Kayaking

Yesterday I went kayaking with my friend Trish in the Maroochy River. We also took my dog Peat (aka Shadow, cos he follows me like a shadow all day long, and I take him with me wherever I can). Now Peat is a miniature poodle, and these dogs are supposed to like water, but not this one! He hates that wet stuff! Won't go near a sprinkler, hates his bath, never goes in the pool or the surf, so I figured he would be quite content to sit on the bank of the river and watch while we had all the fun. Wrong! After my first paddle, he was at the edge of the water waiting to get in with me! Thinking it would be a very brief paddle with him, I set off again. Wrong again! He was quite content to stay there ... and stay there. I can only put it down to the fact that he is a boy, and I don't think I'll ever really understand them, despite being surrounded by them all my life.

He doesn't look very concerned, does he?

Peat settled in quite comfortably with Trish.

It was a lovely spot to paddle in!

The water wasn't as bad as it looks in this photo.
Very obviously a beginner at paddling...LOL!

As happy as the proverbial pig in mud!

I also had some fun playing with Photoshop Actions....LOL!

Hope you are all having as much fun as we have been.
cheers, Kate.

Anniversary

My mum and dad celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on 8 November. This is a pretty amazing feat in itself, but even more amazing is that the entire wedding party was present to celebrate it with them.

Tom (Dad's cousin), George (Dad's brother), Dad, Mum, Beryl (Mum's sister), Sybil (Mum's sister)
Tom and Sybil married 4 months later, so their 60th anniversary is coming up in March, 2008.

50th wedding anniversary
Tom, George, Dad, Mum, Sybil (Beryl could not make it that day).

60th wedding anniversary - all present and accounted for.

Tom, George, Dad, Mum, Beryl, Sybil.

Congratulations Mum and Dad.

Sorry!

I am really sorry that time got away from me so much that I haven't posted in more than a month. I've just been so busy with everything, and I kept thinking "I'll post that in my blog", but never got around to doing it.

Since my last post, my #1 son turned 18, my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, I've been to the trade show in Melbourne (Australian Quilt Market), my #2 son finished year 10 and my house has been turned upside down with orders and Christmas preparations.

I promise I'll be more regular from now on.................promise!

Kate

My Dad

Here is your official
Happy Birthday Dad!

Well, it's not really Dad's birthday today..... it was last Sunday the 14th.
I couldn't have him thinking I was playing favourites by posting for Mum's birthday and not for his.... especially when they will have been married for 60 years in November. I didn't want to be the cause of any bickering either (smile).

They are on holidays in Tasmania at the moment, so I know he had a wonderful day, and I will hear more when they get home next week.

Love you Dad.

Haircut Day

I've waited long enough for the weather to warm up sufficiently before getting Peat's hair cut, and he really was just sooo scruffy! I even had to chop bits from around his eyes so he could see. I hadn't planned on getting him shaved close, but he had to have a tooth removed a couple of days ago (he's 11 years old, and hadn't lost any prior to now) and the vet shaved a large chunk from the both his front legs, so that also decided his haircut!

The "before" photo. He looks quite happy, but he shakes the whole way through this ordeal. He is such a huge sook.

One leg done - he looks sort of like a make-do, but with a large pink tongue.

Half the body done and he is getting thinner by the minute. There's not really much of him.

He hates water! So much for poodles being water dogs!

Then comes the high pressure blow dryer.

Nearly finished - just have to neaten up the last bits.

... and who's a pretty boy then!

My boys at home hate the bows he gets in his ears, so I make sure he gets them every time! It's a bit sad when you get your laughs from your pets, isn't it?

Ironically the weather has turned cool and poor Peat has spent the last day and a bit curled up in a tight ball trying to get warm.

Peat was so named because he was black when he was a pup, and peat bogs are black, and that was my association. How did you choose your pet's name?

Music

I've added some music to my blog, which you may have noticed already. I've decided to embed enduring favourites, and include different versions of some. I'll continue to add more later on, but for now I have Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley and also by Leonard Cohen, who wrote this in 1984. Another Leonard Cohen favourite is the haunting song Suzanne.

The Rose, by Bette Midler is also a favourite.

What are your all-time favourites?

I Love...

Strawberries!


This is a really yummy time of the year. They are so sweet and juicy. I love them on their own, with my cereal and yoghurt in the morning, with cream or with ice cream, love them dried and I've even made strawberry jam.

How do you eat your strawberries?

P.S. I hope you are impressed with my artistic arrangement...lol!

The Dash

Yesterday, sadly, I went to my cousin's funeral. As part of the service, the chaplain read "The Dash" by Linda Ellis. I have heard this before, but yesterday I listened to the words, and they are very thought-provoking.

I have copied it here for you, and included a link to the author's webpage, where she explains what inspired her to write this beautiful poem.

I hope you have a wonderful dash.
Kate

The Dash

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

©1996 Linda Ellis

September 11

September 11 is a happy day for my family.
It's my Mum's birthday!

Happy Birthday Mum!

I hope we are both here to celebrate many many more.
Kate.

Name Game

I've been tagged by Khris for the NAME GAME.

I need to list one fact that is relevant to my life for each letter of my name, then tag that many people to continue the game.

I've cheated a bit and used the letters of my name (Kate), but written about stuff for my designs (that raggedy one). I couldn't possibly have thought of 14 different things to write, so here goes .........

K - Kwik Neasy patterns are my new line of designs

A - Applique appears on all of my quilt designs

T - Time alone without interruptions is sadly lacking currently

E - Exciting new designs to be released in November


I've tagged 4 others, so if you've been tagged here is what you do.........

........write your own blog post containing your own name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you choose one person for each letter of your name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

The 4 people I've tagged are:

Kirsty at Lolli b chie

Donna at Chookyblue

Fiona at Dragon Fly Crafts

Natalie at Cinderberry Stitches

Have fun girls, as I did.

To finish off, I'd like to leave you with a quote:

Everyone who has achieved greatness or fulfillment in life,
started out with a dream.....
An unlimited power to create lies within you.
Wally Amos

Friendly Winds

I realised my last post sounded a tad negative, so thought I would balance it out with a positive image by sharing this old postcard with you.


I wish friendly winds to each and every one of you.

cheers
Kate

More Rain

It's raining again! We had nearly a week of dry weather and it's wet again. If you scroll down to Friday 24 August, the photos I posted then can apply equally as well for today. I just wish the rain had sense and moved to where it is needed. We've had enough for a little while and certainly didn't need the 4 inches (100 mm) we've had over the past 2 days.

Flooded

Our rainfall for areas on the coast has broken records for the amount of rain received in a 24 hour period for any month of the year, not just August. We received 193 mm (7.6 inches) of rain overnight Thursday night, whilst further up the coast at Rainbow Beach, they had 713 mm (28.5 inches) that same night! Over the past week we've had 420mm (16.5 inches), and Rainbow Beach has had 940 mm (37 inches).
It's very wet around here.

Click on the map for more information about the Sunshine Coast.

This is Maroochydore Rd, between my place and the Bruce Highway. Cars are just starting to get through.


Same place, just showing a bit more of the scene.


These next 4 photos were taken from the local newspaper site to give a better idea of just how much water there is around here.

This is Kunda Park, close to where the first 2 photos were taken.


Crosby Hill Rd, on the other side of the mountain, one of the main roads into Buderim.


Beside the highway, near the Caloundra turnoff.


The Bruce Highway, just south of the Ettamogah Pub.

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

We needed rain, but this is ridiculous! It has now been raining here non-stop for 5 days, and it has reached the point of flooding. The crazy thing is, I'm not sure how much is reaching the vital catchment areas to fill the dams that so desperately need the water. Dozens of roads are closed because of flooding, including the 2 main roads into Buderim from Brisbane.


This photo is just down the road from where I live, one of the last remaining spots of sanity in an ever-growing jungle of housing. There was no water here last week.


This is looking in the opposite direction, along the same stretch of road.

Mooloolaba didn't look quite so enticing today when I collected my son from work. The coffee shop where he works closed early as nobody seemed to want to sit in an outdoor coffee shop today. Funny, hey?

Secret Santa Christmas Swap

Look at what I found at Chookyblue's blog!
I've joined up - it looks like a lot of fun. If you'd like to join, email Chookyblue (links are provided).


I had an idea to organise a Christmas present swap………….

The rules are simple

1. Please tell everyone about the swap and how to join….
2. Don’t tell anyone who your swap partner is please. This will be a secret swap shhhhhhhhh!!!!!! A different person will be sending to you……….
3. You have to be willing to post internationally as I want to swap different countries….hopefully get a partner from another country (depends on how many join).
4. You need a blog or flicker site to participate (so your partner can sneak a peak and get ideas of what to make for you).
5. You can make what ever you want eg, bag, small wall hanging, softies, stitchery, whatever it is you love to make………send something you would love to receive…..other ideas table runner or cushion...........
6. Sign up deadline is 31st August.
7. Swap partners will be emailed out early September.
8. Sending deadline is 1st December to ensure your partner gets their present before Christmas (remember reason for swap). If you think it will take longer leading up to Christmas, post early, but not to early.
9. If you want to join, email Chooky Blue or leave a comment and I will reply to get your snail mail address etc.....I will collect all participants details and email out contacts when organised.
10. Any problems or questions make sure you contact me.
11. I will make a contact list of participants on my blog.
12. Please don’t sign up if you are not prepared to send........non-senders ?? will be named and shamed.

have fun,
Kate

I've Been Tagged.....Twice!

I'm all new to this blogging, and am therefore a bit overwhelmed to have been tagged twice in one day! And they are both with the same tag - a Nice Matters Award.

The first tag came from Karen at Karen's Dolls and Stuff, a very talented lady from California who makes quilts and art dolls, and the second tag is from Sharon in New Zealand. Sharon is another really talented doll artist. Her blog is Material Magic by Shar.

What I need do now is tag 5 new people - no, I'm not going to double it and tag 10 people - that would be altogether too much for me at this stage, 5 is quite sufficient. My tags are:

Lisa at Megelles - Lisa is an award-winning bear artist, and one of the best in Australia. I think she is the best, but sadly my opinion doesn't hold much weight in the bear world. Lisa is also a good friend and sounding board.

Lynette at Lynette Anderson Designs - Lynette is a leading Australian designer of quilts, bags and stitcheries, who began her designing life as The Patchwork Angel. Lynette is my original mentor and long time friend, and I owe the commencement of that raggedy one to her. Thank you Lynette, my friend.

Julie at Juwles Embroidery & Patchwork - Julie is one of the most tireless people I know. She has 7 children, yet still manages to find the time to run an embroidery business from home, and make quilts, bags and other patchwork goodies. I'd be looking for time to simply breathe if I had 7 children - I'm exhausted by 2!

Cathy at Simple Things, Small Joys - Cathy is a fellow Queensland designer. Her designs are soft, vintage and gorgeous. I adore getting parcels from Cathy as the packaging is usually a work of art in itself.

Eefje at Eefje's Blog - Eefje is a multi-talented lady in The Netherlands who embroiders, quilts, spins, knits, dyes, and sews. Eefje is my swap partner for our group Christmas swap, and I am having a lot of fun gathering little goodies to send to the Netherlands in November.

These 5 ladies now need to copy and paste this award to their blog and nominate five more people. I am looking forward to seeing who the award is forwarded onto.

Enjoy,
Kate xox

The Chocolate Crow Trader Changeover

I'm a member of Australia's best online magazine and crafts marketplace - The Chocolate Crow Trader. The new monthly magazine is released on the 15th of every month, which means we have to get our items to Bev a week prior, and I swear the 7th of each month comes round faster and faster each month. It seems I have only just sent in one month's goodies, and the 7th of the next month is screaming at me again to send in a new lot. I do enjoy it so much though, and I love the community of incredibly talented people who are the members of the Choccie Crow.

Sometimes I present my own patterns for sale, and sometimes I make up designs from other artists and offer the finished goodies for sale. With only a couple of days to go before the August changeover, you still have time to view all the offerings for the Christmas in July theme.

Here are my goodies for this theme.

The first item is Moon Santa from a pattern by Marcia Proper, trading as Hill Kountry Krafts. I just love him. I made 2 cos I couldn't stand it if I'd only made one and it sold and I'd be left without one.

The next item is a prim Santa designed by Victoria Lynn, trading as Kentucky Primitives. I think he is also so sweet.

My last offering for this month is my own design of a Santa punchneedle. This is not a finished item, rather it is a pattern for sale, so you can do your own punching, which is so much fun. I must do some more soon. I find it to be really relaxing. This pattern is called Dear Santa, and you can find it here.

Well, I'm now off to do some punching. Writing about it has made me want to go and do some more.

Have fun,
Kate

I Made the Cover!

Woo Hoo! I just got my forward copy of Homespun Magazine and I made the cover! Well, sort of - my name made the cover. A photo of the quilt is on the contents page.

Doing a happy dance here! The project is a small quilt and it seems like forever ago that I made it and sent it in, but that's the way with magazines - they need to work so far in advance. Here's a photo of the cover (of course!) and one of the quilt - I called it Heartsease. To see more, the magazine is Homespun #51 (Vol 8 No 8).

cheers,
Kate, aka that raggedy one

Sunrise at Mooloolaba

Another early morning start for Simon at Mooloolaba, and another early morning walk along the beach. Today I remembered my camera (forgot the dog leash, so had to use a length of rope!), but remembered the camera. We walked in the opposite direction today and it is just as lovely, but has a completely different feel to it, as it is through the casuarina (she-oak) trees. It is a pity to come home to daily chores after this start - it would be so much nicer to sit and sip coffee on the esplanade rather than come home to the breakfast dishes. Wellll, it's a nice dream anyway.
Have a lovely day everyone, and I hope the start to your day is as pleasant as mine is.
Kate.

Morning Walk

For my morning walk today, I went to Mooloolaba, which is 10 - 15 minutes from home. DS Simon had to start work at 6.00 am, so my friend and I decided to walk along the beachfront instead of around the streets of Buderim. It was not difficult to see why there were so many people there all doing the same thing - it really is a beautiful place, especially first thing in the morning, with the sun coming up over the ocean. These 2 photos were taken during the day, but I will take my camera next time I go.

Into Blogland!

Well, here I am in Blogland. I've thought about this for some time and have decided to jump right in. It might take some time to work out how to do it all , so please be patient. I'll post some piccies soon.
cheers, Kate.