the big question...........

Finally a post that involves fabric (just)................this question has come about while having a discussion with my friend (who shall remain nameless while she is unpicking seams) we discovered she didn't have a 1/4 inch foot................she doesn't do lots of block piecing but she has done a bit................

(there is a black guide on the right of the foot - bit hard to see sorry)

then I was cruising blogland and saw another blogger say she didn't have a 1/4 inch foot...............I just assumed everyone had a 1/4 inch foot...............but maybe not...........

Here is a photo of my 1/4 foot for my Janome machine................

Do you have a 1/4 inch foot????????

What foot do you use the most on your machine and why????????

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

PS thanks for all the comments re the echidna..........Ranette said she thought she would rather deal with a snake............oh NO.........they are deadly here...........

Echinda scare.........

Meant to show you these pics but I got slack forgot............the other night I got home after dark...........dh had been good and left the shed doors open..............the sensor light wasn't working so I drove in and had to walk to the back of the car to turn on the light..........I got out and was getting things out of the front of the car and i heard a noise..........told myself it was me brushing on the door...........(yeh right)...........

As I walked to the back of the car (pitch dark) I just heard this scratchy noise next to me..................OMG.............what the hell is that............no it must just be a rat, snake, goanna, mouse but I flicked that light on pretty darn quick and ran out of the shed..........felt like an eternity til the light flicked on and what do i find............an echina...........there are some building supplies leaned against the shed wall and the poor echidna was trying to dig into it................a quick scream yell and dh came out - got the shovel and rescued the poor thing from the shed.............

here is the echidna all rolled up on his back.............see his feet there...........

there are a lot of lighter colour quills on this echidna.............

sent it off in a safe direction......it started digging it's self into my lawn and I left it is peace...........

no sign of it the next day..................cute hey...........very hard to get it's face............

edit: bookworm also has part of an echidna skeleton..........some of the quills........lost the foot...........he found it a few years ago.........

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

confused dh..............

dh just said "oh I thought you were sewing"

me "shortly i hit a brick wall"

told him the problem

me "so i'm just thinking what to do.."

dh "well you don't need to do that you can just stitch it"

me "no I can't do that as i need to put RIC RAC there"

dh "what's RIC RAC - I thought that was a person"

me"LOL LOL.........yes well there is RIC RAC but ric rac is the wriggle stuff"

can't expect him to know everything but hey Ric Rac he knows you exists.........

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Lest We Forget..........

ANZAC DAY

25th April 1915 is a day never to be forgotten in our history. Landing at Gallipoli a battle began and lasted for 8 months in which 8000 Australian soldeirs were killed. This day has gone on to become a day Australian's and New Zealanders commemorate all soldiers who have sacrificed there lives for our country. Soldiers past and present are honoured on this day. There are services at various locations in Europe also. As a school student I always marched with school and my children participate now.

&&&&&&&&&&

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

(Laurence Binyon (1869–1943) whole poem For the Fallen)

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

hhhmmmmm...........

Not sure where to start really except we have been on school holidays for the last few weeks hence the lack of stitching posts..............I swapped work around so I was about more last week when we were suppose to be shearing the sheep and then it rained and got put off to this week..........not good...........4 out of 5 days out this week...........I feel very happy guilty at not assisting.........I did make 2 dozen patty cakes and 3 dozen muffins this morning before I went to work though...........that should keep them happy..........took some to work also........very popular..........

(Fitzroy Falls spectacular scenery)

The holidays have been busy though and I have stacks to do...............projects to finish by Monday.............OMG............stress, stress, stress............where will I fit it all in..............does anyone have a day or 2 to give me............

Oh.. and some disturbing news... I've found a blogger that is so much like me it's NOT FUNNY!! Okay, well, it is a little! We were chatting last night and are the biggest procrastinators you've ever seen... we were talking about if we should be encouraging each other to get as many wip's done as possible.... OR... maybe we should encourage each other to start as many new projects as we can....!!! If she wants to "out" herself... that's fine! But I'll keep her identity a secret for a little longer! ;)

Maybe I could have a challenge how many projects we could start in one weekend............if only I could find a weekend free to do it............how does everyone get so much sewing done..........tell me your tips..........I am failing..........

Take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

I'm in love and Mags.........

I'm in love...........with my new light.........I have shared a few pics (of my old light) with Bec when we have been discussing lights.........it is currently broken and dh "reckons" he can fix it but it has not happened so when shopping on Monday I got this baby...........she was just perfect when stitching last night..............this one has those energy saver globes and I have the daylight style globes and highest watts I could put into it in the bottom and a lower one in the top light...........it is the best "white light" to stitch with...........this is much more stylish then the other craft lights available...........

When I was asking Lurline which Volume (131) of Down Under Quilts her article was in (as I had to hunt one down - not available locally) lovely Lurline said she would send me one..............

Lurlines magazine article.........................what a massive article (8 pages).............and beautiful quilts Lurline........one talented friend.............

She also sent me the last volume..............I am in love with the quilt on the cover..........one problem I have never paper pieced............but hopefully in the next month or so I will give one of the curves ago............

Then last week Country Threads (that some kind family member subscribed me to) arrived............another wonderful mag...........

This month it also had an article on the CWA (Country Womens Association)............they have their state conference on in the next few weeks and they have a display of handicrafts (all sorts) on display during the conference.............my Mum tells me it is pretty good so if anyone is in Broken Hill during the first week in May check it out............the handicraft display is open to the public to view...........oh and Fairy Girls bag made it to state for her age group she is very excited...........

........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

playing...........

I had a chance to borrow a macro lens for my camera...........the first
three are from it......... enjoy...........

at the beach..........

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

Special memory........

I know there are a lot of new bloggers out there now............well you weren't around in 2007 so you may not have seen the Pink Ribbon Quilt Nicolette designed and made..........please check it out............my special part in the chain was to deliver the quilt to a lady I nominated in my town..............a precious moment..........

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Aussies post.......

Sorry rest of the world but I am watching a show on tv...........it counts down the top 20 events on many different topics and tonight is Aussie parties and pastimes (iconic events)............

a trip down memory lane for me.........

.............on the bottom of the list at no.20 was B&S (Bachelor and Spinster) balls............well as a young adult I can tell you this was no 1 for me...........don't think I should tell you how many I went to in a few years but it was heaps of fun.................and the footage they showed was from about my time.......just had to look at the dresses and the hairstyles...........lol.........the guys in black suits never change....

then at no 18 was cracker night..........well before I started going to B&S's when I was a kid this was the best night of the year...........until they were banned..............we always used to build a bonfire during the day and get to stay up late.......still love a good bonfire and we can still get "sparklers" the kids love it............always a gathering of friends

currently we are up to no. 10 and lots of them involve lots of alcohol and some good partying........

No 9 is Carols by Candlelight............something I would love to do but as I don't go away at Christmas might have a problem there unless I moved house.

No 7 Sydney to Surf 14 km fun run............now who ever said running was fun...............won't be doing that one.....

A panel of celebrities comment on all the nominations.............

Katriona Rowntree is a party animal as I think she has nearly been to all the big parties...........Peter Fitzsimon always sits on his lounge which has a quilt hanging on the back of it............

No 2 is New Years Eve ...................now I would love to be in Sydney at this but I could just not cope with the crowds so I would have to find a friend with a home that has amazing harbour views and watch from their place............unfortunately I don't have any of those type of friends.............

No 1 Anzac Day..............no need to say anymore..............it is also the only day in the year people are legally allowed to play 2 UP............

EDIT: Here is a link to find out what 2UP is

Hope you enjoyed my show review.............

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

the whirly gig called life............

My foot is pretty much fine again.....thanks for your caring emails...........not running anywhere yet but managed to walk around some lovely gardens on the weekend...........need time to go thru the pics so I can share some.........

but as things improved the whirly gig of life is spinning full speed again and oh to dream of those few days laying on the lounge................feels like it was months ago and it was only days ago.............and I am so happy daylight savings is over but it takes a week or 2 to adjust once it does change...........

trying to be more efficient here and show you the mail within the week it arrives this time............

remember I had the Aviary charm pack not that many posts back well I HAD to buy something to go with it...........the Provincial Patch girls sent this lot to me..........thanks Kerri and Julie lovely girls......go say Hi to Kerri as she is laid up at the moment...........

and just cause I needed a little more Foothills Fabric and Threads had this to go with it all too.......I just rang up both businesses and said I need a bit of that one in the picture...........excellent service.........

Bec has been showing pics of her ironing pile...........well I am going to really have to deal with mine as dh found a dead mouse in it tonight.............think the lot will go back thru the wash..................yuk............yep I know what your saying iron it as soon as it is dry but it just doesn't happen here.....

......and the mice are back I have had breaks but I am SOOOOO sick of them..........

and Trudi's Craft Room has finished the punch needle project from GDITC.............check it out

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

PS a few more cooler nights so I can sleep under the doona.........hope spring is popping up in the other 1/2 of the world............

Blog wins.........

Well as I am catching up on things from the last 2 months here are some prezzies I have received in the mail (back in February sorry girls) this was a blog win on Julz blog.........she has made her blog private for the time being as she was having a few hassles........if you used to visit her blog just email her and I am sure she will let you be a visitor again.........but you need a login and permissions from Julz..........

she wrote out a yummy recipe for me also............will be trying that real soon...........yes this mini eggs have lasted this long Julz.........but they are gone now.........

she also stitched this beautiful needle case and pincushion.................as it has fairies on the fabric you know who has temporarily taken these..............beautiful............thanks............

I also had a blog win on Shelley - Angels Come to Play..........Shelley is a lovely lady and I also got to meet her at GDITC...........not only did she send me this beautiful coat hanger (also another one I am currently using) but..........

I got a copy of Shelley's new pattern Sweet and Pretty Coathangers...........very cool.........you know those UGLY wire coat hangers now I can make them beautiful.............contact Shelley via her blog or website...........

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

Fairy Girls supplies..........

Well there is a bit of this is mine and that is yours in our house now and
Fairy Girl is getting a stash together........
I got these for her when I went to Kerry's Cottage On The
Hill..........."Swanky".......Kerry had the whole range..........

The rest below she got for her birthday from family and
friends...........think I might have to use a few too...........
these are very strong colours not quite true to life as the dark hot pink
looks a bit red here...........

Hatched and Patched patterns.........'Tis the Season

This includes a kit.........My Little Needlebook

this one includes a kit too..........The Santa

She is currently working on some houses...........and a
stitchery..........drives me insane occasionally but I love every minute of
it.............

I have also organised a little christmas ornament swap for her with a couple of other little Aussie girls..........more about that later..........
.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

goodies in the mail............

Still some presents and a BOM from February/March sorry girls..........

This bundle of goodies came from Carole at Quilting Adventures thanks Carole

my pincushion BOM from Quilt fabric Delights...........the next one has arrived just no pics sorry.................

Some more chooky fabric this time from Sonia at Me and My Thoughts..........

and I am sure Sonia would have made this beautiful card because she is a scrapbooker too..........it even has chooks on it...........thanks so much Sonia.........

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

Thank god it's over.........

Daylights Savings ends here tonight...........

I am SOOOOOOO HAPPY

...............for weeks now I have been waking my kids up in the dark.......I feel SOOOOOO bad waking them in the dark and it is not early but we have to make it to the bus run or they don't get to school....................sunrise this morning was 7.20am..............I wished we didn't have it at all..............I HATE IT..............

And a farming husband that works til dark at times misses out on family time............

it's just to keep the city people happy not the people out in the country.............(city people love daylight savings usually)

Western Australia vote NO NO NO when you vote to decide next month.............

Queensland and the Northern Territory have the right idea...........

NO DAYLIGHT savings.........

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Tea Swap.....the best came last..........

Well I was the last person to receive the Time for Tea swap (hiccup with the postage and lucky it went back to Bonnie) and I am sure the best was saved til last..........Bonnie Calamity Jane's Cottage was my swap aprtner and this is what she sent me........a table topper with teapots blankets stitch appliqued onto the backgrounds..............

"I'm a little teapot, short and stout, here is my handle, here is my spout"

some have fancy stitches decorating them also.........can't see it to well in the bottom left photo.........but they look wonderful

All the fancy writing was done by Bonnie on her machine............2 beautiful special tea towels for me..........my kitchen is blue and creamy yellow so just perfect............the bottom one is just so delicate...........

can you guess what this pretty card is?????

full of needles...........what a cool gift............Bonnie had some of these in her shop..........she is trying to find some more for me..........

and the final tea goodness.............fancy tea flavours and a tea notepad.............thanks heaps Bonnie I LOVE it all.............

Thanks also to Stephanie http://loftcreations.blogspot.com/ our Time for Tea hostess.............you would have seen these somewhere else by now as Steph sent out a tea pouch to all the girls in the swap...........what a huge task.............

thanks Stephanie.............

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

Welcome Friends Project Caddy.........

Finally I have my Welcome Friends Project Caddy finished...........yep minus the stitchery but it is done..........I am very happy..........really enjoyed making it............I had to get it finished and posted before Farmyard Crafts had her's finished with the stitchery panel............

Love it love it love it......thanks Rosalie..............(patterns available about 20 June)

But I had to go into town today so I went and spent the rest of the day stitching with friends............one of the girls had "jelly beans" cause I was finishing my project caddy in there.......so we decided to whip one up...........slightly modified Rosalie's pattern so it could be made from fat 1/4's..........it is a bit smaller so it won't fit a stitching hoop............

Interesting seeing the difference in light and medium weight pellon (I didn't know there were different ones) but I think if you have the medium weight pellon you would only use one layer.............I had the lighter one..............the girls used the medium weight..........

when we started this "Hells Bells" got jealous she was missing out so we cut this one out for her............Hells was not finished but I had to go get the kids.........so I took a quick snap.........."Simplicity by 3 Sisters" fabrics

and Hells Bells also pulled out these strips so we cut another one...........and unfortunately it was only to this stage when I had to leave but I LOVE the colours...........it will have a chocolate lining

both the girls are doing the Breast Cancer BOM..............this is one version so far...........looks great and makes me want to do it to but I just know i don't have the time.........

Hells Bells brought some bags she had made to show us............

easter bag...........

frilly.............cute.........

The foot is improving...........and after a good nights sleep the back is feeling much better..........and an easier day today was great...........

I have taken my pics of the tea swap I received but just waiting for an email back from Bonnie before I show you.............just wanted to check something with her..............

.........take care til next time.............
.......Chookyblue..........

the things you do........

I have now received my tea swap parcel but as i have been busy with work I haven't had a chance to take some pics to show you.......... then i thought this afternoon when I got home I could take some photos but dh had other plans......my foot was a bit sore this afternoon after work and I was ready to sit back and relax..........but dh dragged my off to the cattle yards and I had to help pull a calf from a cow.............now my farming girl friends you know how this can be good or BAD well this was BAD and it took ages and now I am totally stuffed (and we lost the calf) ........my back is a little niggly so off to bed.........another day out tomorrow but hopefully I can very soon show you the fab parcel Bonnie sent me............it is beautiful........oh and I got the next pincushion BOM in the mail today...............

&&&&&&&&&&

on a totally different subject I found out my sister is going to New York later in the year................so US girls what is the "must see must do" in New York............I am SO SO SO SO JEALOUS.........wished it was me..........maybe one day in the very distant future..........lol..........

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........