FNSI, Vinnies, and dogs

Hi everyone,

My FNSI went well. It actually lasted most of the weekend :)  I nearly finished a needlecase but I will save that for another post.  I prepped a fq for quilting and then I will make it into another fabric box.  I was getting ready to start quilting it, then decided to service my machine. I clean the bobbin area every single time I refill, but  I've never taken the throat plate off and looked under the bobbin guts.  Wow...I found a lot more lint than I was expecting.  It's a wonder she sewed at all. 

I worked on one of the 3 curtains I need to make, but it's not finished yet. 

I found this fabric a couple years ago. It was only $5/ metre, but it is about  2.5 metres
wide. Bonus! It is finished on both sides, similar to selvedge, so I really only need to sew the top and
bottom.  I think it probably is bed sheet fabric.  It came on a huge roll.  I also prepped a few
applique pieces because I would like to learn how to do machine blanket stitching.

De came to visit today.  We were going to have Thai food for lunch, but they were closed, so we were forced to go to  this cute little coffee shop instead:)   They have all day brekkie, so we both had eggs benedict.  It was delicious but I am still full.

Just down the road is my fave Vinnies. This is the one where I have the best luck.  Today was great!
As you know, I am hoping to have a guide dog here with me soon.  I need to supply bedding for the crate and a couple of decent sized toys for my new friend to sleep with.  Today was half price day at Vinnies and I was in luck! Found this gorgeous wool blanket,  only $4.  It is large enough to cut up to make 4 blankets for the crate. 

 

 

I love the colours, a soft grey, cream, and green.  De tells me this is one of the finest Aussie brands.
Next up, some cuddly friends for the pup to sleep with.  They were $2 and $1.

Aren't they sweet?   I am think I am officially nesting now LOL.

This doona cover was $2.50.  It has this eyelet ruffle all the way around, which I plan to reverse sew after it has had a good washing.  The embroidery is in  palest peach and soft green.

Speaking of dogs, my dog theme library book this time is about a dog that was severely abused.  He was recovering from his injuries and was still at the vet's office when another family went there to sadly put their own pet down.  They  adopted him  and he has turned out to be a much loved pet.

In all the excitement of the Adelaide trip, I forgot to take a picture of the project bag I made De for her birthday.  I chose some teddy bear themed blocks that I bought at one of the quilt shops we visited together in Tasmania.  She brought the bag today, so a few pics :

I cut a fringe around each block.  I really like the look after it's been washed.  De has a soft spot for teddies.

I did simple line quilting on the machine.  Of course, the lining has dots! Dots are happy.
Hope you  had a happy weekend too.   xx debbie

FNSI and Lets Get Stitched

Tonight is FNSI, please join in and sew along.  You can sign up at Heidi's blog.

My plan is to make curtains. Do curtains count as real sewing for FNSI?!  Uggh. And Yuck!!  The cottage needs to be prettied up a bit. I've had 3 sets of mini blinds fall apart on windows that still need privacy.  Making curtains is not my idea of fun sewing, but I just need to get it done!  I even have all the fabric here already.  I will NOT be showing a before picture.  I need to think of a yummy snack to get me through this ordeal though haha!  Maybe if I put the curtain promise in writing I will stop procrastinating....

Back on the 7th of March,  dear De and I flew to Adelaide for Let's Get Stitched.

I want to say a special thank you to De and her hubby for all they did to make this trip possible for me.  Due to my health, I could not have managed the long airport walks and moving a heavy  suitcase by myself.  De's hubby (Greg)  provided us with safe transport and De provided the physical help I needed so I could go on the trip too.  Greg  also  came to the cottage while we were away and did the final preparations to make my yard secure so I can start being a Guide Dog foster mum soon.   Thank you both for always being there for me.  Please know I am grateful.

It was a super fun weekend!  I can't decide which part I liked best.  It was so nice to see friends again that  I met last year at the Tassie meet.  I met sweet Vicki of The Pickledish Patch last year, and was so happy to see her again.  She gave me LOTS of hugs and she even cut my hair. Thank you Vicki.  
I loved the quilt shop bus hop.  We went to some gorgeous shops and our bus driver was friendly and funny.  Joy  is always fun too.  I first met her in Tassie, then at a Brissie blog meet, then in Adelaide.  She has such a sunny personality.    Fee was very inspiring.  She was right into stitching An Angel Story.  I brought my book and fabrics for same  with me and I even did some prep work and stitching on two blocks.   Here is Pot Plant Penelope with some stitching done.  I was able to find a charm pack that has been on my wish list for at least four years called Beach House by Moda.  I was so happy that I broke in to it straight away and used some for Penelope's dress.

 

I would like to say another  thank you to Dawn for all she did to plan this trip.  It is clear she must have spent a lot of time sorting things. Thank you Dawn, I enjoyed every moment!

I came home with lots of goodies.  It's a good thing I chose the larger suitcase! Thank you to all the designers who shared their new patterns and taught new skills. 

 

 

I have a little story to end this post.  It is a bit odd, but oh so cool too. It might even make you smile!  Back in 2004, I still lived in USA, but I  had many years  before that  made the decision to move to Australia when I could sort out all the immigration stuff.  In the meantime,  I joined an online craft club/forum  (not sure what year we started),  that was  connected to Express Publications, (they publish the Aussie quilting magazines),  and this gave me a chance to make new  Aussie friends.    We in the forum starting doing swaps.  I was happy I could still join in even though I lived on the other side of the world.  It was so fun  to get mail all the way from Australia!  Anyway,  for the swaps, there would first be a theme ( I remember Kitchen,  PETS,  Where I Live, etc...)  and then partners, deadlines, etc.

 

Ok, switch to March 2013, Let's Get Stitched in Adelaide.  One night, 20+ of us girls were in the Nutter's cabin and the topic of conversation was storms.  I mentioned that being from Texas, I love a good storm with lots of thunder and lightning (Texas is also part of "Tornado Alley")  and I am rarely afraid, but ex tropical cyclone Oswald caused enough damage at my current home for me to call on SES for help and it also made me cry!

  One of the ladies near me heard me say Texas, which led to talk of  swaps,  and the next thing she said was that she was in the same forum back then and sent to a swap partner in Texas named Debbie.  I think we both worked it out right about the same time...  I knew as soon as she said her name, Gail, who she was, because the table runner she made for me is right beside me every night.  I promised her  I would show a picture, as is, so here it is.  It is covering a not so pretty filing cabinet.   The date is  on the back,  2004!

 

 

This picture is for you, Gail. This is how it looks, every day.  Gail and I  had a few tears and lots of hugs.  What are the chances of meeting a swap partner from nearly 10 years ago,  and especially living on opposite sides of the world?     Gail, I still love that table runner, and always have. Thank you. xx

debbie

 

 

 

Me expecting?!! Hopefully...

Hi everyone,

Wow, what a month this has been with life stuff! I won't bore you with the details LOL. Life is *supposed* to be complicated at times, from what I've heard.....  I am so excited to say how much I am looking forward to getting the heck out of Brisbane for our Let's Get Stitched long weekend in Adelaide  coming up very soon.  Aside from a couple of road trips just over an hour each way for  Brissie blog meets, I have not been away at all in a whole year, since our Let's Get Stitched event in Tasmania last March.  I've just messaged dear De to let her know I've been to the shops this morning and we definitely have a supply of  various chocolates for the flight :)

I have managed to sew this month, but (aside from Melody's bag),  all of my sewing is secret so I have no pictures just yet.

No, I am not expecting a baby, but... I am very much hoping for a new addition. I will be attending an information session on 13th of March at the Guide Dogs QLD site, which is only about 15 minutes from me.  Since I am no longer working, I am home alone a lot these days.  I don't think I am well enough to take on a young puppy for 12 months, but they are looking for other help too. One option is a "quiet home with no other pets" for dogs that are recovering from surgery, or drop offs for overnight sleeps while training during the day, or respite care for a couple of weeks while a puppy raising family is on holidays.  I have been reading their website in hopes of learning a bit more ahead.

 According to the site, it takes $30,000 to breed and raise EACH dog until they reach the age of two and are ready to be matched with a blind person.  They also say that 50% of the dogs do not qualify all the way to the end of two years of training.
The dogs are given to the blind person at no cost.   I do not know any blind persons myself, but I believe this is a worthy charity and  I am hoping I will find a place in there somewhere so I can be of help.
If you know any more than I do, please let me know.   If this does not work out, I will be checking out my local shelters to find a companion. I know there is a good match out there for me somewhere, whether by the Guide Dogs, or a shelter.

I went to the Brissie blog meet this past Sunday.  It was a super fun day with lots of laughs, and I made some new friends. What a fantastic way to spend the day!

debbie