oooh, Rainbow Jane

Help, I’m melting……God Bless the person who invented the air conditioner.  We have been sweltering through 43 degree C heat today and tomorrow they are predicting 45, that’s 113 F.  There’s no relief in sight as it’s 40’s through to the weekend.  So we’re all camped in the Family Room keeping cool, don’t like my chances of  a good night’s sleep though!

Onto other more important matters!  I’ve fulfilled one of my new years resolutions, cleared out the fabric cupboard and tidied up the sewing room and Oopps…….started a new project.  Just couldn't resist the beautiful rainbow of colours on Twiddletails blog of her new BOM, Rainbow Jane. Check out Anina’s new store. 

I have admired the Dear Jane quilt for some time but the original colours and fabrics never inspired me to have a go. 



When I saw those brights my heart started to beat faster and I knew this was the one for me.  So my first month arrived and I have completed 5 out of the ten blocks. 

It’s been a challenging and very rewarding process so far. 



I have restricted the number of projects currently on the sewing table to just 4 so that I can have a break when I get itchy fingers.

Katherine and I are off to Sewjourn on Saturday.  I was the lucky winner of a day out at Sewjourn last year and we’re off, sewing machines in hand for a day in the beautiful town of Lancefield about an hour north of Melbourne.  You really must check out the homestead and studio on Jan’s blog, we can’t wait it’s going to be a great day of sewing, chatting and cups of tea.

We’re just about to wrap up 6 weeks of summer school holidays and the kids go back to school on Monday.  The wee Princess starts school for the first time and is very excited about being a big school girl, Big Brother is going into grade 4 and isn’t impressed that he’ll have a little sister bothering him!  I also start a new venture this Monday, I’m going back to work 3 days a week, aaarrgh! It’s been a while since I’ve actually had to do “real” work, I’m looking forward to the challenge of being Office Manager of our Church and it will keep me out of trouble now that I don’t have any kiddies at home and it will help pay for my addiction…….fabric.



I have made a few quilted notebook covers to take to work.

and eaten far too much of this over the holidays, time to get back on the wagon.

Pop on over to Kim’s Blog Bitty Bits and Pieces and enter her 100th post giveaway, it’s gorgeous!

Till next time, stitching love

Australians All Let Us Rejoice

Happy Australia Day to all Aussie's, whether you are celebrating at home or abroad! We (The Nightingales) are gathering with some mates this evening to have a 'barbie' (BBQ) and watch the fireworks - we may even have a game of backyard cricket. So whether you're having a picnic at the beach/park, or inside watching the Australian Open Tennis, HAVE A GREAT DAY!

With Love

Janelle and Kylie xx

In Print

Do you remember the 'Festive Charm Table Runner' I made in October last year? Well, I emailed a photo off to Australian Country Threads magazine and guess what? I won the Mailbox Section for Vol 9 No 4 - on sale 21st January 2009. My Mum subscribes to the Mag, so she got her copy on Friday - here it is.

Look at the fabulous goodies I won

I also got an email from Beck Wise, the Editor of Homespun magazine, to say that they would like to put the 'Nesting Nellie And Her Girls' Babushka/Matryoshka dolls (that I made in November) in the April Mailbag section - what a thrill!

I am coming to Melbourne (YAY!) at the end of March/beginning of April for a few days, to catch up with my precious 'Sewing Sisters' Kylie and Katherine. Would anyone else like to catch up with Kylie & I? You can email us through the 'Contact us' button on the sidebar.

Rachel has her friend Hayley (from Pingelly) staying with us for a few days. We have a few fun things planned, including the movies (High School Musical 3), Whiteman Park & a haircut - for Hayley! I have some crafting planned for this week too.

With Love

New Year Resolutions

Another year dawns, full of possibility and promise. 

Don’t you just love summer school holidays, 6 weeks of sleeping in, pyjama days and a little extra sewing time.  It’s safe to blog about the log cabin quilt now as the recipient is away camping.  Katherine and I had a lot of fun working on this quilt together.  Happy 40th Nicole!



We have a bumper crop of little tomatoes this year and not many have made it into the house as we’ve been munching on them while out in the garden.



My resolution this year is to finish off some of my numerous UFO's. I’m going back to work three days a week this year and so will have a little less stitching time. I’m going to put a list together here and may require a little accountability! Congrats also to Christy and Clare the winners of the new year giveaway.

Blessings

And the Winners are...

Hi All, the names have been drawn for our Celebration giveaway & the winner of the Boys Toys Patterns is -

Comment 9 - Christy from Sweet Tidings

And the Winner of the Girls PVC tote bag is -

Comment 14 - Clare from Clare's Craftroom

Congratulations ladies, please email me your mailing address via the 'Contact Us' email address on the right hand side bar. Many thanks to everyone who entered, and good luck in our next giveaway!

With Love

PS Dee from The Cackle Club Queen is having a giveaway, the prize is 2 crochet toy patterns - they are so cute. The giveaway finishes on Wednesday 14th January.

A New Year & Celebration Giveaway!

Seeing as it is the middle of the summer school holidays for us here in Oz, we thought it would be nice to do a giveaway for the little people in our lives. The Giveaway is also to celebrate the 10,000 hits mark on our blog, its our way of saying 'Thank You' for all the lovely & encouraging comments - we are blessed. There are 2 prizes - one for the boys and one for the girls.

My friend Monique kindly donated 2 of her 'Boys Toys' patterns, the Case tractor on the left is a pattern and kit, & the John Deere tractor is a pattern only. You could make these for the boys, small and big, in your life.

This PVC bag is for the girls, to pack all their essentials in :)

If you would like to win one of these prizes, just let me know what you enjoy (or used to enjoy) about the school holidays - & prize preference. You could add a link to your blog for an extra chance to win too. I will close the giveaway at 12pm this Sunday 11th January & announce the winners in the evening - Good Luck.

With Love

PS This giveaway is open to everyone - National and International entries are welcome :)

2009 is Finally Here!

Happy New Year Everyone, from both Kylie & Janelle, may 2009 be a blessed year for us all!

The family & I (Janelle) went to Cuballing to see in the New Year with our friends the D'Altons and the Jennings families. The kids all swam in the D'Altons new pool, & the men BBQ'd whilst the ladies watched the Edinburgh Tattoo. The best part of the evening was when Monique's Dad, Rick McDougall, Piped in the New Year!

(Not sure if the footwear is typically Scottish!)

 

Have a look at our wonderful accommodation for the evening

 

Monique and John converted this Railway carriage to make it into a guest retreat (& studio for Monique) - complete with Air-conditioning too. Thanks precious friends for a wonderful stay.

 

I have just noticed that we have clicked over the 10,000 number for blog visits - Wow, how exciting. I think we need a giveaway to celebrate, stay tuned...

 

With Love