"Makes Me Happy Monday"

Hello,

Happy Monday.

On the weekend I finished the borders for the "Catnip" quilt. I changed them because I didn't have enough fabric for the squares that were on the original pattern.

 I machine embroidered "Meow" on the bottom border with some whiskers thrown in for good measure.

 The top border has "Catnip" machine embroidered on it.

Along the side borders I added some flowers. There are also cat paw prints on the bottom and top borders.

Toni the designer of this quilt loves wearing odd socks. Looks like her creatures do to.
On the lookout now for some bright green backing and wadding. Looking forward to finishing this fun quilt.

I am happy to report that we have been doing a little garden experiment. As you know water is in short supply or should I say rain is in short supply in our State. We had lots of tomatoes coming up where I planted the winter vegies. So we decided to try growing them hydroponically. The photo above shows them the day we had set them up. The tomatoes had only just been planted into a mix of perlite and coco peet.

I am very happy to say it works. It was so easy. Look at the growth after only one month. We will put these into bigger pots in a while and a bigger container. Our little fish pump circulates the water and fertiliser is added to fresh water once a week. Certainly looking forward to seeing what they taste like.

During the past week our local Annual Art Prize has been on. I called in and had a look at the wonderful paintings and photos. Gosh there is some talented people out there. The old Mayoral Chambers were open at the same time in the Town Hall. The display was amazing,old photo's of people and buildings that were in town. I found out we even had a Brewery and a Skating Rink. It is a shame that a lot of these beautiful buildings have been pulled down. There were photo's of the tearooms with about 5  male workers standing out the front and I had to smile at the signs advertising 3 course meals. I wonder who has time for a 3 course meal today. There were rooms available for families and ladies to eat in !!! It was interesting to read the Rate Books from 1931. Everything was beautifully written in ink. Bookkeepers really earned there keep in those days. I spent a happy couple of hours browsing through things.

I hope you have a "Happy Monday" and do something you love.
Bev C

The time has come.

Hello,

I hope you have made a great start to the weekend. Recently I have been in my sewing room seeing what really needs to be done. Not new projects. That pile that sits beside the sewing machine. One of these quilts in that pile has sat there for nearly one year. It has been moved from the pile to the back of the sewing chair. That is an important move. Because it means I really want to get it finished.

I won the fat quarters a while back and because they were so bright and funky I really didn't want to cut them up to much. There are four spare blocks as well. These may be used on the backing or I will make some matching pillowslips. The quilt was just getting far to big. Originally I was going to make this for our bed but decided that it didn't suit our room.

Now I was thinking a all over scroll or floral type of quilting should be used. I know it would look great for each individual block to get quilted but it all comes down to cost. I promise the next stage is to take it to the quilting lady.

Have you got some quilt tops that need finishing? I have about three  plenty more so this is only the start.

Happy days.

Bev C

Happy Monday.

Hello and "Happy Monday "everyone.

We have a long weekend here in West Australia, we are celebrating Foundation Day. The sun is shining and it is perfect weather outside. So that makes for a perfect start to Happy Monday.

Yesterday I joined together the blocks for the "Catnip" quilt. I am happy with how it looks.

 I just picked blocks up and sewed them together. I made a few more of the patchwork blocks because I didn't have any more vlisofix and  after all  this year is all about using up what I have on hand.

Did you notice a dolly had decided to join in on the action. She is not part of the original pattern but from Toni's Blogging Buddies doll pattern. Her hair adds a bit of 3D to the quilt. I did button hole by hand on all the applique except for dolls hair. Here I did a satin stitch by machine as this helped hold down her hair. I have plans for the border of the quilt. Will work on that this week.

Last night I felt like doing some cross stitch. So I went to my local shop which is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week (my sewing room) and looked through the drawers of projects I have ready. I purchased this cross stitch last year from the Good Sammy's for only $3.00. Look what I got done in a short time.I plan to do lots of cross stitching in Winter. There is something about Winter that makes me to want to stitch.

This weekend it is ten years since we shifted here to Kainga. Still happy to be living here. Today we celebrate David's 20th Birthday. We will be going out for tea tonight to the Tavern. Gotta go where the boy can get his steak sandwich!! Happy Birthday David and all the best for the coming year.

Happy Monday and all the best for the week.

Bev C

Floral Friday and Colourful Friday.

Hello,

Welcome to Kainga Happenings. Today I am linking up with Bronwyn for Floral Friday and Robyn for Colourful Friday.

Please enjoy the roses at Kainga.

Of course some flowers turn into wonderful produce.

Lemons just ready for those hot lemon drinks on a cold Winters day.

Peas just waiting to be picked and popped straight into the mouth.

Happy days.
Bev C

"Meow"

Hello,

I hope you are having a great day. I have been busy embroidering the blocks for the "Catnip" quilt.

I just have the whiskers to go. The feet for the birds are cut out and ready to go. I will attach these when the blocks are joined together so the feet don't disappear into the seam. I will now work on the Sawtooth Star blocks. I have done three mystery blocks as well. These are something that weren't in the original pattern. I finished them yesterday and they are very cute. You will have to wait until it is together to see what they are.

Now I need your help please. I recently( the 10th of May) put in a order for some books from Almond Grove Craft in South Australia. I know there actual shop is closed and they are having a clearance of goods on there website. I received a email to say that my order was taken but I haven't heard anything since. I presume this email was an automated one. I have sent a couple of emails to see what is happening but I haven't heard anything. I was wondering if anyone knows if they are still operating or are on holiday etc. I really love the books I ordered and would love to get them. I have just tried the web page again and it seems to have gone. Any information would be appreciated.

Happy days.
Bev C