more madness..........

A bit more progress...........one more scallop to go on this............

Got to run I should be in the cattle yards............

Catch you later

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

more homework..........

There are a few flowers around the garden..........you can find some more spring glimpses here..........

working on the Foundation Paper Piecing.............slowly it is happening..........

not completely sure about the lighter background will see when I can sit more together better.......

this goes in the centre of the above..........need the teacher to tell me how to join these 4 sections........

testing a background.........

not sure.........need more together..........

I have the rest of the sections below that aren't joined ready to cut for joining.........I joined one set but ran out of time and not 100% sure on what I was doing...........

Hopefully I can get some more done tomorrow...........

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

Chookyblue

the wrong pics.........

I've got the wrong pics as I was supposed to be working on my Foundation Paper Piecing again today to show you my progress...........BUT I got distracted when I told Fairy Girl she could earn some money carting all my sewing books/magazines to the "chook shed"........she earnt the money........

This is progress along the way........trying to sort them  all out...............

This is some of the progress at the end of the day.............much more organised and all away in cupboards.......

I am so excited when I am in the chook shed this little Fairy Wren and his mate have been visiting for a few weeks now.............they fight the windows all morning....... flitting around in the bushes out the window....making lovely little sounds......I didn't realise how dirty they are making my window but I don't mind they are so cute..........not like a stupid peewee that used to mess up the kitchen window........that was the whole window........this is just along the bottom..........

I'll try and get some better photos of them.........

With all this happening I forgot to get a photo of the progress from yesterday BUT I will try and get one tomorrow to show you...........
We had a wonderful day sewing.........got a bit done............flogged along one of my friends.........I did some cutting for her to help her move along faster but she is making good progress on the foundation paper piecing quilt we are working on together........

I have the next sewing sleep over weekend pretty well planned for a few weeks...........yippee.......

Hope you had a great weekend..........mine was very social...........

Take care til next time

Chookyblue

PS thanks to everyone who is turning off word verification..........if you're unsure what to do I did this post in March...........

bits and pieces..............

As I can't have a post without a photo this is one I snapped earlier in the week..........

Wednesday was 27deg here and only went down to 18deg over night...........quite funny as Sun and Mon didn't even get to 18deg..........storms came thru yesterday afternoon and the temps will be back down again today..........

Slight change with the girls sewing..........no sleepover tonight just sewing tomorrow..........can't wait........not too disappointed as another sleepover is in the plans in a few weeks time...........

yesterday I was in the chook shed sorting and cleaning out the last of the cupboards only a few to do today and some draws and I am done with the cleaning.........then I can organise some more of the stuff............it's great getting things packed away.........

&&&

SSCS Update...........

I am in need of a few more overseas bloggers who want to join.............as it has always been international I would like to keep that so we have a few extras on the Aussie list compared to the international list.........international girls email me @ chookybluesscs@gmail.com...

&&&

Stupid blogger changed something yesterday and you know how I said you don't need to include the numbers in the comment verification box well you do now...........I had a terrible time getting those boxes right yesterday so please think seriously about leaving it on your blog.............it's turning me off commenting on blogs.............turn on comment moderation after xxx days if you want to check things............

I was thinking maybe it was just me until Jo sent me an email and she was having a bad day yesterday too...........those letters are really hard to work out..............
added this post will help you
http://chookyblue.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/comments-word-verification.html

&&&& 

Where is everyone.........blogland has been quieter then usual..............

hope you find time to do something you love.........

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

Chookyblue

another freebie.......

Look what a friend didn't want............she was out visiting..........and looking around and said "you need a fridge"............"yep got to get one of those" I said.........."no worries" she said "i have one we don't need - it's sitting on the verendah collecting dust"...........

Anyway it's all prepared for the sewing sleep over now.....it's only little but it fits the essential things........what do you think?

Anyone else having a sewing sleepover on Friday night?

and I finished another star a few weeks ago while waiting for an appointment.......

forgot to show you...........

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

Chookyblue

a new bubba.........

It's been a waiting game and everyone in the "chook house" was a little worried............

But welcome to the world "Cocopops" 

think it's a heifer (girl) a beautiful little black calf.........

For those who have followed by blog for years from time to time Curly pops has starred in my blog............she made her entrance as a poddy calf when her Mum died having her in Oct 2008.

She is the most precious and spoilt pet cow or sheep we have ever had.........

She has popped up here and there and we had a terrible time when she had her first baby April 2011..............the vet was involved and things were not good but she survived  

Her baby then we called "cops" a steer(boy) and he is still floating around growing up to sell when he is big and fat...........

But look at her today looking after her new bubba..........and we can still walk up to Curly Pops and pat and cuddle her in the paddock...........

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

Chookyblue

storage and comfort.............

well here's the progress from the weekend.............this is what you get when you save your neighbours old kitchen cupboards......Mr Chooky worked out the best possible redesign of the cupboards making use of the space and stacking them not quite how you would in your kitchen..........crammed in.....

With all the cupboard doors on (below).............I can't see it happening in the next month but thinking the plan is that i'll paint the cupboard doors the same colour as the walls......keep the room light and bright

just have to get a few more thingy's that hold the shelves in place...........

they are only about 30 years old..........

Another freebie I was very fortunate to receive is via my MIL's friend.........they were down visiting with a ute and she wanted to get rid of this sofa bed lounge......new in the chook shed this week it fits perfect in this spot.........it's just like new............hardly used at all.......pretty good quality........I am so lucky.............it was a bit musky but I sprinkled some of that carpet cleaner stuff on the mattress and the all the cushions and left it for a few days....that's settled the dull smell...........

Next job is sewing a pocket on the top of the curtains...........

Peg and Dale have been spotted in Western Australia..............approx 3800kms west of Sofala where they were last spotted..............guess the thought of more snow got them moving to a warmer destination.....and clearly they didn't want to go with Fairy Floss Stitches on her car rally..........too dusty......

&&&&

Those who have emailed me about the swap there are a few of your who have to complete the form I emailed you.............check your spam folder as it's not my usual email address..........but it's great to see your all so excited...............Christmas is on it's way..........

&&&&

Oh and I did do a little sewing this weekend............attaching the binding to a friends quilt..........hopefully she will have it sewn down next weekend when we have our sewing sleepover/retreat so i'll get a photo then.......

Do you have sewing sleepovers with friends???

Want to join us???

Invite a friend over for a sewing sleepover this Friday!!!

they arrive after work on Friday and we try and sew Friday night but usually solve the problems of the world, pull out what we are going to sew, enjoy some champagne.........then we get into the sewing Saturday morning........

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

Chookyblue

Presents...........

All those parcels in the last post got opened 1/2 in the morning and the other 1/2 that night......

This is my present from my Friends in Stitching birthday swap............

the lovely Jen sent to me.........

look at the wonderful bag she sent me..........it's a nice big size............
I was a little delayed in taking the pics as I have been using since the day I got it..........and with a few busy days finally with everyone gone for an hour or two I got the chance to grab some pics........... 

And some close up detail............the flowers, special saying and it's got pockets all around the inside...........

just perfect............

Also included are these goodies - tea towel, patty cake oven mitt and patty cake pincushion............
Jen thanks heaps I love all the goodies you sent me...........

I was also spoilt by my secret sewing sisters........we have a fat 1/4 swap happening..........

don't they look great all lined up................some of these will go into my mariners quilt and the blues will be used in my EPP quilt too.............Thanks Secret Sewing Sisters - you know who you are........

I am so lucky to receive all these goodies...............the family gave me some great presents too.......

Hope your having a great weekend..........

we had a little working bee in the "chook shed" yesterday putting in some storage cupboards..........didn't get the job finished as I had a couple of extra friends come and we had campoven lunch and nibbles and drinks belated for my birthday...........I didn't snap any pics but I will do that for you next time...........I do a beef  casserole campoven that i put a bread in on top of and it's great..........

ok better go the family will be back soon.........jobs to do............

Catch you later..............

Chookyblue

it's a good day............

Isn't this the best...................

I opened 1/2 this morning and the other 1/2 tonight.........I've had a great day......worked but had lunch with some friends.........

The cold is on the mend....slowly..........big mistake last night...........

highly recommend not taking some cold and flu tablets at 9pm at night...............I think I finally got to sleep at midnight............saw the clock at about 2am.........slept again til 5am......the worst restless nights sleep...........so considering I was seriously lacking in sleep I had a good day.............I crashed a bit tonight so I haven't tried to snap quick bad shots of my goodies....I curled up on the lounge.......i'll be back in a day or 2..........tomorrow is looking very full.........BUT I love everything...............

hope you're keeping up with the blog this week........not missing anything..........

pics to come soon.............

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

Chookyblue

PS thanks for the birthday emails I have received...........my email box is a little out of control today.........thankyou...........i'll get back to you soon...........

patient..........

patient  (ˈpeɪʃənt)
— adj
1.	enduring trying circumstances with even temper
2.	tolerant; understanding
3.	capable of accepting delay with equanimity (mental calmness, composure)

I had trouble finding a picture for patient (you get lots of sick people at Dr's) so I googled impatient instead.........

found here......I love it..........

Isn't it great...........you have mostly been very patient but as I know there is a lot of talk about and a few emails here and there asking the BIG QUESTION.....Am I running the SSCS  again this year???  Yes I am doing the swap again this year............

So now it's time for the Secret Santa Christmas Swap 2012............

                       2007 - 80+

                       2008 - 156

                       2009 - 118

                       2010 - 108

                       2011 – 135

                       2012 - __?

If you want to see what happened previous years go to my labels and choose Secret Santa Christmas Swap or SSCS08, SSCS09, SSCS10  SSCS11 (or just after xmas there are a pile of posts of presents each year)

The rules are simple

NO 1 Make a beautiful gift (love, time and effort required) – you can make whatever you want eg, bag, wall hanging, stitchery, table runner, Christmas theme (optional) ...send something you would love to receive... 

(not something you whip up in a couple of hours)

NO 2 Make a small decoration that can be hung on a Christmas tree (simple or fiddly up to you)

### Don't tell anyone who your SSCS partner is please. This is a secret until they receive their parcel or Christmas Day shhhhhhhhh!!!!!! A different person will be sending to you....

### international postage essential (think about weigh of parcel)

### You need to have an active blog .....posting a couple of times a month.... so your partner can sneak a peek and get ideas of what to make for you and they know you are active.....therefore existing

###  Sending (not before 19th November) deadline is 23rd November to ensure your partner gets their present before Christmas (reason for swap)

### Make sure you "thank" your Santa - very important and post about your present when you receive it..........

### If you are difficult to contact you may be dropped from the SSCS.....several times between now and the deadline I email out and you MUST reply...so if you are going away for a week or 2 just let me know

### If everyone can follow the above it will make for another very successful SSCS..... less headaches for me.........

### Any problems make sure you contact me sooner rather than later

Please don't sign up

• if you are not prepared to send (non-senders are named)
• if you’re too busy
• if you’re not committed to making and sending quality handmade gifts

 ### SIGN UP is a little different this year

If you want to join email (chookybluesscs at gmail dot com) (not my usual address)

I will then email you a link for an online form to complete. (Check your spam if you don't get it)

Swap partners emailed once I get a chance to do it but I post on my blog once I have done them.

PLEASE DON'T BLOG ABOUT THE S W A P  UNTIL IT IS CLOSED....UPDATED SWAP CLOSED..........

If you have only come here to join the swap and never visited before this isn’t the swap for you......this is for my regular visitors......

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

Solitude.........

Do you like it or not???

Completely on my own............no visitors..........no outings.............just me at home...............I actually have no idea when i would have been on my own for this amount of time............actually I don't think I have ever had 36hours on my own in my whole life........maybe a day or 2 but not this long.............

It's been good though...........me the tv, internet and some phone calls family/friends ringing to check I am ok...........

SAL is updated

tried to work out how to mail merge a google spreadsheet doc with gmail.........gave up........

chatted online to a few people.........

still no sewing but that's ok..........

pretty sure I am over the worst of my cold..........but need a serious energy injection...........

the rose is just a pic I found from 2009 and i played with it in Picasa......

dreaming of spring.......it will be here very soon..........

Catch you later 

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

fiddling.........

Managed to feed the pets that got neglected yesterday............carted some wood in for the fire...........had a shower and that was about the extent of activites for the day.........I needed a rest after that............BUT the day is much nicer then yesterday......not that terrible cold wind..............

I have fiddled on the computer a lot today.............didn't feel like sewing...........changed my header......do you like it.........it's one I had in 2009...........moved things around...............nothing that needed a lot of concentration..........hoping to get the SAL updated tonight or in the morning..........

Something unheard of I watched 2 movies on TV this afternoon............they were good as they were light fun movies............hope your having a good Saturday..........

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

blogger you're a pain..........

Blogger how the hell are we supposed to leave comments with word verications looking like this now............ Quite by accident I had worked out you don't need to include the number box on the left but seriously changing the writing on the right to this is seriously testing my eye sight Do you not want us to leave comments anymore???? This is why I turned off my word verification awhile ago and only let people with a google accounts leave comments...........I also turned on comment moderation after 4 days............I don't usually get any spam thank goodness............ %%%%%%%%% feeling miserable here...........i've been forced to stop everything...........mind you I had been on a whirly gig spinning very fast.........unable to stop and get off.......but I am getting sick of the lounge after 2 days on it..............bugger the head cold...........lets just hope thats all it is.....I want to do something but don't have the energy to do anything....... ....I missed going away with the family as i was feeling to yuk to travel :( Hope your keeping warm..........what awful weather........ .........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

it's that time of the year............

Yep the most beautiful time of the year...............wattle time.............it always amazes me how some insignificant bush will just sit there all year and suddenly in August it bursts into a mass of gorgeous golden yellow...........it's still frosty and cold but to me it means winter is almost over and spring is on it's way......

with a change to work due to no technology I filled my day in with a few more renos..............

Mr Chooky was working on the bathroom...............I touched up some spots painting skirting boards and architraves etc............the bathroom is not finished yet but looking a million dollars on what it was...........

And when I got home I quickly got some wood in and the washing off the line and finished off 14 (14/32) of the inner compass sections............I must keep plugging away.......I still haven't got back to do anything on my retreat quilt so I need to keep the momentum up or I will have nothing done when I go back to class..............

Hope you find some stitching time.........be it 5 mins or 30mins it all adds up.........and I am trying to find more of those short opportunities..........

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

Chookyblue

some progress..........

Don't get excited it isn't joined yet but I have all the sections for this compass done...........

funny how you get gaps in fabrics............I was seriously missing some greens.........Chris fixed that.....she went and found a few for me...........

I had made a concerted effort to find some purples and yellows as I knew I didn't have any awhile ago...........but I am missing some mustard/oranges..........I have managed to get 32 different fabrics for this round and another 32 for the round inside this..........

When this is all joined it should be 34.5" across...........

being organised and having some kind of system/pattern seems to be the way to go so far..............

These scraps from the first round will go towards other sections.........only needing to cut some cream background fabric for one section in the next round I do...........

This was my stuff up on Saturday..........cutting on the wrong line........lucky I only did one..........

this one will be going to the bin.............

Funny how you start some things and don't read the instructions first..........(usually the way with me)

This is what is written at the start of the instructions

"This is a quilt for lovers of foundation piecing. It is assumed the maker will have a knowledge of foundation piecing basics. Warning - do not attempt this project if you have never done foundation piecing before."

What am I thinking................god I hope this works out...........time will tell when I start to join things together............

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

Chookyblue

learning........

Well I finally got to a lesson that I have been dreaming of doing for 1-2years now...........probably really since I went to my first quilt show in Sydney in 2008...........mariners compasses have been drawing me in.............but never sure how to start or what to do...........so early this year I booked into a workshop at The Home Patch (Anni Downs' shop) with Chris Jurd.............

Finally Saturday came and I had so much fun.............it was a great class.........Chris was a very good teacher..........

I have set myself a huge amount of homework to do before I go back later this term............

And as a little bonus I got to have afternoon tea with some friends.......... the girls had deadly looking desserts..........but as I hadn't had lunch since I was too busy sewing so I had some yummy hot chips and garlic aioli.......and an iced chocolate.......

Janice, Khrissy and Deb  it was great to catch up....... 

Oh and "the girls" hitch hiked there way and gate crashed the arvo tea...........

there were spotted here and here too.............

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

Chookyblue

pics soon........

I had the best fun yesterday learning something new..............can't download pics yet so will be back as soon as I can to share with pics....................

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

chilly, eggs......

I know for some of you this is nothing frost wise but in my neck of the woods we had a huge frost yesterday morning...........like I said huge for us...........we only get a few frost each year..........this week we have had frost after frost and some very chilly nights................

little crystals of ice........

I stopped at a stock grid and took some pics too.........it is so "cool"

and this is where a vehicle has driven over before me and pushed some of the ice off the edge....

frost on a wheat paddock...........

and with some sad news............there are no more blue eggs here..............the last of my chooks that lays the blue eggs died..........I would love to get some more so will have to see if I can find out where to get some.........the guy who I got these ones from doesn't have chooks anymore........

no more blue egss is a bit sad :(

Have a fantastic weekend...........I have some special sewing planned for tomorrow...........

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

Chookyblue

not the usual patch work.........

every free day I have had lately I have been organising Mr Chookyblue doing "patch work" around windows and sanding etc.....the windows were put in but never finished and gaps filled on the inside.......who knows why..............lots of wall washing..........and finally some painting.......2 bedrooms and a bathroom to do..........

the bathroom was DISGUSTING........vanity gone, remaining tiles gone, flooring gone, rat eaten toilet seat gone.......stupid wall to the left around the toilet gone.........and the "brown" toilet is now white again.........that toilet cleaner stuff works amazing miracles.............i'll try and take some pics when it's done........

and it's not even my house..........

BUT it means I haven't got back to my quilt I started at retreat.........

waking up very early to catch the end of the day at the olympics...........

I am desperate for a day at home.......

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

Chookyblue