An Aussie Hero thankyou.

This is the reason I make and send off these quilts.

Dear Jo, 
Wow, the words 'thank you' just don't seem nearly enough. 

On opening the box today I felt so honoured and very blessed to have received such an amazing quilt and laundry bag. It is everything I could have hoped for and more. I absolutely love it and will treasure it forever. I cannot wait to take them home to show my husband and children. I Skyped home straight away to show them, because I was so excited. I have also shown all of my colleagues. I am working with a number of people from other nations, who were all amazed and some even quite envious. :)

Thank you also for the gorgeous handmade Christmas decoration, which I look forward to proudly displaying back home on the tree next year. This year though I will place it above my bed, while I will use the others to decorate my office. Thanks also for the fantails I will enjoy them as will my work buddies, and we will also enjoy guessing the celebrity too. 

Thank you for making these amazing quilts and laundry bags for those of us lucky enough to be serving our country. Words can not express our gratitude and how much it means. Your son would be very proud. 

Yes you not only brightened my day, but my week and my month. I also love the photo on the card. It did bring a smile to my face. There is also a drive on the way to Dubbo from Canberra where there is this kind of paddock art,  and it is really a lot of fun. What a great idea to turn it into a card.

I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic 
2018. Mine will be very different this year, maybe there will be snow. 

Thank you again, from a very happy and proud owner of an amazing hero quilt. You are a very clever lady. 

Warmest regards, 
Nadine

We are the ones to thank all our service men and women.

The rest of the family

My husbands son & daughter hadn't seen each other for a few years. Let alone all their children meeting for the first time... They had a special get together on New Year's Eve... Their step brothers wedding.

3 little cousins meeting for the first time..

 My step daughter and her daughter, 13 and my step son and his 2 little girls..

SQUARED AWAY 2018...

Oh yes I have started a new project.

What can I say. Happy New Year, Happy New Project..

I have been following both Mari  & Angela's blogs for a while now. They do some great sewing.

The 2 of them have teamed up this year with a Mystery rainbow Sampler for the year.

I have weakened and decided to join in. I'm not sure if I'll stick to Angela's colours for any of the blocks but I have planned to sew along with a colourway. Red, Grey & cream. Christmas theme.

I got all these fabrics on special for $2.50 per metre. I have quite a few of these colours so I'm sure I'll have enough to complete a quilt. 

I'm not sure if I will make the quilt bigger or smaller or what/who it will be for.

Let's hope I keep on with it and get it finished.

All the pieces cut ready to sew.

3 Blocks completed.

Now I'll be waiting for next months block..

If you want to read about the basics you need to look at this post.

http://academicquilter.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/squared-away-2018-bom.html

http://academicquilter.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/squared-away-block-1.html

http://superscrappy.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/rsc18-first-scraphappy-saturday.html

An Aussie quilt is on its way....

What more can I say but FOOD & WINE is a favourite of mine. This was my latest request for an Aussie Hero quilt.
Given that I live in an area that has lots of wineries it was fun to do. I found a great tea towel and used this as the centre of my quilt. I loved the fabric and wanted to keep it big.
Yes it was an easy quilt...

 Look at the difference in colour. The above was taken inside and below was outside.

Here is the back of the quilt. Some sweet treats. It's a little bit of food.

And here is the laundry bag..

I rented my own label but the fabric didn't pick up straight away.

The printing is missing at the start.

Rather than wasting the label I sewed some tone on tone to the side.

Then filled in the rest of the writing.

ABC Little Letters Quilt..

Thank s to Sheryl's great tutorial for this fun pattern..
http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Little%20Letters

I have started with this plan to make a bigger size kids quilt..

I wanted to make this one a bit bigger. 

The letters are all scrap fabrics. 

I decided to use one constant green and put it as the alternate blocks.

When I put the borders on it will be a great size.

 This one is as per the pattern. I am yet to put the borders on. The yellow is all the same for the letters..

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS....California Thomas Fire Charity blocks.

How I spent the first Friday night of 2018...
Sewing, sewing & sewing.....
https://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/time-to-sign-up.html

Carole from https://frommycarolinahome.wordpress.com put out a request to help after the devastating fires in California.

It was easy to make a few 12" blocks and post them over the waters... 

If you want to help out here is the pattern 

http://www.venturamodernquiltguild.com/2017/12/11/thomas-fire-blocks/

 This is my favourite block

Looking at this block in mono tone really helps for placement. 

The green spots as the middle block really fits in well. Maybe I should have done them all like this. You can really see the dark & light sides..

I managed to get 9 blocks done. They are in the mail now.

 Change the colour to see the values of the patches. I think I'll be happy with them.

If anyone else wants to help out have a look at this post.

These blocks are easy to make and uses up scraps too.

https://frommycarolinahome.wordpress.com/2017/12/29/california-thomas-fire-quilts/

Breakfast fun with the boys.

When my grandsons were here I took them out for breakfast one morning. We had a little chat, play and food. It was fun to see them be silly.

 Having fun in the playground 

My hubby and I also went shopping for a fun gift for him. Going back to what we used to do before we had kids.. Playing darts. It's now set up in our spare room.

Busy with Bonnie Hunter Mystery.

Oh boy, what a journey... Clue 1 is complete..

 Part 2 needs ironing

Part 3 sewn.. lots of ironing and trimming off the corners.

 Part 4 & 6 all sewn but needs ironing..

 Part 5 all cut and ready to sew..

I still have a lot to do but I'm happy with where I'm at..

If you want to do this mystery you need to hurry over to Quiltville blog to get the pattern. 

It will only be there for another month before Bonnie removes it..

 They clues were coming out every Friday but the last few have been every day.

The reveal should be here New Year's Day. As I am pre typing this post I will add that link with my next post about the mystery but for now here is the last clue 8 on Sunday 31st December 2017..

http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/on-ringo-lakerapid-fire-part-8.html

Merry Christmas & SSCS 17..

I took part in Chookies SSCS 17
http://chookyblue.blogspot.com.au

I received my parcel for SSCS 17 from Tonje...

https://shadesofnemo.blogspot.com.au

Look at the great gifts she made and sent...

A lovely little pack of 2.5" squares of Bannie & Camille..

 Look at the yummy chocolate I get to try. 

Well, yes it was a little melted but in the fridge all is restored... 

I haven't tried it yet..

A mug rug for me to take to work..

 A scrappy bag that will come in handy 

 Look at these all together. What a lovely gift sent to me... Thank you Tonje...

And here is what I sent my partner Martine in Belgium..

https://shadesofnemo.blogspot.com.au

Hope everyone has great plans for 2018 

Getting ready for Xmas...

I know these are a little late but the festive season has been busy.....

First up.. I received this sweet decoration from Maria.

https://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com.au

Thanks Maria....

Then my friend made these cute reindeers..

I finally got around to setting up my Christmas tree and wrapping presents just in time before the 

daughter and grandsons arrived...

Then we got on to making the Xmas punch....

And the fun begins.

Next thing we know it's Christmas morning and it's time to open the presents...

Oh boy. Time goes so fast...