Prayers work!

  Thanks so much for your prayers yesterday……we came out of Cyclone Anthony pretty unscathed. He decided to take a turn and crossed just north of Bowen, which is about 100kms south of us.  Apparently towns like Bowen and Mackay got up to 300ml of rain and lost power but they were spared any damage which is wonderful! They have predicted another cyclone, 5 times the size of Anthony, to hit the coast on Thursday, so please keep prayers up for all in Queensland.   I think I’ll have to pack all of my sewing gear up and hide it under the bed with me! sugary hugs XXX   Wendy  :o)

Prayers work!

 

Thanks so much for your prayers yesterday……we came out of Cyclone Anthony pretty unscathed.

He decided to take a turn and crossed just north of Bowen, which is about 100kms south of us.  Apparently towns like Bowen and Mackay got up to 300ml of rain and lost power but they were spared any damage which is wonderful!

They have predicted another cyclone, 5 times the size of Anthony, to hit the coast on Thursday, so please keep prayers up for all in Queensland.   I think I’ll have to pack all of my sewing gear up and hide it under the bed with me!

sugary hugs

XXX   Wendy  :o)

The Calm before the storm

  This was what greeted me as I left my house this morning to go to school  to help move things away from windows, unplug electrical items, computers, interactive whiteboards, phones etc in preparation for Cyclone Anthony this evening. It is predicted to cross within 100km of us so we are expecting lots of rain and some strong winds….it is currently only a category 1 with the possibility of it developing into a category 2 before it crosses the coast.  Currently, at a category 1, it is travelling at 120km/hr .  A category 2 storm travels between 125-165km/hr.  You can follow Anthony’s movements here. But at the moment, it is really eerie…..things are calm….there are no birds flying about, the air is relatively still seeing a cyclone is nearing us, the sky is dull and there is little movement about the town.  The car dealers in the main street have moved their display vehicles out of their premises and now, it’s just a waiting game! But we aren’t too concerned with TC Anthony……he’s only a little bubba.  There is a prediction….forecast…..call it what you will…..for a larger cyclone to hit later in the week.  A low currently northwest of Fiji is forecast to develop into a tropical cyclone and move west into the region on Tuesday.  Reports say it could be category 4 or 5…..travelling at over 225km/hr, we could be in for a wild ride!!! Well, with all this build up, what is a girl to do?????  Sew, of course!!! Here’s some sneakies of my Vintage Turnovers flimsy I told you about.  I’ve finished the top, now to sandwich and quilt.  That will be done next weekend!   You can get your own freebie pattern here.  Thanks for pointing us in the right direction Khris!!! And I’ve been catching up on some Raggedy stitching too….  onto stitcheries for block 3…… Wind’s starting to pick up and the rain’s beginning to fall…..I’d better think about getting off the computer! Sugary hugs XXX Wendy :o)

The Calm before the storm

 

This was what greeted me as I left my house this morning to go to school  to help move things away from windows, unplug electrical items, computers, interactive whiteboards, phones etc in preparation for Cyclone Anthony this evening.

It is predicted to cross within 100km of us so we are expecting lots of rain and some strong winds….it is currently only a category 1 with the possibility of it developing into a category 2 before it crosses the coast.  Currently, at a category 1, it is travelling at 120km/hr .  A category 2 storm travels between 125-165km/hr.  You can follow Anthony’s movements here.

But at the moment, it is really eerie…..things are calm….there are no birds flying about, the air is relatively still seeing a cyclone is nearing us, the sky is dull and there is little movement about the town.  The car dealers in the main street have moved their display vehicles out of their premises and now, it’s just a waiting game!

But we aren’t too concerned with TC Anthony……he’s only a little bubba.  There is a prediction….forecast…..call it what you will…..for a larger cyclone to hit later in the week.  A low currently northwest of Fiji is forecast to develop into a tropical cyclone and move west into the region on Tuesday.  Reports say it could be category 4 or 5…..travelling at over 225km/hr, we could be in for a wild ride!!!

Well, with all this build up, what is a girl to do?????  Sew, of course!!!

Here’s some sneakies of my Vintage Turnovers flimsy I told you about.  I’ve finished the top, now to sandwich and quilt.  That will be done next weekend!   You can get your own freebie pattern here.  Thanks for pointing us in the right direction Khris!!!

And I’ve been catching up on some Raggedy stitching too….  onto stitcheries for block 3……

Wind’s starting to pick up and the rain’s beginning to fall…..I’d better think about getting off the computer!

Sugary hugs

XXX Wendy :o)

Aussie Pride

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!" Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"   Written by Peter Dodds McCormick in the late 1800’s,  this song was submitted for consideration after a competition organised by our then prime minister, Gough Whitlam, to find a suitable replacement for “God Save the Queen”, revealed no suitable submissions. It then became one of three recommendations for our new National Anthem and won with an overwhelming response on the polls  and, in 1984, was adopted as our official National Anthem. My year 6/7 class and I dissected the above two verses from this song…. our National Anthem…… together yesterday. When you really stop and think about the words and what they mean, the song hasn’t lost its gloss…..even after 100+ years……. it gives you goosebumps and makes you proud, even in adversity, to be an Aussie! I can feel a barby coming on!!!! Happy Australia Day everyone! and many, Sugary hugs XXX Wendy :0)

Aussie Pride

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil,
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in Nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia fair!
In joyful strains then let us sing,
"Advance Australia fair!"

Beneath our radiant southern Cross,
We'll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To advance Australia fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing
"Advance Australia fair!"

  Written by Peter Dodds McCormick in the late 1800’s,  this song was submitted for consideration after a competition organised by our then prime minister, Gough Whitlam, to find a suitable replacement for “God Save the Queen”, revealed no suitable submissions.

It then became one of three recommendations for our new National Anthem and won with an overwhelming response on the polls  and, in 1984, was adopted as our official National Anthem.

My year 6/7 class and I dissected the above two verses from this song…. our National Anthem…… together yesterday. When you really stop and think about the words and what they mean, the song hasn’t lost its gloss…..even after 100+ years……. it gives you goosebumps and makes you proud, even in adversity, to be an Aussie!

I can feel a barby coming on!!!!

Happy Australia Day everyone!

and many,

Sugary hugs

XXX Wendy :0)

A laugh is a smile that bursts *_/*

  It never fails to amaze me, the loving and giving community of bloggers we have around us supporting us when the chips are down. I would assume you are all aware of the flood relief auctions which finished yesterday?  Well my winning bidder of the lovely roll of 3 inch strips of Nancy Halvorsen fabrics was

Shauna from Alberta, Canada! See what I mean????   Bloggyville is a wonderful place full of magnificent caring people who don’t mind supporting people they don’t even know, halfway across the world!  I’d love for you to visit Shana’s blog by clicking on her name above.  She shares some beautiful things and you know she has a beautiful heart when you visit her blog and you are greeted with this lovely quote: …isn’t that just gorgeous!!???   Made a smile come to my lips straight away!  Thanks Shauna….on behalf of Queensland, we loves ya! Must share some quickies I made the other day…..I had the stitching urge but wanted some quick gifts to put away for ‘a rainy day’…..you know, those times when you have an unexpected celebration but nothing on hand????  Well, these aren’t for those ‘big’ events, but I’ve already given two away and they were very warmly received….

I started with these…. …..and within the hour, I’d had the eight of them snug as a bug in a rug!   Great standby gift!  The pattern was in  the Fall 2009 edition of Quilts and More.  It’s a great way to use up some scraps! You may have noticed the new OPAM 2011 blog button on my sidebar….nominations opened today so I recommend you go on over to Peg or Kris’s blog to sign up….it’s only open to the first 200 bloggers so you better be quick!   I found it to be a fantastic way to motivate me to, at least, get something crafty done each month and keep on track!  Go on, sign up…..you know you want to! Sugary hugs XXX Wendy :0)

A laugh is a smile that bursts *\_/*

 

It never fails to amaze me, the loving and giving community of bloggers we have around us supporting us when the chips are down.

I would assume you are all aware of the flood relief auctions which finished yesterday?  Well my winning bidder of the lovely roll of 3 inch strips of Nancy Halvorsen fabrics was

Shauna

from Alberta, Canada!

See what I mean????   Bloggyville is a wonderful place full of magnificent caring people who don’t mind supporting people they don’t even know, halfway across the world! 

I’d love for you to visit Shana’s blog by clicking on her name above.  She shares some beautiful things and you know she has a beautiful heart when you visit her blog and you are greeted with this lovely quote:

…isn’t that just gorgeous!!???   Made a smile come to my lips straight away!  Thanks Shauna….on behalf of Queensland, we loves ya!

Must share some quickies I made the other day…..I had the stitching urge but wanted some quick gifts to put away for ‘a rainy day’…..you know, those times when you have an unexpected celebration but nothing on hand????  Well, these aren’t for those ‘big’ events, but I’ve already given two away and they were very warmly received….

I started with these….

…..and within the hour, I’d had the eight of them snug as a bug in a rug!   Great standby gift!  The pattern was in  the Fall 2009 edition of Quilts and More.  It’s a great way to use up some scraps!

You may have noticed the new OPAM 2011 blog button on my sidebar….nominations opened today so I recommend you go on over to Peg or Kris’s blog to sign up….it’s only open to the first 200 bloggers so you better be quick!   I found it to be a fantastic way to motivate me to, at least, get something crafty done each month and keep on track!  Go on, sign up…..you know you want to!

Sugary hugs

XXX Wendy :0)

Last chances…..

  Don’t forget today is the last chance you have to bid on the auctions organised by Toni and her sister….just click on the button above and you can see all the auctions on offer….or…… bid on this beauty     mmmmmmmmmmm…..yummy Peppermints and Hollyberries…..even sounds delish doesn’t it!!??? This can be yours by leaving your bid with your comment….bidding is currently at $80 for these FIFTY-SEVEN 3-inch strips of loveliness by Nancy Halvorsen .  If you’re not quite sure of the conditions, check out the blog post here for the full details. Queensland thanks you! XXX Sugary hugs Wendy :0)

Last chances…..

 

Don’t forget today is the last chance you have to bid on the auctions organised by Toni and her sister….just click on the button above and you can see all the auctions on offer….or……

bid on this beauty

 

 

mmmmmmmmmmm…..yummy Peppermints and Hollyberries…..even sounds delish doesn’t it!!???

This can be yours by leaving your bid with your comment….bidding is currently at $80 for these FIFTY-SEVEN 3-inch strips of loveliness by Nancy Halvorsen .  If you’re not quite sure of the conditions, check out the blog post here for the full details.

Queensland thanks you!

XXX Sugary hugs

Wendy :0)

Wanna be a winner in a Flood Relief Auction???

Well, all you need do is bid on my auction!
I have a roll of 57 (yep, fifty-seven!!!)  x 3 inch wide strips consisting of two of Nancy Halvorsen’s ranges of fabrics – Peppermints & Hollyberries and 12 Days of Christmas valued at approximately $80AUD and  pictured here…


How this auction works:
1.  Bidding will start at $30 (Australian).
2.  You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address.  Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.  
3.  Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.
4.  This auction is open to everyone.  Postage is $10 for the winner for mailing within Australia, if you are an International winner, you will need to pay $25 postage to cover costs.                           5.  The auction begins NOW and will END at midnight on Monday 24th January 2011.                                                                     6.  At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address).  The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email.  Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your prize to you.           7.  Thankyou for participating and happy bidding!
Thanks so much for doing your bit for such a worthy cause!
Sugary hugs and blessings
XXX Wendy  80)

Wanna be a winner in a Flood Relief Auction???

Well, all you need do is bid on my auction!
I have a roll of 57 (yep, fifty-seven!!!)  x 3 inch wide strips consisting of two of Nancy Halvorsen’s ranges of fabrics – Peppermints & Hollyberries and 12 Days of Christmas valued at approximately $80AUD and  pictured here…


How this auction works:
1.  Bidding will start at $30 (Australian).
2.  You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address.  Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.  
3.  Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.
4.  This auction is open to everyone.  Postage is $10 for the winner for mailing within Australia, if you are an International winner, you will need to pay $25 postage to cover costs.                           5.  The auction begins NOW and will END at midnight on Monday 24th January 2011.                                                                     6.  At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address).  The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email.  Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your prize to you.           7.  Thankyou for participating and happy bidding!
Thanks so much for doing your bit for such a worthy cause!
Sugary hugs and blessings
XXX Wendy  80)

Better late than never…

  I had the best news yesterday……my SSCS gift finally arrived at its destination – Portugal – yesterday!!!!!   I had given up hope for poor Noemia who has been waiting patiently since November and I had almost lost faith in the postal system !!!! Here is what I made Noemia…. Stars of Bethlehem I’ve copied the photo from Noemia’s blog as my photos were nowhere near as good as hers!!!   It is the table runner that was in Creating Country Threads Christmas Special Vol 11 No 3 by Karen Gledhill.   …and the ornament was inspired by one of the stitcheries on the corner of the runner….I just personalised it a little…can you see I used Cottage Garden variegated thread??   My favourite at the moment! Chooky assured me it WOULD get there…..but I was unsure……thanks Chooky for your unwavering belief in the posty….I now have a renewed faith in him too…the world over! You’ve probably also read about another bloggy friend of mine who came to visit me on the weekend here. It never ceases to amaze me how you can go through a boring period in your life and then suddenly, you meet someone new who you just seem to ‘click’ with. Jenny is one of those people and she has come to mean a great deal to me.  I have such great admiration for her, her values, respect for others, her understanding and thoughtfulness, her unselfish ways, her forward thinking , her love for her family,  her creativity and thinking ‘outside the box’ and her inspiration to me and others.   it is something special when you can laugh, cry and talk non-stop for hours and it feels like only minutes and when the day is up, you don’t want it to end….and all this after only three face-to-face meetings.   I’m so thankful to have met Jenny through blogging…..I know you know what I mean!!!  Friendships forged here are truly special! Poor Bloss couldn’t make it but Jen and dear Mr Elefantz made the trek downhill to the Burdekin and with the help of a rough mudmap, found their way to my house. Jen brought me some lovely gifts……. a beautiful make-up/lingerie bag  (I think I’ll use it for make up….a bit old for lingerie!!!! LOL) I wish you had smell-o-puter….the lovely rose fragranced soap is amazing…. and a very special apron that Jen talked about here but Blossom left her mark with her own little stamp of creativity… Like Mother, like daughter…..you two little creative bunnies, you!!!! With the flood relief on my mind, I’ve been working on this to send to those who have lost all their worldly creative goodies, with the thought that they know that despite not being there to help, we are definitely “with” them If you can, visit the Gum Tree Designs Flood Appeal to see how you can help too. and don’t forget…….the Flood Appeal Auctions organised by the lovely Toni and her sister….I’m auctioning this HUGE roll of Nancy Halverson fabric …which you can bid on here. Now is not the time to forget about each other, especially when we CAN do something to help another person….anywhere, anytime! Sugary hugs XXX Wendy  :0)