Nays Place's

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A belated Christmas Wish to All.........

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The story was written by Shirley Joffs who lives in Logan, Utah.


Enjoy the season with all your heart.

Christmas Village, Ogden, Utah

The Magic of Christmas Lies in Your Heart

by Shirley Joffs Dec. 2011

( With apologies to those who may celebrate the winter holidays with other names, the intention of my story today is universal in spirit.)

As I pondered a Christmastime story, I found it difficult to focus on just one aspect of the holidays. M y feelings were a little like the season tends to get....stressed out, too busy, trying to 'get it all done', making all of the plans to make everything just perfect. In a moment of weakness, once, I tentatively suggested that we break with all tradition and just go to a warm climate for a week or two and do something entirely different The look on the faces of my children and grandchildren was of complete horror and disbelief.. ..so much for that idea. But now that the tree is up and the gingerbread cookies made, I realize that I really would miss the traditions too, and I begin to focus on the important aspects of the season that I really do appreciate, particularly as a quiIter since that is our common tie here... .and this is what I want to share.

I believe that it is unique to quilters to easily blend the past and the present. We are often drawn back to old quilt patterns, vintage fabrics, traditional uses of quilts, pioneer stories of how quilts were made and used and appreciated; on the other hand, we are excited by new patterns, new ideas and methods, beautiful new fabrics. We use both hand and machine quilting, but we quickly cut reproduction fabrics with our trusty rotary cutters or even cut out whole quilts in a matter of minutes with magical cutting machines. Christmas is a little like that for me I'm drawn back to days gone by, even as I shop for the I pad and put up the artificial tree; and while I hum traditional carols, I hear "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer" in the mall. We can't avoid some of the plastic world, but being a quilter, a maker of handmade treasures, an addict of the creative process of quilting, gives us a special opportunity to make holidays to remember for ourselves and future generations. So here is my wish for all quilters....


First, that as you "cut", remember to let C stand for Caring, and carefully creating and choosing gifts that uplift, encourage and cheer others. I saw a wonderful suggestion for gifts on an email message, In addition to your beautiful quilts and fabric items, give services like a manicure, a day of house cleaning, a car wash, a date night for a couple that can't afford a sitter, a sewing lesson for someone who has shown an interest in learning, or a breakfast date for a grandchild. Services keep people working and show how much we care. My husband would be disappointed if he didn't get his certificate for a massage or a pedicure. It's something he would never buy for himself.

My second wish is that as you Handsew, remember to let "H " stand for Heart and Hearing and not "Hurry". So often I listen with my motor running. I'm thinking of what I'm going to say next, or I'm thinking of something else entirely. Really Hearing is an art that is a lifelong lesson for me. Hand sewing, putting on a binding, always slows my world down and helps me listen better. Better yet, being with grandchildren teaches the patience and hearing that I think I missed with my own children let hand sewing remind us.
My third wish is that as you "re-sew"... .as we always have to do, let "R" stand for rest and relaxation. I usually have to "re-sew" when I have pushed a project, tried to sew too fast or let myself get tired. There is something so restful about just staring at the Christmas tree and its reflection in the window. One of our family traditions at Christmas is to go for a slow ride with our children and now grandchildren, and look at ail of the different lighted homes. Sometimes we try to guess who lives there and what they must be like. For me, setting aside a day for a gift exchange and lunch with friends gives me a time to look forward to relaxing, forgetting for awhile all of the "doing" and just "be".


And my fourth wish is that as you Iron, remember to let "I" stand for Icing on the cake. So often we settle when we could excel, we appreciate when we could 'relish with gusto', we hum when we could really sing. Icing on the cake is about the really 'special' things we do. I make gingerbread boys every Christmas; I've made them for 40+ years now. I found the recipe in an old Sunset magazine and, with a homemade cookie cutter I can make the little figures dance, pray, do yoga, swim.. .whatever my family is into for that year. Those special things and activities get represented on the gingerbread tree.
Two years ago we were icing the cookies and Emma, my now 8 year old was helping. The icing tube went berserk and put a huge glob of icing on the cookie and without a thought I said "Lord A Mercy". We laughed so hard and then Emma said, "Nana, we should call the cookies with lots of icing, "Lord A Mercy Cookies".... So now they pick through the batch looking for Lord A Mercy Cookies because they love the sweet icing.

Life and quilting are like that too. When we make mistakes they can become blessings.
May you have a "Lord A Mercy Life Experience Daily" Think of Icing when you iron...


My fifth wish is, that as you sew, also let S stand for "show and share". I feel sometimes that I do a lot of telling and not as much 'showing' by example. Just as we stand up in Guild meetings and show and share what we have done and therefore who we are, we do so by our lives every day. On our trips to Disney World with our grandchildren, we would often see frustrated, tired parents screaming at their crying, sad children, "I've spent a ton of money to get you here so you WILL have fun, by George, so stop crying and start having fun!!!" Our sewing and our Christmas celebrations can be like that if we aren't careful. Spending a lot of money does not a successful experience make; hence the fun of a scrap quilt where we use what we have is like a quiet night of telling Christmas stories together. Or teaching a child how to make cookies by really letting them get their hands in the dough... .1 Immmmmm. could it be that those we love want us to show and share ourselves and not our expensive gifts with them...
My sixth wish is that as you thread the bobbins and needles, let "T" stand for Trust. It is so easy to get grouchy, even judgmental of the flurry that seems so far removed from the real Spirit of Christmas, but just as those trusty sewing machines, sergers and quilting machines serve us if we oil and clean and service them, we can Trust that the Spirit that is at the heart of Christmas, whatever our faith or belief, will be there if we seek it out. It often seems that the thread breaks or the bobbin runs out at the most inopportune time, but if we focus on the thousands of times that it doesn't we can trust So, on the occasion when we think that our Faith has failed us, let's fill up the bobbin again, thread the needle once more and trust.


My seventh wish is that as you Measure your fabric, M might stand for Mastery. I've told you the story of how I didn't measure my first hand-pieced rail fence quilt. I just blithely sewed strips together in a color pattern. Not one block was the same size... .a good quilter convinced me that I should not throw them all out, and she helped me "square them up", which I had never heard of. I keep that quilt in a visible basket to remind me that we all start somewhere. I make similar mistakes every day in life, but as the saying goes, "God isn't through with me yet" so I can"t let that stop me. How many times have we failed to notice that the ruler is not straight on the cutting pad when we slice through a beautiful piece of fabric. Measure twice, cut once was my father's rule in carpentry. Probably the most important mastery we will learn in life is the art of trying again and again.

My eighth wish is that as you Applique, you will "ask" for what you need, what you want, and what you love. Whether it is by machine or by hand, applique is that special embellishment that says you are willing to take time to do it. Asking to have our own needs met is that special way of valuing ourselves, avoiding becoming a martyr and the anger and confusion that it creates. I thought early on in my marriage that Eric should 'divine' my needs, that is, know them before I even knew them and meet them..if he LOVED me. Asking is simply fair communication.
I used to be a potter. I carved out a little tiny spot next to the water heater to put my wheel, in a dark basement, near the furnace. My friend visited and said, "Oh, no, this will never do... .you are too fine a potter to treat yourself like this, ask for more.. .a space with light, elbow room..." Wow! That was one of life's best lessons for me.. .It may be something as small as a good seam ripper, an iron dedicated only to your sewing room, a new blade for your cutter, or a quilt kit that you've admired, or it could be a "date night with a partner or friends" or even a hug when you feel down. Don't ALWAY S put yourself second or you might get what my Mom called 'sour' on life.


My ninth wish is that when you sit down to sew, you make "S; stand for "Sing from you Soul" Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I realize how happy I am when I am sewing. I look forward to it, I relish it and I miss it when I can't do it..,,. .sounds like love to me. We quilters are fortunate that we have something that we love so much. If we take it as a lesson, we can remind ourselves that everything else we do can have that same kind of love if we live in the moment. Some sage person said, "Wherever you are, be there." So when we S, stand up from sitting and sewing, let's remember to take with us that same delight in life, that same attention to detail, that same willingness to make and mend mistakes, that same love of creating something beautiful in our world and with the people we love. In all we do, let us Sing from our Souls. Eleven-year-old Jackie Evancho, the singing sensation who has been featured on PBS this month was asked what she feels when she sings. Her wisdom was amazing. She said, "Something just takes over and feel soooo happy and relaxed."
And then, oh, my, you should hear her sing.

Lovingly stolen from the Abbey Lane Quilts blog with good intentions...take care all and have a great 2012.

Fabric Giveaway....

Evening All

Lots planned for this weekend - hopefully moving furniture into Nays Place...but in the meantime...

just stumbled across this wonderful giveaway from Rachel Griffith at PS I Quilt if you like brights then chek out Kate Spain and the Fat Quarter Shop (mmm spent quite  a bit of money there)   

Whilst your there check out Rachel Blog - she has some very quick and easy quilt patterns - loved the Synchronised Squares Quilt along recently......

Will post some phots after I move furniture...

Keep Stitching

 

Nay

 

Sarah Jane Studios.....a Giveaway

Hi all

Was introduced to this wonderful designer through Suzanne at Strawberry Patches and the latest Quilt Market - might be the name but Sarah Jane has just released a fabric range called Children at Play.  Check out her blog as she has a wonderful giveaway at the moment - details below.

 

3 WINNERS will receive:

4 yards of Children at Play Fabric

1 framed 8×10 print of your choice

3 packs of greeting cards

1 blank journal

1 pack of bookplates

And other little random surprises from the shop that I’ll throw in for fun.

 

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

• Leave a comment below

 

• Make a purchase in the shop and enter the code #winsarahjane in the “note to seller” box at the time of check out. One order will equal one giveaway entry.

 

• Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about all these new items in the shop as well as the giveaway with the hash tag: #winsarahjane

 

• Like me on Facebook and post about the new items or giveaway to your wall. Then leave a comment on my facebook post mentioning your post.

 

• Giveaway closes on Sunday July 24th, at 10 pm Eastern Standard time

So, the more you do, the more chances you have! To enter, you must comment. Everything after that just increases your chances!

Best of luck to you, and thank you so much for all your support! To offer my illustrations and designs to the world is really so fulfilling to me, and appreciate all your support! Your support is what helps me keep doing this, and allows me to stay at home with my kids.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

 

Isnt it lovely

180km on the back straight and sewing again

Sundays are the day of rest - not in my household. 

Early morning start and dropping the 3 noisy people of to their aunty and uncles for a couple of hours of uncle bonding - thanks BB for feeding them and putting their fires out and distracting them with your 30 min timetable and activities plan...didnt know they were that hard to entertain but it apparently worked.

Drop and run to meet P at Mallala Raceway for a chance to cross something off the bucket list - go really fast legally.  4 laps later - heading around the racetrack at 180km a hour - woo hoo - helmet sqashed the cheeks flat but the smiles were from ear to ear....and P's husband and kids watched from afar. 

 
Going fast -hard to focus...but thats P and me in the back seat

It was GREAT - P's son S is already planning his 16th there in a few years time. Not sure thats a good idea but rather there than on the road. 

 
Us standing still - everyone on hand to get us in and out

Home again - Pork Roast for tea - no dessert had that earlier when I picked up the kids we had a delicious taste of fresh strawberries that had a marshmallow and choc melted through it - absolutely YUMMYYYYY - finger licking GOOD- thanks BB.

Sewing Shed -  is still going not a lot has happened lately - havent been home on weekend with footy, netball, Auskick, Little Athletics Cross Country, visting relies - so Nays Place hit a standstill - but home next weekend and its my plan to finish it and start building the shelving out of recycled floor boards. 

Havent had a chance to do much sewing lately - been busy with meetings and everything else but here is the latest project.

What do you make a first time mum that is a nervous as anything, been sick the entire pregnancy and is really scared about whats coming out in the next week or so.

Anything she wants as long as it is not frilly!!!!! and she loves elephants so imagine my pleasure when I was blog hopping and stumbled along this at Poppyseed fabric  Robert Kauffman Urban Circus by Laurie Wisbrun.

Why - you use your love of brights find some yummy Riley Blake fabric mix it with the elephants and have fun sewing little squares together. 

 

and you put together a drawing of elephants and flowers, use the Picnic design from Riley Blake and The Quilted Fish and start playing with this....better stop typing and start sewing

 

Have fun stitching.....

Nay - brmm brmm brrmmmm we go really fast.

 

A workshop, some lights and painting to go

Just returned home from a Waikerie Piecemaker workshop with Lorraine Crocker.  This was a 2 day workshop in the Quilt as U Go method - something that I have not tried before.  We were given a few options to choose from and as a group chose 'Tea for Two' and 'Antique Tea Roses".  I love the look of roses so chose the Tea Rose quilt and chickened out doing conventional quilt methods and not quilt as u go.  However with Lorraine explanation it is actually very easy.

Being brave I have decided to give it a go - later - must finish the tea roses first.  Have taken a few photos but typically not of my own work.

 
Actually this is me choosing fabrics (not very good at it but having an interesting time trying to make it look right)

 
This is what the roses should look like.....(thanks Rob)

 
Yes they are my feet but this is another lady thanks Barb and her quilt choosing what colour sashing to go with.....

PS...A quick Nays Place update - the lights, power points and security lighting have now been completely installed and turned on.  Thanks to my electrician fairy who came to visit when I was at the workshop.  The ceiling is painted and now I have the walls to do.  I have had a few helpers along the way..they know who they are so to them I say thanks.

I have to admit having this little project has given me a new lease on life as I now am being more organised at home and now after tea and getting kids to bed I'n not sitting on my bottom watching TV - I am getting changed into my 'painting clothes' going out and painting.  No heater but thanks to the insulation its not cold inside.

So am hoping to get the walls paiting this week - have an annual leave day next week to get organised before moving everything back in on the long weekend.  WOO HOO cant wait.

Just got news that Robyn from Country Hart in Port Pirie is holding another workshop during the last weekend in October with Gail Pan and Natalie Ross.  Places are limited and go on sale June 15th (I think) so if a fun weekend surrounded by like minded people is something that might interest you stay tuned to Robyns blog.  Had some much fun at the last one with Rosalie and Melly-learnt lots and met some wonderful ladies - it is a good weekend. 

And to a lovely princess that I know will read this post - proud of what you have done and how you have done it....a new step, a new direction all of your own choosing with you in charge..Stay true to yourself..your loyal subjects will always be there to help you keep the toads away....

Keep stitching

Nay

 

Something new for Nays Place

Had a morning visitor whilst enjoying brekky this morning... 

 

Makes you realise at times what a lucky country we live in where 'skippy' can stroll through your back yard. 

Loaded the car with the trailer and headed for a quick trip to Granny Loz  to collect some new furniture for Nays Place. After a pleasurable afternoon sitting, talking, a quick banking lesson, viewing a wonderful array of fabric and patterns, visiting some new websites I returned home.  A visit to my BB and a coffee and cake session whilst watching the Crows loose a wonderful game (surprise Loz didnt have the TV on - I forgot it was a lunchtime game - oh well your team won in ther end) and then a drive home in some rather wild, wet and woolly weather.

 A quick before shot....

 

and after...

 

woo hoo...its all coming together.  Yes that is still masking you can see - a few more walls and skirting and then I can start arranging furniture. 

So excited

Keep stitching...

Nay

How true this is....

 

Found this tonight on a blog site not sure where but it was on another little side journey from another blog to another blog and you know what its like...no matter where I go in this world I generally can find a connection through somewhere, someone, a kindred spirit in the world of craft etc etc.  

Through this wonderful technology called the internet I can share the journey of quilters everywhere, visit their favourite shops, see their new patterns and favourite designers now. 

We are so lucky to be living in this world and be able to share with everyone...

Keep stitching

Nay

MMmm think we're living on a farm

Well shed is half done - moved the majority of the furniture and plastic boxes now on to the cardboard boxes.  Only one casualty (happens when youre moving furniture by yourself) managed to drop a cupboard of the sack truck.  Basically finished the job - the doors were already off - now it is in 4 pieces.  oh well there goes some of my shelving to be.

Nigel came home from work today with a new toy - named Billy. 

 
Apparently to help with the cowthrop - have to admit its working so far.  The dogs arent sure and the cat is a definitely no go zone.

Speaking of the cat - I got away with the name Allie Cat - which is so much better than skidmark.  Has made its way around home and even Nigel is playing with her....

 

Ok next project is to finish moving boxes from one shed to another shed.  Did finish the stiching on Melly's clutch project whilst watching the Crows last night.  Now to find the machine so I can sew it.