18 May, 2015

One Lovely Blog Award!


The other day I received an email from Dasha of Patching Pixies. Dasha has nominated me for a One Lovely Blog Award. The purpose of this award is for bloggers to nominate fellow, mostly newer, bloggers that they wish to recognise. The goal is to bring attention to blogs that we think are "lovely" and enjoy reading. We hope others will enjoy reading these blogs also.

In order to accept the award, the nominated blogger must:
  • Thank the person who nominated you and link back to them in your post.
  • Share seven facts about yourself.
  • Nominate 10 other bloggers for the award.
Here are seven facts you may not know about me:

1.  I met my husband Noel at Ballroom dancing. Pretty corny hey! As he said at our wedding "It was probably 6 months before I knew her name. You would be doing a dump dance (progressive), say hello, how was your day and then dump them onto the next partner!" I did my dance examinations in three styles - Modern, New Vogue and Latin American. This is the last one I did when Mitchell was 5 months old. It was for my Oscar New Vogue, the highest exam you could do.

2.  I started quilting in 1993 when I went to an overnight mystery quilt. You were supposed to already know how to patch before you went. So after a crash course by my auntie, I made a bag and said I could do patchwork. We were at the mystery night for 12 hours and it took me another six to finish the top. I was pretty impressed with that considering I hadn't done much piecing before. This is my quilt called "Intriguing Illusions". It is quite large and I hand quilted it! I hadn't heard about sending them off to be quilted. If only I'd known but I persevered and finished it.

3.  Before quilting, I did a lot of cross stitch. This is my favourite one. The quilts are each stitched separately and then sewn to the background. The sheep has hundreds of French knots. I don't own this. A friend asked me to make it for her and it lives in Philadelphia. When I caught up with Kathy in the US in 2005, it was so lovely to see it again.
I also did ceramics for many years.
This is my musical bear.

4.  Besides collecting fabric, I collect Swarovski crystal animals and Lilliput Lane Cottages. I have about 50 animals and 20 cottages. Although I must admit, my collection has hardly grown at all the since we got married. Sorry it's not the best photo of the crystal.

5.  During 1988 and 1989 I travelled the world for 12 months. I was based in Oxford (UK) for about 3 months and worked while there doing temp work. Countries I travelled to were USA, UK, Greece, Italy, Belgium, Turkey, France, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Egypt and finishing up with New Zealand. I've probably missed some.
 Oxford is such a beautiful town.

6.  Some people were surprised I was okay with Austin doing a Bungy Jump in New Zealand on Easter Sunday (here). I couldn't very well tell him he couldn't do it as I did one at the same place on Good Friday 1989!
Yes, that's me hanging there!
With my certificate and t shirt. You have to jump to get one and cannot just buy it. I still have my one.

7.  The only time I turn on the iron is when I am doing patchwork! I always hang the washing as soon as it's finished in the machine. I will then fold or hang up the washing straight away without leaving it sitting in the basket. Although I will iron the 'good clothes' when we are going out!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed finding out a little about me.
 Thank you for this lovely award, Dasha.

Now to nominate some blogs I love to visit. I have a huge blog list, so if I haven't picked yours it's only because I could only pick 10 and I couldn't list everyone. 
They are in no particular order.

Mel shares lots of lovely links.

Shez from Enjoying Life
I don't think Shez ever sleeps, she gets so much done!

Baa from Baa's Amazing Adventures!
Baa is off on a big adventure soon.

Sue from I Purr-Furr to Craft
Sue makes wonderful Aussie Hero Quilts.

Fiona from Bubz Rugz
Fiona will have you in stitches!

Wendy from Charlotte's Web
 Wendy is an amazing knitter and dress maker.

Anthea from Hibiscus Stitches
It's always lovely catching up with Anthea.

Barbara from Cat Patches
See what Barbara and her two cats, 
Gracie and Smitty, are up to.

Cheryl from Cheryl's Stitchings
I think Cheryl is the Christmas Queen!

Kim has a bit of a Bonnie and Camille addiction!

18 comments:

Susan said...

Very interesting snippets of your life Christine. Obviously more than just a talent for sewing and patchwork. X

Fiona said...

I loved reading about yu and finding out more... what an interesting life and crafts you have got up to....
Hugz

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine what a lovely read,I so enjoyed learning more about you I did know some of your story ,so it was nice to learn more. You have done many interesting things in your life andI am proud to be your friend xx

Bev C said...

Hello Christine,

You certainly dived straight into patchwork. Loved reading about your adventures, collecting and crafting. Lovely to see your cross stitch too.

Happy days.
Bev.

Dawn said...

You certainly have done lots in your life and its lovely to see it all. Thanks for sharing it with us

Maria said...

Loved reading about your interesting life.

Melody said...

So much I didn't know about you, I really enjoyed reading this post

Jenny of Elefantz said...

What an interesting list of things about you, Christine! I loved learning more about such a special girl - because that's what you are. :-)

Helen said...

Made for very interesting reading and a bit of an eye opener with the ball room dancing Beautfiul. Thanks for sharing :)

Cath said...

What a great compliment to be elected! I enjoyed reading those facts about you and found that we have quite a few things in common!

Cheryl said...

Thankyou so much for the lovely nomination Christine. You are so talented - loved reading about what you have/had got up to

Dasha said...

Hello Christine. Loved reading about all those interesting things in your life. Had to laugh at your all night patchwork class. That is exactly what I did! I wanted a quilt for my bedroom, so that is how I learnt, except my end product was a Diamond Log Cabin table cloth. I have visited all of the blogs you listed and even managed a comment or two :-)

Jo said...

Christine, that was so nice reading about things you have done in your life.

Christine B said...

Hello Christine! Congratulations on your well-deserved award! I liked getting to know you better! Love reading your blog too! :) x

donna said...

It is so nice to get to know Christine.
Hugs
donna

Anthea said...

Thank you for the nomination Christine... I will have to put together my post!

marina said...

you are one interesting chooky,
thankyou for sharing those snippets of your life.
lovely pics from your night at the deb.

Wendy said...

A beautiful post, you are a very talented lady! I really enjoyed reading more about you and thank you so much for your very kind nomination :) Hugs Wendy