Nays Place's

mmm 2 weeks of Annual leave - 'spring' cleaning or sewing

so I'm about to start 2 weeks of annual leave - todays my day to plan...so what should I do..spring clean (yes I know its Autumn/Fall) or sew...

We've been in the house for over 12 mths and still havent unpack and organised all the rooms. Can throughly recommend not moving at Christmas time and then going away for 4 weeks - but thats what happens when settlement planned in July only happens in November. The study is still full of boxes - the filing cabinet is still in the shed I've swapped bedrooms around already and still have to work out how to keep Miss Princess, Mr Fix-it and Mr almost a teenager to keep their rooms clean - if not clean at least put the clean clothes away and not leave them on to the floor.

OR

I can spend 2 weeks organising my fabric, projects and finishing off the numerous projects that I have or not plan anything and just go with the flow....I do have 2 projects that must be finished and one is a quilt for Mr Almost a teenager in fantastic Superheroes fabric for mid May and another 'Man Quilt' for DH for June - DH has put up with me sewing for many years but other than waistcoats out of the family tartan for our wedding; I havent actually ever made him anything - not even a shirt... even though I know I have one cut out in a box somewhere.

OR

I could organise my vegie garden and patio area outside my shed..I have been reading the blog Down to Earth by Rhonda Hetzel and shed has some great money saving ideas, recipes and gardening ideas.

So keep checking back to see what I get up to - promised a giveaway when I finished my shed

Hello Hello is anyone home.......remember me.....a finish, a start, upcycling and whats on my frame (at last)

Hi Remember me..... yes its been a while...quite funny I spend about 30 mins a night catching up on the blogs of the designers and people that I admire and quite often get frustrated cause they havent updated lately when it hit me - neither have I..OOOPPPPSSSS

Sorry however my sewing mojo did leave me for a while...my dearly beloved Grandma died late Feb and to be honest I went through all the normal feelings - she was getting quite sick and ill and on the one hand I felt tremendously guilty that I didnt do enough, that I should have done more whilst she was alive but on the other hand felt so extremely lucky that I'm in my forties I had the privilege of having my grandma or GG for the kids around for so long and that she has finally passed and is in peace now.

Fond memories - mystery trips to anywhere in the state, shopping for fabric fabric and more fabric, ginger nuts, putting a roof over my head when I was desperate, welcoming me and my friends at anytime and giving me the privledge to share her life.

I also had so many projects that I didnt know where to start so what did I do - GO AND BUY MORE FABRIC.....seriously it must be an addiction mustnt it.....so slowly but surely I started.

First I started with completed a raw edge applique project that was a club workshop with Waikerie Piecemakers - will post photos later but lets just say I have learnt to appreciate keeping vilosfix handy fresh and I love AURIFIL threads for sewing - some freehand embroidery happening and yes I am really bad at it but I am having fun.

By the way have you checked out their free BOM sewing sticheries - 12 designers and Aprils featured designer was the lovely Gail Pan. Check out her blog and her wonderful trip to Europe with Helen Stubbings from Hugs n Kisses.

Helen will be at Port Pirie with Melissa from One Day in May creations at the lovely Robyns shop Country Hart for a Weekend of Creative Stitchers. Robyn has just moved into larger premises at Port Piries and unfortunately I am unable to attend this weekend. bummer......they are great weekends and a lot of laughs - it is where I got to know Granny Loz, Amanda and last time I took Anne with me.

OOPPS just been informed by Robyn the move isnt happening until the end of May

Next on the list was to finish a stitchery for my auntie who has a weekend nearby - a converted church in the middle of nowhere and she has a church hall bench that needs something on it. Got the idea from Rhonda and Down to Earth.

Next I took a GIANT step towards overcoming a fear....I finally set up a quilt on the Quilting Frame that I have from Granny Loz. Not bad - its almost 12 months since I got it.....you think I would have used it before now but honestly reading the instructions and the photos didnt help. Loz did offer a lesson but trying to fit that in with full-time work, 3 kids and 110km distance between us I thought I had better try something.

So I went for it - I have been hoarding the kids flannette PJ's for 3 years trying to decide that I could make a quilt but how, what etc etc I had no idea. Unfortunately my local Quilt Shop ' Corner Fabric Store' doesnt stock flannels and I wanted a lounge quilt that I could use all year round and just throw it in the wash.

I started unpicking cuffs, buttons etc etc, cutting PJ's from size 3 to my PJ's when I was pregnant - now Princess S is 6 going on 7 so you could say this has been a work in progress for a while. Cut the smallest PJ's into the widest strips possibly 4 3/4 " by the length of the fabric and kept cutting till I had gathered quite a large pile. If I couldnt get wide strips I then cut 2 1/2" strips thinking I could join them for the binding. So after spending 3 days cutting on and off between housework, I thought I had enough but what to do.

Then I remembered Jelly Roll Races - if anyone has seen the You Tube clip by Heirloom Creations. Basically what is 1,600 inches long when it starts and finishes 48” x 64”? The Jelly Roll 1,600 Quilt! Take your time to have a download and watch - one lady finished the top in 35 mins - seriously 35 mins...admittedly the preparation takes a lot longer. You join all the strips of a Jelly Roll together end to end and finish up with a strip 1600' long (approx 40 mtrs) -well by the time I finished my equalled 56 mtrs long......so after sewing for about 2 hrs I finished with a top about 165 cm x 340 cm long - and funnily enough thought this is only for me lets tryout the Quilting Frame...

Mmmm imagine reading instructions that says make sure all the writing on the draw up cloth is on the right hand side - thats great but doesnt actually tell you which way youre actually looking at it to know which is the right hand side and which is the left.....so guessing and yep you guessed it had one pole in backwards so the fabric wouldnt wind....broke 2 needles and then decided just to go with the flow - quilting is very very bad, not even, missing stitches, different stitch lengths but it is done - albeit I had to cut it in half as my machine is not big enough to take the quilt. Is this an excuse to buy myself a quilting machine, the kids are happy apparently they're getting one each.

Photos not working so will try again later ....sorry......

So I think my mojo is back am waiting on some fabric from Fort Worth Fabric Studio - saw a post by Claire Hilton about the excellent service she had received so thought I would go check it out. OMG found some car fabric with landrovers on it - my DH is a fanatic and has 8 in various stages of disrepair although one does actually run - I have been looking for fabric for over 15 years to make him a quilt and guess what it was on SPECIAL...and the wonderful Jodie reduced the postage as she could get it in one bag...gotta love this service. So need to hurry as his birthday is in June...

Have 2 weeks of holidays coming up so will finally get into Nays Place for some much overdue cleaning, sorting and finally getting organised...when this happens get ready for a GIVEAWAY......

 

Keep Stitching

 

Nay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gail Pan, Natalie Ross, Granny Loz and QuiltyGal to name a few

WOW WOW WOW WOW

What a great weekend I've just had spending time at Port Pirie with Robyn Welsh at Country Hart and a 2 day workshop with Gail Pan and Natalie Ross.

Anne and I left late friday night and arrived in Port Pirie around 10pm and we had so much fun talking that we forgot to check in with husbands and kids who were waiting for us to check in to ensure that we had arrived...oh well...let the adventures begin.

Saturday morning Anne got up and went for a walk and I hit the showers we hit Country Hart after a bit of retail therapy at Target.  On the table a little gift or two was waiting.  Great to catch up with Granny Loz, Claire, Anne, Sarah, Julie, Naomi B, Robyn, Abbie, Sonia and the lovely ladies from Crystal Brook (aka the Brooky Girls)

Robyn, Abbie, Steve, Naomi and Joan and Robyns wonderful team of helpers once again did a wonderful job - arent we so lucky and spoilt...

Claire being just a little bit silly....

Gail and Natalie had 2 projects for us to do saturday and again on sunday.  Lots of stitchery and sundays projects were Christmas orientated - can you believe it is only 7 weeks away.  Believe it or not I actually finished the stitching on Nat's IPad bag - thats a first.

Saturday night saw us share dinner at the International along with Gail, Nat, Robyn, Abbie, Loz, Claire, Anne, Sarah, Glenys who was celebrating a special birthday, Naomi, Joan, Alison x 2, Maxine, and the rest of the Brooky girls (sorry cant remember everyones names).

Back to rooms for some yummy Havenhand chocolate and cheese with Anne and the girls.  A few stories about Quilt Market, designing, impersonations of Barry from Nat and it was a fun night.  Got to bed around 1:45 am couldnt sleep after the Girls left so did some more sewing.

How lovely is Gail and Natalie - a weekend of fun, laughter, sewing and stitching.....

Gail Pan and one of her lovely quilts....

Nat and her wonderful smile - did you know that she likes chocolate!!!!!

And our wonderful table of 'Naughty Girls' in the back corner......

Robyn is hosting another weekend in April with Melissa Grant from 'One Day in May' and Helen Stubbings from  Hugs n Kisses - if anyone is interested......

Keep Stitching

Nay

Day 4 Roof Trusses, Door and a retaining wall

Today my muscles are still singing, not screaming, but singing.......ouch..ouch...ouch...ouch..but never less I wanted this room so I will keep going.  

So tyres are filled with dirt and I didn't realise how long that would take, but need to get some more to keep going.  Who knew that you had to fill the inside of the tyre with dirt as well so they don't collapse, so snakes and other yucky things don't decide to live in them but I didn't realise how long it would take so the wall is progressing slowly.

 
The retaining wall and steps leading up to the kids cubby (fort) -sorry for the quality its night and there is no light

The shed (aka Nays Place) now has roof trusses, a door (but I haven't painted it as yet) and one section of wall completed.  We have done this above where the roller door goes and I will paint it before we rehang the roller door - then I don't have to paint it after the door goes back up.  One day this roller door will be replaced by some french doors....one day.....

 
Roof trusses

But another big decision I haven't made yet - what colour am I going to paint my place....do I go white, cream, yellow, a slight tint of white?  What do we think everyone...any suggestions?

 
mmm what colour should this place be....

So tomorrow is Easter sunday - an egg hunt - church and then Easter lunch before we continue with the shed.  Hopefully tomorrow we put some more panels up.  Need to decide what colour to paint and quickly.....

 
My door - mmm thats right I have to paint this as well....

 

Have a great Easter...

 

Keep Stitching

Nay

What a perfect way to spend a sunday

So my day started well - continued to clear out Nays Place (aka the Shed) the sooner it is empty the sooner Reidy and Greg can start do the interior for me.

 
Imagine a sofa, TV, coffee machine, bar fridge and the kids zone - no going past this mat!!!

Then the day just got better - meet up with Anne (many would remember her from Almond Grove - and we keep each other sane when we attended AQC together in 2009) at our local chocolate shop Havenhand choc.  Sitting out on the balcony soaking in the sun enjoying the view overlooking the river - it was perfect.  Stayed and grazed on a savoury platter then on to the most decadent of desserts choc fondue and fruit MMMM YUM YUM YUM and a cappuccino to top it off.  Definately choc overload but what a way to go. 

 2 1/2 hours later we ventured across the river to show off the new home and dream of Nays Place.  Imagine plenty of discussion and ideas and a little bit of sewing thrown in and Nays place is well and truly alive and kicking.....well in my head at the moment anyway.

I think even Anne didnt quite believe I have so much fabric, books, magazines and stuff  - so these photos are just for 'bunny' to show that I have lots more than Anne could ever fit in her sewing room.

 
4 pallets of boxes plus all the furntiure and my poor lonely sewing mannequin wedged inbetween somewhere.

 
Really not sure how I ended up with quite sew much - mm might need to clean out before I put it all back in..   Apparently fire season is over so we can start burning again - might be bonfire time I think better invite a few people to share the marshmallows...

Now to keep the mice out of my very clean shed, time to start making the shelving and to strip back on old door that Anne found for me to put in my shed - perfect for the front entrance.

 

Till next time keep stitching

Nay