FNSI ….it’s got to be Friday SOMEWHERE in the world, right?!

It’s Sunday evening….9pm……and I’ve finished my Friday Night Sew In Project!!!!!…….nothing like extending that Friday Night as long as you can……well…….it is Friday Night ‘somewhere’ in the world, isn’t it?????  LOL We all know I work best under pressure and our Guild’s quilt show is being held next week……(set up is Wednesday)……we have been given a piece of challenge fabric to design ‘whatever’ we want…..as long as it is no bigger than 36” square…… Ok…….pressure????   I began mine Friday night!!!!!      When I saw the fabric, a brown/maroon/khaki/beige paisley design, I had very little idea of what to do with it…..but as I got to know it - stroked it and talked to it (c’mon….we all do that, right????),  it sorta looked very Australiana to me……. …..how more Aussie than a slouch hat full of pansies????? (nice tootsies!!!! LOL   just noticed them hee hee) The design was already drawn for another purpose, so Friday night was prepping the applique pieces, fusing them and starting the stitching….               I didn’t get too much further than this…..but, in my wisdom (and with a deadline to meet!!), I figured…..”It’s got to be Friday night SOMEWHERE in the world!”, so I continued on into Saturday, and then into Sunday and finished this evening, ready to put in the frame tomorrow…… See what I mean about the Australiana ‘look’……to me, that paisley has almost become an Aboriginal print ….and what better way to commemorate what our diggers did for us all those years ago…. …..and it’s ready (well almost!) to display at our Quilt Show with plenty of time to spare!  So now to take a breather and see what everyone else got up to for FNSI.  Remember, make sure your post is up by midnight tonight, my time to be included in the draw for this month’s prize of …… ….these beauties…..fat quarters courtesy of Andrea of Hibiscus Stitches……go and visit and tell her how fabulous she is!!!!!! Sugary hugs xox :o)

FNSI ….it’s got to be Friday SOMEWHERE in the world, right?!

It’s Sunday evening….9pm……and I’ve finished my Friday Night Sew In Project!!!!!…….nothing like extending that Friday Night as long as you can……well…….it is Friday Night ‘somewhere’ in the world, isn’t it?????  LOL

We all know I work best under pressure and our Guild’s quilt show is being held next week……(set up is Wednesday)……we have been given a piece of challenge fabric to design ‘whatever’ we want…..as long as it is no bigger than 36” square……

Ok…….pressure????   I began mine Friday night!!!!!      When I saw the fabric, a brown/maroon/khaki/beige paisley design, I had very little idea of what to do with it…..but as I got to know it - stroked it and talked to it (c’mon….we all do that, right????),  it sorta looked very Australiana to me…….

…..how more Aussie than a slouch hat full of pansies????? (nice tootsies!!!! LOL   just noticed them hee hee)

The design was already drawn for another purpose, so Friday night was prepping the applique pieces, fusing them and starting the stitching….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I didn’t get too much further than this…..but, in my wisdom (and with a deadline to meet!!), I figured…..”It’s got to be Friday night SOMEWHERE in the world!”, so I continued on into Saturday, and then into Sunday and finished this evening, ready to put in the frame tomorrow……

See what I mean about the Australiana ‘look’……to me, that paisley has almost become an Aboriginal print

….and what better way to commemorate what our diggers did for us all those years ago….

…..and it’s ready (well almost!) to display at our Quilt Show with plenty of time to spare!  So now to take a breather and see what everyone else got up to for FNSI.  Remember, make sure your post is up by midnight tonight, my time to be included in the draw for this month’s prize of ……

….these beauties…..fat quarters courtesy of Andrea of Hibiscus Stitches……go and visit and tell her how fabulous she is!!!!!!

Sugary hugs xox :o)

one door closes…….

This week saw the end of my 23 year career as a primary school teacher.  That’s nearly half my life!!!!  And although I haven’t been in the school for 2 1/2 years now after my knee replacement surgery, it did hit me like a brick wall, knowing that I’m now ‘unemployed’/ ‘retired’/ ‘resigned’ or all of the above!  You see, my surgery went well, but after many, many years of surgery on the one knee, there’s not a lot left in there……and the constant demands of a primary school teacher (no…….we don’t AND CAN’T just sit on a chair and teach!!!) would have worn the joint out far quicker than it should….the doctor had to sacrifice stability for flexibility when he inserted the joint, so although it’s the best it can be, and you wouldn’t know I had a problem if you saw me, it doesn’t cope well with constant use, swelling and causing pain like you wouldn’t believe!  So……retirement was my only option.  (photo used from http://rozkwalker.com/identifying-strengths) It’s sad, considering I started ‘teaching’ when I was about 4 years old……lining up the dollies on the floor in front of my chalkboard easel………I have done other jobs since then, but it’s been in my blood and heart for a very long time!!!!  But when you’re told by a specialist that the joint will wear out in a couple of years with all that added pressure and more surgery could lead to the loss of my leg (I have big scars that have killed off nerves and skin tissue so the skin could die), no ‘career’ is worth the risk. So, it was with sadness I resigned on Wednesday and closed the door on that chapter of my life…. BUT…. one door closes………another opens…….. and on Wednesday…… My very first ‘published’ design arrived on my doorstep in this magazine…….. So there’s no sadness….it’s onward and upward!  My skills as a teacher won’t go to waste…….more designing in magazines and in my Craftsy shop……..and who knows what else is in store!!!!!  All I can say is I’m excited to open that door and walk right on through …..can’t wait to see what’s in there!!! Don’t forget it’s FNSI tonight….if you haven’t already signed up……you can sign up HERE.  And I forgot to mention in all my excitement……the prize!!!!  My good friend Anthea over at Hibiscus Stitches has donated the four, gorgeous fat quarters for this month’s prize and I found the sweetest (hee hee hee…pardon the pun)  little notebook and clipboard to jot down all the plans you have for FNSI’s to come!!!  So make sure you’re signed up and ready to go…..I’m starting early today….got soooo much to do!!!! And just remember…..it’s Friday Night somewhere in the world *wink*, so you can join in whatever time/day it is….so long as you post about it by Sunday!   I’ll do the draw on Monday to take into account our participants overseas! Soooooo looking forward to it! Sugary hugs :o) xox

one door closes…….

This week saw the end of my 23 year career as a primary school teacher.  That’s nearly half my life!!!!  And although I haven’t been in the school for 2 1/2 years now after my knee replacement surgery, it did hit me like a brick wall, knowing that I’m now ‘unemployed’/ ‘retired’/ ‘resigned’ or all of the above!  You see, my surgery went well, but after many, many years of surgery on the one knee, there’s not a lot left in there……and the constant demands of a primary school teacher (no…….we don’t AND CAN’T just sit on a chair and teach!!!) would have worn the joint out far quicker than it should….the doctor had to sacrifice stability for flexibility when he inserted the joint, so although it’s the best it can be, and you wouldn’t know I had a problem if you saw me, it doesn’t cope well with constant use, swelling and causing pain like you wouldn’t believe!  So……retirement was my only option. 

(photo used from http://rozkwalker.com/identifying-strengths)

It’s sad, considering I started ‘teaching’ when I was about 4 years old……lining up the dollies on the floor in front of my chalkboard easel………I have done other jobs since then, but it’s been in my blood and heart for a very long time!!!! 

But when you’re told by a specialist that the joint will wear out in a couple of years with all that added pressure and more surgery could lead to the loss of my leg (I have big scars that have killed off nerves and skin tissue so the skin could die), no ‘career’ is worth the risk.

So, it was with sadness I resigned on Wednesday and closed the door on that chapter of my life….

BUT….

one door closes………another opens…….. and on Wednesday……

My very first ‘published’ design arrived on my doorstep in this magazine……..

So there’s no sadness….it’s onward and upward!  My skills as a teacher won’t go to waste…….more designing in magazines and in my Craftsy shop……..and who knows what else is in store!!!!! 

All I can say is I’m excited to open that door and walk right on through …..can’t wait to see what’s in there!!!

Don’t forget it’s FNSI tonight….if you haven’t already signed up……you can sign up HERE.  And I forgot to mention in all my excitement……the prize!!!! 

My good friend Anthea over at Hibiscus Stitches has donated the four, gorgeous fat quarters for this month’s prize and I found the sweetest (hee hee hee…pardon the pun)  little notebook and clipboard to jot down all the plans you have for FNSI’s to come!!! 

So make sure you’re signed up and ready to go…..I’m starting early today….got soooo much to do!!!! And just remember…..it’s Friday Night somewhere in the world *wink*, so you can join in whatever time/day it is….so long as you post about it by Sunday!   I’ll do the draw on Monday to take into account our participants overseas!

Soooooo looking forward to it!

Sugary hugs :o) xox

FNSI sign ups

Well....Monday was a bit of a distraction for me....and I forgot to add the sign up page for FNSI.....which is TOMORROW, our time!!!!!!  SORREEEEEEE!!!!  I'm also using the excuse of a head thick with sinus and throat infection........feeling yuk.........does that give me redemption???  heehee *cheeky giggle*
So make sure you have something lined up to do for tomorrow night, a UFO to catch up on, something for your Birthday-Love stash (which you can also sign up for HERE....there's a great prize for this month!), something comfy to slide into.....pj's and some fluffy slippers perhaps???......a favourite dvd for the night, a glass of red/white or hot chocolate, plus some yummies to indulge in!!!!   OOOh I can't wait......
I've added the recipe for some delicious, chocolatey nibbles that you can get ready for tomorrow night, quickly and easily........here goes.....

 

Chocolate Aero Mint Slice

 

Preparation time:  15 minutes or less (no kidding.....my husband makes these and it's like magic......a few minutes and they're done!) 

 

INGREDIENTS:

2 x 250g packets Chocolate Ripple biscuits

1 x 395g tin condensed milk

6 x 40g mint Aero chocolate bars OR 2 x 118g blocks mint Aero chocolate bars, broken up into pieces

125g butter, cut up into pieces

 

METHOD:

1. 
   Crush biscuits (in a food processor if you have one) and place the ingredients in order listed into a microwave bowl.
   
   


2. 
   Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes, until butter is soft/melted.
   
   


3. 
   Mix and press into a lined slice tin.
   
   


4. 
   Refrigerate until firm.
   
   


5. 
   When firm, remove from tin and slice into bite-sized pieces.  This can be stored in the freezer, but it usually doesn't get that far in our house!!!!!!!
   
   





***WARNING.....stopping at one is near impossible!!!!

Now with all that chocolatey excitement, don't forget to sign up below!!!!   See you tomorrow night!

Sugary hugs xox :o)

FNSI sign ups

Well....Monday was a bit of a distraction for me....and I forgot to add the sign up page for FNSI.....which is TOMORROW, our time!!!!!!  SORREEEEEEE!!!!  I'm also using the excuse of a head thick with sinus and throat infection........feeling yuk.........does that give me redemption???  heehee *cheeky giggle*
So make sure you have something lined up to do for tomorrow night, a UFO to catch up on, something for your Birthday-Love stash (which you can also sign up for HERE....there's a great prize for this month!), something comfy to slide into.....pj's and some fluffy slippers perhaps???......a favourite dvd for the night, a glass of red/white or hot chocolate, plus some yummies to indulge in!!!!   OOOh I can't wait......
I've added the recipe for some delicious, chocolatey nibbles that you can get ready for tomorrow night, quickly and easily........here goes.....

 

Chocolate Aero Mint Slice

 

Preparation time:  15 minutes or less (no kidding.....my husband makes these and it's like magic......a few minutes and they're done!) 

 

INGREDIENTS:

2 x 250g packets Chocolate Ripple biscuits

1 x 395g tin condensed milk

6 x 40g mint Aero chocolate bars OR 2 x 118g blocks mint Aero chocolate bars, broken up into pieces

125g butter, cut up into pieces

 

METHOD:

1. Crush biscuits (in a food processor if you have one) and place the ingredients in order listed into a microwave bowl.
2. Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes, until butter is soft/melted.
3. Mix and press into a lined slice tin.
4. Refrigerate until firm.
5. When firm, remove from tin and slice into bite-sized pieces.  This can be stored in the freezer, but it usually doesn't get that far in our house!!!!!!!





***WARNING.....stopping at one is near impossible!!!!

Now with all that chocolatey excitement, don't forget to sign up below!!!!   See you tomorrow night!

Sugary hugs xox :o)

Food and Friendship, with stitching thrown in for good measure!

Monday was the day for our sewing group’s regular get together and this week it was at my place!  (HI Jen, Michelle (no blog) and Heather!!!) see how hard the girls were concentrating????  None of them even knew I took a photo….sneaky, hey?????   But I always stress over what to make for lunch……don’t want anything too heavy, not too light, not too rich, not too sweet, not too……you get the idea ….. Well, whilst I deliberated on Sunday, my own little masterchef hubby, who loves to help out when he can, googled some recipes and came up with this one…… Prosciutto and Zucchini pies with Fetta. I made these the night before and we had them cold……but they were still so delicious with a knock-together salad……and healthy too!  Each one is only 137 calories, and I never even used the same amount of eggs and cheese as the recipe called for, so probably less!!! I know Jen’s been telling people over on her blog because I’ve been getting emails asking me for the recipe…so here it is …..

• Spray oil
• 24 thin slices of prosciutto
• 12 eggs (I used 10 and that was enough)
• 2 tblspns chopped chives (I used spring onions or eschallots, finely chopped)
• 2 small zucchini, trimmed, thinly sliced diagonally (silly me didn’t read the instructions....I grated them! Still worked well)
• 6 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 100g fetta, crumbled
• Fresh basil leaves, to serve

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Spray twelve 150ml capacity muffin pans with oil. Line each pan with 2 slices of prosciutto, slightly overlapping. 2. Whisk eggs in a large jug. Stir in the chives (or spring onions/eschallots) and season with pepper. (NO salt....prosciutto makes it salty enough) Divide the egg mixture among the prepared pans, filling each about 2/3 full. Top with zucchini and halved tomato. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the egg is just set. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly. 3. Run a knife around the inside edge of each pan to remove the pies.....whilst still warm, top with fetta. 4. Serve with salad and topped with basil leaves. Taste equally nice warm or cold                                                     (makes 12) There was a date and pecan cake too and Peppermint Aero bar slice……drooling yet???…..but I’ll add those recipes later in the week!   All ready for our Friday Night Sew In, which is this Friday….sign up’s tomorrow!!!!! Don’t forget!   And it will be Heather’s birthday then too…..so don’t forget to go and wish her a very happy day on Friday!!! And yes, I did get some stitching done……… ..in fact, my Mrs Beasley Sampler Quilt BOM block 1, from the last Vignette magazine, is done! So I’ll have to work on something else on FNSI night won’t I???  I wonder what I will choose!!????  Sugary hugs xox :o)