Jenny of ELEFANTZ

Adding simple beauty....

2012-01-26T14:07:00.001+10:00

When I browse clothing racks at an op-shop (charity shop), I try to remove from my mind the impulse to find clothing that suits me. You see, I love to shop there for unusual fabrics and trims - the kind that immediately stir creative ideas.

Many months ago I found a dress with layers of flouncing lace trim above the hemline, and a vibrant, yet romantic, rose and cream floral fabric. I brought it home after paying the modest price tag of $2 but life got in my way and it sat forgotten in a box of other 'wanna-be' items until we unpacked at the new house last week and my excitement to re-purpose the dress once again took hold.

This morning I began by removing the layers of lace and fabric from the ugly shirred waist section (remember, I look at the fabric, not the item of clothing, when I shop!)....

I had two, 44" lengths of lace edged fabric, which I cross cut into six, 13" lengths.

Next, I stitched the six layers one on top of the other...

...and added a row of the fabric at the bottom, plus strips of the fabric down both sides.

I had saved the shoulder straps of the dress, and used them to form a simple bow across the top section...

I have a small stash of gorgeous buttons I bought on special at Spotlight after New Year, and this project was the canvas to display one...

Some solid rosey coloured fabric for the backing, a cushion insert popped inside, and I now have a gorgeous shabby inspired pillow on my bed!

What do you think?

~~~~~

During the days between looking for a rental house and actually packing up the old house I finished my Shabby Roses Quilt remake.

I had sent the quilt top off to Dawn for machine quilting around all the blocks, and she did a beautiful job of it! After I stitched down the binding I hung it outside to photograph for you....

This version is slightly different in layout to my original...still gorgeous.

I haven't had it out at the new house as we are not allowed to hang things on the walls here, but I am commissioning Mr E to make me a few quilt stands for around the home.

The pattern with all twelve appliqued and embroidered blocks can be purchased HERE.

A number of people suggested using 3M sticky things that are specifically for renters wanting to hang pictures and the like as they peel off without leaving a mark when you vacate the home. I found some but the price was pretty steep so I will have to carefully consider buying just a few and hanging the really special items only.

~~~~~

This year on my blog I'm going to share ideas on re-purposing op-shop finds, so you might like to start collecting dresses, skirts, shirts etc - things that you can see some potential in.

~~~~~

Tomorrow I will have a new Show & Tell post of projects some lovely ladies have made from my designs. Have you made something too? Email me a photo, or leave a comment if you have one on your blog, and I'll share your pic here on my Show & Tell.

Have a wonderful Australia Day everybody!!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Settling in and breathing again....

2012-01-23T13:22:00.000+10:00

We have been in the new house for six sleeps. It's becoming a home...

The sewing room is still not sorted so I'll save pics of that for another day. I have been using back using my sewing machine, though!

All three projects for Issue 8 of Elefantz HOME magazine are complete, and now I need to sit down and write the articles.

Would you like to see the projects in this coming issue? They all feature my signature Shabby Roses stitcheries.

The ~Roses are Red~ bag, with four roomy inside pockets and chunky wooden handles - perfect for carrying stitching projects in, or for taking to the cafe for lattes with friends.

The ~Ruby Handbag Runner~, which features a few techniques such as needleturn applique, handmade bias strips, piecing, and stitching with silver metallic thread. I *loved* making this runner!

The two stitchery designs are a smaller version of the design used on the bag above.

My third design this month is one that has personal meaning. I have felt lately that my life has been in the midst of a whirlwind. I was picked up and thrown around by circumstances I had no real control over, and as I ran to keep up with the decisions that had to be made and implemented, my husband noticed all too often that I would forget to breathe.

It's a reality check when he gently chides me, "Just breathe, Jen....breathe".

As a permanent reminder to stop, and breathe, I designed this pretty vase wrap, with a shabby roses butterfly to capture some whimsy.

~Breathe~ is this month's Affirmation design...

It ties behind with some vintage lace I've been saving.

Do you like the new designs?

If you are not a subscriber to Elefantz HOME magazine, just head over HERE to the magazine webpage to find out how you can receive each issue.Every project has step by step photo tutorials so even if you're new to stitching, you'll soon be able to make the designs.

The next issue also has a beautifully romantic cushion pattern from my dear friend, Fiona Ransley of Designs by Fee...

~~~~~

Time now to do some baking. I have a fan forced oven that REALLY bakes!! I'm so excited after 18 months of an oven that had a mind of it's own. ;-)

Raisin and Oatmeal cookies are on the list for today. Perfect for munching on while Mr E and I watch Australia's Lleyton Hewitt play in the Australian Open Tennis tonight!

Have a very special week, and take Mr E's advice when you're running too hard and chasing your tail.

....breathe....

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Natural rhythms begin...

2012-01-19T09:02:00.000+10:00

It's Thursday morning and we're two sleeps into life in Townsville and the new house. God blessed us on moving day, as there was rain all around us during the almost four hours of loading the removalist van, and 90 minutes of unloading at the Townsville house later that day, but it never fell.

During the drive between Charters Towers and Townsville we had rain, but not a drop fell from the sky whilst furniture and boxes were loaded and unloaded.

Thank you Lord!

Mr E has already begun his new teaching position, so his nights have been busy carting boxes into the house for me to unpack. On Tuesday night after the moving van left we did what we could for a few hours, then showered, changed, and headed off on the bike to the monthly Ulysses branch meeting before a meal at a wonderful pizza restaurant that served the best gluten free pizza bases!

Wednesday morning we woke to no food in the house so I sent Mr E off to work with advice to grab something on the way, whilst I wrote a shopping list and headed off to the huge local supermarket.

By the time he came home from work I had filled the pantry, fridge, and freezer, and our first meal together in the new home was being prepared...

A juicy steak was added, and our simple meal was complete.

This morning (Thursday) I've packed his lunch for work, and so, the natural rhythm of the working week has begun.

Sophie has settled beautifully....

Bob-the-dog is not enjoying the humidity and wouldn't smile for a photo. Blossom will be moving home with us in another week and as she is his real owner I think there will be much tail-wagging ahead for him. I'm so glad we had him clipped before we moved.

Today, with all the boxes unpacked, I'll begin finding permanent homes for everything, and I may just grab an hour after lunch to relax with a wee bit of stitching.

Have a wonderful day in your world too!

Hugs

Jenny

Offline for a bit...

2012-01-16T09:37:00.000+10:00

...while we move house. The big day is Tuesday.

Please keep us in your prayers.

In the meantime...

May God bless you,

Jenny

xxx

(pattern from HERE)

Just simply, simplify...

2012-01-13T21:07:00.000+10:00

I have wanted to simplify our lives for the longest time.

Simple meals, simpler living, simpler dreams.

This is my new kitchen/living room/dining room - all in one. No longer three large separate rooms. Just one space for all.

Simpler.

I had been struggling with this downsizing, and I hated that I could not embrace it immediately. It wasn't just the leaving of the lovely old home we'd been renting for 18 months; or the lack of trees and nature at the new house. It was having to let go of loved things that 'simply' would not fit in this smaller home.

So I asked God to work His peace and acceptance into my understanding. He reminded me of ten years of yearning for simpler life. He reminded me that real life isn't built on things we love, but on relationships and the people we love.

Too often 'things' rob our loved ones of time with us.

I was humbled...

Now I will have time to listen more, and time to hear what I am listening. Time to read more of His Word. Time to make bread. Time to pray with a quiet heart.

Time to just simply, simplify.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

(the stitchery is a free design I am stitching from Rhonda at Down-to-Earth)

We have a giveaway winner!

2012-01-11T17:42:00.000+10:00

Congratulations to Cyn from Cyn's Quilted Travels, in the USA, who has won the giveaway prize!

Mr Random Generator shows no partiality, so I am thankful for his help in choosing a winner. Cyn tells me she never wins anything, so maybe this is the start of some good luck for Cyn. Let's hope so! :-)

Thank you to everyone who entered - you're such a wonderful bunch of girls for spreading the word about my new "Promises and Borders" BOM!

I think after we've finished moving house, and have settled in, I will just have to give you all something special as a thank you. Hmmm....got you interested, have I?

The packing is coming along well, but still getting rid of lots of things. I spent 6 hours today going through all my issues of Homespun, tearing out the *many* patterns I hope to make one day, and tossing the rest of the magazine in the bin. I now have 3 less boxes to pack, and 3 more shelves where I can store my fabric - remember, I told you this is a tiny house? It really is. I have to do all I can to minimise what we take with us, and giving myself three extra shelves is wonderful! I will no longer have a sewing room and an office, but one small bedroom to function as both.

Fortunately I *love* a challenge! :-)

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

What a silly girl I am!

2012-01-10T09:01:00.000+10:00

I have to apologise to all those lovely overseas ladies who were unable to purchase a pattern in my ELEFANTZ SHOP yesterday!

I had inadvertantly had the SHOP set up to accept only Australian orders - oops!

~~ I am so very sorry ~~

You will find that I have sorted it all out this morning, and the patterns are now ready to be emailed worldwide if you'd like to purchase any.

The complete pattern for Circles of Life is there, as well as a number of new designs, and some old favourites.

You can visit my ELEFANTZ SHOP HERE.

~~~~~

The packing has begun in earnest as we're hoping to move over the weekend, but our removalist is on holidays until Thursday so until we can contact him we don't have a definite date.

Mr E and I went for a ride around Charters Towers late last night to soak up the country air (even though it had been a stifling 40C all day!), the trees, and the quiet...we will miss them when we move to the city.

We are country people, and this year in the city will be a challenge for us.

There is not a single tree around the new house, in fact within a good mile of the house...I will need to bring a lot of potted plants for some outside greenery, and buy some more for indoors.

It's another scorcher today, so we'll close the house up, turn on the air conditioner, and keep packing - actually, we're sorting through at the moment; getting rid of things we can live without and packing what's left. Simplifying along the way.

Hugs

Jenny

The new ELEFANTZ SHOP is open for business!

2012-01-09T13:50:00.000+10:00

The new Elefantz SHOP door is open.

Won't you come inside for a visit?

Click to visit the ELEFANTZ SHOP HERE!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

(busy packing....only a week till we move!)

New things....

2012-01-08T18:37:00.000+10:00

A new year...

A new teaching job for Mr E....

A new ~~town~~ city to live in...

A new rental ~~house~~ home to live in....

...and a new Elefantz SHOP!!!

I'm almost ready to open it's online doors.

Another day or two and you can come inside for the big opening party.

~~~~~

One thing I have to show you today is the remake of my "A Christmas Story" quilt in the lovely pastels from my lefover Aviary and Robyn Pandolph stash!

First - this is the original...

...and this is my remake!

I love the softer colours!

Tomorrow I am posting the quilt top off to wonder-girl Dawn, who will weave her magic and quilt it for me. It will lovely to have it hanging in my soon-to-be-new-home.

Dawn has also quilted my Shabby Roses quilt remake, and tonight I'll stitch down the binding so I can take pics tomorrow and show you. I'm really happy with these two new versions of my designs.

The patterns for both the quilts, PLUS "Circles of Life" will be in my new store. Just a day or so...

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Preparing to move, and preparing the quilt pieces...

2012-01-05T12:13:00.001+10:00

Summer keeps rolling on and the days get hotter, so Sophie spreads herself out wherever the air conditioner is blowing...

...but let's not talk about the downside of the season. A wonderful positive is the abundance of summer fruits for breakfast with Mr E!

All those wonderfully bright colours offer a variety of vitamins and nutrients for our bodies. We're off to Townsville to look at two prospective rental houses today, and if we're successful we'll be using plenty of energy to pack up our house, load a moving van, and relocate. Those vitamins will sure come in handy!

Mr E has already began to pack up his tools and yard equipment, but not alone. 11yo grandson Calab came by yesterday to give Pop a hand, and he was rewarded a dinner of his choice - spaghetti and egg on toast. How easy was that?!

While they worked outside in the heat, I worked inside in the cool.

A few patterns were written, some tidying of the sewing room, and then I cut all the pieces for my "Promises & Borders" quilt.

If you're intending to make this quilt, I have the material requirements and cutting instructions for download on Tuesday's blog post.

A great idea is to label zip lock bags with the sizes of the strips you've cut ready for the piecing.

Tick off each length on the pattern as you go...

I'm going to buy a pretty box tomorrow to store all the pieces and completed blocks in. Having everything in one place keeps my mind organised - and I love an organised mind!

A couple of commenters have said they are unable to download the block and pattern shared HERE. One lady asked if I could upload the files to google documents. Well, they are already on google, so not sure why you're having a problem. Wish I could help, but sometimes things just don't want to download as they should.

My only suggestion is that you email me privately and I will email you the files. If you haven't left an email address in your comment I'll need you to contact me again. Hope that helps! :-)

~~~~~

Now to make lunch before we head off for the house inspections. Can I ask you to pray that we find the right house for us to rent this year, please?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

New free BOM quilt pattern for 2012 - and a giveaway to celebrate!!

2012-01-03T12:55:00.002+10:00

I'm so excited to share my latest free BOM quilt with you today!

This BOM will be spread over ten months, January-October, with a new block shared on the 3rd of each month (so mark that in your calendar!).

"Promises & Borders" is a design that can be used in three ways.

The Promises are Scripture promises from God's Word, a new one each month, and if you want to you can use the blocks just the way they are.

The second way you can use this BOM is to use just my block Borders and add your own verse or quote in the centre, making the quilt a very personal one for you.

The third way is to use the blocks in different projects - on cushions, framed, or a pieced quilt centre perhaps.

The "Promises & Borders" quilt has nine main feature blocks, plus a row of applique and wording, and finishes at 46" x 50".

The first block is a promise that has been underlined in my Bible for the past 18 years;

Can you see how easy it would be to add your own verse or quote inside the border?

You'll be piecing the blocks as we go, and I'll share all the fabric requirements, cutting instructions, and threads used before you begin.

You can download the full quilt requirements HERE.

You can download Block 1 - Jeremiah 29:11 HERE.

~~~~~

Now to the giveaway!!

For your chance to win three gorgeous skeins of hand-dyed Australian "Cottage Garden Threads" (I have used these in the Promises & Borders BOM), PLUS a charm square pack of lush "Cabbages & Roses"....

...this is what you'll need to do: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

ONE ENTRY: Put my "Promises & Borders" button on your blog with a link back to me. Only then can you leave ONE comment for ONE entry.

(right click on the photo and 'save' to your computer, then use to upload onto your blog page)

A SECOND ENTRY: Email everyone you know about the "Promises & Borders" BOM and giveaway, or talk about it on your Facebook page, then leave ONE COMMENT for ONE more entry. (If you do not have a blog you can use this option for ONE entry)

Comment entries are for this blog post only.

Make sure you leave an email address in your comment so that I can contact you if you are a no-reply blogger or do not have a blog. If your name is drawn as the winner and I cannot contact you I will draw a new winner.

Please do not enter if you do not intend to follow the rules. :-)

This giveaway is open until January 10th.

I will draw the winner on January 11th.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

So what do you think? Do you like the idea of "Promises & Borders"?

I'm off now to stitch Block 2 for February, after all, I have to keep one month ahead of you!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Show and Tell - the first for 2012!

2012-01-01T10:20:00.000+10:00

Happy New Year everyone!

On our Australian shores 2011 has passed and 2012 has awoken. I wonder what this year will have in store?

To start the year on my blog I am going to share some photos I've been sent of projects others have made from my designs. This is definitely a fun side to my work!

Em stitched my Cottage Garden Roses design in lovely yellows, and look the perfect hanger she added...

My good friend Fiona over in WA made my "Love is all you need.." cushion from a kit I made up for her. It was a gift for her mum over in New Zealand. Isn't it gorgeous!?

Andra made my "All you need it love..." wall hanging into a cushion - this is a funky one, and I love it!!

Sherry used the free blocks I shared in 2010 to make a beautifully 'classy' wallhanging - again, look at that perfect hanger!

Ladies, all of these are so pretty, and you have made me blush that you enjoy making my designs so much!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Things I made for Christmas gifts....

2011-12-30T16:28:00.001+10:00

As much as possible I gave this Christmas a hand-made-with-love theme. Below are some of the gifts I made for loved ones - and mostly all my own designs.

For 10yo Calab, a huge pillow of his own because he always uses the one's I've made Kezzie in the past...

For 4yo Dee a dinosaur bag to carry all his toy dinosaurs around in (it matches the dinosaur quilt I made him last year)...

I also made Dee a dinosaur tail (from THIS tutorial) but Kezzie and Calab had fun with it too!

Using my 'Little Bird' stitcheries, I designed a sewing companion and needlekeeper for Kezzie. She's just learning to embroider and wanted something special to keep all her bits in. I finally cut into my Denyse Schmidt stash for this present!

For SIL Bert I made a sketch book cover because he's discovered how much he enjoys sketching. I also made a pencil case but forgot to take a photo, however, I also put pockets on the front of the sketchbook for pencils.

I made a very special mini pillow for Blossom, but it would be perfect as a large pin cushion if she wanted to use it that way. The beautiful stitchery design is by Candlelight Creations.

I also make sure that every year I make jars of my famous Plum & Cinnamon jam to give away, so Kezzie and Blossom both took one home with their gifts.

Remember my Shabby Bag from Issue 5 of Elefantz HOME? You can see the original HERE.

I made another one as a Christmas gift for my dear friend, Fee, and this time used a romantic colour scheme...

For my swap partner Dale, I chose a stitchery design by Tricia Owen and made it into a table runner with lovely Bliss fabric strips...

Now to something made FOR me.

My sweet Blossom stitched this "Partridge in a Pear Tree" design ( by Julie Lembit) using prim colours and gifted me with it. Isn't it beautiful?

And Kezzie made me a whole bunch of coupons for facials and massages that she is happy to give when I have need...that could be very soon!

~~~~~

Because this was a fairly photo heavy blog post I'll wait until tomorrow to do some show & tell photos of what lovely bloggers have made from my designs.

Right now, I'd best get back to stitching some more of my new free BOM for 2012. More about that soon...

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

And so begins our 21st year....

2011-12-29T18:15:00.000+10:00

Did you have a lovely Christmas? I hope so. Ours was quiet, but just right for the six adults and two children in attendance.

It was a very hot day here, so Mr E was head chef, using the BBQ to perfection.

I was spoiled with vouchers for massages and the like from Kezzie, who will be my 'beautician', and the prettiest scented cup and saucer candle from Blossom. Mr E gave me "Jamie's Great Britain" cookbook - actually this is a family tradition of about 8 years running. Mr E always buys me the latest Jamie Oliver cookbook at Christmas! I love them!

My friend Fee sent me a beautiful parcel of goodies which arrived on Christmas Eve...

I love all her handmade goodies - what a treasure she is!

In my final gift from Peg for our 6 Item Christmas Swap, I received this beautiful table runner, in lush RUBY fabrics - gorgeous!!

~~~~~

Yesterday was our 20th wedding anniversary. I still remember our wedding as if it were yesterday - it was the second happiest I felt in all my life! The happiest was the day I became a Christian, and this wonderful husband of mine was the reason that happened when it did. On our first date he took me to church, and I've loved the Lord ever since.

My man has never taken our vows before God lightly, but lived up to them over and over again. We have had hard times, sad times, struggling times, but our love for each other and Christ got us through. The numberless times of delight over twenty years were the icing on our marriage 'cake'.

He proposed to me atop a mountain in the midst of a bushfire, and we had to be escorted out by the fire brigade when the car engine died. Just before he asked me to be his wife two shooting stars flew across the sky...a night I will always remember. I love you Mr E. You are my Knight in shining armour every day.

Daughter Kezzie loves to cross-stitch and she made us this beautiful block that will be framed in the New Year...

~~~~~

The 7th issue of Elefantz HOME magazine has now been emailed out to my subscribers.

If you are not a subscriber, but would like to purchase this issue,you can do so by using the Paypal button below. The cost is $6 AUD ($6.05 USD) - normally single issues are $7 in my shop.

To see what patterns are in this issue visit the magazine web page HERE.

~~~~~

I have finished the project I am making from Annie's prim design that she used on a needlebook (in Issue 7). I made mine with shabby colours, and now have a very pretty stitching cushion! I use a stitching cushion to lean on as I do my embroidery....

I embellished it with some vintage buttons front and back - they added that something extra I love in shabby designs - and I quilted the top with a simple cross hatch using Perle #12 threads.

I used 5" charm squares for the four blocks, so the finished cushion is 9.5" square, just right for my hands to rest on. Thank you for your pretty stitchery design, Annie!

~~~~~

Tomorrow I will show you some thing I made for family and friends as Christmas gifts, plus some show and tell from some of you!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

2011-12-24T15:00:00.001+10:00

Gifts

2011-12-22T18:08:00.003+10:00

Making good friends, through this wonderful craft I enjoy so much, has been the icing on the stitching cake, so to speak.

With so much going on this week, my head in a thousand places, and a magazine to publish in 7 days and not a word yet written, time to quietly sit and give thanks for my friends all over the world is cherished indeed.

Let me share with you today these photos of gifts I have received this week from beautiful and appreciated hearts. Every gift sent with love, kindness, and a knowing of what tickles my fancy; every gift so beautiful, so cherished...

From Peg in a private Six Item Swap....

(visit her blog to see in close-up every special gift!)

From Joy, Shell and Vikki, these treasures...

From Melody....

From Carrie...

From Linda (no idea why there is an empty Turkish Delight wrapper - it wasn't when I opened the present)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear friends!!

~~~~~

Yesterday Mr E took us on a ride to Ayr so I could visit with my friend, Wendy! It was a long, hot ride via Townsville, but worth every minute to see my good mate.

Last year Wendy and I both spied a table runner pattern in an issue of Country Threads magazine that we wanted to make. With no time left before Christmas last year, we made a pact to make this design for each other as gifts to swap this Christmas time!

The pattern is "Stars of Bethlehem" by Karen Gledhill, and this is the one that Wendy made for me....

This is our favourite block of all...

Wendy's stitching is beautiful, and she added little tiny beads along the ribbon trim. This will decorate our dining table on Christmas morn because I'm not taking the chance of putting it out now and dropping something on it. ;-)

I completely forgot to take a photo of the one I made Wendy, but it's obviously the same design, but I added 80 year old cream ric rac braid as my trim.

~~~~~

One of the gifts Peg gave me was a journal, and so special is it that I have decided to use it for the next year to record one thing to be thankful for every day for 365 days. I started on Tuesday when it arrived...

~~~~~

If you're still feeling stitchy this pre-Christmas week, Wendy has designed the sweetest little stitchery design that she'd like to share with you for Christmas!

Just pop along HERE to her blog to download, and remember to leave her a comment and say thank you. :-)

~~~~~

Do you like the pretty prim stitchery that Annie designed? She has used it to embellish a needlebook, and the pattern for it will be in Issue 7 of Elefantz HOME (which I have to write in the next few days!!! eek!!)...

I really wanted to stitch this up before the next issue so I could show you how versatile this design is. I finished mine today, all in shabby pastels -

I am using mine to make a pin cushion. It's such a cute stitchery - thanks Annie!

There is still time to subscribe. Just visit the magazine webpage HERE.

~~~~~

I may not post again until after Christmas, so may I wish each and every one of you the most joy-filled, and treasured Christmas ever!

From our home to yours - be blessed as we have been blessed with the richest of all gifts, Jesus.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

My not-scones....

2011-12-21T17:47:00.000+10:00

Mr E and I have been patiently waiting for two very long weeks to ride our bike. The gear 'thing' broke and needed to be replaced but the part was not here in Australia - it was languishing in a Honda parts warehouse in the USA and would need to be posted and may not arrive too soon with all this Christmas mail between their shores and ours.

So, as I said, two looooong weeks, and no riding for us.

Drives him bonkers, and I turn into a workaholic.

Yesterday, as I'd just finished writing that last blog post to you, I heard a whoop from the lounge room. It was Mr E's phone call, summoning him to come collect that gear 'thing'! Oh yeh!! \o/\o/

Bless his heart, he spent the next umpteen or so hours fixing the bike gear 'thing' (you can see how well versed I am in motorcycle fixin' ) so that he could take me far, far, away and loose me from the dramas of the past few days.

As soon as he headed out to do that gear 'thing' fixin', I wanted to bake something special for him, to bless him for standing right beside me the last few days and not expecting anything more than a piece of toast and a black coffee for dinner.

He loves my fluffy scones, and they are quick and easy to make, so I gathered all the ingredients and turned on the oven.

This time I wanted to add something extra, to make them really 'spesh' for my man, so I opened a vanilla pod and scraped out all that lovely fresh vanilla paste and added it to the milk and egg mix. I even sprinkled my homemade vanilla sugar across the top for twinkles of my love.

Don't they look sparkly just about to go in the oven?

A few minutes into the baking, and feeling quite pleased with myself, I began to gather up my utensils for washing; replaced the flour canister, the vanilla sugar, and the milk container - then I turned to put the butter back in the refrigerator.

But wait a minute? The butter?? Why was the butter still on the bench?!

Yep, no butter ( a major star of scones ) in the scone dough. I looked through the glass in the oven door at my already rising beauties and knew it was too late to do anything now.

Jenny's Not-Scones had been born.

They continued to rise, and then slowly gather a soft golden hue...I had to make a quick decision. Do I toss them out, or do I give these little unknown not-scones an edible chance?

I'm a sucker for the under-dog. They deserved a chance.

Lathered in butter, and my favourite Analoth "Cherry Berry Jam" from New Zealand, I presented them to Mr E.

I told him the story before the first sticky clump of jam touched his lips. He smiled, and ate one. I ate one. They were great!!!

And the moral of my story?

So you don't quite get the result you planned when you're trying with all your heart to do something really nice for a person you love, and you feel like a total dufus.

Don't let it get to you.

Tell them what you did.

And you just might surprise yourself.

Cause they'll love you all the more.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

PS: We went for that ride today and it was perfect. I'll share more about that tomorrow.

The final chapter on copyright and the needlebook

2011-12-20T11:39:00.002+10:00

Before I go any further, I would like to say a huge and heartfelt thank you to the hundreds of ladies who have emailed, left comments on my last blog post, and responded to my newsletter. Not a single one was mean – every one was filled with support, encouragement and concern.

In the midst of some rather nasty internet stuff, the true spirit of caring craftswomen rose to the fore, and on behalf of Annie and myself we are humbled beyond words.

Bless each and every one of you.

Now to the final chapter on the needlebook saga.

I was blessed all night and day with emails from people who owned such a needlebook, had purchased a pattern for the needelbook design, knew of places to purchase the same design, and even a published book title with the design featured.

It’s not new. It is as Annie claimed – a vintage needlebook design. It actually dates back to the 1930’s, but I wonder if that was a copy of one even older? We may never know the absolute origin, but we do know that it’s a popular design that has been around for at least 80 years.

Online you can purchase the same simple design at Nordic Needle…

…or buy the cross-stitch version by La-d-da designs…

…or track down the gorgeous pattern by Jackie du Plessis. This photo is from the Starry Eyed Stitcher blog.

The design is also in the Lark book, “100 Pretty Little Projects”

The question of design ownership and copyright has been a big part of this dilemma, so I would like to address this. A talented designer, Angie, has sent me a copy of the International Copyright Laws, and in a nutshell, this is what is says –

"What is the distinction between a protected work and a mere idea?

The distinction between protected works and ideas lies at the very heart of copyright law. The protection of a given work applies to the expressions of ideas that are contained therein. Mere ideas found in a work cannot be protected by copyright and may be used freely. Accordingly, in order for copyright in a work to be infringed or violated, one has to copy the form in which the ideas are expressed. The mere use of the ideas found in a work does not represent a copyright violation."

Download the document HERE for further reading.

What this means is that those who have seen an original version of the needlebook, and then drawn up their own copy of the design and written their own instructions, are not violating copyright.

If you cut and paste what someone else has done, or you photocopy the design to use and call it your own, you are in violation of the law. If you write down their instructions you are in violation.

To be free from violation you must do all the drawing and writing yourself, making sure you write the pattern in your own words and not repeat the original author. I also believe that if you know the name of the original designer it is courtesy to give them credit for the inspiration. Even if you just saw the needlebook in someone else’s possession and were inspired to write your own copy, state that when you do your pattern.

This is exactly what Annie did in the pattern she sent me for proof-reading, and it’s what my subscribers would have read when it appeared in the magazine.

So, Annie did not violate copyright, nor did others who have made a tutorial or a pattern after seeing one the same – as long as they wrote the pattern in their own words and drew up their own template.

I hope this clears all misunderstandings. I can now safely publish Annie’s needlebook pattern (in its entirety) in Elefantz HOME as she openly states in the pattern that she saw the design, then went home and drew it up and wrote the instructions.

I was reminded by a friend yesterday that this duplicating of a common design can occur in so many ways. My friend Dawn made me the prettiest strawberry pincushion as a scissor keep last year....

...and I thought I’d like to make some for gifts so I went to google to find a pattern or tutorial – I found so many! Just type in ‘tutorial strawberry pincushion’ and make your choice from a long list.

But where did the design originate? I have no idea. I look at this needlebook design in the same way now.

You can use any of the links above to purchase the pattern in simple form, beautiful cross-stitch, or buy the Lark book to grab 100 great sewing ideas - or visit these sites to make one from a tutorial or pattern:

Carson Valley Quilt Guild

Sew Prim Khris's tutorial

Quilts and a Mug tutorial

(for a whole bunch of free needlebook designs go HERE to tipnut)

Copyright is a very tricky one these days, and sadly many people who really are the first to write something or make something get burned by less scrupulous people.

Visit Kerryanne’s blog to read of her experience. I was deeply saddened for her, but also very impressed with how she handled it.

The most important thing for us all is to respect anybody's original intellectual and creative work. If you use their tutorial, say so on your blog, and if you use a book or an item for inspiration to make a design, tell others that as well. I have been accused of copying another, but it turned out my designs pre-dated hers by two years. I could have said she copied me, but I do not believe she did. There were similarities, but really? There is nothing new under the sun….

God bless you all.

I am closing comments for this blog post as I am needing time to stop and stitch, to quiet my mind for a while, and to make scones for my husband.

But feel free to visit Annie HERE and give her a hug.

Hugs

Jenny

A matter of checking facts...

2011-12-19T13:09:00.000+10:00

I have a heavy heart as I write this blog post.

Events over the last 20 or so hours have hit hard, and the resultant fallout for a number of people cannot be dismissed.

The other day I shared a photo on my blog of a design to be featured in the upcoming issue of my magazine. The project was a beautifully embroidered needlebook by my guest designer, Annie. The embroidered and appliquéd Prim design on the cover is delightful, a true reflection of Annie’s talent. I personally had never seen the actual needlebook before and assumed it was Annie’s own, however, after re-reading the pdf pattern she sent me for proof reading, I saw she had written at the beginning:

“I hope you enjoy the little needle keeper I have designed-it is taken from a vintage needlebook that a friend of mine owns. I think you'll find that the construction is very easy.”

I was remiss in mentioning on my blog that the embroidered design is Annie’s original work, but the needlebook itself was a copy of an original vintage version Annie had seen at her Guild.

Inflammatory comments were left on my blog post yesterday, also on Annie’s, and then apparently all over Facebook, as the finger was pointed first at me and then Annie for theft of the basic needlebook design.

As mentioned previously, until Annie’s pattern arrived in an email I had never seen a needlebook design such as this.

I wonder at why these accusations were made through our blogs and not through an email to first of all ascertain the facts before casting stones and slandering both of us.

The Bible is very clear that we take our complaint to the source before going any further, however, I have no idea if either of the ladies involved is Christian, so that may well be a moot point with them – but not with Annie or I.

Annie is quite distressed and apologetic to me for not checking on the internet first for a similar needlebook design and thus avoiding the complications we have now. A few friends and myself have been looking over the web ourselves and discovered a number of tutorials for the very same needlebook, even a pattern for sale on Etsy.

The question arises though, is the tutorial (or pattern) that predates all others, the original design? Or is there in fact a vintage needlebook the same that exists somewhere and would clear up this mess?

Annie drew up her design from an old needlebook she saw. How old? We don’t know – perhaps it was well used and looked older than it was, or perhaps it genuinely is a very old design.

For now, I am withdrawing the needlebook pattern from the magazine, but will still feature Annie’s delightful embroidery and applique design – you could use it on any number of projects, or google that folding needlebook yourself for a tutorial on how to make it.

When I have ascertained the original designer I will let you know. There is one that could be her, but I want to be sure this time and have solid facts before I go any further.

Please do not add fuel to this story. It could all have easily been avoided if I had mentioned in my blog post that Annie copied the design from a needlebook she’d seen at Guild, and focused on the fact that the lovely embroidery was all her own work.

I write this before God and in all good conscience, and pray that the matter can now be put to rest until the facts are revealed in their entirety.

Jenny

Before I close the shop....and what's coming up!

2011-12-16T09:48:00.002+10:00

Before I close my Etsy Shop on December 31st, I have a final offer for you, my blog followers!

Today I have listed the Issue 5 and 6 Elefantz HOME magazine bundle for $10.

There are TEN new Elefantz designs in these two issues, a value of $40 in pdf patterns if purchased separately.

There are a limited number available, so head on over HERE to purchase before they run out.

~~~~~

Today I'm going to show you what I have for you in Issue 7!

I think you're going to love this issue!! It's bright and cheerful, and filled with wonderful projects to start in 2012, beginning with my new Affirmation design...

I've made this quilted SMILE affirmation as part of a bigger project. With 2012 knocking on your door you are sure to want to start every day with this message, and what better way than on a calendar hanger?

All the instructions are in the magazine, and you'll whip it up in no time!

~~~~~

In this issue I also talk about communication, and what better way to keep in touch with a loved one than by writing a letter, the old fashioned way. This design is a cover for an A4 sized writing pad. You'll be itching to write when you have this on your desk!

Perhaps this would be a lovely gift for someone who needs a nudge to write to you?

It would even be perfect for a cover on your shopping list pad, or a sketch pad!

~~~~~

In Issue 7 I'll also share the very last block from the "Circles of Life" quilt, "Circles of Trust", as well as the quilt assembly instructions...

You'll also be blessed this issue with a gorgeous project from my guest designer, Annie from Annie Beez Folk Art!

She had designed the cutest stitchery which I am itching to make myself!
~~~~~

If you're not a subscriber yet, but would like to be one, just click on the Paypal subscribe button in my left side bar.

It's $4 per month, with a minimum of three new Elefantz designs in every issue, and the occasional guest designer to bless you too!

~~~~~

I have just recovered from a three-day migraine, so will make the most of a clear head and finish some Christmas gifts today. How are you going with your Christmas sewing? Are you like me and overestimated the time it was going to take?

Hugs

Jenny

Final GIVE THANKS verse....

2011-12-13T18:50:00.001+10:00

I hope you have enjoyed stitching my little Give Thanks verses this year?

I wonder if you made them to display on the Give Thanks hanger I shared in January, or did you use them in a different way?

Leave a comment if you've made any or all the verses and tell me how you used them. I'd love to know!

Now, to the final verse...

"for Christmas"

May we all remember to give thanks for the precious gift of Jesus this Christmas.

You can download the final verse HERE.

The hanger pattern and all the verse links will stay up on my blog until January 1st, so be sure to download them while you have time. You'll find them listed over to the left in the sidebar.

~~~~~

In my sewing room tonight I have some finishes to attend to.

My remake of the Shabby Roses quilt has just returned from dear Dawn who did the beautiful stipple quilting for me; now I just have to hand quilt around the appliqued blocks and add the binding. I'm so pleased with how this version has turned out and cannot wait to finish it and show you!

I also have some quilting to do on a special swap gift with Wendy. Both of us loved a particular pattern in last year's Christmas Issue of Creating Country Threads, so we decided then and there to make one for each other this Christmas. Twelve months on and the big swap is only days away from happening - but we're still making them so we'd best hurry up don't you think!?

Also on my sewing table is the affirmation design for Issue 7 of Elefantz HOME.

OOooooo, it's so pretty!! , but I can only show you a peek as I have more to do yet.

At my feet is Bob-the-dog, freshly clipped to manage the very hot weather and high humidity. Honest, the best thing to do is stay inside with the air-con and sew.

If Bob had fingers he'd sew too. Maybe.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

A weekend of family....

2011-12-11T21:07:00.000+10:00

As I shared yesterday, Mr E and I planned to pick up Blossom after she finished work at 12.30 and drive to Townsville for some Christmas shopping. Blossom hasn't been out of our little town in months so the afternoon proved to be qutie a tonic for her. She thoroughly enjoyed the bright lights and clothing racks of the shopping centre...

After the shopping Mr E took us girls out for dinner at our favourite cafe, "The Coffee Club" down by the ocean...

~~~~~

Today was a big day for Kezzie and her man, beginning with a special service at their church to celebrate Bert's baptism later in the day. After church we all headed to Kezzie's, where the kids pool was full and waiting under the big mango tree...

The day was VERY hot and humid, but the their church family happily arrived with plates of food and sweets to share after Bert's baptism. Bert had shared his testimony at church that morning and as he stood in the pool between his pastor and friend, Josh, many of us shared Scriptures and words of encouragement before he went under.

The old man is washed away, and the new man in Christ arises.

An excited and emotional hug from Kezzie...

A truly wonderful and blessed day!!!

(We also thanked God for holding off a big rain storm until after the BBQ lunch!)

~~~~~

Later in the afternoon, and back at home, Blossom dropped by to watch some Miss Marple and do some Christmas stitching with me...

We also feasted on Plum Pudding and brandy custard with Mr E. It's our new favourite food, after devouring quite a large amount at Kezzie's place earlier in the week. We've decided to have it again on Christmas Day as well as a Trifle...that's the desserts decided, just the mains to plan now.

Bloss took this photo of us while we were making a pot of tea, and as photos of us together are rare, I decided I'd share it with you.

~~~~~

Today was a very special day for our family and loved ones. It is times like this that make me appreciate the blessing of being loved, and having love to give.

Be sure to tell your own special people how much you love them today, ok? They can never hear it enough.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Today I am....

2011-12-10T10:59:00.000+10:00

Watching series 3 of "Lark Rise To Candleford"....

....while I stitch a new design for the next issue of Elefantz HOME.

Then I must peel these ripe bananas that came off the tree on Monday and pop them in the freezer for banana breakfast smoothies...

Kezzie took the rest of the bunch for her boys, and we still have this bunch to look forward to in another month or so...

I will write the pattern for this new design...

...and drool over this fabric that just arrived in the mail...

...from Sew Deerly Loved in the US.

And after that, I am going to sit down and read the latest issue of Homespun magazine...

...which features the cutest seaside lass that I *must* make over summer to remind me of my beachside hometown of Newcastle, so far away and sorely missed.

For those of you overseas who aren't blessed to easily find a copy of Homespun at your newsagent, the magazine is now available as a digital subscription through Zinnio.

As you know I have had a number of designs featured in Homespun during 2010/11, but the array of new local and overseas designers contributing to the magazine each month is always quite exciting, so a subscription would be a delight for you, or perhaps a wonderful gift for a friend at Christmas.

To find out more visit the Homespun Zinnio site HERE.

~~~~~

By the time my reading of Homespun is done it will be time for Mr E and I to pick up Blossom and head to Townsville for some late afternoon Christmas shopping. Our girl works 5 1/2 days a week at the Pharmacy and never gets to go shopping these days as our local shops are only open during her working hours.

We should be able to get a couple of hours in before Townsville closes for the day.

What does your day hold?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

She's home!!!

2011-12-07T10:35:00.002+10:00

Thank you for your prayers!!

She has just come home, starving hungry and wanting lots of cuddles.

Can you feel my relief? My smile is wider than ever.

Never doubt the power of prayer.

Bless you,

Hugs

Jenny

xxxxx

Miss Sophie is missing

2011-12-07T08:03:00.000+10:00

My girl is missing.

We haven't seen her since yesterday's wild storm. We thought she was still inside, as I took this photo just before the storm, but she has missed dinner and breakfast and she never does.

Please pray Miss Sophie is safe and finds her way home.

Thank you,

Hugs

Jenny

It's very green up my way!

2011-12-06T16:45:00.000+10:00

The wet season is well and truly here, and our little town has certainly taken a hiding in the last few days.

On Friday night the rain flooded parts of Kezzie's house, and she lost power for hours. A number of trees came down and a neighbour down the road lost their roof.

On Sunday Mr E and I went for farewell ride with a teacher friend who is leaving town, and though it was fine when we left home, by the time we'd ridden 70 klms the rain bucketed on us. We stopped in Townsville for a while to enjoy hot cuppas and good Aussie meat pies, hoping to dry out a bit before the return trip.

It doesn't really show, but our friend Adrian is saturated up to his waist. He was wringing the water out of his shirt, and later emptying his boots.

Heading home we rode through even worse rain and wind. Mr E was still squeezing water out of his wet-weather jacket on Monday! We all discovered wet weather gear doesn't always do what it's supposed to.

The upside of the rain is the greening....

I took this photo today when it looked as though the sky was clearing, but an hour later the wind and rain tore through town again. Kezzie rang to tell us that our Vet Surgery had a huge gum tree come crashing down through the roof. I think that a lot of trees and houses here will experience troubles over this summer. In February when Cyclone Yasi tore through town it weakened a lot of structures and trees - I imagine we'll find out how much as these storms increase over the next few months.

~~~~~

I can't show you the gifts I have been making because I have nosey children and friends who will come snooping on my blog, however, I can show you some Christmas stitcheries I've been enjoying.

A while ago I found this pattern in an old issue of Handmade and I knew it was going to end up on my wall this Christmas...

The designer is Lesley Purdon.

I found some pretty blue frames for $2 each at a garage sale, so chose to stitch it in blues and pinks...

It looks gorgeous on our dining room wall!

Bronwyn Hayes has generously shared some beautiful free Christmas stitchery designs on her blog the last few weeks, and as soon as I saw this one I had to scurry to find some nice backing fabric and my trusty DMC 347 red thread!

Visit Bronwyn's blog HERE. She is always showing lovely ideas, and sharing her unique talent!

~~~~~

The lovely Gail Pan has also shared a gorgeous free Christmas stitchery!

Head over to her blog HERE to download. It is only available this month.

~~~~~

Another special lady who is sharing her talent is Kaaren from The Painted Quilt. She has a redwork Woodland Santa, and as soon as I saw him I thought of St Nicolas!

You do know that today is St Nicolas Day don't you??

Visit Kaaren HERE.

~~~~~

Now while I am a redwork roll, you must visit my sweet friend, Allie! She is sharing a set of seven redwork Christmas stitcheries.

They will stitch up quick and be perfect for decorations!

Say hello to Allie HERE.

~~~~~

With no children in the house anymore, we've decided not to put up the big tree this year.

I wasn't sure what we'd do until I saw this on Marg Low's blog the other day...

It sits on a table.

Marg made the tree skirt and added ornaments of her own design. Isn't it pretty?

You can visit Marg's blog HERE. She has such lovely designs!

Today I tell Mr E I need a little tree, and he finds me one at Overflow that is barely 6" high.

Not a tiny tree, a little tree, I say.

I hope we have luck with finding one.

~~~~~

If you're new to my blog this year, you will have missed this free design I shared for last Christmas.

I made it into a door hanger for Kezzie.

You can download it HERE.

With storms around today I've been sorting out my sewing room, so I'd best get back to that.

Miss Sophie on the other hand has not been working...

The perks of rainy days.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

40% off my patterns, and closing down my Etsy Shop...

2011-12-05T07:40:00.001+10:00

Things will be changing a bit in the world of Elefantz designs next year, and one of those changes is moving away from Etsy.

I have decided to empty my Etsy Shop shelves of all PDF patterns, so if you'd like to grab one (or two!) before they're gone for good, you can do so this week for 40% off their regular price!

Visit my Etsy Shop HERE, and when you go through the checkout make sure you put

40TOGO in the coupon box to receive your discount.

If you want a pattern than isn't in my Shop please send a message through Etsy or email me, and I'll set up a private listing for you.

Remember, you must put 40TOGO in the coupon box at checkout to receive the discount!
Once you've added an item to your cart, you can enter details about your order. Click Apply shop coupon code to open the field to enter the coupon code for your order.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Give Thanks BOM - verse 11...

2011-12-03T21:06:00.000+10:00

When I was thinking about what the next Give Thanks verse would be; the thing I was most thankful for at that moment - it was having my husband home with me again.

The last couple of months, with him away working so much of the time, I would feel a great loss when he rode away. Yet, when he rode in the gate 5 days later my heart would leap and I was more excited than ever!

So the next verse?

I am Giving Thanks....

...for homecomings.

Remember the song, "Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree.."?

The meaning of the homecoming in that song is different to mine and Mr E's, but the yellow ribbon has certainly become symbolic with the return home of a loved one, so my sketch included one for this tree.

Hope you like it, and have someone to stitch it for - yourself perhaps?

You can download Verse 11, "for homecomings" HERE.

Have you ever tied a yellow ribbon around a tree to welcome someone home?

~~~~~

Next week I'm going to share the 12th and final verse of my Give Thanks BOM for 2011.

All the verses, and the hanger pattern, are listed free for download on the lefthand sidebar. I'll keep them all up until January 1st, then off they go into history.

Hugs

Jenny

A Show & Tell...

2011-12-03T11:43:00.000+10:00

It's time to show you how others have made some Elefantz designs their very own!

All of them are gorgeous!

Shez beautifully made my "Daisy Christmas Runner" for a Christmas swap...

Fiona made my Country Roses bag with such pretty fabrics!

Betty cleverly used one of the mini blocks from my "Circles of Life" quilt as a framed stitchery and added a cute message!

Melody has also been stitching the blocks from "Circles of Life", but she has used them is a very unique way! Melody has made a number of the blocks into the loveliest sewing mats with matching pin cushions!

The next two designs were made for swaps so I can't tell you who made them, but they are so pretty!!

This is my "Wrapped with a Bow" bag and notepad cover design made by J...

And lastly, this version of my Shabby Bag from Issue 5 of Elefantz HOME was made by F....

Ladies, I am blown away by how lovely you have made these designs! Every one of them is beautiful!

Thank you for sharing with me so I can share your talent with others.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

A free design, and a new quilt for Sam!

2011-11-30T13:08:00.001+10:00

Bless your hearts for the prayers and hugs over Mr E returning home for good, and putting mine life behind him.

It was not an easy thing for us, but above all else, we cherish our marriage, and it is far more important than being apart most of the time in order to purchase a house.

"Home" is where we are together - whether in a rental, in a tent, or in a cottage of our own one day - it doesn't matter the place, it only matters in the heart. He is my home on this earth.

I think I'll have to design a stitchery to reflect that sentiment, don't you? He has already applied for some teaching positions for next year, and God-willing we'll have an answer before Christmas.

In the meatime he's looking for some casual work locally to keep bread and butter on the table. Bless his precious heart!

~~~~~

Our darling 19yo son, Sam, has been waiting patiently these past few years for me to design and make him a guy quilt. There have always been plenty of quilt designs around for young boys, displaying trucks, cars, boats and the like, but he wanted something edgy - something that reminded him of a favourite book I read to him and Blossom, "The Lord of the Rings".

Finally, I have done it, and he is thrilled!

Let me show you my latest quilt design, made especially for my boy...

*GOBLINS*

And the fabric on the back was perfect for him!

Do you like it?

For my fellow Aussies and Kiwis, the pattern will be available in Patchwork & Stitching magazine around mid-April next year.

I will however, also list the pattern in my Etsy shop for my overseas friends (or for those of you who cannot wait till next April), sometime this week. I'll let you know when.

It's a great teen quilt, especially for someone who likes medieval books!

~~~~~

As promised, I'm sharing a second free Christmas design with you today!

~*~ The Stocking Tree ~*~

This runner is easy to make, and so very cheery with the dancing Christmas Stocking tree!

You can download the pattern HERE, but only until Christmas Eve and then it disappears.

~~~~~

I've been asked if there will be any more Give Thanks verses in my BOM this year.

Yes, two more in fact.

I'll share them in the next week or so, and I suppose I'd better get my thinking cap on about what free BOM I can share next year!

~~~~~

Tomorrow I'll be showing you some gorgeous Show & Tell photos from bloggers who have been making my designs their very own.

Until then, I have a husband to enjoy, and a sewing room needing some attention.

Hugs

Jenny

What a week of ups and downs...

2011-11-27T09:12:00.001+10:00

Some weeks bring trial, some bring joy, and some give you such a mix of highs and lows that you're not quite sure whether to laugh or cry.

I believe "all things work together for good" and as I cast my mind back over the many and varied trials I've walked through in life I see God's faithful hands always carrying us and I know we'll be okay this time too.

Today I'd like to focus on some lovely things, ok?

On Tuesday I was very blessed to have the company of my wonderful son, Sam, for the entire day! I'd mentioned taking my Lola off for some surgery...

She'd been acting up and not working her usual magic on my sewing, so it was time to visit the sewing machine doctor and have some much needed attention.

The surgery took place in Townsville, so it was to be a long day out for me while Mr Ell'n Lock took charge of my Lola.

(I have two Lola's in my life - my sewing machine and my car. Both named after my maternal grandmother because I love her name and my children don't, so with no chance of a grandaughter named Lola in the future I decided to name my car, and later, my sewing machine, by that favoured and loved name!)

Sam jumped at the chance to take a day off work and spend time with his mum - aren't I blessed!!?

We chatted non-stop during the long drive to Townsville, and after dropping off Lola, Sam took me out for a yummy morning tea by the beach at...

Black Forest Cake was my delight...

...and my lad chose the chocolate mud cake.

He handed this over as a token of love for his mum...

Next it was shopping for guy-stuff to kit out his new car, a Subaru Liberty, then he took me for a healthy lunch at Sizzler...

After lunch we picked up Lola, all mended and once again in good spirits, before heading to Maccas for a cold drink and toilet stop before the long drive home. Sam wanted you to see how he filled the back of my car with his new car-enhancement-goodies....

No surprise about what he's been doing this weekend!

~~~~~

Other family news is that Mr E has discovered life working away at the mine is not at all what he expected. We are a very close husband and wife team, and these separations where we are apart more than we are together just don't work. So, he's looking to return to teaching at the start of the Australian school year near the end of January 2012.

We will need God's hand to find a position for him this late in teacher recruiting for 2012 as most positions have been filled by now, but we serve a mighty God and are trusting His providence. There are positions in Rockhampton and Kingaroy that he'll apply for, but hopefully a few more will come available soon.

This will mean leaving town, and relocating a long way from our children and grandsons, and of course that brings a very real sadness, but with another 20 years of working ahead of him, we must go where the work. Thankfully we can do some long rides back here to visit with the children during school holidays, and they can visit us whenever they are able.

Now, I shan't sob. I want to, but I shan't. I adore my husband, and am sooooooo happy he will be coming back 'home to me', and that is the most wonderful thing for my heart.

~~~~~

Issue 6 of Elefantz HOME is ready and waiting to be emailed out on the 29th. I am very happy with this issue, and as always, I've shared more about my life and the family and hope you enjoy reading about us.

PDF subscriptions can be made at the Elefantz HOME webpage over HERE.

I'd also like to make an extra offer for those who like to save a few dollars.

A six-month subscription to Elefantz HOME would normally cost $24, but as a little early Christmas bonus, you can purchase a 6-month PDF subscription for yourself for just $20.

This would be a lovely gift for a stitching friend for Christmas, so if that's something you'd like to do, please leave a note in your email letting me know your friend's email address and I'll send a Christmas card to her explaining the gift is from you.

This offer is available until December 20th, and as an added Christmas gift I'll email her (or you!) one of the previous issues too!

To take advantage of this offer, please email me and I will send a Paypal invoice, OR, if you're in Australia I will accept a bank deposit.

jennyofelefantz AT yahoo DOT com DOT au

~~~~~

Next week I am going to share with you a 2nd free Christmas design!!

Make sure you drop by for the free design, won't you!?

Time now to make a lovely morning tea for my man before he drives off to the mine.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends, and may I say a very sincere THANK YOU to everyone of you for taking time out to read my ramblings.

Hugs

Jenny

A perfect dawn...

2011-11-21T18:40:00.000+10:00

"Sunshine through my window makes me happy..."

I was singing that old John Denver song this morning as the sun's perfect rays shone through the eastern side of my home and danced inside...

Outside, the sun made long peek-a-boo stretches through the front palms...

...whilst in the backyard it dappled down from above the treetops.

A perfect morning for a farm breakfast, I thought.

The perfect day to finish a new shabby rose design...

Perfect flowers to rest my eyes upon. A gift from Mr E...

A perfect day because it was made by, and gifted from, my Father above.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Sunday once again...

2011-11-20T21:00:00.000+10:00

It's been wonderful having Mr E home, but this morning it was time for him to head back to the mine again, so my single girl routine began...

I spent most of the day writing patterns for the next issue of Elefantz HOME, but also writing the pattern for this new cushion design, "Garden Gate Farm", which will feature in Creating Country Threads next autumn...

Most of the the threads I used were a gift from Carrie last year.

Carrie had used them to stitch my "Shabby Roses" quilt blocks and thought I'd like to try them. They are made from bamboo and *beautiful* to stitch with! No tangles or knots - a stitcher's dream. Thank you, Carrie! If you'd like to see photos of Carrie's completed version of the "Shabby Roses quilt" you can visit HERE.

Both Blossom and Kezzie love the new cushion design so now I am not sure whose home it will be going to once it returns from the editor. Maybe they can draw straws??

~~~~~

Blossom came over for dinner with me tonight. A simple lemon and vegetable cous cous salad...

...and I grilled some herb and garlic chicken that I had marinated all afternoon.

I forgot to take a photo after the chicken was cooked, but the herbs were fresh from my garden and the finished dish was yummo!

I also baked a batch of banana muffins for her to take home and freeze. She microwaves them for quick breakfasts before she goes to work...

~~~~~

Tonight I am playing with a new design - more shabby roses of course!

What are you stitching at the moment?

Hugs

Jenny

Finally that birthday dinner, gum trees, and a special offer...

2011-11-18T11:04:00.001+10:00

Only one week late, but all of us were well last night and able to belatedly celebrate Sam's 19th.

The camera photos were fuzzy, and I blame the dreadful down-lights, but I still wanted to share them with you...

Sam - with a rare non-silly face...

Sam (with a silly face) and Bloss...

Kezzie and Bert...

Dee...

...and Cal. :-)

A lovely family night! I am blessed.

~~~~~

Jennifer commented on THIS post, and asked what kind of tree I had photographed. They are Australian Eucalypt Gum Trees. Aren't they lovely?!

Yesterday Mr E and I went for a ride west to Pentland, and I photographed another one for you.

They are also known as Ghost Gums because they shed their bark to reveal the creamy white trunk underneath. When you drive at dusk past hundreds of these trees they do indeed look like ghosts against the skyline.

I was once asked what I would miss if I left Australia, and the first thing that came to mind was the Ghost Gums. They are everywhere, and such a pivotal part of the Australian landscape.

~~~~~

Today I am offering you the chance to purchase a triple Sampler pack of PDF patterns!

Shabby Rose House; Rose Cottage; and Little Houses.

All three patterns as a single purchase bundle in my Etsy Shop for $6.50!

You'll find them HERE.

The large appliqued Rose House Sampler is not a quick project, but each part is so pretty and will hold your attention and keep stitchy fingers happy!
Finished, it measures 30 x 32 inches.

The smaller stitched Rose House Sampler uses a variety of embroidery stitches, and is pretty as a peach! Finished, it measures 12.5 x 16.5 inches

The Litte House Sampler is stitched in two shades of blue for upper and lower case, and will fit inside a frame with aperture of 9.5 x 12.5 inches

~~~~~

Time to get back to my husband! Wonder where he wants to go today?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

A free Christmas design to say thank you!

2011-11-16T10:42:00.000+10:00

I just noticed that my followers have just clicked over the 1600! Thank you everyone!!

You truly bless me by thinking my blog is somewhere nice to visit. I sure do love reading your comments and having you drop by. :-)

Rather than having another giveaway where there are only a couple of winners, I thought I'd share a free Christmas design with you!

I designed my Curly Christmas Tree in 2009 as part of a 9-design set, but never use the stitched block in a project until last night. While I was waiting for Mr E to ride home (he decided to ride in the night and come home 12 hours earlier to be with me!), I stitched up a simple red border and made it into a hanging. It's such a cute and happy tree!

The finished hanging is 7.5" x 10.5"...perfect for an afternoon's stitching.

You can download the pattern HERE.

Mr E is home again, safe and sound, so we're about to share a plate of sweet tropical fruits while we plan the next few days adventures. There'll be a nice motorbike ride in there somewhere!

Have a great week yourself, and thanks again for visiting my little Elefantz world.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

While Mr E's been away....

2011-11-15T21:25:00.000+10:00

While Mr E's been away at the mine, I've spent a lot of time with Blossom, Kezzie and Sam.

Morning teas with Kezzie, a breakfast and a dinner with Bloss, and a movie with Sam and Bloss.

In the darkness of the movie theatre we managed a rare photo of Sam, me and Bloss together.; not the best of shots I suppose, but I really love this photo because it's us being us...

Highlight of the movies was us and Sam's mate being the ONLY people in the theatre. It was like a private screening. :-)

My new favourite breakfast is five:am vanilla bean yoghurt with blueberries. I bought the mango flavour for Mr E to try when he gets home tomorrow...

Apart from visiting with the kids, and sewing, I've also been out walking. Very early this morning I headed off to Centenary Park and walked around it a few times.

It's such a pretty park, and at that time of the morning it was deserted except for a man doing his yoga, and another man walking round and round like me. I thought I'd take you for a short wander with me...

...and then I stopped under a shady tree to sit and have my water, a muesli bar, and read my Bible.

Beautiful.

Amen.

~~~~~

Mr E comes home in a few hours. My heart is beating so fast...

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Sunday, lovely Sunday....

2011-11-13T14:44:00.001+10:00

It's been a lovely weekend so far!

Yesterday our son Sam dropped by nice and early for a visit and chat, and at lunchtime Kezzie, Bert and the boys visited me as well. I sent the boys home with frozen Kit Kat's as it was mighty hot when they left, and it's a nana's delight to give small treats to her grandchildren - for the cost of a hug and kiss of course!

This morning I picked up Blossom nice and early and we went out for breakfast.. As she has been involved with Elefantz from the very beginning, I rely on her as my sounding board for future ideas, and it excites me even more to have her excited about the things I have planned.

Together we discussed pros and cons, and in the technical computer side of things she has offered her assistance. I can't tell you anymore, but I think you'll love what's in store. She made a a wonderful start to my day!

This afternoon we're out together again, but this time 19yo son Sam will join us as we head to the movies to watch the latest version of "The Three Musketeers".

Tomorrow I'm off to Kezzie's for morning tea, so I am pleased to say that my kids certainly aren't allowing me to be lonely while Mr E is away! I may need a rest at this rate. :-)

~~~~~

All the projects for Issue 6 of Elefantz HOME are now finished, and the pattern writing has begun.

I thought you might like to see all the things you can make from the next issue, which has a definite bird theme.

The next block in "Circles of Life" is shared this month. It's the large middle block, "Full Circle"...

There is also a companion cushion cover for the quilt in this issue, which features a slightly altered "Full Circle" block...

A couple of very cute and quick-to-make Christmas gifts are these key chain fobs...

And of course there is the "Bird on Bloom" redwork table runner I showed you last week...

...and the applique version of "Bird on Bloom" made up into a cushion cover!

Five new Elefantz designs in Issue 6, and all for just a $4 per month subscription!

If you haven't subscribed yet, but would like to, simply click on the Paypal button below.

You can cancel at any time, and we'll still be friends.

As a thank you gift from me, all new subscriptions made before November 28th will receive a bonus, Elefantz pattern to make while they wait for their first PDF issue of Elefantz HOME to arrive on November 29th!

~Sunshine Lollipops~

...was one of my very first original designs but has never been available for purchase. Subscribe and it's all yours.

~~~~~

Now I'm off to get ready for my movie date with the kids.

Hope your own weekend has been a joyful one!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

All's well at last...

2011-11-11T22:07:00.001+10:00

Thank you SO much for all your prayers and well wishes for Mr E.

The gastro bug (stomach flu) was indeed nasty, and I had to keep my nurses cap on fairly tight for 48 hours, but my beloved has come through it all and gallantly ridden off today back to the mine - a bit the worse for wear, but intent on regaining good health as quickly as possible.

Thankfully I was spared from following in his footsteps, only succumbing to a migraine yesterday - probably from worry.

Before he left we shared these fresh fruits as an extra dose of healthy fluids before his very hot five hour ride..

Due to Mr E's illness we missed our son's birthday.

On the big day we could only chat with Sam on the phone, but both his sisters came to the rescue and one took him to lunch, whilst the other delivered pizza to his door for dinner! Family are so important, aren't they!?

Finally this morning Mr E was able to drop into Sam's work to deliver his gift, and now we've rescheduled a birthday dinner for all the family next Thursday.

~~~~~

I've shared before about the lack of fly screen on our tropical home and how ghastly this is on hot summer nights when the bugs from the mango trees invade our home. Worse though, are the wasps flying through our open louvres looking for places to build nests!

We kill as many as we can, but the nests can be found behind wardrobes, shelving, on curtains...they seem to build anywhere and everywhere.

We really need the louvres open during the night for fresh air while we sleep, and in the early mornings for a view (I hate houses all shut up), but the bugs, wasps and mosquitoes are a hazard to health and sewing.

After a year of pleading, our landlord has consented to having fly screens installed!! \o/\o/\o/

Today Jim arrived with his assistant and began the work....

The job will take a few days, but already we have 4 windows covered and are so grateful. When Mr E returns home next Wednesday he'll be able to rest from the wasp-exterminating and enjoy the fresh air without bugs.

~~~~~

We have other pests too, but fortunately these ones stay outside.The bats are still going crazy in the mango trees outside our bedroom, and the ground underneath is littered with their scraps...

We have many hundreds of mangoes on both trees, but we cannot eat them due to the bats having bitten into them or scratched them. Honestly, nights here are pretty crazy with bats outside your windows and doors. The sky is black with them at sunset, and the smell is awful, but we live just 200 metres from the colony so there is no avoiding it. Life in the tropics has it's ups and downs, just more downs during the hot months.

~~~~~

Have you heard of Quilt Aid?

This is the third year it has been running, with proceeds being donated to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. The hospital is dedicated to the treatment and care of women who suffer horrendous childbirth injuries, known as obstetric fistula.

There are twelve different blocks to purchase, and six different finishing kits to make up a quilt. A portion of the designers proceeds from the sale of the blocks, and the fabric store's quilt kits, is donated to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.

I can't afford to purchase all twelve blocks, but I did purchased six of them, and two arrived this week...

The theme is "Whimsy and Wonder", and the designers involved have outdone themselves with the gorgeous block designs! It was very hard to choose which six to purchase.

I also bought the recommended thread kit because I've never used Finca threads and wondered what they'd be like.

The fabric used in the blocks is "Ruby" by Bonnie and Camille, and as I have some "Ruby" in my stash I'll use it to make the six blocks I've purchased into a lap quilt.

You can visit the website HERE for more information.

~~~~~

I should tell you that while Mr E was resting during his illness, I quietly stitched...

...a new design for Creating Country Threads magazine next year. Can you guess the theme?

~~~~~

Sorry this blog post has been all higgeldy piggeldy tonight. Think I am needing to catch up on some sleep. :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs

Jenny

PS: Someone asked what a "pillion wife" was? It's a wife who doesn't ride a motorbike herself, but sits behind her husband instead. :-)

A virus has taken over our house...

2011-11-09T18:10:00.001+10:00

My wonderful husband arrived home yesterday afternoon, and it was the highlight of my day/week!

I baked garlic crumbed chicken for dinner, then made stewed rhubarb & apple with cinnamon to have with custard later...

It seemed the night would be 'perfik' (as Pop from 'Darling Buds of May 'would say!).

But Mr E came home with some tummy troubles, and before dawn this morning a dreadful stomach flu took hold.

Our house is in quarantine from the rest of the family now, so tomorrow's 19th birthday lunch for Sam has been cancelled. My poor man is in a very bad way, and does not want to pass it along to our children or grandsons.

Please pray for him. He only has one more day at home before he has to leave again, and I am not sure he'll be recovered by then.

~~~~~

Before Mr E came home I had finished a gorgeous project for the next issue of Elefantz HOME.

I'll share the photos before I head back to my nurse's station.

"Bird on Flower" runner....

I've used blanket stitch, feather stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, backstitch, running stitch and satin stitch in this design. Keeps the stitcher in me happy!

Hugs,

Jenny

xxx

Shabby Roses, some Show & Tell, and an offer...

2011-11-06T17:48:00.000+10:00

Today I pieced my remade Shabby Roses blocks and I got all warm and fuzzy when I laid it out to photograph...

Over the next week I hope to quilt it! The fabrics are a mix of Tilda and Tanya Whelan - both gorgeous, but I am still deciding what fabric to use for the binding.

The layout is different to my original pattern, but to be honest, I like this one better because I have the two Shabby Roses blocks right in the middle.

This is my original...

Which version is your favourite, and why?

~~~~~

Some very lovely ladies have sent me photos of their completed Elefantz projects and I'm so excited to share them with you!

Last year Fiona asked if her quilt group could have permission to make a quilt using my Shabby Roses quilt blocks and raffle it for charity.

"Of course!" I said, "but make sure you send me a photo when it's done." - and now it is!!

Here is Fiona 'dressed' in the completed and ready-to-raffle Shabby Roses quilt ....

Haven't those ladies been busy!? I feel very humbled at all the work they've put into this project using my block designs. Please visit Fiona's blog HERE to see more photos and read about the raffle. You ladies rock, and may God bless you with the raffle!

~~~~~

Shez in Victoria spied my bag design in a magazine and made it up using the cutest of owl fabrics!

You know, Shez, my Blossom would run off with it if she saw it - she has quite a love for owls, especially since our 'owl rescue' earlier this year - because your bag looks wonderful!

~~~~~

Vickie has been using the Christmas Tree design from my Daisy Christmas Runner to make a runner of her own! Love it!!

~~~~~

As most of you know, I have been sharing a "Circles of Life" block each month in my Elefantz HOME magazine.

The very lovely Di Jobbins sent me photos of the blocks she has made so far, and they are *beautiful*....please visit her blog to see more, you'll be inspired.

~~~~~

Many people have emailed to ask if I am selling the complete pattern to make "Circles of Life". It will be available in January 2012, once all the blocks have been shared in Elefantz HOME magazine.

However, if you'd like to start making the quilt now, I have decided to offer Issues 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the magazine in a bundle for purchase HERE through my Etsy Shop for $20 AUD (about $21.30 USD).

Sold separately they are $7 per issue if you are not a subscriber, a saving of $8.

But, within the pages of those four PDF issues you will receive $64 worth of original and new "Jenny of Elefantz" designs! I have a limited number available in my shop so you'd best be quick. :-)

**Issue 5, the bumper Christmas issue, is also available now in my Etsy Shop for $7. You'll find it HERE.

~~~~~

Next Thursday our Sam turns 19, so we'll have the family all back under one roof for a celebratory meal, as well as Kezzie, Bert and the grandsons! When asked what our newly-living-away-from-home would like for his birthday he told us all to get him Woolworths vouchers so he can use them to buy groceries and keep his 'real' money for spending. Did I ever tell you our son was a bit of an oddball? LOL!!

Hugs

Jenny

Ooops! It's been a while hasn't it....

2011-11-05T19:23:00.000+10:00

Ooops! Days pass so quickly when Mr E is home that I think I just did a blog post and discover, no, it's been almost a week. I know you'll forgive me. Time with him at home is most precious to me.

Yesterday he took the mine bus from Townsville for the first time. He was beginning his first rotation of four, 12 hour night shifts, and riding 500 klms home on a motor bike after coming off four days of night shifts just doesn't seem the smart thing to do.

We drove in at 5am, and after the bus left I had a coffee by the beach, then turned round and drove the 132 klms home....

Back home with the animals, I settled in for some sewing time.

The final few of my remade "A Christmas Story" blocks are finished now. I am loving them made up from my Aviary scraps; so different to the original.

Also completed are the remade "Shabby Roses" blocks, and I've now begun piecing them with my Tilda stash....

I'm tweaking the quilt design as I go; it will be mostly the same layout as my original, just a wee bit different.

Also come to life from my sketch book is a new design for the next issue of Elefantz HOME.

I'm doing this in two styles - one redwork, and one applique - but I'm still undecided on how I'll finish them.

~~~~~

Slowly I'm working through this new stage of adult life; the part where your children have grown up and left home, and you find yourself with more time on your hands than ever before, especially when your husband works away 60% of the time. Fortunately, they call me on the phone (a lot) and even bring me gifts.

Blossom gave me a little stitchery to finish as a leaving home gift. She started it a few nights before she moved into her new house and there's not much more to do, but I kinda like it the way it is...unfinished. It reminds me of her life, still more to be lived and enjoyed...

(the Christmas baubles design was a free one shared a Christmas or two ago, but I can't remember where from, so can't give you a link)

Kezzie dropped by this morning just to say "I love you, Mum", and gave me these pretty flowers. I put them in the vase she gave me for my birthday ~ perfect.

Another gift arrived in the mail yesterday, but this was from the very sweet Mary who found something at the op-shop where she volunteers, and immediately thought it would be perfect for me! I think you'll agree....

I really do have a soft spot for anything with elephants. Thank you so much, Mary! :-)

~~~~~

Before I go and cook some dinner for myself, and feed Sophie and Bob-the-dog, (both are at my feet right now looking up at me with love-lorn and hungry eyes) I have a favour to ask of you.

A magazine I faithfully read was cancelled last year. It had wonderful homely, crafty, money-saving, healthy living ideas and articles, and the day it simply vanished from the newsagents display without any forewarning was the day I realised how much I truly enjoyed it.

Since then I have scoured op-shops and garage sales to purchase all the copies I missed. There are always a few stacked by my sewing chair to flick through during a coffee break....

...and every time I am left feeling nourished as a woman, mother, wife, and homemaker. Can you see why I am missing it?

Well, it seems I am not the only one who is longing for it's return!

Fellow designer Amanda has started up a Facebook page to see if she can drum up enough of a following that the publishers take note and bring back our beloved Notebook: magazine!

You can read about Amanda's campaign HERE on her blog, or go straight to the Bring Back Notebook Magazine FB page and 'like' it.

Please?

Thank you. :-)

~~~~~

I will return tomorrow with a show and tell of project photos sent in by lovely bloggers, but right now I'd best go and feed the little ones so I can have my feet back.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

2011-10-31T08:29:00.000+10:00

Life has settled.

The house is in order; just some fine tuning needed in the new Elefantz room and the new office/prayer room.

The kids love their new homes.

Mr E is almost half way home as I write this, so he should be here in around 3 hours.

I'll share a little photo journal of the changes in the rooms over the past few days.

This used to be Blossom's room; the dust strewn empty one I showed you on Friday.

Please come inside...

This was Sam's room, but it's now the new office and prayer retreat. I still need to do things in here (like pretty curtains) etc...

And both rooms have air conditioning!!! \o/\o/

This is the first time, after living in the tropics for 2 1/2 years, that I have had air conditioning in my office and sewing space. I am so blessed. It has helped enormously with my menopausal hot flushes!

~~~~~

During the evenings I've been continuing to stitch the remade version of "A Christmas Story". Four blocks finished, four to go...

Thanks you to Kris and Chris, who have offered to help me out with some Aviary fabric if I run out of my small stash. The quilt blocks are so pretty in Aviary - very different to my original version with the deep burgundies and winter greens; though it was very pretty too!

It seems right though. Linda in the US now owns my original 'A Christmas Story', and the colours are perfect for her winter Christmas, whereas this lighter version is perfect for my summer Christmas in Australia! Isn't that great!?

~~~~~

The quilt I've made using some of my Give Thanks blocks is ready to have the binding sewn down...

It's just a simple square-in-a-square design, but looks quite pretty.

I was asked if I'd share the new 'Give Thanks' block I made for the quilt, and I thought, "Yes!"...after all, you might like to make a quilt with the blocks too, and this new little Give Thanks is a happy addition.

You can download the block design HERE

~~~~~

Now to get back to making a welcome home lunch for Mr E! Chicken pasta salad today - protein and carbs after his very long ride home to my waiting arms....

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Remakes and quiet....

2011-10-28T07:06:00.000+10:00

There is an eerie absence of noise in the room next to ours. Blossom is gone.

Only the dust remains.

She brought friends last night to help fetch and carry, take apart and load up; removing all evidence that she lived and slept in the room next door.

She left with fierce hugs, exacting promises I will be round to her new house for a cuppa in the immediate future. There was heaviness of heart on my part, and I saw it on her own face, yet - she has grown out of her child-life and yearns for her adult life.

It was evident by the things she left behind to discard or pass along to her nephews, that childhood days have severed their hold.

Mr E sent us separate texts from the mine, but all with the same message, "Good night everyone. I love you."

And so she begins the next chapter.

Tomorrow I'll do this all again with Sam.

~~~~~

The thing about closing chapters and beginning new ones is that often there is a sticking point that simply won't let you move forward. As silly as it sounds, this has happened to me with the design process of the next 'big' Elefantz quilt design.

It's in my head, and some on paper, yet I have not been able to get any further than that. A huge mental block just sits in my mind ignoring all attempts to upend it.

And then a memory of something Blossom said (on a number of occasions) this year.

"You have to remake 'Shabby Roses' and 'A Christmas Story', mum...you can't just NOT have them here! They are a part of you."

Wise words; and that is why I haven't been able to move on. As you know I've been in the process of remaking Shabby Roses for many, many months, and have now finished all the blocks - done in brighter Tilda fabrics - but I was putting off 'A Christmas Story' because I wanted to do a new Christmas themed quilt in shabby roses before this very Christmas. Ha! Not to be.

My heart and mind, and my Blossom, insist I remake the original first, and so I have begun...

The colours are much softer this time round because I decided to use my very loved scraps of "Aviary". I am just praying I have enough of it to do the whole quilt. For sure there will be exact cutting with barely a thread to spare, but the Lord can multiply and I pray He allows me to get by on this one.

~~~~~

The piecing is now complete on a quilt version of my "Give Thanks" blocks. I've used eight of the mini-quilt designs, and added a new Give Thanks block to the mix.

The fabric line is "Sweet Broderie" - very pretty indeed.

~~~~~

It is only 28 hours until I send out the next issue of Elefantz HOME magazine.

If you'd like to subscribe for this bumper 6-design Christmas Issue, you'll need to do so by midnight today (28th).

Subscribe HERE or by clicking the button on my left hand sidebar.

~~~~~

I have dust to remove, a floor to polish, and a cuppa with Blossom to look forward to.

Have an exceptional day,

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Farewells....and changes.

2011-10-26T10:26:00.000+10:00

The last few days with Mr E home have been wonderful, and now I watch him pack to leave once more.

"I'll take the sunscreen, ok??"

He lathers himself with it at work - he has to. This fierce northern Australia sun leaves our region with the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Scary thought, so sunscreen is a must.

Five sleeps away, and he'll return to me, riding through our front gate once more. However, there will be something very different about our home when Mr E returns next week.

In Blossom's room are piles of new homewares....

...and this is because on Thursday (tomorrow!) she will be moving out of home to set up house with two of her girlfriends.

Blossom is a pharmacy assistant now and loving her job. She does her online training certificates at night, and works all day behind the pharmacy counter. But the time has come when her wings are ready to spread and the open door of independent life beckons...

Before you panic, I must tell you that the house she is moving into with her friends is just one street away from mine, and just two streets away from her workplace. Bob-the-dog belongs to Blossom but he's staying here for the next month while she settles into independent life and all that will entail.

Also leaving is ds Sam. He is moving into a house with two mates on Saturday, just a 15 minute walk from us, and 5 minutes to his workplace.

We knew this was coming about a year ago, but he's slow to move once a big plan looms and has spent the last year making sure he had a grasp on what life as a single independent man entailed.

So you know what this means?

Most of the time I'll be home alone, with Sophie.

They call Mr E and I "empty nesters"...and yet it wasn't that long ago we were packed into the family stationwagon and criss-crossing the vast expanses of Australia, homeschooling as we went, and seeing so much of what our beautiful country had to share.

Life is a series of growths and changes, farewells and welcome homes, challenges and triumphs. I see all of those things in this one week, and my prayer is that we all remember our roots, the relationships forged through good times and bad, and the value of HOME.

HOME is not a house, it is a place in your heart where warmth spreads and welcomes you with unconditional love. May my children never forget HOME.

~~~~~

In between rides with Mr E during his few days home, I finished up the last of my Shabby Roses blocks re-make. Well, almost! Only a few letters of Shabby and all twelve are done.

Tomorrow I might just do all the piecing for the remade quilt top, but first I have to finish piecing my second lot of "Give Thanks" blocks into a quilt...

I'm using Rosalie Quinlan's fabric range, "Sweet Broderie" and it's truly lovely. Can't wait to show you this all done! Looks like I'll have two finished quilts over the weekend - better keep the air conditioner on at all times with temps up around 36C again!

~~~~~

Of course, once both the kids move out, there will be two extra rooms in the house. As my sewing room and office are located at the front of the house in the enclosed verandah, I'll be moving them into Blossom's old room. You see, I do not have any air conditioning in my office/sewing area and living up here in the tropics makes it incredibly difficult for me to do much sewing during our very hot Sept-May days. Moving into her old room gives me an air-conditioner! I can sew in comfort, and that is so important.

Outside the day lilies are blooming fleetingly...

...the mangoes are heavy on the trees...

...and inside my Sophie takes shelter from the heat.

All is right in my world. Different, but still right.

God bless and big hugs,

Jenny

xxx

Giveaway Winners, and my new Shabby Bag design!

2011-10-21T19:42:00.000+10:00

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway! I wish I could give you all a prize, but I know you'll join me in congratulating the four lucky winners...

~Australian Winners~

A $50 voucher from Patchworks Plus to -

Ozstitcher (please email me with your address, as I have no way of contacting you)

"The Bag Making Bible" by Lisa Lam to -

Peg from "Happy In Quilting"

~International Winners~

A $50 voucher from Fat Quarter Shop to -

PattyC

"The Bag Making Bible" by Lisa Lam to -

Sue from Cyprus (please email me with your address, as I have no way of contacting you)

Congratulations Ladies!!

~~~~~

Today I finished the final design for Issue 5 of Elefantz HOME magazine.

"The Shabby Rose Bag"

Applique and stitchery in pastel pinks, blues and greens...

The pretty ruffle on the pocket adds another feminine touch...

The perfect size for carrying about...

A special treat for self, or perhaps a gift?

I can't wait to take it shopping!

Hope you like it too.

~~~~~

My "Circles of Life" BOM has been very popular in the magazine, and just the other day I received photos from Catherine in France who had finished the first three blocks. They are beautiful!

If you've been stitching your blocks I'd love to see a photo or two when you finish!

~~~~

Jeanette made my Shabby Roses Quilt and sent me a photo of it finished, quilted and bound. Gorgeous!

In my remake of the "Shabby Roses Quilt" I have completed 9 of the 12 blocks. It seems funny stitching it all over again, and especially in such different colours to my original. For the first few remade blocks I almost changed my mind and scrapped them, BUT, as I get closer to finishing I have begun to love the new colours.

This is my original quilt...

The new fabrics are from Tilda, and much brighter than the soft pastels of version 1.

I have made one other change to the quilt. The original "Believe" block was this one...

This is the new "Believe" block...

Which one do you like best?

~~~~~

Mr E comes home on Sunday so I think I'll get my fingers working tomorrow and finish writing the magazine so I can spend all his time back home with him.

I hope your weekend is a wonderful one!

Hugs

Jenny

Give Thanks Block 10, and a special spring offer...

2011-10-20T12:46:00.001+10:00

LOVE

I think you all understand why that word is uppermost in my mind lately.

With my own true-love away more than he is home these days, my heart almost stops when the phone rings each morning and evening for our 'good morning' and 'good night' chats. Yes, indeed, LOVE is on my mind, so naturally that is what I am giving thanks for this month.

You can download the free pattern HERE.

~~~~~

Spring has really sprung around my home! My petunias are very happy, and I harvest cherry tomatoes every day, along with lettuce and herbs for our dinner. Just simple pots around my dirt-floor backyard, but a wealth of flavour and taste!

I love fresh basil with my cherry tomatoes!

The bats are feasting on mangoes falling from the trees.

My walk around the garden inspired me to offer you a lovely Spring themed bundle of patterns this week!

All 7 designs from the "In My Garden" set...

...and my pretty "Hearts & Flowers" cushion...

Until next Tuesday you can purchase the PDF bundle of all designs for only $5 AUD (around $5 US) by clicking on the Paypal button below.

I'll email the patterns to you within 18 hours of purchase depending on where you are in the world and whether or not we're awake at the same time. ;-)

Stitching garden things is a very happy pastime, don't you think?

Hugs,

Jenny

New designs for Christmas...

2011-10-19T21:36:00.000+10:00

It's just 10 days until I send out Issue 5 of Elefantz HOME magazine to my subscribers, so with Mr E back at the mine again, I've been very busy stitching!

This issue has a Christmas theme so I've designed a number of special projects for decorating and gift-giving!

Would you like to see some?

"At Half-Past 3..." is a gift for those you love, but who live far away and will be absent from your Christmas table. It's the perfect size to pop in an envelope and post off....

It can also be hung after your friend has had their cup of tea, to remind them of you. :-)

(this would also make a marvellous Swap gift!)

"Christmas Comes..." is a beautiful wall quilt, something to make for yourself or give away. Either way, it is something special.

I played with yo-yos, pearls, a tea-dyed doily, and my remaining stash of 'Glace' from 2009.

I also wanted to use the leftover strips of fabric from this project, so I made a very pretty Christmas bunting for hanging through the festive season! I do think this would be lovely to hang anytime, though, don't you agree? Perhaps with pretty shabby fabrics?

The blades on the bunting are large, 10 inches long in fact...

...and I added little silver rings to the ends for hanging. Lace, braids, pearls, red and green jade beads...all so pretty.

Of course, this issue will also have the next block from my BOM, "Circles of Life"!

There are still two more projects to go in this issue, and one of them is from my guest designer, Helen Dickson from Bustle & Sew!

If you haven't yet subscribed you can do so HERE or by clicking on the Elefantz HOME subscribe button in my left hand sidebar.

If you'd like to see some sample pages from Issues 1-4 first, it can be downloaded HERE.

~~~~~

That scroching heat of last week has run away for a bit, and today it was cool and raining. Heavenly!

Princess Sophie and Bob-the-dog spent most of the morning watching the cars go by from the side of the back verandah. What a funny pair they are!

I intend stitching a lot in the few cool days still ahead of me. Oh how I miss winter.

~~~~~

Only a day-and-a-bit left before I draw the four winners of my giveaway! If you haven't entered, scroll down a couple of posts and you can take a chance. Entries close on midnight October 20th.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

A time for normal...

2011-10-16T07:36:00.001+10:00

He's home; arriving at 2am on Saturday morning to a wife running down the stairs to greet him as he gingerly climbed off the bike. It had been a crazy ride home! Thunderstorms, lightning, wombats, owls, kangaroos (everywhere!!), bushfires...in those 500 klms of deserted , rutted, unlit outback roads, he encountered them all!

Next time he'll stay at the mine camp for the night and make his return home at sunrise - then we'll both breathe easier. Your prayers were needed and appreciated. Thank you. :-)

~~~~~

The light was better today as the clouds had dispersed, leaving us with another scorcher of a day. Over the last week it's been a run of constant 38-41C days (98-106 F), and with the air conditioner in the bedroom not working you can imagine what sleeping has been like. Hopefully the very busy town electrician will arrive next week to fix it for us. "God willing" as my nana always said.

Back to the light - it was good so I took some sneak peek photos of the things I am playing with in the sewing room.

Some projects for Issue 5 of Elefantz HOME (the bumper Christmas projects issue!)....

The stitching is all done on them, and now it's time to sew them into actual projects. They are yummy, and I'm sure you'll love them!

Also in my stitchy fingers have been a remake of the GIVE THANKS blocks I've shared this year. This time I am making them into a quilt - slightly different is this version; new colours and without the Bible verse reference, as this quilt will be destined for an Australian magazine next year.

Did you notice a new one?

I'll stitch it up again this week as a mini-quilt for your Give Thanks Hanger, and then share the design. If you are new to my blog you can still download all my free Give Thanks mini-quilts - there will be 12 by the end of the year, and I'll have the designs up until January.

Over on the left sidebar are all the links for you to access and download each design.

This is my GIVE THANKS hanging and mini-quilt so far...

...and this is the latest mini-quilt design I shared in September.

They are only 3 3/4 x 5 inches in size after adding the binding.

Here are photos of Lu's Give Thanks hanger and Block 8, 'Friends'...

Like Lu, you can email me photos of your completed blocks and I'll share them here on my blog for everyone to enjoy.

Time to prepare for a ride with my beloved Mr E today, so not much stitching happening in the next 8 hours. But oh, how I love to ride behind my man!!

Have a truly blessed and love-filled Sunday,

Hugs

Jenny

PS: Helen at Bustle & Sew has extended her 50% off the 'Stitchers Companion' offer for all readers until the end of the month!!
You can read about it HERE.

I love surprises!

2011-10-14T23:31:00.000+10:00

It was decided that Mr E should not begin his mining career doing back-to-back shifts, so instead of being away for 9 days, he is coming home in the early hours of Saturday morning - just 3 hours from now!! \o/

He has finished his 4 day induction and now has 4 days off. On Wednesday he begins permanent 4 day shifts, but for now I get to have him home earlier than expected so I want to say a heartfelt *thank you* for all your prayers and warm thoughts! Bless you, bless you!

I am one very happy Jenny tonight, waiting patiently (ok, not so patiently) for my man's return. My fingers have been busy stitching away the evening hours, the ironing is done, kitchen is spotless, and all that is left is to open the door when I hear his bike come up the road. Home sweet home once more.

~~~~~

In the mail this week I received two beautifully recycled diaries for 2012. I purchased them from Rebound Books, a clever company who recycle vintage 'Little Golden Books' into a second existence as diaries.

I also loved the packaging - the tape used to secure the brown paper had vintage stamps on it!

I bought the 'Prayers for Children' diary for Kezzie (a Christmas gift) to use next year as her homeschooling diary, and the 'Book of God's Gifts' for my Elefantz diary.

There is something so beautifully innocent and pure in a child's prayer, don't you think?

~~~~~

Another book I purchased this week, whilst pining for Mr E, is Helen Dickson's wonderful "Stitchers Companion"!

Helen has poured out all her years of stitching experience into this excellent resource, and if you've visited her blog, "Bustle & Sew", you'll know that she is a dab hand with many crafty skills! Helen learned her skills as a child from her mother and grandmother, so there is a generational love of all things handmade expressed in her book. I encourage you to visit Helen HERE on her blog, or read about the book HERE in her shop.

(NOTE: At the moment Helen has a 50% off offer on the book purchase, but it's only for a little while longer! Look HERE on her blog for the discount code)

It's only available as a PDF download, which is perfect for people like me on the other side of the world.

By the way, Helen is my guest contributor in the next issue of Elefantz HOME magazine and you are going to love the project she has designed for you!

~~~~~

I have been busy this week with new redwork Christmas designs for Elefantz HOME, but we had a thunderstorm this afternoon and into the evening so I couldn't take good photos of my progress. Never mind, I'll be sure to snap them when the sun returns and show you some peeks in my next post.

Now, back to stitching while I wait for my beloved.

Have a wonderfully joy-filled weekend!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

1500+ Followers Giveaway!

2011-10-11T19:12:00.001+10:00

I feel so very blessed to have over 1500 of you following my blog, so I want to do something special to say thank you - and what is more special than a giveaway!!?

I'm going to make this very easy for you, so please read the rules carefully and you won't miss out on an entry - but first, let me tell me what you could win!

There are 4 prizes to win in this giveaway, and I have broken the giveaway into two separate groups.

~Australian Winners~

1st Prize : a $50 Gift Certificate from 'Patchworks Plus' in Tassie.

2nd Prize : a copy of Lisa Lam's book, "The Bag Making Bible"

~ Overseas Winners ~

1st Prize : a $50 Gift Certificate from 'The Fat Quarter Shop' in the US.

2nd Prize : a copy of Lisa Lam's book, "The Bag Making Bible"

So how do you enter?

1 entry: Leave one comment only on this blog post for one entry.

1 extra entry: Put my "1500+ Elefantz Giveaway" button on your blog and let your readers know about the giveaway. Come back here and leave a second comment on this blog post telling me you have done it.

(Sadly, some people have lied about this in the past so I will be checking your blogs)

1 extra, extra entry: Share on your Facebook page, then come back here afterwards to leave another comment for another entry.

The giveaway will run from today until midnight October 20th.

I'll draw the two Australian, and two overseas winners on October 21st.

Good luck!!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

For those who are interested in taking a peek inside my Elefantz HOME magazine before you commit to a subscription, I have put together a free download featuring snippets of Issues 1 - 4, hopefully to whet your appetite for more.

Download the Elefantz HOME Issues 1-4 Sample HERE.

*$4 per issue, published as a PDF download straight to your inbox on the 29th of every month

*at least 3 (sometimes 4!) new Elefantz designs in every issue with an individual value of between $12 and $16

*guest designer projects in every second issue

*articles

*home hints

*recipes

*love.

From my home and heart to yours.

If you decide you'd like to become a subscriber, then you can do so by clicking on the Paypal link below.

Have a wonderful week and be sure to spread the news about my giveaways!

Hugs

Jenny

An overcast day....

2011-10-11T07:22:00.000+10:00

My promised giveaway post will be a day late.

Monday was a very emotional day for me, and I needed extra time to work through my feelings after seeing off my beloved Mr E for a 9 day separation. I drove the 130 klms to Townsville with him following on the bike. In a supermarket carpark on the south side of town we said our goodbyes before he rode south for the remaining 600 klms journey alone.

I drove the 90 minute trip home under an overcast sky, truly reflecting my own emotions. I shed tears, I prayed.

My sweet Lord looked down on me and opened little pockets of heaven to shine his comforting light as I made my way up the mountain range and towards home.

I took this photo because I wanted you to know that God is in all things. The sorrow and the joy. I drew immense comfort from His opening of the sky and that Light which said to me, "I am bigger than your sorrow. I am even now your comfort and strength. All will be well."

Mr E called last night and we talked for ages as he walked around his room at the mine camp and unpacked. He described everything to me, and we felt more at peace listening to each other. This morning he woke me with a text message to start my day with joy. I am blessed.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Friday too soon...

2011-10-07T21:15:00.001+10:00

It's Friday. That means only 3 sleeps until my beloved rides away on his first departure for the new mine job.

Due to the 4 day induction training before his first set of shifts this trip may be a 9 day absence - can I bear that??? Of course some of you have husbands that work away from home for long or short periods and you cope wonderfully well - you probably think I'm crazy, right?

Leading up to next Monday we've been riding the bike every day - even in a glorious rain shower yesterday afternoon. Today was another long ride to Townsville and back to buy my wet weather gear before the wet season begins, and tomorrow we're riding with friends to Ravenswood for lunch.

Sunday is a different matter, though. We're home all day parked in front of the television to watch Bathurst!! \o/ We love Bathurst Sunday every year, and I am so happy he'll still be home for it. I will naturally have a lot of hand sewing on my lap for the entire 6 hours, and nibblies for Mr E.

We have been fans of Craig Lowndes for many, many years, and we'd love to see him win again.

~~~~~

My 'Autumn Falling' design is finished, and I love it!

Not my usual style, I know, but I really enjoyed the big purple and green prints, and machine applique....

I also stitched up my "Ellie and Bub" as a redwork block....

...and I have some gorgeous red Fat 8ths that I bought from Fee to piece a border (or perhaps a bag??).

Cute little chain stitches inside the bows.

Also purchased from Fee were some yummy charm squares and yardage from "Cabbages and Roses"! How could I resist those roses???! After all, I need something to cheer me up and keep me busy while Mr E is away.

(Did that excuse sound feasible?? Honest, I rarely buy fabric any more, preferring to use what I have, BUT, I was a sucker for those roses.)

In a separate parcel were books I had bought for Kezzie and I.

The "Bag Making Bible" has been on my want list for a long time because it is an area that I need instruction in, and Lisa Lam is amazing. Visit her blog and be blown away at how easy she makes it all look - and by her talent.

The Wholefoods books by Jude Blereau were found by Kezzie at our library and she was so excited about what she was learning that I bought the children's one for her and the family one for me. I must remember to take photos of Kezzie's and my herb gardens. She is so badly wanting a big veggie patch so she can grow her own foods to feed the boys. These books were a huge encouragement.

The fourth book, "The Rhythm of Family" is by Amanda Blake Soule. Amanda's blog is another wonderful place to visit! This is another book I've wanted for a while because it just spoke to my homeschool mother heart and I knew that Kezzie would love it! It's so lovely for me to experience seeing my own daughter homeschool her children after me homeschooling her when she was a teen.

I guess I have no excuses for boredom while Mr E is away, do I? :-)

Miss Sophie will claim his side of the bed, though.

Have a lovely weekend, won't you?!

Make lots of lovely stitchy things if you can, and perhaps if you've made one of my designs you might like to send me an email and a photo so I can share it with everyone.

Just click on the photo of my little stitched Ellie logo, up there in the left hand sidebar, and you'll be able to access my email.

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

PS: On Monday night I am going to announce a BIG giveaway, so come back and visit then!

Snickerdoodle Guest Designer....

2011-10-05T10:23:00.001+10:00

Are you a member of the Snickerdoodle Community?

This month Darlene invited me to be the Honeypot Guest Designer, and naturally I said, YES!

Being a guest designer at Snickerdoodle gave me the opportunity to share a free stitchery design with the online community members, and I love to share pretty shabby roses themes, so I designed...

"Hearts Overflow With Love"

Visit Darlene and the Snickerdoodle Community today. They are a delightful bunch! :-)

~~~~~

In the design and sewing room this week I am playing with purples, greens, yellow and browns.

"Autumn Falling" ....

...and using yummy Cottage Garden hand-dyed thread.

I hope your week is colourful and stitchy too!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Are you counting down?

2011-10-03T20:33:00.000+10:00

Counting down what, you ask?

The days to Christmas, of course!

They are coming closer and closer.

There is something very special about Christmas sewing, isn't there!?

A project is decided upon, fabrics and threads chosen, and you pour your love into every stitch. Once the gift is complete you carefully wrap it and add a special card or tag, and then you wait.

Days or weeks of bubbling excitement follows as you wait for the big day when your recipient can finally tear open the wrapping paper and see what you've made for them.

This year in our family we're going to make an many of the gifts as we can, and for those who cannot make things we have a very small financial limit on the gift they purchase other family members.

Years ago we would send ourselves into a spiral of debt with Christmas shopping, but those days have passed and now we focus on the people, the true meaning, and making something special for those we love.

Over the coming months I will be phasing out many of my Etsy Shop patterns. Once many of them are sold out I won't be relisting them, so I have decided to occasionally offer some pattern specials here for you to purchase if you'd like.

~~~~~

As a special pre-Christmas offer, and to help with your own Christmas sewing, I have two pattern bundle offers this week!

Available at the special price of just $6, and only until Friday 7th October, you can purchase this three-pattern PDF bundle (normally $14 when purchased separately).

The Xmas Tea Set...

Plum Pudding Table Centre...

... and the "We Believe In Xmas" quilt!

BUNDLE 1 : $6 AUD (approx. $5.90 USD) for all three patterns pictured above, emailed to you within 12 hours of payment!

In the second special Christmas Bundle I have another three patterns!

This set is $8 AUD for the pdf pattern bundle only until Friday 7th October.

They would normally cost you $18 if purchased separately, so this is quite a saving!

A Christmas Story Quilt...

...Daisy Christmas Runner...

...and It Even Smells Like Christmas cinnamon scented wallhanging!

BUNDLE 2 : $8 AUD (approx. $7.80 USD) for all three patterns pictured above, emailed to you within 12 hours of payment!

Have a wonderful week!

I'll be stitching new things, will you?

Hugs

Jenny

xxx

Home, sweet home...oh yeh.

2011-10-02T19:57:00.000+10:00

We are home!

Our 1000+klm Far Ride in 24 hours was fantastic, but oh, my tired behind is happy to be home. Same boots, same jeans, same socks...you get to a point - at about the 800klm point - where you just want to hit the shower and scrape off the sweat, dust and cinders (we rode through a bushfire).

Home was soooo appreciated when we turned the last corner and caught sight of our front gate. But let me start at the beginning...

We rose at 4.30am, had a quick coffee, some strawberries and yoghurt, and rode off at 5am. It was dark and cool, but an hour into the ride the sun made an appearance...

..and quickly we warmed. I had relished the early cool air because I knew it was only a matter of hours before we'd be scorched in the tropical sun.

And we were! It was a long hot ride down the coast before turning west from Mackay to our mountain destination, Eungella. This was only our second short stop in 6 hours. We just had to hydrate with some long cool iced teas!

We also needed a break before the ride up the mountain!

It is a very steep ascent with hairpin curves all the way and sheer cliff drops along the road side...

It was so worth it, though!

The view from the Eungella Chalet was breathtaking. They even have a ramp for hang-gliders to leap from!

The rules of this Far Ride were for all participants to arrive at the Eungella Chalet between 11.30am-midday.

There were so many riders arriving with us, and I was glad to see a couple of other pillion wives as well.

We even caught up with John and Andrea, fellow Ulyssians from the Townsville chapter. We had camped with them at Mt Surprise in July! (you can read about that trip HERE)

Once the formalities of signing in was over it was time for lunch and socialising....

then a good peek over that cliff drop...

John and Andrea had their camera, so Mr E and I were able to get a rare photo together...

The bandana helped with the helmet hair for the first 600 klms, then it was useless. However, long rides like this don't happen all the time so I'll be wearing a bandana for our regular 250-300 klms rides on Mr E's days off from work.

In case you wondered, there were a couple of riders that arrived 20 minutes late and couldn't be counted in. Poor guys! We heard them roaring up the last of the mountain, only to discover they hadn't made it before midday.

All up we had around 60 people who had ridden from Victoria, Northern Territory, ACT, NSW, and of course Queensland. Mr E finally met many of the people he knows through an internet riding forum, and stories were shared back and forth over the 90 minutes we all spent at Eungella.

Of course, the time ended too soon before we had to ride back down the mountain and off to our various locations to complete the 1000 klms.

A few hours later Mr E and I were heading back up the coast between Mackay and Proserpine when we hit a roadblock. Bushfire!

30 minutes later - hot, thirsty, and covered in cinders, the road was opened and we continued on our way.

I was glad to see the bush firemen had saved a sugar cane crop, and averted the fire from claiming the home of the plantation owners. Our bush fireman certainly are amazing men and women, and with Spring temperatures around 36C (97F) all day, they had it tough.

Today we are sunburnt, sore, and tired - but happy. Can't wait to do another Far Ride in the future!

Hope your weekend was just as great!

Hugs

Jenny

xxx