Inspired ...

 Way back in 2015, my friend Cheryl from Australia had sent me a box of Aussie yard that I blogged about here. 

I have been waiting for the right pattern for this yarn to show up. Yea, it's been sitting patiently ... waiting! Well that day finally came. On August 8, I casted for this project.

The pattern is from a Danish designer ... Storm Sweater by PetiteKnit. It is available here. 

I love this designer! Her designs push my comfort zone. The construction of this sweater is nothing that I have ever seen. Her instructions are clear, making it easy to follow and learn new technics. 

The sweater is worked in the round but you begin with the back and connect accordingly. 

At this point I am ready to work on the front. As I mentioned, an interesting way of knitting a sweater. I'm certainly enjoying pushing my comfort zone. 

Aside from knitting/self-care, I have not been up to much. Not sure how the weather has been in you area, but here, in way up New York state, I can see Canada from my house, it's been quite a wet summer. It certainly makes it easy to stay home and knit. I'm enjoying my quiet life. 

Thanks for stopping by. Cheers!

Fixing my blog

 I love my blog. However, with the recent and not so recent up dates with Google/Blogger, I noticed that I had lost all the videos/slide shows I had created with Picasa. If you clicked on the post, you had no record of the photographs ... blank

Luckily, I was able to link my Picasa account with Google and retrieve all the photographs. I then begin creating slide shows using iPhoto. Love my Mac.

What a production this has been; viewing blogging posts from December 2011 backwards. I think I have corrected everything. This has taken me the better part of a full day, but at least it is all there ... new slide shows.

These fixes were definitely a trip down memory lane ... I'll be honest, I cried at some of the posts and others, I relish in the experience.

Glad my blog is now back in order. Not that I expect people to read my blog from day one ... that would be January 18, 2007 ... Lots has happened since then.

On another note, I did receive my Wool Box from Primitive Gatherings. 

Off to think about what I want to work on next. Catch you all later.

hoppin' ...!

Every Easter my dear friend Cheryl from down under sends me a box of Aussie chocolates. OMG, they are so yummy.

The box consists of your standard treats ... bunnies ... and of course, lots of unique things, one of which is a bilby, an Aussie Easter tradition.

Have you ever seen a bilby? They are so cute with their long ears. This year's bilby ....

Personally, I think they should have placed the chocolate eggs in the back and not the front! lol

So, wishing everyone a happy Easter from way up northeast New York, I can see Canada from my house, to all the way from down under.

Cheers!

Chooky SSCS 2016 ...!

I have been participating in Donna's Chookyblue Secret Santa Swap since it began back in 2007. It has become a yearly tradition for me. I'm always on the look out for that special post from Donna!

This year my Secret Santa was Jan from the Little Red Hen blog.  She made me this cute ornament to go on my tree...

Since Pumpkin did not get home from Winter break until Christmas weekend, our tree was not up and I could not take a picture that would do justice to this cute ornament. And yes, given that the tree was put up late, it is still up! :)

On American Christmas day, yes I could have cheated and opened it on Australian Christmas day, lol, I was delighted to have received this cute little quilt from Jan

And this gorgeous shawl and a cute pin!

Aren't I lucky?

Thank you again Jan for the wonderful gifts! Burgundy is one of my favourite colours! I just love it all!

Thank you for stopping by my little corner in cyber space!  Cheers!

Happy Easter Mate!

All the way from Australia!

So thankful! Have a wonderful Easter celebration! Cheers!

Gratitude ....

Do any of you have a happy shelf? Some might view it as an accumulation of "stuff" but I like to think of it as a happy place. Whatever is on it ... makes me happy! Here is my happy shelf, well a corner of it!

Before you all mention it, YES, I'm a big train fan. Just love Thomas the Tank engine! I own quite a few DVDs and books! I didn't have access to much when I was growing up ... I'm catching up! lol

Anyway, the reason why I'm showing you this corner is because there are items there from special quilter and friends.  One quilter/blogger in particular always thinks of me during the Christmas holidays.  That special person is Debbie from Woolensails and .... I neglected to show you the beautiful items she made for me last December.

I just love the way she makes her items look aged! Debbie does such beautiful work. For the past couple of years, she also included a nice balsam smelling pillow!

I have quite a few lying around my sewing studio! They smell so fresh! Thank you again Debbie for your friendship.

I've met some wonderful people via cyberspace and fostered some special friendships. Blogging has been good for me. 

Thanks for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace! Catch you later! Cheers!

Chookyblue SSCS Swap ....!

It's been a busy holiday season for me. With Pumpkin's final exams taking place the last possible week of school, it made for a rushing of family visits here and there and every where! I hope you had a wonderful family celebration!

Every year, I participate in Donna's, chookyblue's, Secret Santa Swap!

I've been a part of it from year one. I wouldn't miss it for the world!

My secret Santa this year was Janice, from Australia.  The parcel arrived, so nicely wrapped.

I was allowed to unwrap one package before December 25, the ornament.

Don't they look pretty on the tree?

On the eve of December 24, I opened my main gift! I figured it was Christmas day in Australia .... I wasn't breaking any rules! Lol

This is what Janice sent me.

It's beautiful! The colours are vibrant! The picture does not do it justice!

DH suggested we use it on the dinning room table for our family holiday dinner .... NO WAY! He's not getting gravy on that gorgeous table runner!

Stephen is "suppose" to be working on a credenza for the dinning room. So I quickly took the opportunity to remind him that had he finished the project, that's where the table runner would go! I think I need to crack my whip!

Thank you again Janice for the lovely gifts! Cheers!

Something naked .... I hope you like it!

Most of you know that I have a dear friend, Cheryl, who lives in Australia. She is such a generous soul, so thoughtful and ... has a warp sense of humour. That's one of the reasons why we get along so well! lol

Late November, she sends me an e-mail saying that she sent me something "naked".

"Some people do not like the naked look, but I tend to like it."

Ok, so Cheryl likes the naked look!

You can just imagine what was going through my mind! Hum .... something naked all the way from Australia ..... interesting!

Well the box arrived this week.

Oh goodie, I get to unwrap gifts! I cannot wait to see what's "naked" underneath the wrapping! lol

Oh .... Gorgeous Australian "naked" wool! It is stunning! I can see why she likes it "naked" .... So do I!

I cannot wait to plan a project with this gorgeous yarn. Any suggestions? There's also a couple of skeins of finger weight yarn ... I'm thinking socks!

As I knit away I can watch the Lake Eyre collection! I hope to one day visit Australia! Cheryl takes it upon herself to educate me regarding the culture and customs! I just love it!

Thanks for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace! Cheers!

Aussie Chocolate fest ...!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter or Passover, which ever one you celebrate.  As for myself, we went down to Massachusetts to spend time with family.  Always a fun filled weekend full of food and good company.

As most of you know, I have a dear, crazy and I love her so much, friend Cheryl who is one of the most generous souls I have ever met in my life.  She's my Aussie friend and every Easter she sends a box of Australian chocolates.

We're talking a Chocolate fest here!  Yea, I am just about to go into a choco coma!

In my quest to relief some guilt, I grab an apple.  Have you ever seen such a big Fuji apple?!

Yea .... that's a chocolate egg for the leaf!  Makes the apple look so appetizing doesn't it?  Well, that's the smallest one I could find.  That is a meal in itself.  How does one grow such big apples?

Normal Apple

I'd eat the smaller apple if I could, but it's rotten.  I photographed it's good side!

If you need me I'll be on a chocolate buzz compliment of an Aussie!  Catch you later!  Cheers!

Happy New Year!

Since I have been blogging, I have met many kind people on Blogland and forged some wonderful friendships.

Every year, during the Christmas Holidays, Debbie of Woolensails sends me a gift.  Debbie is a very talented quilter, her style is folk art, which is one of my favourite.

Allow me to share with you the beautiful gift I received from Debbie this year.

Check out the details on this needle punch pillow!  Wow!  I just love it!

Yes, many of Debbie's work graces my tree during the holiday season.  Her work as well as those of others is what makes decorating my tree special.

Thank you again Debbie for your kindness and friendship.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace.  Wishing you and your loved ones a wonder New Year!  Namaste!

Chookyblue's Secret Santa Swap ...!

Hello everyone, I do hope you had a wonderful holiday season.

I have been participating in Donna's, Chookyblue blog, Secret Santa Swap since she first started back in 2007.   What fun it is!  I have never been disappointed.   So, allow me to share with you what I received from my Secret Santa, Suze of Bears Mum.

Check out the packaging!  Right up my alley!

Lovely!  Here is my ornament.

Early December when DD and I were putting up the various decorations on the tree, it was nice to reminiscent.

Our tree is nothing fancy, just a mishmash of various ornaments, (some from my maternal grandmother, some from friends and swaps and others from the various projects done by DD throughout her elementary school year) but it's very special to me.  When I look at my tree, it has meaning ... that's how I like it! ;)

This is what Suze sent me for Christmas.

It's lovely! It now hangs in my sewing studio!

Thank you again Suze for being my Secret Santa.

I do hope Santa was good to you.  Thanks for stopping by!  Cheers!

What the heck ...!

We go from freezing arctic Brrrrrr - "baby it's cold outside" weather to, hey "it's a heat wave".  One extreme to another within hours!  Okay, a relief from the bitter cold is nice, but does it have to be to that extreme????

I want to share an event that took place at Fibre Junction, back in early December.  It was our last meeting of Jo's Little women' club 12. Both the day and night group met in the evening.  It was a "potluck" dinner, gosh was it delicious!  And those willing, brought a hand made pin cushion gift wrapped for our "Yankee Pincushion Swap".

What a blast it was!

There are many ways of doing a Yankee Swap, but these were our rule:

There will be 3 rounds.  Each participant picks a number out of a hat.  We proceed in numerical order.  Everyone gets to open a package on the first round.  When your number comes up, you chose a wrapped package from the pile, opened it, and if you want to swap, you can do so with other members who have opened a gift.  Round 2, everyone has a change to swap - numerical order.  On round 3, only number 1 gets to swap.

Wanna see the pincushions?

Here is the last one.  I just couldn't get a picture of the whole thing.

I truly enjoyed everyone's creativity.  Each one is so unique.  I just love them all!  What a great group of women!

This is the pincushion that came home with me!

Cute as a button and it fits nicely in my English Paper Piecing basket.

What a great group of women!  Thank you!

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of cyber space.  Cheers!

SSCS 2013 ...!

Do you participate in swaps?  I sure do, and I love it.  This year, I did Donna - Chookyblues Secret Santa swap!

Kerry Swain was my Secret Santa and sent me a copy of her book.

Love the projects in it!  She also made this beautiful wall hanging.

Thank you again Kerry for being my Secret Santa and thank you Donna for hosting another successful swap!

Spoiled ....!

By a couple of wonderful quilters on Blogland.  I feel so grateful.  First let me share what Debbie from Woolensails sent me!

Isn't it just beautiful?!  I love snowmen!  Thank you so much Debbie for thinking of me.

I also participated in a Mug Rug Swap that Debbie organized with a Prim group I belong too. My partner was Karen from Log Cabin Quilter who need I say, went beyond the requirements.

Wanna see the beautiful gifts?

Adorable! Stephen is building me some shelves for my sewing studio (yes it's still not all organized - surprised?) and it will have a permanent spot! To cute not to enjoy all year!

A cute wallhanging and a mug rug!  More snowmen - how did she know that I just love snowmen?  And if this wasn't enough .....

How cute is that?  Can you say "spoiled"?  Indeed I have been spoiled this holiday season.

Thank you so much Debbie and Karen for spoiling me.  You have no idea how much this means to me.  It's been a crazy year and your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.

Snow day ... !

We haven't had a storm like this in a long time!  It's gorgeous out!  This morning I actually entertained the thought of opening the Shoppe! Then I came to my senses.  So far we have had a foot of snow and it keeps coming down!

It's a perfect day for quilting!  I've been working on Fibre's latest BOM, Civil War Melodies!  I have 8 (eight) months of blocks completed so far.  Guess what I'm working on today? ;o)

I want to share with you my CSSC 2012 gift from Kerstin.

Isn't gorgeous!  The workmanship is amazing!  Thank you so much Kerstin for being my Secret Santa!

I'm off to do some quilting!  I hope everyone affected by this storm is safe and sound.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner in cyberspace!

CSSC 2012 ...!

My Secret Santa Parcel, organized by Chookyblue, arrived early this month!

This year, my secret partner is Kerstin from Kerstin bunte Welt blog, and here is my cute little ornament, already on the tree! Too cute!

Kerstin also included a bonus, an owl case! I love owls!

Hum.... I haven't seen that case around! Bet you DD took it! It's soooo adorable!  She also included another little  treat, gorgeous ribbons!

Thank you again Kerstin for the lovely treats.  Looking forward to opening my big present on Christmas day!

Gratitude....!

Hello everyone!

Lots to blog about here ... I just haven't organized anything ... yet! ;o)  In the mean time, I would like to share with you some goodies I received from some wonderful people.

I must admit, Blog Land has been very good to me. I have met, via cyberspace, some wonderful people, one of which is Deborah from Woolensails. Deborah is an expert on making anything look prim. She always has something "primming" on her blog! lol

This is what the surprise envelope I received late December 2011 contained!

Beautiful! Of course the picture does not do it justice.  I love the prim look!

Thank you again Deborah!

The other gift comes from my Aussie friend Cheryl. I have known Cheryl (no blog) for quite some time. We have not met in person, YET! BUT .... it is on my list of things to do. ;o)

I have been coveting wanting the Vignette magazine by Leanne of  Leanne's House for quite some time. You can imagine my surprise when this package arrived in the mail from Daisy Cottage Quilting.

Sharon always does such a nice job with presentation!  It was none other than:

How sweet is that?  I'm so glad that Cheryl found Sharon's site for her order.  Thank you again Cheryl for such a wonderful gift!  You are the bestest! ;o)

Now I need to get off the computer and spend some time with my magazines.  I just love Aussie magazines.

As Donna from Chookyblue would say.... Catch you later........! ;o)

Secret Santa Christmas Swap 2011....!

Hello everyone!  Merry Christmas! I hope you are enjoying a pleasant holiday celebration.

I would like to share with you the rest of my gifts from the SSCS 2011 swap.  Here are the rest of the goodies I received from Lurline.

Thank you Lurline for the wonderful gifts and thank you Donna from Chookyblue for hosting such a wonderful swap.

Prim Swap

I so enjoy belonging to swaps during the holiday time.  There's something about exchanging a hand made gift with another quilter that just makes my heart sing.

Another swap that I enjoy is one from a Primitive Folk Art quilting Group.  It was organized by Debbie of Woolensails.

My secret swap partner was Barbara and here is what I received from her.

Sweet hey?! ;o)

When I first saw that table topper I thought "that sure looks familiar!" Come to find out, it's from the very first issue of the Primitive Quilts and Project magazine. The pattern is call Cold Days by Lynda and Rebecca Hall.

I also received these two little guys. Aren't they cute! Now if that wasn't enough...

Barbara made this very nice framed prim cross stitched.  I just love how it looks old, something I have yet to master.

Thank you again Barbara for the wonderful goodies you sent me!  Cheers!