Girl4, Boy5,and pain

Girl 4 has been with me for awhile, but on Monday, she went to a new home.
She just melted my heart.....so very cute, she was!!

She was such a sweetie and there were many tears when I had to say goodbye to her.

Here she is enjoying the "KONG" :  this is a hollow rubber toy I fill with peanut butter or Vegemite. They all love the PB and Vegemite and work very hard to get it from the inside.

I only had to wait one day for a new companion and here he is, Boy5, my first boy pup.

He is by far the biggest one yet, weighing 30.7 kg, which to me is 67.68 pounds.  WOW! I have given him treats and he is SUPER gentle with me.  He is also like a bull in a china shop knocking things over with his tail wagging, so I have had to  put a few things away for now. All good though!!

He adores the bunny (shown) and the teddy bear (as seen with girl4)  and loves to bring them to me.  I have been taught to say "thank you" when this happens and here is why:

Both girl4 and boy5 are in a new program as service dogs.  Girl4 is being trained as a wheelchair assistant. Boy5 will go live with an autistic child. As service dogs, they are learning to open doors, turn on/off lights, put items in a shopping trolley (as directed by a pointer), fetch keys, etc. If you are interested in this subject and would like to learn more, just google "service dogs" and you can view videos on YOUTUBE of their amazing talents.

I only expect boy5 to be with me x8 days until next Wednesday. His loving family is on holidays.
He is a joy to have around and I will enjoy every moment except I think that  tonight I will put him outside while I prepare his evening meal.

It's a bit hard to see in this picture, but while he is watching me, he drips drool from both sides of his mouth all the way down to the floor. Both sides...solid from mouth to floor...please enjoy this visual with me!!  This puddle is actually  bigger than a dinner plate!!! It was gross but sent me right into a fit of giggles too....so very cute!!

Last, about the pain.  I've had many blood draws since I became so unwell in 2010 and they don't worry me much anymore.  Last Friday, I went for an early morning draw and the pain was excruciating this time!

As soon as the blood lady put the needle in, it felt like an electric shock from my elbow to my wrist.
It was so bad, I cried, and she wanted to take it right out, but I said I didn't want to get stuck again either so she left it in as she only had to fill two tubes.

I don't think I have ever cried for a blood draw until now!!  After, she gave me a patient information sheet and told me I should go buy a lottery ticket since this is so rare.

Here is what the sheet says: "There are other rare complications of venipuncture but you have to be unlucky to suffer one of these. For example you may have a tiny branch of one of the sensory nerves of the arm actually running over the surface of the vein. Rarely the needle will hit this tiny nerve on the way into the vein.  This may cause a sharp electric-shock type pain as it happens. This may be all that happens, however, a tingling type of pain may persist for one to four weeks as the nerve heals. This is inconvenient and unpleasant but it eventually heals up".

Because of this, I have not sewed since last week.  Just call me unlucky for now :)
xx debbie

Christmas In July

I have really enjoyed seeing all the Christmas pressies.  There are some amazing gifts out there! Sending out a very special thank you to the swap mama Cheryll for sorting all of us out.  It has been  so much fun.

I was very lucky the super talented Noela  was my partner.  She has posted photos of what she made for me which you can see at her blog and I have taken a few photos today too.  I really don't want to put these things away and plan to find a place to enjoy them all year. 

                                           The stitching on this wall hanging is beautiful.

                    How gorgeous is this?!  That is the cutest Santa button I have ever seen.

This quilted table topper is NOT getting put away either. I want to enjoy it all year. 
                      Thank you again, Noela. I love everything you made for me.

My partner to make for  is  Maria W  in WA.  I had an email confirmation earlier this week from Aussie Post that the parcel has been delivered.  However,  Maria has not yet updated her blog, so I am hoping all is well with her (sending hugs)! and that she has enjoyed the goodies.  Here is what I sent.

The snowman is a little cutie with satin stitch carrot nose and beads for eyes and mouth.

I think Maria likes bright colours, so I stepped out  a bit with hot pink, lime green, and white
stars to make a swag.

The pattern for the stars came from a scrap quilt book I have had for years. 

This pattern is in the same book and it is called "Treeflake".   This has many, many pieces!  The smallest were 1 1/2" squares.  It was a challenge, but enjoyable to make. 
                                                  Can you see the trees have snow on them?

                        I machine quilted it (my fave part)!! around all the white bits.

                                   Here is the back when I was finishing sewing the binding. 

And a snowman label......made of white on white snowflake fabric, of course!

                                              (a peek at what I am working on today) xx debbie
                                                       

A 4 A Quilt Blocks

Today I was able to finish Lesson 1 of the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt Along.  I  am making two quilts, so will have two sets of very different blocks. 

 

 

 

                                                                  So far, so good.

                                                    Off to choose fabrics for Lesson 2.
                                                                        xx Debbie

FNSI

Here is my FNSI update.  I spent most of my time with my rotary cutter, but I did get  a lot done.

I needed to cut the contrast fabric to make a start on the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt Along.

There are 4 lessons out now, so I am a bit late getting started, but hope to catch up very soon!
If you would like to join in too, you can find the lessons here.  There are plenty of photos online of blocks that ladies have already made.  So inspiring!

De and I have decided to make two quilts at once.  It is just as easy to make two blocks as one, right?!
Still not sure which of us talked the other one into doing that, but it's all good :))
I have chosen this cream fabric (actually premium grade muslin) as my first contrast fabric, which will replace the black in the sample shown in the banner above. This quilt will be in girly colours such as pink, purple, yellow, blues, soft greens, etc.  I will be using all F/Qs from my stash.

This is the contrast fabric to replace the black for my second quilt.   This quilt will be made of Batik fabrics from my stash too.  I think I should have enough Batiks to choose from.

                                 I couldn't help but notice how pretty the trimmings are too....

Block 1 is all half square triangles with one solid block.  Here are all my HST cut and pressed, ready for both quilts. The top set goes with the cream and the bottom set goes with the hot pink.

I need a break from that project for awhile. Here is my much loved handbag. It has been to USA and back at least 4 times and washed many more. See the fraying on the handle, top right?  I want to retire her to be a project bag (nice sized pockets inside too) and make a fresh one. 

I have had this pretty rose fabric in my stash for awhile now while I waited for her to speak to me and tell me what she would like to become.  She spoke a few days back and said she wanted to be my new handbag.   I will choose a pretty lining too.....hmmm.  Haven't had a look in the stash yet.

Sometime this week, I will post the spice mix recipe you asked for and tell you about girl4.  She is
the coolest one of all ( I know I say that everytime) but she really is.

                                                                  I am so lucky.
                  I can't even find words to caption  this picture so will be quiet now :) 
                                                                   xx debbie
                                                          

Caution...Hot!

Today was the deadline to mail the parcel for Christmas In July...Did you get your parcel out on time?  I did...(shhhh   De, be quiet)!!  I have the tracking number for proof!!

Anyway,  just a heads up...if you get a parcel from me (Debra W)... just a little warning..
You will find a little snack size bag labelled "Debbie's Texas Spice Mix" ( I think that is what I called it).  If you choose to use it, please err on the side of caution.  It is meant to replace those awful packets of taco seasoning mix at the shops that also contain who knows what preservatives and other mystery ingredients.  This stuff is a pure blend by me but I just wanted you to know that  less is more, ok?  One store packet= 3 tablespoons.  I suggest you start with 1 tablespoon depending on how much hot you like.  I used 3 tablespoons this weekend in a huge pot of Texas Chili and I  had to take my jumper off and I was wiping my brow with every bite , it warmed me up that much.  Just sayin :)   I would love for my partner to still be around for the next swap.   xx debbie

Travelling Treasures and A Win for Me!

Travelling Treasures visited Debra at OutbackCrafter in June.  Debra has chosen what she would like to keep and added some new goodies to the parcel.   It is time for Travelling Treasures to travel again and I am so happy to let you know that dear Cheryll at  stitchingcubbyhole was chosen by Debra as the latest winner.   I am loving that sewing machine stitchery! Lucky Cheryll! 

I am excited to tell you that I am a winner too and the prize is SUPER COOL!  I played along over at Karin's blog leighlaurelstudios by telling about my recent stitching projects for a chance to win  this book.

I read the blogs of several of the designers who have contributed to this book.  I can't wait to have a good look through it.  Thank you ever so much for your generous giveaway, Karin!

Karin asked to see the stitcheries I mentioned in my entry, so here they are:

Monday is Washday

                                                       Let Heaven and Nature Sing

I've been sewing every day lately, with a focus on my 3 items for the Christmas swap and the two baby quilts that will be donated to Blankets of Love.  Here is a little peek:

have made lots of binding.....still have to make more today.....bright red!!

                                              some bits for the swap freshly pressed......

I've been stalking my secret partner's blog and I know she likes brights...*wink*

And a sneak peek at the main gift...did you know that ONE  16 inch block could have 583 pieces?!?!
(I haven't actually counted...but....it must be close)
See all those scraps...they are from making the one block.  See all those post it notes....they are from all the pieces that took me 2 days just to cut out. LOL!  The block has turned out really nice and it was well worth the effort.  I can't wait for my partner to get it! 

Girl 4 is doing well and she has a VERY  interesting story which I will share soon. I'm off to stitch now.
xx debbie