Thursday, December 10, 2009

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.
~~~~~
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.

~~~~~
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

23 comments:

Jude said...

You lucky girl a new laptop and all the other goodies, you sure had Xmas come early this year. looking forward to seeing what you make from that lovely fabric.

Janice said...

You did have a big day out. Very spoilt with your Christmas gift. I have also just bought some Rouenneries fabric - a jelly roll, a charm pack and a bit of yardage. No, I don't know what I will make as yet. I'm sure inspiration will come.

PatchworkRose said...

Love your fabric goodies. Blossoms quilt is bright and cheerful too :-)
Cheerrs
Lynne

Vickie said...

oh my a trip to the big smoke, I am glad you made it home safely...lovely bit's n bobs you got there..and the mail package is yummy..Blossoms quilt is looking beautifulll-I just know she is sure going to treasure that,cheers Vickie

Fee said...

Blossom's quilt is looking fantastic. Love the pink sticky notes :)

Abby and Stephanie said...

Gorgeous projects in the knitting book. I'd be happy to snow some winter your way...I awoke to snow.

SewLindaAnn said...

What a wonderful family day you all had! I do love getting parcels, got a small one from Hancock's yesterday. It's neat to know people from all around the world are too. Have a great day, stay cool!

Colleen said...

Blossom's quilt is coming along nicely. Have fun with your new laptop. Can't wait to see what you are going to do with that new fabric.

Shari said...

What a wonderful day with delightful gifts... that knitting book looks interesting... too bad I don't knit (and probably won't ever) - Blossom's quilt looks just so cool and lovely so far... If you are going to be in CT for a while better get some shade on that west side! Quick growing trees or shade cloth or something! I'm sure it's a reasonable request that the school could assist with... thinking of you!!
Hugs - Shari

Maggey and Jim said...

What a wonderful trip and well deserved I'm sure..Blossom knits.. wow.. love the 2 pieces. gloves similar to that are in style here cept for winter, tips fold back and expose fingers so you don't have to take them off. The quilt is coming along nicely. I always love getting an order in the post. One of my favs is PRIMITIVE GATHERINGS. I am doing a few wool projects.. Too hot there for them.. haha
Hugs, Maggey

Betty said...

How fun to read your blog, Jenny! We have the opposite of your temperatures...woke up to -5 degrees F but with the wind it is the same as -21 degrees F.....soooooo the quilts and knitted items sound pretty cozy!

Maria said...

It was so nice for the family to go shopping. You purchased some lovely things. wow a new laptop for Xmas. You must have been a good girl.
Blossoms quilt is looking good.

Cattinka said...

The quilt looks more like the "english teagarden" every day!
I´m happy for you that you had such a nice shopping trip!
KATRIN W.

Chocolate Cat said...

Sounds like a great day of shopping and what lovely parcels to come home to, that knitting book!!!

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Jenny,
Hm, I've been saying how much I dislike shopping, however after reading about your round trip to Townsville for some decent shopping-I think I'll stop complaining.

I really dislike grocery shopping though. All those hours for most of it to end up in the toilet.

Oh, some surpriser your hubby is-but what a great gift for Christmas, a new lap top.
Hugs,
Anna

Micki said...

The blossom quilt is just lovely! I can't imagine hot, as it is winter here.
Micki

Dawn said...

wow, so blessed... I love the quilt for precious Blossom,she'll love it....that knitting book is divine... I love it... must try to get one... I love the gloves and shawl....so victorian...
Now those buys from your shopping trip look like lots of sewing work to do and I can't wait to see what your making with it...Lol.... those little keys and bits... bery interesting..
Love ya..
Hugs Dawn x x x

SheilaC said...

What a fun day of shopping you had!!

You are dying of heat, and we have a fresh 8" pile of snow on the ground!

I just LOVE those fingerless gloves!!

SheilaC

FlourishingPalms said...

This morning, with the wind chill factor, it was -28C here in Iowa, USA. Too cold for man or beast. And we have 40 cm of fresh snow making huge drifts. Seems like we ought to be able to blend a little of our weathers, don't you think?

Dolores said...

What a gorgeous knitting book. I put fingerless gloves on my Christmas list but I have not seen anything as pretty as those. Good luck to Blossom to knitting them. Well, now that you know about your Christmas presents I do hope Santa brings you something for under the tree - a wee surprise.
BTW, I like how Blossom's quilt is coming along. Lucky girl.

Dolores said...

What a gorgeous knitting book. I have fingerless gloves on my Christmas list. Those ones that Blossom wants to make are way more pretty than anything I have seen. Now that you know what your men have gotten you for Christmas, I do hope Santa brings you something under the tree - a wee surprise.
BTW, I love the way Blossom's quilt is turning out - Lucky girl.

Country Nanny said...

I love shopping and I loooveee all this goodies!!! Santa Claus has arrived early in Charter Towers!! You must be a very good girl!!!
Lol
Elisa

manda said...

Are you kidding? You're more than welcome to complain about the heat. I know I am. You and me, we're just as hot as each other....I mean our towns are...yours is just a little more humid I think, which actually makes it worse! Yep, 130kms east. You mean there is no spotlight in town...damn. Coolies! Pink! Oh wow, I actually got a new lounge chair for Xmas...well am getting one anyhow...
Awesome! A new laptop? He is just so good to you. Looks like he sent himself broke and didn't need your buying all that Cosmo thread to do so! lol
Nice books! The fingerless gloves are gorgeous! But thinking about winter and knitting in this heat would send me mad...if I could knit. Hey, check out the gloves in the photo of the shawl. lol funky!
Her quilt looks fantastic, and even more fabulous in your newest (above) post!
Hmmm...Jelly is also good to eat in this heat, and are iceblocks! Oh, and mango smoothies! mmmmm!
The bats got into our mangoes last night and had 3 good bites before they flew off. I love them but only if they eat other peoples mangoes!!
Anyway, take care!