Blogtober #31 ~ The wrap up

What a month it has been. Blogotber is at an end for 2009 and I may now need to go into blogging hibernation for awhile. I did miss two days but made up for it by posting twice on two separate days so my end tally for the month looks good ;)

As promised on day one of Blogtoberfest I have drawn the giveaway I had running. The Random Number thingy picked number 3 which was Kylie. As mentioned in Kylie's comment, she is in the middle of moving interstate at the moment so I hope that is going well for her family :)

Kylie said...
Might have to go and check out what Blogtober fest is all about - A little down here at the moment. Thought that we were all organised for the move to QLD and found out YESTERDAY that we can not move out of the house that we were going to as the family are not moving out The fun starts again:(

I had so much fun over the last month blogging, reading comments and discovering new blogs that I thought I would have a further 'secret' giveaway and count the total number of comments not counting the ones down for the official giveaway and draw another name.

Just to say thanks for stopping by and saying hello.

I will be sending another pattern, and some fabric from my stash to CurlyPops who was number 71 of 95 comments at the time of drawing.

CurlyPops said...
The riot of colour in the top one is fabulous.

Thank you again, and I hope you keep stopping in to see what I am up to, but don't be surprised if I am curled up in the corner having a snooze for awhile after the frenzy of creativity that has been Blogtober for this year...

Blogtober #31 ~ Wordless Weekend

Shutter Speed 1/20

Aperture F25

Shutter priority mode

Focal Lentgh 70mm

ISO 100

SOOC

Blogtober #30 ~ Festive season started...

There is already talk about Secret Santa's and Christmas outfits which made me think of my large stash of Christmas Fabric.

After looking at the mountain of Yule inspired cotton I decided to do a bit of sewing and make 6 quilted place mats. I used my quilting guide to help keep my lines straight then decided it was lunch time. Please pretend my humble chicken loaf sandwich is a more elaborate Christmas feast :)

6 Place mats made, 2 Secret Santa's and a Christmas outfit (or 2) to go...

Tomorrow is the last day of Blogtober :(

Blogtober #29 ~ Part B

Blocks for the EB Round Robin block swap:

A test block for Around the Block, three more test blocks then onto the real thing. I will have a whole sampler quilt made soon!

Blogtober #29 ~ Part A

I am dressed in a tracksuit, covered in threads from sewing. I am drinking coffee, eating chocolate and toddler free.

I am dancing to daggy music on my iPod and I cried for the sheer joy of it.

I am having a good day! How is yours?

Blogtober #28 ~ Clever Mum

I mean my Mum, not me :)

I have too many projects on the go so I decided to delegate. I gave Mum some Cleckheaton Vintage Hues and the needles with this pattern and left her to it.

I have not blocked it yet, or sewn on the buttons which is why it is modeled with the pin holding it closed. It is meant to have three buttons holding the top half closed and flare out open at the bottom.

3 days of Blogtober left...

Blogtober #27 ~ Purchases

More fabrics in blue and green for my Around the Block quilt arrived from Fabricworm.

A knitting pattern

More sewing patterns

And I just called Bendigo Woollen Mills to ask for a colour chart....

My name is Becky, and I am a shop-a-holic...

Blogtober #26 ~ But wait.......

There's more!
You have seen the hat before...

But there is a skirt too!
What a cute outfit for feeding the chickens :)

Only five more Blogtober posts to go.

Blogtober #25 ~ Sunday Stash

Kokka green apple alphabet.

I have not done a Sunday Stash before now. I don't have much of a stash to speak of, but I am working on that! Blogtober seemed like a good excuse to start a new meme, which in turn might be a good excuse to buy more fabric... Sounds good to me anyway :)

Blogtober #24 ~ Wordless Weekend

11 weeks

Blogtober #23 ~ Scruffy

My Mum bought over a heap of fabric that she did not have a use for* so I put my thinking cap on and got busy. I made two scruffy edge quilts usuing THIS tutorial.

The top one pictured is made from mostly 'country kitchen' style fabrics. Possum loves pointing out the chickens, eggs, horses, houses etc. It is a busy quilt but the odd plain navy and plain pink sqaures help. I backed it in some fleece to keep it as a soft blanket and quilted it by sewing a sqaure around each block.

The bottom check quilt is waiting for backing fabric to finish it off. I really like the way this one ended up and can't wait to finish it off as well.

Do check out the link to the tutorial, it is very quick and easy and possum loves the scruffy edge to the squares. It would be a great place for a beginner sewer/quilter to start as well as being a great gift for a little person.

*I suspect this is how my wool stash grew so much as well...

Blogtober #22 ~ Blocktober

My October Blocks for the Around the Block quilting bee.

Louise asked for "improvisional piecing' straight logs, log cabin or square in square blocks. I hope these fit the bill.

I love the fresh citrus colours of the fabrics sent out for these blocks. Louise's quilt is going to be wonderful and I can't wait to see it all together!

I am now all up to date with my October swap sewing and ready for November's to start :)

Blogtober bought to you by Tinniegirl

Blocktober borrowed from Amy's ideas hub :)

Blogtober #21 ~ A Meme

Just One Word, a meme that I saw on Kylie's blog and a good (and fun) way to add some Blogtober filler!

1. Where is your mobile phone? Handbag
2. Your hair? Unbrushed
3. Your mother? Crafty
4. Your father? Quiet
5. Your favourite food? Chocolate
6. Your dream last night? Forgotten
7. Your favourite drink? Coffee
8. Your dream/goal? Acreage
9. What room are you in? Study
10. Your hobby? Blogging :)
11. Your fear? Snakes
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Rural
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren’t? Tall
15. Muffins? Please!
16. Wish list item? Dachshund
17. Where did you grow up? Farm
18. Last thing you did? Napped
19. What are you wearing? Clothes ;)
20. Your TV? Old
21. Your pet? Kelpie
22. Friends? Yes
23. Your life? Good
24. Your mood? Tired
25. Missing someone? Husband
26. Vehicle? 4wd
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? Online
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Last night
32. Your best friend? Husband
33. One place that I go to over and over? Bed :)
34. One person who emails me regularly? Chelsea
35. Favorite place to eat? Home

Blogtober #20 ~ Reading

I have a few more books to add to the 2009 Reading Challenge list!

51. 206 Bones ~ Kathy Reichs
As good as expected.

52. The Thirteenth Tale ~ Diane Setterfield
This was this month's book club book. An enjoyable but forgettable read...

53. The girl who played with fire ~ Steig Larsson
I can't wait for my copy of the last book in the Millennium Trilogy to be available at the library!!

54. A Question of Death (Phryne Fisher Treasury) ~ Kerry Greenwood
This was the first Phryne Fisher book I have read and while I did enjoy it I found the mysteries a little too simple. This could be a result of the 'short story' format so I am going to try one of the novels soon.

55. Le Bal & Snow in Autumn ~ Irene Nemirovsky
I love Irene Nemirovsky, she has such a simple, but enjoyable writing style. These where two short stories published as a novella. A very enjoyable and quick read.


I am obviously not going to get anywhere near the target of 100 books for the year but I am happy with progress to date. Next year I am signing up for a 50 books challenge :)

Blogtober #19 ~ DQ Posted!

My Doll Quilt for the 3rd Annual EB Doll Quilt Swap is finished and in the post! I am very excited and looking forward to receiving my package in return and opening day on the 7th of November :)

Blogtober #18 ~ In the Garden

I have left my run a bit late on the Spring planting so have decided to skip most of the seeds and go for seedlings instead.

We have been preparing new beds this weekend and have new plants to go in this afternoon, as well as beetroot to cook, spinach that is going mad, and the first lot of carrots blanched and in the freezer.

Blogtober #17 ~ Wordless Weekend

Feeding Chickens by hand

Action Shot! Throwing pellets.

Blogtober #16 ~ Out

I have finally caught up with my blocks for the Round Robin block swap I am in! I was not that far behind but my OCD side does not like missing a deadline! I am only allowed to show sneak peaks but here they are:

Round 3

Round 4

Now I have to set my sights on the two blocks I have to do for Around the Block and finish sewing down the binding on the EB Doll Quilt Swap item and then piece the top of my Chaletgirl block swap quilt...

I also signed up for a Christmas craft swap so have to put on my thinking cap for that one! It is good to be busy I guess :)

Blogtober #15 ~ In

Awhile ago Ingrid told us about a cushion project she was working on and asked if anyone had some spare fabric could they help out. I sent off a few FQ worth of stuff I had no use for..

This is what I got back in the mail the other day. A surprise package as a thank you!

I can't wait to see the finished cushions, and hope that the fundraiser makes a lot of money for the Kinder.

How is your your Blogtober going? I have missed a couple of days so far...

Blogtober #14 ~ Shopping!

I have been doing A LOT of shopping of late... I have been trying to be good, but whenever there is a sale on I fall off the wagon. In some cases I don't wait for a sale to backslide either!

I have started collecting fabrics with the Around the Block quilting bee in mind. I want to make a quilt for Baby Bug. The only problem is I am not sure what to add to the below collection to make it great.

PLEASE give me ideas here, what would you add? I am picturing blue and green Wonky Log Cabin blocks...

Blue stripe from my LQS (50% off)

Spots, Musical Animals , Squirrels from Kelani

Some charm squares to become a baby blanket and a layer cake to become this quilt (unless I change my mind in the mean time).

Arcadia Layer Cake and Sultry Charm Squares from My LQS (30% off)

And last, but not least, a lot of fabric bought during the HUGE sale and Bella & Vintage Chic awhile ago.

I am now on a fabric ban, with the exception of the boy quilt mentioned above!

Blogtober #12 ~ Baking Biscuits

Lemon Butter Biscuits

250g butter, softened

Zest of 1 lemon

2 cups plain flour, sifted

1 cup icing sugar, sifted

Beat butter with lemon rind until creamy.

Beat in icing sugar then stir in flour to make a soft dough.

Cover and chill for 30 mins.

Roll into balls and place well apart on ungreased tray, press down with fork.

Bake 180 deg C for 10-15 mins or until slightly coloured.

~~~~~~

I love this recipe which was given to me years ago by Grandma Eales, who isn't my Grandma, but wonderful regardless!

I had a lonely, and somewhat sad looking lemon, so baking seemed like the perfect way to spend our stormy afternoon yesterday.

Blogtober #11 ~ Knitting

I have decided that instead of tripping over 1000 balls of wool about the house that I need to start using some of it. How I accumulated so much when I am a very new, and very basic knitter is beyond me...

The start of a PIF project. There is still one spot left if you want to put your name down!

(Excuse the grainy photograph)

I have also cast on a Milo Vest like THIS one that Kylie sent us. I am knitting on the round (for the first time) and this will also be my first go at a cable. Wish me luck!

The only problem with dabbling in so many hobbies is that it is hard to find the time to finish any of them :( I really need to keep working on the Doll Quilt for the EB swap AND I really want to piece the top of my quilt from the Chaletgirl block swap AS WELL AS read the second Steig Larsson novel that I picked up from the library yesterday...

edit 3:23pm: Woe is me, I have just noticed a twist in my vest so have to start again :(

Such is life for the inexperienced knitter, at least I had not done too much...

Blogtober #10~Wordless Weekend

Blogtober #9 ~ More Lucky Loot

This is the other fun parcel I got to unwrap this week :) Rachel at Four Wise Monkeys had a giveaway that I was lucky enough to win. This lovely doll quilt is now mine!!

The hand stitching is so small, even and neat.

I love the colours in this quilt!

There were also two patterns thrown in as extras. Rachel really was too generous in this as her quilt was plenty exciting enough! In saying that, Possum keeps pointing at Poppy and saying 'woof' looking hopeful so it is a very welcome addition :) Baby Bug might get something made as well!


I am having a Giveaway too if you would like to enter. It is open until the end of this month.

Blogtober #8 ~ Made

The last few of my blog posts have been about this and that, but not of anything I have finished myself. Seeing as I have done the odd spot of sewing here and there I thought I had better have a 'me' post.

I have two Lazy Day Hats, the first pictured is for Baby Bug, but is a bit big as yet so monkey has stepped in to be the model.

Possum lost no time in ousting monkey so she could wear her own hat, but I could not convince her to smile. Seeing as I did not do her hair, or put her in a clean shirt I decided the lack of a smile was the least of my problems :)

I have three more of these hats cut out and ready to sew, but for some reason I can not find the motivation to get started. It really is annoying as two of those hats are meant to be going out to people (Hi Tilly and Nephew T!).

Blogtober #7 ~ Cocktober

Ideas Hub idea #20 COCKTOBER (Roosters)

OK, I admit it, it's a hen, not a rooster! Our chooks are very quiet much to Miss Possum's delight. She can often be found running around the backyard either carrying, or chasing a chicken. This is Mabel, my favourite hen :)

Blogtober #6 ~ Lucky Loot

I am taking part in the Around the Block Quilting Bee with a bunch of very talented (and generous) ladies. Kate from One Flew Over was the first cab off the rank and sent out the most beautiful fabrics to turn into log cabin blocks which will become a quilt for her son, lucky boy!!

As a thank you Kate held a surprise giveaway between the bee members and drew my name out of the hat. She then sent me all the scraps from her quilt blocks AND some fabric. It is without a doubt some of the best fabric in my stash now!

Did anyone notice I missed my Blogtober entry yesterday? We got back from our long weekend adventures a day early as I have a cold :( My sore throat has now turned into a dry tickly cough. I hope I am on the mend (touch wood) as I am a terrible sick person. Most people joke about man flu, but that is not a bad description of how I cope with illness...