Please come again

Everyday I visit my blog with anticipation...how many views? where from? any comments? any new followers? today I hit 15 followers (to be fair, one of them is myself and I did that by accident and have only just figured out how to delete myself) and I am sure I will reach 500 views by this evening. Yes, I am just a BABY in Blogland but growing every day!

So THANK YOU to all who come and have a look, leave a comment (even annonymous ones) and a SPECIAL Thank You to those who are following  Bits 'n Bobs  -  I really appreciate seeing you here!

I probably spend too much time on the computer but I do get some sewing done.  Last night I finished off this little UFO that has been sat around since 2010 just waiting for the buttons to be sewn on!

to see different photos for this project click here to get to "Sew its Finished".

Keep those needles threaded,

Bon Voyage

My mum is heading back to the UK today.  We have had 2 months together and even though I have had to work for most of the time, I have loved having her company.

I will however have to get serious about my quilting now and start setting some goals about what I want to get finished this year and what I would like to get started on.  I have a couple of BOM UFO's that need finishing off, A couple of BOM's that I have fallen behind with and should get finished soonish and I am starting a new BOM next week.....I am going to be very busy indeed.  I have joined the "Sew it's Finished" blog and I am hoping that will be the kick I need to finish off a number of UFO's.

But before I do any sewing, the Creation Station needs a good tidy up.

Swapping my needle for a duster today,

It's Friday...It's a Freebie

Friday again?? wow! anyway here is a freebie I found through "Crafty" that sends me regular emails.  Click here to view the free pattern from Sharon Holland designs

On another note...miss M has been in the kitchen again (if I want to lose weight, I am going to have to ban her) and she made this totally delicious Rhubarb & Custard Tea Cake

 Till next time, remember to keep your needles threaded,

I need ONE MORE Recipient!

Join me to Pay it Forward

  Pay it Forward 2012- register now. ONE MORE SPOT LEFT

I responded to Sue B, from Quilted Hugs, calling for PIF participants and I am so excited as some time in the next 12 months Sue B must make and send me a surprise gift.  I dont know when I will receive this gift, or what it will be.  Registering with her means that I have to Pay it forward to three recipients. ( like a chain letter but a lot more fun).

So please, please, please - who wants to be my recipients this year?

The first three to nominate will receive a hand made gift from me within 12 months from registration.
The timing of the gift will be a surprise, but I must do this within 12 months.

All you need to do is be one of the first 3 people to comment on this post to be a recipient, but if you nominate then you must put a post on your blog to Pay It Forward. Also remember that I need to get in contact with you so ensure you are not a "no reply" blogger.

Look for this icon on my side bar and if there are still only two recipients below then I still need you to comment and I will add you to my list

My Book List for 2012

As I was trawling through blogland this afternoon I came across a blog with a reading list so thought since i had so many books on the shelf to be read perhaps I should start a  Book List for 2012.  Scroll down my sidebar until you see my Shelfari loaded with the books I will be reading.  If you like this idea then click here for your own bookshelf

I think I will be able to get through these this year...but I am reading a Jean Plaidy book already. As you probably figured out, I am fond of History Novels (especially ones that are based on true historical facts).

Look what arrived in the Post

When I arrived home from work today, hubby asked if I had seen my international mail.  There is something very exciting about getting a parcel in the mail...a bit like Christmas even though you know what it is.

This was the last of my missing parcels.  Well kind of.  Unfortuately, the parcel with the fabric I wanted went missing without a trace and I can no longer get the tulip fabric I thought I was so lucky to find.
But Keepsake Quilting were very kind and resent me the two patterns that I ordered.

Another surprise when I came home - Miss M was  making Honey Jumbles...can't wait to taste one of these.

Till next time,

Join me to Pay it Forward

PAY IT FORWARD 2012- register now.

I responded to Sue B, from Quilted Hugs, calling for PIF participants and I am so excited as some time in the next 12 months Sue B must make and send me a surprise gift.  I dont know when I will receive this gift, or what it will be.  Registering with her means that I have to Pay it forward to three recipients. ( like a chain letter but a lot more fun).

So please, please, please - who wants to be my recipients this year?

The first three to nominate will receive a hand made gift from me within 12 months from registration.
The timing of the gift will be a surprise, but I must do this within 12 months.

All you need to do is be one of the first 3 people to comment on this post to be a recipient, but if you nominate then you must put a post on your blog to Pay It Forward. Also remember that I need to get in contact with you so ensure you are not a "no reply" blogger.

On another note, I have been steadily working on my Edwardian House stitchery but no photo's to show yet, but here is something I made earlier!  Actually, a few years ealier!

Henny Penny has pride of place in my hallway

 Hope to see some comments here soon.....until then, keep your needles threaded

It's Friday.... its a freebie

Click here for a Friday Freebie

courtesy of mccallsquilting.com

Found this "lovely" on my facebook page the other day and thought I would share with you. Enjoy!

Keep your needles threaded,

Life in an Edwardian House

It has rained nearly all day today making it the perfect day for  sewing but I only really got myself organised after dinner tonight and have been working on my "Edwardian House" stitchery from Robyn Allen-Waters.

Also, Lila had her first dog wash today (since coming to live with us) and she looks adorable. All fluffy and soft like a teddy bear...I can't stop cuddling her. Callie looks her usual lovely self too!

Doesn't she look beautiful!

 Until next time...remember to keep your needles threaded!

Every Quilter should have a Kitty

 I have always been an animal lover.  Although I have siblings, they are older than I am and I grew up as an only child and throughout my childhood, I had a number of dogs, a couple of cats and even a horse.

Now I am in adulthood and the mother of three adult children, I still feel the need for animals in my life.  At the moment we have Callie, a Labrador, who we got  5 years ago as a puppy and recently, Lila came to live with us too and I really love the two of them to bits. However,  I feel a pang of jealousy when I see blog pics of cats on quilts... there, I said it!

I have harped on and on for years about wanting a cat but hubby always comes up with some excuse or other why that is not a good idea...this is the latest, an email I received from him yesterday:

WARNING - FOLLOWING CONTENT MAY UPSET SOME PEOPLE

"See how dangerous cats can be around the family home:

"Falling cat fractures woman's skull"

Updated January 15, 2012 09:33:42

An elderly woman has been left fighting for her life in Argentina after a cat thrown out of a fourth-floor apartment during a heated argument landed on her head, local media reported.

The incident occurred in the Belgrano neighbourhood of Buenos Aires on Saturday when, during the dispute, a man grabbed the family cat and threw it at his wife.

She dodged the feline, which then sailed through an open window and plunged toward the ground, striking the woman, an 85-year-old neighbour.

Police told Argentine media that the victim suffered a fractured skull and was rushed to hospital, where she had to be connected to a ventilator.

The cat's condition is unknown."

I had to reply and point out that in actual fact..See how dangerous.MEN can be around the family home. 

"He who dislikes the cat was in his former life a rat" -Anon

Sunday Jaunt...

Had a mostly successful time with needle and thread last night and finished just about all of the stitchery part of another block of "My Garden".  I ran out of  brown with just a teeny weeny bit left to stitch.  Problem is I can't remember what colour it is....OOPS!

Can you spot the bit that I need to finish?

Well we sat at home all day yesterday so I really had to take mum out for a Sunday Jaunt. We started out at Petrie Markets as it was a cool day, infact it was threatening to rain but fortunately we missed it while we were out. If you don't know Petrie Markets, it is located at a Heritage Village Park, North of Brisbane and there are a couple of gift shops that I just love.

Here are a few items I just couldn't live without.

A birdcage to start my collection (an idea I have had for a while), a preloved doily, the lavender runner is for my dresser and a brass hook for another collection I have had in mind since we were in Paris last year.  I will have to show a close up of the circular mat, it is incredible.  I am going to try and figure it out so I can reproduce some more.

Then we zoomed off to Redcliffe for lunch at the RSL and a chance for mum to try her luck on the pokkies. Miss M and I left her to it and went for an after lunch walk along the sea front.

All in all, we had a nice day out!

Till next Time,

Tins, tins, tins...

If you have read my page titled " Why Bits 'n Bobs" then you will know that I love TINS...all shapes and sizes of tins.

Here are just a few

Every year I add at least one to my collection whether I buy it on my travels or at Christmas (full of yummy treats) or it is given to me.

2011 was no acception and I actually acquired THREE

The first one was bought at Covent Garden Markets when I was in London last June. It is just a small tin and was full of tea bags which I left at the hotel room in London. I only drink "Yorkshire Tea"!

I just love Robins

The next one was one I bought at Crazy Clarks (a discount shop). It was full of Shortbread but I gave that to my boys to take home.  I just liked the old fashioned street scene on this one and the tin itself is supposed to be the shop.

Lastly, this one was given to me by Ali, one of the young lasses that I work with, for Christmas.  It came with a mug inside with the same slogan.  I absolutely love it, even if it does say cooking instead of sewing! And the mug is now my favourite mug for tea and coffee.

I'd rather be stitchin'
than in the kitchen!
~Author Unknown

TTFN

 

Not here yet...

I am getting quite frustrated with the mail service.......it must be the mail service because it is too much of a coincedence that three items I am waiting on have not yet arrived.

I have been waiting since October for a parcel from Keepsakes Quilting in America. When it didn't arrive by Christmas I contacted them and they very kindly resent the parcel a week ago.....not here yet!
Then just before Christmas (2 weeks) I ordered 3 books from Craft Mailbox.....not here yet.  I have sent them a couple of emails but no reply.  Will have to get on the phone come Monday. Oh, and I also ordered tickets to take mum to see "Mary Poppins" - two weeks ago.....not here yet. 

Where is my mail??

BOMs Galore

I signed up for my first 2012 BOM yesterday......can't wait to start!  I have been waiting for this one for some time ever since Sally gave us a preview of it earlier last year.  You will come to learn that I am a great fan of Millamac Quilts, all designed by Sally, and have signed up the last couple of years for a Millamac BOM. This one is called "Farmyard Frolics".  Isn't she a clever lady?

photo borrowed from Quiltessentials & Millamac

I have also signed up to be part of Sally's "Free Range" group starting in February...now I just have to get my roster changed at work so I can free up my Wednesdays.  If you want to see any of Sally's other designs, they are all on her website at http://www.millamac.com.au/

"Quilts are like friends - a great source of comfort" - Anon.

So Hot.......

It is so hot here in Brisbane at the moment..............yesterday was 35C (95F) and unbearable to do any sewing.  Today looks like it is going to be very much the same so mum and I are off to the movies to see "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". It should be nice and cool there.

Should not really complain as last year many people here were battling flood waters and a few lost their lives in the raging torrents.

I hope that wherever you are, reading this.... you are safe and well!

Till Later,
Cath :)

An Itch to Stitch

I have been feeling the need to stitch for a few days now but life is so busy atm what with long hours at work, Christmas, New Year and a birthday, I haven't seemed to have the oomph but today I decided I needed to finish off a few projects before I can start on anything else.

I made this little blankie for my lovely friend LS awhile ago when she had a baby and the binding frayed rather badly so I am just finishing off putting a new binding on it....a few more inches left to go


I also have another project in mind to work on today. Only because I saw it finished on another blog and I thought I really should get a move on and complete this one

Lynnette Anderson BOM

two finished blocks

Sew if I am going to cure that stitching itch, I better pick up my needle....

"One sewing project, like a cookie, is never enough" - Anon.

Cath :)

Happy Birthday to you...

Oh dear, I skipped a day! Not sure whether it was noticed but the reason was it was my "big boy's" birthday. He turned 24 yesterday and every mother gets a day off blogging to celebrate her childrens birthdays.

He is the most gorgeous young man and I am so very proud of him and love him so very much. We always have a family dinner at birthdays and if it's at home, the birthday person gets to pick their favourite meal.  "Big Boy" picked Chorizo and Tomato Risotto (yum, my favourite too!) and "Miss M" made a Black Forest Cake which turned out to be the most delicious cake I have ever had.

Let me show you just how delicious it was:

Good Girl Lila

I am so proud of my sweet puppy, Lila.  She has only been with us for just over a week and has already learnt one very important rule.....to stop and sit before crossing the road. What a clever little girl! but to be fair, she has a good role model in Callie.  Next lesson is to lie down and be patient till allowed to eat (a few seconds). And here is a peek at my "Angels"

Lila

Callie

Come on over and visit the Creation Station

A new year means a new year of creating. There will be a bit of a delay as my mum is over from the UK for another month but I will be getting my stitchery out for some evening stitching while we share our love of tv shows. In the meantime, I have created a page to introduce you all to The Creation Station where I will be getting stuck in to my PIWs,WIPs, BOMs & UFOs throughout the year! So please drop by.

Will be starting on this one which was meant to be a Christmas present for the eldest son but Christmas came too quickly, so I have another whole year to get it done now!