Hard to believe that it’s Sunday again already!  There’s not many posts happening in between Sunday Stash ones at the moment – but there’s lots happening in ‘real’ life!  Four nights of gymnastic displays, Grandparents Day at school along with school swimming each day means some tired girls as well!  We did go around looking at Christmas Lights on Friday night until 10.30pm which did not help at all!  It was fun though.  One amazing place worth a look is 13 Narracan Street, Vermont South, if you are in the area.  And Saturday morning I had a very yummy High Tea with a gorgeous group of mums at this place – definately recommended!  Unfortunately I forgot my camera but if I get hold of any of the photos taken I will post them just to show how lovely it is!

Now to the stash………..

A cute Kokka fabric with matryoshka dolls – from one of the road trips.

PS.  Did I mention that I was given an Amitie voucher as ‘thanks’ for coaching Ella’s netball team???  So sometime soon I will be able to add more to the stash………..

……..and they just seem to get better!  Accompanied by lots of fun, chatter and laughing we set off again today, our aim to visit some lovely patchwork shops and spread the word about Sewjourn!  First stop was Patchwork Passion in Cranbourne – we even arrived before the shop was open but the lovely owner let us in.  Then we headed to Craft Quarters at Koo Wee Rup.  Here we also discovered the gorgeous Something Shabby Something Chic which was a treasure trove of goodies – we were well behaved though with only one little jug coming home with us.  (Note to self:  need to go back here one day soon!) 

And last but certainly not least was the always divine Quilters Barn at Loch.  What a great way to spend a day…..and have a few more things to show in Sunday Stash!

Unlike Lara and Bronwyn I didn’t manage to post Sunday Stash on the correct day this week!  Partly because I didn’t get back from Lancefield until after 10pm last night.  Had a great weekend though – while Mal went on a Golf Weekend with 15 other dads from school a friend and I (and 6 girls) took advantage of the fact that Sewjourn was free this weekend. 

The plan was to make (and write) all our Christmas Cards – and the girls were so keen they were over in the studio in their pjs on Sunday morning.

Well, I didn’t get all my cards made but did make some good progress………

As for my stash – here’s a pretty one that I bought from Foothills Fabric and Threads a year or more ago.

This is my second attempt at this post – and let’s just say that my computer and my incredibly SLOW internet connection are really testing my patience!!!!

Tonight was the 6th anniversary of ‘UFO’.  Each Wednesday night a very kind friend has us to her home to stitch, chat and laugh.  Where has that 6 years gone?  There’s been lots of babies come along (and then graduate to staying home with their dads!), lots of good times shared, lots of support given when it’s been needed, a few glasses of champagne drunk, many good recipes tested, lots of projects finished but even more on the go.  It was weekends away with these girls that kindled my idea for Sewjourn.  Thanks ladies!!!  Looking forward to many more years of UFO……….. (I certainly have enough UFO’s to keep me going for lots of years to come!)

(This photo has nothing to do with stitching but it’s colorful and reminds me of a celebration – I took it in Hoi An, Vietnam last year)

Today we set off on our second road trip – this time to Bendigo and Castlemaine.  All three shops visited – Attic Crafts, Honeysuckle Patchwork and Threadbear are absolutely gorgeous and the three of us all walked out with our bags a bit heavier and wallets a bit lighter!  Again it was a really fun day with lots of laughing and lots of chatting……….only this time I forgot to take the camera so you will just have to take my word for it.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway before Friday!

Two friends and I set off today on the first of a few ‘road trips’ around Victoria to visit some patchwork shops – all in the name of marketing for Sewjourn of course!   The gorgeous Drapers of Mt Macedon was the first stop followed by Ballarat Patchwork where we were all so pleased to learn that Emma is no longer selling her business – YEAH!  As always, it’s like being kids in a lolly shop being there.

What a fun day!!!  We already have at least 3 more planned………….

I DO like good coffee but nothing beats a nice cup of tea!  This is a tea cosy, made by my mum, that is in the studio at Sewjourn.

One of my favorite people to have a cup of tea with is coming back from New Zealand to again live just around the corner!  Yay!!!

A lovely friend has just completed this quilt – and as always she has done a beautiful job of stitching and piecing.

I love the wording on the centre block – it sums up what our stitching group is about (and many others too, I’m sure).  The fantastic thing about quilting (and crafting in general) is the bond that’s formed between women.  There’s certainly lots of laughter but there is sharing, supporting and genuine caring too – and that’s important.  And we do learn from each other – not just things about stitching but about life in general.  I am grateful for my journey as a quilter and for all of the people that have been involved in that.  And that is one reason for starting Sewjourn.  I hope everyone that stays there experiences these things.

But back to the quilt – well done Suzie – it is just gorgeous!  (Don’t forget to put a quilt label on it!)

Have just finished Book Club at my house tonight……..and time is ticking away to get today’s post up before the clock strikes 12!  It was great to catch up with the girls in Book Club – we’ve only had a few get-togethers this year as we’ve had a couple of babies born, houses built, sickness and of course renovating.  All back on track now  – though I’m sure the mums of bubs would like a bit more sleep!  Tonight we discussed People of the Book which everyone enjoyed but no-one would rate in their best of all time………apparently Geraldine Brook’s other two books are even better so I am keen to read them.  Next we are reading The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne which sounds good……..it’s more about sharing, laughing, glasses of wine, chocolate and cups of tea than the books anyway – they are just a good excuse!

Yesterday’s crafting was a Working Bee to make the Prep girl’s costumes for the school concert………lots of chatting and laughing along the way made for a fun afternoon.