Pattern and Felix Button Giveaway...

I have managed to get my hands on three copies of my new Quilt Shoppe pattern and three Felix buttons to go with them. So if you would like to become a lucky recipient leave me a message and if you want why not tell me about your current project?

This is one very laid back Felix, not all all like the wooden button version!

 

Bushfires. We are safe...

Australia seems to be in the grip of disasters at the moment with terrible bushfires in Victoria which have taken so many lives and left thousands of people without homes whilst in Queensland huge areas are suffering from severe flooding.

Thank you for the many many emails I have had asking if my family and I are safe, we are, thank you for your thoughts.

I have been watching the news in disbelief at the utter devastation left after the fires have gone through an area. The whole country is rallying to donate funds through the red cross, so many people only have the clothes on their backs, and I can only imagine how stunned, shocked and bereft these people must feel.

My thoughts and prayers go to everyone who is effected by these terrible disasters,

Magnolias, Arks and Hugo..

I have two beautiful Magnolia trees in my garden and the perfume that permeates the garden is just divine, the smell makes me feel peaceful.... I know that sounds crazy but its how it makes me feel. I cant share the smell with you but I can share a picture of one of the blooms.

Each bloom only lasts a day and as you can see the bees just love them.

There have been a number of Ark sightings around the globe, have a look here, here, here and here. I thought I had better show you that my blocks all joined in preparation for the finishing touch! Wonder what I will do?? Stay tuned to this blog for more action! (I think I have been watching too much sport and am picking up their terminology!).

There is a lovely breeze today which is giving a bit of respite from the heat we have been having, Hugo has found himself a cool place in the hallway, doesnt he look cute bored.

Well, I am off to play in my playroom workshop until Vince gets home from his saturday morning cycle.

bye for now

My antique sewing box..

I bought this gorgeous old sewing box about 30+ years ago, at that time I was working as a waitress in the evenings having not quite left school and it took me many, many weeks to pay for. I have treasured what I think is a traveling sewing box all these years and today I wanted to show it to you all. The outside of the box is looking a bit more faded than it was when I bought it, although it never was in mint condition. 

Take a peek inside and you will see its filled with an array of wonderful ivory sewing accessories. There are beautifully carved thread spools, a tapemeasure, a tatting shuttle, a wonderful clamp with a pincushion on top and if you take a closer peek you will see the lacquer work is still as bright and lovely as the day it was new.

Want to see more? Let me lift the lids on some of the little segments, Oh look there are more tools and treasures within. There is a also little penknife in mother of pearl which belonged to my grandmother, I keep it in this box so its safe.

Now I can show you why I think it may be a travelling sewing box because if you open the bottom compartment it has a little lift up writing area. Did you notice, I have still have the original key! Look how bright the lacquer work is on this bit.

I have no idea how old this box may be? I think it probably came from china as the lacquer work and the carvings on the ivory have an oriental theme. If anyone has any information or suggestions, please share them with us.

Looking forward to hearing from you

The Ark block..

I hope that you have all enjoyed the year of Noah's Ark Free blocks. It has been alot of fun for me visiting everyone around the world seeing your blocks, I hope that you will let me know when you have got your arks together so I can all come and see how they have all turned out.

I hope to get my blocks together over the weekend coming and will show you how I have finished mine off later.

So pop over to the free ark page to get your downloadable pdf file for the last block in this series.