Another Year Nearly Gone

Another year is all but gone, and as I reflect on what has happened this year I find that it started off well (as most New Year's do) and ended, well ........ I guess not too bad.

I was on an absolute high in February with a sightseeing flight over Antarctica that was utterly amazing. Very long day - just on 14 hours flying time, could have all but made it to London at that rate. However the sights were oh so worth the trip.

Took me a while to come down (pun intended) from the skies and to get back to some stitching. I have made 27 of my little kindness bears this year and I am quite pleased with my efforts although I know I could have made more. Here is a photo of just a few of them.

May/June saw us with a change of plans as to our travel plans and we ended up exploring the 3 peninsulas of SA. Photo shows Coffin Bay on SA's Eyre Peninsula. It was on this trip that I started to have a couple of problems with my health and on return home started the 'rounds' with doctors, tests and specialists - hopefully will get the final results in the New Year.

Then at the end of September we made a trek up to Bjelke-Petersen Dam near Murgon in the
Southern Wide Bay area of Qld where we caught quite a number of bass and yellow-belly fresh water fish.

Who said you need to fish on a dam?

At the end of our trip to the dam, we headed back to the coast for a week at Hervey Bay where Pete played some games of lawn bowls around the area and I went on a whale watching day trip.

Now we are on the tail end of our Christmas trip to see family near Townsville. A lovely time was had including a nice day trip to Magnetic Island. Was a little disappointed with this trip as there now appears to be very little for the tourist o do. However, it was a lovely day out with our family.

Tomorrow afternoon/evening Pete will be one of several manning the BBQ for the local Vietnam Veterans group at our local New Year's Eve party in the park with entertainment and fireworks.

Overall, it has been quite a good year, however as with most people, we are hoping for a better year next year.

To all ......

It's Christmas Eve

I have been a little slack this month, but it is finally Christmas Eve and I have managed to get some stocking fillers made just in time.

As I have made quite a few of these notebook covers, it was a quick easy session to make a couple more.

I also made some crocheted tea towel tops including some Christmas ones whilst we sat in the lounge chairs watching the cricket on TV last week.

Our planned trip north for the Christmas break to see family ended up with us not being able to make up our minds as whether we bring the caravan with us or not - Cyclone Owen, decided to play around in Nth Queensland and across the Gulf of Carpentaria. He didn't do much damage as it crossed the coast in remote areas of Cape York Peninsula, however the rain that he dumped was something else and was heading down the coast.

We were due to leave last Tuesday afternoon for a 3 1/2 day trip with the van, but decided Tuesday evening to change tack and leave the van at home due to the amount of rain forecast and possible flooding/road cuts. Instead we left on Wednesday morning for a 3 day trip north staying in motels on our way north. We saw where quite a bit of rain had fallen, but only got minimal rain ourselves. Around Mt Larcom, north of Rockhampton we also saw where massive bushfires that had raged just 10 days ago.

Safely arrived at our daughter & son in law's place south of Townsville on Friday afternoon, only to have the next door neighbour mow his yard with a ride-on and - accidently - throw up a stone and shatter the driver's door window of our car. Rang a windscreen place this morning (Christmas Eve) and bless their socks, they had one in stock and were able to fit it today!! Well done Clint and crew of Instant Windscreens and Tinting in Townsville.

For now though, it appears to be 'happy hour' so I shall sign off ......

On behalf of Pete and myself, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and productive New Year.

June & Pete

Another Special Little Bear

This month has not been all together great, however I did manage to make one bear for my GP.

It matches a small note book that I made for her a little while ago, and when I went to see her last week, before I even sat down in the chair I was told how useful the little notebook was. It lifted my spirits no end and felt like walking out of her surgery without asking questions about what I was there for in the first place. She loved the fabric I used for the notebook, and I managed to find a bit more to create the dress for the little bear. As you can see from the photo, I appliqued a stethoscope on it as well. I hope she likes it.

I hope to make a few more items before Christmas, but time is running away from me - ah well, we shall see what comes out of my sewing room before we head off for Christmas with our family.

For now though, like me .....

Do More of What Makes You Happy!

'Til next time.

4 More Special Bears at Hervey Bay

Our trip over to Hervey Bay went well and we stopped along the way at a small locality of Woolooga where there is a farm - The Big Rosella, to pick up some rosella jam. We had seen a segment on this farm on the ABC Landline program back in July. So we thought if we find it we will stop for a visit, sadly the season is over and we could not go into the farm to see the rosellas growing - never mind, purchased some lovely jam.

We set up camp at Hervey Bay and started to explore what is around the place. Peter wanted to come here so he could join the RSL Social Bowls group who were coming up here for their annual 'away' trip.

Other than exploring over the weekend I managed to get out my sewing machine and completed the project I started whilst at the dam. That is I made some bears for a family that are friends of my nephews who all, bar 1, have been diagnosed with diabetes. To give them a smile during this initial trying period, I decided to make them a bear each, and for the young one who does not have diabetes, I decided to make a bear for him too, but stitched on his that he is a 'supporter' of diabetes.

So whilst Pete had three days of bowls, I enquired as to booking on a whale watching boat trip, and was fortunate to go on one on Monday (last trip of the season). What a great time we had. I was picked up from out the front of the caravan park and returned in the afternoon. We left from the marina at 9.30am on a large 58' catamaran which gave us a very smooth ride. Out through the harbour and headed up towards the most northern tip of Fraser Island.

Although we did not see as many whales as you would if it was the height of the season (Aug/Sept) we saw quite a few with their calves as they came up close to the boat. There are strict rules for how close the boats can go to the whales, but sometimes the whales become a bit inquisitive and venture quite close to the boats.

I have to say the food on board was scrumptious and I did not have very much for tea that night. My waistline is certainly suffering this trip, but hey, isn't that what going on a holiday trip is all about?

For now though, it is time to put my feet up, so until next time .......

DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY!!

Yay!! Finally Got a Connection

Oh what a frustrating few weeks with little to no internet connections - how did we manage before all this technology appeared on the scene? Finally I have managed to 'get online' and so can now update you with what's been happening around here, just as we are ready to move on.

Have to say not a real lot of stitching has been happening, but a whole lot of fishing has been the flavour of this last month. As mentioned in my last post, we have been up at Bjelke-Petersen Dam in the South Burnett area of southern Queensland.

It was great to get out on the dam again in our little 'tub' and to feel the peace around the place. The dam level is fairly low, just 17% - understandable due to the drought, but it has risen since we have been here, but certainly needs a whole lot more. You can see from the above photo where the 'full' level of the dam is supposed to be and even the cattle are coming down to drink the water.

We have done reasonably well with fishing, and me ..... well, yep achieved what I set out to do re: stitching, now just need to finish off my project.

The first two weeks were glorious weather, and it was lovely to catch up with others here around a camp fire whilst enjoying happy hour or two!

Last week though (week 3) was a  shocker, with 3 days (afternoons) of storms, thankfully no damage to cars or vans so that was a blessing. Pete had to head back home last Tuesday and went through a hail storm but thankfully again, no damage to our vehicle. He arrived back the following day to a storm, but again OK. It was last Thursday that we really took a battering, though this area did not get the worst of the TWO super cells that came through. Quite a few areas in the vicinity did suffer a lot of damage to roofs etc. One could say, we were extremely fortunate.

Yesterday was a day for starting to pack up and head off on our journey, and it entailed packing up 'the tub' and taking down the annex walls attached to our caravan - where we will spend next week they will not be needed. Pete left early this morning to take a run home with the boat and return ready to head off tomorrow.

Where are we heading I hear you ask, we are heading back to the coastal area of Hervey Bay over near Fraser Island, where we shall be meeting up with some other friends - more about that next week.

For the moment though, remember .....

DO MORE OF WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

'Til next time.

More Mini Quilts

The last half hour has been frustration personified! I have been trying to get onto my blog here to add a new post - all to no avail, however, just now the laptop and internet connection have aligned and I am off and running.

Our visit to Canberra came to a close three weeks ago and both Pete & I am finally rid of the flu we caught whilst down there. Which meant I could get on and put together the blocks for the next lot of mini quilts that I had been working on (the hand-stitching) whilst in Canberra.

The borders were chosen for each block and stitched into place.

Next came stitching the blocks together and adding the thin wadding before completing the making up of the four block panel.
                                              

As you can see, you put them together two by two, then put the wadding on and the second two by two on top, and stitch around before turning right side out.

Now that it is pressed, it is ready to hang on it's little stand.

 

Finally I have this done, but not without more frustration to download the photos etc. it has taken me the best part of two hours all up.  you see this last week we set off (again) to join some friends on a fishing trip around 50 kms from Kingaroy in the South Burnett region of Queensland at Bjelke Petersen Dam, and the internet reception up here is nothing short of woeful, but we are surviving and enjoying our time here - there will be more about our time here and what we will be getting up to next time, but in the meantime .........

 

 

Do more of what makes you happy!

'Til next time.

Chilly Canberra

Oh my goodness, the last couple of weeks have seen us freeze and then freeze again - if that is possible, and I think it is. You see we flew to Canberra to care for our 3 grand-daughters whilst their parents jetted off to the US for two weeks. And coming from the warmer climes of this great country, it was almost like a culture shock - OK weather shock. The temperatures the first week were totally unheard of for us, I mean below 0 degs in the mornings and not getting very high during the day. Oh what a bleak old place it is.

There was one day where it was well into the minuses first up, then only reached 5.6 deg. by mid-day. Now that is really chilly and I have to say we indulged with hot coffee for Pete and a hot chocolate for me - with marshmallows!

To start with while the girls were at school I started to help son's mother-in-law to make some bags to sell at a steam train day out - sadly I had to leave them to her to finish as this was when I started to feel under the weather, as they say. All that needed to be done was the handles stitched on, and then they were finished.

All was going well with the girls and I was able to help (or do) a crafty item with Miss 7 yr old. Why I say I made up the dolly is because surprisingly it said it was for 6+ years, well with the amount of stitching their is no way even a ten year old could manage it. However Miss 7 yr old is delighted with Annabella.

Pete also guided her with some plaster mould making and, the painting of said moulds.

The only real problem we faced was falling for a doozy of a dose of the flu each - me first, then it appears I generously gave it to Pete. Having said that, I believe our son may have given it to me before he jetted off. Oh my gosh, I don't think either of us has been so horribly sick in many a long year. Pete also contracted (don't know how) a good dose of conjunctivitis for good measure. It got to the point where we just wanted to get home to our own environment, our own bed and our own lounge-chairs. And although we have been home just on a week, both of us are still not 100%.  Guess we just have to rest some more and give it time to work through our systems. Thankfully we appear to be on the mend though.

Because we really could not do much, I was able to do a bit of hand stitching for myself which I was happy with, and also I read a couple of books.

It was laughable when son and daughter-in-law returned and asked if .... 'same time next year'? The answer was a definite NO! Minding the girls ... no worries, but not in winter!!

For the moment, I think I shall head back to my lounge-chair, put my feet up and enjoy a cuppa - after taking some more medicine.

Cheers for now,

6 of The Best

I have completed another six little bears that I have been working on this month - with a few other projects along the way.

I am quite pleased with these, it is the first time I have actually tried making some little girl bears with dresses on, and I am so glad they turned out OK.

Not sure who I will give these little guys to as yet, but I am sure there is some one out there that could really do with a smile and a bit of cheering up.

As I write this, we are on 'grandparent duty' with our three grand-daughters whilst their parents have a trip to the States for a couple of weeks. I managed to organise some of my mini quilt blocks to bring with me which I can sit and hand stitch whilst the girls are at school. So they will be the start of next months projects.

For now though .....

 'Til next time.

Another Challenge!

Pete came to me quite some time ago and asked if I could make a cover/bag in which to put/store the fishing rods we take with us on our fishing trips.

Well .... that set the old grey matter into a spin, and with his input, a sort-of design was hatched.

Off to Spotlight (only store available to buy fabrics these days) and I purchased some lightweight canvas to make said bag/cover. Oh, and for once I remembered to buy some thread to match the fabric.

The cutting table as you can see was in place and measurements were taken - 4 fishing rods rolling around the place did not help, but eventually I managed to get it all worked out (I thought) and off to the sewing machine I went.

As I got further into this project my confidence started to wain, but after a few tweaks here and there, I think I made a pretty fair fist of the job.  The extra fabric on the left (in the photo) is a flap that goes over the rods before they are rolled up. Also from this photo you can see I was down to three rods - the fourth was back down in the shed having it's line replaced ready for an upcoming fishing trip in the near future.

I also added a tie to keep it rolled up and the rods safe, however since the following photo was taken I have added another two ties just to keep it firm.

Have another project just about finished, should complete by the end of the week (I hope), if not certainly by the end of the month.

So it is back to my lounge chair to do some hand-stitching, but for now .....

A First for Me - Relish Making

Last month we were given a bottle of tomato relish by my sister-in-law, and enjoyed it so much I asked her for the recipe for it so I could have a go. Easy as ...... made with tinned tomatoes!! So I set about making a small batch and yes, I had my first batch of tomato relish and Pete loves it. Looks like I may have to make some more. The worst part of the whole exercise (if there is one) was to go scrounging for some small glass jars.

I did make more than this, but they went into a couple of birthday presents that I was very pleased with myself, as all items in the bag I had made - the notebook cover, a folded shopping bag, the relish and a couple of mug rugs.

Next came a batch of savoury muffins from a relatively simple recipe out of the August edition of the Woolies 'Fresh' magazine - again, simple as, and oh so tasty - Pete said they were the best I had made in quite a while, now that is a good recommendation if ever there was one.

Now all this frivolity in the kitchen is on top of what I have been doing in my sewing room, I am all but finished a couple of projects for this month, so will be posting them shortly.

For now though ......

Catch you next time.

Busy Last Week of the Month

Goodness, where has this month gone - today is the last day, and here I was talking severely to myself last week that I was a week too early for my monthly finished project. I needed not to worry. This last has just flown.

Last Friday Pete and I joined a bus load of Vietnam Veterans and their wives/partners for a lovely day out. The weather was just perfect and we headed up into the hinterland behind the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland to a little locality called Kenilworth where we sampled some of the delights at the old Cheese Factory.

Here we indulged in scones, jam and cream with our coffee - oh boy were the scones HUGE!! They were so, so fresh and of course beautiful rich cream - oh don't worry about the waistline, we are on a day out. We sampled some of their cheeses, ice cream and yoghurts, before I purchased some oh so yummy salted caramel fudge and some Irish Cream fudge. Have to tell you that was not all ..... I also bought a jar of home made pineapple and passionfruit jam and a jar of Rosella jam.

Then it was time to hop in the bus again and head off to another locality that is on the main north/south rail line called Cooroy where we had a beautiful lunch at the RSL Club and time to have a good look around the shops, and surprise, surprise, there was a patchwork shop, and of course I could not restrain myself, I did buy a small piece of fabric, will be pretty for little vests/dresses on some of my bears that I have in the making.

A day to recover on Saturday before heading off to our main cinema complex for a live stream concert for Andre Rieu from Holland - they are so much better on the big screen.

 

 I understand that he and the orchestra are coming back out to Australia in November and there will be another live stream concert from the Sydney Town Hall in December. It was also advertised that the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be doing a similar showing at the theatres in November - will have to go see that one too.

Thankfully the rest of this week is a relatively quiet one, so I will be able to unwind and start to get myself into gear for the coming month.

In the meantime, enjoy yourselves and .......

Do More of What Makes You Happy

June

Mini Quilts

I started on this idea last year and it is one of those 'on going' projects - you know the type! Last year I made the first set of mini quilts that I called 'Celebrations' that included New Year, Easter, Birthdays and of course Christmas. Was extremely pleased with how they turned out and Peter made me the stand to drape them over. I decided to make them either out of patchwork, embroideries, applique, or ..... whatever!

So, after quite a lot of time looking, and looking again, I came up with 4 designs for this current set of mini quilts that I am happy with. Where I needed to I have requested permission to use a particular design, or I have purchased the pattern required. This set is called 'My Crafty Set'.

This photo is of the 4 designs I have used:

Now is one of the mini quilts stitched together to form the way they sit on the stand, and of course you can change them all around.

The mini quilts are a finished size of 7" square, then you join them 2 together (head to head) then with light wadding in between, they are then stitched together to form two each side, back to back - if that makes sense.

I intend to make a few more sets down the track - you never know what might pop up in the future, have a few ideas floating around and have started to collect designs for a set entitled 'Seasons' - should look good too.

Thanks goes to Karen from Karen's Korner for encouraging me and helping me to join the 2018 OPAM through tagalongteddies.blogspot.com and to Kris from Tag Along Teddies for the help she too gave me to set myself up - and of course it means I now have a goal to aim for each month.

For now though,

Do More of What Makes You Happy

June

A Special Little Bear

I have just finished a little bear that is special for today - you see it is the 2 year anniversary of the group I belong to http://ameakindnessbears.com or their facebook page. These random acts of kindness bears are made with love and given with love to whoever you feel needs a lift. I came across an article about 5 months ago about this group and felt it was ideal for me to participate - I have a love of bears and a love of stitching, and I could use both to help others. The group has gone global and they are hoping that today they may reach a total of 30,000 bears made and given away. How's that?

I shall continue on and make some more to give away to those in need of a little bit of love.

For now though .......

Do More of What Makes You Happy

June

World Chocolate Day

 Yes, it is a very special day today (7 July) and I for one am going to indulge. It is World Chocolate Day and after ..... 1. Pete (hubby), 2. Bears, No.3 priority for me is CHOCOLATE!!

So with a quiet afternoon ahead of me, I am going to have a very yummy hot chocolate, one that I bought the pack for when we were visiting the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia the other week.

This is fine Belgian chocolate and we were fortunate enough to be able to call into Chocolique and purchase some from the couple who make them. You take the little block of chocolate with the wooden spoon in it and add it to hot milk and stir until all the chocolate is melted off the spoon the plop in the two marshmallows, sit back with your feet up and thoroughly enjoy.

Just thought you may like to have your tastebuds given a real treat on this rather miserable looking Saturday afternoon.

Cheers

June

PS Know it's not exactly the best for the waistline, but .......

Finally Back to 'Normal'!

After about 10 days of cleaning out our caravan and catching up with the washing etc. from both the van and the house, I can now say 'I am back to normal' although I have yet to work out exactly what 'normal' is.

I was actually glad to get home after our tripping around South Australia, Victoria, ACT and NSW as I started to suffer from withdrawal symptoms re: my sewing. Don't get me wrong, I love the tripping around that we do and exploring lots of different places around the country. However, in amongst everything else I have managed to do a little stitching creating some calico shopping bags now that we have gone single use plastic bag free. At least with the calico ones I can wash them when they get a little dirty.

Am quite pleased with them as I used up a few scraps of fabric to make them a little brighter, and of course they fold up to put in my bag.


I have also fished out an unfinished project that I am determined to get completed this month. Still a way to go though, but it will get done!

For now though,
 
Do More of What Makes You Happy

June

Sewing Room goes 'On The Road'!

Goodness it was quite a busy time in my sewing room before we started out on our current trip of discovery taking in the three peninsulas of South Australia - the Eyre, the Yorke and the Fleuieu. At the moment we are discovering the Eyre Peninisula.

With regards to my sewing, as usual my sewing machine came with us along with some hand embroidery that I would like to get back into.

Prior to leaving home, I became aware that whilst we were visiting Streaky Bay on the western coast of the peninsula, they were going to have their biggest morning tea for cancer, so ..... I decided that I would make some of my little kindness bears to bring with us. The little guys look terrific in their blue vests with the cancer council daffodil stitched onto them.

They travelled some 2,500 kms and have to say that the ladies at Streaky Bay were most appreciative of my hand-over. I will also say that the actual morning tea was pretty darn good as well.

As mentioned above I have brought some embroidery with me along with some knitting - decided that the scarf I had previously made was not really to my liking, so before we left home I undid it and started to knit it up again (Pete thinks this is all I do - undo, redo!). I will try and get it done before we get into the really cold weather further south.

I did not bring any fabric/supplies associated with making my bears and feel that I honestly am missing making them!! Who would have known? However, I have been checking out some patchwork/quilting shops around to see if there is any fabrics (fat 1/4's or even fat 1/8's) that may have taken my fancy that I could use for the vests and/or some pretty little designs for some more little girlie tops or maybe dresses that I will be able to work on when we get back home.

With plenty of time spent sitting and checking out the surrounding areas as we travel, I have plenty of time to think about who or what group I can make my next lot of bears for. I have a few ideas running around my head at the moment so will investigate them before deciding.

Before signing off, I thought I would let you know that my friend in Wisconsin US absolutely loved the little bear that I sent her after she had a knee replacement.

For now though, discovering more of this great southern land, I shall enjoy a bit of knitting whilst having a quiet afternoon.
 
June

The Unveiling of the Quilt to Jean

The day of giving the quilt came the other day and Jean was absolutely delighted with her new acquisition. From the photo below, she sure looks pleased and the fact that the weather has turned decidedly chilly this last 24 hours, I think the timing to give it to her was spot on.

I also made a little bear for a friend who has had a knee reconstruction of late (hence the bandage on the left knee) and is doing it a little tough, so hopefully little 'Missy' will put a smile on her face.

There is also more bears being made that we will take with us as we set off on our next adventure, hopefully they will be appreciated as well. Now it is time to get back to feeding/stuffing them ready to pack.

'Til next time, remember ......

 
Do More of What Makes You Happy

June

 

Busy Times

Goodness where has the time gone? I guess when you are busy at the sewing machine time does fly.

To start with I have finished the comforter that I was making for Jean, and I am extremely happy with it - I just hope she will be too. When stitching the binding down by hand I found that I had to either have the ceiling fan on or the air conditioner. It has been so hot here of late (considering we are 7 weeks into autumn) and sitting stitching with a blanket on your lap is pretty hot work.

Bit disappointed with the photo - the true colours don't appear to have come out properly.

I then decided that I would make myself a bag from some of the light weight canvas (different colours to the caravan wheel covers) as I was finding any handbag I purchased did not last long due to the weight that I carry in it - let's face it, a woman's handbag has everything including the kitchen sink in it at times! Besides, this one is washable too. I was so taken with the bag that I set about and made another one (from the left over fabric) with more black showing so it will be my 'winter' bag.

Then I offered to make a little bear for a friend whose grand-daughter is doing it a little tough, and well ..... did that get the ball rolling or what!

After the above bear, I got to thinking that perhaps I might make some for ANZAC Day (25 April) and take them down to give out before the service begins on Wednesday. The little bears just kept coming, and I ended up having made 9, although one was AWOL (absent without leave) for the photo session.

I make my bears out of calico, then each of one them is put in a cellophane bag with a message - these guys have a copy of The Ode in with them.

Because I don't have an embroidery machine, I hand stitch both the facial features and either a vest or message onto each bear before stitching it together on the sewing machine, then stuffing them, or as I like to say, giving them a good feed.

I have quite enjoyed making these bears and feel that it might be a path that I will follow with my next lot to be decided upon in the next week or two. I make them through a group out of Sydney - a machine embroidery group, and they are more than happy for me to make them with the hand stitching, then you choose who/which group you will give them too, however the numbers are all tallied together. The group has people from all over the globe making these very cute little guys to give to people who are a little down or in need of maybe just a hug. Take a look at http://ameakindnessbears.com or their facebook page.

Haven't really had time to do much else but I sure have enjoyed myself the last couple of weeks - guess you could say my sewing room is my happy place.

On Thursday I am going on a bus trip with our local quilters group down to a fabric place just north of Brisbane, then across to Northlakes Shopping Centre before returning home around 4pm I believe. Quite looking forward to our day out and I can load up with lots of bits and pieces and more calico of course! Then a nice wander around the shopping centre and a lovely lunch.

For now though, it is time to get back to my sewing room and contemplate my next batch of bears to be made.
 
June