Circle Retreat...

I am so looking forward to the June long weekend as I am going on retreat with some lovely friends.
We are going from Friday lunchtime till Monday afternoon, yeeepppiiiii.

If you like to see some pictures of people having enjoyed a retreat at Buderim check out Stacey's blog, she is the owner of the retreat.

Go here:

Stacey's Circle Retreat or the website if you want to see when you can go:

www.circleretreat.com.au

cheers
Christine

Sorry I have been busy....

Hallo everyone I have been so busy and feel bad not blogging.
I had another weigh in on Monday and lost another 3 kg, all up now about 22kg. I can't tell you how great I feel and don"t ever want to put it on again.

My knees are so good now, I have no pain anywhere, the Doctor is over the moon about my blood test ( have known him for nearly 30 years ) and blood pressure back to normal.

Anyhow last weekend I was lucky to take part in a workshop by Tresa Jones from Baltimore on the Prairie and it was wonderful, I am looking forward to my trip in September as we spend 5 days stitching at her applique academy.

Also if you have an Ipad and need a cover go here, Jess has designed this wonderful cover and yes it is for me.... jess has written a tutorial for you to make your own.

The images are from my weekend away, some crochet little beanies and another quilt on the machine.

Just the binding..

Quilting done and only binding to do, it is cut and ready to sew. I am now going to get my haircut, fruit and vegie shopping, sew the binding and pick up Sophie from school. Yes another busy day, I don't think I am ever bored.

I pieced the quilt in two afternoons, quilted it in another two afternoons and am pleased how quick I got this done. Our little Emily just two would also like a quilt and I will have to think what I might do for her.

The backing is pieced with, also I have fabric left from my swaps and gifts and purchases and am happy to pass them on here in Australia, sorry but there are too many to post overseas with the cost of postage.

Let me know if you might have something in mind you want to make and I send them.

Thanks again to everyone that helped me with the fabrics.
Christine

Quilting Sophie's quilt

I have started quilting Sophie's quilt and am happy so far with the free form quilting, hope she likes it.

The bottom two images are another customer quilt that I have finished yesterday.

Isn't it lovely how the wool blend batting gives the quilting a little loft.

Guess what...

Yes another weigh in today and I lost another 2.6 kg, I am now having the odd meal and introduce some food, so I am pleased I am still going down.... I have now just a little short of having lost 20 kg and I couldn't be happier. Starting to exercise more and feeling great. Thank you for all your support. Till next time Christine

Sophie's Quilt take two....

Below is another customer Quilt, sorry forgot to take a picture before folding and it is now in the post.

 This is Sophie's Quilt as of tonight, it is a pattern... must let you know the name of it. I still have to fuse some bubbles and then it is ready to be quilted.
She saw the Dolphin on the floor this afternoon after I got her from prep. and she had to lay beside it to see if she was taller.

Sophie's Quilt and another for a Soldier

I have finally had time today to start on Sophie's Ocean fabric quilt and finished the 15 court house steps blocks and I have also stitched a panel on the right side ( not in the picture) and that is going to get a large appliqued Dolphin. You will just have to wait a few days and I show you hopefully the nearly completed quilt top.

The other quilt is on it's way to Afghanistan for one of our Soldiers based there.

Australian fabrics

I met Ami one half of the former Oz Dye Art business many years ago and we worked together for a short time.

Ami and Michelle used to design Australian patterns and fabrics, I came across Ami's new venture with her daughter Sara and thought I tell you about it.

Ami and Sara have opened a store with Etsy and you can find it here and you can find some lovely handmade items that are made from Australian designed and printed fabrics.

I was also lucky to have received some of Ami's treasured fabrics to use on the labels for the Aussie Hero Laundry bags and quilts. Thank you Ami

Lest we Forget

In memory of all the fallen Soldiers. My little Sophie is in prep this year and not yet five years old, she came home from school yesterday and told her mum she is proud of her Daddy. As you know he is still away in Afghanistan, but she did say she wanted her Dad to have a job like the kids next door as their Dad comes home each night.

Not been idle

First quilt is a customer quilt, another Laundry bag to post. Hungry Caterpillar for a customer, the black quilt is for a family in Canberra that has lost everything in a house fire, the top was donated and I added the backing, batting, quilted and bound the quilt ready to send before it gets cold.
The nine patch quilt is now in Afghanistan and hopefully gives some comfort to another Aussie Soldier.

Watch out I will have a giveaway in the next few days.
Happy stitching
Christine

Sorry

I haven't posted for a while, had a cold and was feeling a little under the weather.
DH is still sick and had a week off work, this is his first time off sick, ever......

Had another visit to my dietitian and lost another 2.5kg and feeling better and better. That makes it just over 17kg or 38lbs in 12 weeks, I got the ok from my doctor and can do the program another three weeks and after that go down to two shake per day.

Have also been quilting for customers and trying to get some charity quilts done too.

Take care
Christine

ps. forgot to tell you a funny story, I cooked potatoes on Tuesday and just couldn't not resist in having a small piece only to realise how hot it was and instead of spitting it out tried to swallow... well it got stuck in my throat and kept burning so now I have a very very sore throat feeling I have something stuck. Not nice....

To sleep or draw?

This is what Emily age two was up to yesterday when she was suppose to sleep for the afternoon.....
I guess a graffiti artist in the making......

Sophie age 4.5 keeps telling her that Daddy is not going to be happy when he gets back from Afghanistan and Emily just says:

naughty, naughty......

You got to laugh ( mind you not in front of her)

BTW these pens are not wash out pens, glad I didn't buy those.

cheers
Christine

iPad HD

Edit:thanks Deidre I have bought a case today...


I am in love with my new toy, yes my iPad , fun fun fun....

When I ordered it I had it engraved for free and also bought the smart cover, as well as the attachment to download pictures straight from my camera or the SD card.

What I would love is to make a cover, has anyone made one or knows a pattern?
For my iMac pro I have a wonderful red leather case my son bought for me but they don't make them for the iPad .

Have been teaching my last class before Easter , but have a ever growing number of quilts to quilt. Not complaining ..... Just need to stay on top of it all.

Must take some pictures of new books, yarn and fabric I bought.
DH had a study day today and has been very good sending of another part of his study for marking, can't wait for him to finish. Not easy to study when you reach his age, very big grin he is much older than me... Six whole years to be exact.

Have a great day
Christine

Ps. Must be time for another giveaway soon

Weight loss

I have had a number of you ask about how I am losing my weight , well I have tried over the years many things and nothing has worked for me like this.
After I went about my knee back in December only to be told by the surgeon to lose some weight first, of course I didn' t like him having telling
me that, I went home and sulked for a few days.

I went back to my GP and discussed it with him and he suggested to try the intensive weightless clinic, they usually do this only short term for people to lose weight prior to surgery, but because I am doing so well it is ok for me to stay on it longer.

All it is is three shakes per day, about 600 calories, two pieces of fruit and as many vegetables as I like. I do have check ups, blood test to make sure my liver and everything else is ok.

I must say I have never felt this good about a diet before, maybe I was just ready.

Last year was not good for me and I needed to take control.
Cheers
Christine

Weight

Nearly fell of the chair, I have lost another 4.4kg and that makes my total loss in 9 weeks

Drum roll 14.8kg

Yes I am very happy.

Yeeppeee

Bye for now

Another customer quilt

Isn't it just too cute, Di is going to bind it in red.
Love it.

Christine

Quilting Quilts

How cute is this little quilt?
It is one off three quilts I am doing for a customer, she made the tops and I am quilting and binding them for her.

Quilt

Hi all

I have put another quilt on my other blog for sale here and there is also a BOM for sale from Jessica, have a look if you like.

Have been a bad girl yesterday and pre-ordered the ipad HD ( I think they call this one), yeeeppiiiieee and I will get it between the 16th-22 March.
DH said oh now i feel better a belated birthday gift, so I said oh great so you are paying for it, thank you.

Still keeping up with my weight loss program but my weigh in is after three weeks this time, so the next one is on the 19th March, had another blood test and my doctor is over the moon.

Oh well back to quilting.

cheers
Christine

Aussie Hero Quilts

Check out the Aussie Hero Quilt blog and see all the great work that is being done, thank Jan-Maree ( the nine patches are the one's you sent and the fabric is from the samples that had been dropped in to my place)

Now I have to finish a baby quilt that is on my machine and quilt a class sample and after that this quilt.

bye for now
Christine

Please read if you are using Pinterest

I know I promised no more, but I found this blog and boy oh boy everyone using Pinterest needs to be reading this.

Go here:


http://paintdropskeepfalling.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/pinterest-pandemonium/

This was sent to me by another blogger ( Hi Belinda ) who also is concerend about stuff being taken without permission.

cheers
Christine

Borrowed Roses by Sue Garman

I have started on this amazing quilt and just finished the first block of applique, I love Sue Garman's work and think she is amazing.

cheers
Christine

The post on Pinterest

Well to test the link on changing my settings in Blogger, I had to open an account to make sure it did and yes it works ( i have also now closed the account again)
So if you don't want your pictures shared change your setting in Blogger as per previous post.

Now I promise no more on Pinterest.

Next post is going to be about the new quilt I have started, stay tuned.

cheers
Christine

Fabrics

This is only some of the fabrics you wonderful quilter's have sent me for Sophie's quilt, I will start on it asap.
I am going to sent out goodies to each of you in the next few days as a swap and thank you.

She loves these fabrics, I have some more and will take photos in the next few days and share them with you too

Thank you again
Christine

Pinterest

Yes me again

Good morning all, there seems to be confusion on what Pinterest is, people seem to think all they are doing is pinning a picture and link to their pin board so they know where it came from if needed again...

The issue I have with Pinterest is that whatever is pinned on Pinterest has been taken without permission of the owner of the picture.
How about I come in to your home and take a picture from your family album and publish it on Pinterest, oh yes I link the source back to your place.... that makes it ok not to ask ?????

If you have pictures taken by a photographer they become his, you purchase copies from him, but he owns the copyright.
Sometimes you can be lucky and they give you permission to have copies made anywhere or as many as you like but not in general.

All I am asking is that if you like the picture and would love to publish it somewhere ask first. I know I am not making friends with this but that's ok too. It is my blog and I think I have the right to decide if I want any of my material taken from this blog and used somewhere other than my blog.

cheers
Christine

weight loss

Yes another weight loss and this week it was 1.2kg, I have now lost 10.4kg , nearly 23 pounds in six weeks and am over the moon feeling great.

Regarding Pinterest I found when putting the code in that it came up with error, so instead of using the " in the code I used the ' and it worked.

Also I am not trying to be difficult about this, but even people doing the pinning can get in to serious trouble without even wanting to do something wrong in the first place.
If you read the article on Pinterest and copyright you know what I mean.

It is a compliment in many ways when someone pins your work because they like it, I just would like to be ask.
Take care
Christine

Here you find a way..... Pinterest

Edit: this link does work


This is a link where you can read about a way on stopping items being taken from your blog and pinned, make sure you read it all before starting as it says make a copy of your blog first.


http://makingamark.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/pinterest-how-to-prevent-your-blogger.html

This seems to be a very big issue and I hope this helps.

cheers
Christine

Pinterest and copyright

Here is a link about copyright and Pinterest, very interesting:


http://pinterest.com/about/copyright/

cheers
Christine

would like to know what is on Pinterest?

If you like to know how many pictures have been published from your blog on Pinterest go here:

http://pinterest.com/source/your blogname.blogspot.com

after the last forward slash you enter you blog address not including http://.

You will be amazed how many of your images are there.

Have fun
Christine

Thanks Bree....

Pinterest

Could I please ask everyone to ask me first before posting or taking images from my blog and putting them on Pinterest.

Thank you.

Christine

I received this comment on my post about quilting....

Tammy said this:

......I think you are contradicting yourself on this topic. You say “I noticed in the last few years going to quilt shows that a very large number of quilts are now being quilted by a second person on a longarm, don't get me wrong I know we all only have so many hours in the day to get things done, but I think it is a shame that this is happening.” And, “To me making a quilt includes all steps.” However, here you are making money by quilting “customer quilts.” Hmmmm.


The reason I bought a long arm a few years ago is that I thought I would like it and the Aus $ was so strong I could afford to buy one. The other reason was that I could quilt samples quicker.
If I had my time again I wouldn't buy another one as I don't enjoy it. Yes I have made some money with my long arm quilting but I don't have to like it.
I certainly am not out there promoting my long arm quilting, on the contrary I always try and encourage my students to quilt their own quilt.

Thank you Tammy for your comment.

Christine

Weight loss continues

Only lost 0.8kg this last week but a loss is a loss, I am now on 9.2kg and feeling great.

Hoping to make it 10kg by next Monday.

Have a great day, it is so muggy here in Brisbane I think we are in for a big storm this afternoon.

Christine

Comments..

I love all your comments regarding quilting and I guess in the end the most important is to keep on making quilts......

Ok back to my machine, I have customer quilts to finish and one very kind lady has been waiting for me to feel better to get back to it ( thank you Toni ), your quilt is on the machine as I write.

cheers
Christine

Quilting Quilts

Edit: This post is not to criticise, it is only to spark discussions. I admire the longarm quilter that turns quilts in to works of art without a computer.

Good morning everyone...

I have been busy yesterday teaching two classes one on needleturn applique and the other hand quilting.
This made me think about quilting in general, how does everyone feel about quilting quilts?

I for one love finishing my own quilts, either on my domestic machine, or hand quilt, don't do many of mine on my longarm maybe because I enjoy quilting and try not to make it to difficult for me to manage even on my domestic machine.

I noticed in the last few years going to quilt shows that a very large number of quilts are now being quilted by a second person on a longarm, don't get me wrong I know we all only have so many hours in the day to get things done, but I think it is a shame that this is happening.
As I said I know the quilts that are custom quilted look amazing, but are they quilts to snuggle under, are they still soft or are they show pieces only?
To me making a quilt includes all steps, how do you feel about quilting?

Food for thought.

Christine

7 gifts are on their way

Hi all

I have posted the seven gifts from my giveaway today, keep an eye out for your little something.

Thanks all for playing
Christine

More laundry bags

I had some time on Sunday so I stitched three more laundry bags to go to Afghanistan.
Thank you to everyone sending me well wishes regarding my weight loss.

I am in a very good place right now.

cheers
Christine

woohoo......

Sorry you might get over this but I have lost in the last nine days another 3.1kg or 6.8 pounds, all up in four weeks I have lost

8.4 kg or 18.5 pounds

I am so over the moon and know I can do it this time, feeling so much better and am only taking one slow release pain killer, nothing else yeeeeppppiiiiii.

hugs to you all
Christine

Ocean , Sea novelty prints

Good morning to you all

I am on a mission, my little grand daughter Sophie is mad on anything in the Ocean, i. e. Dolphin's , Whale's, Fish, Turtles anything and she would like a quilt.
Could any of you put me in the right direction or even swap with me, I don't mind how large or small the pieces are so I can make a quilt for her.

I am happy in return send you one of my patterns or fat quarter or whatever we could agree on.

Thank you for your help
Christine

Giveaway winners

Well I have decided to giveaway 6 fat 1/4's plus the pattern, as my Birthday is on the 7th and I love the number 7:

A fat 1/4 goes to the following:

Heartsdesire

Kathie

Lori

Grethe

Joanne

The Quilted finish


and the pattern goes to:

Shez

please email me your postal address and I get them in the post asap.
Thank you for all the lovely Birthday wishes and we had a wonderful day on Saturday.

quilting hugs
Christine

Giveaway

Make sure you enter my giveaway a couple a posts ago.
There are two days left to enter.......

Good luck

Hot of the press...

Yay again, I have lost anther 2.1kg and now have lost a grand total of:

5.3kg in three weeks or 11.66 pounds yeepppyyyyy

Thanks for all the support

Christine

ps. I am now once again of all medications and that is how it is going to stay, had another blood test and this one revealed that I have had Glandular Fever in the past, hm maybe that is way I was feeling off for so long.
The doctor can't tell me when I had it, just that I did.

Giveaway, re-draw and a Book I purchased..

edit: Pizza for me will be very small very thin and has been ok'ed by my dietician just this ones.
, I might not even have any.... the diet is working and I don't want to stuff it up. Will let you know how I went.


Two more fabrics for the two more laundry bags.... they are Jo Morton fabrics and I got them for $ 7.95 per meter.




I am giving away four ( 4 ) fat quarters of the Turkey red fabric, it is a reproduction fabric, I went back to the shop the other day and bought what was left on the bolt. There are now nearly 9 meters in my cupboard.
Leave a comment and I will draw the four winners on Tuesday 7th for my Birthday.
We are having a big Pizza day this Saturday as there are five of us having a Birthday in the same week.

My son turned 30 this Tuesday, my daughter in law is tomorrow, my grand daughter Emily will be 2 on Saturday and my son in law will celebrate his Birthday Monday in Afghanistan and mine is Tuesday coming.



I am having a re-draw for the little pattern as the last winner didn't get in touch, leave a comment if you like to be in the draw for it.


I have also bought this book for myself after I received a Christmas Bauble last Christmas as the way from Norway, thought I try and knit some.

Add a Watermark to a document...

can some clever person with a Mac please tell me how I add a watermark to my document, thank you....

cheers
Christine

Banana Republic ?????

I didn't think think we are a Banana Republic in Australia, but we sure are not good at fixing things that we all pay high Taxes for.

I am talking about our Road, yes I know we are a big Country and only have x amount of Tax payers, but we have had one Bridge under water last year January 2011 and because it is an old Bridge has not been re-opened.
Needless to say the newer Bridge is down to one lane in and out of Petrie. They just closed the Bridge and this is how it has been for 12 month.

The traffic going in and out of Petrie is a nightmare, there is another way that could be used but it gets flooded with any decent rainfall and the Highway going north is a nightmare at the best of times. Sitting in that traffic and having to put up with that as well as bad tempered drivers in not a lot of fun.
This is really grinding on the good old nerves, apparently the Bridge is not being fixed or rebuilt is because Sate and Local Council are arguing about who is paying, well let me tell you I and every one paying HIGH Car registrations is paying so get on with it.
We also get massive pot holes in new roads after a good down poor....
I have written to the local Member and we see what will come of it, I told her not to write back until she has an answer.
The other thing I am thinking of starting is a Petition going. These Politicians need a kick in the you know where.....

Thanks for listening, if anyone knows of any regulations regarding a Petition could you email me please....
And you know there are still so many people without their Homes after the floods due to the Insurances playing silly buggers too, my heart goes out to them.

Have a good one
:))))))))))))

The next email is going to the local paper..... can you tell I am fed up?

Teaching again

Edit: this little quilt will be available as a pattern very soon, thank you for asking.



Yes I am back teaching some classes and this is my new Introduction to needle turn Applique, we only work on the centre block in the one three hour lesson.
I have plans to make this a larger quilt over time, I usually plan my quilts as I go.

Still raining in Brisbane...

cheers
Christine

ps. this is my own design, please respect copyright.

Clothing

I don't know about any of you, but when I buy clothes I just buy them hoping they fit as I hate trying on clothes in the shops.

I get all hot and bothered..... so needless to say I have the odd pair of pants and shirt that are just a little snug ( well don't fit ), but have to say I tried one pair on this morning and they fit. So instead of going to the shops straight away I can just have a look in my wardrobe and find something to wear that is new as I lose this weight.

That is a bonus I guess....

Big thank you

Big thank you to you all for your support, I think I am ready for the first time in years to stick to losing this weight...

hugs
Christine

Another loss

Well only 1 kg this week, but it is a loss..... still going strong

It is raining here so much and I am getting slowly over it.

Funny Story

I went to a large shopping centre ( mall ) last week and as all you Australian readers know we have little shops, side stand in the middle of the isles.
Anyway I was going past this make up place and this handsome young 6 foot plus young man waved a card at me to have my make up done, as I don't wear make up I waved him off, anyway he stopped me and said :

Imagine ( french accent )

I am a make up artist form France and could I please ask you one question? I said yes and he said what do you use on your face for your skin? I said nothing, he said nothing? I said no never........

His reply:
Oh wow you sure have beautiful skin... grin do you think he thought I change my mind about having my make up done?

Laugh I said to him I think it is because I am a little chubby.

This doesn't happen to me very often, you know hitting 50 last year and all the rest but it made me smile anyway.

Have a wonderful day
Christine

ps. thank you for all the lovely comments on my previous post and the well wishes. I think I cracked it this time, feeling good.

Yay to me....

I went today for my weigh in and planning my exercise program and guess what.....

I have lost 2.2kg or nearly 5 pounds in the first 4 1/2 days, yippppeeeeee.

Laundry Bags for our Soldiers

I made two yesterday morning and have posted them to Jan-Maree

They are very fast and easy to make.

I have also bought 5m of fabric ( no I don't need any ) but couldn't leave this in the shop as it was only $ 7.95 it is a reproduction and I used it in my Kim McLean quilt and this will be the backing.
The colour in the picture is not true, the sun came in to my room, it is a real Turkey Red........



Today has been the second day on my diet, I have enlisted help and am going to a weight loss clinic, I am tired of being overweight and in pain. Wish me luck !!!!!
I want to be fifty ( well turned that last year) and fit and fabulous, very big grin............ normally my DH would sabotage my efforts but I have told the dietitian and she said if he does to bring him in and she will have a chat to him, hihihihih.

I told him and he said you didn't tell her that, oh yes I did.
Have a wonderful Sunday

Christine