Friends and Fabric are Food for the Soul

I had the most wonderful day yesterday! I got to meet up with a quilty friend all the way from Brisbane and it was like food for my soul.

Helen, who I know from my chat and sew group at Quiltessentials, Eatons Hill, accompanied her husband to Hobart for a conference weekend and I had an opportunity to meet up with her.

First of all this was my first excursion into the city centre so I was a little nervous about all the one way streets and even though I had my GPS, I kept missing the turns.  I eventually found where she was staying, on time thank goodness, picked her up and we went off to explore the quilting world that Hobart has to offer.

First off we went to Easy Sew, on the corner of Elizabeth and Melville Streets, Hobart. This is the place to go if I ever need Kaffe Fasset, Batiks, Handy Quilter accessories and a lot of other really pretty fabrics......very pleased with this find and Judy, who served us was so friendly.....as were the other staff I met there. It is also a machine medical centre so a good place to know about.  I bought these fabrics while in there. The pink floral and the 'I Love You' panel were impulse buys but I have a project in mind for the blue hearts. Interestingly, Helen also bought the two outer fabrics.

When we left there, we walked down Elizabeth St to Liverpool St and a couple of blocks down that way and we reached the Threaded Needle.  This shop is beautifully set out and you can find alot of Tilda and Moda fabric ranges here amongst others.  There was a gorgeous selection of Lynette Anderson Fabrics and some darling wool felt pincushion kits.  Swoon worthy! I could of gone mad but I resisted and just bought some Tilda pins......guess who else bought some?

I wanted to go to nearby Spotlight for some woolly bits and pieces but by now it was two hours later and I needed to check on my parking metre again.  Helen didn't want to go to Spotlight so she went to put money in the metre and we arranged to meet at a nearby cafe for lunch. 

I found what I needed in Spotlight (some knitting needles for an upcoming project) and then I got distracted by the yarns.  I popped a couple of colours that I have been looking for onto my pile and nearly fainted when I saw the length of the queue to pay. 

These will go with that Burnt Orange yarn I bought the other day.

Patiently, I waited my turn and just when I had only one more person to wait for......I remembered.......I hadn't picked up some wool needles! Grrrr! Fate, however,  was on my side, as I hurriedly crossed the road outside Spotlight, I sighted a Yarn shop.....The Stash Cupboard.....and quick as a flash, picked up the needle there.

in my opinion, you can't beat Clover so I was ecstatic by this find.

All uphill from here to the cafe where I was meeting Helen so by the time I reached her, I was puffed out and ready to sit down for awhile.  The Cafe or Sandwich Shop is called Providore and is on Elizabeth St.  They serve the most yummy and original looking salads I have ever seen but we had a slice of pumpkin tart each and sat and chatted for a really long time.  Helen has just been on one of Wacky Jacky's Bali retreats and I tell you......after listening to her stories and seeing her photo's, I am all set to accompany Helen, next time she goes.  I have known Jacky for many years but Bali has never been a calling card for me. Helen told me about all the wonderful experiences and sights they saw there and I really do want to go now. Helen is really one of the most generous, kind, and caring people I know.  She not only insisted on paying for parking, lunch and coffee but gifted me the most stunning pearl bracelet from Bali.......It is so ME, and I love it!

After that wonderful catch up we decided to get in the car and head to Sandy Bay and visit Frangipani Fabrics at 78 Queen Street.  The minute I walked into this shop, I felt an atmosphere that was welcoming and warm.  I spoke to the shop owner, Anne, about social groups and explained where I had come from. She very kindly gave me the information I needed and said they would be very happy to "adopt" me.....wasn't that sweet?  They have my kind of fabrics here too and adorable patterns, books and a lovely big airy and light classroom. I bought a few bits of fabric.  The teal ones are for my Crane quilt that I still have to finish and the birdies just appealed so much.  And again, Helen and I picked out the same fabrics.....how about that?

I have also been busy in my Kitchen @HOME.....I still have to write up the posts but if you haven't clicked to follow me......you may miss out! Can you guess what I have been making this past week?
 

Another Daisy or two (FNSI)

Last night was Friday Night Stitch In, were we all make time across cyberspace to sit and sew, crochet, stitch or quilt  and even though I teased about starting something else, unfortunately I didn't get the chance.

I was 'umming and ahhing' about driving into town.  For us, 'Town' has several destinations.  There is Little Town which is closest for groceries, then there is Middle Town, a bit further in the opposite direction, for something a bit more and then there is Big Town, which is beyond Middle Town, where you can get just about everything. I decided to head into Middle Town just after lunch mainly because I was looking for a wool needle and a stock pot.....not to use in the same instance of course....and thought Big W would be my best option.

I found the stockpot but no wool needles......however......I did find some gorgeous yarn to add to my ever growing new stash.  It is soooooooo soft and just the exact colour I have been looking for. I think that burnt orange will look lovely with just the right kind of pink.

 I also found this gorgeous multi coloured yarn and I am envisioning some lovely fingerless mittens in this.

To top it all off, I was in the Newsagent looking at the quilting mags when I spotted this lovely edition of crochet projects......Ooooooh, I think I am in love.

I am determined not to let crochet become like my quilting habits and I WILL finish the daisy blanket first. Of course it would be a waste to come all this way and not do some further shopping and since this is our nearest Coles.....   Just for some variety, I filled a trolley with food, filled my perscription and bought a couple of pairs of new jeans. 

By the time I got home, I then had to pack it all away, feed the dogs and take them for their evening constitutional (which took forever!), turn on the towel heater for my farmer.....gee, I am a good wife, start the fire for the evening, prepare and cook the evening meal and wash up and then I was able to sit down and begin my FNSI......So what did I work on?

I managed to make a few more daisy centres for the blocks

How about you, did you sign up?  You can still visit everyone to see how they went, just click HERE and a big thank you to Wendy for hosting.

Before you go......If you read my blog yesterday and you are still wondering what this is....

all has been revealed on my blog Cath@Home. Go on.....have a guess before you head over!

 

What is it??

I am playing a game with some of my friends on Facebook and I thought I would extend it here.

Can you guess what this is?

Just so you know, this is a photo of something I took myself so it isn't one of those kooky finds you see on some unmentionable phishing internet site!

Answers soon on Cath@Home - have you visited yet. If you do, please say hello!

Keeping Cosy with some Crochet

We have had some wild weather here over the last week and last night was supposed to bring us more snow to 300m overnight but even though I woke to a chilly morning, the expected high winds, frost and low lying snow didn't eventuate.  Still, it was cold enough to light the fire quite early.

And with that, I decided the best way to stay warm was to either plonk myself infront of said fire or  keep busy.  Since there was something I was itching to get done in the Kitchen @Home, I did that first and finally I got to the stage where I could make a toasted sandwich and relax in front of the fire while catching up on some blogs.

Apart from a hearty soup, there is nothing I like more than a toasted Cheese and Tomato sandwich on a cold & chilly day......mmmmmm......and it seems Callie has the same idea since she just sat and stared at my sandwich longingly with those big brown eyes!

With lunch out of the way, I sat in my favourite chair in the corner by the window and only a couple of feet from the warm fire......ready to carry on with my crochet.  I have achieved quite a bit this week, finishing of this tall pile of squares ready to add to my daisy blanket (all two rows of it!). I am finding that as I go on, my tension is becoming much better and I am also getting faster.

Now don't forget that tomorrow is Friday Night Stitch In. I have signed up, have you? Not sure what I will be working on......could be the Daisy Blanket or some stitchery......you will just have to wait and see but in the meantime, why don't you pop over to cath@home for a sticky beak!

I need to throw another log on the fire so hooroo.....till tomorrow!

Coming up Daisies!

I have reverted to a project I started AGES ago this week and all because I found inspiration in a colour of yarn!

This project was started so long ago that I don't blame you for not remembering THIS post. It turns out that was back in 2013. I made quite a few squares but never did find "just that right blue" to match up so I decided to add another colour.......I would have liked a nice soft green......Pistachio comes to mind.......however, the right green was also elusive so I settled for a grey.

After finishing off a great many of my squares with the grey, I decided I didn't like it so the whole lot just got bundled up and basically forgotten about.

Scoot right back to this week and I was walking through a shop in town looking for something quite unrelated when, suddenly, I laid eyes on........Pistachio Green......Oh My! Quick as a flash, I honed in on the much sought after yarn and grabbed arms full of it.......before, coming to my senses and selecting 4 balls.  Drove back home as soon as possible to unravel all the grey stuff.......(I am sure it will have a place elsewhere)

With that done, I started the new row of crocheting on my daisy blocks.

I am really liking it now and since I couldn't wait to see what it would look like joined together, I even joined two rows of blocks

What do you think?  I was so excited by my find that I went past that same shop the next time I was in town to pick up some more yarn.  I envisage a whole new stash happening!

It turns out that nothing could be better than doing some craft today. It is wild and wooly outside with 55km winds gusting up to 100km/hr........and getting really chilly......possible snow over the next two days.....brrrr!

Now where is that crochet hook?!

Weekend Sew In

I just cannot believe a whole week has gone by and I still haven't blogged my intended post.

First things first though......today is Anzac Day.........and a significant one at that......this year marks the 100 year anniversary.  It never ceases to give me a lump in my throat and make my eyes burn with unshed tears when I read about, and see, images of that Great War......all those young lives, so full of promise, lost to us forever......Lest we Forget! 

Poppy field near Monet's Garden, France (2011)

Back to my weekend sew in.

After taking part in Friday Night Sew In last week, I just couldn't put my needle and thread down and continued to stitch all weekend while watching my DVD of Outlander (Season 1).

I have been so excited about seeing this series since Miss M and I visited Scotland early last year and we found ourselves visiting Doune Castle where many scenes have been filmed. When we visited, the courtyard of the castle was still fitted out with props. You can read about that here.  I have read the first three books and the first one called Crosstitch here in Australia is my favourite so I was thrilled to get this DVD for Christmas.

Here I am at Doune Castle, Scotland, February 2014

 It took me all weekend but I finished most of my stitching on Australian Afternoon from Smeedesigns.  I decided not to stitch the grey bits as I accidently bought the wrong colour grey (don't you hate it when the wrong colour ends up under the incorrect reference number!).

Now I just have to decide which one to stitch next......decisions, decisions!

But that will have to wait a couple of days as I have been so busy today in My Kitchen @Home.......come and visit, you are more than welcome.


 

Emu Takes a Duck and FNSI

Last night I joined with 52 others over at Sugarlane Quilts for Friday Night Sew In.  I haven't participated for months and it was just the opportunity I needed to get me back on that stitching/sewing bandwagon.

I picked my design which happens to be called Emu Takes a Duck from Smeedesigns Stitchery Pattern, Australian Afternoon and ironed my whisperweft on the back, gathered my supplies, found a favourite spot to sit, made sure my OT-lite was nearby.

Then I found I just couldn't wait until Friday Night so I made myself comfortable, turned on a catch-up episode of Downton Abbey and began to stitch.

This seat is perfect for stitching.  It is in a corner surrounded by two windows and I can keep an eye on the weather, the birds, the wind in the trees and any passers by. There is lots of natural light which is something I sorely lacked in my last house.

I got all the grass stitched and the wicket keepers baggy green cap but then it was time to get some other jobs done and take the dogs for a walk.  I went up to the dam and will be blogging about that on Cath @ Home very shortly but let me tease with you with a pic of our sunset last night.

I cooked my farmer a lovely dinner and then I settled to watch a new episode of Midsomer Murders and stitched my way through that. I finished stitching the wickets and the flat of the bat as well as making a start on the Emu's feathers. 

Right, now I am off to see how everone else did.

 

Some Mail

It was so exciting to get some mail........just for little old me......yesterday, especially quilt related mail.

Last week, Claudia from QuiltEssentials posted some new patterns on her business facebook page from Sew Kind of Wonderful. Since I already have the ruler for these patterns, I couldn't resist. Next thing I knew, I was calling her up to place an order. I have been running down to the mail box since then and before I knew it, the envelope I was waiting for was here.

Initially, I really loved this one called Chic Kisses.  Just beautiful but I was taken with the others too. 

Sew Kind of Wonderful - Chic Kisses

 In the end I decided on two (of the four), picking the pattern for Metro Twist as well as Chic Kisses.

Sew Kind of Wonderful - Metro Twist

Claudia, who is just as sweet as pie, slipped another little pattern in the envelope for me which would be fabulous for my growing mountain of scraps.......when I find them!

Stripes and Circles

 Apart from drooling over quilting patterns, I have been blogging over at cath@home non-stop.....jams, cakes, picking fruit, gorgeous vistas.....it's all there but it feels like I am there alone. If you haven't been for a visit yet, please come over and say hello.

I will be back here on Friday as it is FNSI.....I haven't taken part for months and months so I am really looking forward to it. Stitching is on the agenda for that. Have you signed up yet? Head HERE to do so.

This and That for Stitching

A post or two ago I mentioned that I had ordered a stitching pattern from Smeedesigns. I was so excited to get the package just a couple of days later and I raced into town to pick up some supplies.

They didn't have my preferred DMC threads but they did have ones that correspond with DMC so I decided to get them for this project.  They are easy to get if I need more. I just have to remember their corresponding DMC # before starting any project.

I always like to put whisperweft stabiliser on the back of my stitchery  and applique blocks. It helps with the stitching tension and hides the threads at the back as well but the owner at the local patchwork shop had no idea what whisperweft was and therefore did not sell it.  I thought I might order it on line but really I need to find it here, locally.  This was one of the reasons I didn't start this project.  The other reason is that I forgot to buy needles! doh!

Thursday gave me a chance to look for whisperweft as we had to go into Hobart to get the car serviced which meant lots of shopping time and lunch with my nearest and dearest.  We had lunch at one of our favourite eateries on the Elizabeth Street Pier, Fish Frenzy, flanked by a couple of lovely replica sailing ships

I only took a photo of one of them.....Lady Nelson

 Back to the shopping. One of the first places I visited was Spotlight  because I knew where it was and I was almost certain they would have what I was looking for.  I hated going to Spotlight in Brisbane and always walked out annoyed that I had wasted my time driving there but in Hobart, it is a lovely store and I found everything that I was looking for as well as some spontaneous purchases. Now I have my Whisperweft so no excuses. I will be ironing it on tonight and then the stitching can commence.

Needles are no longer a problem because I am pleased to say that I am slowly finding the things I need in my sewing space as I open more boxes. Some things are more of a priority than others......for instance, I was ever so pleased to find these
items

my collection of scissors.......large and small

pins, hoops and NEEDLES!

quilting tools including rotary cutter

So my friends, that is all that is happening here at Bits 'n Bobs but if you would like to catch up with my other news then head over to Cath@Home - I have something cooking in my kitchen today and it smells divine!