PEACE BY PIECE

Anyway, here's a joke for you.

2012-01-22T14:12:00.001+11:00

I've been too busy, and worn out, lately to do anything with this blog. We've been getting this house ready for sale. Yesterday and today we have been shampooing carpets. My right arm is useless right now, my back will never be the same again and I think I would sleep for 3 days if I put my head down right now. Only one room to go, . . . this one, the computer sewing room.
BTW, we have bought a house in Dubbo, NSW, and will be moving there around mid March.

Anyway, here's a joke for you.

STUDENT WHO OBTAINED 0% ON AN EXAM

I would have given him 100%!

Q1. In which battle did Napoleon die?
* His last battle.

Q2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
* at the bottom of the page.

Q3. River Ravi flows in which state?
* liquid.

Q4. What is the main reason for divorce?
* Marriage.

Q5. What is the main reason for failure?
* Exams.

Q6. What can you never eat for breakfast?
* Lunch & dinner.

Q7. What looks like half an apple?
* The other half.

Q8. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become?
* Wet.

Q9. How can a man go eight days without sleeping ?
* No problem, he sleeps at night.

Q10. How can you lift an elephant with one hand?
* You will never find an elephant that has only one hand...

Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in other hand, what would you have?
* Very large hands!

Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it?
* No time at all, the wall is already built by eight guys.

Q13. How can u drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?
* Any way you want, concrete floors are very hard to crack.

2011-12-31T07:10:00.001+11:00

2011-12-31T06:55:00.000+11:00

My Cleaning Fairy came around yesterday morning and spent three hours with me sorting and packing my clothes and the hall coat cupboard. She's wonderful. She gave the new vacuum cleaner a work-out. It's a powerful sucker, it blows the hep filter out the top of the machine all the time. Not happy. I will be phoning the manufacturer next week.
So, in preparation of our move, the main bedroom is now clean and tidy, I just have to make the bed properly.
No sooner had we finished than Aaron turned up with a truck and loaded the major portion of all his household stuff which has been stored in our garage since he got out of the Army nearly 4 years ago.
Hopefully we will be able to get the carpet shampoo bloke in on tuesday and then I can set up my lovely sitting room again.
Yesterday evening I was exhausted, and today I'm sore all over and I suffered sciatica pain in my left leg all night. My back is fecked but I'm full of drugs . . . . . . wonderful drugs . . . . and hopefully I will be recovered enough to wade in again on Sunday when my CF is coming back and we are going to hit the spare room and the two hall cupboards down this end of the house and make a start on my sewing room.

2011-12-24T10:25:00.000+11:00

Best wishes to everyone.

2011-12-24T10:22:00.002+11:00

Best wishes to everyone, for you and yours during the festive season and here's wishing you all a happy, healthy & prosperous 2012.

   Next time I 'see' you all it will be from Dubbo in the central west of New South Wales. We are in the process of buying a home there and plan to be moving in late January/early February, meanwhile I'm going to be packing (starting today) and presenting this house for sale.
   I don't know when I will be back on line as I'm going to have to find me an obliging 'kid' to hook me up again, but that's OK, we have plenty of NYM (nephews) to call on up there. One of them is bound to be computer savvy.
   I'm going to miss my Bathurst quilty mates. Heather and Christine have been a big part of my life for quite a few years. I hope they will come to visit as I plan to visit them whenever I am back in Bathurst.
   But I'm looking forward to meeting the Dubbo quilters and the Red Hat Society ladies of Dubbo too. I know some of you will be amongst them. I'll have a beautiful room for my quilting, a garage conversion similar to what I had in Swanbrooke St for those of you who visited there. And there's a double garage down the back yard that I will fit out if the room doesn't work out. I think it will tho - in my mind it does.
    This is a big move for Rod and I. Neither one of us has very much energy these days, and Rod tends to be in a semi-permanent state of panic these days too. I'm worried about him doing too much and he gets cranky when I ask him to slow/calm down. He was born in Dubbo and two of his sisters and quite a few of his old pals still live there so we will not be amongst strangers. I've already got a great-niece (7yrs old) wanting to learn to sew, so I'm all set too.
So, see you all in the new year sometime.
Cheers
Del Soden.
Still of Bathurst,
but soon to be Dubbo.

2011-11-11T13:03:00.000+11:00

Not a 1600 but closer to a 2000 quilt.

2011-11-09T07:17:00.002+11:00

Not exactly impressed with the way it's turned out. It was a roll from Spotlight, it had 50 strips in it. I used 48. I took out the 'yellow' strips they had in the roll and substituted some 'blue' strips fro another of thier rolls. The 'colour change' halfway up was totally unexpected and un-planned.

I like the colours, I like the colours together, just not too fussed about the whole effect.
Will probablu remain a top for a while.

I CAN FEEL A 1600 QUILT COMING ON.

2011-11-02T00:14:00.001+11:00

This is the first 1600 quilt video I saw^

This one I've just found. Some of the ladies are doing a variation by putting in a square of a different colour in between the joins of each strip.

I have another variation brewing in my head, but I an going to make the first 1600 like the top video and then if I don't totally hate the whole procedure, I'll try out my variation.

BTW, mine will be a 2000 Quilt as there are 50 strips in my roll.

JAWJ KILLS THE GLOVES

2011-10-31T05:09:00.002+11:00

Jawj did not like my red gloves. When I had them on, he tried to take them off.

I figured out how to up load a video.

this one has no sound.

A DAY IN BLACKHEATH – IT’S BLOOMIN’ BEAUTIFUL.

2011-10-30T13:14:00.004+11:00

I had a lovely day up at Blackheath yesterday, sewing with a bunch of local
ladies at Patchwork Place. One was ex-SCQuilter Gillian who I think might join
again, and another lady Leah who I think will join too. They both do wonderful
applique. I can see me dragging out the kit I bought in Beechworth and getting
these talented ladies to help me get it started. I managed to get a quick peek
at a black and white quilt that Jenny will be teaching soon and I'm sure she
said there would be a kit available too in the new year. And there's going to be
a Mystery Workshop with Jenny on Friday 25th November that I think I might go up
too.
I managed to get most of the binding sewn down on My Hearts and finished the
rest off last night.

I love the company of quilters, never yet met one I didn't like.

For those of you who live near or in the Blue Mountains, they are bursting with
blossoms right now. Wish I'd taken my camera. Amazing colours in the azaleas and
rhododendrons all over the place. Blackheath has a Rhododendron Festival every
year which finishes on 26th November. There's a few nurseries in the area too so
you might want to buy a few plants to put in at home. We did a few years ago
when we were building this garden and every year my rhododendron's huge bright
pink blossoms are a delight to the eye.
So, go for a drive through the Blue Mountains one day soon. Up thru Katoomba,
lunch in Blackheath, and a bit of SEX then on to Mt Victoria where you can cut
across to Bell's line of Road back to Sydney. Magnificent scenery along that
road too.
Cheering
D.

Question: How is retirement treating you D?

2011-10-28T10:47:00.001+11:00

Well, apart from sleeping most of the time, not too bad. Had a bit of a hiccup with Rod's pension where I went slightly balistic but eventually got it sorted out. Rod just doesn't want me ever going to Centre Link with him again. Apart from that, done a bit of reading, buried a nephew, visiting s-i-l in Syd (his mum) a lot, I did manage to hang the clippers around my neck yesterday which is a sure sign my 'sew-jo' (as in mo-jo) is beginning to work, and got the cutting table clear to cut out some fabric for the binding on My Hearts quilt that I have been hand quilting for a gazillion years. I'm going up to Blackheath on Saturday to check out a new quilting group so I will finish off the binding on that quilt while I'm up there. Plus it will give me something to talk about too. I'll put up a FF photo when I've finished the binding. I love sewing down the binding . . . . . no, . . . really . . . I do!
Thats it for now.

Sorry, no quilting photos this time. Here's another picture from my 'Well It Put A Smile On My Dial ' collection.

2011-10-22T17:19:00.000+11:00


GO ALLBLACKS !

REMEMBER THE RAINBOW WARRIOR !

Swaping blocks

2011-10-17T11:29:00.001+11:00

One of the quilting groups I belong to is 'chatting' about swapping blocks.

People who are new to quilting really should consider going in a few block swaps. You must pay very close attention to measurements which we tend to 'fudge' when only sewing for ourselves. It will also make you think about colour
combinations that maybe you would never choose for yourself. Swaps are a good learning curve for beginners.

I love Nine Patch and would be happy to participate in a group swapping them, but I probably wouldn't swap every month, just the colours/themes that appeal to me.
Likewise for Cobblestones.
I used to swap both over at SCQers a few years ago.
Both are extremly useful blocks and I still delve into my collection to add them to quilts or base a whole quilt around a collection of either.

I think Pinwheels would be a good swap too as they are also very useful, but keep in mind it's hard to keep them consistent in size (as there are so many different ways of making them), as I found out when collecting pinwheels for a
raffle quilt.

Maybe plain old Half Square Triangles could be considered as they are another block I find a lot of use for, and they can be trimmed easily if the size is not what you want.

I THINK I would like to go in a Round Robin again next year. (2012) I have only ever been in one and altho it was nerve wracking (because I was working on other people's quilts) it pushed me beyond my comfort zone and I thoroughly enjoyed it and the quilt I received back is one of my favorites.

and NO, I am not volunteering to run one.
I'm good at thinking up ideas but not so good at the organising side of things.
Sorry.

Above ^ pinwheels collected for a raffle quilt.

Above^. Hole in Shed (Barn) Door collected from around the world. I sent a center patch to everyone in the swap and they added the rest.

Above^. The result of a 'brights and black' draw at a Bathurst Bun Fight one year.

2011-10-16T00:39:00.000+11:00

2011-10-04T22:31:00.001+11:00

ABOUT TO RETIRE

2011-09-17T15:43:00.001+10:00

Yippee, the day is near when I will be retired!

The department made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and I finish up on 30th September 2011.

Big happy dance here.

Stand by for more regular blog entries.

Cheering

COURAGE

2011-07-15T07:06:00.002+10:00

For those of you who would like to know, this is how Hoogerland (sp??) ended up looking after he went upside down into a barbed wire fence on day ten of the Tour De France this year. He was involved in a terrible accident that was caused by a french television car accompanying the race. The car was at fault.

Hoogerland got back on his bike and finished the race, taking out the red polkadot shirt for that day.

The Joy Project

2011-07-12T21:20:00.002+10:00

I've joined the Joy Project and purchased the book.
Hopefully it will help me.
Depression is taking over again and I don't want to sink so very low again. I don't think I'd make it thru another bad down.

Name This Quilt.

2011-06-24T19:16:00.006+10:00

I'm going to make a quilt out of these 20 or so FQs. They were NOT picked for their beauty.

What would you call a quilt made from this selection?

And you don't have to be nice either.

I have told Ruth Allsop what I have in mind, let's see if any of you come close.

Well, here's the first pairing. Am using HST paper sheets I bought a loooooong time ago from The Quilter's Barn in Vic (I think) I get a set of 3s and a set of 1.5s from a pair of FQs. Haven't pulled the papers off yet. And have discovered I don't like pressing 1.5" HST open.
You can see the other FQs paired up on the left of the photo. They were picked up as they came off the line up on the table, no shuffling, they stay as they are wether they play nice together or not.

PS: I ended up giving this project away as a UFO. It just didn't want to play nicely with me. I'm sure Heather H will tame it.

2011-06-24T08:07:00.000+10:00

Steampunk

2011-06-22T13:55:00.001+10:00

Nathan, #2 son at the Winter Magic in Katoomba 2011.

without the mask on.

The book we all wanted to read to our kids.

2011-06-16T23:28:00.002+10:00

2011-05-15T23:04:00.001+10:00

For The Love Of Mrs. Brown Sample Mrs Brown's Boys Live

2011-05-04T06:39:00.000+10:00

SCQuilter’s Retreat 2011 – Kiama - photos

2011-03-29T23:03:00.001+11:00

View Full Album

Variety Club Youth Choir Flash Mob 'I am Australian'

2011-02-09T22:03:00.001+11:00

I'm sharing this cause it gives me goose bumps every time I hear it

Weighty matters

2011-01-16T21:41:00.001+11:00

Got on the scales at work last night. I don't think they are super accurate so I did an average of three. I was in uniform which has got a rather heavy belt but I did take my boots off. Came to 108.5 kg. Not good eh. But this is what I will be dressed in every time I get on the scales so I just have to grin and bear it this time.
I am going to have to start 'walking the yard' again. Why is it always hot weather when I'm walking. And the bloody flies drive me nuts! And with all the rain we've had recently the mozzies are Lancaster bomber sized and vicious too. And the bastard plovers haven't left 'home' this year at all. They seem to be 'nesting' all the time . . . surely it's not the same pair ??? (how many kids do they want??? Is there a baby bonus in the plover world???) All four eggs hatch and survive because they are so protected there, and the males return with a lady friend to where they are hatched to nest so it's already getting a bit crowded. Had them bluffed a couple of years ago when I first started walking the yard at work and one would just sit on the nest while the other followed me around the circuit, but this lot just don't want me there and are in attack mode all the time. .

FRANK & LIBBY'S QUILT GETS DELIVERED

2011-01-01T21:25:00.001+11:00

A bit about Frank, a man from the land.

Frank Myers: Born and Bred at Duramana, via Bathurst. Brought up on a farm. Was a shearer from an early age. Was instrumental in introducing wide combs into Australia. Was part of New Zealander Shearing Contractor Rob White's team who took on the Australian Workers Union to be able to use wide combs. Family was subjected to death threats and threats of violence. Court case ensued. Frank was black listed by the union and was therefore unable to ply his trade. They actually did him a favour - it saved his back! He and Libby purchased land at Yetholme where they built a magnificent stone house by hand and with the help of many friends. He has always been involved in some sort of farm work, or contracting. Now retired and after selling their "homestead", Pindari, he and his wife Libby are now travelling the Long Paddock or hitting the frog and toad in their Fifth Wheeler.

Pfffttttt! to Pintees.

2010-12-30T12:00:00.000+11:00

Ahhh bugga!
I thought I was sooooooo smart!

Oh well, I still have them for sale and I'll send them off to Mortals too from here if you like.
$2 each plus postage . . . . let's say $3:00 all up and I'll supply the little padded bag and stamp to send them to your Mortal.

Cheers
D.

PINTEES - MY INVENTION

2010-12-30T07:05:00.003+11:00

I invented and made Pintees to give away to the quilters that attended the Bathurst Bun Fight in 2010.

Not many came so I still have a few Pintees left.

I have decided to sell them.

So far I have sold 3 to Angels for little pressies for the 2011 SCQ Retreat Angel/Mortal swap.

If you are interested contact me at my email

deequilter@yahoo dot com

PINTEES
My invention.

A pin cushion on a golf tee that sits inside a cotton reel.
Small & useful.
I thought of them.
I made them.
I sell them.

I WON A PRI-IZE I WON A PRI-IZE !!!!!

2010-09-24T08:19:00.001+10:00

When I got home from work on Monday, there was a parcel waiting for me. I looooove parcels . . . especially ones I don't know what is inside. And it's especially nice to get a present when I get home from a morning shift, 'cause my 'evil twin' does morning shifts and she's not in a good mood by the time she gets home.

It was my prize from Pathwork Promises.
Wooo hooo!!!!!
Go here to check them out: http://www.patchworkpromises.com.au

Patchwork Promises is one of the quilt shops I 'follow' on Face Book. And they wanted us to put up photos of finished articles to go in a draw. So I put up a photo of the 4 needle cases I made from a an Annie Downs design . . . . and I won the draw??

Well, this is what I won!

There's a really great book "Material Obsession" by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke, which I fell asleep reading that night, not because it's dull, oh no, but because I have been working morning shifts and I crash every night I'm on them. Not even a really good quilt book will keep me awake much past 7pm when I'm doing morning shifts. (so I had to try again the next night and the next.) And I've earmarkes two quilts in it that I want to do, which means I now have to live to 143 years old. Plus a 25pc 'Slice' of really yummy blues and greens from the Flutterby series, a hera marker which is something I've always wanted, and a you-beaut 'Karisma' propelling pencil/marker, including a refil of white leads.

Now, is THAT a good prize or what!???

All for just putting up a photo, . . . . easy peasy.

So next time you see a give-away prize for visiting a site or blog,
GO DO IT!
Maybe you will be happy dancing (in your jammies) too!

Cheers
D.

Machine Quilting It My Way

2010-09-12T17:40:00.004+10:00

I just cannot get my head around this machine quilting gig. And it's not as if I haven't tried, and tried and tried . . . . and tried. I've had lessons and lots of advice from some of the best in the business, so yes, I can say, I really have given it a really good go.

Stippling is beyond me, and I no longer attempt 'decorative' loop-de-loops, squiggles, swirls, petals and leaves etc, not after a disasterous attempt at 'flowers and leaves' inside nine patches across a child's quilt that still languished in the back of the cupboard somewhere.
And so, . . . I meander . . . . but my meandering is more like the route of a herd of thirsty elephants with a wallow in the mud when they get there. I call it elephantwalking or elephantandering.
And there's something about 'in the ditch' that just doesn't happen after about 2-3 inches of creeping down a seam-line. With my 'let-them-lay-where-they-may' philosophy when it comes to some quilts whose seams go every which way, SITD is usually not a possibility.
Arrrrrg!
And I sew want to be good at this! I have far too many quilts to be quilted to ever be able to afford to have all of them tended to by a professional.

So I do it anyway.
Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm not.

I always make very careful choices of the backing fabric when I know I am going to be quilting it. It has to be 'busy' and not too pale. Busy backings hide a multitude of sins. And I'm also very careful about the thread I use on top. I don't want it to stand out, so I usually choose a varigated thread in colours to blend in with all the fabrics used in the top. I audition a few choices of thread by laying the quilt down on the floor and drizzling a few yards of each possible thread choice over a part of the quilt. (usually three or four reels of possibilities and 'drizzle' it over a good quarter of the quilt). Then I leave it alone for a while to decide for itself. I check back occaisonally to see it the quilt has 'accepted' or 'discarded' the candidates. Remember, I'm looking for something that totally blends in, NOT stand out. The thread in the bobbin always blends in with the backing, and is usually of one colour, not varigated. When the thread is chosen, I usually procrastinate a few days, . . weeks, . . . . years, again until I feel the 'urge' or the stress of not having it finished gets to me.

And then with or without a glass of wine, with or without tango music, I go for it!

First I elephantwalk a strip about a foot wide right down the middle of the quilt spreading my meander (erradically) about 3 to 6 inches to the left and the right of the centre line until I run it off the border at the bottom. I have a kind of F/F/F/

pattern rhythm that just sort of happens now and then and then goes away when it wants too, but it's usually just random wandering of about 1/2 to 1 1/2 inch distance from each other (whatever happens, wherever it goes), taking care not to 'cross the line' in too many really obvious places.

Then I go back to the the top of the quilt to the right of the centre scrawl and do it again, until I back myself into a corner or reach the bottom. If I do BMIC, I swear the appropriate F word (to go with the pattern) and just end off there and begin again somewhere else. (I find this happening less and less the more quilts I elephantander). Then when that right side is finished, I turn the quilt over, and starting near the center strip of previous elephantandering, I wander down the other right side of the quilt.
Once it's all finished, binding on and all, I hang the quilt up and stand back and have a look.

Itlldo!
It really will!
Trust me . . . . I'm a quilter!

I don't usually tell the person I'm giving it too that I did the quilting. And I certainly DO NOT say, "don't look too closely at the quilting, it's not very good 'cause i did it myself", cause that will be the first thing they do. My theory is, If I've made the quilt for them then they probably are not a quilter, so they are not really going to know how good or bad the machine quilting is, are they?

So there you have it . . . . I've fessed up and feel better about my machine quilting. Do you?

Oh!, the best tip I can give you is "GARDEN GLOVES" the cotton kind with little rubbery bumps on the palms. (to fit your hand snugly, not too big in size) And hey, the Sunday Telegraph is giving away the perfect kind with every copy today.

IVY’S I SPY QUILT FINISHED

2010-09-10T18:46:00.002+10:00

View Full Album

It's my standard I Spy quilt.

The big squares are cut 6.5" and the small are cut 3.5". The small patches are made into a Four Patch and each 4P is paired up with something completely different from the big square pile.

There is an Australian and New Zealander theme to this one. Ivy's daddy's family are Australian and her mummy's family are New Zealanders. So not only has it got koalas and kangaroos and crocodiles and such, but it also has kiwis, pukekos, fern carvings and things. Her grand-daddy Ron was very fond of horses too so there are a few of them included. He was an Australian buck-jump champion in his youth.

September - garden

2010-09-10T12:05:00.002+10:00

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NAPCAN : What can I do?

2010-09-05T17:48:00.001+10:00

www.napcan.org.au

I am a victim of childhood abuse - I don't know how, but I am still here. Damaged but alive.
The brutal physical and insidious psycological damage inflicted on me by a parent has affected me all my life. Only in the past 15 years have I come to terms with it all and learnt to let go. I now understand why that parent was the way they were. But I will never forgive. I don't have to. There is no excuse to treat children in such a manner.
I am 58.
I am a survivor.

Thangles demonstration video

2010-09-04T17:19:00.001+10:00

On being alone.

2010-08-28T01:22:00.003+10:00

2001 SCQuilters Queensland Retreat Siggy Squares

2010-08-27T14:08:00.003+10:00

I have been ratting around in the sewing room finding all my UFOs and in the last couple of weeks that I have been off work I have embarked upon OPERATION UFO.
There's heaps of them! I've been photographing them as I have found them and have been putting the photos up onnmy face Book wall where a few discussions have gone on as to what to do with them.

I dragged out the box of siggy squares I have collected since I joined Scquilters back in 1998 and somewhere along the way decided a Disappearing Nine Patch would be a good Idea. . . . and it was . . . it looks quite good, . . . but the top (which s probably the stage it will stay at for a while) has turned out bigger than I expected. So I won't be doing that again! I don't want these siggy square quilts to go on beds. I have some vague idea that they can hang on my display wall in between 'real' quilt projects. I added a blue and white Hawaiian print fabric for the centre patch of the starting 9 patch block.

Maz Jobrani: Did you hear the one about the Iranian-American? | Video on TED.com

2010-08-26T16:38:00.001+10:00

Maz Jobrani: Did you hear the one about the Iranian-American? | Video on TED.com

funny guy

Gone up again

2010-08-20T15:44:00.002+10:00

Weight's going up

will have to get back on the program.

motivation - low
energy - low
mood - low

LIFTING THE HEIGHT OF YOUR TABLE

2010-08-17T23:26:00.010+10:00

Here’s how I put longer legs over the legs of my table to raise it to the height I like for basting and cutting.

First of all, I started out with a plain formica top table. The legs were plain, – no angle to them, no fancywork on them, just straight up and down. My husband Rod found some square metal tubing and cut it to the height I wanted minus 2 inches (to allow for the table top and the plugs in the bottom of the legs.) I slid the metal legs over the legs of the table.

Easy Peasy. Table now is 38inches high.

As you can see, I use the space underneath it for storage. The top couple of drawers have cutting tools, scissors, pens and pencils, plus a choc box of quilters safetypins, and two tins of bead head pins that I no longer use prefering flowerhead pins these days.The rest of the drawers have FQs in them sorted by colour.

I've lifted the table up a bit so you can see the actual table leg inside the metal tubing.

the 'new' leg is now supporting the table. The industrial plastic stoppers were made to fit, to protect the floor.

What's on it right now.

It hasn't got a name or an owner yet. Way back in August last year when I put up photos of it while I was working on it someone suggested 'Purple Passionfruit' which is kinda OK 'cause we were also talking about a trelis that Rod had put up on the veranda. But will now consider any other suggestions you all may come up with now that it is nearly finished.

Basting the 'Ivy I Spy' quilt.

2010-08-16T18:23:00.005+10:00

First I bulldog clip the backing to the table top.

Then I put the wadding on and once it's in the right place I give it a bit of a pat to pat out any bumps and help it grip the backing fabric. Then I put the quilt top in place and pat that down too. These two layers are only laid on the backing. They are only bulldog clipped along the front edge and the right side edge to stop the whole lot moving while I baste it.

This table has square metal tube extensions slipped over the legs to make it 38 inches high which is the height I find comfortable.

More about how to raise the height of your table later.

See how I have placed the layers on to the backing using the edge of the table to line them up.

When I am happy with how it’s all lying, I hand baste the section of quilt that is on the table top.
Then I move the quilt to the next section to be basted. Usually I slide the quilt upwards, to place the center left section on the table top. Then I would slide it up again to baste the bottom left section.
Then I would reposition the quilt with the top right on the table and baste begin basting the right side of the quilt that has previously been dangling off the side of the table. Then I move down the right side as I did with the left side. Always bulldog clipping as I position each section. The more clips the better. I usually use 5-6.

I'm missing about 5 bulldog clips. Last time I remember having them was at the retreat. Hummmmmmmm. Now where did I put all those hanging tapes we used for the quilt show. Bet the clips are in the same place. (Well, I guess they are both ‘safe’)

I don't like using safety pins ‘cause I find they get in the way when I've got the quilt in the machine and removing them as I go cause they're in the way is a pain in the bum.
I like thread basting as I can sew right over it and then pull it out when I have finished the machine quilting. I am using up really old thread when basting. Like, some of these reels must be 30 years old. No good for using in the machine cause it breaks a lot. Ideal for basting because if I do stitch thru the thread it doesn't pull the quilting stitches when I'm taking it out - it breaks.

You can see how high the table is. (38”) I've got my weight on my elbows, so I'm not really bent over that much and because of the height of the table, my back doesn't hurt.

I love that little light. One of the best investments for sewing ever. And portable too.

I'm working down the edge of the top first. Then I’m going to work across the 'bottom' of what is on the table and then up the side of what is on the table then across the top slanting in until I go below where I started. I'll just keep going around and around on each section until I reach the centre. Then I’ll reposition the quilt and do the same again.

Mind you, It doesn't matter which way you baste. This time I’m going round and round and round, some times I go diagonal, sometimes up and down. It's just got to hold it all together while you are quilting it and then it all gets pulled out. I'm lucky, I can baste with both hands so I can go to the left with my right hand holding the needle and to the right with my left hand. - You can teach yourself to do this.

I like using stripes for binding. This is going to be a fairly wide binding as I have cut the strips at 3 inches. I joined the strips on to the end of one another this time so as to continue the stripes without going to all the fuss of aligning and joining them on the angle.
If it was not striped fabric I would have joined each end on the 45` angle.

And that’s how I baste a quilt.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Please leave a comment.

A MOBILE HOME WITH A DIFFERENCE.

2010-08-10T17:03:00.006+10:00

I haven’t put up any photos in recent posts so while I was waiting at the docs today for Rod, I was having a bit of a think and decided that every now and then I will post a photo or two (or more) that I really like from my collection and tell you a bit about it/them.

Here’s the first one.

This is a mobile home we saw during our South Island campervan trip in 2008. It was amazing! And what’s even more amazing, it wasn’t the only one we saw. Each was as individual as this one is. We stopped and had a chat with the guy in the photo, for the life of me I can’t remember his name right now, but his name was just as ‘different’ as his house.

They had a full sized oven in the kitchen, a pot bellied stove in the lounge room, a computer in the study, and two upstairs bedrooms.

Around the other side he had french doors opening off the loungeroom.

They have travelled all over NZ doing odd jobs as they go and said they have a wonderful life. No doubt about that, he was one of the happiest people I have ever met.
I like the way the other expensive campervan sits beside it, totally out-shone and up-staged.

I Spy Quilts

2010-08-10T12:39:00.005+10:00

Rod has a couple of doc appointments to go to today and since he isn’t allowed to drive yet, I will be going with him. First one is at 1:20. It will include a stress test on his heart. While I’m waiting, and since I tidied the sewing room the other night and sorted out most of the WIPs, UFOs and PHDs, I have been doing a bit of sewing.

I have already put the binding on ‘Coastal Story’ (as I have re-named it, - previously seen in this blog) already and will probably stitch it down this evening. - More about that quilt later, . . . . I’m actually thinking of selling it.

But the most important task at present is the 5 I Spy quilt tops (single be size) made for a friend. Today I am putting the borders on a couple of them and getting them all ready to go to the quilter. These quilts have been around for a few years. They were commissioned when my friend Di was expecting her first grand child and added to in number as the total of grand kids increased. Her oldest gkid is now 4 years old. (I think - could be older) I have had a mental block on getting them finished. I think I know what that mental block is/was but it's kind of complicated to explain. Be that as it may, I am working thru it and getting over it.

Di will be very pleased to hear this.
Di is my 'other' sister.
Di is a very patient person.

I will get in touch with Belinda (award winning machine quilter and personal pal of Eucalypt Ridge Quilting, via Orange, NSW) and arrange for us to go ...for a drive to deliver them before I go back to work.

BTW, last night, we slept under a quilt I started making for Rod about 10 years ago. It’s called ‘Is This Big Enough?’ which I will explain later when I share that story with you.

Photos to follow.

Peace By Piece.

Oklahoma Zentangle Fans Home - Oklahoma Zentangle Fans

2010-08-09T11:12:00.001+10:00

Oklahoma Zentangle Fans Home - Oklahoma Zentangle Fans

found this web site last night when I was surfing.

I joined.

GOING BACKWARDS

2010-08-08T21:54:00.000+10:00

FIA

no comment.

Time Off

2010-07-31T13:57:00.000+10:00

I've managed to get a few weeks off so I can ferry Rod around to his doctor's appointments - he's not allowed to drive for a while and generally keep an eye on him for a while. So things are going to be a bit tight around here for the next month or so.
He's going well with quitting smoking - hasn't had one since the heart attack. Still has the urge as the psychological habit is the hardest to break when you have been smoking for 50 years. We are gradually sorting out docs appointments and hopefully a cardio rehab program for him. I want him around for a few more years so I am going to make sure he sticks to the program so to speak. He's grumpy a lot, usually with me, but that's ok. I'd rather have him grumpy than not at all.

Got on the scales for the first time in a while. Have gained weight.
Loosing motivation fast. Feel on the verge of totally pigging out all the time.
Feeling very down. Ho hum, woe is me.

Rod is home

2010-07-24T20:59:00.002+10:00

Hi to all.
Thanks for being in touch every one.

Here’s a brief rundown on Rod. I’ll elaborate at a later date.

Rod is back at home. RPA sent him to Bathurst Hosp on Sat last week (17th) and they sent him home on Sunday. So he has been here at home nearly a week. He is doing well and taking things very v...ery easy. Runs out of puff very quickly. The docs in Syd were very impressed with his remarkable recovery but concerned that he was not taking the whole episode seriously enouh and told him that most people who have a massive heart attack like his spend the first week flat on their back wondering what the heck happened instead of hasselling nurses to 'unplug' him so he can have a shower/go for a walk etc. Twice they waved a big stick at him for not taking things seriously and one of the nurses got up him too.
The frequency that they used the word 'massive' was/is very unsettling. (he had 2 angioplastys/angiograms and has a 5cm stent in the big artery that goes into the heart which was totally blocked.)
Now that he's back home he's stewing because he left his wallet in the ambulance that bought him back to Bathurst, and they haven't posted it to him yet. So yesterday, he went and got his licence replaced so he is back driving already.
What worries me the most is how he gets worked up over trival things that really have no effect on his life (like tv ads etc) then when I try to calm him down he gets cranky with me! (I figure I will probably reach screaming point about this time next week.)
One really good thing to come out of this - - - he has not had a smoke since the 12th. Not one. I found his smokes when we got home and have them in my work jacket so they are out of his sight and hopefully out of mind most of the time too. When he has quit for a month then I will give them up too. That's been a deal between the two of us for a looooong time. Maybe this time it will work. I don't smoke at home, just at work now and then. He was quite surprised when told this recently cause he thought I had quit a month ago when he said he was going to, (but didn't)
Cheers
D.
I don't feel like 'playing' anymore so don't know when I'll get back to facebooking. BFN.

Winkles

2010-07-09T19:39:00.002+10:00

Done with a purple Zig 'cause I ran out of black pens

BTW, check out the weight graph - - - -

I have now lost 20 kilograms.

Only 18 to go.

Not a big loss this last fortnight, probably because of this dreadful cold I have . . . . . and quite frankly, I don't care - - - - - probably because of this dreadful cold I have.

Yesterday’s ZT and a comment on the Tour D’ France.

2010-07-05T13:23:00.003+10:00

Here’s a zentangle I finished yesterday, . . . . well last night actually, . . . . . as I watched the Tour D France. I printed out a couple of Sally’s ZTs to have a closer look at some of her designs. I check out designs others have done too. Is this cheating??? Can you ‘cheat’ with zentangles??
You see, I don’t have an ‘artistic’ mind so to speak and I find I get stuck in the same patterns, so looking at other zts kind of nudges my imagination into action. The scallop with the V in it is my own, haven’t seen that anywhere else yet. So is the big black dots ‘spinning’ off the coil with the little dots in between. And I like to think that the koru symbols here and there are my native Aoteoroa (NZ) ancestry coming through.

Speaking of the Tour D’ France,
. . . aren’t those Aussie boys gutsy. He did break his collar bone and has had to retire from the race. But he got back on that bike yesterday and lead the pelaton for ages setting the pace to wind those 3 breakaways back in. Splendid work!
And what about that pile up near the end!!!! How big a tangle was that!!! I don’t think I have ever seen worse in the race. Would have hated to have been on the bottom of that! I hope everyone made it out in one piece.
And BTW, Mark Renshaw who crossed the line second, just happens to be a Bathurst boy.
He’s Mark Cavendish’s lead-out man but since Cavendish was in amongst the big tangle, Mark went for it himself.
Happy happy dances here in Bathurst today.

HEY FOLKS - - - - LOOK - - - I CAN DRAW AFTER ALL! ! ! ! !

2010-07-04T12:30:00.003+10:00

Sally, an internet quilty friend of mine was in Bathurst recently for the SCQuilters 2010 retreat. She bought some of her projects with her for ‘Chantelle’ (a huuuuuuge suitcase, - - - - the tide went waaaaaay out in Tasmania when Sally left the island) Amongst these were some of her Zentangle drawings. I was very impressed with these. I was very impressed with everything she did – such a talented textile artist, - go check out her blog, http://sallydunn.blogspot.com/ but those zentangles had kind of haunted me ever since I saw them, until recently, when I decided to check out what they are all about.

Now this was a life changing decision as I CAN’T DRAW!

Never have been able too!

Couldn’t draw to save myself!

Stick figures are beyond me!

No joking! - - - - - - - I CANNOT draw.

So keep this in mind when I tell you all, off I went to the Zentangle site http://www.zentangle.com and blog http://zentangle.blogspot.com/ and I decide maybe I would give them a go.

Now basically, they are doodles, but doodles with intent.

You can read heaps and heaps about how Zentangles as such got started and by whom at the web site http://www.zentangle.com I printed of quite a bit of the information there and took it to work the next afternoon. It was interesting reading. – nothing new really, - we’ve all done squiggle patterns and coloured them in when we were kids, but this is sort of going a step further by not using colours but instead using patterns to ‘colour’ in the sections, and some very canny people have cleverly ‘named’ and marketed the idea. Lots of therapeutic benefits naturally, especially for those stressed out and unable to relax etc (moi).

You really need to read at the web site or the blog as I’m not doing a very good job of describing it all here.

Aaaanywaaaay, before long, (2 + hours) I had done my very first zentangle, on a blank cell-card with a pencil as I had no decent pen available at work that evening. And I haven’t got a photo of it either as I gave it to the Fiona, the Therapeutic Manager/Psychologist at work, along with everything I had printed out as I could see the potential this could have as art therapy for the inmates in the Acute Crisis Management Unit where we both work. Between us, we have since developed it into a program for the inmates and have already had three or four sessions with them. They want to Zentangle and all bar one has taken to it like ducks to water, love it, and want to do more all the time. Unfortunately, they are not allowed to have pencils (sharp objects) in their cells so they can only ZT while they are in the day-room under officer (me) supervision. Maybe I will be able to show you some of their zentangles one day. There’s all sorts of restrictions on taking photographs inside a gaol (jail to you Americans) and I sure as hell ain’t bringing their drawings home with me. That is even more no-no.

Here’s a photo of four of my first five ZTs though. I put a thimble in the photo so you can compare the size. They don’t have to be big. The little one is on the back of a business card, the big one (my second) is on a cell card which is about 6 inches square. I date them as I finish them.

The circles in the corners which you see repeated in three of them was inspired by the old strap-iron work of the brackets that are holding up the landings inside the wings in the main gaol which was built in the late 1880’s.

So folks, I’m thrilled to say, I can draw after all!

Give it a go mate, - - - - you can too.

BTW, there was a king-tide on Tasmania when Sally landed on her return home as she had twice as much loaded into that huge suitcase.

How she lifted it onto the scales at the local airport I don’t know!

The little SAAB jet that connects us to Sydney took off with one wing lower and circled twice before it got on course!

LETTER TO A NEW QUILTER

2010-07-04T00:00:00.005+10:00

Bought to you by - ‘Dee Easy Peasy Info For New Quilters’ ©

G’day Newbie Quilter.
Welcome to a wonderful world of Quilters. We are an entity unto our selves you know, and I’ve written this to help you get into the swing of things. As with any new venture, there are going to be words and terms that you will not understand to begin with. I will explain some of them here to get you started. As you come across others, don’t be afraid to ask. Quilters will always help another quilter, especially a beginner. Consider joining a local quilting group or internet quilting list. This way you will always have the knowledge and advice of experienced quilters to help you along the way.
Here’s some terms to get you started. Knowing these will help when you read quilting magazines or books or hear other quilters chatting. Keep them handy until you are familiar with the terms. You will notice that imperial measurements are still used. Ask me to explain that some time. Too long to go into it here.

Patchwork Quilting - this is what the craft/art-form/hobby you are about to embark upon is usually called. Also referred to as ‘patchwork’ or just ‘quilting’. Both commonly used but not strictly correct. You see, in reality, the patchwork part comes at the beginning of the project and the quilting part comes near the end of the process.

Patches - are the pieces/shapes you cut out according to the directions.

Piecing - stitching all the patches together in a particular order.

Applique - sewing particularly shaped pieces of fabric on to a bigger piece of background fabric.

Blocks - the units you’ve made when you have stitched all the patches/pieces together. When you’ve sewn the required number of blocks all together & you have a

Top or Quilt Top - what you now have when all the blocks are sewn together.

Backing - the fabric you have chosen to be the underside of the quilt.

Wadding - the material you have chosen to pad-out/stuff the quilt.

Layering - laying the backing & wadding & quilt top, one on top of the other prior to basting. Also referred to as sandwiching.

Basting - securing the backing & wadding & quilt top layers in readiness for quilting. There are a few ways of doing this. Long tacking stitches radiating from the centre or safety-pinning in a grid being the most used at present. Spraying a specialised glue is also growing in popularity but can prove difficult to do on ones own.

Quilting - the ancient art of stitching together three layers of fabric. By machine or by hand, it’s your choice.

Binding - the thin strip of fabric sewn around the edge of your quilt after you have finished quilting it. The binding conceals and strengthens the raw edge of the quilt.

Label - the identifying tag on the back of the quilt. Made of fabric and embellished with pertinent information about the quilt, its maker and its owner. Your choice to include it and your choice of design.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That’s the formal terms out of the way. Now for the colloquial ones.

Stash - your collection of fabric be they lengths of fabric or small pieces. Give it time - yours will grow. She who has the most fabric wins.

Fat Quarter - A piece of fabric usually 18 inches by 22 inches. To get a FQ, cut off a yard of fabric, cut it in half down the centre and then cut each length in half again forming a square-ish piece of fabric. However, the size can sometimes vary depending on which measuring system the shop is using to cut their fabrics. Always ask a shop if their FQ’s are cut to imperial or metric measurements. If they don’t understand what you are asking, be very wary of them.

Fat Eighth - usually measuring 9 inches by 22 inches, it’s a Fat Quarter cut in half. You will find both of these ‘fats’ breeding in your cupboard if you are lucky.

S.E.X. - a Stash Enhancement Expedition = going shopping for fabric. Any where, any time, any place - alone, with a special friend or in a group, all quilters enjoy S.E.X.

H.W.S. - He Who Suffers, also referred to as ‘The Pack Animal’ at craft and quilt shows as we only take them to carry the purchases, usually married to She Who Quilts.

Fudging - manipulating tiny adjustments to get the pieces to fit &/or sit just right.

U.F.O. - UnFinished Object. W.I.P - Work In Progress. W.D.S. - Wanna Do Someday and PhD = Project Half Done.

Of course there are many more, but you’ll pick them up or make them up as you go along. Half the fun is working them out as you come across them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Basic Equipment

You are going to need some equipment to get you started.
In the back of most quilting books and some magazines, you will find a list of equipment and instructions for various techniques used in the book. However, I can recommend ‘Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!!’ as a very good book for beginners and I found the best list of equipment and explanations why you need the various tools in ‘Fat Quarter Friendly’. I purchased the first book mentioned for $36:00 about 5 years ago and the other one in April 2001 for $39:83. Most quilting books are fairly expensive, usually because they are imported, but once your stash is about ankle deep ‘Fat Quarter Friendly’ is well worth the money. (No affiliation)
Starting at the beginning of the process, this is a list of what I think you should be spending your money on to get you started.

Fabric - the lengths stipulated in the pattern you have chosen. (Or any thing else that takes your fancy) Save yourself the time and money and start buying 100% cotton straight away instead of polyester/cotton mixes. Mind you, there is nothing to stop you from using polycottons if that’s what you want to do, but in the end, just like many of us before you, you will find they just don’t ‘work’ as well as 100% cottons do & polys hate hot irons. I know from experience.

Thread - It’s best to buy cotton thread if you are sewing cotton fabric. There are some good cotton wrapped poly threads around too. Generally, the more you pay, the better the thread. Matching the thread to the fabric is not necessary if not damned near impossible in quilting. Neutral colours such as off-white, beige, greys, pale-blue, pale pink work with most quilts.

Pins & Needles - The thinner and longer the pin the better. If you don’t mind spending a few dollars, buy fine silk pins. They are so thin most machines will glide over them with out causing a problem. Flower head pins are similar. If you are on a budget, then the glass bead head pins will work just as well. Remember to change the needle in your machine regularly. Save your old needles in a film canister clearly marked and find out how to sharpen them. For machine piecing you will find size 80/12 about right unless you are dealing with thicker than usual quilting fabrics when you should use a 14 or even a 16. For hand piecing &/or applique, use a size 10 or 11 Sharp. For hand quilting, try the bigger sized quilting needles to start with but a 10 or 12 Between is just as good (and usually easier to thread). I learnt at a machine quilting class that Jeans needles are the way to go for machine quilting. They are tougher than usual and take more punishment than the ordinary sewing machine needles.

Cutting Table - This should be of a comfortable height to you. Shorter than 5 ft 6 in will probably get away with the kitchen table. Taller than that and you will probably find something about 36 inches or higher more suitable. If it’s too low your back is going to hurt so slightly too high is probably better. If you have to use the antique dining room table, always put multiple layers of newspaper under an old sheet on the table so that any ‘over-cuts’ don’t damage the finish on the table and ruin the edge on your blade.

Cutting Mat - Sometimes you can pick up a mat & cutter combination deal. Get the biggest cutting mat you can afford. It should be at least 18 inches by 24 inches. These can be expensive when bought from specialist shops but cheaper ones can be found in major fabric chain stores and even in those ubiquitous cheapie shops. So long as it is a ‘self healing’ mat it will work with a rotary cutter. Don’t worry if it is blank on one side. That’s the side that I use the most.

Rotary Cutter - To start with buy one with a blade about 2 inches in diameter. You will find this size the best for cutting through multiple layers of fabric. If you can afford it, buy a spare blade now. It is common for Newbies to damage the blade the first day out and it’s frustrating to be learning to cut with a notched &/or blunt blade. Always read, observe and obey the safety directions. These things bite and they are very messy when they do.

Cutting Ruler - Start with a 6 inch by 24 inch ruler. It’s the one you are probably going to use the most. If you have the funds to begin with, also buy a 6 inch by 6 inch. Very handy. Later you will find there are rulers to suit most shapes, and projects designed to be cut only with the ruler invented for the purpose. Buy these specialist rulers later on down the track if you really think you can’t live without them.

Fabric Scissors - Even though you have a fabulous rotary cutter, you are still going to need a good pair of scissors. I recommend Sierra Sharps. (No affils) They are expensive so hide them from hubby and the kids. In fact wear them on a chain around your neck and don’t let no body use ’em for nuffin’.

Paper Scissors - These are the cheap pair that the others can borrow. Naturally you won’t be able to find them when you need them so buy 2 pair or even more. You’ll use them for cutting templates, plastic or cardboard, and everything else except fabric which they won’t cut anyway once they have been used to cut everything else.

Thread Clippers - ideal for trimming threads while sewing. Any kind will do and usually the cheaper ones work better and hold their tip edge better. I wear mine around my neck on about a yard of soft elastic so they are always exactly where I want them and it also eliminates the annoying clank as they get put down each time.

Sewing Machine - anything will do. A working Op-shop buy is just as good as one worth more than the family car. You only need a basic straight stitch to piece and machine quilt. The ability to drop the feed-dogs will also come in handy for machine quilting. If you can’t drop the feed-dogs there are ways around this so don’t worry. If it is an Op-shop buy or hand-me-down from great Aunt Agnes, make sure the machine has some presser feet with it. You will eventually work out which one works best for you to achieve a quarter inch seam. If it has a walking foot you’re in luck as it will save you purchasing one later when you see how much easier this makes machine quilting straight lines. If you plan to machine applique you are going to need an adjustable zig-zag stitch &/or a blind-hem stitch. All machines need to be dusted out and oiled regularly and serviced according to the manufacturers instructions.

Iron & Ironing Board - Press as you go is the best way to go. However do not wiggle press as this can distort your block. Instead, dab press. A steam iron is recommended but I never use one and instead have 2 squirt bottles nearby, one with water and one with diluted starch. An adjustable height ironing board can be situated next to your sewing machine so you don’t have to leave your desk to iron. However, an ironing board across the room is good for your health.

That’s it for the equipment - sounds a lot doesn’t it. It’s a big investment but all up it will probably cost you less than golf clubs, bag, cart and membership, or a drill, router and power-saw or a sun-roof, sheepskin seat covers & mag wheels. Keep this in mind when justifying expenditure.

This whole thing has turned out longer than I expected but there are still
Some Things You Need To Remember

1. NEVER let the Quilt Police faze you. - They are the only ones that ever achieve perfection.

2. The Fix It or Leave It Rule of Thumb - when you make a mistake - ask yourself, “Can I live with it?” If the answer is ‘no’ then fix it - otherwise leave it.

3. Learn how to Fudge - it saves frustration and saves asking the question in #2.

4. Treat the rotary cutter with respect. Get in the habit of engaging the safety cover before you put it down - every time - without fail - or you will regret it. It’s a scary piece of equipment in the wrong hands. Never, ever leave a rotary cutter and a child un-attended in the same room, no matter how old the child is.

5. Do not try to make a quilt in a day when you first start out even if the book/pattern says you can. You won’t have the experience or the stamina until your stash is at least somewhere near knee high.

Well, that’s about all I can think of for now. Other questions will arise as you move along your learning curve. If your teacher won’t answer them, asking for your money back should wake them up. If you are learning on your own from books, take the time to find and mix with other quilters, don’t be shy about showing off your handy-work and never be shy about asking questions. But the most important thing of all to remember is to take the time to relax & enjoy yourself. You deserve it.
Trust me, I’m a quilter.
Cheers
Del Soden

Remember

Keep stitching

We can sew our world together

Peace is by Pieces.

D.S.’92.

Just realised something important.

2010-06-18T13:52:00.000+10:00

I've just been and updated my weight chart (ticker) and I've just realised that I am now PAST THE HALF WAY (weigh) mark towards my final goal.

That makes me even happier.

Doing BIG happy dance here!

IT’S OFFICIAL!!!!!!! SECOND MAJOR GOAL REACHED

2010-06-18T13:47:00.002+10:00

Well folks, as of an hour ago it's official - I have reached my second goal which was to get under 100kg. OFFICIAL weigh in this morning - I am 99kg exactly. (is that Rocky music I can hear in the background?)

the customers in the chemist shop this morning thought I was a weirdo ‘cause of the cheer that Rod and I did when the scales finally stopped on 99. I really expected it to be more, but it was wonderful to watch those scales fluctuate between 98. 9 and 99.
It would have been much nicer if they had stopped at 98.9 but they finally made up their mind at 99.
I am VERY happy.
now I'm going to bed cause I don't feel well. Have quit smoking again. I think it's withdrawal.
I expect lots and lots of cheering and praise and back slapping and 'likes' when I get back online later.

I'm soooo looking forward to my bacon and eggs treat!

THE PROCESS PLEDGE

2010-06-12T01:57:00.005+10:00

I've taken THE PROCESS PLEDGE. And here it is:

I, Del Soden, (aka Dee/Deeozpq/Deequilter), pledge to talk more about my processes, even when I can’t quite put them into words or be sure I’m being totally clear. I’m going to put my thinking and my gut feelings out there.

Now it's your turn.

Go read R0ssie's blog at
http://r0ssie.blogspot.com/2010/05/process-pledge.html

and see what it is all about.

Here are the prompts R0ssie has listed to get you all started.

Do you have any new sketches to show?
Is this design inspired by a past quilt or someone else's quilt you saw (link, please)?
Does the color palette come from somewhere specific?
Are you trying to evoke a specific feeling?
Is this quilt intended for a specific person? How did that inform your choices?
Are you following a pattern, emulating a block you saw somewhere, using a liberated process, or totally winging it?
What are you hating about this quilt at this stage? What do you love?
Did you push yourself to try something new?
In working on the quilt, are you getting ideas about what you might want to try next? What? Did you sketch it?

SO CLOSE - and yet so far and a long time ago.

2010-06-11T20:36:00.008+10:00

G'day!

I didn't know whether to feel good or bad today after weigh-in. You see, it's been a while since I did an official weigh in (I think about 4 weeks) and I wasn't really looking forward to it because in the past month I have been way off the program some days. And I haven't done that much walking either. (SCQ Retreat, annual leave, bad weather) I've even had bread and pasta, shame , shock horror! So it was with trepidation that I got on the scales today. As usual, they did their little 'one at a time please! - - - get off !!!' protest and swung back and forth for a few gut wrenching seconds. Time enough for me to think, " this is NOT going to be good - beware world! I am NOT going to be in a good mood!" But then they settled on 100.8kg. SO CLOSE - - - and yet so far. You see, my second progress goal is to get under 100kg. Now, recently my smaller sized work pants have had a bit of gut room in them, (down from size 28 down to size 24,) so I knew I had lost something, but didn't think the result would be as good as that. The graph is on the move again. Yippee! and after a totally out of control month. But still, my bacon and eggs 'treat' evades me. (sad face) I am sooooo looking forward to that!

Going to put up a real 'before' photo here today. You can't really see me, but I'm in the back row on the right as you look at the photo. I was 10 years old that day. It was February 1963. Those are my friends from Mt Wellington Primary School. Two of my sisters are also in the photo. Susan is there in the back row on the left and Lizzy is the little cutie standing out the front. She was nearly three then. And the other little girl in the front row is one of mum's god-daughters, Merrilyn.

Back row: Susan (big sis) Melody, Joslyn, Heather then me.
front row: Pamela, Susan, Audrey, Merrilyn and Charmaine.
and I do remember their surnames, all except Joslyn, but it will come to me.

No, I'm not happy. Something rather dramatic happened that day, for which, because of my age, mum and I were not prepared for at all, and considering it was only a month after dad was killed, I wasn't handling things too well.
I'll tell you about that some time it you like.

Mum was a bridesmaid for lots of her friends and ended up with a lot of god-children. She was one of the last of her peer group to get married so I guess they all felt sorry for her. So the second photo is mum and dad's wedding photo. Didn't they look elegant?

From the left is Joe, our grandfather, who gave mum away 'cause both her her parents died when she was 15. Then there is Uncle Harvey, dad's lil bro, Aunty Brenda, Bill MacDonald, (dad's best mate, they went thru WW2 together) then I think it's one of mum's cousins, either Pat or Norma, dad Kenneth, and mum Doreen. They are in the Auckland Domain, outside one of the two beautiful glass-houses that we often visited for a day out in those pre-TV days. For those of you who have been to NZ, The Domain, is the huge park and gardens where the Auckland Museum is.

And remember last month I went to visit my Aunty Brenda (dad's lil sis) and Uncle Gordon, well here's a photo of them when they were young. It's not the photo that I particularly remember of them that led me to always thinking of Uncle G as my Surfie Uncle, but it's obviously taken on the same day. In the one I remember, Uncle Gordon was holding a surf-board, which I have since found out was actually what they called a body-board in those days (small version of a surf-board which were 15 to 20 feet long then) and he had made two of them after seeing someone at Waipu beach the week before. You can see how dishy he was. He's still dishy. And she still has her 'movie star' looks too as you can see in the previous photos of them with their quilts below this blog.

That's all for now.

Friday Flaunt

2010-05-28T14:00:00.002+10:00

Last week I went up to Newcastle to visit my Aunty Brenda and Uncle Gordon. My little sister Liz flew up from Melbourne too. They are the last of my mum and dad’s generation. We had a grand old chinwag and got a few family mysteries sorted out.
When I first started quilting in 1994, Aunty B was one of the first people I made a quilt for. It sat as a top for ages and then last year I finally finished it. I had also decided to give Uncle G a mystery quilt while I was making it. It so reminded me of him. I had always thought of him as my surfie uncle from a photo I had seen as a child of him as a very young man standing on a beach holding up a surfboard.
So last week, these two quilts were finally delivered.
Here’s a photo of the quilts in their new home.
And one of the four of us. They're looking pretty good for their mid eighties, aren't they?

Jawj Kills the Glove

2010-05-17T16:53:00.003+10:00

Haven't figured out how to upload a movie taken with my camera to the blog yet. You can see the video of this on my Face Book.

OOOOPS! - - - - well it was SCQer's Retreat!

2010-05-17T12:45:00.001+10:00

Weights gone up a wee bit.
I did go for wise choices but I guess I had too many of them to choose from.
Oh well, it was the SCQuilters 2010 Retreat so maybe it's not so bad after all.

This is me and my Tasmanian Quiltymate Sally on the 'Gala' night of the retreat.

2010-05-12T00:11:00.002+10:00

Spray Basting

SOUTHERN CROSS QUILTERS’ BANNER

2010-05-03T16:52:00.002+10:00

Here’s a Top Secret project I have been working on.
It’s a ‘venue’ banner for the SCQuilters’ Retreat being held here in Bathurst this weekend.

It will be hanging up at the gate to the Goldfield Conference Centre on Thursday morning so it will be real easy for people to see where the drive is. Then when everyone has arrived on Friday it will be hung inside the venue somewhere so everyone can have their photo taken in front of it. I’ve got a smaller banner that attaches to the bottom saying “Bathurst 2010” so it will be easy to pick which year these photos belong to.
The idea of this banner is that it will be passed on to the next committee to be hung at their retreat venue, (but they will have to make the town and year add-on piece themselves) and then they will pass it on etc.
The yellow fabric used is specially designed SCQuilter fabric that used to be available a few years ago, but is no longer made. I’m afraid I can’t remember the name of the two ladies that used to dye and print it. Some one will remind me, - - - was it Ami & Michelle ???
That’s Heathers tank stand that’s it’s hanging on for the preview this morning.
I am very pleased with it and very proud of it.

View Full Album

See you SCQuilters soon.

FRIDAY FLAUNT – I HAVE BEGUN ‘A GARDENERS JOURNAL’.

2010-04-30T20:42:00.002+10:00

Well, I finally have a stitching/quilting FF to share with you all. It’s been a long time.
Remember that needlecase I showed you a few weeks ago, - - - the Annie Downs one, - - - well I made a few more of them. One with one of her stitcheries on it and two with machine embroidery on them, - - - well I enjoyed those little projects so much that I decided to embark on something a bit bigger.
I like to have something to hand sew while I am at work on the night shift. I had bought a quilt kit for myself with applique and piecing while I was on hols in February, but couldn’t start it when I wanted too because there was a bit of a delay in me receiving the pattern/instruction book.
So, I had to find something else to do.
I had bought Annie Downs’ ‘A Gardeners Journal’ book so I could use a couple of her little stitcheries on some more needlecases and while I was looking through it, I thought “ this quilt is really nice. I think I might give this a go.” This also gives me a chance to use a chockie tin full of embroidery threads one of my work mates gave me. His wife died a couple of years ago and when he was going thru the cupboards he found a whole lot of her sewing gear which he passed on to me. I’m using threads from this chockie tin instead of Annie’s thread colour recommendations. Don’t know what fabric I’ll end up with for the pieced part of the quilt. Will work that out when I get to it.
Here’s a picture of those I have finished so far.

I have decided that all the ladies in the stitcheries will have red of-some-colour hats.

TREES ARE CHANGING

2010-04-30T20:14:00.002+10:00

The Southern Cross Quilters 2010 Retreat is on here in Bathurst on the Mother’s Day weekend. About 150 internet quilters from Australia and New Zealand are coming to town. Now THAT is going to be a lot of fun!

The country side is looking great as there has been a bit of rain around this past month and providing we don’t have a cyclone through here, the trees are going to look gorgeous too.

Here’s a sneak preview of part of a project I have been working on for the retreat and some tree photos I took today.

View Full Album

STILL GOING STRONG WITH THE WEIGHT LOSS

2010-04-30T19:48:00.003+10:00

Check out the graph!!!!!
I’m so close now to my next goal which is to get below 100kg.
And here’s some photos of me in my SIZE 20 shirt and my SIZE 20 trousers, both bought from the
CARE Australia shop for $2 each. I have never been able to buy clothes from St Vinnies/Salvos/Care as
they don’t often have my style of things in my size. So I was very happy about this. And notice
how ‘fitting’ the style of the shirt is too!
BTW, the trousers are a bit big on me!!!!!! - - - - now there’s a first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

View Full Album
101.8kg!
Doing a big happy dance here!

Anyone got those Zumba discs I see advertised on TV?
Would like a personal review on them please.
Am thinking of buying them.

AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORP = ANZAC

2010-04-25T06:37:00.003+10:00

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning . . .

We will remember them. . . . . .

Lest we forget.

We will remember them. . . . . .

Lest we forget.

Those are my dad's World War 2 medals (New Zealand) on the top and my youngest son's Iraq medals below, sitting on a quilt made from recycled Australian Army shirts that Aaron took to Iraq with him.

Now You Can Look

2010-04-16T14:05:00.002+10:00

NOW you can look at my weight graph!

I am doing a happy dance.

Not quite Zumba but happy happy happy!!!!!

DON'T LOOK

2010-04-10T06:35:00.001+10:00

DON'T LOOK AT MY WEIGHT CHART !

I am not happy.

It's a - - - - -

2010-04-09T09:17:00.000+10:00

One of the QDUers, Rosemary S, sent me the answer withing 5 mins.
Ya gotta get up early to beat 'em?

it's a - - - - - - do you think I would make it that easy????

Go have a look.

http://threads.madeira.de/threads/accessories-and-sewing-aids/helpful-sewing-aids.html

QUESTION

2010-04-09T08:37:00.002+10:00

What is it????
And what does it do?

Friday Flaunt – Three more Needle Cases

2010-04-07T14:33:00.004+10:00

I finally sewed the ribbon fastener onto the 4th needle case last night (wed). I forgot to put the button loop into the seam when I was stitching the outside & inside together and since I have hand stitched these NCs entirely I didn’t want to snip the seam and slip it in. So I used ribbon. I think it looks good. The only machine work is the cotton reel and word embroidery on 2 of them. Any opportunity for a play with the embroidery machine.
I really thought my embroidery days were in the past but helping Liz with her ongoing NZ postcards quilt project in Feb when I was visiting her, seems to have rekindled my interest. And I’m rather taken with these Anni Downes stitcheries and have started on the embroidered panels/block for her ‘garden’ quilt. I have no idea what fabric I will use for the rest of the quilt top as that is waaaaay down the track as yet. It will give me an excuse to visit her shop again and again while I decide. I like the idea that this talented woman has her shop “The Home Patch” in my town.
Here’s the photos.

View Full Album

Jasmine Came To Town

2010-04-04T21:02:00.002+10:00

Jasmine McDonald and her Sweetie came to Bathurst this Easter weekend to race a Porche up on Mt Panorama in a Light Car Clubs’ get-together.
They stayed at Christine’s place on Saturday night and I popped up for what I thought would be a quick visit as I’m a bit under the weather lately as I have managed to pick up a bit of a chest cold, but but turned into a great few hours. I love meeting ~~axe murderers~~, ummm, I mean SCQuilters.
It was great to finally meet Jas. We have been ‘chatting’ for more than 10 years on the internet but have never met before. It was one of those de ja vue moments for me. It was as if we had picked up where we left off last time we were together.

View Full Album

Weigh in this morning

2010-03-06T13:50:00.000+11:00

another 600grams lost. Have updated my ticker graph.
Don't like these 'grams' readings. It's a little bit discouraging.

Am trying to walk for 20 mins a day. I can usually cover 2km in that time.
The idea is to walk 2 or 3 times a day.
Working up to it.
haven't been swimming this week, been too cold in the mornings for Rod to go and I don't want to go by myself.

Small FF – a Hatched & Patched Needle Case

2010-03-05T11:45:00.002+11:00

It’s only a small object but it is something I made last week.
It’s a needle case, a kit by Anni Downes from her shop Hatched & Patched which is in Bathurst. I find myself more drawn to her shop these days. I like what she does.
I made it for one of my sisters, Liz, as a small thank you gift for the good time I had with her recently.
It’s hand sewn, no machine stitching at all.
I’ve cut 5 more to make up for others that have shown an interest/burning desire to own one and maybe a couple more to have put aside for little pressies. I’m going to use some of Anni’s stitchery designs instead of the butterfly applique on some of the next ones.

View Full Album

Isn’t it sweet!?

I did weigh in

2010-02-28T10:49:00.000+11:00

Weeeellll, I was there on Friday to pick up some more sachets so I figured I may as well.
26th February 2010
Weight = 107.7kg,
a loss of 700grams.
I think I like fortnightly weigh-ins better as 700grams is disappointing.
Waist = 109cm.
a loss of 2cm
which surprised me
and pleased me.

Directional drowning

2010-02-26T00:42:00.000+11:00

Started swimming yesterday
more like directional drowning!
LOL.
only managed a half a lap without stopping to start with but stayed in the pool for an hour walking and sort-of swimming the whole time.

Same thing today but managed two laps without stopping at one point there.
It makes me very tired and I have to have a 'nap' before I go to work in the afternoon.
Next week I'm on morning shift so will have to work out the swim for the afternoon.
Not getting on the scales this week. Will leave it and go at the end of the fortnight.
New issue work pants are too big! They gather when I put my belt on.
Don't think I have ever had that happen in my life before!

Cheers
D.

10kg down

2010-02-21T23:42:00.001+11:00

incase you didn't notice,

I have passed my first goal which was to loose 10kg.

Now the next one is to get under 100kg.

Check out the graph.

Looking good!

Check out this artist.

2010-02-20T13:54:00.000+11:00

http://luarts10.blogspot.com/

FRIDAY FLAUNT - SCQUILTY TARTS MEETING

2010-02-20T00:31:00.001+11:00

While I was in Melbourne to see the Cliff Richards Concert, I took my sister Liz along to the SCQuilty Tarts meeting at Glan Waverley. It was nice to meet some more SCQuilters. That's Liz, left foreground. She fits in nicely, doesn't she?

Another Weigh In Today

2010-02-05T22:46:00.000+11:00

Went for another weigh in this morning and I have only lost 900 grams this past week. That's a bit disappointing as I have been sticking to the program to the letter. But I guess a loss no matter how little is still better than a gain.
My Bestest Friend who has a lap-band and has lost a lot of weight gave me a top that is too big for her yesterday. It's a size 20 and it fits! It is a rather volumous style tho, draw string peasent neck line. But I am really thrilled and wore it for my check in today. I can't remember the last time I was given a hand-me-down. Must be way back before I was a teenager. It's a rather nice feeling.
I'm in the process of thinking about how to set up a 'network' of weight loosers so we can pass our clothes on as we get too small for them to the others who are not so far along in their weight loss..
My sis in NZ has gone from a size 28-30 to a size 20. Isn't that wonderful.! She's on a totally different type of programe to me. I want her to coach me! I'm looking forward to some of her hand-me-downs too.

No photos tonight. Too tired.

Hey, looks like I may have found out why I am so tired all the time, (and have been for years and years and years).
Seems I have a slower than normal heart beat and it looks like I may have a liver disease too. I have been telling doctors the same old symptoms over and over for years and finally one has come up with something. And he did it before i told him they symptoms too. He noticed the sores and all the scars from the scratching i do (witout thinking and in my sleep) and asked me about them. Told him I had done it for as long as I can remember. So, after a few more questions and answers, he sent me off for an ECG there and then, the results of which are a slow heartbeat and I'm off to a specialist soon. He also had a heap of bloodtests done and indications are my liver is on the blink.
See, I have been telling them for years something is not right! I was going to have Rod put on my tombstone, "See I told you I was crook!" Apparently Spike Milligan has something like that on his.

BREAST CANCER SCREENING

2010-02-03T20:22:00.002+11:00

I got this message thru one of the internet quilting groups I belong to. It’s been checked out thru snopes.com and is not a hoax.
Please tell ten friends to tell ten today! The Breast Cancer site is having
trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota
of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman.. It
takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram'
for free (pink window in the middle).
This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the
number of daily visits to donate mammogram in exchange for advertising.
Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you know.
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/
AGAIN, PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS TO TELL 10 ,
Thank you to all

PROGRESS ON THE NEW ROADS OUT THE BACK

2010-02-02T15:59:00.003+11:00

Curbing and guttering has gone in. These guys were the most organised and efficient team of road workers I have ever seen. They put it together like a ballet. Most of the curbing was done on Monday 1st Feb and they began dumping the gravel on the road in preparation for sealing this morning. Truck after truck, all double loaded, have been dumping. Rod and I have been scoring the drivers ability out of 10 as they come and go. I half expect them to ask for a copy of the photos. I don’t think any other road works in Bathurst have been so closely followed in photos. What I’m showing here on the blog is only a few of the heaps we have taken.

More of me GONE!!!!!

2010-01-30T18:24:00.000+11:00

Well, I've lost a bit more since I was last on the TF scales. Not as much as at my first weigh in but still a significant loss. 2.9kg!!!!!
I am now down to 111.8 kg which is a total of 6.7kg.
YIPPEE!!!!!!
This last two weeks haven't been easy. I'm still thinking about peanutbutter sandwiches, - - - - and Elvis, (of course) and now toasted cheese, tomato and onion sandwiches have joined the fantasy.
I've had visitors and we did some tripping around. I had a steak and veg meal while we were in Canberra last weekend and I had a bacon & egg, tomato, lettuce on turkish bread yesterday for lunch at Luera in the Blue Mountains when we took Sue down to catch her plane back to WA. Ooooh my it was just soooooo good. "mmmmm real food!" I said as It was placed in front of me. And it smelled sooo goood tooo! I enjoyed every last morsel of it and would have licked my plate if I hadn't been in public. When I went for my weigh in this morning I said to the TF girl, "have you got a big hanky, 'cause I think I am going to cry when I get on these scales." Of course I was thrilled when they showed I had still lost weight.
Maybe the this week it will be easier.
I've lost a total of 11cm from my waist too!
Cheers
D
for doing a big happy dance!!!!!!

Telstra Tower Black Mountain Canberra

2010-01-26T16:56:00.002+11:00

The windiest place I have ever been.
Rod, Del, Sue
January 23rd 2010

Computer Problems and a Remarkable Visitor.

2010-01-21T01:24:00.002+11:00

I'm having computer problems again and I also have my sister Sue from Fremantle
visiting so I won't be 'online' much for the next couple of weeks.
Still on the TF Program, took the belt in another notch today so something is
happening. Will miss weigh in on Friday cause we are going to Canberra to the
National Art Galley to see the Paris exhibition.
My older sister Sue is a famous artist in WA and I emailed her about the
exhibition and suggested she get herself over here before it finishes in April.
That was in the morning before I went to work. By the time I got home that night
she was booked on a plane and arrived yesterday. No flies on her! She's
unbelievable. Such energy and determination. An MS sufferer with a recently
fixed foot that had been broken for 5 months, (she thought it was arthritis) she
arrived at 3am in the morning and she was off to the local art gallery today for
3 hours. She has fallen in love with Entre The Giant, aka Bud and he has with
her. She wants to take him home. That will not be happening. She needs a little
dog like Bud. Anyone in WA able to help me out in finding one for her? A freebie
little dog that needs a home. Something small that likes to cuddle. She needs a
dog like this. She gets very lonely at times.
Catch up with you all later
Cheers
D.

Me and Sue fooling around at a New Years Party about 5 years ago.

Chinese Veges for lunch.

2010-01-17T23:49:00.002+11:00

It was Chinese buy-up at work today. I wasn't going to get any and just settle for a cup of chicken soup but then I remembered something I read somewhere in the TF program. So, I ordered a portion of steamed veg in the buy-up and made my soup up with half the required amount of water, let it sit a bit to thicken, and then poured it over the veges while they were still hot.
YUMMEE!
I'll be doing that again.
Getting annoyed with family who have 'snacks' of chicken noodle soup at 9:30pm right next to me. Smells soooooo good. Thing is, when I tell them the torture they are putting me thru, they get upset with me!
Huh! They just don't care, do they.
I bet you are all reeeeeeally sick of this blog by now - - - - - - which means I’m going to have to do some sewing.
Well, there is always the Retreat Challenge and Siggy Squares to get started on, eh?

I knew it was too good to be true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-01-16T17:16:00.002+11:00

I told the world the other night that I had lost 14 kilos after weighing myself on my scales which told me I was 106kg.
Then I went off to my Tony Fergusson weigh-in and was bought back to earth with a 10kg thump!.
Well, I had said that I didn't feel like I had lost 14k but thought maybe 3-5kg probably, hadn't I? So when that turned out to be the truth I wasn't too disappointed. Yep, that's closer to how much I had lost.
When I started on Tony Ferguson Program on the 7th January I was 118.5kg and my waist was 123cm.
A week later after sticking to the program religiously (but with no added activity yet) I am now 114.7kg and my waist is 117cm.
Which the TF consultant thought was marvellous. Which I thought was kinda OK ('cause I sorta knew the 14 kg couldn't be real). And then Rod told me that's nearly a stone and I was really happy when he said that.
So it looks like I am off to a good start, doesn't it?
I'm off to change my weight graph and tell everyone else now that I told the other day.
Thanks for all the encouragement and exclaimations. Hope you're just as happy now that you know it's only 4kg.
After all, I never have excelled at anything, so 4kg is average, just like me.
Cheers
D
for D-creasing.
Oh yes, I am seriously thinking about tossing the scales out. Any suggestions for a replacement? What's with these ones that take other readings too, do you think they are worth it????????

I CAN’T BELIEVE IT !

2010-01-15T00:27:00.004+11:00

I've just weighed myself and my scales say 106.0kg.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe it!
I'm going for a weigh in tomorrow and we'll see how much their scales differ. I hope it's close to mine.
I don't feel like I've lost 14 kilos since the 5th of january. I have taken my uniform belt in a notch, but I don't feel like I have lost any weight. If you'd have asked me I would have said 3-5kg since I started but not 14!!!!!
Boy does that graph line dipping down look good.
Cheers
D.
for D-lighted

That's me just now pointing to 117cm waist as opposed to 123 when TF weighed me.

CALORIE KING AUSTRALIA site is working again.

2010-01-15T00:04:00.001+11:00

They sent me an answer to my query the other day and explained what had gone on. wasn’t that nice of them?
So I can get back into writing up my daily food intake diary and all again.
Yaaaaaaa!
I missed them.

Still going

2010-01-13T02:58:00.005+11:00

Not as hungry today. Not as grumpy.
Note to self: take off glasses before you wash your face.

Haven't got on the scales again yet. But I have marked my belt where it did up when I was 125kg.
One less hole already.

Still hanging in there

2010-01-11T23:19:00.000+11:00

I am soooooo tired today. I don't think I will be long out of bed. This heat is killing me.
Rod cooked me two of the cutest lambchops for my protien today. Couldn't eat all my salad tonight at work tho. Now THAT"S a first for me. I love a big bowl of salad. Forgot to put Rod's home grown cherry tomatos in it and to me a salad is not a salad unless there is tomato in it.

Here's a photo from the Sydney SCQuilters Retreat 2005, (was it?)

And another day down.

2010-01-10T23:33:00.003+11:00

Went to work today, really hot there, hotter than the days temp because of all the radiated heat off the buildings. But I only had to walk past it all for about 100m and then I was in my loverly airconditioned office and wing.
So, first day at work since starting and so far so good.
Thought a lot about food today.
Still got a headache, and it's not coffee deprivation as a few of you have suggested it might be as I haven't cut back on that yet. I only have 3 small mugs of coffee a day anyway.
Menue today the same as yesterday only a variation on the protien with the evening salad. Today it was a nice little piece of steak. I didn't know steaks came that small.
Oh for a big juicy rump!
Oh that's right, I'm trying to get rid of the big rump, aren't I?

Another couple of holiday snaps.

These are Doreen's Daughters. This one was a weekend we all managed to get together in NZ in 2007 even tho the date stamp on the photo says 04. It was a new camera and i hadn't set the date properly, obviously. Oh well, it will just confuse forthcoming generations when they are researching the family tree, won't it. That's my baby sis janet and me in the back and the skinnies sitting in front are Sue, my oldest sister and Liz, my younger sister.

The reason we allgot together was so that Travis, in the middle, could finally get to meet his Aunty Sue. He's met the rest of us for the first time in 1996. He is my 'stolen generation' oldest son. See, it didn't only happen to Australia's indigenous people.

Day 3 nearly over.

2010-01-09T21:09:00.007+11:00

Woke up cranky again with the feed-lot mouth again. Toothpaste never tasted so good.

Today's food intake was nearly the same as yesterday, so I'm not going to write about that.
Had one less coffee today.
Didn't sleep too well last night. Kept fantasising about peanut butter sandwiches.
Rod has decided to join me. I don't know if this is a good idea. In the past, him supervising my diets has not worked. I read the program and he tells me I'm wrong cause he hasn't read the info and is still going by 20th Century dieting beliefs which mostly involved some sort of starvation. He never reads anything new about nutrition and still thinks a few sit ups and a couple of toe-touches is an excersise program.
We'll see what happens here.
The Caloerie King site is still playing up on me so I'm beginning to think that maybe I can run a food diary without them. The Tony Fergusson programe doesn't count calories any way, so I guess I have some work to do to get my mind around that.
I've been on days off these past 3 days so it's going to be interesting to see how I go at work tomorrow. I don't think it will be too bad because I am on C Watchs this week and I don't start until 2pm, which means I have got most of the day out of the way and will only have to take a salad to work for tea, which is what I usually do anyway.
Actually, I have been thinking on it today, and what I'm eating isn't that much different that what I usually do. No peanut butter sandwiches now tho and no chunks of cheese when I feel peckish. Gonna miss my cheese.
Smelt an iceblock Aaron was eating this afternoon, - - - - could have killed him for a lick!

Going to add in some photos from our holidays as I go along this diet diary/blog so that you don't all get totally bored.

Northern Territory Sept Oct 2005

Our #3 son Aaron was stationed in Darwin for 5 years.

The only thing that kept me going thru the heat was the thought that the holiday would soon be over and I would be back down south where it was cooler. We had a good look around while we were up there, figured we probably won't be back.

A Prison Officer Palm Tree. LOL.

Calorie King problems + 2nd day out of the way.

2010-01-09T01:15:00.000+11:00

Thank you those people who left comments here. I'm happy to see a couple of you are joining me. It's nice to know you are on board. Hold on tight , it could be a bumpy ride.

2nd day.
Woke up cranky this morning and had a taste in my mouth like the bottom of a bird cage . . . . nope, I'd go further than that. . . . . . like the floor of a feed lot . . . . . yep, that's closer.
Got on the scales, which i said i would not do, but did anyway out of curiosity and found myself to be 117.5kg which means I have lost 1 kg over the past 2 days, no exercise involved yet.
If it keeps going like this I will be happy but I won't hold my breath. Early days yet.
See the ticker.com weight chart I've added to the side there. It's going to be so nice to see the dots and the line drop.
You can get one too if you like. Just click on mine and you should go to the ticker.com site.

I really do want to use Calorie King again as once I have programmed in what and how much I am serving, it figures out all the nutritional measurements for me. It calculates how many calories and subtracts how many used up with whatever exercise. They have most of what you can buy in the shops already in the data base with portions and values workd out. You can set it to make up a meal plan for you and give you a shopping list. You can do this a week in advance if you like. So, you can see, it really is a great program/web site.
BUT
Calorie King is giving me grief today. Every time I try to add something to the daily diary &/or food diary it wants me to put my user name and password in again. To add todays food consumed, I have had to log in 22 times. It's giving me the right royal shites. Have sent them a help message.
I can't add anything to the blog their either as it tells me I need to be logged in to do that.
I AM F.....g. LOGGED IN!
GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

La La La Laaaaaa

Any way, I didn't go over the TF calorie intake today even if I can't put it into my CK diary. And since I had already put in todays meal menu and printed it out yesterday, I at least knew what my approximate intake and useage would be today. I'll see how close I went when I get CK working again.

Had a TF shake for breakfast with a cup of coffee, a multi vitamin and a chromium tablet along with the other medication I usually take.
If I could get all my meals in pill form it would make life so much easier.

Had TF tomato soup, 1 slice kibble & rye bread and teaspoon marge for lunch.
And a beauty apple. Tasted like paradise. It really did.

For dinner I had 1 cup each (not a mug but a real measuring cup cup) of the following things
chopped chicken,
shredded lettuce,
other assorted salad leaffy things,
chopped celery,
cucumber
plus
1 med tomato,

1/2 cup thinly sliced onion. (must get some spring onions)
1 desertspoon grated low cheese, (yes it was a level one)
1 desertspoon balsamic vinegar dressing,

It was surprising how big a salad this was. Filled a big pasta bowl.
I love a big bowl of salad.

Also throughout the day I had 3 coffees and I managed to drink more than 2 litres of water.
So once I can get back into Calorie King and get it working properly my food diary will be looking good. (not making tha public) Have only made the blog public.

I have had a small buzzy bothersome headache all day, must be all the water I'm drinking cause I haven't cut back on coffee yet, lol.
The halitosis is not as bad this evening as it was yesterday. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing. Halitosis means the body is using up stored energy (aka fat)

Weight Reduction Program #2010:1

2010-01-08T11:14:00.001+11:00

Still no sewing done. Can't see sewing table or cutting out table for the junk.
It's giving me the shites but I have no urge to do any thing at present. Everyday existence is a chore right now. Ho hum, woe is me!

Started on a weight reduction program yesterday.
Go to http://www.calorieking.com.au/blogs/?member=deeoz to see what I'm up too this time.

Feeling cranky today and my mouth tastes like the bottom of a bird-cage.
This is my 'BEFORE' shot. Taken a couple of months ago. Have actually put on about 5 kg since this was taken.
Starting weight yesterday was 118.5kg.
Final goal weight is 80kg.
First progressive goal in 113.5kg.

WHAT I CAN SEE FROM MY SEWING ROOM

2010-01-03T11:59:00.010+11:00

EARLY DECEMBER 2009

SUNDAY 3RD JANUARY 2010

standing in the doorway -looking out across the veranda.

from the veranda rail directly out side my sewing room. There used to be cows in the paddocks between us and the other houses.

BELOW: the track running thru the centre of the photo is going to be the continuation of Everden Rd which will be the 'main' thoughroughfare from this suburb to the suburb on the Ophir Rd.

The roofs you can see are on our street which curves down to the Ophir Rd (aka Dunkeld Rd). There is major road, another suburb, open land and the Mcquarrie River before you get to those really green paddocks in the photo.

A.C.M.U. Works Do. Dec 2009.

2009-12-18T14:57:00.001+11:00

Went to the Works Do.
Crazy mob I work with. We had a Bare-foot Bowling, BBQ & bBeverages night. Lots of fun.

I have never lawn bowled before. And managed to get Two bee stings on the same foot within a half inch of each other.

Most of us needed some instruction.

Some more than others

But we all has sooooo much fun, time really got away on us..
It was really dark by the time 'some' of us decided to call it a day!

That's Mick 'lighting the way' for his team.
This is the team I was in.

Lance & Graham

Sherelle & Del.

Love the rose shirt Lance. Me and Hilly won. Which was a big surprise to us as most of my bowls ended up in the ditch.

Back row: Coralie, Peter,

Front: Fiona, Geoff, Narelle.

Gary, Kent, Rod, Mick.

The Intrepid Night Time Bowlers.

And the others that came too.

Troy's GF, Troy, Noel & Trev.

A couple of others turned up later or avoided getting in photos.

Alison & Helen.

I love the people I work with. They are an amazing bunch.

Jawj and Entre Collage

2009-12-12T10:25:00.001+11:00

'Entre The Giant' has joined our family.

2009-12-04T10:18:00.001+11:00

I got a little dog!

'Entre The Giant' has joined our family.

So far he and Jawj are getting along fine. He has made friends with everyone and has already got a pat of Rod. I have him here at home on 'aproval' for the weekend but I think he is going to stay. I've fallen in love with him. He is a pomeranian/maltese x and about 5-6 years old.

Why is he called Entre, I here you ask?

Because he's about a mouthful!

Nathan has turned the corner

2009-12-04T10:10:00.005+11:00

Remember about 6 months ago I told you our #2 son, Nathan was very ill with a

blood clot on the lung. We came sooo close to loosing him. (I still shudder at

the thought of what might have happened if he hadn't have listened to me/mum and

got off to the doc when he did.)

Well, after a few set-backs along the way he's turned a corner today, finally, a

really big one.

Big Whew! around here this morning.

He went to his first fitness training session this morning.

Not being allowed to do any above very mild exercise for so long has meant that

he has lost all the fitness he did have and he was very fit as he was training 4

times a week and fighting most weekends when the 'sports related injury'

occured. In all that time off he only gained 6 kg so I think he did really well.

I lined up one of the guys I work with, who does fitness training on the side,

and Nathan went off for the first session this morning. He is surprised at just

how much fitness he has lost. But my mate Beau knows what he is doing and will

lead him along correctly. Now maybe Nathan can start getting his life back on

track again. Poor bugga! He never seems to get a break, always has to work

really hard for anything he gets in life.

Cheers

Oh, and he's still single and can cook.

Poor old Wunda is gone.

2009-11-12T01:19:00.007+11:00

Our dog Wunda passed away this evening (Wednesday 11/11/09) about 9:25pm. She was 15-16 years old and has been a wonderful pal to us all for the last 13 years..

PEACE BY PIECE

Anyway, here's a joke for you.

Best wishes to everyone.

Not a 1600 but closer to a 2000 quilt.

I CAN FEEL A 1600 QUILT COMING ON.

JAWJ KILLS THE GLOVES

A DAY IN BLACKHEATH – IT’S BLOOMIN’ BEAUTIFUL.

Question: How is retirement treating you D?

Swaping blocks

ABOUT TO RETIRE

COURAGE

The Joy Project

Name This Quilt.

Steampunk

The book we all wanted to read to our kids.

For The Love Of Mrs. Brown Sample Mrs Brown's Boys Live

SCQuilter’s Retreat 2011 – Kiama - photos

Variety Club Youth Choir Flash Mob 'I am Australian'

Weighty matters

FRANK & LIBBY'S QUILT GETS DELIVERED

Pfffttttt! to Pintees.

PINTEES - MY INVENTION

I WON A PRI-IZE I WON A PRI-IZE !!!!!

Machine Quilting It My Way

IVY’S I SPY QUILT FINISHED

September - garden

NAPCAN : What can I do?

Thangles demonstration video

On being alone.

2001 SCQuilters Queensland Retreat Siggy Squares

Maz Jobrani: Did you hear the one about the Iranian-American? | Video on TED.com

Gone up again

LIFTING THE HEIGHT OF YOUR TABLE

Basting the 'Ivy I Spy' quilt.

First I bulldog clip the backing to the table top.

This table has square metal tube extensions slipped over the legs to make it 38 inches high which is the height I find comfortable.

More about how to raise the height of your table later.

A MOBILE HOME WITH A DIFFERENCE.

I Spy Quilts

I have already put the binding on ‘Coastal Story’ (as I have re-named it, - previously seen in this blog) already and will probably stitch it down this evening. - More about that quilt later, . . . . I’m actually thinking of selling it.

Di will be very pleased to hear this. Di is my 'other' sister. Di is a very patient person.

I will get in touch with Belinda (award winning machine quilter and personal pal of Eucalypt Ridge Quilting, via Orange, NSW) and arrange for us to go ...for a drive to deliver them before I go back to work.

BTW, last night, we slept under a quilt I started making for Rod about 10 years ago. It’s called ‘Is This Big Enough?’ which I will explain later when I share that story with you.

Photos to follow.

Peace By Piece.

Oklahoma Zentangle Fans Home - Oklahoma Zentangle Fans

GOING BACKWARDS

Time Off

Rod is home

Winkles

Yesterday’s ZT and a comment on the Tour D’ France.

HEY FOLKS - - - - LOOK - - - I CAN DRAW AFTER ALL! ! ! ! !

LETTER TO A NEW QUILTER

Just realised something important.

IT’S OFFICIAL!!!!!!! SECOND MAJOR GOAL REACHED

Well folks, as of an hour ago it's official - I have reached my second goal which was to get under 100kg. OFFICIAL weigh in this morning - I am 99kg exactly. (is that Rocky music I can hear in the background?)

THE PROCESS PLEDGE

SO CLOSE - and yet so far and a long time ago.

Friday Flaunt

Jawj Kills the Glove

OOOOPS! - - - - well it was SCQer's Retreat!

SOUTHERN CROSS QUILTERS’ BANNER

FRIDAY FLAUNT – I HAVE BEGUN ‘A GARDENERS JOURNAL’.

TREES ARE CHANGING

STILL GOING STRONG WITH THE WEIGHT LOSS

AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORP = ANZAC

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning . . .

We will remember them. . . . . .

Lest we forget.

We will remember them. . . . . .

Lest we forget.

Those are my dad's World War 2 medals (New Zealand) on the top and my youngest son's Iraq medals below, sitting on a quilt made from recycled Australian Army shirts that Aaron took to Iraq with him.

Now You Can Look

DON'T LOOK

It's a - - - - -

QUESTION

Friday Flaunt – Three more Needle Cases

Jasmine Came To Town

Di will be very pleased to hear this.
Di is my 'other' sister.
Di is a very patient person.