The big 5 0

 Well its been a very fun week for me. Last Saturday I turned 50. It was a fun day of celebrations followed by a wonderful dinner with 30 of my closest friends and my sons.

 When I reflect back on my life I'm so proud of everything I set out to accomplish. I have raised a family, had some great jobs and traveled around a lot. I have been overseas several times and I know there are more fun times ahead in my future.
My main accomplishment is raising 3 fine boys who are now young men with lives of their own.
Look at these 2. My heart bursts with pride when I am around them.

 These pretty girls are my son's girlfriends. Such cute couples.

 And this lovely lady traveled all the way down from Queensland to share in my celebrations. Thankyou Terri- Ann I love you to bits.

Just because I'm 50 now doesn't mean I can't have a few silly pics. It was my night afterall.

Since I got back from America in August I have moved house so no sewing has been going on. I hope to get settled soon and find a few projects I want to work on.
I also have a 2nd job so my days are busy and my nights are filled with gym and running. Doesn't leave much time for anything else. But my fingers are getting itchy so soon I hope to have something fun to share.

Thank you for stopping by.  

A Long time

Hi there, remember me. Its been so long since I did a blog post I'm having to learn all over again. There have been some major changes in my life in recent months and now I'm slowly getting on with things but its been hard. Onwards and upwards as the saying goes.
Last month I was lucky enough to spend a week in the amazing USA, I have so much about my trip to share but i thought i would start of  with a finished quilt I'm so proud of.

Remember my smitten quilt I started almost 3 years ago. Finally finished and I couldn't be happier. I took it with my to America to show all my friends as they have been on this sewing journey with me right from the beginning. I sewed the binding down my first week there  then the fun photo shoots started.

 

 These are a few of my favourite photos, Taken in beautiful Wyoming in the mountains, Such stunning scenery and the perfect back drop.

Now I can enjoy it for many years to come.
I used all my favourite red white and blue fabrics, some of these are now discontinued and so hard to find which makes the quilt even more special.

I promise I  will be back soon to share more of our fun adventures, including watching my very first rodeo, now there's a story.

Take care  xx

Easter Sewing

 Happy Easter to you all, Its been such a long time since I was here last. My poor blog has been very neglected but if I'm honest I must say that I kind of lost interest there for awhile but I'm back and I hope to be posting regularly again.  I have missed everyone.

I love having a long weekend, yesterday I started a new project. In fact in the last few months I  Have started several new projects and even finished a few. I will share those very soon. This gorgeous block is called Tree of Life. Its a new pattern by Sherri of A quilting life. I love her designs and i knew as soon as I saw her design I wanted to make one.

 One block down and another one almost together, that will be tomorrows job.

 I'm using my fig tree fabrics for this one. so pretty. Its about time I stopped collecting and starting using.

 I'm also on my last block for my Smitten quilt, I have loved working on this quilt on and off for the last 2 years. Its about time to get it finished.
I'm going to USA in July and my plan is to take my finished quilt with me to photograph while I'm there. I'm calling it my America quilt as it has come with me the last 2 trips and I sewed it while we were there. The fabrics are very special to me.

 Especially this flag fabric. I have searched high and low for more of this but I think its all gone,

I can't wait to share these blocks all sewn together.

Enjoy your Easter weekend, I hope you found some sewing time.

Take care xx

Something so different

 Hi there, The last few weeks have seen me put down my scissors and put on my running shoes. I was in training for my very first half marathon.
The event took place on January 14th and the conditions for running were absolutely perfect. I could not have been happier.

 I was so nervous even though I knew to trust my training, I ran every day and in a 2 week period over Christmas I clocked up 373 Kilometres so I  knew I could do this.  Sometimes though we always doubt ourselves don't we, no matter what task is it.

The distance was 21 km and I ran it in 1 hour 51 minutes, If I got 2 hours I would have been happy so to get that time was even better.
Basically since that day I have not stopped running, I have quite a few other running events throughout the year including a marathon in Salt Lake City USA in July, now that one I can't wait for. So exciting.

I am slowly getting back to my sewing, I have made a new magazine project  which will be sent off very soon and I'm starting a new design for Homespun to be published later in the year.

How people say they get bored is beyond me.  Don't you agree.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Christmas 2017

 Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all enjoyed the special day. Ours was very quiet but lovely.
I enjoyed getting all my Christmas goodies out of storage and decorating my home.

 Each year I try and make at least one new Christmas project but time got away and I only managed to sew the binding on a new table runner I made last year for my coffee table. Oh well it doesn't matter because I did have my new quilt I designed for a magazine publication earlier in the year. So I guess I can call that my new 2017 christmas project.

 My Tis the season quilt by Natalie Bird is always my favourite quilt for Christmas. I love the fabrics and the stitcheries are so sweet.

 Also on display is my new Jim Shore ornaments i bought in the USA back in September, these are so lovely I think I'll leave them out a little longer.

And whats Christmas Day without my traditional picture of my boys. Getting more handsome every year I must say. Lol,


In 2 weeks time I will be participating in my very first half marathon, I'm excited but nervous at the same time. I have been training hard for months now and after completing 2 10k races I know I'm more than ready to challenge myself even further.
Wish my luck,   I'll be sure to let you know how the big day went.

Thankyou for stopping by.

Happy sewing

Around the garden

 Hi there, not a lot of sewing going on around here lately because I have been  busy spending my time in the garden. This time of year is when I get my summer seeds planted and the vegetable garden started.

 Poppies and Zinnias, my favourite flowers.

 My vegetable garden is now doing well, all seeds have sprouted  so in a few weeks and months I hope to have some yummy carrots, cucumber, brussel sprouts, snow peas and pumpkins.

 All my roses are so pretty, I love to cut them and bring them inside.

 I did make some time to sew a sewing machine cover that I designed for a magazine a little while ago. I made this for a friend and gave it to her last Sunday. I do enjoy sewing for others.

Soon I'll  be digging out the Christmas decorations, can you believe Christmas is almost here.

Have a wonderful week. xx

Time flies........

Hi everyone. I really didn't mean to leave it so long between posts but the days have come and gone so quickly lately. Do you find that to. Christmas will soon be here. Eeekk

I have had some fun in my sewing room recently, I made this lovely camera bag for my etsy shop and now its on its way to a new home in USA. I'm so pleased . 

 As well as sewing, I have been cosying up the house. My sweet husband painted this cupboard for me, it was all dark wood and while I loved the style I no longer liked the colour, so out come the good old electric sander. Didn't he do a great job!!
I have  had a lovely time playing around with all my things, rearranging and folding.

 I love little baskets of quilts rolled up. Much better to have them out for everyone to see.

 I did a little halloween decorating to, Its a fun time of year.

 I even started a new halloween quilt, I have made all the blocks now I just need to put it together. I'll have it ready for next year for sure.

So thats what has been keeping me busy.

Hope you have found some time to do all the things you love to. Thankyou for stopping by.

Until next time .... Happy sewing.