It’s really snowing!!!

  Sugar cane harvesting season has arrived early this year and we saw the first of the cane fires tonight on our way home from a friend’s birthday celebrations… I know it looks like a tree (LOL) but it is a cane fire burning in the distance, taken from my IPhone in a moving vehicle so a little imagination and squinting may be necessary!!!! Generally, our harvesting season begins after the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June but after the disastrous year last year, they’re wanting to get a head start whilst the weather is good! You may be asking. “What medication is this girl on???….there’s no snow in tropical North Queensland, where it’s beautiful one day and perfect the next!!!!???  She’s had far too much anaesthetic!!!!  Well…..colloquially speaking, the black ash that falls to the ground after the burn, (which is what you see floating above the trees in the distance in that dirty big cloud), is known as “Burdekin Snow” or “Black Snow” and there are those that love it and then others that hate it. The fallen ‘snow’ clogs gutters, dirties wet washing on the line, blackens feet and little white dogs and cats become greyed for 6 months of the year…..and don’t try to wash your car at dusk as you’re guaranteed to get a smattering of ‘snow’ stuck to your shiny new exterior (and even your interior if you leave your windows open!). On the other hand, the ‘snow’ signifies the start of the crushing, where seasonal jobs begin and money begins to filter through the community again….something that many missed out on last year due to the unseasonal rains.  (It’s also a great ‘free’ conditioner for the garden!) So you see, I’m not ‘off my nutter’, it’s just the season for it!  And despite the mess it creates,  I’m just happy to see our ‘snowy’ season off to a great start!!!!  And I’ve also been catching up on my Snow Hearts BOM too that have been waiting on the back burner for the Snowy season to begin!  I just love doing these in my Cottage Garden threads in Canna Lily no. 1000. So what’s seasonal at your place this time of year???? Sugary hugs Wendy :0)

It’s really snowing!!!

 

Sugar cane harvesting season has arrived early this year and we saw the first of the cane fires tonight on our way home from a friend’s birthday celebrations…

I know it looks like a tree (LOL) but it is a cane fire burning in the distance, taken from my IPhone in a moving vehicle so a little imagination and squinting may be necessary!!!!

Generally, our harvesting season begins after the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June but after the disastrous year last year, they’re wanting to get a head start whilst the weather is good!

You may be asking. “What medication is this girl on???….there’s no snow in tropical North Queensland, where it’s beautiful one day and perfect the next!!!!???  She’s had far too much anaesthetic!!!!  Well…..colloquially speaking, the black ash that falls to the ground after the burn, (which is what you see floating above the trees in the distance in that dirty big cloud), is known as “Burdekin Snow” or “Black Snow” and there are those that love it and then others that hate it.

The fallen ‘snow’ clogs gutters, dirties wet washing on the line, blackens feet and little white dogs and cats become greyed for 6 months of the year…..and don’t try to wash your car at dusk as you’re guaranteed to get a smattering of ‘snow’ stuck to your shiny new exterior (and even your interior if you leave your windows open!).

On the other hand, the ‘snow’ signifies the start of the crushing, where seasonal jobs begin and money begins to filter through the community again….something that many missed out on last year due to the unseasonal rains.  (It’s also a great ‘free’ conditioner for the garden!)

So you see, I’m not ‘off my nutter’, it’s just the season for it!  And despite the mess it creates,  I’m just happy to see our ‘snowy’ season off to a great start!!!!  And I’ve also been catching up on my Snow Hearts BOM too that have been waiting on the back burner for the Snowy season to begin!  I just love doing these in my Cottage Garden threads in Canna Lily no. 1000.

So what’s seasonal at your place this time of year????

Sugary hugs

Wendy :0)

Winter’s ‘magic’-al coat, FQ swaps and reminiscing.

  I know I shouldn’t complain because we don’t get it as cold as some but….for us, 11 degrees in the morning is FRRRRREEEEEEZING!!!! I know, I know…..but remember….I do live in ‘Tropical’ North Queensland, home of swaying palm trees, blue skies, sandy beaches, you know….beautiful one day….perfect the next!!!  But it seems someone forgot to tell good ol’ Mother Nature…..chilly toes and chattering teeth every morning for the past five days or so…..veeeery unusual…..I mean, our winter generally lasts a maximum of about 2 weeks a year and it doesn’t usually begin until June so……….what does a girl do apart from don the daggy tracksuit pants, sweatshirt and fluffy slippers???? Well, my poor naked girl………received a brand spanking new ‘magic-al’ coat to keep her nice and warm…… totally inspired by Bloom and her ‘Beyond Measure’ sewing machine cover but with an individuality that’s oh so ‘girly’!!! Here’s the front…. the beautiful mother of pearl buttons and ricrac to match her piped edges and frills……. and as she does a little twirl……you can see the back…. You can see Bloom’s version here and you can even buy her pattern too, or if you have a copy of Australian Homespun 10th Birthday Issue, Number 90 Vol 11 Number 11.  And you’ll notice, just like I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve added my free “Mothers Make Magic” Mothers’ Day stitchery, which you can still download from here Now my lovely girl is all snuggly and warm, ready to stitch some new ‘magic’ at a moment’s notice and not frozen to the core!!!! LOL (and I have my first OPAM for May…yippee!!!) I thought I’d have heaps of time whilst I was recovering, but you know, time is like wages…..the more you’ve got, the more you seem to use and it never seems like you’ve got enough….just slips through your fingers!!!!….can you relate????  Anyway, with ALL this time I have, *wink* I’ve been reflecting on how my hobby has developed over the years.  I am a stitcher from way back.  In fact, I think I was born with a needle in my hands but quilting only came to me via a very good friend about 13 years ago.  She was an avid quilter and had 4 young daughters so was making them softies and quilts all the time.  I admired all her goodies and she promised to help me with my very first design of my very first ‘quilt’ What lessons I learnt, blanket stitch around curves need care, it does look much better when you match corners and make sure you use good quality fabric!!!! Despite that, it still gets good use on my stitching and recovery chair in front of the tv and it certainly started a lifelong love of quilting. The reason I’m reminiscing is whilst I read Jenny’s blogpost about her quilting journey, I noticed her and I had made the same table topper early on in our journey.  In fact, it was the second item I made.  Here is hers….. …and here is mine…. …and like Jenny, this remains my favourite piece too!  Visiting blogland over the past couple of years, I’ve found many of us share such similar tastes, choosing to do the same projects without ever being aware of other’s until much later…..must be why we all love this bloggy culture so much!!! Last month I decided to join a fat quarter swap with Cathy over here April was swapper’s choice and I was Chris’ partner.  She chose blue and yellow as her colours and, silly me, forgot to take a photo so hopefully she posts a piccie.  I chose blue or red and look at the goodies I received….. How wonderful…..Chris, you even got the ‘kind’ of blue right!!!!   Absolutely love it…thank you so much! This month is yellow and my partner is Cathy, so Cathy, I’m on the look out for some ‘yummy yellows’!!!!! Hope a wonderful week is in store with lots of magic-al moments! sugary hugs Wendy  :0)

Winter’s ‘magic’-al coat, FQ swaps and reminiscing.

 

I know I shouldn’t complain because we don’t get it as cold as some but….for us, 11 degrees in the morning is FRRRRREEEEEEZING!!!!

I know, I know…..but remember….I do live in ‘Tropical’ North Queensland, home of swaying palm trees, blue skies, sandy beaches, you know….beautiful one day….perfect the next!!!  But it seems someone forgot to tell good ol’ Mother Nature…..chilly toes and chattering teeth every morning for the past five days or so…..veeeery unusual…..I mean, our winter generally lasts a maximum of about 2 weeks a year and it doesn’t usually begin until June so……….what does a girl do apart from don the daggy tracksuit pants, sweatshirt and fluffy slippers????

Well, my poor naked girl………received a brand spanking new ‘magic-al’ coat to keep her nice and warm……

totally inspired by Bloom and her ‘Beyond Measure’ sewing machine cover but with an individuality that’s oh so ‘girly’!!!

Here’s the front….

the beautiful mother of pearl buttons and ricrac to match her piped edges and frills…….

and as she does a little twirl……you can see the back….

You can see Bloom’s version here and you can even buy her pattern too, or if you have a copy of Australian Homespun 10th Birthday Issue, Number 90 Vol 11 Number 11.  And you’ll notice, just like I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve added my free “Mothers Make Magic” Mothers’ Day stitchery, which you can still download from here

Now my lovely girl is all snuggly and warm, ready to stitch some new ‘magic’ at a moment’s notice and not frozen to the core!!!! LOL

(and I have my first OPAM for May…yippee!!!)

I thought I’d have heaps of time whilst I was recovering, but you know, time is like wages…..the more you’ve got, the more you seem to use and it never seems like you’ve got enough….just slips through your fingers!!!!….can you relate???? 

Anyway, with ALL this time I have, *wink* I’ve been reflecting on how my hobby has developed over the years.  I am a stitcher from way back.  In fact, I think I was born with a needle in my hands but quilting only came to me via a very good friend about 13 years ago.  She was an avid quilter and had 4 young daughters so was making them softies and quilts all the time.  I admired all her goodies and she promised to help me with my very first design of my very first ‘quilt’

What lessons I learnt, blanket stitch around curves need care, it does look much better when you match corners and make sure you use good quality fabric!!!!

Despite that, it still gets good use on my stitching and recovery chair in front of the tv and it certainly started a lifelong love of quilting.

The reason I’m reminiscing is whilst I read Jenny’s blogpost about her quilting journey, I noticed her and I had made the same table topper early on in our journey.  In fact, it was the second item I made.  Here is hers…..

…and here is mine….

…and like Jenny, this remains my favourite piece too!  Visiting blogland over the past couple of years, I’ve found many of us share such similar tastes, choosing to do the same projects without ever being aware of other’s until much later…..must be why we all love this bloggy culture so much!!!

Last month I decided to join a fat quarter swap with Cathy over here

April was swapper’s choice and I was Chris’ partner.  She chose blue and yellow as her colours and, silly me, forgot to take a photo so hopefully she posts a piccie.  I chose blue or red and look at the goodies I received…..

How wonderful…..Chris, you even got the ‘kind’ of blue right!!!!   Absolutely love it…thank you so much!

This month is yellow and my partner is Cathy, so Cathy, I’m on the look out for some ‘yummy yellows’!!!!!

Hope a wonderful week is in store with lots of magic-al moments!

sugary hugs

Wendy  :0)

SSCS surprise

  I sent off my parcel a couple of weeks ago and have been anticipating the arrival of my secret santa’s surprise, not knowing where it was coming from or how long it might take.    I don’t know why I am so eager because we can’t open them til Christmas Day anyway!!!!!!  But we can open our ornament and mine was perched on the top of a pile of presents inside  my parcel from……  Kornelia from Hungary. Made from felt in light blues and white, made me feel all cool and wintery in our 31 degree heat with 87 % humidity!!!!! Kornelia has made me feel very special and it’s taking me all my strength to stop from ripping the paper off these little delights!!! And don’t you just love that rocking horse clip as much as I do???   So sweet! Thank you so much Kornelia, I can’t wait to see the big reveal on Christmas Day.   And thank you so much to Chookyblue for organising this swap…it has been so much fun and she’s been an absolute trooper in keeping everything running like a well-oiled……rocking horse??!!!!! LOL Last day of school tomorrow and I can’t wait!  It’s been a particularly difficult last week, however I’m looking forward to all the time I will have to catch up on some well needed stitching!!!  Woooohooooo! Hope the rain is not lapping at your toes and pray that you are all safe and well and the weather is behaving itself where you are. Sugary hugs XX Wendy

SSCS surprise

 

I sent off my parcel a couple of weeks ago and have been anticipating the arrival of my secret santa’s surprise, not knowing where it was coming from or how long it might take.    I don’t know why I am so eager because we can’t open them til Christmas Day anyway!!!!!!  But we can open our ornament and mine was perched on the top of a pile of presents inside  my parcel from……  Kornelia from Hungary.

Made from felt in light blues and white, made me feel all cool and wintery in our 31 degree heat with 87 % humidity!!!!!

Kornelia has made me feel very special and it’s taking me all my strength to stop from ripping the paper off these little delights!!!

And don’t you just love that rocking horse clip as much as I do???   So sweet!

Thank you so much Kornelia, I can’t wait to see the big reveal on Christmas Day.   And thank you so much to Chookyblue for organising this swap…it has been so much fun and she’s been an absolute trooper in keeping everything running like a well-oiled……rocking horse??!!!!! LOL

Last day of school tomorrow and I can’t wait!  It’s been a particularly difficult last week, however I’m looking forward to all the time I will have to catch up on some well needed stitching!!!  Woooohooooo!

Hope the rain is not lapping at your toes and pray that you are all safe and well and the weather is behaving itself where you are.

Sugary hugs

XX Wendy

Full Moon finishes….

We had a beautiful golden full moon rising tonight and although my camera just didn’t do it justice, there was an eeriness about it that I think it may have captured…..which made me think about reminding you about this…. which starts next Monday, but if you’re going to fall-ow (LOL), don’t forget to go here and let Gudrun know by Friday, so you’ll be entered in the draw to win this sweet bundle of Halo… I did manage to get my first Christmas finish completed too.  Remember not too long back, Gloria and I went to the Tinker’s Cart Retreat with Rosalie, Leanne and Bronwyn???  Well, here’s my Winter Wonderland, designed by Rosalie Quinlan……finito!!! What do you think?   Now, I just need to work out where to hang it??!! And how are you going with your little birdies for the Challenge with Jenny and me this weekend??  If you’re anything like me, you’d have to have had a head start ….I’m a little slower than most!!!! Here’s my first one ready to be caged…. I followed Sarah’s pattern from the Homespun magazine I mentioned back here and I’m pretty happy with the result.  They’re quite easy to make so if you’re still tossing up whether to join the Challenge or not, I can guarantee, this one only took me about an hour to make, so it’s definitely NOT too late to join….just leave a comment telling me and I’ll add you to my sidebar. I must say, I am a little bit excited about this weekend, because I’m tripping off to Charters Towers on Sunday to meet the lovely and talented Jenny in ‘the real’!!!!   I just can’t wait….it’s a little like meeting royalty, don’t you think??   (now don’t get a swelled head there Jenny!!! hehehe).  I must make sure I have done all my homework and have my wire cut and fabric sorted before I get there….don’t want to be unprepared!!!!! Hope the Full Moon Fairies all come and tidy your sewing rooms for you tonight  (don’t you just wish they existed???) XXX  Sugary hugs Wendy :O)