Quilted Crow's Christmas Gathering 2009

What a huge weekend! Saturday was the 6th Gathering held by Leonie and Dierdre from The Quilted Crow. The guest tutors were none other than Rosalie and Leanne and they provided some lovely projects for us to work on. Leonie and Dierdre also provided some gorgeous projects too.

As you can guess I didn't get much stitching done as I was too busy chatting and if you visit Fiona's blog you can also see I was busy eating too! Thanks Fiona for letting the bloggers see me enjoying a rather ginormous piece of Rocky Road!

Fiona

I asked all the bloggers to wear something for halloween to win a little prize and Cathy took out the honors with her caldron filled with fantales,minties and sherbies and topped with the cutest spider, if you can ever class a spider as cute! She was also adorned in jewellry and a witches hat.

I should also mention Dierdre has the most awesome collection of halloween decorations that she proudly displayed in the hall and you have to check out her shoes here.

Here's a pic of Mum and I wearing our Halloween Fascinators, bit hard to see but I had spiders dangling off chains down the side of my head.

And what's a gathering without a pic with the guest tutors so here is Helen, Rosalie, Leanne, Me and Sarah all sharing a smile. Sarah, Helen, Mum and I were lucky to get a sneak peak at three of the blocks for Leanne's new BOM that will be released at Australian Quilt Market in two weeks, it's very pretty and includes some of Rosalie's lovely fabrics. OOh did I mention that I'll be going to Quilt Market with Helen, be sure to pop by the Pattern Press stand if you're going and say Hi!

The other bloggers that attend the gathering were Helen, Cathy, Leanne (aka Lizzie), Sarah, Fiona, Christine and Lisa, be sure to pop by their blogs to see more photos, some have photos of the projects on their blogs.

Christine

Cathy and Leanne

Sarah

I'll leave you with pics of the 80 + name tags and bag tags I made for the gathering with a little help from my Mum and Valerie, thank-you both for your help. It's the little touches that make the gatherings all the more special.

Australian Army Cadets = Good Times

Valerie just sent me this, this is us after an obstacle course, think it was1985 whilst we were on Annual Camp. We looked like a pair of drowned rats. I always remember the officers saying when you shower be sure to check for leeches!! YYuukk! Thankfully there were none on me!

Good Times!

Pressies from Valerie

About time I show you the lovely goodies Valerie gave me. This gorgeous egg cupboard which is stylishly holding my fabrics at the moment was handmade by Valerie and her lovely hubby.

Valerie also bought me some xmas pressies and I had to open them whilst she was present and here they are, a beautiful whiskers and wings doll, it's even more lovely in real life

and a tea light holder that her hubby made from a wine barrel stave, I guess they come across a few of these in the Barossa Valley

Valerie is a very talented lady, she also does beautiful folk art, scrapbooking and is mother to three beautiful children. We met in High School and after over 15 years out of contact we found still have a strong bond. Maybe it was all those long hikes we did in Army Cadets where we got to share many laughs together that has made our friendship so strong, not too mention I think we're kindred spirits. Love you Valerie and I hope to visit next July!

***Attention Advent Swappers***

Hello Advent Swappers!
Time is swiftly sneaking up on us and it's almost time to have those advent parcels winging their way around the globe.
Arlene's is in the mail already so Ann Christine you better start stalking the postie!
Remember parcels must be mailed by the 9th November, please email me so I know they've been sent and email me when you receive one too. Then we'll see how patient you all are until December when we open a gift each day!

**Updated 10/11/09
Bunny has posted to Peg
Annette J posted to Iris, Iris posted to Annette J , Annette has received, Iris has received
Simone posted to Vicky
Kerstin posted to Maree We, Maree posted to Kerstin
Kathryn posted to Simona
Clare posted to Ani , Ani posted to Clare
Shiela posted to Francesca
Dori posted to Melinda, Melinda posted to Dori
Teresa posted to Annette, Annette posted to Teresa, Teresa has received and Annette has received
Ankie posted to Arlene, Arlene posted to Ankie, Ankie has received
Marlene posted to Sigrid
Laurie posted to Isabella
Valentina posted to Rebecca
Gai posted to Cici

(keep watch here as I'll update who has posted to who as soon as I hear!)


P.S. If you can find the link to "The Stitching Cow" on my sidebar there's a great giveaway to be in

Thank-you Cathy!

In the mail this week was a package from my lovely friend Cathy from Highland Quilter. I couldn't imagine what she'd be sending me and what a great surprise it was to find she's my Stitching Angel!

(This picture was bloglifted from Cathy's blog as I'm cameraless at the moment.)

The fabrics are gorgeous and her needlework is perfect. She kept her secret very well! Thank-you so much Cathy, I was very lucky to have you as my angel, I always love your work!

I promise next post I'll show you the goodies Valerie gave me for belated birthday and xmas but I couldn't wait until then I had to open them in front of her!

Playing Shopkeeper

Only a few more days in the shop to go and my lovely friends, Leonie, Deirdre and Helen return from Houston. Can't wait to hear all about their adventures and see what yummy goodies they bring home.

So here's where I've spent the last two weeks!

Welcome to The Quilted Crow,

I've been amongst a great collection of antique furniture, bits and pieces,

the most gorgeous wools, including their own specialty of hand-dyed wools,

and gorgeous reproduction fabrcis,

It's been hard to resist spending big, I have bought a few pieces of fabric.

Playing shopkeeper has been an experience, it's a world away from my normal day job but I've really enjoyed it and I'm so pleased the girls felt comfortable with me looking after their baby.

So that's a small glimpse of the shop, so if ever you're in Hobart pop in and say hello and if not you can always shop online.

Sorry for going AWOL

Geez it's been a while since I last posted. I've been babysitting the Quilted Crow's shop while they're off at Quilt Market in Houston and I've had some company too. My lovely friend Valerie
flew over from South Australia especially to keep me company and geez we stitched up a storm!

That's me on the left.

We always have to stitch the same project when we get together and after last year's mammoth quilt effort we decided small and simple was better, especially because I had to serve customers too. So this year we started with Rosalie Quinlan hearts, mine is the pink oneFollowed by Tilda Cats, you guessed it, mine is the pink oneFollowed by some Beehive pincushions and an ornament

and because we loved making cats so much we made a few Kerry Gillespie kitties. I made two blacks and Valerie made two whites and we swapped one. Now I should also mention Valerie whipped up two bags, very pretty and I did a bit of secret squirrel stuff.Next post will either be pics of the lovely pressies Valerie gave me or the shop, not sure yet, I'll see how I feel.
I also had a suprise call from Sandy from Embroideroo which was lovely, always nice to chat in real life and I also got some mail, so definitely more posts coming.

Anyway Valerie left this afternoon, very sad to see her go as she's always lots of fun but Mum's arrived so I have a new stitching partner to keep me company for the next two days.

Hugs for now!

Jo

Hello Lovelies!!

I bet you thought I was talking to you! Well I was actually talking to these goodies I got this week but a big hello to all you bloggy lovelies too!

I was so lucky to win Elefantz's 500 followers giveaway and I received Tilda's Sew Christmas Homestyle, it's a gorgeous book and I could drool over the pictures for hours!

A huge Thank-you to Jenny for such a wonderful prize and you deserve every one of those 500 followers plus as you're an inspiration to us all!

I couldn't resist this bargain from Mother's Cupboard, yummy, Portobello Market - Chocolate Swirl fabric that I'll use to back my Gardener's Journal quilt when I get around to making it. I have this range of fabrics already to complete the top.

And these little goodies are about to wing their way around the world to a stitcher, wonder if I'm your angel?

An update on my DS, he's almost 100% better and back at school.

I'm also about to take time off from my regular day job and you'll find me here for the next two and a bit weeks looking after the shop while Leonie and Deirdre trek off to Houston, Lucky Gals! So if I can help with anything just give me a call! I'm looking forward to getting to know all the fabric, inch x inch. Hubby thinks I'm nuts taking holidays to do this but only another stitcher would understand, so I guess you're all a wee bit envious!

***Words of Wisdom Wanted***

Okay so how many of you have teens living in your house? Well here's one teen that wants some tips on how she can keep her bedroom tidy. Bloghop your way to MissM's and leave some words of wisdom, who knows she may have a little surprise for someone.

Bits 'n Pieces

Mother's Cupboard is having a sale and a giveaway so get in quick for some bargains!

Big Thank-you to Jenny for picking me out in her giveaway, I won Tilda's Sew Christmas Homestyle Book. It's certainly bought a big smile to my face.

Edit: Nearly fogot to mention A Little Bird Told Me's 1 year Blogoversary and Giveaway so bloghop your way there and say gidday!

Update on DS, he's still home, he's now on his third round of antibiotics and trialling cortisone cream on his legs. His face seems to be getting better but his legs haven't improved much. If there's no improvement by Friday he'll refer him to a Dermatologist....I feel my purse getting lighter and lighter each day!