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.

Saturday 23 June 2012

Getting back on track............

Sadly, I have been absent from blogland for far too long.................I hope you haven't forgotten me!!!!!!!.................I definitely haven't forgotten you all..........................

Life took a bit of a sour turn a while back as my stepdad (for those of you who know my Mum, her hubby) suffered a stroke (cerebral haemmorrage) and life just hasn't been the same since. After ambulance, hospital and rehab, he is now home and involved in a community rehab program, and he and Mum are now trying to find a 'new kind of normal'. Needless to say the emotional strain, particularly for Mum continues. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just stay young in our bodies???

Whilst all this has been happening, I have managed to keep my fingers busy beside the hospital bed, and in the evenings, with some sewing.

I have been working on a Sue Daley design, which I was lucky enough to have Sue kit up for me from fabrics in Kerry's shop at Girls Day in the Country in March. This quilt is called Icy Nights, the original being made in cool colours, but mine is more like warm nights in the lovely pink and brown hues.......lots of paper piecing.....very therapeutic and just what I needed..........

 I am ready to stitch the border down....it is anchored with the amazing applique glue at present.....great stuff, and if you haven't discovered it yet, believe me, you need to......I don't know how I managed before I learned about it. Check it out at Sue's website.
.................A close-up of the centre bits...........................


At one of Kerry's retreats last year I fell in love with a quilt made from reproduction fabrics and wanted to make it for Mum...............it was exactly her colours.......................so I have finally completed it ...................


 ........................heaps of very tiny stippling to bring life to the stars........took for ages!!!!!!..........
.....................and a feather border...............just looove my feathers!!!.......................


Our retreat is coming up next month and I just couldn't turn up and say I hadn't finished last year's quilt project!!!!!......................so now I'm ready for another of Kerry's amazing designs with a guilt free conscience!!!!!!................hehe..........

Mum has seen the quilt almost finished as I gave it to her for Mothers Day...................I will present the finished version to her on Thursday......oh, yes!!.....she loved it!!!!..........whew!!!...........you never really know if you get it all right when you choose to make a quilt for someone else.....................

..............Well, I do hope there's less of a time gap between posts from here on.......................
......................I have missed you all.......................

Oh, and before I go,  GUESS WHAT????? I must tell you I was doing a very big happy dance when I learned that I'd won Sharon's blog anniversary giveaway recently!!!!.....woohoo......a beautiful book...........I can't wait for the mailman to bring that one to the box..........of course I will show you when it arrives....thanks Sharon..........

....................I hope you're having a lovely weekend................

12 comments:

Susan said...

Life does take it's twists and turns. I'm happy things are getting back to "normal", and that you are back in blogland. Your quilts are beautiful, lots of skill and love sewn into them.

Cheryl (aka Kayly) said...

I am very very sorry to hear about your stepdad. I hope C, your mum, is coping okay and that they find that 'new kind of normal'. I know you would have been a big help to her.
I suppose the only plus side to all the hospital visits is that beatuiful new Sue Daley quilt. Lovely work! The quilt for your mum is stunning. I know what you mean about deciding on colours for a give-away-as-a-present quilt. It can be agony thinking about getting it just right.
Take care and please pass on to your mum and stepdad my best wishes and thoughts.

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

So pleased to see you back here again and am also so sorry for your family and hope that you all settle into your new type of normal. You do have a beautiful quilt (or two there):) Oh, our books (yes I orderd one for me aswell) are on their way. hugs, Sharon

Kylie said...

Glad to see you back - yes unfortunately life and its unexpected twists and turns get in the way but thankfully we have our stitching to get us through. Your Sue Daley quilt looks amazing and I love the quilt you have made for your Mum - I have to say I am a bit of a star girl. xxx

Anonymous said...

such beautiful work Shiralee and congrats on your lovely win.xx

Chookyblue...... said...

Hugs for C........love the Sue Daley design you have been working on and I do hope you can steal that quilt back from your Mum and bring it to the retreat to show us.........only a month to go now.......not long......

Deb R said...

Life sometimes can throw us into a spin, thank goodness things are on the mend. Give your Mum bigs hugs and my warmest wishes to your stepdad on a speedy recovery.
Sewing can be a saviour and help us through rough times...
Your quilts are beautiful!!!

Anonymous said...

Both quilts are just gorgeous

Anita said...

I looooove the Sue Daley quilt!! It is so gorgeous in those colours. And the start quilt is lovely - I am sure your mum loves having it on her bed!
See you in 4 weeks!

Googy Girl said...

the quilts look just fabulous, love the fabrics in your mums quilt and the colour s Sue picked for your warm nights quilt it looks great

Yvonne W said...

I hope that your stepdad is improving-- and that quilt would have cheered your mum up, I am sure.

Jenny said...

Wow you have been so busy. Lovely to see those beautiful quilts. Your fingers have certainly been busy.