Kerryswainscottage

Two happy groups

Well where has this week gone, I can believe it is late on Friday evening and I haven't even posted about my last two retreats and I have another group already here ready to sew for the weekend. It is always a very busy time through these winter months, with lots of retreats and visitors to the shop.

These two groups visit me every year about this time, so it was lovely to catch up with them as usual and welcome some new ladies to my retreats. The weather here has been extremely cold, great weather for being indoors and sewing, no snow which is a little disappointing, the Pot Belly fire has been working over time in the shop over the past month or so.

Marg those black and white stars look stunning, I look forward to seeing it complete.

I think Kathy's Double Wedding ring quilt is going to together so well, she is definity the faster I have had in a retreat - well done.

I have lots and lots to share but will be back again soon with a little more - bed is calling after a hectic day. Take care

Kerry

PS Sharks under 20's play New Zealand live on channel 502 at 3.15 tomorrow - for anyone with apy TV

Quilt top finished

Just popped in to share the some what out of focus photo of the quilt top for my sister - �complete - I managed to sew the last border on this morning and parcel it up and in the mail for quilting, I may use this as a new pattern, what do you think. Nicole also completed a quilt top to go in the box - this one is for a friend for her 21st. The pattern is Janelles "Citrus Crush".

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And the winner is....................

Sorry everyone I didn't make it into blog land last night to announce the winner of my little give away, but after eating something I really shouldn't have I felt very sick, so it was into bed early for me.

So before I head to bed once again, this time feeling very well, I just want to thank all those who left comments on what was their challenge for the last week, do hope we all achieved a little that was on our list, I know I did.

And the lucky comment winner is................................ comment Number 18 -

Stephanie - who is actually one of my Tuesday class ladies, so I will present her with her bag full of flannel scraps tomorrow when she arrives to class.

Thanks everyone for visiting me over the past week, I promise I will try and post more often then I was.

Tomorrow evening is my deadline on my sisters quilt so I will be back to share a completed photo.

Until then, enjoy life

Kerry

Passionfruit Slice

Well another very productive day here at The Cottage on the Hill, I ve don't lots of cutting, my ladies have done lots of sewing and we are well on our way to some more terrific projects being completed before the ladies leave me tomorrow afternoon.

I just wanted to share one of the recipes I made for morning tea this morning, a couple of the ladies in the group asked me if it was in my book "blackberry Jam and Cream" but it isn't so, here is the recipefor anyone who might like to try it. Very simple, but yum.

Passionfruit Slice

Base     1 cup self raising flour, 1 cup coconut, 1/2 cup castor sugar, 125g (4oz) melted butter, 1/2 teasp Vanilla

Topping     395g condensed milk, 1/4 cup lemon juice, pulp from 2 passionfruit

Combine flour, coconut, sugar, butter and vanilla in a bowl, mix well and press into a slice tin, place into a pre heated 180c oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden, allow to cool for 5 minutes.

Reduce the heat in the oven to 140c, Mix topping ingredients together, pour over base abd bake for a further 15 minutes, or until the edges go golden, allow to cool and cut into squares to serve.

Sorry I haven't a photo but it is all eaten.

Kerry                                     

 

My sister is turning 50

About three years ago I decided to put away some stunning flannels that I thought my sister my like, I had good intentions of making her a quilt for her 50th Birthday which is in a few weeks, so this week it was now or never, I dragged out the fabrics, decided on a design and this is what I have made up in the last 2 evening. I'am hoping to have it in the mail to my dear quilting friend - Betty - on Monday - so I will be back later in the weekend to share a finished photo. 

Retreats to share

Just thought I better share a few photos of the last couple of weekend retreats- the fist photo is of 4 ladies from Sydney who have joined me the same week each year for 8 years, as usual their projects turned out wonderfully, Jan even made herself a vest which looks great.

Then last weekend Gillian and Pam decided to make a quilt together to give as a present to one of their neighbours - this is their version of my "Cottagewood Dreaming" Quilt, it was looking so go, I am sure it will  be loved by the happy couple.

And the last quilt is of Chookyblues quilt which she made last weekend - we spent lots of time chatting and catching up on the last few months - but she did manage to have this completed by morning tea on Sunday. Le Jardin - it looks great.

Thanks for popping by, I will be back tomorrow evening to share a project I started last night. Until then, happy sewing

Kerry

A couple of Blue Chooks and a date for next year

After our "Girls Day in the Country" back in the beginning of May - Judy knew I wouldn't get time to complete Leannes stitchery so she stitched the design for me for my birthday, How lucky was I, and she worked it in Navy thread so I could frame it and hang it in my blue and white Kitchen. Well I eventually got around to painting the frame and hanging it tonight, thanks heaps Judy it looks great.

Speaking of Leanne - we have a weekend for our Girls Day in the Country for 2009 - with guest tutors Leanne Beasley and Rosalie Quinlan who will be here in Nundle for the weekend of 21st and 22nd March 2009. The Day will be run along very similiar lines as this years except you will have the opportunity to attend on the Saturday or the Sunday. Bookings are already extremely heavy so if you are interested in attending this fabulous retreat contact myself by either leaving a comment or sending me an email. Cost at this stage will be a round the $125approx for the day, accommodation is available in Nundle through myself so if you would like to stay in town that will need to be booked very soon.

Well can you beleive it, I have posted for 4 days straight, how is your challenge for the week going????

Kerry

Teddy Bear Classes

After lots of ladies requesting to make fur bears - our project day last month on a Tuesday was Fur Bears. I have made many bears over the years and so it was time to teach our weekly ladies. These are a few that were jointed and stuffed last week, there are a few of them that still need noses but all in all they came up very well, we had a few more completed today as well.

Aren't they all so cute and cuddly.

Hope you have all commented on my GIVE AWAY POST .

Kerry

2008 Challenge packs - completed

I just wanted to pop in and share some great projects made out of my 2008 challenge packs.

Here we have Beryl with here small quilt, it looks great, well done.

Then we have Kathy who has made this terrific bag from her pack, this bag has heaps of packets, it will be very handy Kathy I am sure.

This large cushion cover was made be Robin, well done, great idea.

All those ladies still working on the challenge pack, don't panic you still have a couple of months, happy sewing

Kerry

How Lucky am I

Friday evening was a special night as I got to open two Christmas in July online swap gifts.

Firstly through Sarah's ornament swap I received this most gorgeous small bag with a Bronwyn Hayes stitchery on it - made by Cathy. I think I might just sit it on a side board and fill it with chocolates ready for Christmas, it is too gorgeous to pack away.

Then secondly I received this absolutely beautiful Christmas cushion with 3 very cute embroidered Santas on the front from Suzi, this was through our online patchwork group, we opened them all together in our chat room which is always so much fun.

A huge thank you to both Cathy and Suzi for your wonderful gifts, I made Jan this Christmas bolster cushion and Leanne a special gift which I will post photos of tomorrow.

I know I have been pretty busy laterly and haven't posted a great deal so I am going to post at least once a day for the next week - that is my challenge to myself. If you would like to go in the draw for a mystery prize, send me a comment and let me know what your challenge is for the next week and I will pop your name in the draw and before bed next Sunday evening I will draw out one lucky person for a special prize from me.

Until tomorrow, stay safe

Kerry