A Special Story for our last post for 2020

 

Sheila shared these wonderful pics and the story.

Sheila   

 Hi  My exciting news. We have owned our land for 33 years and have never seen a koala. At the time we bought it Peter remarked there were scratches on a tree that were made by a koala. Yesterday morning  my neighbours across the road told me they had seen a koala in my trees.  We're checking every day to see if it is still there. 

 

Looking well fed, hope the little gal/guy has a wonderful Christmas at Sheila's place

A little silliness to round off the year, spotted this on a facebook page, Debra, the author and creator mentioned that she needed to hide a roll of wadding and found the perfect solution.

Hiding in plain sight

An old U.F.O. becomes a current W.I.P

Amazing how many U.F.O's are seeing the light of day lately, this latest was unearthed by Sue W from way back in 2006.

Started in a workshop with Lorraine Carthew this beauty is getting close to finished.

Lorraine's class was in raw edge applique, but Sue decided to fall back on her preferred method of blanket stitching.

Closer look at those tiny neat stitches

 

Sheila is working to a plan for the future, for a friends next big '0' birthday.  Using some shasiko pieces she has been saving,

along with some lovely blue and white fabric she purchased on her trip to Japan, she has created this lovely.

Sheila was busily slicing scraps into usable sized pieces.

with a view to making these lovely improv blocks.

Jackie is busily stitching arcs into rows that will become another stunner.

Di had a basket of goodies, shasiko goodies that is, she is up to piece number 5 so far.

Sue A is recently returned from visiting family, and of course took along a piece to work on, "well because you do don't you!" Sue was telling us that it was the perfect piece because it took quite a bit of gazing and considering to decide on just what was needed and where.  Very relaxing.  Sue isn't entirely sure of what she will use this piece for but is thinking, perhaps a bag?

Sheila sent a pic of Yola's finished wall hanging.  Thanks Sheila.

Beautiful and inspiring Christmas wall hanging.

 Sheila has shared some photos of Yola's  wall hanging using fabrics from her stash.

The pattern is one from Joan's Own Creations, this one and many, many more patterns.  If you would like your own pattern of 'Christmas Eve' follow this link

 The Christmas Tree is awaiting its decorations

 

A peek at the fire place detail

love the cityscape through the window.

 and how cute are the kitten and puppy appliques.

So much interest in this wonderful wall hanging.

Have been looking at different ideas for storing the stash, there certainly some wild and some unusual ideas out there but this one bought a smile to the dial, hope you get a giggle.

Lunch at the 'Creek'

 Christmas lunch for 2020 was at one of our local Taverns and by all accounts was greatly enjoyed with lots of fun, competitions, good food & chat and plenty of surprises with secret Santa.

Thank you once again Sheila for the pics and words.

 

 

2020 certainly has been a year out of the box,  box of the unbelievable, but out of the box.  Here's hoping that with the new year all of this can be put behind us and recovery can be achieved.

Wishing everyone a calm and happy Christmas and a wonderful 2021.

 an addition to the post

So what else do you do at 4a.m. but scoot through your fave F.B. pages, got the following from a lass on 'Scrappy Girls Club' - check it out if your not already a member, great inspiration on using up what you have - Enjoy the giggle.

I'm posting this with a heavy heart.

As much as I love my quilting, the fabrics, the jelly rolls, patterns and the needle minders and everything that goes into it, this is simply taking up too much of my time. I am struggling to keep up with the everyday basics of life - cooking and housework, so something has to give. I will therefore be selling off my collection.

Below is a list of what's available. Serious inquiries only please, and don't insult me with low offers.

Thanks for reading, and understanding.

1. Dustpan and broom

2. Sponges

3. Leaf blower

4. Mop and buckets

5. Lawn mower

6. Vacuum

7. Rakes (multiple)

8. Laundry detergent

9. Hand tools

10. Yard tools

 

 

Najida Open Christmas Tree

 Its that time of year again, where our members bring along Christmas pressies for the kiddies and Mums being looked after by the lovely ladies from Najidah

There is usually a mountain of gifts for boys and girls of all ages and their Mums and this year is no different.

Sheila with the lass from Najidah who visited to collect all the lovely goodies.

We wish all the Kiddies and their Mums a lovely Christmas and the best for 2021 and beyond.

Sheila had a bit of a find, awhile back she noticed that her wonderful bamboo point turner had disappeared, I won't say there were tears, but she wasn't happy.  Sheila bought it from Bargain Box (remember them) quite a number of years ago for the princely sum of .60c.  

Imagine how pleased she was to find it had slid down under a box in her notions drawer, especially as she reckoned a replacement would be a bit more than 0.60c, and she is right! A quick google found one for $29.61 - Nope, not kidding, and postage on top of that, lots of other sites were all out of stock (bamboo - Made in China ?, perhaps there is a link there with our current trading problems with China).         Anyhoo, a bit more digging found one for the extra cheap price of $8 with postage of $10 from  Fibre Smith , an Aussie company in Yarraville, Vict, so I guess it depends how you view the results, $18 is less than $29 but way way more than .60c but if your heart hankers for a dandy bamboo point turner, get your skates on, there are on 13 left!

Sheila has also been busy making her annual pillow cases for her Grandies, always made to match their quilts but always different from the previous years.

 

Just two More Sleeps...

 and the Buderim Craft Cottage Christmas Market will be open!!

Yep, so many goodies for sale by the many talented members of our Cottage on the corner of Main & Church Streets, Buderim.

Opening Friday 27th at 10a.m. til 2p.m. 

also Saturday 28th from 8a.m to 3p.m

So pop along for a chance to snaffle some wonderful hand crafted gifts for yourself or loved ones.

Patchwork gals just getting into the swing this morning, Pat and Janice social distancing while signing in some lovelies with  Di and Sandy.  Note that quilt with the yellow binding?

Well here it is (top right) - along with some other goodies, 

Because of covid restrictions, there is a plan for guests to walk through the Cottage in a loop, excluding some of the smaller rooms, upshot is, of course, that all groups will have a much smaller area to display their creations, but never fear, lots and lots of stuff under the tables - so if you don't see it - ask - and of course the displays will be updated regularly.

Enjoy your shopping folks! and a big thank you to Sheila for sending in the product pics.

So much Christmas excitement and Joy...

 Pencil in the date folks, Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November

Our Cottage members are thrilled to be able to offer a smaller version of the annual Buderim Christmas Fair, although a smaller version, the Markets will still be packed with a fantastic array of individually created treasures for your Christmas shopping.

For all the info pop over to  Buderim Craft Cottage Christmas Market

 Quilting seems to be on the back burner at the moment, gals are very much into other creative needleworks.

Sue A spotted an episode of The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Freddy Moran with some of the quirky faces that Freddy has been creating.  For Freddie's story on her exhibition, pop over to the youtube video 'Face the Year' 

Sue's version certainly got some creative juices flowing on Wednesday, Sue made her lady a tad smaller with a view to possibly creating a bag, as we are aware, Sue makes some stunning bags.  

 For more on Freddy with Alex, two more youtube videos, 'Alex Anderson in Freddy's House'   is a short video walking through Freddys house showing her use of colour and a longer video with 'Alex Anderson live: Celebrating Quilter Freddy Moran'

 Sue A continues her circles on lime, 

Laurel Lee is creating Aboriginal designs on black panels with an eye to creating wall hangings.  The idea of a basically black quilt didn't hold her interest for very long, so wall hangings it is.

Jackie is working with felt, a rather fun piece from the pattern range of Wendy Williams

 

Jackie mentioned that at one stage last week there were 32pins holding down just one row of flowers, certainly made for some interesting maneuvering.

Wendy was one of the 2016 Tutors at Caroline Sharkey's 'Sewing Up a Storm in the Desert'.        In 2014 she published a book of 15 lovely patterns.  A copy can be had here or an e-book version is available from Zookal Textbooks if you are that way inclined.

 What's that old adage about keeping a good woman down? well it certainly applies to Stella.

Stella is recently recovered from two...yeah TWO, broken wrists but still had some beautiful hand dye silk to share with us, loads of gloriously hand dyed pink silk.

After the ooohs - ahhhs - and general admiration someone asked what she thought she would create with this bounty...Stella thought maybe a scarf would be a good way to go...maybe there is a bit of a long term plan in the offering - can't wait to see!!

Loraine has increased her black on white cross stitches, still enjoying the journey, still waiting for the final construction inspiration, sometimes waiting for that final bolt from the blue of inspiration is the best bit of just starting a creative journey.

 

Scraps and Stripes with interest

Thank you Sheila for another batch of quilting eye candy.

Scrap quilt from Di . Lorraine I. set up & allowed Di to use her long arm quilter. Di was delighted with the experience

Pat has been experimenting with strips to create this eye catching lovely.

 

Sheilas lap quilt for a friend for her 80th birthday using my leftover Japanese fabrics & Sashiko pieces finished several years ago.