I have been writing this post in dribs and drabs now for nearly two weeks. Adding things here and there so if it is a little disjointed forgive me. I had actually intended to post on Monday but was unable to bring myself to do so after the horrific events over the weekend. We are close to the ravaged areas but still far enough away to be very safe. Thank you to everyone who has checked to make sure we were OK ... amazing kindness in this blogging world! This very sweet girl who I am so pleased to have gotten to know ... even gave me a call to check on us!
Marysville photo ABC online
My heart goes out to those of you who have been affected. I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. I am brought to tears at the sight of tent cities, broken families, little children without homes and worse....I'm sure you have all seen the great things that have been happening in the blog world to help out those affected.
Jenny at Amitie is a collection point for Handmade Help.Gillianoriginally contacted me about this fabulous effort.
I also just stumbled across Tiawho has organised an amazing project and again with the generosity and help of Kim this effort is off to a flying start!
I am sure that there are many more amazing projects out there that you could get involved with, otherwise you can be like our family who have given cash by donating to the Red Cross. Coles Supermarkets are also donating the profits from Fridays takings so that's where I'll be this afternoon, stocking up my pantry.
So what have we been up to and why have I been hiding for so long???? Mainly because of this project which has a deadline that is rapidly approaching ....
Unfortunately, I can't show you it properly just yet but you will see it later in the year hopefully. Some of you have asked about the Living Creatively challenge quilt I showed a snippet of a few posts ago ...
The competition hasn't been decided as yet so I can't show you it either except for a snip-it of the quilting. It's a design that's new to me and although it was time consuming I loved doing it and I was really pleased with the overall effect.
This is the backing fabric which is a gorgeous Prints Charmingprint in all of my favorite colours. I picked it up from Ballarat Patchwork.
Predominantly, though my time has been taken up setting the kids up for the year ahead. The three big kids returned to school last week. Megan in grade 4 and Ben & Jess in grade 1. It seems that life is marching forward at an unbelievable pace ... wasn't it just five minutes ago that I was dreaming about who they would become and what they would look like as they grew in my tummy?
Joshua is settling into 4 year old kinder ... all be it under sufferance. Joshua's very best friend was not in his settling in group last week and when he discovered this, well in his mind it was quite pointless to even attend kinder.Thank goodness they are back together this week and their hours are steadily rising to a point closer to what it will actually be. He was particularly knocked out after Tuesday's 5 hour session. Those of you who know our Joshua know he is no shrinking violet. He is a boy of MANYwords. In fact if often feels like machine gun fire some days when he gets on a roll. However, after kinder on Tuesday he had NO words at all ... nothing ... all he could manage was to lay on the floor and a little Nintendo ... he wasn't even hungry!
Megan has begun swimming training twice a week ... so early in the morning that I'm frightened to say the time out loud as I may be struck down by lightening. She has also dropped out of art classes & dance in a bid to throw herself wholly into tennis which she told me late last year has been a life long goal of hers ... from which apparently I have been holding her back :). Her poor little face was so red after playing in 34 degree heat last Friday afternoon that she almost glowed!
Jessica started art classes yesterday ... taking up Meg's vacated position. Jessie, Ben and Joshua will continue with dancing ... much to Daddy's dismay. Why is it a problem for boys to take dancing lessons when girls can participate in predominantly male activities and no one would bat a eyelid?
Ben began Karate last week with the whole family looking on ... and within 10 minutes the two girls also joined in eager to get a 'cool' costume & shout loudly 'from the strength that lies within their stomachs'! Joshua wasn't keen ... he would rather play Mario Party!
So that's it ... although Ben will start piano at some point all of this will be what will occupy my comings and goings for the rest of the year.
Before I go I am going to point you off in the direction of a few lovely & clever people who have made some of my things... (I know I've seen more but sadly I forgot to bookmark all of them ...if you want to play along please email me with your details so I can link to you)...
In the next week or so you will find a new album in my sidebar that I am creating to show off some of the beautiful things that you guys have made using my patterns. If you have finished something from my tutorials or patterns then please send me a photo and your link so that I can include you too! (I wont include any photos that haven't been sent to me or that I haven't specifically been given permission to use)
Enjoy your weekend ... lets hope it's better than the last!
Kellie
PS. Oh and I almost forgot to mention that Julie left my 2000th comment on Tuesday last week. I will be sending her off a little Don't look Nowlove soon. Thanks Julie and everyone else who takes the time to leave a comment I truly appreciate it ... I know how time consuming it can be!
Kellie, you have beautiful children. They all look so happy ( I know thats not the way all the time lol).
Posted by: Deb | February 13, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Glad you're OK...my heart goes out to you all. I know how this must feel, we also was very close to horrific fires in North Ca. in chico. We lost our beloved cat from smoke inhalation. Be very careful and God be with you all. On another note the kids are just so cute.
Posted by: Maria | February 13, 2009 at 12:40 PM
So glad to hear that you and your family are safe. My thoughts and prayers go out to all. Be safe.
Posted by: Kristin | February 13, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Our hearts and minds of all Aussies are with you Victorians at the moment - glad your family is all safe. Your school and extra curricular timetable looks very full - glad your children have made a great start to the school year. Your new project looks great - can't wait to see more!!
Posted by: Lisa | February 13, 2009 at 01:51 PM
I am so glad to know that you arent in any danger near the fires. I was thinking about you the other day. It seems your kids have a very busy lifestyle too. I dont know how you keep up with it all. The quilt looks gorgeous so far.
Posted by: sue | February 13, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Wow Kellie, you have been very busy, but trying to juggle beinga mum and working at home does that to you....
Posted by: Kathryn | February 13, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Hey Kellie, thanks for the mention. I was very relieved to hear your voice on the end of the phone. It is wonderful to see you back in the land of blog.
The links for Marlene and Maria look fabulous. Well done ladies. x x
Posted by: Kim | February 13, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Hi Kellie,
I love the circle quilt! great to have you blog again.
Posted by: Leah | February 13, 2009 at 04:07 PM
Are you going to have a busy time this year! Beautiful work as always.
Posted by: Janet | February 13, 2009 at 04:10 PM
My gosh Kellie that routine makes me feel tired just reading it, but then I remember doing all those sort of things with my kids when they were that age. Yes the time goes by super fast, one minute they are little bundles and the next thing you know they are ready to celebrate their 30th birthday. Boy that makes me feel and sound old.....lol....
Posted by: Linda | February 13, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Your weeks sound so very full. I'm exhausted just reading all the activities of your children. I'm sure they'll look back wtih absolute wonder at the childhood you are providing.
Posted by: tracey petersen | February 13, 2009 at 07:17 PM
so glad you are safe, I've just made 2 blocks for Tia's bushfire quilting project.
gosh you have such a hectic family lifestyle I can't believe you get any quilting done!!!
Posted by: driftwood | February 13, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I've been thinking about you all week. It's certainly been a difficult one. Wasn't the sun orange tonight and the smell of smoke just gets worse and worse. It must be awful closer to the fires. Glad to know you have started up the year well. It's a killer doing all the extra curricular stuff isn't it. Will hopefully catch up with you soon.xxx
Posted by: Louise | February 13, 2009 at 10:53 PM
You are amazing, running around after kids with just one activity is hard enough without a whole other schedule too!! And you still find time to make the most beautiful quilts out!.. Too Too gifted..You are very inspiring on both fronts.
Posted by: Jo | February 13, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Hi Kellie, Glad to hear all is safe down your way. Your kids sound very busy, and are just gorgeous.
Posted by: Joyce | February 14, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Naughty mummy , fancy holding Megan back from her life long goal tut tut - shall I book my Wimbledon tickets :-).. How glad am I that Milo only has fun club once a week , I guess I've got it all to come too - hope I have your stamina .. Your quilt snippets look great too.... take care .
Lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | February 14, 2009 at 08:50 AM
well goodness! You have been busy!!! Are you sleeping these days!? I can hardly wait to see the entire project!
Posted by: upstatelisa | February 14, 2009 at 08:38 PM
2000 comments!!! In my dreams :) Obviously there are many people who love your blog as much as I do! Good to hear from you again and to know that you are safe. It is so, so sad reading about the terrible things that happened over there.
On a better note, your week sounds very full. We do English lessons, chess, taekwando, art, football etc. etc. over here! Sometimes I think I am just a taxi driver. It's all good fun!
Posted by: Lisa | February 15, 2009 at 05:50 AM
Kellie,
good to hear from you again, what a busy schedule i dont know how you fit it all in, its hard to get the balance with all this blogging stuff as well, but you are doing great. Its been such a sad week even for me looking from afar....did not feel like blogging much, my posts seemed quite incidental
sharon
Posted by: Handmaiden | February 15, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Good to 'hear' you and your loved ones are okay. I love that picture of Joshua and the other kids, it looks like they can't wait to get to kinder (or is this the moment they go home? ;)).
Posted by: Ilse | February 16, 2009 at 03:55 AM
So glad you are all safe. It has been such a scary time.
Seems like the children are well settled, so that is great.
Posted by: meggie | February 17, 2009 at 04:40 PM
I'm so glad to hear that you and your family are ok - it has been dreadful watching the news over the last week or so, much worse for you being so close. Thanks for mentioning Aus Quilters Companion a few posts ago too - I managed to get a subscription here in the Uk and love it - they sent me a back issue too so have your quilt in! Should I send you it to sign?!
Take care, Kim xx
Posted by: Kim McBirnie | February 18, 2009 at 01:52 AM
Hi Kellie
I have just found your web site - it is amazing!!! You are a very talented lady (just like your mum). I will ring you soon re a possible workshop for our patchwork group in Robinvale. Chat soon - long lost cuz Janice Curr (Collins)
Posted by: Janice Curr | February 13, 2010 at 06:09 PM