Bindaphobia

I hate binding quilts...happily machine stitch it on, but when it comes to hand stitching it over I am a dreadful procrastinator. They can sit there for months, even longer, all the time being used & going fuzzy! Shameful! If I do it straight away I am fine, but once I put it aside it is liable to sit for a looooong time. In the hope of finishing the binding on this monster (waiting for 6 mths), I will name & shame myself into completion. Here it is!

Today I helped a friend cut out a cute quilt out of cowboy fabric. Fun.

Also got these cute headbands from Michelle for my daughter. She is doing some great crochet work. Thanks Michelle, they are perfect!

Cardygirl xx

GDITC update

I have been enjoying applique-ing my Nundle wallhanging. It is really sweet...added the ricrac & loooots of french knots, but I like the finish of it. I am really keen to get onto the embroidery as I love embroidery of all types. I can sit outside & do it or with the family, but I find I relax well with hand work. Embroidery has been a passion since I did long stints of night duty more than 25 years ago. I love the way I can combine patchwork & embroidery to make beautiful things for my home, friends & family.

A peek at a new project.

Sadly today I spoke to a friend, hard to believe we have been friends for 30 years, who is having a tumour removed from her heart next Monday. Fit & healthy, this has been a distressing shock for her family & those who love her. The prognosis is good, but it reinforces the unpredictable course of our lives & the importance of loving each other & appreciating each day. Love you Shell!

Cardygirl xx

Contemplation...

Busy with lawns & weeding...nice to daydream.

I love when the leaves start to turn & the wind helps the leaves swirl to the ground.

I like to see the change of seasons.

A friend gave me this wonderful book...it has a wonderful message for any age.

Read it if you can.

Cardygirl xx

Boring sewing & necessary evils.

It was a cool & very windy day today...not nice to be outdoors at all. So, much to the horror of the males in my home, I decided that "tidying up" was to be the order of the day! It was hard & it was boring but it needed to be done. Why do teenage sons marvel at the number of socks under their beds?But now there are beautifully tidy bedrooms, "stuff" put away PROPERLY & a sense of order once more.
Bliss!

The sewing room needed order to be returned...the pile of mending (boring!) is done (why does it take 8 months and 1 hour to do that mending...hehe)...fabric is sorted...shelves are dusted...and the floor is now thread free.
Aaaah!

Why do we put these things off, but then so enjoy the finished result?I am now ready to attack the fun things with renewed vigour!

Cardygirl xx

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is a day to remember & acknowledge those who have helped to keep us safe in times of war... and there never seems to be a time without war. I watched the young men marching this morning & I prayed that they will be safe.

My dad served in the Royal Australian Navy...he was in the Korean War, and spent time in Japan and New Guinea. Whilst serving he sailed around the world to be a part of the fleet present for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and also was witness to the atomic blast on the Montebello Islands in 1956. He will be 80 later this year.

My husband's grandfather served at Gallipoli & Egypt. He lived till the grand age of 95.

He didn't like to talk of the war.

Dad has never marched with his medals, but was proud to see both my children march for him. Lewis wore his Pop's medals when he marched this morning.

I am very proud of the men in my family, young & old.

Lest we forget.

Cardygirl xx

Doll inspiration

Did you have a Barbie? I had a Sindy & a PJ (Ithink she was a friend of Barbie)...I was never really much of a dolly girl really...had a couple of favourites I but wasn't doll mad! But it was lovely to find this set of doll clothing embellishments recently...we have moved so many times that I am amazed they are still around!

They brought back memories of dolls kept in little suitcases with their clothes & taken to friends places to play. Dad even made me a little white painted wardrobe for my room.

Now I am using some of these treasures to embellish my dolls dress quilt & enjoying making dresses that remind me of long-gone grandmothers, ladies that worked in chocolate shops & my mother when she was young & stylish.

I have started work on a similar project with my boys in mind... it is a little bit harder but fun once you get going.

Cardygirl xx

Don't you just love your Mum?

I do!

Had a visit to my parents today to just chat & have lunch...Mum had edged a tea towel for me...aren't these ladies just divine! All shapes & sizes but beautiful just the same...they are all shaped like delicious fruit. Me...well I am a bit of a pear I suppose...hehe. I love the tea towels Mum does for me with fabric, knitted or crocheted edges...I am very lucky.

On the way home DH dropped me at a fabric shop whilst he had a "good" cup of coffee!

Thank goodness for his coffee addiction!

Bought these pieces...some for my retro/30's collection & perhaps some for the Birthday fat 1/4 swap girls.

It was worth the 4 hr round trip to have such a nice day!

Cardygirl xx

Remotivating...

What have I done today...

a bit of this...

and a bit of that...

but I feel like I am remotivated & achieving something.

Cardygirl xx

Headbands

The Royal Sisters have some really lovely crocheted headbands on their blog. My DD thought they were great- nice & fun! She would like a couple to help control her lovely curls.

Have a look.

Cardygirl xx

A Fun Day at Aberdeen...

Friends of mine, Michelle & Tracy, own a patchwork shop in Scone, NSW, Scrap'n'Patch. Today they were supposed to be doing a stall at the Aberdeen Markets who were having a small quilt show. For the uninitiated, Aberdeen is a small town in the Hunter Valley of NSW, and the local community is very keen to stimulate their town with community events. Anyway, Michelle was unable to go so I helped Tracy for the day...it's hard but someone has to go & help poor Tracy with all that lovely fabric! LOL!

We had a lovely day with lots of people visiting us...really busy at times...we almost got lost in the crowd at one stage...but a good time was had by all...especially me!

Cardygirl xx