Goodies and the project...........

Last report......onto the goodie bags............

Floral mug - I always try and find something floral, bush, birds or stars..........

chocolates........

Cherish Each Day Sewing Case by Hatched and Patched..........

thanks once again for the amazing kits Anni..........

Brenda made us each a bag of coconut ice - to die for

also the smiley faces..........thanks heaps Brenda

Di made the Scrub Stitchin' mug rugs........

Deb @ The Crafters Cottage gave us all a Purple Thang

close up of the kit..........

it's got some lovely wool applique on it also..........

Here are the mugs for this year........I got a yellow one............

Each year we have a swap and I got a gift from Brenda........

a beautiful 🌟star🌟 coaster........and a lovely soap......

Mixing it up by Making It and Faking It......

perfectly thoughtful given our dinner theme.......

Trish very kindly gave me these bed socks..........Oh my goodness I have needed them the last few nights.........snug and warm.........

Betty gave me a lovely Chooky casserole carry bag full of the yummy jars below..........

there may be no quince paste left now...........

we had to make sure it tasted ok..........not sure what happened next but it disappeared..........

I had asked Lianne to bring some of her pickled cucumbers if she had any.........

OMG she did they are the best........thankyou

Stephanie gave a demo on how to make these coasters and this one found it's way to my sewing table.........thankyou Stephanie.......

Finally a little bit more shopping..........I need to baste a quilt and it's only small so will try this spray adhesive.............

the cute birdie pins were a must and I liked this sashiko...........

also a little addition to Chapel Street.............

after finding I have a couple of these already once home I am now trying to take some pics of what I can find and have them a little bit more organised............never mind they will be used in something else........

AND finally I split a fat 1/4 pack.............so a nice bundle of fat 1/8's...........

Annette made me do it.............

SO that's it.........

I know Scrub Stitchin' makes my heart sing.......

It's a great part of my "tribe", "community", "social connection" but I know it's important to me and I appreciate the distance those who attend travel to get here..........

Thousands and thousands of km's...........but we all come for the special time with like minded people..........friendships are made, strengthened and deepened.........

I always breath a big sigh of relief once I know everyone is home safe and sound..........

see you all next year.......

who knows what's next on the blog......

Catch you later.........

Chookyblue.........

OMG they let me in........

 OMG they let me in........I made it to Queensland finally with no Covid disruptions.........

The morning started early and after a hair-raising trip to the neighbours to pick up my partner in all things quilty we were on our way......... Had to wash the car on the way as it was covered in mud.......

( Those tracks in the mud are at least a foot deep)

8.5hrs later we were walking into the first quilt shop..........

Sale box of bolts.....

the one on the front right may have become a backing for my French General quilt I made with the big blocks/arrow..........

Dinner last night at a Turkish restaurant..... First time for me...... Very nice but ate way too much......

Fiona, me, Miss Jules, Kris, geek boy and Maree.........thanks for taking the pic Dave.....

May have had to buy some of the middle fabric on display in the front window at Quilt Craft.......

crap pulled out everywhere in the motel room...... Convinced Maree to get papers for Lucy....... Leant her one of my Lucy templates.....

show and tell......

All three patchwork shops conquered.......The Sewing Room, Quilt Craft and Precious Time......numerous times......

The gorgeous quilt above is Patrinas at Precious Time...... Emma Jean Jansen design.......

I may have had to buy the pattern for Chapel Street.....Anyone made it?......EPP or machine peiced?

OMG the bank account is dying but we've had so much fun, inspiration and I've got 4 quilt backings too on my loot for specific quilts..........

About to get ready for Italian tonight with some friends........

At this rate I might need a holiday to get over the this holiday/retreat....

Catch you later......

Chookyblue.......

unplanned day off.....

Hi girls with an unplanned day off (as I need to work on Sunday) I thought I'd share some pics of the shopping and one of the shops I went to while away...... I have not been shopping in a patchwork shop this year....actually it's probably been more then 12 months...the list was getting long and it was wonderful to wander and fondle fabric.....

so much choice

The shop has big mirrors on two walls so it made the space feel even bigger....... didn't get a photo of that to share bugger.....

heaps of choice and was even inspired to think about making a black and white quilt when seeing this collection............it will have to wait though..........

border backing and binding for this quilt.........

finally a binding for my Churn Dash quilt........

binding and a lovely flannel backing for this one...........

the backing looks nicer in real life.....managed to get a wide back for this one and once again binding......

I had the lovely florals on the left but no background to pull them together.........

there were a few more bits and pieces but ive been a bit busy so not a lot of time to play........and summer sure is here........so when it's too hot it's to hot for playing in the chookshed........

its a case of bunkering down for the weekend into early next week........we will top at 45degC or 113F....well it is summer on Tuesday.....

Forced Shopping?????

Forced shopping??? who am I trying to kid........but hey it worked.......

My friend Jude @News From Jude always has "pink" events as fund raising for Breast Cancer Network Australia. A cause close to her heart. I have watched with envy over many years the fun she has had at her retreats and morning teas in her little fundraising effort. I'm not sure her total fund raising efforts over the years but it's sure been fun seeing what they got up to. 

You can check her blog now and numerous posts recently she was recapping her previous years and posting of her events from this year.............Given Covid19 she had to get creative since she couldn't have the usual retreats. She had a couple of small morning teas but progressed to hold several Zoom morning teas with numerous ladies. Here's one of the morning tea zoom photos I think Jo took this one.....

So why am I posting about this.........well I'm enjoying a day trying to catch up on some of my blog friends and realised I have missed all Jude's News about the "Pink" events this year.........Bugger the days turn into weeks flying by quickly. I felt sad I had missed Jude's zoom morning teas and so I messaged her and made a donation......then I saw she also had a special sale page on her blog with precut (by Jude and fairy) quilt fabric kits and bundles of lovely fabrics listed and she was selling these with 20% of the sale price going to BCNA. What's is a girl to do.......had I missed a great sale that was even better because a % was going to this great cause. So I emailed Jude and I could still get some.........any way back and forwards a few more emails and Judes decided to extend the fabric sale for the weekend. SO that means you can find a bargain for a good cause also.......

So go to Judes sale Page on her blog LINK HERE

I did find some gorgeous pretties below and another lovely bundle too

Jude's going to keep it open until Monday now so hurry over and find yourself a treat.......

Jude's raised a great amount this year. Even more amazing given the difficult circumstances that are in place to hold functions.........

I gave Jude a donation to round up her fundraising efforts to a round figure.......then I went shopping after she said I could still get some fabrics........now the tally is unrounded again so maybe you can find a little bundle or a real treat a precut quilt kit to help raise a bit more money.....

BUT BE QUICK.........

Congrats Jude on a great fundraising effort.......I think she will hold off announcing her tally now until Monday night or Tuesday.......

Oh and while you are at it........go check your boobs.....

thats all from me for now.....I'll be back soon I have stuff to share but go see what you can find at Jude's

Chookyblue.......

The big smoke.....

A quick trip to the city for a concert .......

As we were coming down from the mountains into the city the moon was rising..........see just there to the left near the tree.....sorry about the pic but we were driving in on the freeway so its a quick snap but OMG it was huge and stunning..........

As we were going down I brought a coupe of old sewing machines on ebay............the pick up was Annandale...............I have the best friend and she drives me everywhere in the city..........especially if we find some nice little cafe to have breakfast too........but she reminded me we had been to that suburb before to go to a quilt shop............OMG she is the best friend...........I had forgotten about Quiltsmith.............

Liked this fabric pack.........it was a starter kit for a quilt...........was so tempted to buy it............

I was inquiring about octagon papers and the lady at the shop brought out this quilt she has been making..................its different to what I am doing but I love it..........

This is a quilt they had in summer school..........really liked it too...............
So much choice of fabric at Quiltsmith

I was so overwhelmed with choice I just got some shirtings..............

I've had my eye on this book for a little while.............

So then since we were so close I asked my girlfriend if we could go home via Material Obsessions.............

the shops are very different which is great..........

I spied Kathys new range "Horizons"
I had seen a few quilts made with this fabric online.............

this one was hanging behind the counter.............

I had seen Racheldaisy's quilt on her blog.............but it was great to see it in person.................

So I just had to buy a little bit of fabric to bring home with me................
windmills, magpies, barb wire, gum leaves and blossoms, emus............
so great to see an Aussie range grasping our bush..........
Well done Kathy...........

I have a few ideas in my head but I think I need a little solid fabric to match...........

As for the concert..................it was great.......Red Hot Summer tour at Bella Vista Farm............Lots of good old bands...........Suzi Quatro was a head line act and OMG she was great.............If I have her energy when i am 67 i'll be so happy............she was fantastic and did not stop the whole time she was on stage............
Catch you later.......

Chookyblue......

Scizzors and cutter set......

When Miss Sonia @ Forever Always Online was here I brought this great Klasse scizzor/cutter set from her stall......

the love heart can be worn as a necklace and has little grooves down the side near the bottom of the heart to cut thread..........great for travelling......

It's  so pretty in the box I haven't taken it out yet...........

Catch you later......

Chookyblue.......

Keeping the love of blogging alive

Swaps, Shopping, Prizes..........

GDITC always means a swap...........Make it, Bake it, Fake it Swap is great as everyone gets to join in......its a swap we do with our blog friends in our group...........if you don't have time to make something or bake something just fake it and buy a gift.......this way everyone can join in.......

I faked it this year and Janice received my gift.......no pic sorry.........

I received from Sandy and you may think she faked it but really she didn't as she designed and put the kit together for this gorgeous little pin cushion.........

This is what it will look like when I make it up.............

I'm sure Sandy won't mind me using her photo esp if I include the link so you can buy one for yourself......

you can find them @ Shiralee Stitches........

so tiny and cute........

&&&&&

GDITC always means some shopping.....both at the Cottage on the Hill and designer goodies on the day............

the kit for a baby quilt..........

Some of Anni Downs Hatched and Patched new fabric just in store Garden Whimsy..........so pretty............

A new bottle of Best Press

WARNING - has anyone else had the problem I had the squirty/spray on and while not using it in summer the whole bottle had somehow leaked out all over the ironing board..........thru the nozzle............so now I will never leave the screw top off when not in use................such a waste of a nearly full bottle...........

Some of Bonnie Sullivans new patterns..........and some cards  - quilty cards are always great...........

Now I must say I was not a huge fan of Bonnie's work before the workshop...........her things were a little more black and prim which is NOT me.......but I must say I LOVE all these new designs.............very happy with the project on the day.............and as Bonnie lies in the USA I had never met her before but she was soooooo lovely and we had a fabulous time...........

Bonnie is preprinting fabric........nothing like I have seen anyone else do......the pattern on the back ground is also preprinted.......the lines you can leave or stitch over..........add a bit of wool work and jobs done...........

the pre-printed christmas ornaments...........just add some wool and stitching....

I won these as I was one of the 4 ladies on the Saturday who had done the whole 10 years...........Me, Marcelle, Helen and Lea......Not sure if there was anyone on the Sunday............Lea I didn't know the first year but Marcelle and Helen we catch up every year since then just at GDITC...........Lea and I are good friends..........spending lots more retreats and sewing weekends together.........

Catch you later.......

Chookyblue.......

Keeping the love of blogging alive