Gum Valley Patchwork

Independence Trail

is the new range of fabric by Minick and Simpson.
When Rhys showed me the fabric samples last week I couldn't help myself and I ordered the full range.

 
But wait there's more........Polly and Laurie have also designed a beautiful range of 24 woollen fabrics

I ummed and ahhed........I really love them - 8 reds, 8 blues & 8 neutrals.......but should I?........so before Rhys throttled me I ordered the collections......1 yard of each.......ooohh and more of the red check because I think a skirt or coat would look great made from it! But before you get too excited it won't be arriving until August, which will give me time to work out where I am going to fit it......lol!

Linda    :) 

Last Minute Linda

that's my new name. I always seem to do it. Leave things to the last minute and this week is no exception. I have decided to make a couple of new skirts to take with me to Kansas City and also a new bag (if time permits). Today I decided to make a couple of luggage tags to try and make my black suitcases stand out from everyone elses black suitcases. Although they didn't quite turn out the way I had hoped they will still do the job.

But I might also tie a bright ribbon or piece of fabric on just in case!

Linda    :)

Fabric Shading Class

There are still a couple of vacancies in Jodie's class - Fabric Shading - on Friday 8th June.

During the class you can learn this wonderful technique of Fabric Shading using coloured pencils and jazz up those stitchery projects. Jodie will showcase some of her own projects using the method and then you can work on your own ‘masterpiece’. I have seen several of Jodie's samples and they look fabulous. Check out this lovely cushion that is currently on display at the shop.

You don’t have to be an artist just good at colouring in! Class fee includes the use of pencils.                        

Date:  Friday 8th June              Time: 12.30am - 3pm.         Class Fee: $20

Linda    :)

 

Only.......

8 sleeps

13 milkings

3 days in the shop

2 classes

1 fridge & 1 freezer to be stocked

2 herd test milkings

11 calves to be dehorned

1 house to be cleaned

2 suitcases to be packed

a few more hexagons to be tacked

and a million and one other things to do before Gail and I head off next Saturday to Kansas City, USA for the Spring Quilt Market.

Linda    :)

More progress

The weather has turned very chilly and wet but the builders were back yesterday to continue on with the extension. It was all hands on deck when the ridge beam was put up.......Russell was at the shop at the time so even he helped out......lucky I was busy in the shop when this job was done ;)

Fingers crossed that the weather is better today.

Linda    :)

Simple Joys plus more

For lovers of Natalie Bird (aka The Birdhouse) projects I now have in stock her three new patterns. 'Starry Eyed' uses a combination of hand piecing, applique and stitchery to make a gorgeous runner; 'Hearts Return' is a lovely stitchery project which includes the preprinted stitchery design as well as 2 beautiful buttons; and finally 'Simple Joys'

which includes the preprinted stitchery and also this cute button.

I know these will be popular.  

Linda    :)

Say hello to 716

Russell was away last weekend.......off in Portland stewarding at a go-kart race meeting.......and I was at home on my lonesome.......just Lister and me. On Saturday afternoon I decided to take the camera with me when I went for the cows.......to take a few snaps around the place. The farm is looking great at the moment and although we do need some rain (and it is raining today) the paddocks look lovely and green.

 We have been composting fertiliser on the farm this year for the first time and a couple of weeks ago it was screened (lumps taken out) and it is now ready for spreading.......all 270 tonne of it!

I am sure I will be able to sneak a few ute loads for the garden........surely Russell won't miss it!

The cows were already on their way home to the dairy.........

the looks I got as if they were saying 'where have you been you are late!'

I want to introduce you to my favourite cow ....... 716. All of our cows get numbers not names.

She is lovely Brown Swiss Jersey cross cow, always clean and never gives us any hassle. She is also our oldest cow. 716 was born on the 25 June 1995.......the year Hannah was in kinder! She will be 17 years old this year and I told Russell that when we sell the farm she will be retired to our outpaddock and NOT sold.  

But for the time being it is milking time again.

Linda    :)

A special gift

On Thursday my Mother in law not only gave me the box of goodies from the old Singer Treadle Machine but she also gave me a very special present. A photo of Russell when he was in Grade One. You see Russell and I were in the same grade in 1969 and we both own a copy of our school photo from that year. When I met Russell again way back in 1980 I immediately remembered that he was in the same grade as I was. Here is our grade photo.

I always tell him that it looks like Miss Kerry grabbed him by his tie and shoved him in the photo.....lol!

And here is the photo that Pearl gave me.

Angelic is not the first word that springs to mind.........maybe mischevious would be better.....lol! There aren't very many photos of Russell when he was young so this will be treasured.......and copied for Emma and Hannah to add to their family albums.

Linda    :)

A box of treasures

Two days ago I had a visit from my lovely Mother-in-law.......yes I did say lovely as she most definitely is. Pearl was having a clean out and came across this box and thought that I might like to have it.

It belonged to her mother, Mary and was the assessories for her Singer Treadle Sewing Machine. Mary married in 1902 and used the machine for many years and then passed it on to Pearl who also used it. The machine was left behind in Gippsland when they moved to Simpson but the box of assessories made the journey.

And look what else was in the box..........an antique Ruffler foot!

I am so excited to now own a second Ruffler foot as well as those other bits and pieces in the tin box...........though there is another contraption that we can't quite work out what it is........my guess is a buttonholer but not 100% sure.....actually not even 20% sure!

Linda    :)

PS. the redness was the reflection of the sun.......and isn't the colour of the assessories.

Change of plans

After Lenora pointed out that it might get a little chilly in July and August sitting out on the 'deck' stitching I decided to go with the original plan and the walls started to go up yesterday.

I hope I won't be disappointed....lol! Russell informs me that this will be the one and only extension to the shop......but maybe a deck would be nice. Never say never!

Linda    :)