Oh WOW it’s March and I need to do a big update.......

 I have done so much since my last post. Sewing, going away, celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, going on a quilting retreat. Oh I have been busy. I have done some sewing, completed a quilt, joined a panel swap. WOW, where to start.

Maybe I will start at the first Friday in March...

https://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com/2021/03/a-bit-of-this.html 

Well I was away with 22 women on a fantastic sewing retreat. The first one in over a year due to COVID..

Look at the view of Tranquil Waters at Lake Cullulleraine 45 minutes from Mildura.

We were well looked after. No cooking or cleaning was needed. 

We enjoyed Chicken mingions, roast beef & pork, stuffed baked potatoes, chicken kebabs & rice, home made pizzas, lasagne, cooked bacon,eggs,mushrooms &beans for breakfast. Of course we had desserts... cheesecake, pavlova, fruit salad, cream, ice cream, fresh fruit and cream. We didn’t need to worry about going hungry. This is a new owner just before COVID hit. It is the local caravan park that people take their boats out, camp, swim and relax. The new owners have started a cafe so you can get coffee, take away meals from 12-8pm. They have space for birthday parties. Actually, while we were there, a one year old party was happening with 110 people. They even bought some cake over to us to enjoy. Luckily it was my birthday so I got to celebrate with cake. Now for some sewing.

I saw this picture on Pinterest and wanted to give it a go..

I liked the idea of scraps in Red, White & Blue.

So I started here. These blocks were cutout earlier with my new go cutter...

Making progress.

Keeping in mind this was the first night of the retreat. I worked all day, hubby took me out, I unpacked, got fed, started sewing

And I got all the blocks made.

Next morning I got the top joined together. It’s taken home to work out if I want it bigger or do I just want borders added.

The Friday night was my anniversary too. Hubby was understanding as we are going away for a few days next week. That will be the next post...

Now, on to more sewing...

I made some growth on my scrap blocks. These strips were given to me and I couldn’t let them go to waste. They were cut into 1 1/2” strips. I got these done on the Saturday- 10 blocks

Then on the Sunday I continued and got a few more done.

Add these to the ones I have at home. Here they are now. I still need a few more...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. What better way to celebrate than with like minded friends, sewing away and not having to cook. Of course I had a drink too.

Now on to Monday. INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY.

This was our sewing room set up. With our eating tables in the centre. 

Sharing the space with women I didn’t know, sharing ideas and making friends.

What was I working on.

Of course it had to be my INTERNATIONAL SISTERS blocks. And the fabrics I chose to sew with were sent to me from Preeti. Preeti drafted her own pattern from a block she saw and the quilting world has gone crazy.. https://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com/2019/05/international-sister-block.html 

I mad a little error on some of the hands but they are still ok as everyone is different. The hands were sewn to the sleeve fabric instead of the background fabric. They are now just shorter arms. It is ok...

Happy INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S, SISTER’S, BIRTHDAY & ANNIVERSARY DAY TO ALL..

I came home after a great weekend. Unpacked the car, repacked the car and the following morning went away for a few days to the Barossa Valley South Australia with my hubby to celebrate our Anniversary.

Happy Birthday to me..

I have just had the most awesome week.

We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary as well as my birthday.

We had a few nights out for dinner.

But....

This was a lovely relaxed easy meal.

We both enjoy sitting back with a platter.

No fuss but lovely.

I got a special delivery at work.

IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY.

I was so surprised. 

My daughter went out of her way and organised this gift.

Some gorgeous flowers.

Love these chocolates.

To top it off with this beautiful balloon.

Balloons have a heartfelt meaning to us and to have this is very touching.

Thank you to my daughter, son in law and beautiful grandsons.

I love you all.

A little birthday gift and a new start

I went to my local quilt group KILMORE QUILTERS meeting in March. We had a great catch up because I was away for the Feb one. Because it was my birthday in March I could choose a fat quarter. Then my door ticket was pulled out so got another fat quarter. Here they are.

PICKING UP THE PIECES & START AGAIN

I would like to thank everyone for all your support over the hard month that I have just had.

I hope to return to my sewing and blogging like I have been in the past. 

I am trying to catch up on all that I did and received over the past few weeks.

FNWF over at http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/fnwf.html

I have brought home 2 carloads of mums crafts. Some only just started. I hope to work my way through them and pass some projects on to the members of the family. Mum was a great knitter, crocheter and sewer. Wow, I thought I had a big stash. We haven't even scratched the top of mums three rooms of supplies. If mum could find a hole there was something put in it.

So here is my first start. A crochet blanket for a great grandson...

I have worked on this all weekend and managed to sit on Sunday to nearly finish it. So I'm joining in with everyone over at. http://kathysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/slow-sunday-stitching-practice.html