blog so I have to keep the masses happy with a pic of the newest members of my 'family' (thats the stash family)...

for the aussies, the fabs on the left, the repro's are from, that place that we all say we dont shop at, but often visit... spotlight.. they were $9.95/m (a bargain for non aussies)..

the Aviary charm squares, they are sweet, I got two lots but somehow have misplaced one lot! doh! the rest of the 'loot' come from Onpoint Patchwork which is on my way home from work, and I never ever seem to get there, they have a little bit of everything and a lot of thimbleberries..

KA requested pics of my other 'fetish'.....

Yes I am embaressed/chuffed to say I am the owner of not one, not two but THREE pandora's.. and yes, I wear them together all the time.. I feel a bit odd now when I take them off, my arm feels like it is floating away.. I am thinking I am going to end up with like a tennis player arm one lovely muscly one, and one with the saggy 'fadoobeeders' (fadoobeeders = tuck shop lady arms / batwings).. oh well, I love them and to be honest, I haven't bought a lot of them, my darling daddles (aka the father) bought me my name for christmas he nearly fainted when they told him how much.. I thought it was kinda funny, as he bought my REAL name and not my nick name... so there, my secret is out, my REAL name isn't Lissa.. its MELISSA..

I did also get some 'cheer up' mail the other week, I won a giveaway on Bozzy's blog... I was having a poopy day, and come home to this 'stash' of habby items.. the pins are wonderful, I love clover applique pins and these are perfect like the clover ones.. the silicon bobbin holder is also something I have coveted and the yoyo's in hearts were perfect for valentines day (oops forgot to take a pic of what we made)..

Thanks so much Lynda!!!


I was also very lucky (might have to rush out and buy me some lotto tickets)
before christmas I won a giveaway on a few blogs.. firstly a wonderful pattern from Kerry from My Favourite Things.. Miss Lara has eyed this pattern off.. I also won a lovely pattern from Annie from Hatched and Patched I also won a lovely Lynette Anderson designs pin from Kim @ Honeysuckle Cottage, it was wrapped in a lovely piece of fabric too.. Thank you sooo darn much ladies! I love

Which leads me to thinking.. I have been sooo darn lucky with 'winnings' (some days I feel like I am a blog whore, I LOVE blogs, I could spend all darn day on the net checking out what peoples are up to) online, that stay tuned possums, I am going to have a giveaway.. not sure of what yet.. (a teenager or two could be on the cards!).. but I am not saying my next post, could be the one after, but there is a giveaway.. might be some stash (if I dont get my finger out) or something fun.. I haven't thought about it too much as you can tell, but stay tuned possums..

Cat 67, Tree 2

Hmmm

this is an 'after' pic of the poor ol' tree..

A certain critter, who shall remain nameless (but who is often referred to as 'the bastard cat') has been having a WOW of a time with our tree... well until the unfortunate incident of him in the tree and the tree toppling over.. I have never seen a furry critter run so fast.. he plays it 'safe...r' now by just 'tinkering' with the baubles that are on the lowest branch.. of course now, there are no deco's on the bottom of the tree, they are all on the floor UNDER the tree.. I took great pains in 'decorating' the tree this year, had everything BALANCED, and it looked perfect.. of course I should took a BEFORE pic, aka, before Cosmo attacked it..



this pic, well pretend your glasses need updating, stupid darn camera.. I have no idea how long the new 'freebie' will take to get here, but I am sure you guys are thinking 'not bloomin' soon enough'.. I like homemade deco's but I am lazy, so I got the felted ones from a cheapie shop a couple of years ago, they were like $1 each at the sales, felted reindeers, reindeer faces & santa faces.. the crochet snowflakes come from Target, I did plan on getting mum to teach me how to make them, we got these on sale too, they were 50c each I think.. I bought every single one, planning on making a few dozen more to just do the tree in snowflakes.. which is ironic when you think about it, as snow doesn't fall here in Winter, let alone in the hottest part of summer.. Oh the red baubles are covered in red buttons.. I just hot glued them on.. going to do some white ones when I get a chance, have to find some plain ol' white baubles first, and some white buttons *W* I am sure I got a tonne of them about!!!


Oh, by the way.. the HOT returned.. its so blucky today.. had the a/c going and the kids..

No fabric arrived in my house this week.. which is probably fortunate for me, cause dags would have a cow at me.. I am already in the poop, as he bought some Pandora charms for a certain person (Miss Lara) and found out how much they are.. hmmmmm.. when you have TWO pandora bracelets almost full, well he now knows how much I been gifting myself.. ooopsie.. so lucky no fabric turned up, dont know what is in store for next week though, as I do know there is something on its way from Hancocks!


dont you just love gifting yourself?? I mean you ALWAYS get something you like, and you just know you'll appreciate it????

Nothing sewing happening this week.. I do have a few things I have to make and get into the post this week, so I am going to be busy..


Well I am gonna go and get myself out of the heat..

Oh... a link.. instead of a blog to go visit, I have a vintage embroidery freebie link to share.. click here .... masses of vintage patterns for you to redwork or embroider.. I remember doing that once.. LOL



Lissa
the itinerant blogger
& definately the itinerant patchworker!

Cool Giveaway Daisy Quilts!

Daisy Quilts is having the coolest giveaway...



Why not go and help celebrate her blogiversary!!!!


Lissa

PS another cool site to check out is my friend B's. I met Bernadette at the quilting retreat this year, but I used to chat to her on ICQ a zillion years ago.. is it still around??? ICQ??? I found ICQ group chats nearly as frustrating as a toddler and up there with a bastard cat! LOL
Bundy does the bestest ever machine quilting, a few of my tops are off on a quilty holiday at the moment with her! I can only DREAM to be as good as her... apparently practice plays part of it??? LOL

Ooops I did it again!!!

Blurry photo's that is..

found out 'WHY' I suck at taking pics.. my DARLING Monster (aka DS Morgan aka Morgy the Monster) has been JUGGLING my camera.. yes ##%#%#@&*()&#@ juggling my camera.. I was talking to him the other night and FOUR times he dropped it while talking to him.. I bought a new camera using some 'flyby's' I get from using my credit card a LOT.. LOL it should be here by the end of the year, but until then.. just pretend you forgot your glasses..

OK whats a week without fabric?? I mean I dont have time to SEW it lately, so why not keep the US economy going by buying fabric from there?? I got the fabric pictured from ebay, autumn rose quilting or something like that, for $46 US posted for SIX YARDS yes, SIX.. six of any fabric in australia would cost me at least $120 + postage, so I am a happy camper with this lot.. backgrounds are impossible to find in Newcastle too..

a post or two ago, I asked if someone wanted to swap magazines with me, and someone came to the RESCUE!!! My new bloggy friend Caroline sent me this lot, some yummy lindt chocolate (who doesn't love lindt chocolate, my second fave after Cadburys Rocky Road - a new to me favourite), a cute needle book and a gutterman tin of thread! and of course the Quilters Newsletter Magazine I HAD to have.. I want to make the Civil War Crossings quilt, lovely pinks and double pinks and a bit of chocolate thrown in for good measure! Thank you so much Caroline..

Um you might notice something else.. I finished another two pin cushions, not convinced I like working with felt much, but I sat up and finished both of these on Saturday night last weekend.. 2am I put the last stitch in, and looking at them you'd guess that too! the slip stitching is dead dodgy, but hey, only rude people wouldn't comment, and fortunately for me, the felt police are yet to visit..

I have had a crap week at work..

We had mums 'anniversary' this week, I still am numb about her passing away last year.. I thought I'd be OK for work, but stupid here *pointing at oneself* forgot the work she had.. I am a debt collector, and I also help create revenue for the Public Hospitals in our state.. I had to create invoices for 'cremation certificates' all morning... But I managed to get through the day with minimal tears..

Ok thought I'd leave you with these two cute pics... they are taken a wee while ago (why they aren't blurry)

I love this one of the bastard, I mean, evil one.. I just love how the fabric and the cat sorta kinda blend together.. he has been behaving himself *touch wood*, and I am most anxious about the safety of our christmas tree which will go up on Monday!


and this pic of Bailey the Wonderdog, who really isn't an inside dog (we did try for two VERY LONG YEARS to housetrain her) but she is allowed in for visits after baths and a dash of 'psycho spray' (doggie cologne that makes her go pscho).. she isn't, um, allowed on the LOUNGE.. the one she is sitting on is one I found in a junk shop for $50.. I think its one of the copperart ones, but its great to keep pet hair off the lounge, the one scrunched up behind her, is my version of 'Ruths Quilt' by Leanne Beasley.. I called mine "Lissa's Quilt", cause well, I dont know anyone called Ruth, and my name is Lissa! LOL

Where did the HOT go???

Hello petals...

this week has been a week of extreme's weather wise.. Friday, it was so freaking HOT, today...... I am sitting here in my flannel PJ's shivering.. whats doin' mother nature?? Although I am not so much complaining about the wintery day, more like the freakin' hot Friday! Summer starts 1 December here in Aussieland.. its blowin' a gale here today, and its FREEZING!!!

I might of mentioned it before, not sure, but I am a fabricologist.. a collector of fabrics.. so this week? well I had to add to the stash now didn't I..

sorry about the fuzzy pic, I had a pussy cat attacking my leggies and a low battery!
OK, stuffs on the left I got from Ebay... Middle stuffs, I got from my angel, some lovely smelly stuffs for my weary old tootie toes, some gorgeous fabric, um you might notice that there is an empty green tub at the back? well it MAY of contained some ferrero rochers.. but then again, I may not want to incriminate myself by admitting to eating all of them when the kids were snoozing (it was only EIGHT and it was over three nights, thats not too naughty is it??).. so thank you to my lovely angel for gifting me with lovelies! The third row, is a swap I did with Cathi, she mentioned on her blog about a triangle quilt and we emailed back and forth, and she offered to send me the triangles on a roll.... I never seen them here, I have seen thangles ONCE at our local quilt shop, but she doesn't keep them anymore, cause no one buys them??? they dont have any in stock, so someone musta bought them.. anyhoo, Cathi sent me some lovely scraps of her civil wars and the triangles on a roll, I put something in the mail to her, so hopefully Australia Post wont let me down and deliver it REAL soon..


This is what I've been a working on.. it is the second instalment of 'Pincushion of the Month' ran through Quilted Fabric Delights . I bet you're scratching your heads thinking 'but Lissa, where is month 1??' well ol' Lissa doesn't do FELT real well, so she had to glue it down and had to wait for the old glue to dry.. sorry about the fuzzy pics, beginning to think it must be my eye balls this morning? I am not 100% happy with this, I tweaked the pattern and I think thats the reason for not liking it.. plus they had the thing upside down in my thinking.. all that embroidery and you were supposed to put it on the bottom? nah, I spent 4.5 hours last night making this sucker and finished at about 2am this morning.. there is a wee rosebud pin in it as well, it comes with the kit.. Kit no. 3 arrived this week and its a Melly & Me pattern.. can't wait to get my teeth into that one!

I just wanted to share this pic with you guys.. this is my SON.. yes, my eldest beast aka Darcy-monster.. Darcy has never liked getting his hair cut, and yesterday he let me plait it, wouldn't let me put elastic bands in, and he bribed me to let me take this pic of him.. his hair is about 18" long now.. he is hoping one day he might find someone who might like to buy it for a wig? dunno if they still do that, but he is keen! He looks a bit like Willie Nelson from the back dont you think?? the Bandanna, well we dont know what thats all about, but he likes wearing it, and he thinks he is COOL.. I got news for him, it aint! LOL yeah I know its sideways but i am too freakin' lazy and tired to change it..

Well thats it from me...

Link of the week to a bloggy is Jodie @ Ric-Rac.. Jodie is so productive and so clever, you gotta go and check out her SELVEDGE DRESS.. I kid you not, a freakin' dress made from those bits most of us chop up and throw away (well I dont, I cut them off and send them to selvedge-a-holics and keep the civil war ones for myself) she has a new puss puss too, very very cute.. if you haven't checked out Jodie's blog you gotta and let her know Lissa sent you, cause I keep telling her I have no friends..




Lissa

FREE BOM link

Just thought I'd share this link with you guys...




Esther Aliu is having a free BOM on her blog, click here to find out more.. its called 'Red Delicious' and I did have a wee bit of trouble downloading it (more because I didn't read the instructions properly) but it is lovely!!! and the name sorta kinda gives away what colour the BOM is in..


so go and check out Esther's freebie, the patterns are only available for a month...



Lissa
who is tidying up after a wee storm yesterday of hail and torrential rain and wet carpet.. lovely!

Quick Post and a link to a Giveaway...

hello petals...

well I am getting there sickness wise.. I am nearly back to 'full strength' Lissa... I ended up missing 2.5 days of work (come home sick) has been interesting ringing chasing debtors with a darth vader voice this week (I am a debt collector for the government but a NICE one, I only ring companies!!!) and my boss and co-workers have been so lovely..

I did manage to get some more redwork finished I have 4.5 blocks to go.. yeah! No pics yet, BUT I thought I'd share this link with you guys...

This is probably one of the coolest giveaways I have seen for a wee while..


Click HERE to find out more...


I thought in each post I do for a wee while, I'll share a blog I love to visit.. I have a lot in my bloglines reader, but its always fun to check out new blogs dont you think???

I love Ms Shazza's blog also known as the "Red Geranium Cottage".. she is slightly mad methinks (in a good way of course) and I always get a laugh from her blog.. If you visit say 'hi shazza' and dont forget to tell her I sent you there..

whats your favourite blog to visit???


And thank you for all those who emailed me about my plight of trying to find a Quilters Newsletter Magazine, I have found someone to swap with, and I am still wading through my emails.. I dunno, a week off sick and the emails still keep on coming!


'til next time..


Lissa

When good girls go bad (or something like that)

Oh I have been so very very naughty...



I dont think I need to say too much other than this is what come home with me in OCTOBER this year.. I been so bad.. :O( but its fun!!! and not too bad for the waist either! I sorta kinda quickly counted them and there are about 80 different bits there.. from FQs to 7 m's (it was on sale, I couldn't leave it there now could I?)

If Dags ever read this blog, I'd be in strife.. BIG TIME..

I been home sick from work for two days.. got a shocking cough, can hardly see *eyes are runny* who bloomin gets colds when its nearly summer?? bloomin' me!

the B@$tard cat says hello, he is clawing my feet at the moment.. poor baby was put on a diet this week, he was getting a TAD too demanding for his din dins, so now he has to suffer in his jocks (if he wore them) and wait.. he aint too happy about it either..

I did finish another top, its the hearts quilt that my scquilter and Quilting Down Under yahoogroup friends (and a few ring in's) sent me when mum died last year (I can't beleive its a year this month since she died). The 9 patches were from a swap and also, a leader ender project I had on the go... I try to have a leader/ender always next to my machine (still doing 4 patch units to make worlds fair blocks)

its my favourite 30s and some solid homespun as well, I think it turned out lovely (and freaking humungous) I still have some more hearts am putting together a quilt for my dad.. just trying to work out how to tie them together as the fabrics are a little more 'eclectic' but loved regardless..

the other thing I dragged out of UFO'dom is my redwork.. now I am trying to remember when I started this, and I am thinking it was in 2003??? 2004???? dunno, a lifetime ago it feels like.. I look at my first block and cringe.. its an Australiana Set of redwork that was in the Australian Patchwork & Quilting um Vol 9?? around then.. its the state flora, fauna and bird emblem, a couple of ring ins and the coat of arms to make 25 blocks.. I have 5 blocks to go.. did have a grandiose plan to set them into a flag type of setting but the maths involved did my head in, so I think something simple to not detract from the blocks (thats my story and I am sticking to it)


Well thats enough from me.. anyone know in Australia where you can get Quilters Newsletter??? I am after the November 2008 issue, it has a quilt pattern in there I want to make (Civil War Crossings), or is there someone in the US who cruises this blog who wants to swap with me for an aussie quilty mag?? email me privately (there is a link at the top of this blog to mois!)

Anyways, I am going back for a lay down before the ferals, I mean, darling children are in from school.. I promised them take away for dinner, cause the thought of standing over a stove is making me feel nauseous!



*cough* *sniffle* *wheeze*


Lissa
*aaaaahhhhchoooo*
PS yep this is a post without a pussy cat.. he is too quick at the moment!

Dont Faint.. another post in the SAME weekend

Yes petals.. I've been one busy possum this weekend.. first finish was the 'tumbler quilt' (see previous post) I am happy with how it turned out, still debating about borders on it.. a good press made it about two inches wider, so hmmm dunno..



BUT I have been working on my "Worlds Fair" quilt.. this sucker has used up so much fabric, I am even surprised.. I have done about 132 blocks so far and I keep putting the 4 patches in around the wrong way.. which isn't a biggie, I can make them the right way, but sheesh, too much brain power being used.. And yes, I know one blocks is around the wrong way (doh @ Lissa) but its not joined, I just laid it out wrong and am way too lazy to take another pic to show off..

Of course, once the blocks were on the floor, the quilt inspector had to come and put his furry butt right in the middle.. and you'll agree with me, he does look super evil in this photo with his eyes shining.. yikes, scares me! Cosmo aka the bastard cat will be 2 on the 10/10 the kids have been wondering what we are going to buy him..


Thought I'd leave you with a pic of the birthday girl wearing her new collar.. doesn't she just look soooo happy?? might have something to do with a tough dog (in a polka dot collar no less) sitting on a cat scratching post??? Bailey the Wonderdog prolly wonders why she is outside and the bastard cat is inside... please ignore the long grass in the pic, poor ol' Dags every time he goes to mow it rains, he needs to go somewhere where they NEED rain, cause we sure dont here..



well on that happy note, off to do some ironing otherwise I'll be off to work all wrinkly...


bye possums..


Lissa

am I done yet???

g'day petals

well as promised here is an updated pic of the Tumbler/Thimble swap that my dear friend Bernadette and I are doing.. just an update if you are passing through... Bernadette and I have um, quite the civil war / 19th repro stash and we decided to do a swap.. and thought a charm square style of quilt would be sweet..

I have had my rows together for a few weeks, but the other week after I threatened to toss my sewing machine in the bin, I thought it could be a very good idea to put the project away.

Now I now you are thinking to yourself 'but Lissa, you said you were getting a new machine???'.. well yes this IS true, but I thought I'd better finish some of the stuffs I had started on the old machine first.. so the first cab off the ranks is the tumblers.. I should of made it another tumbler longer (bugger) so I think I might need to just add a wee float or a wee border on it.. what do you reckon?? with a fat person sleeping under it, well lets just say I might need a big bastard of a float! LOL

I am enjoying this long weekend... I did want to get to Sydney yesterday for lunch, but Missymoo had a sleepover and I had to pick her up, and I'd been to Sydney the two previous weekends for Missymoo's dancing (she got 2 trophies and 4 ribbons, not bad for only 8 dances) and I am plain wore out from working and being a mum at the moment..


thought I'd leave you with a pic of Bailey the Wonderdog, it was her birthday yesterday, we got her a snazzy new collar and a new mattress for her kennel and a few treats.. this isn't the best pic of Bailey the Wonderdog, her face is smooshed up, but she is by far the laziest doggie I have ever met.. she hates going for walks.. she hates going for drives in the car IF she has to get out at the other end (only likes going home??) and she loves cat food...

speaking of cats, heres a cutie pic of the evil one who lets us live in his house..






take care petals..



Lissa

All's well in the Land of Lissa

Just a quickie.. update that is...

I am still in the land of the living.. I got a job! a full time job at that!

When I went to Perth in May, I convinced myself I needed to go back to work. Sitting around at home, mooching off the Dags and being a half arsed housekeeper just wasn't cutting it for me anymore, so I got a job.. First full time one I applied for even. I started in July and I love it... I am a debt collector for a NSW Government Department and so far so good. My boss loves me (well I am still there so that has to be a good sign) I have been behaving myself, they think I am quiet (well I am still on 3 months probation so I gotta behave)..

I have had so many emails from bloggy friends and bloggy readers asking how I am doing, hows the mob? the bastard cat? the ferals?

We are all doing great. Dad got good news about a fortnight ago, his PSA was negative, so he now only has to have blood tests once a year, so the cancer is GONE.. *doing happy dance*

the ferals, well they are kids and genetically linked to me, so what can you expect???

the dagster is intent on paving the whole back yard, and driving me nuts, so same-o there...

my brother is VERY poorly at the moment, they (specialists) think he has some form of arthritis (reactive??) anyhoo, he is in a great deal of pain and barely able to get about, so hopefully the new specialist will sort that out.. he isn't getting any worse, or any better at the moment so keep your fingers crossed for him.


Sewing? hmm well funnily enough, I am still a half arsed house keeper, if the kids are fed and the washing is done, and the dags cooks dinner, I try to get in some sewing... no pics at the moment, but I have just got one top back from the quilters waiting for binding, two tops ready for quilting, another quilt in rows (the tumbler swap, its freaking humungous) and about 400 x 4 patch units for the postage stamp project/worlds fair block quilts.. so I have been busy..

I have also nearly finished sequinning a dance costume, and I have been reading every day...

NOt much net time.. I think spending 40hours a week on the computer at work has cured my of my computer addiction..



I'll try not to make it 3 months to my next post and hopefully I'll get that camera charged up in time for some pics..



take care and thanks for thinking of me...



Lissa
the itinerant blogger