Cruising down the river!

Relaxing -- summer style

We took the tinnie for a cruise down the river, it was a glorious balmy evening,   we were on a mission to show the 5BN children- an old historic cemetery.


Hey, what about me!!



And me too!!



Exploring - looking for the historic cemetery



Maybe it's this way?



Reptile track in the soil

an 8 month old baby Arthur Hunt,  died 1894

Lampard family plot--pioneers of the Polkemmet district

Andrew Hood, died 1899, his descendant of the same name - farms a neighbouring property.



The Calder family settled in the Polkemmet district,
and lived in the homestead, some generations ago.
Martha died in 1905

Polkemmet Homestead

FQS Mystery BOM 2012 - passed the half way mark!

'Laundry Days'  designed by Anne Sutton

'Mint Julep'  designed by Lisa Bongean

'Weather Vane' designed by sisters  -- Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobsen

'Breezy Afternoon'  designed by Aneela Hoey

'Cherry Sundae' designed by Barb Adams and Alma Allen

'Town Square' designed by Kate Spain

'Moonlight Serenade' designed by Sandy Gervais

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These blocks are sewing up quite quickly, the instructions are very clear, including tips for directional cutting and placement of fabrics - ensuring those particular fabrics - all have the print going along the same way.
 

Farmers Market Wrap Up 2012

 

We have had our last local Farmer's Market for 2012.

Time for a rest until late January, 2013,  the 5BN children have shovelled enough sheep poo, bagged enough wheat, collected and sold enough eggs to have earnt a spell.

The endless straight sewing of heat packs and door stops can wait until cooler weather.

We will all have a breather until the next Australia Day long weekend, meanwhile the children have enough customers to keep delivering to; over their school holidy break.

 

 

 

You have Mail!

We all love receiving mail and special gifts, and this was so true this week, to receive even more loveliness in the mail.
I was not surprised with the wonderful packaging, the care and detail that the beautiful crafty mummas have put into posting off their exceptional creations. The gifts are posted off with as much respect and care - as you package a friend or family member's gift -- but these are sent off to strangers.
It makes me reassses how I package my creations - prior to posting them onto the recipients.

Liberty hair ties


Apfel  promptly posted off the above hair ties, Miss 5BN has been wearing them with a new dress - a perfect match.
visit the store on www.madeit.com.au to see some more clever work from Mrs JB.



Stationary from Paddock Press

Megan of the Paddock Press delightful store - again presented me with some extra delights.
All packaged beautifully,  extra tags contained in a whimsical bag,  with Christmassy coloured twine.

 

Time Management

 







There has been much sitting and waiting, whilst the 5BN children are at their various sports practise.  It has enabled me to sew the binding on several quilts throughout the year, most recently - completing the Swoon quilt,  in time for the Christmas festivities.  I used the Christmassy range of fabric  --- Flurry by Kate Spain.

 

The Christmas Concerts, School Concerts and the Carols by Candelight are all presenting the opportunities for the youngsters to display the talents they have been learning all year.

It also presents an opportunity for the Stitchers in the community to showcase their work - costumes - the youngsters are wearing, quilts - to be sat upon or draped about in the cool of the evening, gifts for the school, dance and sports teachers, bags to keep a collection of miscellaneous items required at all the function / events.

 

 

How do you fill your time waiting / watching the youngsters?

 



Farmers Market restocking

 

We are restocking for the Natimuk Farmers Market this Sunday

9 - 10 am commencement  ----  1pm finish

tonight after school -- it is all about the Reindeer Noses,  much taste testing ensured all the product met  quality control standards!

 

Reindeer Noses




Doorstops needing to be replenished, very challenging when the fabric is cut way off skew = another trip into town before the end of the week to be able to cut and sew bases for the doorstops,  = also to fill them with the gravel.

 

 

more photos to follow of the last Market =  Melbourne Cup weekend

Hope to see you all there this Sunday + do say hello

 

Kids will be bagging wheat and sheep poo after school this week, they are struggling to keep up with repeat orders for regular, local customers.  They do appreciate all the support and business put their way.

Country hospitality

Yummy delights

We had our quarterly regional meeting in a nearby rural town.  Each year we use the local Primary School's facilities in this little town -- to host our meeting. 
The school has 25 pupils, the Mothers Club cater for our meeting each year. Once again the food on offer was exceptional, we also received gift bags of home made shortbreads to take home. Bowls of mints and those essential pick-me-up sweet treats graced our tables - as well as that of the guest speakers.  We had guest speakers for the day from the city- they were hugely impressed with the country hospitality.
 I was busy talking at the start of lunch, so missed taking photos of the lovely cold meat platters and variety of mouth watering salads.
Instead - it was all about the priorities -- I took photos of the morning tea and dessert offerings!

Next year, we have requested to have a mid year meeting in this town again, we have requested the theme to be Christmas in July, the Mums on the catering comittee were eager to please --we can't wait to see the feast prepared for us in 2013.

 

Middle 5BN baked this last night

The middle 5BN had several days this week as a transition into secondary school, he made the apple turnovers in Food Technology , and was so keen to come home and immediately make some for the whole family- with no assistance.
He already has a keenness for the baking, and will readily make a batch of shortbread or yo yos for school lunches, I will be continuing to foster this interest.
 

Stars for a new baby

My SIL had been busy sewing for her newest grandson and has made this gorgeous quilt for baby Dustin. Many of the fabrics were purchased from this gorgeous shop.

Jig Saw Puzzle Quilting

Again, the brilliant quilting was done by the wonderful Mrs WB



Loving the detail with the quilting and the stars

Well done to my SIL Mrs WH,     baby Dustin will love kicking and rolling on this brilliant quilt.