it's wet really wet..........

It's wet .............really wet......

......how to make my life stop for awhile...............over 3.5 inchs of rain in 48 hours will do it......

......probably stuffed the rest of harvest but everything stops at my place with this much rain...........kids have had a couple of wet days at home from school........unless it is urgent I am not going anywhere..........

the rain has stopped for a little while just now but we have inches forecast for the rest of the week so who knows what we will end up with............

If you live anywhere in southeastern Australia you have probably had some rain....

.....and some areas way to much and got some flooding..............but as we can't control it we just have to take what we get when we get it and be happy...........

Tomorrow is the first day of summer and it sure won't feel like it..............with a top so far of 18 deg cel I hardly think it will be a heatwave tomorrow..........

Take care 

Chookyblue

postage - paying more for less..........

I don't need to tell some of the girls in the Secret Santa Christmas Swap about postage.............it is the worst part of the swap................the girls who have posted since last Monday to the USA have been hit with an extra $9 charge for parcels over 500grams...one girl had to pay $4.50 for a lighter parcel......this is on top of the postage charges already.............I asked my posty who got this money and he said it is a USA postal service charge Australia Post have to pay the USA Postal service.........so they have to collect it from us...........and for this extra fee it could also take the parcel a little longer to arrive...

......FANTASTIC....

........they brought it in just when everyone would be sending parcels for Christmas.......

....perfect money making exercise...

...Christmas bonus for the USA posty's

This will also affect other swaps and I have no idea how long it is going to last for but to add another $9.00 on top of the costs already charged will probably make it prohibitive for people to join swaps sending to the US..........this would be really sad..........

To add to this in some countries in Europe the postal service has had some strikes happening........

....why does all this have to happen before Christmas..............

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

Chookyblue
PS to add I have LOVED all the swap I have done internationally and don't want to have to stop so hope the charges get dropped very soon.............I know postage is a factor for bloggers deciding to participate in swaps

harvest pics as promised............

photo heavy post.............be warned.............

unfortunately these clouds have since brought rain and we are currently stopped...............anywhere from 4-8 inchs of rain are forecast this week............terrible for this time of the year when everyone is harvesting...........

this is our oats...........still waiting to be harvested.............

oats..........

wheat............

grains of wheat.............

harvesting the wheat..........the kids love riding in the header............very dusty around the header...

...lucky it was driving away from me..............

when I took some food out on Friday arvo and the kids for a ride in the header I was not prepared to work.......

....don't you just love the dusty red shoes............cream linen pants............PERFECT...........NOT...........LOL.......

I had to help a little to get this bin up on the wheels and moved down the paddock closer to the header...........

this is the other bin we loaded the truck from.............

then on our way home thru town we had to go check out the silo's...............

First stop for the grain trucks is the sample stand............where they take a sample of grain from the truck and test it.............this determines which dump the load of wheat goes to............

the line up can get very long...............and take hours and hours to get to the start when it is really busy...........................

these are some of the dumps for the grains...........since I took this on Friday by Saturday afternoon the one on the right was covered full and the left one was a fair bit longer...........these are smaller ones...........

this grain dump is huge.........the trucks on this dump unload off to the left out of the picture and it is sent down the side ........the line you can see going up to the top of the pile in the middle of the photo is the auger that throws the grain onto the top of the pile and it can move along the side of the pile.............it all gets covered by huge tarps...........

These are the old silos.............they get used for smaller lines I think..............you see some trucks lined up there (over the other side of the silos)..........but not many trucks........there is a railway line between the silos and these trucks..........

... on Friday afternoon the line was quite long for the sample stand and it winds back along the road and I thought this looked great with the purple jacaranda's, trucks and silos.............

and the last photo is a gorgeous flower on a thisle............see the spikes in the top right of the photo........they are long and nasty...........

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

Chookyblue

SSCS parcel............

Finally downloaded both the good camera and the point and shoot and went thru them...........I have quite a few posts to share and even some for Snappy Friends..........

One of the sunrises in the last week.............

wonder where this Secret Santa Christmas Swap parcel will arrive...........

we have some more to be sent off and a few have started to arrive..............very exciting.............

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

Chookyblue

crazy times..........

This week or 2 feels like it has been a month.........I am SOOOO tired......I had extra days at work last week.........Mr Chookyblue has been harvesting...............we have had rain on and off for the start of harvest so bits and pieces here and there at my brothers.............then they got a good go and he didn't come home for days...........staying closer to the work...........all this is fine but I don't sleep very well when he isn't home so stay up WAY TOOOOOO LATE until I just about pass out when my head hits the pillow..............and I am always an early riser up at or just before daylight.................then Mr Chookyblue move to our crops on another property...........which means he is coming home but now I stay up until he gets home which isn't any better then when he isn't here..............he is working 18+ hr days.......so I worry about him til he is home..........

The end of year school &^$$&^%$ with tired kids isn't good.............tooooooo many days in town...........more big rain is forecast starting tomorrow so harvest is running as fast as it can...........in between all that they found some sheep that need to be jetted for flies............so that means I have to head out and help with that job.............everyone is tired and cranky.......... I just want to curl up on the lounge and stitch and doze..............I still have the jobs to manage here and the house looks like a bomb hit ...........I keep filling the dishwasher and washing machine but nothing else has happened............there is a mountain of washing to fold and the lawns need mowing again........lucky I have a ride on - that takes long enough......Mr Chookyblue in his wisdom fertilizered them which is great but between that and the rain they are growing so FAST...........

...will it ever stop...............off to fight with the tired kids and get them dressed for work............drive 45 mins deal with sheep and give kids rides in the header............(hey that might be bribery to get the sheep done) and then drive 45 mins home..............maybe I should give my wonderful neighbour a ring and tell her I need another bottle of wine de-stress like we had earlier in the week................otherwise it will be phone or internet chat with Maree................she is doing the neglected harvest wife thingy too..............kids are feral too and we'll crack and bottle together..............will have some harvest pics to share hopefully when i get a chance to download them..............

highlight of the week is finishing off secret sewing and wrapping parcels to be delivered.............

Bring on the Christmas holidays I say so my life will stop for a bit................

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

have you posted the SSCS parcel.......

Today is the last day for posting SSCS parcels..............heaps of girls have to post yet but the most exciting thing is we have 2 parcels arrived at their destination..............so exciting............

here is a snippet of 3 parcels from last year............gorgeous...........

So if you haven't posted your parcel yet..........

......get running to the nearest post office ASAP.............

If you want the swap to run again next year HURRY......

.......I would not like to say how many emails I have had already re-SSCS 2011 scary really............and this is from people NOT in this years swap...........so many of you in SSCS2010 already mentioning 2011...............

so..............

HURRY HURRY HURRY..........

.....get those parcels onto Santa's sleigh so he can deliver them by Christmas..............

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

Chookyblue

cows = ???

Sold some old cows and they went better then I thought...........so with the extra money I went shopping...............

What do you think????? Did I spend my money well.............

Still have the old girl but she is making funny noises so I thought while I have the chance why not upgrade.............and upgrade I did in a big way..............lucky this Janome 6600 is on a good special at the moment...........think this is the start of a very good relationship..............maybe love/hate sometimes but generally very good.............

she has lots more features then my old girl.............OMG she goes fast too..............

I was so excited on Saturday I could hardly sew as I couldn't decide what to do first............so many ideas/projects running around in my head I played with the letters/alphabet instead...........

Catch you later

Chookyblue...............

Cross Stitch Display part II...........

2 posts is one day..........

WOW is all I can say.............so many beautiful works from last weekends display.................thanks everyone for taking pics and sharing..........

If you missed it the links are in the last post and the girls have some wonderful work they shared.........

Now this one isn't my work...........Mr Chookyblue's Aunt stitched it for him for his 21st (I think)

it was the reason I did the cars in the last post..........they are framed similar and hang together..........

\

Now sad to say I have lots of UFO's - goodness knows who would have thought that I would have lots of UFO's..........be kind here Maree.........but here we go...

.....I haven't done work on any of these for at least 10 years if not more.......

....BUT...... 

I did pick this one up and do some stitching last Saturday............I was so inspired.........put about 40 stitches in one way and was heading back and realised I had the wrong colour thread..............DOH remember check symbols and numbers for correct colour............I was so annoyed and cranky with myself I nearly packed it all away BUT i pulled out all the stitches and got the CORRECT colour and re did what I had to pulled out and then did some more and I was so happy.............would have been cross stitching all week but had to get some secret sewing done.................oh and i have LOST misplaced my hoop and one cross stitch is MIA so think they are together.....got another hoop yesterday  

.....major search will be launched in school holidays to find them.........

These Australian natives I put together myself bits from here and there and I never knew what to do with them...........still don't...........any suggestions???????.....currently they live in a plastic sleeve in a folder...........

this is embroidery......think it was pre printed and may have to undo the daisys and restitch as can see the lines........will give it a wash and see what happens.......I love this one......soft and pretty.....on linen.......

This is supposed to be a doily set...........nearly finished but no idea what/how to do the finishing to make it into a doily...........2 this size and a bigger one.........

not much left on this Beatrix Potter one...............

can't even find the pattern to this one........

BUT you will be pleased to know I will have a UFO finished..........need to stitch my initials on and I got a frame while shopping yesterday so hopefully by next weekend I will have it framed.............and I can show you on the blog...............now for the list..........

here are the other girls............lots from last week and a few new girls and I know they are ahead of me and have lots of posts up already........but some are on the other side of the world and  it is still Friday......

.......a few embroidery, tapestry etc too.........

Cardygirl http://cardygirl.blogspot.com/

Dawn http://dawnhaydesigns.blogspot.com/

Bloom http://bloomandblossom.blogspot.com/

Leanne http://thestitchingroom.blogspot.com/

Loulee  http://loulee1.blogspot.com/

Rosemarie http://appliqueandpatches.blogspot.com/

Maree http://www.farmyardcrafts.blogspot.com/

Julz  http://simplestitches1.blogspot.com/

Shiree http://kiwifruit-shiree.blogspot.com/

Cathy http://cabbagequilts.blogspot.com/

Gracie http://needlespinsanddragonflies.blogspot.com/

Liz http://luv2cre8te.blogspot.com/
Joolz http://simplyjoolz.blogspot.com

Broderie http://www.broderie.typepad.com/

Chrissie http://chrissie-middleimage.blogspot.com/

Laura http://3doodlesandadog.blogspot.com/

Sofia http://pontosemno-sofia.blogspot.com/

Sharon http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.com/

Fiona http://bubzrugz.blogspot.com/

Siobhan http://bluehenhollow.blogspot.com/

Susan http://patchworknplay.blogspot.com/

Narelle http://countryroses.blogspot.com/

Dzintra http://dzintrastitcheries.blogspot.com/

a nice cross stitch here

http://gazette94.blogspot.com/2008/11/grand-abecedaire.html
Janice http://jannimary.blogspot.com/2010/11/cross-stitch-shame.html

if you want to do a post - put one up and then leave the link here in a comment.........

Enjoy Chookyblue...........

SSCS posting has begun........

I think this picture sums up the Secret Santa Christmas Swap don't you..............parcels being swapped all around the globe........posting has started..............so not long now til parcels start arriving at your doors........

Remember email me once you have sent your parcel and if a SSCS parcel arrives let me know too.

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

Elf Chookyblue

PS back soon with another show of cross stitch Saturday and a list of girls joining in again.........

PSS I have some other very exciting news too so will share that maybe Sunday or Monday

SSCS excitement...........

Well the Secret Santa Christmas Swap for 2010 is about to kick into overdrive .............the excitement is building, final stitches are being worked on gifts, gifts photographed, wrapped and parcels will start arriving in mail boxes around the world............

For those of you waiting to post your parcels it is not long now..............

you can start to post this Friday 19th 

and 

must be sent by next Wednesday 25th.

YOU MUST EMAIL ME ONCE YOU HAVE POSTED YOUR PARCEL - so I can mark you off my list

 

I have seen some beautiful presents and ornanments.

Don't forget to take photos and email them to me before you wrap your gifts up.

Main gift and ornament wrapped separately (and marked) because as soon as you open your parcel you can open the ornament - main parcel goes under your xmas tree until Christmas Day

Make sure you include your name/address on the parcel as we have had 2 parcels returned to senders in previous swaps.

MARK THE parcel SSCS so the receiver knows it is the swap.

have fun

ELF
Chookyblue

Cross Stitch Display Saturday.........

X Stitch

I know there are a few girls who are going to join in a cross stitch display on the weekend. 

Anyone can join us.

I will include a list of the girls who I know are going to do a post on the post where I show mine so that you can find the others. 

So far I have Jean, Alison, Suzitee, Jeanette, Dawn, Bloom, Lynda, Leanne, Loulee and Rosemarie (needlepoint). Hope I haven't missed anyone so far...............but if you want to join in the display let me know and gets some pics taken so you have a post ready for Saturday.

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue......... EDIT .......if you want to join I need your blog link or email contact....... .................Broderie I don't have a link to you and you just left me a comment...........

Presents for Fairy Girl............

Fairy Girl has received a few parcels lately and she gets SOOOOO excited when she receives mail.........

the lastest one was from Leanne - Leanne said she would make one for her when she visited.........Fairy Girl didn't know so she was so excited when the parcel arrived.

One of Leanne's cards she prints herself.........a photo she took one day when she was visiting me......

this is a great bag - Fairy Girl LOVES green and the hippos and she thinks it is a cute bag as it folds back into the pocket for smaller storage..........

Leanne designed this one herself.........

Leanne also sent her this pattern for another bag she designed...........

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

Chookyblue

Nine patch swap............

The wonderful Julie organised the Great Nine Patch Celebration Exchange

I received them in the mail last week.............it was SOOO exciting opening the parcel to see what fabrics everyone had used.........

Now the good problem is what to do with them..........they will have to wait for a few weeks...........maybe even until the Chrismas school holidays and I will work out a plan for them......

....heaps of different girls made blocks and sent them all to Julie and she swapped them around so we all got 2 blocks from all the participants and then Julie sent them back to us..........

30+ girls in the swap - thanks everyone for your blocks 

Thanks heaps Julie for all your swap work...........much appreciated.

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

Chookyblue

I am so excited........

Can't show you anything but I have been emailed photos of 2 gifts and 2 ornaments in the last 24 hours and I am SOOOOO EXCITED............they are gorgeous.............I know the girls who receive them will  be stoked.........

Not long now till you have to send off your parcels so keep up the great work......

.......I know lots of you are nearly finished..........

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

Chookyblue

pincushion swap............

Months ago I signed up for Jeannet's pincushion swap.

here is her logo.........anyway it has arrived and been opened and today is Pincushion Swap show day.

 Or as Jeannet has called it International Pincushion day

Jeannet has a list of the swap girls  (heaps that would not already know)

Jeannet has a great blog so check it out.............she does write in Dutch and I do lose a little understanding when it translates but it is worth the visit.

(swap logo)

When I first signed up for the swap there were only about 20 people in the swap but it grew to be a very big swap with I think well over 100 swappers.152 participants.

I decided to make Larry the Lamb - Anni Downs Hatched and Patched design. 

Love working with the wool for something different and thought the sheep represented me and my farming lifestyle.

Of all the people I ended sending to me great friend Dawnie............and I know she loves Anni's patterns so I knew she would like this pincushion. (it is a little brighter/fresher in real life) and I filled it with ground walnut shells.....
EDIT ground walnut shells and silica sand are available at Anni's shop The Home Patch 

this is what Dawnie sent to me......

.....I have this problem spot when I have a narrow area beside my machine and things get in the road or fall off..............the pincushion she sent is on a clamp so now it is firmly clamped to my table.........

I just love it..........it is so cool..........I do love bees...........LOVE taking photos of them.........

here is one of the bees close up..........also made with wool.............swaps are just so much fun............

Dawnnie and I got to chat on the phone while we opened our swap parcels too..........

Other swap news..........

Only 3 Christmas swaps to get organised now........

.......I got my nine patch swap back so will get a post organised now for that...........they look great..............

SSCS - Secret Santa Chrismas Swap girls I sent out an email yesterday..............not long now til posting time so hope you're all getting organised.........

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

Chookyblue

Swap goodness and cross stitchers.......

It's a good mail week..............

my nine patch blocks arrived more on them soon.............

and my pincushion swap arrived and I opened it on Monday night chatting with my direct swap partner........all will be revealed on this one the 6th as it is swap show day.........

what was to be a quieter "normalish" week has turned into a big cattle work week and a first aid course which I am still reading for so I am short on time...........as they say "too many irons in the fire"..........

should just resign myself to the fact nothing is NORMAL in my house..........

CROSS STITCHERS.............

On the cross stitch front (following on from the last post) is anyone keen to do a cross stitch display on your blog maybe next weekend (13th/14thNov)???? 

Linen and Raspberries display was fantastic.........Next weekend gives us time to get pics organised??? 

Cardygirl thought about pulling some of hers out for pics.........

Maree and Suzitee - cheeky asking about my cross stitch stash 

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

Chookyblue