Todays post brought to you by Anne Ida

Anne Ida - Quiltoholic sent me these pics last week...........she says that the 1st one is the medieval fortress down in the old city centre. It is called Akershus Festning (The fortress of Akershus). It was founded by king Haakon V Magnusson in 1299, but has been added to over the years, so now it is a mix match from several periods. Inside the grounds you find the medieval castle - which is still used for banquets and more by the government and royal family, a church/chapel, museums, a beutiful park with water features (a carp pond amon others).

The other pic is one that Anne Ida took over the fjord standing on the wall to the left in the pic of the fortress... .......this shows a bit of the view when walking along the walls............

How nice is that.........there isn't a castle in Australia.............I would love to travel over to these areas to have a look at some castle in real life...........

This weekend is a long weekend in NSW, Australia (Monday holiday)........the school holidays have started for 2 weeks................we have lots on and then a funeral and a wedding during next week so when I return who knows.............til then take care.............

Today's post brought to you by Quilting in Paradise

So what am I to say about this photo..........the wonderful Jodie of Quilting in Paradise has become a phone/yahoo messenger friend on from blogland and if 2 people click it is me and her......1st nerve racking phone call awhile ago was about 1/2 hour the other night we talked for 1.5 hours.........yeh you get the picture we can talk make a lot of noise and I guess that is just like sea gulls...........natter natter natter...............thank god she is in Oz

(taken on Jodie's morning walk)

our worlds are so different but we have so much in common...........sewing started this off...........
..........schoool holidays start here tomorrow and we have lots on and I may get a post in tomorrow but if I get quite you know I will be very busy...............
.....thanks Connie for the post card from Disney in Florida........I have a friend going to disney in Japan tomorrow..........
..........take care.....

Today's post brought to you by Hedgehog

Well after my last post I will have to say a huge thankyou to everyone who left a comment and they were really nice and I had lots of "feel good" moments.............I guess as I can't see you all I will assume you all have normal noses and they haven't grown from telling fib's so THANKYOU........I really just blog what is happening with me and post about the things I like to see at other blogs..........my world is getting increasingly smaller thanks to all of you and I am interested in places I never really thought about as someone lives there that I "know"........
............sometimes I just wish I could come and visit but Australia is a long way from lots of places....................which leads me onto lotto (major money draws)..........I won........don't get excited Pam as I didn't win enough to come and visit you..........I won enough to get another ticket and buy dinner last night in town..........it was my photo course night at TAFE and we learnt how to make movies with our pics..............boy am I excited about that.............. but I won't be putting any here it's okay I hate when people have videos as I have a slower connection then most of you and they take forever to load and use up my downloads...............now enought of me and onto "todays post"..............

Well when Hedgehog sent me this picture last week she said she was dreaming of snow the night before.......this photo is outside the university campus.........autumn arrived early in her area in Finland.......she is currently working on the crazy letter thingy that Tonya has all the girls working on that signed up to some project..............check Hedgehog out as she is the only blogger I know of from Finland...........I do love the autumn colours.....................

but...............down here in Oz in my "neck of the woods" (so to speak) they have predicted 32degrees C for today..........wow baby come on summer.............we have had 24 then 28 then 30 degrees C....... weird weather......some nights are warm and some are cool..........sometimes we just seem to miss the nice spring temps.........the vegie seedlings are struggling - have made some little makeshift shelters for them till they settle in - only got them planted on the weekend....

...........Good news on the camera front........got a quote today and it was pretty good.........just need to repair len, something else and calibrate it(not to expensive)..........bummer bit is it could take 3 weeks...........I have so many photo moments coming up in the next couple of weeks but that is the fast case (would hate to see how long the slow case takes)

.........more news later...........take care.

PS my Angel landed with Darlene (in OZ not the US one) and I received her angel.............she is just beautiful.........sorry Darlene I can't do a pic............and thanks to Janet for organising the swap...........

Today's post brought to you by Thimbleanna

Now wether you are liking these posts or not the "Today's posts brought to you by...................."was suggested by Thimbleanna - I think it is a great idea and I have been having fun with it...........wouldn't like to keep doing it for a long time but for something different I am enjoying it.........so todays pics are from Thimbleanna herself............bet she is wondering what the hell I am going to do with these 2 pictures..............
Now what I want today it the reason you visit my blog..........can't be for the constant sewing posts I do as that went out the window long agothey are mixed in with piles of other stuff............obviously now it can't be for my life photos that I constantly bombard you with as they went over a week ago..................

So please tell me why you visit my blog and what you like (or for that matter don't like) about it because according to my little stat counter my stats have not changed with posting none of my own pics and I am getting some wonderful feedback from all of you...................

And if you don't tell me the truth your nose will grow like Pinochio's so get to the comments and tell me what you think.............

Lurkers I know you are there as I get a few comments and heaps of people have visited so pleaseeeeeeeeee come out this time and tell me what you like/hate........................

This post brought to you by Kate and swap update.

Kate from Raggedy Rambles sent me these pics from her back deck and her fish.............we used to have fish like this but we found a little baby turtle - he was very tiny when we found him and would have died if we didn't look after him but his name is "Jack" and he is like part of the family now...........when he was little we had him in with the fish......well that was until he started to eat the fish..........opps..........fish are now all gone but Jack is still with us...........he is now 4 years old.......he is such a character............. anyway back to Kate................the deck used to have ocean views but she said the trees have grown to much......such a shame...............no chance of an ocean view from my place..........

Kate is also in the Secret Santa Christmas Swap.................

Kate also tagged me a couple of weeks ago..........so finally I will play the game(sorry i don't have the logo) I need to list one fact that is relevant to my life for each letter of my name, then tag that many people to continue the game. Here goes Chookyblue (bugger it's long)

Camera love it - hard to live without at present

Hate being tagged

Ok will do it this time

Ooooooooo - how I love sewing

Kind - well I hope I am I will just have to ask my friends/family

Yikes - stuck here

Blue - my favourite colour (if you haven't worked it out yet)

Love my family and friends

U can consider yourself tagged if you want

Eating love it.........

Secret Santa Christmas Swap

Well I am getting lots of emails in and out and OMG a couple of you have emailled and you are finished..............hang onto that parcel for a little longer - we want to time the sending for receiving near christmas............some people have planned christmas themes others like myself have not planned a christmas theme............gosh I can't wait to see what they all make.........that will be christmas for me..........

Today's post brought to you by Leanne and Fiona

Oh thanks heaps for all the wonderful comments about Pam's pics and all the others I have used..........not sure if you have read the comments for your pics Pam but everyone is heading to your house for a party on the deck............you all seem to be enjoying my posts with other people pics..........it is fun

......Now this will probably be the only dog picture you will see on my blog...........I know lots of you have your dogs and cats....but cats are banned at my house and the dogs (Bundy, Patch, Sox, Millie, Riley and Jet) are not even allowed in the house yard let alone the end of the bed where Molly, Leanne's dog is having a snooze.

I have found Leanne quite by accident...........she went to Loxton early in the year to a workshop with the other Leanne, Viv and Gail........I have followed her blog since then..........

..........next up we have more pets (that's why I doubled up here) these are Fiona's cockatiels that are nesting................I love birds but these poor things may have never seen something so bright but they had better get used to it as Fiona is blogging there progress in the nest so keep an eye on her blog...........
it will be fun to see the new babies when and if they hatch out.........hope all goes well here......

.........take care till next time.......wonder who's pics I have next up...........

Todays post brought to you by Pam

Well today is another gastly day here.......talk about wind, it is blowing a gale here again today and I am going to lock myself inside today..........the dust is picking up so the washing will be drying inside today.........
........I am just going to close my eyes and click my heals like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz but I am dreaming of going to another place far away from home.................I am dreaming of sitting on Pam's back deck with my coffee and my stitching and chatting away to Pam................this is the view from her back deck by day .........

............and if we sit there for long enough we get this gorgeous sunset......... so crack the champagne or wine and kick back..........Pam lives in Canada just north of Vancouver along the road to Whistler B.C. and over looks a small part of the Pacific Ocean called Howe Sound. This is a view of Vancouver Island off in the distance.
Now Pam when i win lotto I will be over to visit.................and sit here with you and relax...........

Oh and thanks to the wonderful bloggers sending me pics..........I have 6 more posts lined up - it is fun and very interesting to see what you have sent me...............and me creating a post from your pics.............

Today's post brought to you by Gudrun

Here is a shot from Gudrun - Autumn - aren't these berries gorgeous..........in Iceland they are heading for winter - here in Oz we are heading for summer..........
Gudrun also sent me a wonderful snail mail parcel - she sent me a pattern in a language In cannot read so that will be interesting - looks like some christmas placemats or table runner, a little bag (You can see mine here 2nd from the right), some playing cards with wonderful Iceland pictures on the playing side of the card, an Iceland/Australia flag pin, oh gosh have I missed something, I think that is all but thanks heaps Gudrun...........oh and if you haven't been to Gudrun's blog check it out she has a wonderful blog and you can find out a bit about Iceland along the way....
....sorry no picture camera has gone in the mail to the Doctors.........hope they work fast...........

Today post brought to you by Judy

This is Judy B's number 19th grandchild to join the brood Donovon and he is 4 weeks old....isn't he cute.........

Well an update on the party.........my Mum had no idea that she was getting a party and my sister blind folded her when she left the house and drove around town to mix her up and then arrived at the club and she was shocked and surprised about the party and had a wonderful time........I did have a lone of 2 cameras for the day...........not really thrilled with any of the pictures I took...........should have done some practise before but had no time...........one will be returned today and probably the other early this week.........

Here is a pictue of the hall ready for a party to begin........

Post brought to you by Teodo

When I am rich and win lottoI will travel to Italy..........I will hop into one of these boats at LIMONE DEL GARDA on GARDA LAKE and go sailing.................(no lakes near me) I will also have to check out all the amazing churchs like this one - a Catherdral in Monza where Teodo lives...............such old building to take millions of pictures of....... ours are only 200 years old at the most............but today I will settle for my Mum's 60th birthday........shhhhhhhhhhit's still a surprise..........I don't know how that has happened as she knows all and finds out all and she lives in a small town OMG I am so excited to have such a big surprise........

Teodo thanks for sharing your pics............(or are they dh pics he he just reading you lastest post)
As Teodo says ciao ciao

Send me pics...........

Okay everyone I am in a much better mood................I have Tutti Fruiti's Mum visiting this weekend and we have had a few wines and having a lovely time................Thimbleanna has made a wonderful suggestion since I have no camera............
............email me one picture to chookyblue2(at)gmail(dot)com and will try and do a post using that picture..........since I have no camera.............I have a lone of a camera for a few days so I can take pics at the party tomorrow................so now send me a pics and I will see what I can do............whether this will work or not I am not sure but I will give it ago.............something from your life...............take care till next time.............oh and it was not so windy this afternoon.............

Update

Well it looks like the camera has to go to the Doctors.........2-4 weeks.............how am I going to cope?????? No pics no camera...........will you hang in there if I have no pictures as it is no fun without pics..........

I was speaking with Jodie and she said it is perfect at her place she even posted pics from her walk this morning.............well I can tell you it is far from perfect here.........it was windy and cloudy and NOT raining.............now the wind has swung around to the west and I have a blasted dust storm and the clouds have gone away..........our crops or no good....failed again................

I am supposed to be cleaning up but with a dust storm outside what is the point..............better go as I am tooooooooo miserable with a dust storm and no camera............

....better get myself into a better mood as I am going to an Art Exhibition with friends tonight..............take care...........

Belated thanks and an ill camera

I have thanked personally but I got some prezzies in the mail that I forgot to blog about with all the buzz when Belinda came up.........I found them on Tuesday morning getting ready for work.............I won a post draw on Helen's blog you can see what I got here 7 x 51/2 inch cuts of fabrics now to plan a project and Connie she was just being nice and sent me a charm pack of peas and carrots from Moda.....I am so lucky......
Now about the camera............I was using it yesterday afternoon and it worked fine............today I went to check that the cow had calved and thought I would take a picture of a calf 15mins old not onto it feet yet and the camera opened and made some awful sounds and now the lens won't go back in and I think it may be very ill...............not sure if it is terminal yet but how will I live without my camera.......it is my constant companion........so to bid you a fond farewell here are the favourites from yesterday afternoons sunset...........

minutes apart...........

By for now until I can post again with pics or update the news on my camera.....how soon will dh be home......................not soon enough..........

Sheep work and my 100th post

Yippee.......hey Sharon I made it to 100 now also............100 posts............gosh I have met so many "imaginaery friends" since I started blogging..............it is so nice to make something and someone will see it and leave a nice comment...................when you sew at home alone it is a fantastic way to share and learn..........you are all so nice and helpful...........Sharon and I made an agreement about 10 posts ago that we would exchange gifts when we reached 100............she did that today so I am preparing the parcel now................
.........2 posts in one day but I had to much for one post and totally different stuff..............well no work on the blocks I am making but I did have a very busy day................lots of washing now the visitors have gone............made a couple of cakes for morning teas for the kids, mowed the lawn, helped with the sheep work when they were in the yards thank goodness I didn't have to muster (bring the sheep to the yards) the sheep as the grasses etc at the moment are no good for my hayfever...........don't have to go to far on the motor bike and the eyes get itchy and I start sneezing no fun.........it was so windy and dusty in the sheep yards today........get this job done and we don't have
Anyway we were jetting (spraying) the sheep with stuff that stops them from being flyblown in the warmer months.........the ewes (mothers) run thru the long race and thru the spray at the end ........all the lambs will get a nice ear tag and an ear mark and a needle vaccination and a couple of other things done tomorrow............I am heading to town to the paid work area........no sheep for me tomorrow..............heading to bed as I am exhausted..............goodnight...........

Here is a sneak peek of what Belinda made while here and fortunately she had a safe trip back to the big smoke..........I am sure she will be posting a picture shortly............she flogged me along with the cutting and organising her but I then got revenge when she started sewing and at 12.20am we went to bed and she had a quilt top together............it was a great quick quilt to make................she used Hether Bailey Fresh Cuts range.........very nice..........shame she took the scraps home............

..........Everyone pop over to Sharon the traveller as she has just posted her 100th post..........We have been having a little game going between each other and she has got to 100 posts first so I have to post a parcel to her..............and when I reach 100 (1 more to go) she will post something to me.............
I have been in the sheep yards today and took some pics so will sort thru them and post some later.............

visitors and sewing...............

Okay so we are sewing away now but the trip up was a little eventful for Tutti Fruiti and you can check it out here...............everyone was fine thankfully and it was only about 25km from my house so I was the first person to come along...........hours later we got home and started to organise things............

Belinda has never driven up to me on her own before and now she may never try again............big bummer there...............

..............I have made some progress on the wedding quilt I have to make ASAP (like yesterday)..........still lots of sewing to go............played around with the block pattern yesterday morning and started to calculate everything out and I juts have enough of some materials and lots of the others................I have the first round on the blocks and they are looking good.............probably won't be able to show you any more just in case someone peeks who shouldn't be peeking..............(sorry about the picture but it was very early when I took it)..............

.......now today will be some more sewing, a garden visit to help someone plan out a new garden and then more sewing.........hopefully I will have all the blocks made by tonight................

.............also lots of chatting etc going on also...........the kids are having heaps of fun checking the cows that are calving, the chooks, the dogs, and mainly the motorbikes.......................and the yabby traps are in again................ bye for now.................

Guess who's coming to visit.............

Well the other day Janet at Wildcraft Farm asked me what was flowering in my garden since we are just heading into spring in Oz..........I said not much but I went for a walk with my camera and found these treasures hiding away............and I may be in trouble as I also told her I had no blossom trees (only one I forgot about)............so here I have Africian Daisy, fly on a new mulberry, paper wasy, couple of a flowering peach, couple of a may bush and the a couple of my banksia rose..............
Now to stop keeping you in suspense..................tutti fruiti (and 2 kids) are coming to visit..............usually I know months and months in advance when she will come up but she rang last week and said I need to get away to my country holiday home.................I said when and she said next week...........I was so excited and I still am and it is only one more sleep til she gets here..............we are planning some sewing on Saturday and will probably get some done during the evening...........so if I am a bit quite for a few days you know why.............I am to busy sewing, chatting and catching up with my wonderful friend...................

Also Sarah at Quilt Fabric Delights has set up a forum for us to join if we want..........I have never had anything to do with forums but look forward to participating and this is a great way for anyone who has not had anything to do with them to step in and join now..............it is very easy to join (I managaed it no worries) and it would be fab to have a little communtiy on line where it is easy to ask questions and find answers............Sarah joined an Embroudiery/smocking forum in the states when she first got onto the net and found it wonderful hence the reason for starting this one...................currently there are only Aussie girls so I know there are heaps of international girls who read my blog so head over and join up....................

On the book front the local library has just got most of the Elm Creek books and I have taken the first 2 home.............sewing/reading no one is going to be fed/cared for in my house for awhile............opps and talking with Tutti Fruiti..........whos looking after the children............
Oh and for Sharon this is 97 posts.............3 more to go..................(we are having a personal challenge here)................

Stitchery Swap Received Yippee

Good morning world how are you today..................
....I am always up very early but this morning I went out for sunrise and it was spectacular to say the least...




now back to business............Before you scroll down.....do you think I need a thread catcher......what a mess..............


well look now after I received my stitchery swap present from Gail - Quite Quilted.........definitely needed ..........so much neater...........thankyou so much Gail and I wonder how you found about what colour to make - blue my favourite..............guess that was Detective Tracey.........she is sneaky but wonderful...........this must be what that weird email related to she is a good sneaker..........I had forgotten about the email ...........til this turned up..........
Thanks heaps to Sweet P at Coffee Time Quilt Studio for organising the swap...............I have really enjoyed this...........

Thanks Gail............

Father's Day 2007

Well the kids have had a great day with their Dad for Father's Day.............I don't believe in giving brought presents so they have made things at school and at home..........DS decided Dad was going to have a yabby feast so off we went this morning with the traps to put into the dams (big holes of water in the ground that catch water when it rains)...........went around again this afternoon and have about 35 yabbies .........
......here they are in the bucket..........a couple out on the ground and me holding one (yes I get to do all the horrible work)..........
....they are crustaceans and live in fresh water - when it gets very dry they bury into the mud and don't come out until it rains.........they live for about 4-5 years and this is about as big as we get them..........
Now I am going to cook up the claws and the bodies with some butter, garlic and cheese for me and chilli for DH............. yummy.......... yummy..........

Fairy girl wanted to make something for her Dadda so she made him a heat pack - she picked the material because it has sheep on it and as DH is a sheep farmer there was no way we could change from this............(even if I wanted it for something else)

DH got to chop down more Bougainvillea from this tank stand...............it has not been done for many years and this year it got badly frosted so thought we would get into it...............he has been going at it over a few weeks..............today we had a major go and got most of it down...........it is the most horrible thing to work with as it has very nasty thorns that just reach out and grab you......trying to get at it is also a challenge as the tank is really high............not a safe job............the up side is it blocks the view of this tank and flowers beautifully whether the season is good or bad.............

just have a bit more to chop down on the right but that is nothing compared to what we have cleared away..............

LOST one angels, Presents and a swap received

Hi all how are you today........I am running behind in snapping pics of presents received in the last few weeks..........don't worry I have thanked everyone for them......................
but to start off.............
..........back in June did anyone sign up for the Angel swap organised by Janet at Wildcraft Farm...........my Angel is lost............she was sent several weeks ago but she is lost I am sure.......I have tried to email Janet but she is a busy woman............I can't wait to find out where the Angel I made went to does anyone have her???? Please tell me I would love to know she has a good home and where in the world she landed.............
Here is the needle keeper I received from Monique in the Netherlands I really needed an extra needlekeeper so thanks Monique this will be put to good use and a final thanyou to Angela at the Country Cellar for organising the swap..........if she organises another I will definitely be in.....maybe in the New Year...............

Next up we have a little prize that i won from Kim at Honeysuckle Cottage......Christmas Truffles book by Hugs and Kisses (does anyone know do they have a blog)........now Kim hasn't posted for ages (8 days) as she is to busy fussing over that new little man in her life

A birthday present from Tracey how appropriate a chook for a chookyblue.........hmmm she is such a sweet blog friend..........bit sneaky to but you will hear about that in the next post.........

Even my little sister gave my patterns from Hatched and Patched...yummy......

That wonderful dragonfly sent me some fab mags............love Homespun...........she has a flash header now girls take a look...........you may not recognise her and she is starting to sell a couple of things in her shop...............

and last but not least my "lurker friend" C gave me this gorgeous piece of material for my birthday also...........she has a lot more and is planning a special project I think for her Mum???

Thats all to report for today.....to all the Dads out there have a great day on Sunday 2nd Father's Day................Happy Father's Day Dad...........now off to make a present with fairy girl for DH...........one heat pack coming up.............