Colourful Fridays-Halloween colours.

Hello,

Welcome to Colourful Friday. This weeks colour is Halloween. I always think of black and orange when I think of Halloween. So I have plenty to share with you. I even found I had some witches hanging around the place. I made this quilt for my sister Chris. It shows the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly.

Now I don't think camels are usually associated with Halloween but it is orange and black

foundation piecing. A Monarch Butterfly taken at the tourist gardens in Harvey. May Gibbs used to live in the old home that is done up as tearooms and a shop.

The Clivia has orange coloured flowers.

A Black Crow fits in so well with Halloween.

This is my kitchen witch which hangs in the kitchen. She has a little button that when it is on if you make a loud noise it lets out the most amazing cackle laugh. If you drop a saucepan lid it takes great delight in frightening you.

Halloween creatures come in all forms even sheep.

Another little kitchen witch. She sits quietly and behaves herself. I even have some glass orange coasters which I bought last year from a shop in Ruakaka New Zealand. Pumpkins are always associated with Halloween. I have several different varieties I can plant.

Halloween Material. Debbie Mumm,gotta love that. I bought this panel on special. It is actually for a vest,which I didn't want. I have cut pieces out of the panel for different things. This is a good way to get some themed material.

And lastly this is a photo I took for last weeks Orange theme which I wasn't able to join in. This orange bowl used to have little white feet underneath. It is actually Ainsley's bowl that we used for her as a baby. So we won't go into how old the bowl is. A woman never gives away her age!!!


I hope you have enjoyed browsing my "Halloween Collection" I was quite surprised to find I did have a lot to share with you.

Happy days.

Bev C

Roses, a new shirt and Blogging Buddies.

Hello,

I have just got our computer back and all is back to normal. In the computers absence I managed to work on a few projects. The first being a table runner which measures 18.5 inches by 36.5 inches. I have named this one "Roses" I used some of the scraps that Stephanie from Blueberry Quilts sent me. They were all cut ready. It was just a case of arranging the pieces. I even used some of the scraps that I received from my neighbour for the border. I used a mushroom shade of homespun for the backing. Blueberry Quilts has a giveaway going on at the moment, pop over and check it out.

I made another shirt for summer. This is a pale purple colour. When I bought the material at Spotlight I thought it was blue, I was planning to make a shirt with a tab front etc.. Under the fluro lights colours change. I bought a pale blue collar to go with it. Of course when I got home the collar certainly wouldn't have matched it.

The other week I was the lucky commenter on Toni's blog. This arrived in the post on Monday. Yes the chocolate had to be eaten straight away. Nice to have a chocolate with the morning cuppa. I have nearly finished one of the dolls, hopefully she will be making an appearance on my next post. Toni has a free pattern for Wendyolynne the Witch which is available until the end of the month.

Happy days.

Bev C

"Makes Me Happy Monday" Number 43

Hello Happy Monday,

Sorry I have no photo's to share with you today. Our computer is still in hospital.I am using David's computer, he came home on the afternoon train for Lucy. I do have a big thing that has made me very happy today. We have just come from Lucy's Year 12 Graduation. Lucy looked so grown up in her Graduation Gown and Sash. It was a lovely ceremony full of love for each student. Lucy still has an exam to do early next month other than that our school days are over. I am so happy that Lucy has completed her education. Good luck for the future Lucy.

So Happy Monday to all 2010 Graduates of NSHS.

Happy days.
Bev C

Cowboys and Indians

Hello,

Have you ever played Cowboys and Indians? Sometimes I don't really know who the bad guys are. Yesterday I received a phone call from two Indian men. They wanted details about my computer. I wasn't sure if they were legitimate or not. When they started asking for money to delete a virus which they said was on my computer. I got very wary. So to be certain of the state of my computer I took it down to be checked over. I was told they would have asked me to go to a certain page on my computer, which they did,apparently this page will show up files that have risks anyway. This page shows up with risks all the time. I was also wary that they said we had a lot of error reports in the last two to three weeks. This hasn't really been the case. Now I will have to wait to get the computer back. So if you receive a phone call that is a bit dodgy be aware. Also the other day I received an email with the subject line "Bronwyn Hayes" this was not from her at all. It was from some company wanting you to go to there website. So I am without a computer at the moment. I am using David's laptop while he is home. So If you received a posting with just the letter C in it it was from me,getting used to this fancy thing!!!!

I don't know when I will be back to do my next posting. I have found some orange coloured things around the home but am not sure if I will be posting on Friday for Colourful Friday.

So please watch out for those Cowboys and Indians.

Happy days.

Bev C

"Makes Me Happy Monday" number 42.

Hello,

Happy Monday everyone, I hope your day is special. Today at Kainga we will be celebrating Bonnie's Birthday. Bon has requested a roast for tea. Her usual Birthday treat. Best wishes for the coming year Bonnie.

I am happy that yesterday I did surgery on Daisy. She is just fine now that she has her stuffing. I ran out of stuffing but used pieces of wool wadding left over from the sides of quilts. I cut these into small pieces and this did the job perfectly.

Now some of you commented on the wirework we have at the front of our home. We had been hunting for a piece that had roses in it for a couple of years. Each shop, emporium or garden centre we went to we got the owners to check there suppliers to see if they had any. No was always the answer. There were lots of lizards frogs etc. We even had one booked to be made up by a lady. She was at some markets we went to. We gave her our email phone number etc and told her what we wanted. Heard not a thing from her so decided to ring, the phone rang out and then the next time it was disconnected. Gave up on her. Though her products did turn up at the markets a year or so later!! Though someone else was running the stall. A bit of a con-woman I think.

Anyway one day we were at Better Pets and Gardens in Midland looking to see what chook food they had. Wandering around the store, it is a lovely store to wander there in front of us was the wirework we now have on the front of our home. When we took the wirework to the counter the young lady admired it and we said we had been looking for a rose one. She quickly commented that now we have bought this one we would fine the right one soon. "Out of the mouths of babes I say" A month or so later I was doing the usual thing, calling into Bunnings on the way home and right in front of me was this wirework of Roses. I was so happy to see it. It is now leaning up against the wall out the back. I must organise a more permanent home for it.

I was happy to receive The Versatile Blogger Award from Nat. Thank you Nat.

Now my job is to pass it onto some Versatile bloggers. I would like to pass it onto everyone,so please take it and pass onto other bloggers. Surprise a blogging friend.Though I would like to pass it onto these bloggers especially,

Tarnyia , Jane, Roseanne, Pauline,Terri and Paula. I understand if you don't want to accept the award as some bloggers seem to decline these awards.

Happy Monday everyone.

Bev C

A finish for the Friday-Night-Sew-In.

Hello,

Well last night was Friday-Night-Sew-In. I took the opportunity to finish crocheting my scarf that I have been working on all week. I finished the last row with about 2 inches of wool to spare. I used the "Cleckheaton" wool that I purchased last year from Good Sammy's(op-shop) There were six balls in the bag for $6.50 which I think is a fantastic price. The photo really doesn't show up the red colour properly, it is more of a bright red apple colour. The scarf measures 170cm in length. I used a size 4.00 crochet hook.If you would like to crochet one the pattern is very easy.

Foundation chain. Work 31chain.
Foundation row,(right side) 1dc into 3rd chain from hook,*1tr into next ch,1dc into next ch:rep from * to end,turn.
Row 1. 1ch,1dc into first tr,1tr into next dc,*1dc into next tr,1tr into next dc,rep from * to end turn,

Keep on repeating Row 1 until scarf is desired length.

Please remember that these crochet instructions are Australian. I know that some countries the double crochet is different.

If you need any help,please ask.

It is a very simple pattern. You can even make 6 inch square blocks of different colours and join them up into a rug.

As I only had one craft photo to share today I quickly went out and took some photo's of the garden. The "Pierre de Ronsard" standard rose is coming into bloom. It is just a pity that it is only lightly scented,though the amount of blooms does make up for this.

Hollyhocks grow everywhere here at Kainga. I do mean everywhere,these ones are in the veggie garden. The bees are grateful for the pollen,someone is getting some nice honey made for them.

This is "Lorraine Lee" which has double coral-pink blooms. The bush has such lovely glossy foliage and always looks healthy. The amazing thing about this bush it hasn't had any aphids on it at all. Though the roses both sides have there fair share of them.

I hope you all have a great weekend and if you are in the part of the world where Friday is today enjoy your Sew-In.

Happy days.

Bev C

Colourful Friday-Green and Friday- Night Sew-In.

Hello,

Welcome to Colourful Friday, this week Robyn has chosen Green
for our colour. Now we have a green lounge and some rooms have pale green blinds here at Kainga. It was a bit of a battle to find things that were mainly green in colour though. I did manage to find some "greenery" from around the home. I even managed to get the lettuce and hiding behind the lettuce is some kiwi fruit in the plastic container,they are very green when you cut them open.

Outside it was so much easier to find green. We have several Rosemary hedges which are always green.

There are several succulents around the place.

The wire work on the front of the home is green.

Of course there are hundreds of rose leaves around Kainga. I wonder if I will get to eat some green jelly today?

I nearly forgot it it Friday-Night-Sew-In tonight,I think I will be finishing of the article I am making with this red wool.

Happy days.

Bev C

Sorry "Daisy"

Hello,

Look what I found in my sewing room bookshelf, "Daisy." Daisy was given to me a few years ago by Ainsley. Daisy has been flat packed away, she is all embroidered and sewn together. Even the buttons are in the packet ready to join her together.She just needs some stuffing. I must get her together.

After washing the quilts last week I discovered that two of them didn't have labels on the back. So today and a bit of yesterday was spent making labels on the embroidery machine. Thankfully I have the blog to check to see what date they were finished etc. Please don't ask how many I made today. I have been a little slack on the label department.

I have finished the latest block on Dawn's Block of the Month. I found a piece of green bias binding I had made for the basket handle and used some ric-rac for the flower stems. Love this quilt as I can use up my stash.

I have been looking around the home for green items for Colourful Friday. Check back on Friday to see what I have found.

Happy days.

Bev C

"Makes Me Happy Monday" number 41.

Hello,

Happy Monday everyone. I spent sometime over the weekend working on the embroidery machine, I am happy to say I embroidered these nine flannels. I will be passing them onto a lady on Tuesday. She is in the CWA (Country Womens Association) they usually have a charity they can give them to. The other good thing is I have one less parcel in the sewing room, gotta be happy about that to.

I wish I could say we received lots of rain on Sunday,unfortunately it only sprinkled a little in the morning. Oh well. I am happy that lots of roses are showing of there blooms. This one above is called "The Squire" It is a English Rose (previously known as a David Austin Rose) "The Squire" which was first produced in 1977 has beautifully formed,deeply cupped blooms of deep crimson,which become a rich purple with age. It has a rich old rose fragrance. It is a strong bush with dark green foliage which is great for cutting and will last well in a vase. It is mostly a continuously flowering bush.

I am very happy to have finished the "Planning and Hoping" quilt. I did the quilting on
Wednesday afternoon. I left the binding until Thursday. I have found it is best to work when you are refreshed.

I didn't worry about putting on a border. I debated about this as I had used two charm packs which I had bought from a stall holder at the Mundaring Markets and I really didn't have anything to match. The backing was also just wide enough if I didn't add on the borders. I have decided to call this quilt "Spring".

I have been doing a bit of tidying up in the sewing room to, which has made me happy. I am gradually working through projects which is a good feeling.

What is making you happy this Monday?

Happy days.

Bev C

Colourful Fridays-Blue

Hello,

Welcome to Colourful Friday. Today's colour is Blue. If you come to Kainga you will come through a blue gate to a house with blue verandah posts. You would have passed the blue pool on the way. Lots of blue around here. I found lots of blue items from the sewing room.

If you stay for a cuppa chances are you will be given a blue cup. Though not the cow one on the end that is my cup!!!! You can use a blue tea towel to wipe up. Though I wouldn't ask you to do that.

Chances are you would be given the milk for your cuppa from one of the blue jugs. The tea may even come from the blue teapot.

You would see some of the blue doily's I have crocheted. Chances are a blue quilt will be seen and I can guarantee you the blue cutting mat may even be on the table. The blue plate is very special. That stays on the cupboard above the oven. Ainsley and Julian gave that to us after they went to Bali. Julian proposed to Ainsley over there. It was just before the first Bali bombings. So a special plate. The blue sunflower jug is beside the kitchen sink brightening every ones day who does the dishes or at least puts there plates in the sink or dishwasher.

You would see some of my blue cross stitches hanging on the wall.Below it is a blue doily with a blue plate full of some of those little wishing stones. If you stay for a while you will get to use the blue broom and dustpan and brush set and the laundry basket is blue If you are into gardening there are plenty of plants planted in blue pots. So all in all a great many items are blue here at Kainga.

Last week on Colourful Friday when we celebrated the colour red I had Tomato and Fennel Soup at the Book Shop Cafe. This week I could try some blueberry muffins maybe.

Hope you have a Colourful Friday and look out for Blue.

Happy days.

Bev C

Planning and Hoping.

Hello,

Is there a difference between Planning and Hoping? The last couple of days I have been planning,thus I have cut out the backing and wadding to get this quilt top that has been ready for about a year. Hoping to get it done,now that is a different thing. David came home yesterday on the early train. See that is where the planning and hoping just went out the window. Maybe I will try to get it done today.

Today I decided it was time to wash the quilts which have been used in the family room over winter. So I have a colourful washing line filled with quilts drying gently in the breeze.

Don't forget to call back on Friday for "Colourful Friday." This week the colour is Blue. You can see the only blue flower we have in the garden at the moment- a Cornflower. The rose in the background is called Mutabilis.

Of to do some planning,or was that hoping.

Happy days.

Bev C

"Makes Me Happy Monday" number 40.

Hello,

Happy Monday to you all. Late last week I called into a neighbour who had started doing embroidery and quilting about March last year. We had a great chat about what she was into doing and those crafts that didn't interest her at all. I asked her if she liked cross stitch,she was straight of to her craft room and guess what she doesn't like cross stitch so I came home with the kit in the photo above.

I was talking to her about what I do with my scraps and she went back into the craft room and came out with a big bag of scraps. I cut the stringy bits of and I have this pile of strips of material. I am sure I can use them up. There is even some "rose"prints. This made for a very happy visit.

I am very happy that the roses are in bud or bloom. There are lots of aphids but the ladybirds are out and about in the garden. Plus we have had a lot of birds so there is plenty for them all.

The double red poppies have bloomed over the weekend. This one is growing amongst the broad beans which are producing. Over the weekend I caught up with Anita at the Bookshop Cafe. You will have to ask Anita how long we were there for.

A couple of other things are "Making Me Happy" today- Ian is on holidays for two weeks. It has been quite a while since he has taken holidays. He has been up in the shed making some beer. So he is happy. Bobbie-Lynn's blog always makes me happy.You must check out the post on her beautiful garden journal. If you are in need of a smile check out the header photo on this blog. While you are there you can read about Pauline.

Happy Monday.

Bev C

The story behind "97"

Hello,

It is nearly our daughter Bonnie's 25th Birthday in a fortnight. Either before or just after she was born I made this little crochet jumper. It was the first article of clothing using crochet that I had made. Before that I had only made scarves and blankets.

On the pattern sheet there was also a pattern for a bonnet. As we already had plenty of those I decided to use part of the pattern to make those 97 circles. They have remained in the same bag until I took them out the other week. Apparently I was going to join them together to make a blanket for her. Obviously this never happened.You know we had to wait a extra fortnight for Bonnie to arrive so this is my excuse for not getting it done!!! Anyway it was impossible to join them together so I decided to join them to the cream homespun with button hole stitch,using matching DMC thread.I then had them in a big pile and drew them out one by one to make twelve rows of eight. The final one is on the label on the back.

I found in my stash some floral material that was long and wide enough for the backing and also used this for the binding. As the circles are made of wool I used a thinner polyester wadding. It was fairly hard to quilt because of the weight of the quilt. Though it didn't take as long as I expected to.

Here it is in all its glory measuring approx. 51.5 inches wide by 77 inches long. Making this for Bonnie's Birthday will actually be more useful than if I had made it into a baby blanket. One funny thing happened while I was at the craft shop purchasing the wadding. There was another lady in the shop and the owner was telling her about my 97 circles and that I was making it for a 25th Birthday, the other lady said her Birthday isn't the 18th of October is it. Yes I said her son's Birthday is the same day. We both had a laugh. I then remember that when Bonnie was at High School she shared her day with him. I don't know if this is a record for a unfinished item being finished for the OPAM challenge but I hope it might make someone else finish a UFO.

So there you have it, the circles are all used up.

Have a great weekend and go St Kilda!!!!

Happy days.

Bev C