Don't look now!

On a whim ...

Mr DLN and I are not your typical spontaneous sort of people ... we are more the over planing, extended list making, drawn-out contemplating kind of people. Well this past week we have stepped outside our comfort zone a little!

Monday morning the phone rings....

Mr DLN: Do you feel like packing the kids up and fling to Sydney for 5 days?

Me:What about Rosh Hahanah and Joshua's birthday party?

Mr DLN: You can fix it!

(long silence)

Me: OK but only if you organise the fights and the accommodation ... because if it doesn't pan-out I just can't loose the time that it would take to sort it.

Mr DLN: No problem!

So here we are in this most beautiful city!

Lots of lovely family activities planed, plus some fabric shopping (fingers crossed) & I also hope to finally meet up with someone who I have gotten to know over the past 12 months. I love school holidays!!!!

We had a fabulous time today ... although poor Benjamin suffered through the Butterfly enclosure! Who doesn't like butterflies????

Only one small hiccup ... after the debacle with our luggage on route to Fiji I decided to carry all of my fabric and sewing in my hand luggage ... this time I managed to leave it on the shuttle bus! Dam it!!!! ... Sadly I doubt that I will ever see my beautiful fabrics again ... the shuttle company have been the opposite of helpful I'm afraid. Luckily the projects that I had planned to work on were in another bag!

Thank you to those of you that came up with all of the terrific suggestions for what I should add to my signature on my patterns .... many were a great source of laughter over this past week! It turns out though that I should have just ran it by my dear friend Louise as she came up with the suggestion that I liked the most ...

Willow is such a pretty name for a very pretty design. You are prolific and now just a little bit famous too - ha ha told you so!! I think maybe you could do a quick flower pic or little tree like your stunning trademark applique designs as a signature!
Lucinda has had the same problem as Jessica and had to have hers pulled as the dentist wouldn't leave it there. Those tooth fairies are crafty little things aren't they! Hope to see you soon! xxxx

Posted by: Louise| September 13, 2009 at 05:18 PM

.... thanks Louise! Perhaps you might prefer lunch on me rather than the pattern though!

I know that I'm a little late but ... L'shana tova, tikatevu!

Catch you all again later in the week when we get home!

Kellie

PS.... oh and by the way ... guess who ended up organising the trip???????

Sunny days, heads full of braids & birthdays on the beach!

What a holiday we have been having! Fiji really is a wonderful family holiday destination. I would have to say that I feel more relaxed than I have in living memory ... I am not sure if that says more about Fiji or my demeanor ... either way it has been delicious to spend so much time with the children without having to hurry them up or nag them or be rushing off to an appointment or to have to cook dinner!!!!

There has been so much fun and hilarity this past week that has really made our holiday! The girls had their hair braided ...

4 1/2 hours later ....

 

... fuss free holiday hair ... just watch the sun and that scalp!!!!

Then we learnt that the kids ... particularly Joshua ... is no Tiger Woods!!! Nor is he a budding tennis ace!

... but man it sure has been good for a laugh!!!

Not much hope for a sporting pro when it comes to our Joshua but he has learnt to swim this past week which is pretty good for a boy who was pretty reluctant to put his head under the water before we arrived!

Yay for you my little boy!!!

The twins celebrated their 7th birthday ... and we indulged them by having them choose the entire days activities ...

and  the resort staff made such a fuss it really was such a special day for them both!

IOU a couple of birthday parties Ben & Jessie ... I can't wait to get home and get started on them with you both!

I am going to miss not having you all around me all of the time ... but I must say that it will be nice to be dropping you off at school on Monday morning, just the same!!!! ;)

And as for me ... well once our bags arrived I started cutting ...

and stitching ...

.... but this is all that I am going to show you just now ... I will say though that I was the only one by the pool sewing!!!

After all of the favorite things that have been shared here over the past couple of weeks blogless Linda from California reminded me of what has become my most favorite thing. Linda told me about her co-worker who gives her such wonderful feed back and encouragement with her crafting adventures. I have gained so much enthusiasm from you guys with each and every post over the past year and a half ... those of you who take the time and effort to leave such wonderful and encouraging comments over and over again ... I agree so much with you Linda ... it has been the kindness and generosity of you guys that has helped me to create and finish a whole lot more than I ever would have done without you! 

On that note the winners from my last post are ....

Terry from Terrys Treasureswho left the 4th comment

Delores from True Blue Canadianwho left the 10th comment ... I would love to visit your amazing country Delores

Hillary from Hillary Ann ... designing happywho left the 40th comment

my lovey friend Sue from Knitter Sue who left the 41st comment .... I am going to have you sewing Sue!!!

and finally Gail from Quilt, Knit, Run, Sewfrom who left the 54th comment!

Congrats guys I will have them in the mail first up next week! There will be 6 patterns to give away this post so the odds are getting better! Plus the final giveaway is not far off especially seeing I have finally started making it! (details of the giveaway in this post)

See you again when we are back in jumpers in the land of Oz!

Kellie

Bula!

Last Friday we packed our bags and traveled all the way to beautiful Fiji

Sadly Air Pacific decided that our luggage wasn't really necessary so it spent a couple extra days in Australia ....

... luckily this is a beautiful place otherwise I doubt I would still be smiling! It's quite amazing the impact that not having luggage can make ... I had not really realised how valuable a clean pair of undies would be to me or just how much I would long for a t-shirt in 30 degree weather when all we had were jumpers.

Still ... we have been reunited now and really how could one not be happy to be in this place??? 

The weather is amazing, although it's too sunny for Joshua to smile with his eyes open! The accommodation is total luxury and the food is not only delicious but bordering on being healthy! The kids are loving having us on tap and as for the swimming .... well, all kids love 'summer' holidays!

Lots of excellent cultural experiences too!

Thank you to everyone who joined in with my last post and shared their favorite things. I thought I might list a few ...

Robin from RSislandcraftspointed out how useful it is to have a stash of rulers! Nanann from Nanannwoogies loves her 20 1/2" ruler ... I also bought myself one of these a few months ago and absolutely love it! It is so great for cutting large blocks and extra large strips of fabric. If you have the space and the cash to spare get yourself one, you wont be sorry!

Miriam from Yellow Roses loves her needle threader among other things ... make sure you pop over and take a peek at her beautiful peacock .... amazing! I also have a needle threader but I haven't persisted with it ... I must get it back out once we get home!

Lynn from Soukiesloves her Bernina 440 ... and who wouldn't really!!!!! I also know that Lynn loves her 1/4" foot as does Bec from Bec Clarke. I also find this tool invaluable ... those of you who know me know I can't sew a straight line to save myself ... my 1/4" foot helps to keep me on the straight and narrow!

Tess from Driftwoodloves variegated thread. It most certainly is beautiful to look at and lovely to use!

... there were heaps more! I will gradually list them all over the next few posts. If you have any that you would like to share I would love to hear about them!

Now for the winners from the last post ... who will all have a How does your garden grow? pattern arrive in their letter box once we get home from Fiji ...

First up is Barb from Quilting Barbiewho left the 19th comment ...

then Lisa from Git down kitty! who left the 23rd comment ....

my dear bloggy friend Lisa from Upstate Lisa who left the 117th comment and last but not least was ....

blogless Terri who left the 136th comment ... as Terri already has one of the How does your garden grow patterns owed to her from a preorder she made this week I will be sending her a Jessica's Garden quilt pattern make up for the double up!

Thanks to everyone who has left a comment & congrats to those of you who have won so far! Next post there will be 5 patterns up for grabs .. just leave a comment between now and midnight Australian EST, Tuesday the 21st of July to be included.

A few people asked about the quilt that was under the new patterns from my last post ... well now I can tell you ....

photo courtesy of Australian Homespun Magazine.

this is Love Birds. I made this quilt earlier in the year for Jessica's seventh birthday ... which just happens to be this Thursday ... of course it is also Ben's birthday as well but I don't have a quilt for him this time :( ... You will also find this quilt in Homespun next month ... I hope you like it ... Miss Jessie certainly does!

Before we left last week the circles quilt was finally finished and sent off ... this quilt will be in Homespun later in the year.

together with another small project that I just love! You will have to wait until next year sometime to see this one though ...

Before I go I also need to let you know about a new retailer who is now stocking my patterns ....

  

 Angela from Sew Bright Alpine Quilting in Bright, Victoria now not only has a shop that looks like it stocks some pretty beautiful and fresh fabric ... she also has some of my patterns! If you happen to be over her way make sure you stop by and if you happen to be the first person to contact me after buying one of my patterns from Angela I will send you one of the How does your garden grow patterns!

While we are here in Fiji I am receiving emails and I can reply with a little fuss through Yahoo so if you are waiting on a reply from me ... I am not ignoring you ... I am just relaxing in the sun! Enjoy your week guys!

Kellie

PS. A few of my bits and pieces are visiting with Penny from Patchwork Angel on the Sunshine Coast at the moment so if you are around that way pop in an say hello! Penny is also taking them with her to the Caloundra Quilters Quilt Showon the 25th & 26th of July & Angel's in Teacups Day Long High Teas & Stitching on the 8th & 9th of August if you are looking for something nice to do with your free time!

Sometimes life just gets in the way of blogging ....

We have had a very busy holiday considering we've not done anything much! :)

When I was sorting my photos for this post I came across this photo that reminded me that we did go across to Ballarat to the Blog Meet a couple of weeks ago which I have realised I never mentioned ... 

This was the only photo taken of the actual meet .. Megan was the official photographer on the day with her new camera courtesy of Santa!

I dragged the whole family along using it as an excuse for quality family time. We did have a really nice time my husband took the kids to the pool next to the park while I got to spend some time chatting. It was so nice to put a face to the blogs! If you aren't familiar with these blogs do your self a favor and go take a peek at;

Jodie, Gillian, Bernadette, Jo, Rachel, Kathryn, Annie, Emma, Janette, Lara, Holly, Trash, Jan, Nikki & Sonya

The kids have had three weeks of swimming classes which soaked up each morning and often part of the afternoon as well. But they have accomplished so much in that time that the 6am starts have been well worth it!

For most of the first week Joshua was the only student in his class so he has gone from total terror to being able to independently torpedo along with his face under the water. Ben and Jessie can now swim 4 laps of a 25m pool combining freestyle & backstroke. Jessica motors along like a speed boat and is justifiably proud of herself. Ben on the other hand although he manages quite well does look like he is about to drown at any moment! Megan has become a very accomplished swimmer easily able to swim 8 laps of the pool in freestyle, backstroke or breast stroke - she is quite amazing and looks so natural in the water. I would recommend VicSwim to any Victorian parent it really is a terrific program! 

Putting together the patterns for my shop also took up so much time. Thank you for taking a look and a huge thank you to everyone who bought one or two! If anyone has tried to purchase a pattern and has been told by Paypal that Idon't ship to your area ... well Paypal is just kidding ... I do it is just that I haven't added your country to my shipping list. Please email me and I will sort it out for you.

And now with only a few short days before school starts back it has dawned upon me that I haven't organised anything for the term ahead ... so I'm off to get sorted and to cuddle the kids a bit before the time is totally up ...

... plus I've got to somehow find some time to finish this ...

  ... I have the hots for circles at the moment! :)

Have a great week and I'll see you all again once I have my little family settled back in school.Forgive me for not doing my usual visits to your blogs ... for now my life is getting in my way!

Kellie 

Keep RIGHT!!!!!!

                               

Since the 3rd of November when we set off from LA we have covered approximately 2570km (1600 miles) all driven on the wrong side of the road!!!!! Well for us it was the wrong side of the road ;)! All of this driving has been quite an ordeal for this very tense, stress-head!

There has been quite extensive use of the passenger side breaking system ...

and frequent use of colourful words that the children really should not have heard ... these things were all unavoidable considering the fact that we have been driving on the wrong side of the road ... and really who has ever heard of turning right on a red light??????

We are returning the rental car on Monday morning before we fly out later in the evening ... I suspect that Mr Alamo will require an explanation regarding my hand print on the dash ....

Other than this we have had a fabulous time! We have been blown away by the awesome beauty of Yosemite National Park!

Everywhere you turn there is another jaw dropping vista ...

This tree is part of the Giant Sequoia grove in the park and it's over 2700 years old ...

 

These trees really have to be seen to be believed! 

You really must visit this place!

 

We are spending our last few days shopping and sightseeing in the beautiful San Francisco.

We have visited all of the usual tourist haunts like the Golden Gate Bridge ... which the boys loved! Fisherman's Wharf and this is the famous Lombard Street which is the crookedest street in the world - not that you can really tell from the photo ... I was too busy hanging on to look properly :)

Last night the kids went ice skating in Union Square ...

Well ... I don't actually think that you would call what they did skating but they had an absolute ball! 

Today we spent the day at the Exploratorium which is the most amazing interactive science museum! We all thoroughly enjoyed this place! We could have easily spent a couple of full days here and still not fully experienced all of the exhibits. 

 

Although we are flying out on Monday we wont get into Melbourne until Wednesday ... I feel nauseous thinking about this!!! So I guess you will hear from me again once I have done the washing and had a decent cup of tea!

Have a great week!!!

Kellie

An amazing day of firsts ...

No craft today. Instead my people and I got to experience one of the most amazing natural wonders in the world ....

 

The Grand Canyon!

 

It is bigger, more beautiful and more awe-inspiring than you could ever imagine!

 

I have no words that could possibly describe this place adequately.

 

The trees right down the bottom there are 10 stories high!!! If you would like some better images or some amazing facts take a look here.

 

It was one of the coldest days that this ex-Brisbanite has ever experienced ...

 

And this is why!

 

 This afternoon the kids and I got to experience snow for the VERY first time!!!!!! 

 

Very cool ... literally!!!!!

Tomorrow we are heading back to Vegas then on to Yosemite National Park where apparently we are likely to be seeing a bit more of this white stuff ... we had better get some warmer clothing!!!!!!!

Before I go I will leave you with an amazing beauty. This is my favorite minature quiltfrom Houston. This quilt is by Kumiko Frydl and is called Mission Impossible.

The quilt is a 1/20th replica of a pretty amazing quilt that was featured on the cover of July / August 2007 edition of Quilters Newsletter by Kathy Nakajima. I had dreams about the original ... now I have two spectacular dreams to choose from!

Enjoy your week!

Kellie

Dear Santa ...

OK so maybe the Bernina 820 might be slightly out of your price range  ... so how about this one? ....

Now this is a nice machine!!!! It would fit beautifully in my sewing room and at half the price of the Bernina 820 it's a bargain! What do you reckon Santa? I promise I will be a very good girl!

I spent Friday admiring the quilts at the festival and topping off my shopping ...

Here are a few of my favorite quilts ... starting with a couple of amazing Australians!

 

I was thrilled to see Helen Godden with Gail Thomas & Annette Hendricks with their spectacular quilt Seasonal Sisters. Helen has long been one of my favorite quilters! Congratulations Helen on yet another totally amazing work of art!!!!!

  

This little one is by Mariya Waters who taught me how to quilt! Mariya is a beautiful woman and an amazing artist. I'm so pleased that she has won yet another international award!!!!

 

I have been trying to finish this post now since last Saturday as my computer & Typepad have not traveled well!! So my 'quilt show and tell' is going to be short & sweet today and I will add some more of my favorites later on ... when I have more patience with IT obstacles!!!

So for now these are a few of my favorite masterful quilters ...

 

 

 

Although I loved my little Houston jaunt I was very happy to rejoin the family again on Friday night!

 

We all went to Universal Studios on Saturday and had an absolute ball!!!! The Simpson's ride was totally amazing! Megan, Ben & I particularly loved the Revenge of the Mummy! Jessie stuck close to Daddy's legs most of the time ...

and had been so over exposed by the time we went to the Animal Actors Show that she wouldn't enter the building until we assured her there would be no shooting or killing!

 

Mind you she didn't mind posing with Jaws but the experience on the tram car was a whole other story!

Megan & Ben are still loving all of the thrills & spills & each others company!

We moved on to Vegas yesterday after spending 4 days in San Diego which is really a very beautiful city ... 

 

with some very beautiful shopping!

More of that later ... for now I will leave you with a funny story that I know only has relevance to me and Granny ... but I still love it! While we were in San Diego we ate at a restaurant where the children's menus were printed on Pirate masks. Joshua rushed to put his on and proudly sang to us all ...

Arrrh-me-a-party!!!!

I hope you are all well and that enjoy your weekend!

Kellie