Goodbye 2011!

 Evening is falling here...and 2011 is almost over. 

Whilst each year has it's highs and lows, this one has been a bit taxing! Long absences of loved ones with the subsequent hardships of managing daily life without support, the challenges of parenting young adults who experience adult problems, supporting parents finding their way alone again and the myriad of worries that seem to pervade our lives. Whilst this all adds resilience and colour to life, I would hope 2012 may be a little calmer in my household.

In 2012 I look forward to DD starting her new life and job on the coast full of hope and love, DS continuing with his studies and further maturing into a young man who is truly lovely to know, and that dear SB will see some reward for his very consuming work commitments which will enhance life for us all. Decisions need to be made about relocating from our rural home of more than twenty years as work and family commitments are no longer here. Moving back to the city of my youth I feel some trepidation...will I fit in...do I wish to settle back here? Family and friends are keen for my return...I feel becalmed and unsure. As one wise friend assured me...time will reveal which way to go. So I must be patient.

Fortunately  I have my pressure release valve which always keeps me sane(?) or perhaps at least anchored! Stitching takes me away and calms my head...I think designated time each day will be the key. My boss laughs about the little bag of fabric, hexies and gluestick on my desk...he calls it my security blanket! Small and achievable projects...lots of bright colours...stretching some boundaries....that will keep me grounded.

My last finish for this year was an apron for DD...super cute and very retro in 30's repro...for her new kitchen (a late Christmas present)...

and some inspiration for 2012 comes from Lise, some lovely "Friendship" charm squares that I think will become a new version of this...

I need to do it before we meet at GDITC in March...thankyou!

Thank you for being my blog friends in 2011, each comment is appreciated and your support valued. 

Have a Happy New Year and may 2012 be kind to you and yours!

Cardygirl xx

It almost rained in my happy place...

It has been a fairly quiet week here, the cough developed rapidly and I have ended up missing work and lolling about on the lounge for most of the week with little energy...but mending now.

That made me think about my "happy place"...somewhere or something that lifts my spirits when I am a little flat. Fabric shops are definitely on my list (and yours too I bet!) as is spotty fabric for me. I adore dots and spots in all colours, sizes and shapes. A couple of months ago there was some family stuff happening and I chanced upon a fabric shop...aah the mood began to lift...and I wandered inside and found some lovely red spots (my favourite)...yippee! So with the sun beginning to shine in my personal world I headed for the counter to purchase my happy red spots... only to meet the grumpy fabric lady! Don't you hate that! She was in a mood and she wanted the world to share it...I was grilled over my fabric choice and she even tried to make me feel bad for having time to sew as she had NO time at all. Boy was she a delight! Fortunately I didn't let her rain in my happy place (though I was concerned I may have had to buy more fabric to lift my mood...cue husbands sigh of relief ) and I was able to deflect her bad vibes and dash out of there with my mood still good. Most fabric shop owners are great, inspirational, warm people...scary ones are awful...I know I won't go back there again. The spots do look sweet with the Dresden...definitely a happy place combination for me...spots, Dresdens and Flower Sugar...I feel happy again!

Where is your happy fabric place?

Cardygirl xx

Bits and pieces...

On track with my study...quite interesting...it is good to learn & I am enjoying it. I seem to be getting even more organised with my time! We headed up to Armidale to see DS on Saturday...always nice to see him & take him out for lunch. Sunday was spent grocery shopping, washing & tidying up my computer area...it was awful! Nice to have it tidy again though! I have fallen behind already with the TTS blocks...nearly have the second one finished though!

Fiddled with some paper piecing for my Brigitte Giblin quilt...love these little elongated hexie crosses...Aris the cat was quite intrigued at all the fabric on the table.

While at Nundle dear Bec gave me some '30's fabrics...she knows how much I love them & no doubt she will see them in a project soon. 

Chookyblue showed her blog books which had arrived...mine came too & I am loving seeing a journal of my crafty life...I have done them as 2009 & 2010. Famous people on the cover!

Well, that has been the last few days...hope all is well wherever you are!

Cardygirl xx

Well...could you resist?

Which of us can ignore that little four letter word....SALE!

Our local fabric shop had a three day one last week...it doesn't happen too often...and there was 50% off fabric!

I was planning to do a Christmas project and so I hot footed it up there as I knew they had some Fruitcake fabric by Basic Grey that would be perfect for it. The pattern is by Kate Conklin..."Pine for You"...and it is super cute...you can buy it directly off Kate's blog as a PDF...so convenient & no waiting!

As happens with sales, you grab a bit of something else that has been catching your eye as well.

This yellow sock monkey fabric has been calling my name for some time...I have had the pink (from another sale) for a while...and at the recent Sydney Quilt Show I bought this Sock Monkey kit...really cute but I am a bit nervous to chop into my socks!Also picked up these remnants very cheaply. And to make it even better I was able to use a voucher towards it & it was all VERY cheap indeed! YAY!

A glorious sunny day here today after a few days of rain...hope to get some stitching done later!

Cardygirl xx

Comfort shopping...fabric style!

Yesterday was one of those days...cold & foggy...and a funeral that I HAD to go to a couple of hours drive away. We all do them occasionally & they are never much fun...our mothers said there are some things we just HAVE to do & yesterday was one of those things. I did listen mum.

So, to brighten the mood I stopped at a great needlework/patchwork shop on the way home at East Maitland...Southern Cross Needlework. Comfort shopping...not eating! Rhonda has gorgeous fabrics & is really kind & helpful...it was tempting to just back the car up to the door & load it all in...but I was good & just bought a few treats...not as fattening as chocolate thank goodness!

Found some great Paris fabric...not sure what I will do with it yet...DD loves it!

Great repros...perhaps a repro hexie project????

 And some fabric loveliness from Phillip Jacobs and Kaffe Fassett...delish! Aah...I feel better now...

Cardygirl xx

Darling Harbour Fun Part 1(plus a treat!)

Well, we did it! Lea, my DD & I all headed off to Sydney  yesterday to attend the Quilt Show & SHOP!

We live about 3hrs from Sydney, so were planning to head off bright & early. You need a little background to understand the humour of our start....I am ALWAYS punctual (annoyingly so) & ALWAYS organised. Wash the hair the night before, pack my handbag, lay out my clothes, make a list, do some research...really annoying I know! Dear Lea is more of a seat of her pants kind of girl....usually a bit late, forgets things, improvises her schedule, forgets the turn offs en route...and we LOVE her for it! So yesterday must have been opposite day. Lea was SIX minutes early, I slept in (eeek!)...I was on the hop! But we were on our way!Seeing the Harbour & Bridge never fail to thrill you!

Fortunately we had a great trip into Sydney & arrived at opening time...the crowds were quite manageable & we were able to have a good look around & even get some personal advice on making clamshells from Sue Daley. And that inspired me...I have been enjoying making hexagons...and I had an enjoyable day at the Quilt Show...I should share all this good feeling as it is also my wedding anniversary....and my 200th blog... so why not have a little giveaway...hmmmm...oh, why not! So leave me a comment about my day at the show, about my ramblings generally or anything else you want to say & I will give away a little treat on the morning of the 25th...also the anniversary of our moving to this town nineteen years ago!

So, back to the Show...there was a girl there with a much admired Study Hall skirt...but sadly I was not able to catch up with Robyn, Christine, or Sandra....busy schedules & coordinating long distance travel made it tricky...but I met Janice & Anita (old buddy from Nundle!)...so great to really meet them at last...and funny how it seems you have known them forever! Hopefully next year we will be able to coordinate our visits a little better! It is amazing how we do recognise each other! I seem to be doing the weird eye thing in my pic with Janice!

So here is some eye candy....I was a VERY NAUGHTY girl & came home with oodles of fabric....and a head full of ideas...oh why do I have to work tomorrow?????

We even managed to deliver a quilt on the way home! Tomorrow I will show some quilts & other interesting pics....

Cardygirl xx

Mothers Day Love!

Happy Mothers Day to you all! Hope you have had a happy day with those you love & thinking of those who are special to you. We have had a quiet day here...lots of chatting & laughter...fresh scones...chicken & leek pie baking for tea. Oh...the house smells good.

DD has spread the Love...literally...and I helped her make this to hang above her desk...pretty! Nice to do things together...and pinch her pretty selvages...LOL!

Mum is an avid knitter...so we spoilt her...deservedly...with books & gift vouchers.

This book looks like lots of fun!

I was lucky enough to get a beautiful book...

and a heated throw for stitching through those cold nights...seems like someone else fancies it too!

Hope you are enjoying your day!

Cardygirl xx

Adding a bit of Zing!

The weather is definitely getting cooler...nice to sit in a sunny spot & stitch. My cross stitch is progressing nicely...just the borders to finish off...it has been lovely & I do enjoy working with the overdyed threads.

What else has been happening? DS has succumbed to ? glandular fever, ?strep throat whilst away at uni. DH did a mercy dash yesterday to check on him...he seems to be improving...do we ever stop worrying about them? Mum is coming up for the weekend as it is Mothers Day here in Australia. It will be nice to see her.

Work continues to grow & place pressures on for me to take on another day...I need to assess the different workplaces & develop a plan so that they all function & compliment each other.

BUT, on to the fun stuff...

a little bit of shopping at the Quilt Show & in Newcastle...some gorgeous American Jane to make a funky winter skirt...red piping...I am thinking black boots & it will give winter a bit of ZING!

DD has been keen for this cushion for some time...I think it will be nice in the Amy Butler!

A cookbook for DD...some yummy treats...mmmm!

My tree is only standing in her underwear...a good breeze & winter will be here!

Cardygirl xx

More inspiration...

It goes on...so many things to inspire...

a stitchery kit that someone else discarded...it reminded me of my first fumbling attempts with a cranky sewing teacher & ugly aqua blue headcloth! I was quite damaged by that unpleasant teacher...rulers over the knuckles & no thought of innovating. I had a sweet sewing box shaped like a house & I loved to fiddle with threads & buttons...pretty colours & textures. I didn't sew for years, then dabbled in cross stitch on those long months of night shift...helped to keep me awake!

A bag from Cath Kidston...I could surround myself with her wares...

more books...

the makings of a quilt...

Are you feeling inspired too?

Cardygirl xx

What inspires me?

Inspiration is an elusive creature...we spend hours working away...inspired. But when we lose that momentum, we feel lost & empty. We want to create, but we just don't seem to be able to put that thought into action. I have felt this roller coaster most of this year if I am to be honest. Dad's death, huge work commitments of trying to balance too many jobs, DH's work demands, son off to uni, daughter returning home & starting her working life..you know how it goes...our lives are all crammed full of so many demands! Trying to do too much really! Lynda spoke to me of needing purpose to finish a UFO...wise words...as deadlines do add structure...a wedding, a birthday...a new baby. I ventured out into blog land...new places...fresh ideas...and began to find that inspiration again. Beautiful women sharing their creativity & their lives...thankyou! All of my old "friends" lifted my spirit and I found some new inspiration...look at Lori, Karen and Geoffs mum. So what inspires me?

Colourful fabrics piled on a shelf...

Anni's fun stitchery address book...French General fabrics...I ADORE red!!!!...

Kaffe Fassett circles from Jackie...

books...

a daughter's stitcheries...I have spent time tidying my creative space, and found that not only were the fabrics being tidied, but the cobwebs were blowing away from my mind too...early days but I feel refreshed...and I am enjoying my cross stitch! sorry if this was all a bit wordy...there is more inspiration to come! What inspires you?

Cardygirl xx

Happy days!

After the hectic pace of the last few weeks, it has been pleasant today to have a bit of a more casual day! A half day at work allowed me time to go to the movies...the delicious George Clooney in "Up in the air"...I enjoyed it...funny, sad &  interesting thoughts on frequent flyers & the american economy. DD took me & we had a nice afternoon.

Also I had lots of mail to open...fat quarters from the Nundle girls...they are all beautiful ladies & I really appreciate the care that went into choosing them! Now I just have to make something with them....hmmm!

Looking forward to seeing you girls very soon!

My darling DS went away for university yesterday....I will miss him but I'm glad that he is growing up! How the time has flown.

DD has made a delicious dessert to celebrate today...don't know how I got so old!

Cardygirl xx

Back on track...

Life is getting back on track....I am sure there will always be wistful moments but life does keep moving forward. Just a little strange at times.....

Mum has headed back home but has left things behind, the spare room is now officially hers & she is welcome whenever she likes...nice to have her around. It was a treat to have her...lots of chat & good company.

I am back to normal with work, DH is back to his usual work routine, DD looks like she has gained her first professional job which will help to support her whilst she does Honours & DS heads off to university this coming weekend...whew...my head is spinning ( and it is not just because I went forehead first into an electric fence yesterday!!!Loooong story!). Any wonder why sewing has been pretty slow here of late!

I have been fiddling with this bag...Bella by Fig tree...French General...looks good!

I am catching up with blogs & emails...I would like to thank Joan of wishes,true & kind for honouring me with a blog award- it was a lovely surprise in the fog of the past few weeks- I will let you know more over the next few days! Thanks Joan- you made me smile!

Cardygirl xx

Kind treats

Thanks once more for your kind thoughts...I was back to one of my jobs today...I am fortunate to have fantastic colleagues in each of my jobs...it was great to see them & also the experience the kindness of my clients. I arrived home after work to find this....

which held these!

Thanks Jackie of Canton Village Quiltworks for your speedy service.

You can see the fragrant lilliums that I was given at work today...so very kind of them!

Thunder storms here this evening have made everything feel cool & fresh.

Mum is coming up for a few days from tomorrow...it will be nice to have her here!

Cardygirl xx

My heart is amongst the fabric...

Nice to see all the post Christmas blog activity, lots of sewing & setting of goals...quite inspirational really!I am quite inspired by everyone, but feel a tad hesitant about committing to finishing a project a month or starting a big new project. There are a few things I would like to do & I feel inclined to slowly plod through this year....dad has been quite unwell, getting children organised with employment & starting uni...lots of distractions! My heart is amongst the fabric, but my head is full of family! My time will come no doubt.

This is one of the piles in my sewing room....a few thoughts of what I might do with it...some ricrac & plenty of the stripe...any suggestions???

Cardygirl xx

Pink chocolate

Imagine this...3 hrs of highway driving...30minutes of waiting room sitting...

for 2minutes  in the dentist's chair to get my stitches out!

LOL!

Time to daydream in the waiting room about quilts...PRICELESS!

I am keen to put the 9patch swap blocks together...

one cheeky blogger  is sneakily trying to find out what setting I am using...LOL..

so after lots of research I have decided on a layout...will let you know how it goes!

Here's a teaser...

it is called Pink Chocolate...mmmmm!

Did you see on Cathy's blog about the seasalt chocolate...

sounds like it would be woth a try!

I was in the interminable queue at Spotlight today...buying fabric for a toga costume for DD!

The delightful lady ahead of me had this pretty voile...

I thought it would be great for PJ pants or a wrap skirt...pretty!

Cooler here now...low 30's...nicer to sleep at night!

Cardygirl xx

Stitching inspiration...sigh!

What a great day! Off to the movies with a friend to see "Julie & Julia"...a great movie, lots of fun & lots of laughs about the world of blogging too!

We really enjoyed it & I would recommend it...not so much for our hubbies, more of one to enjoy with the girls...Stanley Tucci is delicious as Julia's husband...lovely to see those supportive husbands on screen...but, hey, we live with them every day...smile!

It is a 40min trip down the highway to the movies, so we needed to take advantage of being near a very good patchwork shop too...here are some snippets....

to make some beautiful coathangers which I saw on Linen & Raspberry's blog...designed by the delightful Marg Low! I also have seen them on Bloom...all very inspiring!

so I am going to do a big cut out this afternoon then I can stitch quietly tonight.

Oops...better get a move on as the lawn needs mowing too!

Liz from Broderie recently sent me some checked Jobelan...beautiful....I already have plans for it!

 I purchased it from Liz through her other blog.

Hope to post some pics of some completed "Dressy hangers" tomorrow...

hope you have some stitching time!

Cardygirl xx