busy busy............

Wow August is here and i have so much on..............it is going to be huge and lots of fun............

this week the kids had a few days home with wet weather..........no bus running out to our stop and I couldn't be bothered battling the wet dirt roads to sit on town all day while they were at school then try and make it back home.....I did it Wednesday when I had to go out for something else............we were already wet from rain a few weeks ago............you wouldn't have driven a vehicle out in the paddocks and then we get another 2 inchs.............the creek is full and there is so much water around............the ground is saturated which is great but this couple of inchs could have held off til September............

I would be a complete failure if I home schooled...........I did get them to do some work but it was a challenge..............lol...........why would you want to do school work when you could be playing outside in the cold muddy rain...............

Today they ended up down at the creek and wet up to their waists......no shoes while wondering all around the place............can I remind you it is winter!!!!!! 

Yes the sun was out but kids have no feelings............I am sure of that..........they had lots of fun.......

This next few weeks are huge I feel like I am playing a chess game.........strategic planning to fit it in and work out which kid is where and what the dh is doing............actually knowing what the dh is planning is not possible............

I have the most exciting blog visitor coming..........I am so excited and nervous at the same time.........a bit back to the imaginary post..........OMG I hope we get on and she likes me..........

will we have something to chat about.........?????? actually scrap that line as bloggers always have something to chat about...........

Off to Cottage on the Hill @ Nundle for my 7th or is it 8th retreat weekend.........meeting up with some fab blog buddies and some other friends who have moved on from town but travelling to the retreat.........

a school camp with bookworm for a couple of days.........

then the most exciting day of the year ..........

oh yeah I have to fit work in there too............thank goodness it is flexible...........

see a bit like a chess game so if you don't hear from me for a week or 2 it's cause i'm to busy having fun...........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

imaginary world.........

are you like me..........have lots of friends online...

......one of my non blogging friends calls you my  "imaginary friends" cute really...........

you establish friendships over time and send emails back and forward.......slowly in the back of your mind you build up a "image" of that person.....tall, short, blond hair brown hair... voice too......sometimes you have an idea of their age others times no idea.........but then you chat on the phone or meet in person and are they just as you imagined or something completely different???? 

It's fun in a weird way if they match or don't match your "imagination"

What do you think???

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

PS photos random sunset on the weekend..........gotta love a post with pics..........

Jacobs Ladder..............

another block done for my online groups BOM..........Jacob's Ladder..........

And the nine patch has gone to the quilter.........should have it back in a few weeks.............

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

presents for Aussiemade..........

Now I can finally show you the goodies I made for the

giveaway.............Aussiemade received these goodies

A bag and a covered notebook...........
Aussie made has popped her crochet in the bag- perfect

I used the beautiful fabrics I received from Kate "Patisserie" by Fig Tree Quilts

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

2 finishes for OPAM and GYMB

Mystery Block..........

This month I got to pick the BOM block in my online group..........

I choose Mystery Block

pretty quick and fun to make.............(12') finished

using more of those fabulous reproductions I got from Carole's shop

pretty pleased with my points too...........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

Colorado Beauty.........

This block is part of a BOM for an online group........
....each month someone picks a new block.........

The blocks are 12 1/2 inch unfinished........

I love the prints............more burgundy then brown

This bundle of fabrics is a swap with my friend Carole.

She wanted a cookbook I showed on my blog so we traded for fabric.........she

has a patchwork shop in the USA Fibre Junction Quilt Shoppe and specialises in

reproductions..........this is what she sent in return for the

cookbook.................I am very happy.........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

another wonky..........

After my girlfriend made a wonky I just had to make one.................a

nieces birthday was the perfect reason............I can see myself making

more of these they are addictive..........

they are designed by JuicyRoo

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

Fairy Girls projects.........

Fairy Girl was kept busy making this journal cover for a recipe book I had

to give a bit of help with the appliqué

She also made these heat packs..........all on her own.........forgot to

turn the ends in though.........oh well next time.........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

friends sewing.........

like I said there was lots of sewing..............this is my friends first quilt..........I made one for her daughter and last visit in Sydney we picked out the fabrics for a quilt for her son.......

.....the blue blocks are a cowboy print she had a piece of fabric and luckily we found some more.............she was so excited and couldn't believe how quick it came together...........now off to be quilted............

This is her daughters first projects with some help from her mum and me..............

a journal which she has started writing lots of stories in..........and some recipes as we did some cooking too..........

they both worked on this rice hot pack...........

and also a joint effort on this kit that they picked up at Stitches and Craft in Sydney last year..........

a Wonky from Juicy Roo I love it.........I made one too but I have to find the photo........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

beading workshop...........

Part of last weeks fun can from a beading workshop...............I had asked a couple of other friends girls but they couldn't come (it was pretty last minute - maybe next time girls you know who you are) anyway I had booked the little girls in and since it was only the 2 of them we decided to do the workshop too so the lady had 4 of us............we all made a necklace and three of us made ear rings and Fairy Girl made a bookmark.

We got some supplies and had a play at home too...........

Here we have Fairy Girls bookmark she made on the day and then she got an angel bookmark kit and then played with a key fob........

I made one too and attached it to my scissors

My girlfriend made this necklace and ear rings and made the bracelet at home...........

I made this pink one for a birthday present...........

this is the one I made at the workshop..........

Another one I made at home.........another prezzie.........looks much prettier for real...........

pale pink pearly beads and a pewter colour.........

together..........

this is what the Fairy Girl and friend made..........cute and pretty....

and our little friend made some clip on ear rings - cute........

lots to learn I am sure but heaps of fun and something I will play with again.............

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

a hive of activity...........

wow finally a holiday that felt longer then shorter..........

I signed off for a few days while the kids had their last 2 days at school then I had a phone call from a girlfriend and the possabilty that she may come up so that was a slight panic "I haven't done anything in this house for a few days" so madly washing, tidying, vacumning etc, making beds incase she did come............

Then we had a day trip shopping where we met up and did a beading course with our 2 girls (more on that later)

My girlfriend and her daughter did come up for a few days and her daughter had just picked up a new basic machine. So we had to get her going on that.........with a few tears and "I can't do this" from her she finally got some projects finished......super excitement her first projects..........

This was my floor during last week...........will post more about them all later........I didn't really get much time to sew due to the fact that 4 people wanted me to show them how to do something or cut something ...........want want want so I just gave up on trying to do anything for myself and got them all finished up............

Bookworm had some mates out and they all did a bit of sewing too.........that was fun

I have lots to show so will get some posts organised and show you what we achieved...........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

PS I have finally got some time for my sewing too..........supposed to be back at work tomorrow but will have to see if it rains to much............the dirt roads aren't too good at the moment with rain...........

blog etiquette............

after my last BIG post I was still thinking too much then BubzRugz wrote this post on blog etiquette and I was thinking a little more.............this subject is something that you usually just work out along the way and sometimes you wonder what to do or how to do it...............what's right and what's wrong...............

here are somethings I think about................not saying right or wrong but what works for me...........or things I find are the common occurrences in blogland.......
.......I will add a link to this post on my list of "how to....blog bits" on the sidebar so if you could leave your opinions etc in the comments that would be great..............

and if your coming to read this at a later date then read the comments too.........

What works..............

- linking to friends blogs (sidebar or in posts - it's how we find more yummy blogs) 

- including photos (we all like to see pics in posts)

- mentioning designers and saying what the patterns are (not necessary but often saves answering several emails)

- linking to the designers if you know what the site is but not necessary 

- post regularly (be it several times a week or monthly)

- comment on posts (you like receiving them so make sure you leave some)

- reply to comments as you read them (creates interaction with other bloggers and you make new friends)

- include a mix of photos and writing 

- if someone new comments on your blog go back and check theirs out 

- follow the blogs you like in google reader or bloglines it saves time checking out blogs
- have fun because it is fun
- if you're in a swap it is polite to thank the sender via email and also a blog post for the gift sent promptly

What doesn't work..............

- replying to comments in your comments 

(people very rarely go back to read other peoples comments - except maybe on a post like this)

- using other peoples photos without permission

- tagging people for awards etc.............some people like me HATE them and others like them maybe ask first

- giveaways where you have to do what feels like a 1000's task to get entries

- joining swaps and not communicating well with the organiser or not blogging during the swaps

- not thanking by email and on a blog post the person who sent you a swap parcel
- worrying about what you are posting isn't good as good as "xyz's"' blog
- don't apologise everypost - we are all busy people
- be set as "no reply" (people can't reply to the comment you left)
- taking things from other peoples blogs and posting it as your own 
- google ad's.............I HATE THEM
- music.........I have slow internet and it usually opens and scares the living daylights out of me with short blasting bursts...........do you even listen to it on your blog...........just takes longer for people to download the blog page.........


NOW I could add I have added to this post at a later date but if you could put some thoughts into the comments that would be great for others to read too..........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue


PS if you don't care for this post the pics are totally unrelated and more amazing works of mother nature with frost last week...........

Giveaway..........

remember this picture back here..........

well finally here is the reveal..................you were all pretty much right except for those cheeky blog friends who said it was on dusty cob webs around my house.......

the day I took these we had a huge fog - we only get one or 2 fogs a year..........and this one took awhile to lift........but I braved it and went out in the cold and took all these pics...........

All the spider webs in the garden were standing out like they had been painted white............

great for photos..........

but up closer you could see they were covered with millions of little water bubble...............

Aussiemade said

The most perfect spherical crystal clear dew drops threaded through the finest yet strongest silk thread in all the world.

Treasure beyond imagination, priceless but nobodies heirloom. 

A moment in time captured and treasured.

Only to be worn by those with gosemar wings.

isn't that just a gorgeous description...........

Now the reason for my delay.............well earlier this month I passed 700 posts........and I wanted to have a give away on that post and I missed it...........so then I decided I would pick a post and do a giveaway on that.......

Now to enter a giveaway on my blog you have to do the following.................

- DON'T post about it on your blog (and include a link)

- DON'T need to be a follower

- DON'T have to tweet/facebook about it

-DON'T have to put my logo on the sidebar (I don't even have a logo)

- DON'T have to visit someone elses blog/shop and leave a comment there

-DON'T have to leave 5 comments on this post to cover doing all the above........

ACTUALLY 

you don't even have to comment on this post.......I love retrospective giveaways

.....and if you came here just because you read the word "GIVEAWAY" in the title then bugger off because I don't want you just to visit because i have a "GIVEAWAY" 

I chose someone from the comments on the mystery post.............it wasn't the original intention of the post but you all made comments on such an odd post it was fun and then I decided I couldn't post about it again until I had something made for my giveaway - life got in the road and last night I finished something so now i can do this post...........

so after my blah blah.............

I would like to say I am having so much fun in blogland.....

....it is lovely checking out all the blogs, finding new to me blogs and encouraging new bloggers, reading emails and comments I get in my gmail account.............it is such a nice positive place to be.......

......to the the ladies I have met (you know who you are) thankyou - you have all been such lovely people - quilters are the best

I would never have met you except for blogging

And to all those that leave lovely comments on my blog THANKYOU......

.......i read and appreciate every comment I receive and there is very few I don't reply to..........usually it is only the people who are "no reply".......

....for newer bloggers here are the tips of what works for me blogging 

- post regularly (be it several times a week or monthly)

- comment on posts (you like receiving them so make sure you leave some)

- reply to comments as you read them (creates interaction with other bloggers and you make friends)

- include a mix of photos and writing 

- if someone new comments on your blog go back and check theirs out

- follow the blogs you like in google reader or bloglines it saves time checking out blogs

- don't apologise everypost - we are all busy people

- most importantly HAVE FUN

slowly and surely people will find you and return and visit your blog...........

now go and comment on 10 blogs see what you find.........

ONTO THE WINNER

well with such a beautiful comment it has to be Aussiemade..........I wasn't familiar with Aussiemade so i went and visited her blog and she was having a difficult time - her dh is not well - so a perfect winner..........(send me your snail mail details Aussiemade)

Have a wonderful Sunday..............another chilly one here in OZ.........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

PS if you visit here all the time and never comment leave one now - I would love to hear from you.......

&&&

PSS if you're not a blogger and you surf blogs all the time why not dip your toes in the water and start a blog..........it is different on the "otherside" and we love to find new blogs......

....you'll be amazed to find it isn't that hard to do....

PSSS - Kris you should have grabbed a cuppa before you started reading this one it ended up pretty long for me............

new blogger......

Welcome BubzRugz.......a new blogger.....

and a newish to me blog I have been following for a few months Stitch Scrap & Sew

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

No "M@sterchef" but I can cook scones...........

My nightly addiction on TV is M-a-s-t-e-r-c-h-e-f  - for those out of Oz it is a group of everyday people vying to be come the M-a-s-t-e-r-c-h-e-f and win a cookbook deal and other things............

now I am no M-a-s-t-e-r-c-h-e-f and I don't want to be .......

.....they cook all kinds of weird things at times......

....BUT....

this week they had to cook scones, lamingtons, fruit cake, some other cake and a jam for 100 CWA ladies (CWA=Country Womens Association who are renowned for cooking the above WELL)

I will give them some grace as in you do get used to baking on your own oven and all ovens are a bit different BUT they were a complete disaster.....

.........it was so funny and probably embarrassing for the show hosts...... 

They had to cook as teams and I would not have picked either teams as winners.....

.....but I just want to say 

i'm no M-a-s-t-e-r-c-h-e-f but i can cook scones

as it is freezing 7 deg and rainy here today I have cooked some for the kids who are just about to walk in the door and start 2 weeks of school holidays..............and I have a week off too.....even better...throw the routine out the door........

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

PS I promise I will get back to the "what is this" post next............