Day 27 - 31 Days of Blogging

The river is running.  The dam has water in it.  What a treat to see after work today.

After work, decided to have a look at the Cloncurry River.  So glad I did, not that it was a long journey, just down the end of the main street, basically.  What a site and sound to behold.

The water was rushing and roaring, down what was a very dry and empty river bed.  As you can see by the trees, the river is running rather high.  It is actually running over the weir.

These are of the dam.  It may not look much from the photos, but to see it, was such a blessing.

Here at the house in town we have had approximately 11.4mLs.  Out on the station we got about an inch, but that was early this morning, prior to today's rain.  It will interesting to see the total rainfall from this rain depression.

Australia is a country of many extremes, those poor souls in Victoria, who are suffering from bush fires, my heart goes out to them.  Up here we are in drought, with this rain around, it will take more that the small amount we have received to break the drought, but fingers crossed this is the beginning of the end of the drought.

It is the cattle, my heart breaks for, they are so weak, when they fall down, mostly they are put down.  Such heart break.  Or the game, plucky ones, go into the dried out dams and get stuck in the mire, if they and you are lucky, they are able to be pulled out via a tow rope and four wheel drive.  Others are not so lucky, I will let you imagination run here.


Thank you for taking time to stop by.

Happy stitching.

Sharon

Day 25 - 31 Days of Blogging.

My wish is that everyone had a safe and joyous Christmas.

I was spoilt with a range of lovely gifts today.  A lovely roast turkey lunch, home made mango ice cream.  Tonight we went and had a BBQ at my partner's eldest daughter's home.

I shall just share a photo of the Christmas Full Moon over Cloncurry.

Thank you for taking time to stop by.
Happy stitching.
 Sharon

Day 22 - 31 Days of Blogging

Hello

I got side-tracked last night by sleeping,  therefore was unable to post.  Came home from work, with intention of making fritters for tea, and that was all they were,  an intention!  Had a shower, a few nuts, fell asleep on the lounge, awoke, madeca scrambled egg, ate that,  washed my dishes,  and was in bed by 18.45 hours.  Slept until 22.17 h8urs, thinking it was time to get ready for work,  so rolled over, and had some more sleep.  Bliss.

Tonight's, another Lucy Boston block was almost completed,  but looked at the clock, and saw it was time to get ready for bed and do a blog post.

Still waiting for this much needed rain. Depending on what weather site  you refer to, gives you varying forecasts on the "potential" for a cyclone and possible rain. Again depending if a cyclone forms, and where it crosses the coast,  depends ifnwe get any rain. So it is a waiting game.


Thank you for taking time to stop by.

Happy stitching. Sharon

Day 19 - 31 Days of Blogging

Sunday evening,  the second last one of 2015.  My 2015 flew by.

This weekend was spent completing "The Happiness Quilt".  Well that was my hoped for goal. Guess what? I did complete the blocks, still have to sew them together,  but that will come about after Christmas,  when the sewing machine can be set up.

The frog block is the one I completed today.

 The snail block was completed earlier this week.

Both blocks require a wash, and a press. I am rather chuffed that this much stitching was completed this week.

Now it is off to bed.  Tomorrow night,  hopefully some stitching may get done on "Lucy Boston" or "Pies and Tarts", both are enjoyable to work on.

Thank you for taking time to stop by.

 Happy stitching. Sharon

Is It Day Really Day 18 - 31 Days of Blogging

Oh  dear, l have been absent. Tuesday night was my last post.

My week in review since Tuesday.  I broke a recently filled tooth on Tuesday, luckily enough the dentist was able to slot me in on Wednesday.  Oh the dear sweet dentist,  wanted to file it down,  but I opted for an extraction.

I am getting a bit peeved at teeth. You look after them, then back in 2007 I chose to have braces to have minor straightening. That worked well. Then I thought I would have them whitened when the braces were removed, but unfortunately I got sick.  From there it was down hill, between the medication and the sickness my teeth just "have gone to hell in a hand basket".

Now on a brighter note, I have completed the stitching on the second last block of "The Happiness Quilt", I believe that is where myntime disappeared to instead of the daily blog posts.

Today,  was spent, stitching on the final block of "The Happiness Quilt". The tree trunk, and five of the leaves were blanket stitched around. Unfortunately,  I fell asleep about 17.30 hours for two hours.

Now  I am sitting in bed writing this post before I go to bed for the night.

However, during the week, and the drive to and from Mount Isa,  to the dentist,  I listened to "At Home With The Templetons", a book by Monica McInerney. Tremendous "listen".  Monica McInerney always gives the reader an adventure, or an escape from their own life. Lovely story to listen whilst one sews.

"The Secret Lives of Dresses" by Erin McKean, transported me to Carolina, to vintage dresses, ham, biscuits,  southern ladies. Again, this "listen", was fantastic to sew along to.

Thank you for taking time to stop by.

Happy stitching. Sharon

Day 13 - 31 Days of Blogging

I awoke to skies like this today ...

Wow, they were full juicy clouds, which I hoped would produce some lovely precipitation.  Well, a few hours into the morning it began to drizzle, and then rain and rain a little more.  Such a wonderful sound and smell.

At the house in town we 16.5mLs and out at Jersey (the Station) we got 53mLs, such a beautiful early Christmas gift.  Let's hope there is some more.  The poor cattle, some of them are so frail, they fall down and are unable to get back up, and are therefore shot, such a waste and such sadness.

 This is a photo of the rain from the back door at work, looking towards the carpark, taken at morning tea break.  I wished I had my telephone on me earlier when the rain was much heavier,( but whilst on duty, telephones etc are in our lockers).

Thank you for taking time to stop by.

Happy stitching.

Sharon

Day 12 - 31 Days of Blogging

Today has been hot ... what is unusual about that.

There is a "promise" of rain in the next few days, I shall believe it when I see it, hear it and feel it.  I do not mean a couple of spots either, I would love love some good soaking rain.

On Friday night we only had a small amount of rain in town, maybe 3mL.  Out at Jersey, the station, we got 19.5mL.  So much so that it washed away some of the fences, so when I was at work, Allan was out putting up fences.  Allan took the dogs with him.  My sweet Poppy, who detests baths, was having the time of her life, running up and down the creek bank, and swimming in the creek.

Little traitor, grrrrr.


Thank you for taking time to stop by.

 Happy stitching.

Sharon

Day 11 - 31 Days of Blogging

I never got to post yesterday, finished work, came home had a shower and thought I would have a lay down for half an hour, this was just after 4.00pm.  Hello, 2.00am, yes that is when I woke up, 2.30am to be precise, so I rolled over and went back to sleep.

Well here is today, went to work bright and early, finished worked came home and had a shower (not sure if I am OCD about germs, or a germaphobe).

Started sewing Lucy, then got to thinking about the "Happiness Quilt", it was a BOM in 2014 by Monica Poole.  I vaguely remembered seeing it in a box the other day, so I went burrowing around and found the last two blocks that I am working on, not so much to do at all, really.

Then I had a bit more of a forage and found the completed seven blocks.

So another project to complete.  I wonder how many more I will remember that I have on the go.

Thank you for taking time to stop by.

 Happy stitching.

Sharon

Day 9 - 31 Days of Bogging

Today we went to Mount Isa, approximately 117kms east of Cloncurry, this is a snapshopt of the road, there is a tiny bit of green from recent storms.

 Almost in Mount Isa, ready? to attack the final bits ad pieces of Christmas shopping, argh.

Actually it was not to bad today, not overly busy, hot yes, but got most of the items of my list, both paper and mental.

I was even lucky enough to score a bargain on some vitamin supplements the Doctor recommend I take.  I have a magnesium deficiency, though I have been taking magnesium for a fair while.  Somewhere I remember reading you could purchase a powder to mix in water, so tracked of that down, one pharmacy was over $40, the one I purchased it from had a sale so I got it for $25.

I also have been having shocking insomnia, had Temazepam prescribed,but it has not been doing what it is supposed to be doing, then I tried some Diazepam, which I use when I fly, again no luck, and I detest the groggy feeling in the morning.  If I got some sleep the groggy feeling may be slightly acceptable.

Anyway the Doctor the other day suggested some Melatonin, again I scored a bargain and it was on sale, so seeing lady luck was shining upon me with the cost of these supplements, I hope it is an omen and they decide to work.

I am hoping to put a few stitches in Lucy tonight.

Thank you for taking time to stop by.

Happy stitching.

 Sharon

Day 8 - 31 Days of Blogging

Today was my day off, well I cleaned and dusted and did other various odd bits of housework. Plus disposed of some more rubbish, found the cord for a r radio, that I had despaired of ever finding again. That is it for the tedious part of the day.

For the  fun part, I glue basted three  more blocks of Lucy. Not sure how I feel about glue basting. I guess it has advantages and disadvantages against thread basting.  Sitting on the fence on this one.

Then I  completed sewing this block of Lucy. I am pleased how they are turning out.

I must set some time aside to cut out the cream elongated hexies, that go between the blocks. I also must organise myself to cut out the cornerstones.

While I was glue basting I watched "Orange is the New Black", was able to drW it out of our local library. I watched a few episodes on a recent trip to Brisbane while staying with my daughter who has Netflix. Am totally addicted to it!!

Day 7 - 31 Days of Blogging

I did not get a post done yesterday, did not get much of anything done actually, was rather unwell.  Enough of that.

Today was a new day. Hopefully will get some sewing time tonight. The clouds are building up (again), there are distant rumblings, and when I took the rubbish out, we literally had six spots of rain.

Poppy has finally decided to forgive me. It has taken from Sunday afternoon, until this morning for her to get over having a bath. She would not come near me at all yesterday, which was unusual, in itself, because if I am off colour she never leaves my side, but not yesterday, would look at me then go under the bed. Tonight she is sitting beside me on the lounge.

We are now going to watch the final episode/s of "Home and Away", and do some slow stitching on Lucy Boston.

Day 5 - 31 Days of Blogging

Hello Readers

Another hot day ....42°, build up of storm clouds, but alas, no rain, nor storm. Oh well, can always hope for tomorrow.

I am still getting the cold shoulder from Poppy. I decided to bath her yesterday afternoon, big mistake, Poppy loathes baths. But it was a hot day and silly me thought she might enjoy a nice bath. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Poppy would hardly give me the time of day last night. Although she did greet me this afternoon when I arrived home from work. Another thin Poppy does not like is her photo getting taken, always turns away at the crucial moment. But here is a snapshot of her.

31 Days of Blogging - Day 4

Sunday a day of rest and reflection .....

Drat, misses a sleep-in opportunity, awoke at 06.20 hours, well, suppose it was a bit of a sleep in, not the usual 05.00 hours.

Prepared my uniforms for the week. Did a bit of necessary house work. Cooked a Roast Chicken in the Varoma in the Thermomix.  Did the veges in there as well, not to bad at all, and the gravy, was the bees knees.

Have not had the television at all today. Just listened to "Death of a Dustman" by MC Beaton. I draw them put of the local library, or rather download them onto my tablet. I am unsure if city libraries have the same facility, but if they do and you enjoy reading, audio books are fantastic, you can sew and "read" at the same time.

In my sewing world, today I cut out block 4 in Pies and Tarts. The one I am doing is by Sue Daley from Patchwork with Busyfingers. It was a block of the month. Meanwhile, I am still assembling month two.

Here is a small selection of the basted Pie pieces I managed today.

Day 3 - 31 Days of Blogging

Well here I am back, day 3. Another hot day in NW QLD, 42°, even as I write this post, it is still 30°. Days like this, I  feel like immigrating and living with Polar Bears and Penguins.

I completed another block in Lucy Boston, POTC. In addition, I  also completed a Pie in the Pies and Tarts quilt. So many more to go, in both quilts.

But at least I have made a start, and have a little more done than two weeks ago, when I picked up my needle and thread.

31 Days of Blogging - Day 2

This is what I got up to when I finished work today. Cut out another Lucy Boston, Patchwork of the Crosses (POTC).

I am doing my(POTC) through Sandy, over at Shiralee stitches. We are up to block 14, eeeek. But me in my slackness have only sewn three blocks, though, I have cut out eight blocks, counting todays effort.

My (sort of) game plan is to come home from work, and if not to tired or feeling unwell, get in and cut out another block, each day until I have them all cut out. Then after tea, if not to fatigued, I shall sew until I begin to nod off. Not much fun jabbing oneself when half asleep.

I have many other projects I will share over the coming days.

Hopefully the quality of my photography skills will improve.

Thirty-One Days of Blogging

Well I am back in the land of Blogging.  I think the last time I blogged was approximately March this year.  I stopped sewing, living, existing, I ceased all activities accept from going to work (had a fair share of sick days as well).

The reason being I received some rather disturbing news regarding my health.  Felt like life was over, as I knew it.  It took me from March to November to regain my sewing mojo (apart from the day I attended the local rodeo, I took along some hexies to baste).

I pinned a quilt in June for a new great-nephew, yep, you guessed it, it is still sitting in the cupboard.  Have so much of life to catch up on.

All I know the time I have left on this earth I am going to make count.  Live life to the fullest (well the fullest in my capacity eg sewing, knitting, reading, cooking).

Anyhow, how I started blogging again, been thinking about it for a while, but that is as far as it went.  Until I saw this post on "Happy Cottage Quilter", when I hit the link in "Happy Cottage Quilter" Blog, it brought me to http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/ run by Cheryl Sleboda.

Basically you blog each day for thirty-one days, commencing 1 December, Yes I am running late, took me a while to get organised.

So this is all for today.  I shall keep you all posted what I am up to in my journey back to life .... I guess.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Happy stitching. and crafting.

Sharon

Nature's Journey SAL - February Blocks

Wow, I  finished my  February  blocks, and still have  a week  until the end of the month!

These are my blocks, I changed the  circles  to Suffolk Puffs ( Yoyos )!  I  also  used Cottage Garden threads for the stitching. The  colours I selected are :-

503 Snapdragon
1201 Peacock
605 Cherry Blossom
710 Farmers Market
1001 Red  Carnation.

This was my first time undertaking needle turn appliqué, once I got the hang of it,  I began to feel  a lot more relaxed.  However,  the Needle Turn Police will probably have conniptions!

Furthermore,  I  am using a white background  through out, and 1930s fabrics. I have been  saving some of  these  fabrics for close on fifteen years,  for that  special  project,  and this is the  special  project!

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Happy stitching. Sharon

Compass Quilters - Shauna's Blocks

Oh dear, I am  running shamefacedly late with the blocks  for Shauna. They were due in January.

 The only  excuse  I have  is work and sleep, just felt (and still  do feel  as though I am  needing to  catch up on my sleep).

Now I  just have to make it to the  Post Office.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Happy stitching. Sharon

January Fat Quarter Swap

Lovely oriental  themed FQs  received from  Diana B  for January .

I have an idea of what I  may use them in, just have to look at the  pattern.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Happy stitching. Sharon

Happy Mail

Two more blocks received from one of the members of Compass Quilters.  Huge hugs and thank yous to  Diana from Red Delicious  for these lovely blocks

These two will go beautifully with the others I  have received. I shall soon get  around to sewing them altogether.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Happy stitching. Sharon

Running Late, but Decision Made

I am running shamefacedly late with border 4 for Jane's quilt (Where Jane Creates).

Not the best of photographs, but it is starting to  rain outside. Here the heavy  drops?

I feel rather bad for being so  late with passing this onto to Jo, I have  had it to work on since prior to  Christmas,  kept  pulling  it out to look at , and the put it away again, because  honestly,  it scared me!

Anyhow,  I  colaborated  with a work colleague,  who is a brilliant quilter ( yes you Aunty Kags) and dear lady  offered some vary valuable  advice. (I only  wish I had  spoken to her earlier on).

All is good now, I  shall  work on border 4 on my days off, then mail the  package all the way over to the West Coast, to Jo. Shall post photographs  later on in the week.


Thank you for taking time to stop by. Happy stitching. Sharon

Yippee for 31mm

31mm, may not seem like much to be excited about, but 31mm of rain means green shoots for the cattle and horses to munch on. 31mm means happy wildlife, birds, 'roos, goannas, and all the other creatures that live out on the station.

19mm, means sliding ofv the driveway, into a sort of ditch, 19mm, means walking approximately 2.5 klms in the rain, and thunder, with Poppy under my arm.

Yes on my way to work last night, I slide off the driveway, when I left the house, it was only raining lightly, by golly, by the the time I had driven 2 kkms up the driveway,  the rain was getting heavier, mmmmm, I was thinking will I get down the drive, honestly I did not think it had rained that much.

The mobile would not work, so I slipped and slid up to the house, got Mr Cowboy to drive me back to my car in the 4wd Landcruiser, well it to had a little slide, but was able to get us back to the house.

Up early this morning,  hmp, my car still stuck, maybe even a little more grrrr. All I could think of is work will be ever so cross if I miss another night. Back to the house. Waited a good few bours, YEEHAA, I was able to move it out of the ditch and down the drive. The mud had crusted over enough to allow me out.

Thus I am in town ever so early, for work, but at least I am here.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. Happy stitching. Sharon

Blocks Received From Shauna

Hope everyone had a peaceful New Year.

Three more blocks arrived,  this time from Shauna, from Shaunasworld, blog. My they are pretty. Shauna included some Texas Bells fabric.

I cannot wait to sew all the blocks together, I think it will be a very pretty quilt top.
The blocks have come from Australia,  New Zealand, and USA, to date.

Thank you for taking time to stop by. 

 Happy stitching. Sharon