Angels

Just in case you havent heard about it, or seen the logo splashed on peoples blogs across the world I thought I would tell you about an exciting (and now huge) swap happening over on my other blog.

Now the deal is that you can sign up to be a secret Stitching Angel and send some little stitching accessory gifts to your mortal or you can just visit my blog each week beginning 18th August for a FREE, yes FREE pattern from 7 top designers from around the world. You can see them all over here..

so just thought I’d let you know as it closes soon on the 15th August. Then the work begins for me to swap over 200 Angels..

hugs, Helen

Cup of Tea

I think I may have missed a block this week??? So I am just having a cup of tea and browsing some blogs when I should be working here….

 

Cup of tea stitchery block of the week

And look what I found here and here - how wonderful. These gals have started their own NPNT group and blog to keep each other going and it sounds like they are all so excited. It gives me great joy and satisfaction to watch others get pleasure out of a project or design. Listening to them chat about fabric choice, personalised blocks, alphabets, nice people and nice things is such fun. Why not pop over and say hi to them, I am sure they’d love to see your progress or what colours you chose. Thanks Colleen for sharing and being such a nice person

Reading through their young blog just wanted to remind you of a few things. There is an alphabet link on the side of this blog under blogroll where you can go and print out a copy of the alphabet I used. Then you can make up your own blocks or verses with matching fonts to the rest of your quilt blocks.

The nine appliqued plain heart blocks can be used for your own personalised blocks or the bonus blocks if you wish. Or some people dont like some of my choices 0r they dont apply to them so just swap them out for another if this is the case.

If you happen to get a box of cards with double designs or some missing PLEASE email me and let me know – there was a slight glitch with last batch from the printer and some cards have been mixed in the packs. I will replace them straight away for you.

Some of you will be coming along nicely with your quilt now. Why not send us a photo so we can share your progress and your achievements.. we’d love to see them.

my tea has gone cold – not hard when its only 2degrees here today so time to go and post a little giveaway here before working – pop over quickly to get in early.

hugs

Helen

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea.  ~Bernard-Paul Heroux

Another novelty is the tea-party, an extraordinary meal in that, being offered to persons that have already dined well, it supposes neither appetite nor thirst, and has no object but distraction, no basis but delicate enjoyment.  ~Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, The Physiology of Taste

Find some more lovely tea poems and sayings

here

Peace OR Quiet

Yesterday we decided to use some fuel and head upto the mountains to see some snow (a rare occurence here). We went close by to Myrtle Forest in the South of Tasmania. Unfortunately we were too late and the snow had all disappeared but we did have a lovely walk through the forest to the Myrtle Falls. As the snow was melting the falls were running beautifully and an easy 8 minute walk through the ferns and trees along a muddy track with many stone steps took us to the viewing platform. Miss Tilly felt she could go no further but with a little urging and some fun squelching in the mud in her rubber boots she made it to the top. Tessie Bessie was intent on getting to that clean fresh water and for the first time drank pure rain water from a stream with great excitement. We had to search along the creek access points where she could get to to drink without falling into the icy cold water. I didnt know whether to feel ‘alive’ and thankful for this clean abundance of water or guilty because she was getting so much from the experience – what have we been doing if it took almost 11 years for her to experience this?

Anyway, on the way back down the track to the car we had a discussion. I said, ‘Isnt it so peaceful here’ and Tess’ reply was ‘and quiet’.  Reflective thinking here- what is the difference between ‘Peace’ and ‘Quiet’. In her mind there was an obvious difference, an inbuilt not learned difference… although it is sometimes nice to have ‘quiet’ in our space it is ‘Peace’ we all want and work for in our lives and in the world.

Okay so we are getting a bit deep here, for my dad and for a bit of fun look closely at the pics below. I am not sure if this would live up to Tasmanian National parks OHS or public Liability standards…. 

We walked under it very quickly

hugs, and peace

Helen

 

 

puppies

MY girls so desperately want a puppy. We have never had a dog as a pet. We have had a cat, a rabbit and chickens who have all now sadly passed and have been pet free now for 3 years. I grew up on the farm with dogs where were never inside, never went to a vet, never got special attention, they were just workers. ( although I think secretly they meant a lot more to my dad than we realised). My head chef and partner has now developed an allergy to animals including many dogs and has said a big NO to having a pet. However we think we can wear him down. The girls have  developed a powerpoint presentation on the benefits of owning a dog. The costs involved, low allergy breeds and the work involved and who will do this work. They have begun a puppy fund to save money for its purchase. We do not have a big yard – our whole back yard is a swimming pool, and will not have an inside dog so the choices are limited to small, child friendly, low allergy, low cost but cute and cuddly breeds….. any advice or recommendations most appreciated.

A funny story……yesterday Tessie Bessie had the opportunity to try abseiling with Girl Guides (a side note; she hated it and will NEVER do it again -takes after her mum here with heights). A friend with a small dog on a gorgeous pink lead was there and Tilly decided to take her for a walk down the hill. Now Tilly is only 3 but the dog is also very small – about the size of a loaf of bread – The dog took her for the walk, gravity had something to do with it but she could not stop. The dogs mum yelled out ‘grab onto the post’ and there was Tilly arms wrapped around a sign post still holding onto the lead trying not to be pulled any further downwards, hard to describe but a very funny sight…..

I know many of you will have puppies who are just as special as your children. So I hope you enjoy stitching them into your quilt. Perhaps you could add their paw print to the back of the block or on one of your spare blocks.

hugs, Helen

mmmm chocolate.. will have to share

okay, who doesnt love chocolate? I have to admit is is one of my two major vices in life and takes the shine out of any diet I attempt….. but its good for you isnt it?

Check out Sarah’s new blog at http://www.ifonlyihadchocolate.blogspot.com/ She has finally joined the ranks of blogging….hi Sarah.

We are very fortunate (or perhaps not) to live in the same town as the main Cadbury Chocolate factory. Now anyone who has ever visited Tasmania has visited the Chocolate factory. Unfortunately they have currently closed down their factory and tasting tours.

So for todays block I thought we could share chocolate recipes. Leave your favourite in a blog comment and I will choose the best one for a little suprise gift – its a suprise cos I dont know what it will be yet, but I can sure find something fantastic for the winner. Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave your recipe here by Friday of this week.

Now to my recipe:

from my Christmas Truffles book:

Double choc orange balls

250g/80z crushed sweet biscuits (graham crackers)

3/4cup desiccated coconut

4 tablespoons cocoa

395g/14oz can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or orange liqueur

extra coconut or chocolate shavings for rolling in.

Mix all ingredients. refridgerate until firm. Shape in to balls, roll in coconut or chocolate shavings. Refridgerate.

hugs, Helen

stars

Here in Tasmania we have just had our longest night of the year. Celebrated with a lantern parade for the Winter Solstice as part of the Antarctic midwinter festival.

Although we do not have the snow and ice that many of our Northern blog friends experience, Hobart is known for its cool weather so we  rugged up in our thermals, gloves and scarves and braved the chill night air to experiene the parade, fire dancing and ice sculpting. Miss Tilly was most impressed with the thousands of stars in the trees at Salamanca – they have an avenue of trees sprinkled with fairy bud lights, she is convinced Christmas is here…

now to another ’star’ in our papers this week… our very own Hugh Jackman (well who wouldnt try to claim him as our own?) was given a star in the pavement this week in the famous Hollywood walk of fame. Can’t wait for the movie to come out as I love both Nicole Kidman and the beautiful Hugh! ahhhh…. sigh….

closer to home, my  very own star rower Miss M received an award for best first year rower in her club New Norfolk this year and her U13 State girls singles champion plaque from Kate Hornsey – home for 4 days break in her Olympic preparations – Kate was an ex Ogilvie student and New Norfolk rower so is very inspirational to the girls proving exactly what can be acheived as she heads to Beijing. Molly, you are a star to us for your efforts this year and always.

hugs, Helen

Cupcakes

School holidays have just finished and we were treated to DD2 Cyclone Tessies baking each day. By the end of the two weeks she had perfected her Butterfly cupcakes. She really did do a good job despite me having no eggs, no cream, actually not many ingredients at all left in the pantry. But never stop a chef in the making – every bit of practise means more time for me in the studio instead of the kitchen in the long run:)

Of course cupcakes are very popular at present both in the stitching world and in the baking world. Here are a few sites to check out

52 Cupcakes

Angels come to play

http://www.mylittlecupcake.com.au/

http://www.patternmart.com/pattern/4957/FIVE+Spring+Bunny+Stitchery+Doodles

http://www.embroidables.com/store.php?page=format&item=31

http://www.bunnycup.com/viewset.aspx?designset=140

http://www.tearoselane.com/cupcakeshoppepattern.html

http://www.cupcakecreations.net.au/

http://www.cupcakecorner.com.au/

http://www.cakethat.com.au/cupcakes.htm

http://www.cupcakesonline.com.au/

 

okay, I am salivating again now…. some to eat, some to stitch.

have fun, send me a pic of your special cupcake..

hugs, Helen

buttons and bows

ahhh, success, I’ll put another one up tomorrow for you all.

I am stiiiillllll trying to get these pics in…. promise I’ll sort it out. In the meantime have a peek at Vanessa’s photos here.

 

arrrgghh, I am really trying to send you a post with a new block picture but it WONT WORK! So I will try again tomorrow and hope that wordpress has sorted out its glitch before wasting too many more hours.

Have just returned from Quilt market in Sydney where I managed to catch up with lots and lots of lovely friends and your friendly store owners who are bringing you NPNT in one way or another. We will soon have a lot more joining us also so keep an eye out on the ‘stores’ page

 

in the meantime I’ll direct you to some other people’s pictures to get your fix. Look at this wonderful new blog from my friend Christel, look whats in the picture all the way across the world.

and here the lovely Lisa has made a tutorial blog on what ‘not to do’ when making and assembling your NPNT quilt blocks… she is a barrell of laughs and makes us feel ‘okay’ not to be perfect either….. do check it out and if you scroll through the main blog you’ll see some more pics of peoples npnt blocks.

Highland Quilter also has lots of pics of her progress here. and here and here.

 

and Lyn shows us some more here

promise I’ll try for some pics tommorrow, it was going to be Buttons and Bows after seeing so many delicious ribbons and buttons at market…

hugs Helen

Quilts

Well as I have just returned home from the international quilt market in Portland USA I thought it was time to preview the Quilt block. I will show you some pictures of market. This market is held twice a year and is organised by Quilts Inc. It is a trade only show where hundreds of industry people gather to showcase their wares and thousands of Industry people go to see and buy them. It is at least 10 times bigger than any trade shows we have here in Australia and is full of excitement, inspiration, opportunity, friendships and quilts of all shapes, sizes, colours and styles. It is quilt overload. But it is fantastic! I hope you enjoy some of my experiences here.

hugs, Helen

This was my pretty in pink booth in Portland with the lovely and fantastic Shannon having a well earned rest. Shannon has started a new Distributor business called Quilt Press and will be distributing exclusively Australian patterns in the USA and Canada

This was the Quizzles booth this year. We didnt take quilts this time, just pics but I think it looked pretty good – we needed space in our suitcases for shopping!

This was my all time favourite new fabric range Ava Rose – I WANT some!

I subscribe to Beths Blog so it was lovely to meet her and chat whilst she coloured boobie buttons!

I tried to get pics of the blogs I love to read. This is Ann Sutton of Bunny Hill designs, she won the best single booth award. I got not one but two fat quarter packs of her latest range Emma’s Garden at sample spree- now to some designing with them , cant wait.

Here I am at the Crabapple Hill booth – they won best multiple booth- it was lovely but very different to how we know Crapapple style. Meg is second from left, then the lovely Christel a customer and friend from Norway, then myself plus Megs girls either end…. they got to take home my booth furniture – its lucky to get a lovely home rather than the dumpster..

This is Joanna of Fig tree Quilts and fabrics.

and look here, its Lynette and Vince from Australia! It was  nice to be in earshot of Aussies.

Moda spend the most effort and time on their display. It takes 3 semis to bring it all in, this is just a small portion in the Moda Home section

This is the fabulous Gina Halliday of Quilters Buzz and Threadpear studio.

Brenda Riddle of Little Acorns Blog and pattern company

and this is looking down our isle 2000 it went up to 2600 I think – huge…

hope you enjoyed a few snaps of what I’ve been up to and the Nice people and Nice things I have been meeting.

hugs, Helen

Party time and now strawberries

Okay, okay, so  I have already done Party time. Sorry about that, so to keep up with our weeks I have added Strawberries for you. Why you may ask have I picked this one now? Well I was lucky enough to meet in person a wonderful lady and customer of mine at Quilt market this year. We have been emailing now for a couple of years and this was her first trip to market. Her store logo and theme is strawberries, so in honour of Christel, this is the block of the week.

and this is Christel!

Well I am finally home again and have found the picture for you. Travelling the world sounds so exciting and it can be but gee it is nice to be home. So it was party time here on my return. So nice to come back to my bed, my beautiful girls, my dh with champagne ready and my parents here also helping out. If I met you anywhere in my travels it was lovely, if I didnt, maybe next time. One thing is for sure, there are going to be a lot more joinging us here on the blog stitching away on Nice People and nice things from across the world.

 

Well I thought I had done this post before I left home but it appears that there is nothing here for you……so I do apologise but we are going to have to put two photos up when I return home next Monday. I am currently in San Fransisco and catch the plane home tommorrow night yayyyy! It has been a long and interesting three weeks but I will tell you all about it next week. We should have lots more Nice People joining us here soon. It will be party time for us all.

hugs Helen