Monday, September 28, 2009

Bits and pieces....

Remember our nightly dinner guest, Maggie? And her wee baby, Charli?
Well Charli is not so *wee* anymore! He still arrives clinging to Maggie's back but I have no idea how she carries him - he's quite a big lad now! One thing about Charli though, he is camera shy, unlike his mother. You can see him scooting off last night after I lifted the camera to my eye....

...and he went and hid between the corrugated iron roof and the shadecloth over the outside laundry area, WITH his apple of course. So now we're feeding the two of them.

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Do you use a thimble? I can't stand them, but early this year I came across this wonderful little contraption!

It's very easy to use, and adheres to the tip of your finger. It's been wonderful not to have a bleeding hole in my right index finger anymore!
What is your favourite sewing *helper*?
~~~~~
Do you love to stitch BOMs?
Val Laird is a lovely Aussie designer whose projects I have loved since I first picked up the needle just 4 years ago. Did you know she has a free BOM? Five of the blocks are already up, but the project won't finish until February - just in time for Valentine's Day - so you have time to stitch them all before then. I love the colours and the sentiments. Thank you for sharing such a pretty BOM, Val!

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It's only a couple of days now until all 9 Gum Tree Designers giveaways are drawn! I can't wait!! (And if you've been reading our combined blog you'll be getting excited about the sneak peeks we're sharing of the free Christmas Stitcheries that begin in just one week!)

Have you seen Dawn's parcel of goodies for her giveaway winner? Just click on her button below and you can see for yourself! She also has a new free stitchery to download....it's especially nice if you love cake of the chocolate kind. ;-)

~~~~~
Tomorrow we're off to the big city because I am picking up something very special...a surprise from my darling husband. Can you guess what it is??

Hugs
Jenny
xxx

PS: In just 24 hours we've gone from 2 entries in the Sewing Machine Mat Challenge to 12!! Way to go girls!! Now come on everyone else...you've got 3 sewing days to make one and go in the draw for that gorgeous book!! You can do it!! Check the links in the sidebar and see what the other ladies have made. :-) You'll be inspired!

20 comments:

Lurline said...

Lots to look forward to - can't guess what the surprise might be?could be a Porsche or a Poodle! Hugs - Lurline♥

Margie said...

Thanks Jenny, Just what I needed, another BOM. I guess I might need to join a club for this addiction. Have almost gave up most of my other addictions for this one, but it is so much fun. Am so glad to have people like you and the others who can draw, (not one of my talents) and share their talents. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Please help me - what is a BOM? :)

Unknown said...

Thanks Jenny for sending me over to Val Laird's blog and I sure love her Love verses from Paul's letter to the Corinthians. I can't wait to do this one. I have just finished Gail Pan's free Christmas BOM and I am very pleased with that. Check out my blog site if you would like a peek. I replaced her last Christmas word MAGIC with my own word of FAITH.

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

I love your little guests. And wonder how many you will have next year :)

Maria said...

I was thinking the same as Anne-Lise. Might be a whole tribe. Are they noisy??

Oh thanks will check out the BOM Stitchery.

Anonymous said...

Oh Charli and Maggie are just too cute, hugs xxx

Crispy said...

Odd that Charli is so shy since he has been visiting for so long. I've never used a thimble for stitchery but I haven't poked a whole yet either...not that I stitch as much as you do LOL.

I would be interested in seeing how you hold your project while you stitch.

Crispy

Joy said...

Oh Jen I love your nocturnal visitors. Charlie is HUGE now ... I'm surprised he's so shy since Maggie has been visiting so long. Have fun tomorrow dear one :o)!!!
Love & Hugs,
Joy :o)

Loralynn said...

I just can't get over how darling your possums are! Ours are so ugly here in the States! I have looked at those thimbles and wondered how well they work, I'm going to have to give them a try, thanks for the review! Have fun tomorrow!

Allie said...

Look how big Charli is! How sweet they are.
That thimble tip is metal, so it doesn't wear out? Those leather ones do wear out after a time - I know, I've put my needle right through them, lol.
Thanks for the heads up on the lovely BOM - I need to figure out how to read blogs while stitching, I've got so many to do now, lol!
I can't WAIT til you get back....can't wait can't wait....

jugglingpaynes said...

They are so cute! Don't you love it when a wild creature decides you are good person? :o)

Our wild friends are a bit more timid, except for one chickadee that will take seeds from my hand in the winter.

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

craft-crazed said...

those sticky finger things! I HAVE to get some they were telling me about them at my sit n sew last thursday because my thumb is always bleeding from hand quilting.. Im so excited!

Leslie said...

Jenny,
Thanks for sharing the link to Val's BOM. It's very cute and may just be the perfect gift for someone :)

I seem to think I know about all of the BOM's but they keep popping up all over the web. It's hard to keep up with all of them but I guess as long as we save them, they may come in handy at some point :)

Leslie

Robin in New Jersey said...

I don't use a thimble either! My grandmother would always scould me about it. I wondered if you used one with all the stitching you do.

Carrie P. said...

I have been collecting those BOM. Haven't started them. Still trying to catch up with yours.
I do use a thimble when I quilt but use little plastic clear pads made by the same company. I like to use it when I am appliqueing.

retdairyqueen said...

Another lovely must do project in Country Threds Well done

Miriam said...

Thank you for the thimble hint. I don't sew with one and I got very sore finger with all the sewing I did on the weekend. I will be looking out for those spots.

I love my quilters needle threader!!

Cute possums!!!

Wendyb said...

Hi Jenny, I have just finished my sewing machine mat for the challenge and added it to my blog. I'm off now to have a look at everyone else's!!
Thanks for the challenge...was easy and quick and useable and cute and.....and......and.....!!!!!
;o) Wendy B

mbroider said...

Thanks for the free BOM links you post from time to time, Jenny!!

I have finished my very first applique project - from Vicci's Notions of the Heart BOM. I am so happy i have a new hobby now:)