It’s been a LOONG time between blog posts (anyone still out there??) but school has finished (no more school lunches for SIX whole weeks), there’s been Carols, gymnastic displays, a bit of shopping, lots of cooking (but no Christmas Card writing I’m afraid…..normally I’m not big on the email version of Christmas greetings but prefer the old-fashioned card in the mail but this year it’s looking like that’s what it is going to be from our house….)

Also had a lovely dinner with the UFO girls, lots of laughter, great food, more laughter, our challenges revealed and declarations made for next year.

And today the girls and I delivered a car load of ‘holiday things’ to Sewjourn.  Whilst I love having other people stay at Sewjourn, love the fact that others enjoy it too and have thoroughly enjoyed this year and met so many great people through the whole experience I must admit I do get excited when it comes to this time of year and we can go and relax there for a few weeks ourselves!!!  Today we cleaned, packed the cupboards with our food and clothes and generally made the place ‘ours’ again so that when we arrive a few days after Christmas it will be straight into relaxing!  (I’m hoping there will be a bit of creating in there too – and I’ve probably already delivered more projects than I’ll get through but no doubt I’ll cart a few more up next week too).

Of course, after such a busy year of visitors (with an even busier one set for next year) there are a few maintenance things to do.  The first is new ironing board covers….DONE!

And don’t let these few photos of flowers fool you…….there’s plenty of gardening to be done!

Mind you, the pumpkins that have appeared amongst the lavender are doing VERY well!  This photo was taken last week and they are about three times the size now!

And if you are in Melbourne and happen to get on tram 253 have a look for this art work inside………………..

My parents came down on Tuesday to visit daughter No. 2 for her recent birthday but I was lucky enough to receive a a present as well!

Using the left-over wool from this  gorgeous rug that she made, my Mum has crotcheted this divine throw, using a pattern from Sackville and Lane.

I LOVE IT!  It’s meant for the other bed in this room at Sewjourn………

……..but it looks good on my couch at home at the moment………..

Oops I’ve pretty much fallen off the Blogtoberfest wagon………  Well done to all those who have managed to post each day. And a huge WELL DONE to Tinniegirl and Curly Pops  for their initiative, organisation and hard work!

And what have I been doing?  Well I had a FABULOUS weekend away at Sewjourn with some girlfriends from church.  There was much chatter, lots of laughter, eating, sharing……and a bit of creating as well. 

It was a glorious day for the Farmers Market on Saturday.

Followed by a frantic week of car buying (yes, I finally have my dream car – a Honda Odyssey!! I figure it’s the people mover we need without being a bus) and holiday organising (off to Byron Bay tomorrow in the NEW CAR – just as well don’t think the other one would have made it that far!) and work (still so far behind) and well…….no blogging.

But, I do have a giveaway!  In September I had a giveaway to celebrate one year of Sewjourn and four girls won the chance to come with a friend and spend a day sewing at Sewjourn on Saturday January 30th.  Unfortunately one of the winners emailed me to say that she can no longer come along on that date (she was extremely keen to be travelling down from NSW anyway!) SO there is now ONE MORE SPOT AVAILABLE.  Simply leave me a comment on this post if you are interested in coming to spend the day crafting awayand relaxing and enjoying with like-minded souls on 30 January.  And you can even bring a friend.  It’s sure to be fun…….last year we had a ball.  Leave your comment by 1st November but I can’t promise when I will draw a winner - it will depend on internet access availability…….and if I can drag myself away from the beach to the computer!

Now must go and pack, and finish that last overdue block for Around the Block……..and get some sleep before the big drive.

What a  spectactular day to be here!!

Blue skies, peaceful – even the garden is at it’s best at this time of year! 

So excited about the weekend ahead – just waiting for friends to arrive now……..

Have brought too many projects to do yet again!  But first on the list of priorities is Around the Block swaps!  These gorgeous fabrics arrived from Lara yesterday – which means I have 3 blocks to complete to stay up to date.

Hopefully there will be some completed UFOs to show by Sunday night!  Have a good weekend.

Just a quick word today in keeping with Blogtoberfest……don’t have much time as I am getting ready for a lovely relaxing, creative weekend at Sewjourn with some friends!  Yay – can’t wait.  But just popped in to say that Tinniegirl has just announced her Art Retreat in April next year……..it sounds great so pop on over and have a look…….but be quick I’m sure it will fill up fast!!

Girls if you are wanting to book a weekend up at Sewjourn now’s your chance! There’s only a handful of weekends still available for next year….and until tonight we were basically booked out for the remainder of 2009.  But not only as I mentioned a couple of weeks ago  is the weekend of 13-15 November now available but I’ve found out only just tonight that there is a cancellation (my first one ever so I guess I can’t complain!) for 20-22 November also.  So if you think you would like a crafty getaway before Christmas and either of these weekends suit just contact me  ASAP.

And if you are planning some time at Sewjourn next year then check the availability calendar soon to choose your dates. We take bookings up to 12 months in advance and would love you to come to relax, create and enjoy!

Uploaded from Don’t Look Now blog

I’m sure you’ve seen Kellie’s gorgeous work……..even though she’s only been quilting for a couple of years she produces the most amazing quilts and has had quite a few published in Homespun. 

Uploaded from Don’t Look Now blog

And the exciting news is that Kellie is coming to Sewjourn in February for a Weekend Workshop.  Further details will be available very soon but I can tell you it will be on the weekend of 5-7 Feburary 2010 and places will be limited.  So if you think you might be interested in coming along to spend the weekend at Sewjourn AND do workshops with Kellie then leave me a comment or email me.   Me……..I can’t wait!!!

At Sewjourn……….well needed.

Lots of hard work………

….looking good!

Original idea – Yoyo curtain for the Princess Room at Sewjourn.

Photo – old as left camera up in Lancefield tonight whilst popping home for work and netball tomorrow.

Found (by daughters in cupboard under stairs whilst converting into a cubby house during school holidays) – extra bag of yoyos for curtain.

Measured – window in door of Princess Room to calculate how many yoyos needed – answer 504.

Counted – yoyos done – 236!!!  Not even half way there!

Aim – 4 yoyos per day and it will be finished by Christmas (?wishful thinking!)

It’s sunny and we are on holidays at Sewjourn…….yay!

…….And it’s only the girls and I so I guess that’s a lot of projects for just a couple of days! Oh well!