Willowberry Designs ~ Alpaca Softies

Spring Giggles

   

Cleverly named by Bev C (your copy is in the mail today, Bev) way back when I first started making it....  ‘Spring Giggles’ is now ready.  Using a jelly roll, half a charm square pack and two border fabrics, it's a fun and quick quilt to make in a day.

And that means a give away so if you'd like to be in the draw for a Spring Giggles pattern, leave a message before Monday 6th April.  At midday (my time) one of the furbies will choose 4 lucky winners  :-)

It's Autumn here and this morning was a bit chilly.  Gorgeous, but chilly.  The perfect day for coffee, chatting and stitching.... but I'll be busy and I'll show you the doings next week  :-)  Bug-a-licious is taking shape.....

 

See you all tomorrow for the buffet, have a lovely stitchy day - and

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Look at this!  Just arrived in the mail.... some easter goodies!  From my friend Gudrun who lives in Sweden

I think I can translate this  :-)

Yep, just as I thought...

a whole bunch of easter yum in this cute little easter bunny bag.  It's the season for bunnies.

Tack och ha en GLAD PÅSK! Gudrun, have a Happy Easter!  Now that my chocolate lunch is over, it's back to work :-)  

Been doing stuff

over the weekend - got the basket of 'Southern Comfort' out (not the liquid version - the fabric and pattern version....) and sewed till the wee small hours until this gorgeous lump of tactile beautifulness was finished...

love those pieced borders - ask your local store about the pattern.  In Toowoomba you can pick one up at Precious Time 

Perfect points... are we the only ones who get excited over perfect points?

leftovers - a new cushion or three or four - no waste with this quilt

When will I quilt it?  Don't know, but I wish I could do it today...  Too busy! 

Then there's this other bunch of lovely bits - the collective doings of Baskets & Birds, made at the retreat.  Centre block and 8 baskets done - only 12 more baskets to make.  Then I can start on the applique borders... sigh.... but fun....

Simply delicious

Tomorrow.... big news... heavens above, there's a new pattern and that means a giveaway.  Bev C, it's finally happened!

have a delicious day,  do lots of fun stuff  :-)

More of this week's stuff

At the Precious Time retreat last weekend, we were all pretty spoiled....  one of these was on each bed

and inside... all sorts of goodies.... but I think someone ate my chocolates before I got there because this photo shows an empty box... how did that happen?

Look at all the gifty stuff - lots of (super sized) samples of Clinique goop to make us even more beautiful.  Apparently there's a process one should follow when looking after one's skin.  A teaser perfume from Estee Lauder - Sensuous.  One of those 'must have' nail files with a fabric theme.  And a gorgeous bundle of fabrics to play with.... An unexpected bundle of bonus stuff that just makes it even more special because we also received a kit for A WHOLE QUILT TOP!!!  And personalised tutoring from Bev McClune AND Majella from Kookaburra Cottage....  Did I mention that we were spoiled?  Shaz and I are already booked in for next year  :-)

And I have to share another photo of birthdayness because I had totally forgotten about this special gift from my big sister (actually she's quite little but she is older than me).  It's called 'Generations' from Willow Tree....... They're quilting!  Maybe it's meant to represent a Grandma, a Mum and a Daughter but to me it's Moo, Blossie and me...

And one more... from my delightfully mad Shaz who arrived yesterday full of sunshine and craziness

A very vintage bouquet of roses with the most delightfully rosey scent.  They almost look like paper but they're real.  And a gorgeous satin lingerie pouch and journal... they match my pistachio green flannel pj's.... If I'm not careful, I'll turn into a girl...

Yesterday I made a new friend, thanks for popping in Robin :-)

And that's it.  Today was fun, I taught a class at Precious Time.  Right now Blossie is cooking dinner, my man (who cleaned all the floors today while I was out - think I might keep him) is watching footy and I'm about to hit the sewing machine to make some more basket blocks for my quilt.  I'll have photos of that tomorrow

thanks for visiting, and thanks for all the happy birthday messages... I feel like the Queen.  Don't know if I could 'queen' all day long though, I'm not quite angelic enough...

Have a fun stitchy day :-)

Cheryl xx

The Buffet will be here on April 1st...

Sharing some quilts

24 hours in a day just aren't enough.  Certainly not enough to keep up with two blogs so my quilty blog - "And Sometimes I quilt" - will have to be put to bed.  It's still there and you can check out all of the beautiful quilts I've had the pleasure of working on but I won't be updating it. Rest in Peace my old friend :-(  

So even though this site is usually about our daily nonsense mixed up with a little bit of creativity, I'll be adding some quilty photos along the way.  I dropped these two off at Judith's yesterday.  Judith is probably the most prolific patchworker I know and makes most of her quilts from her scrap bag

and the quilting

Scrappy Diamonds quilted with Yo Yo - I like the way the curves soften the diamonds

and today's furby antic - 'Ok, so I ate a grasshopper... big deal'

  

Blossie's at Dreamworld, my man's playing golf and I've just finished a customer quilt.  This afternoon we're off to the Toowoomba Agricultural Show for the obligatory waffle and dagwood dog.  We'll snoop around the craft and cooking, check out all the cute cows and probably accidentally stand in some cow poo.  Then we'll watch the fireworks and head home again.  Once a year and I love it :-)

hope you're doing stuff you love today....

Allow me to present.....

A long post with lots of photos - but it's important :-)

My gifts from Linda in the USA who totally spoiled me in the 'Time for Tea' Swap.

This deliciously flavoured 'My China Collection' mini quilt with exquisite embroidery  

and the label says...........................................

A steaming teapot that hides a journal - complete with cute yoyo  

what sweet little bird is that?  some beautiful gift cards  

a weeny little pocket book to hold special teabags as well as some india chai spice tea...

Lots of presents and it's all perfect!  Colours, flavours, prints.... everything!  A big thank you hug to you Linda.  I love presents :-)   

And even more presents!  It's my happy birthday today........... can't remember how young I am.... probably about 28 :-)

Look at that diamond encrusted 'C' for Cute, Cuddly, Cheryl... and a new pair of pistachio flannel jammies.  Might have a pyjama day tomorrow        

I'll dance and sing to this..... 'here I go again......'  

then for dessert, there's this.......................  

and some Myer money to spend on .... well .... me :-)  

Ok, off to make myself beautiful for a very important lunch date with a very imortant husband and daughter

cya later

Cheryl xx  

It was one of those things

Almost a life changing experience.....  The weekend retreat was MAD!!!  Talk about giggling schoolgirls :-)  Shaz and I had the best time and we were paired up with two other girls who were just as crazy.  Friends for ever.  We did lots of sewing, lots of eating, lots of talking, eating, sewing, eating... and there was an abundance of laughing.  But the best part of all was meeting lots of sewy girls and making new friendships.  Our room was the party room - every night - till 1am - naughty! So much laughing and apparently others were trying to sleep.....  how rude of them trying to sleep while there was fun to be had....

Our little houses

Lolly bags (and if you look real close, there's my 'Aviary' fat quarter pack on the far bed.... Shaz used 'Beach House').  Shaz, you're looking tall and slender.....

one half of the workroom - lots of natural light

 

We completed the centre block and 6 baskets of 'Baskets and Birds' and I'll show you some photos of that next time.  Really didn't want to leave but all good things must end sooner or later and we've booked in for next year already :-)  One of the many highlights was a trunk show by Bev McClune who makes the most amazing (prize winning) quilts and completes the quilting on her domestic sewing machine.  We drooled...   The weekend was one big long dose of therapy, perfectly managed by our hosts Lisa and Majella from Precious Time Patchwork

Only 7 more sleeps till 'The Buffet' makes an appearance on April 1st

today's ratty antic - sometimes my head gets heavy....

have a lovely stitchy day, Cheryl xx

Bed n Breakfast

Have a look at Carrie's version over at A Passion for Applique..... too cute....

And happy birthday balloons for Blossie - 26 last Monday (these were from her workmates)

Big news!  No more sleeps!  The necessary stuff is gathered

  

the suitcase is packed and now I wait till 2.30 when my friend Shaz (who is my favourite party girl and essential partner in everything that is quilting madness) will arrive in her big white chariot to whisk us off for the weekend.....  It will be difficult but we'll try to have fun

Photos and gossip - just like the papparazzi - will be here on Tuesday :-)

Are you planning a fun weekend?  I know Perri will be emersed in her Aviary stash.... lucky girl!

cya

Cheryl xx

Vanilla Chai Latte - from scratch

Hmmmmm....  I decided to share.......

Requirements:

Hardware - a small saucepan, a tea infuser, a milk frother, a pretty tea cup, a thirsty stitcher, a big comfy armchair

Software - 1 heaped teaspoon of chai tea leaves, 1teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1 cup of milk (skim, trim or the real stuff - whatever tickles your taste buds), an extra 1/4 cup of milk for frothing, a Tim Tam or two..... or six or seven :-)

How to - Mix the tea leaves with the vanilla extract

and spoon the mushy mix into a tea infuser

Place the tea ball into a small saucepan with 1 cup of milk and simmer for 8 minutes - very important - but don't bring it to the boil.... just a simmer

During the last minute, warm the 1/4 cup of milk in the microwave (it's important for this step to be supervised by the china pig)

and use a frother (a small coffee plunger works) to make it fluffy

Add it to the saucepan, stir it a bit then pour it into your favourite tea cup

You can sprinkle a dusting of cinnamon sugar over it for added deliousness...

Sit down in your comfiest armchair, grab your stitching and settle in for a good hour or two.  You'll know when it's time to get up, the china plate that held your choccie biscuits will be empty.........

enjoy

It's time for tea...

Well, my fave tea right now is a vanilla chai latte made from scratch.  Takes time but it's worth it...  and my fave tea cup has these delightful vintage roses.  Just look at that scrummy vanilla fluff on top.

and my Time for Tea Swap gift is on it's way... finally... but I can only show you a little bit because my friend hasn't received it yet

 

and don't tell anyone this because it's a secret - this accidentally fell into the post pack

 

Now I'm hungry

cya

Cheryl xx

More flimsies and a quilting retreat

From Lizzie in the USA

and Melanie in the UK

The collection is growing and I hope to start quilting them next week when I return from a weekend of FUN!!!  I'm off on a four day retreat this Friday.  And I'm making Baskets & Birds by Kookaburra Cottage - delicious - but I'll use Moda's Aviary for a gentle and pretty look.  The pattern's available from Precious Time

 

These are some of the Aviary prints....  how gorgeous.... you can see them all on the Moda site

     

Did you know that March 21st is National Quilt Day? 

Cheryl  :-)