Mitchell, RAK and a Quilt!

Last week Mitchell spent the week at City Cite. Everyday he headed into the city where the students were put into groups and checked out the city. Mitchell's group was the art group. They went to the Art Gallery, found lots of graffiti art all around town, found statues and all sorts of art. The students had to interview the public on whether or not they thought graffiti was art or vandalism. They also headed to the Eureka Skydeck and went out on "The Edge"! Mitchell said he has never been so scared! Friday night all the families headed into the City Cite building where the students presented their findings.

A little while ago I received a lovely RAK parcel from Julie of Jewells. This is the parcel I made up for her. Now she has received it I can post a picture.

Finally, I've entered my "Something Pretty For Me" quilt into the Quilting Gallery's "Quilts with embrboidery/stitchery on them competition". I'd love you to check it out and if you like it, vote for me. Below I've added some close-up pictures of the embroidery as it's very hard to see it in the main photo.Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Hugs, Christine

Back from Retreat!

Well, our retreat is over for another year. We headed to Lake Dewar at Myrniong, only an hour or so from home (although it took us a lot longer getting there as we went via Geelong!). We had a lovely time sewing, eating, talking and getting lots of inspiration. I had hoped to have finished my double wedding ring quilt top but didn't quite make it. I'm half way through the second last ring, so I'm nearly there! There were over 80 ladies, all busy sewing. This is the main room.Behind these quilts is the dining area. There is also another area up stairs so we have lots of space. When we stay there, the electricity bill must go up heaps as there were so many sewing machine going!Every year we come home with lots of goodies. A big thank you to Diane, Julie and Margaret (All Things Stitched) who organise everything. They do such a fantastic job. A special thank you to Chris who made over 80 pin cushions! She made them from vintage doilies. They were all beautiful. Thank you also to the girls who made the book covers (apologies I can't remember exactly who made them).Finally, these were my purchases over the weekend. I've been looking at everyone's Tis the Season stitcheries. I bought the book so now I can do them. The fabrics haven't shown up their true colour.
They are much nicer in person.

Thanks to everyone for a great weekend.
Only 364 sleeps to go until next year's retreat!

A Surprise Delivery!

I just got a lovely surprise. The postie just delivered a package. Inside were all these lovely goodies for me from Julie (Jewells). We both signed up for Maree's 2011 RAK (Random Act of Kindness).There were some lovely buttons. A sewing kit cookie cutter set. A gorgeous pin cushion (you can never have too many pin cushions!). Herb garden labels made out of old spoons. A name tag and a tissue packet cover. A teddy bear kit and the most devine smelling soap.

Thank you Julie. I will certainly enjoy my goodies!

Well, I'm off to pack for tomorrow's retreat. Now what do I need - lollies, sewing, lollies, clothes, chips, and not forgetting more lollies!

A Parcel!

I had a trip to the post office yesterday as there was a parcel for me to pick up. I wasn't home when they tried to deliver it. I was given this big box!

This is what was inside.
I was lucky enough to win a Go! Baby and three dies of my choice on Cara's blog (Me? A Mom?). When Cara emailed me, I just couldn't believe I had won. It arrived only 10 days after my win. How's that for service!

Thank you Cara. I'm looking forward to having a chance to have a play!

Only 3 more sleeps and I'm off on our Quilting Guild's
yearly retreat. Can't wait!

Meeting Blogging Friends!

Friday I had the loveliest day. I went to the Craft and Quilt Fair and met up with some of my "blogging friends". It was so nice to meet them in person after all the comments and emails we have exchanged between us.Me, Fee (Designs by Fee), Jo (Lilly Pilly), Kez (Willow Grove Quilts)
and Kathy (Quilted Notions).Fee, Gail Pan (Gail Pan Designs) and Vicki (The Pickledish Patch)

Jo and her Mother in Law, Sandra.Elyte on the right (Tea, Fabric and Other Things....), Christine in the centre (I didn't catch the other lady's name).Miram (Yellow Roses) and Mandy (Seams So Together).This is all I bought on the day. My main reason for going was to meet up with all the girls.A close-up of the fabric and lace. I love the little hedgehogs!
I'm picturing a bag with that and the green fabric.

Of course, I looked at all the beautiful quilts. There are so very talented ladies out there. I also made it to L'uccello where I met the owner, Kim. She has so many lovely things there. I was a bit tired and just couldn't put my head around what I wanted. I'll just have to go back another day!

I was so exhausted by the end of the day but what a day it was!

It was so lovely meeting all you girls. Thank you for sharing the day with me. I'm looking forward to the next time we can catch up! Thanks to Jo for organising the meet-up and thank you also for letting me use some of your photos (I only took one!).