Welcome to Shiralee Stitches. I live on a cattle farm in Australia with my family.
I am passionate about all things fabric so much so I started my own online and mobile store. Link is on the sidebar to my store. I teach patchwork classes and take my shop to quilting and patchwork groups and also attend various craft markets.
I love English Paper Piecing, applique, machine quilting, working with woven wools. I have started making my own designs which I love.

Sunday 15 January 2012

Hello.......I'm home......and back in the sewing room........

Oh wow, what a lovely family beach holiday we've just returned from. My time at our caravan at Evan's Head worked out to be one day short of 4 weeks!!!!!.....so I was well ready to get back to my sewing.......I always plan to stitch while I'm away and usually bring it all home untouched, and that's what happened this time too. I find I never feel clean enough....too much sand and sunscreen......and we're flat-out busy all the time....swimming, sunning, bike riding, walks, shops, talking, a few drinkies and major socialising, not to mention the bowling club is just over the grass from our van!!!!!!!!
Here are a couple of piccies so you see where we've been.
The river on the left and surf on the right, so there's loads of swimming choices. My mum and my daughter on the breakwall.
Looking upriver at very high tide towards the camping area.

.......and now what's happening in the sewing room, I hear you ask!!??.......
Remember my English Paper Piecing rings , well I am finished all 16 rings for the central part of the quilt, and am adding the applique to the centres.
Oops, meant to crop this, and get rid of the thready edges....must have forgotten!!!!!
Next job is to whip stitch a scalloped design just inside the rings with a decorative thread......this should be interesting as I've never done whip stitch before.
Here's an image of where I'm headed.....the whole quilt......I would love to have this completed before I head off to Kerry's Girl's Day in the Country at Nundle in March, as Sue Daley, the designer of this quilt will be the guest tutor for the weekend......so I'd better get those fingers working fast......

....and to all my bloggy buddies, it's been a long absence and I have missed the contact with you all, so expect me to be leaving you a comment or 2 very soon.........

10 comments:

Cardygirl said...

Great to see you looking well rested and tanned! Glad you had fun and still managed a bit of stitching...your rings look great!

Susan said...

Looks like a great holiday. Love your progress with the rings, and can't wait to see it in person at GDITC!

Valspierssews said...

The holiday place looks very relaxing. The ring block looks lovely. What fun to meet the designer.

Unknown said...

Glad you had a Nice Holiday Evans is a Lovely Spot...
Your Blocks are Pretty I'll be able to see it in Person at Nundle and will be Great to Meet You too..
cheers.

Googy Girl said...

great to see you back

loving your block / quilt it is so lovely, you will love the whip stitch so relaxing....

can't wait to catch up again in Nundle

Evan's head looks great, we are at Fingal Bay

Anita said...

Welcome back! 4 weeks away at the beach.........my idea of heaven!!! The ring looks great - can't wait to see it all finished.

Nicky said...

Welcome home, sounds like a wonderful break in a beautiful spot! Have fun with the applique on your EPP project, GDITC sounds like so much fun .....

Chookyblue...... said...

omg 4 weeks of sand and sunscreen........yuck.........gorgeous location though.........I would be looking after the camp........lol..........love the EPP your working on.........must get back to mine too......

retdairyqueen said...

I went to Evans Head once Loved the place

Bec said...

Beautiful work on your paper piecing. Pleased to hear you had a lovely holiday...