Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year... plus, what I'm sharing in 2011!

Happy New Year my dear friends!
I pray you have all enjoyed a safe and joy-filled entrance into 2011.
Please pray for those in our state of Queensland who are now homeless due to the devastation of the floods, those who have homes but many weeks of cleaning up to do before they are habitable again, and those who are stranded away from their home and families due to the highway closures.
Our little town is not flooding, but we are cut off from all food supplies for the next two weeks - we also have not had supplies into town for the past few days. The supermarket shelves are empty of all essentials, but we did manage to gather some supplies yesterday that will help to keep us in food and toiletries for those two weeks.
We'll finish all the perishables tomorrow and then it will be frozen and canned items. I have flour for bread baking, and we all like baked beans, so we'll be fine.
In comparison to towns elsewhere we are better than fine.
We drove down to check the Burdekin River the other day. When the water is over the river we are all stranded here. Normally it is almost empty, and full of large trees - people go and camp in the sandy riverbed all the time. Not now. Every tree was under water, and it was just a metre or so under the road bridge...
 I have never seen it in flood and the sight and sound of the river rushing by taking everything in its path will not soon be forgotten.
~~~~~
The important thing while we're town-bound is to keep occupied, so along with Monopoly and reading, I have been sewing.
This year I am not doing a BOM quilt, but it's still a BOM, and something truly lovely that would also make a beautiful gift for a friend. My theme for Elefantz this year is all about the 'Gift of Giving'.
I'll share the first part tomorrow, but for today I will show you some of it....
...I think you can guess what this BOM is called? :-)
Please feel free to use the button above on your sidebars this year, linking back to Elefantz. 
~~~~~
Before the last of the mail deliveries was made, a parcel arrived from England for Blossom and I from sweet Jill (Bluebell)...
 Beautiful vintage style shabby cushions with Jill's gorgeous crochet edging, and pretty buttons, thread and cards as well...
 Blossom said of hers, "Mum, this is one of the prettiest gifts I have ever received!".
Thank you, Jill...they are so appreciated!
~~~~~
With so much rain and flooding there is a lot of dampness in the house, and that turns into a musty smell after a while. We have the airconditioners going all day long to dry things out, but I wanted a pleasant scent to fill the air as well. Last year I stocked up on some rose perfumed hand-made soaps at the market and after a big decluttering in the sewing room after Christmas I discovered a way to use them to my advantage!
Sorting through my plastic tubs of odds and ends I came across a hundred organza gift bags that Blossom used to use for giftwrapping the rosaries she made.
I cut my soaps into thirds...
...and popped them, along with the soap shavings, into the bags...
 ...and added one to every drawer in the house, as well as in all my fabric spots. 
Things smell so much nicer now! :-)
~~~~~
 Also in 2011 from Elefantz...

Apart from my free BOM, 'Give Thanks', I will also be sharing some free gift designs through 2011 whenever an idea pops into my mind - things for weddings, baby showers, housewarming, kitchen teas etc. I think we all can find an abundance of free Christmas gift designs online, but not so many gifts for other special occasions. 
The monthly challenges will also return! I'll set the first challenge on January 7th so you'll have to wait a week to find out what it is, but I will give you a hint as to what you need to complete the challenge - an old skirt, or two or three! Can you guess what I have in mind??
~~~~~
Time to sign off and make a nice Milo for Mr E and myself as the sun is down and the night is cooling - perfect chillin' out time.
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

PS: Have you popped over to our Gum Tree Designers website yet? The January 2011 newsletter is ready for you, full of what's happening with us this year!

33 comments:

Ondrea said...

Jenny, so good to hear that you and your family are safe from the floods. At least you managed to stock up on plenty of food. Many angel blessing go out to those who have been affected. I look forward to your designs this year and thank you for sharing them with us again. Angel hugs.

cottonreel said...

A lovely post Jenny, full of promise and anticipation , although the weather here is grim and coughs ,colds and sniffles are rife I feel we have a lot to look forward too.
Your Mr Elefantz sounds a dream , much love to you all --cottonreel

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Glad to hear that you are safe from the flooding where you are Jenny! Hope that you are not cut off for too long. Bet wishes for 2011 - can't wait to see what you get up to this year!

Orcsmom said...

I love your idea for 2011. I can't wait and look forward to seeing all of your creative ideas. I was wondering about your situation with the flooding. It has been on our news daily and our thoughts and prayers are with you and all in Queensland. Floods can be so destructive. Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful and healthy 2011. May it be and bring you all you wish for and more! Hugs!

Pam

Pam said...

Hi Jenny, Glad to hear you are managing okay with the dreadful weather your state is getting. I'm really looking forward to seeing all your projects this year and I love the little elephant design at the top of your post.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Sweet new blog banner for the New Year. You're always so giving of your talents. Australia has had it's unfair share of disaster...fires and floods. Wishing everyong well. Happy New Year.

quilterfaye said...

Jenny,glad to hear you and your family are safe and have supplies. We have been reading of the devastation in Australia and praying for those in the flooded areas.
I'm afraid my geography knowledge is lacking so unaware you lived in the area.(not my favorite subject in school)
Love the elephant on your new bannerand hint on new BOM.
Bless you Jenny
Hugs,Faye

Susan said...

Good to hear theat things are not too bad up your way - and although you might get bored with baked beans and bread you are - as you say - so much better off than some. Watching the news at night brings tears to my eyes. Looking forward to your projects for 2011 - its going to be a busy year - in more ways then one (for me) - though my lips are sealed for now.
Take Care

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Happy to hear you are all okay. Thank you already for the beautiful Give Thanks design!

KaHolly said...

First things first - Love your new blog header/banner. It is PERFECT!
Glad you are safe, and together, and looking forward. You have hinted at some exciting things for 2011 and the anticipation is building. Thank you for your generousity and spirit in 2010, Jenny! We are all so blessed by 'knowing' you. ~karen

Elena said...

I'm happy to hear you ans your family are OK, but I think of all those who spent a sad end of-the-year...I hope 2011 will be a better year and that they can overcome this terrible period

Bluebell said...

Hi Jenny, I'm glad you and Blossom liked the stuff, I am looking forward to seeing the new BOM and I love the little Elefant on your header, keep your feet dry and a Happy New Year.
Love Jillx

By Hoki Quilts said...

Hi Jenny, I'm so pleased that you and the family are safe and dry but my heart goeas out to all those that have lost everything due to the floods.
Looking forward to your 'reveal' and by the way the new website for you and the girls is great.
keep safe, God bless
Miche'le

Colleen's Blog Long Island NY said...

Jenny, keeping you in our prayers. We heard that there was a lot of flooding over there. I hope everything subsides soon.

TYRaines said...

I had no idea that things were so bad in Queensland. We get little international news in California. I'll be praying for you all; for a swift recovery from the flooding. Take care.

Michelle said...

Wow that's a lot of water, so pleased you are safe from the worst of it. I love your new banner, it so cute. And I am looking forward to reading your wonderfully inspiring blog throughout 2011, Take Care
Blessings
Michelle

Melody said...

Its hard to imagine how huge the floods are in QLD but I read the flooded area is as large as France and Germany combined. So glad to hear you are all safe.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2011. Thank you so much for so generously sharing your lovely projects with us.

barb's creations said...

Glad to hear you and your family are safe and managed to stock up on the essentials before they ran out of them at the stores.2011 looks to be a very busy year for you design wise and I can't wait.I probably wont be joining in as many challanges this year as I've decided to head back to uni this year to get my diploma so will be concentrating on finishing some of my UFO's but knowing me I wont be able to resist your BOM lol.Good luck,health and happiness to you and your family in the new year :) Barb

Györgyi Varga said...

Happy new year Jenny! Your new BOM looks like so lovely! I will follow your designs in this year (this will be my first year :-))Thanks for sharing! Györgyi

Sew Useful Designs said...

What a beautiful post, sweetie.

Happy New Year to you and yours - I wish good health, happiness and dreams come true for you and your family Jen! Let me know if you are short on anything love and I can send stuff up from Melbourne.

Love the new 'elefant' sweetheart - tis the cutest I've ever seen!!! As is the new gum trees logo! GAWJUS!!!

Love and hugs sweetie!
Vikki xoxoox

Wendyb said...

Glad to hear you're safe and sound....haven't been down to check the Burdekin at our end of the river..last I heard it was down to 7.8 metres...after more rain today I'm not so sure!!!!!!
Have the best new years my lovely...you well and truly deserve all the blessings it offers!!
XXXXX love and sugary hugs
Wendy :O)

Narelle said...

I think there could be a lot more sewing done than usual ... I also have more time for gardening when the weather is fine.
Happy New Year!

BubzRugz said...

Hi, I'm glad tohear you are safe and well.... and hope you don't get hungry!!! So hard for so many isn't it.... Happy New Year to you and yours and thanks for a wonderful introduction to blogging for me ....
Hugz

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Hi Jenny--Happy new year to you and your family and I am glad you are higher up and dry--we need you to keep designing all these lovely things!!!
Hugs, Di and miss gracie

jugglingpaynes said...

I'm so glad you are safe and I hope you remain so! We've been reading about the floods here in NY. Such weird weather lately! We just got buried in a post Christmas snowstorm that the city is still cleaning up, but at least it's melting away. Before that, my sister dealt with nasty rains in California. Hope the skies calm soon...

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

Sharon said...

The flooding is so sad! Praying for everyone affected by it!

manda said...

Hi Jenny, glad you are all ok with the floods, I often check the weather forecast for CT when watching the news, just to compare our two towns. Unfortunately we are not doing so well here with the flooding. We personally are fine, but the town is cut off and a lot of houses are going under and it's quite scary when you hear them say it'll be worse than 1991 floods, as the son of friends of ours was killed in those ones. The pound is totally underwater, all the animals were evacuated ans are safe, but I've been helping occasionally with dog sitting over night or for a few hours here or there, as everyone is trying to shuffle them and our already fostered animals around, and take care of the animals from those whose houses have been flooded. We have a lot of snakes coming out of the water, and to try and escape it, they're coming into town. One person was bitten by a taipan the other week. They're ok, but I feel sorry for the snake. I can't help it, I just like reptiles.
Love your ideas for the year ahead! I am looking forward to everything you will be sharing with us. Sorry for such a long comment, again!!
Hugs, Amanda. xx

Allie said...

Cut off for two weeks!! Oh my goodness. The floods there did make our local news last night - you know I'm keeping you ALL in prayer!

Good idea to hang the soap around. I usually keep a bar of lovely soap in my dresser drawers and closet. We do have a mold problem here too but nothing like what you have, I'm sure!

What lovely gifts from Jill, so pretty and so YOU - love the look of your Give Thanks as well, oh Jenny you just have SUCH a gift! I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with this year, sweetheart!

SoozeM said...

Thanks Jenny it is gorgeous, I love the fabrics you have used and I can't wait to get started making it!

Unknown said...

Jenny, was relieved to know that you and your family are safe from the floods, had been reading on the internet news about how bad it is, and was concerned for you and your's, now I feel relieved you are ok, am praying for those who have lost everything, hugs, Barb in WNC

Hanne said...

I hope the floods will stop soon and that you and all affected by it will be safe! I am glad to hear you have food and toiletries in your house! Hugs

Lone's Andet Univers said...

Hi Jenny
Just want to share a link with you from The Danish Weather site DMI.
check this out - as you are under a lot of concerne from the Danish people to. The wrote a story about it on this page her. Use Google Translator to read in english

http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/australske_oversv_mmelser_har_lange_udsigter


Happy Thought from Lone and a big hug to you

Ilona Katalin said...

Jenny, we've heard all the way down here in Brazil about the floods in Australia and the damage caused plus the many who are suffering because of it! We are having our share of floods..I have never had to worry much with it, except about going out when it's raining hard... traffic gets terribly chaotic and there flood areas all over São Paulo city!
My heart goes out to all of you and we are praying that this doesn't go long for much longer!

On a lighter tone... I love your pretty stitching! just lovely!