Out and about!

You're probably sick and tired of hearing me go on about the heat here, but boy, it's HOT!!
My sewing room is a sauna.
Both it, and Blossom's room, are on the west side of the house and take the brunt of the afternoon heat, so yesterday Mr Elefantz took us away from our well baked little country town and across to the Big Smoke for a day of shopping.
It's 130 kilometres to Townsville from here so we only go in every 6-8 weeks, but it's an opportunity to stock up on things we can't buy in Charters Towers.
First I stopped in at the Tinkers Cart for some Cosmo threads, but they only had a handful of colours. Tracy assures me the full range is coming soon, so next time I visit I can probably send Mr Elefantz broke and buy loads!
Spotlight was next and I found all these sweet bits and pieces for projects next year, plus Slicer bought me a new cutting mat and a new 12 1/2 inch square rule for Christmas.

We dropped by Officeworks to replenish our stationary supplies, and I found these! A new *pink* mousepad, and a *pink* sticky note dispenser. As soon as Blossom saw the sticky note dispenser she was off to get one for herself...meanwhile Mr Elefantz bought her a lovely big office chair to make next year's late nights of study a bit more comfy on her back.

Before we left Officeworks my sweet Mr Elefantz bought me my Christmas gift - a new laptop! I've only ever owned an old 2nd hand one and never complained about it at all, so this was a huge surprise! I can't show you a photo yet because it's not allowed to be played with until Christmas Day. :-)

All in all it was a lovely, but long, day in the city.
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Today some parcels arrived!
(Do you love parcels as much as I!?)
From Hancocks, some lovely Glace turnovers and honey buns, plus three sweet Rouennaries charm packs and yardage...all for small quilts to adorn our walls.

And from my favourite book store, Book Depository, "Knitting Little Luxuries" arrived....

...which has these beautiful fingerless gloves that Blossom wants to make,

...and this sublime shoulder shrug that I'd love for myself. I am assured that the nights here will be cool come winter, so this may be just right for a little warmth on our evening stroll.

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Even though it's so hot I have been working hard to piece Blossom's quilt in time for Christmas. Today I did all the square-in-a-square blocks - and every seam has matched perfectly! I'm using the same 'go slow' technique I use for my backstitch, with lots of measuring along the way. Just taking that extra time to check that each block is a true 6 1/2 inch square means a lovely straight border all round, ready for the next border to be added tomorrow.

Tonight I'm back to some hand stitching and finish a few little gifts, then maybe another browse through the knitting book...with a tub of gelato for company! Mmmm!!

Hugs
Jenny
xxx