Have you missed us? The past couple of weeks have just flown and unfortunately blogging has come in last on my list of things to do ... so what have we been doing?
We had a fabulous time in Sydney ...
Miss Jessie finally lost her first tooth!!!!
We managed to experience the dust storm ...
... quite amazing really ... I'm very pleased that I never had to clean up the mess afterward!!!
My bag full of fabric managed to find it's way back to me!!! And I managed to add to it's contents courtesy of Quiltsmith!
I also managed to catch up with Catherine Sanchez Editor of Homespun. It was lovely to finally meet you Catherine after so many very late night emails!
On our return to Melbourne we took in an aged house guest ....
... who has broken her foot and needs a little extra help for a little while .... she is making herself quite useful though as there has been quite a few patterns needing folding of late!!
Joshua turned five in Sydney and even though we tried to convince him that he had, had his birthday it wasn't until we celebrated it with his birthday party on Saturday that he finally conceded that he had indeed turned 5!
.... my boy likes the girls!
The kids Play Room was transformed into the cockpit of starship and Joshua captained their journey throughout our Solar System! Thanks to NASA, Space School, Utube & our big screen TV they watched themselves blasting off into our outer atmosphere. They then traveled past our sun & the planets in our solar system stopping for various away missions such as ...
Solar System Relay...
Balloon Rocket Races ....
Moon rock dash ...
Musical Planets & lots more ... before we returned to earth for astronaut refueling!!!!
Happy Birthday my littlest big boy!!!
There hasn't been alot of creating going on around here in amongst all of these family commitments I'm afraid. Too much going on to start work on something new ... so instead I pulled out my Orange Peel that I have been thinking about for quite some time now ....
I have rejigged this difficult favorite of mine and come up with a plan that will hopefully mean that I will actually manage to finish this quilt sometime this ....
...century!
I am very excited that Don't Look Now patterns are now available online from a New Zealand retailer ...
FionaMarie.com that specialises in designs from Australian & New Zealand designers. I would love to give away one of the promo patterns to the first person who contacts me after purchasing one of my patterns from Fiona ... so once you've bought one drop me an email and I'll send it off to you.
Do you all remember a few weeks back when Tweedletails, an online storebased in the US, started stocking Don't Look Now patterns? Well they sold out in 4 hours flat ... but I am very happy to let you all know that they are back in stock and just waiting to find a good home!
As as for me ... what am I up to this week? Monday I hunted the kiddos off to school again for the last term of the school year! I am still going to be watching over my 'aged house guest with her broken foot'! On Thursday I will be at Patchwork House finishing off the 2nd day of a workshop that started last month. (The February dates for my next class at Patchwork House booked out after only one day so we have scheduled another class so give Kylie a ring if you are interested!) Yesterday I spent a little time in The Cloth Shop in East Ivanhoe here in Melbourne and picked up some absolutely beautiful wool ...
I think that this will become the background for a quilt that I plan to make for my self!!!! Who would have thought of ever making a quilt for one's self???
.... and I'm going to start packing for Adelaide next week .... woooo hooooo!!!!
Enjoy your week!
Kellie
PS. I was looking at these two partners in crime ... watching over Joshua's party frivolities on Saturday ...
how they have both grown!
I love you so much my, not so little, twins!!!
Yes, I missed you tons.... Glad you had a lovely trip and that you got that gorgeous bag back and it's contents of course. You've outdone yourself with Joshuas party - it's scary to think he and Milo are only a couple of months apart in age. That last pic is so cute , but where has Jessie's curly hair gone? Have you not got one of your quilts on your bed?
Lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | October 07, 2009 at 03:21 AM
Yes, I missed you. It looks like you had a wonderful time.
Posted by: anina | October 07, 2009 at 03:38 AM
Wow, tons going on with family! That is the best. I love your fabric in the bag! Great new project too!
Posted by: Jackie | October 07, 2009 at 03:49 AM
Such cute kids you have! Love you quilting block too. And I'm so glad you got your bag back, those fabrics are just heavenly!
I've been having some fun with your tutorial patterns lately. Those flowers and the little bird are just too cute. Thanks for the pattern. I really must get on with the quilt pattern I've bought. It's going to be so beautiful!
Posted by: Sarah | October 07, 2009 at 05:57 AM
Thank you for the pattern you send which I had won in your give away. It is nice to hear from you again and where do you find your fabric, I can't find it over here.
Groetjes Mai
(the Netherlands)
Posted by: Marie-Jozé | October 07, 2009 at 06:13 AM
My gosh Kellie, it sounds like you've kept yourself super busy over the past couple of weeks. Glad I wasn't in the dust storm, and so happy your fabric found it's way back to you, what a relief, I'm sure. Love the addition to your stash, very delicious. My gosh I was looking for boys in the party photo's, were there any?....lol.... Your kids are growning like weeds, but they have a habbit of doing that, all too quickly.
Posted by: Linda | October 07, 2009 at 07:17 AM
I am glad you all had a lovely holiday and you got your bag back. BUT what happened to the twins curls? lol
Robyn K
NZ
Posted by: Robyn Kirk | October 07, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Oh Kellie! What a fabulous party. I hope you didn't say "On your mark, set, go." I hope you said "On your mark, set, make it so."
Posted by: tracey petersen | October 07, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Hi Kellie, happy to see you are back and blogging. Looks like Sydney was entertaining! I've finished making placemats from your pattern and am about to get addicted to this way of doing applique!
Posted by: Dorothy | October 07, 2009 at 08:42 AM
You are always such a busy lady Kellie. I love the spacesuits, and yes he does seem to love the girls doesnt he. I am sure it is the same for the girls there though, he is such a cutie. Your twins have grown up so much too, and I love that last photo, arent they gorgeous in it. I hope your patient is enjoying herself and I am sure your family is keeping her wonderfully entertained so she doesnt think of it too much. Congratulations on your patterns selling out too, we knew that would happen with all the great ones you design.
Posted by: sue | October 07, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Another amazing birthday party.
Happy birthday little man!!!
To infinity and beyond .....
Andi :-)
Posted by: andi | October 07, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Aww Happy Birthday to Joshua, what an amazing birthday party!!!
Posted by: Kelly | October 07, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Happy Birthday to Joshua, and I am so glad you got your bag of fabric back. I am ready for Adelaide too, got my plane ticket last night!
Posted by: Adds xx | October 07, 2009 at 10:14 AM
They do grow up too quickly, though there are always moments when you feel they dont! Happy Birthday to your littlest big boy!
The twins are beautiful.
Posted by: meggie | October 07, 2009 at 10:40 AM
How nice to have you back in cyberspace. I was worried you might have gone lost in Sydney! So glad your bag full of goodies was found and returned to you. And Joshua's birthday party.... wow.....
Posted by: vreni | October 07, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Yes I missed you! And how amazing your birthday parties always are! I wish I could be there, your kids don't know how good they've got it!
So glad that pesky first tooth fell out!
Posted by: twitter.com/OllieLev | October 07, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Those NASA outfits are ridiculously cute!!
Posted by: Anna | October 07, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Kellie, so nice to see you back online! Fantastic result to get your fabric bag back, it looks full of beautiful fabics. Although you had to weather our dust storm - you are right about being glad to not have to clean up - I'm still finding things covered with it!!! Wow, the NASA party looked like a hoot and the costumes are as stunning as ever. Love the Orange Peel - can't wait to see the finished product as usual. Have a great week.
Posted by: Cath Roberts | October 07, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Happy Birthday to your son! I love those new fabrics in your bag, very colorful!
Arien from Slovakia.
Posted by: Arien | October 07, 2009 at 04:59 PM
It's great to see that you had a wonderful family holiday, and managed to get some fabric shopping done too!
What a fantastic party, looks like a lot of fun!
Posted by: soo | October 07, 2009 at 07:22 PM
Great action shots from space.
Posted by: Leanne | October 07, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Ohmygosh Kellie -- I LOVE your posts! That picture of the twins looking on at the party is hysterical -- what on earth are they thinking about their little brother's party? You throw the BEST parties -- it looks like everyone had a great time (and please tell me you didn't make those costumes for everyone or we might have to have you committed!) Sooooo happy your lost bag made it back to you and LOVE the orange peel. Oh, and YAY -- you're making a quilt for yourself -- As It Should Be!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | October 08, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Well, now you've made me want to go to Sydney Australia and I don't remember thinking that before! It'd be a good thing--hubby probably would fare far better than in non-english speaking country :-)
Just had to say you birthday party theme was brilliant and your kids couldn't be more adorable.
Posted by: jen duncan | October 08, 2009 at 12:46 AM
Glad you are back! I would love to go to Austrailia someday. It probably will never happen so I will have to hope that you will come here someday to teach a class near me???? One can hope right??
Posted by: Lynn Taylor | October 08, 2009 at 10:26 AM
So glad to see you back. Family time is most important and I'm sure it lifts your spirits - and gets those creative juices flowing! I love your latest applique piece and I may have to try one myself. I don't usually like applique but your example is so compelling!
Posted by: shelley | October 08, 2009 at 12:11 PM
I love to see what the kids birthday party themes are, so much fun and you put so much effoert in. I'm glad you had a good time in our part of the country and that you got your bag and goodies back.
I tried hand piecing the orange peels and the centers were tricky so I gave up. Applique I can do so maybe I should give it another shot. Will you join the next block on before appliqueing the rest of the petals?
Posted by: Janet | October 08, 2009 at 05:31 PM
kellie i have missed you! i pop over often to read your posts and your news and always feel a bit let down when there is nothing new!!!! but i am always pleased to hear the good news of your precious family times and also see your latest production. glad you got your bag back!!!!!
Posted by: broderie | October 08, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Glad you're back! I have been keeping an eye out for you. Isn't it scary how quick kids grow up! Your "work in progress" looks fantastic, as always!
Posted by: Jessica | October 08, 2009 at 10:36 PM
kellie, you have the most amazing ideas for parties.....I love thespace theme.....good luck for Adelaide
Posted by: Handmaiden | October 08, 2009 at 11:10 PM
That dust storm was pretty rockin'! I want to visit Sydney and do all the great things you did!
Posted by: pamela | October 09, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Sooo glad you got your lovely bag and its contents back!! Love the Birthday theme - Happy Birthday Josh!!
Posted by: Louise | October 09, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Hi Kellie - that party looks AMAZING! Loving the spacesuits and the "Armageddon" pose. Fabulous! Do you ever do "bland"???
Posted by: Emma | October 09, 2009 at 08:51 PM
Goodness they don't stay little for long! You need to write a book about birthday parties, with ideas and patterns!!! YOu have such great ideas!!!! And it goes without saying, but i will say it anyway... I love the orange peel block! Have a good weekend!
Posted by: upstatelisa | October 10, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Glad your little astronaut had a fabulous birthday party! Those NASA suits are great. Good news about your lost fabric finding its way back to you. Hope your MIL is making a good recovery.
Posted by: Lisa | October 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Hi! I know I have missed you, but I think you have done right by spending time with your family. Looks like you have had a wonderful time!
Take care.
Posted by: Irene | October 10, 2009 at 06:44 PM
What a supercool idea for a birthday party! My 4yo spotted the NASA suits as she was walking past and was agog!
Glad you had a great time in Sydney and FANTASTIC news about your bag!
Posted by: Cascade Lily | October 13, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Kelly
What a wonderful weekend we had here in Adelaide - you sure know how to get the best out of us!!!! What beautiful applique we all ended up with. Hope none of your precious luggage got lost!! You and Lorraine (and her merry helpers) are just the best.
Thanks again
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret Sampson | October 18, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Kellie, you absolutely excelled yourself once again with Joshua's party! Happy very belated birthday.
Posted by: Lara | November 01, 2009 at 06:11 PM