Here and there.

Some photos from my latest local travels.

We have moved west.  Scenery quite different.

No more green irrigated paddocks.

Snuck into a paddock to get this one.

Blue tractor, blue sky, couldn't resist.

Remembering to carry my camera around more often.

My new alarm clock.  These huge freight trains seem to go through 6.30 am each morning.  Slowly getting used to them.

My closest patchwork shop now.  Its a 45 minute drive.  

Its in an old church quite literally in the middle of nowhere.

Inside.  Heaps of stuff!

My purchases.  Well I had to buy something didn't I, she opened especially for me.

Miss Muffet taking over my sewing corner one evening.

Three star table runner.

A start yesterday and a finish today.  Wouldn't it be nice if that happened more often. A table runner order for an 80th birthday present.  I dipped into my French General stash which I have put away for a rainy day.  I copied the design off one of my Mum's table runners, I had to do some maths to get the stars the right size and got it perfect.  I like it when that happens.  Especially good seeing I don't want to waste any of this fabric.

Here is the back, because thats what everyone one looks at don't they!!

I used a combination of pressing seams towards the darker fabric and pressing seams open.  It worked really well, very neat and not as much bulkyness.

Another order ticked off. You should see the pile of orders I have to go.  I have them all lined up on my shelves.  Bags, baby quilts and patchwork skirts are popular at the moment.

Dilly bag.

Quick post today.

A little dilly bag I put together for a six year old's birthday present.

Super easy pattern and comes in heaps of sizes.  

Pattern from Jeni Baker.

Vintage Tractor Show Market.

For the past few years a friend and I have made over a 100 year old shop to sell our hand crafts during an annual tractor show.  We have a following now, people order year to year.  Tractor clothes, tractor quilts, tractor table runners, tractor note books......you name it.

The things that cracks me up most is that people can't get enough of tractor dresses, yes you heard right.  Little girls clothes with tractors on them.  Who would have thought. Here's a couple.

This one is more of a harvest farm scene.  Quite pretty.  

Some people just don't do pink for girls.  These are an interesting alternative.

Here's a photo of the shop this year.  Its normally set up as a museum so we sort of have to work around the old furniture and collections.  It looks different every year. We just mix all our good together.  This was one of our biggest years since we have been doing it.  Its a long weekend opening both Saturday and Sunday but worth it plus a great way to catch up with everyone in town as they all come in for a look.

For the boys this year I did t-shirts with tractors.  I love doing the dresses but always get asked for boys things so did t-shirts and library bags which I don't have a photo of but you can see them all hanging on the counter.

So thats it for markets for a while.  

Skirt orders.

While I'm at the computer actually blogging I'll keep going. I've been taking photos but thats as far as I'm getting these days. 

One of my projects this week was to make a patchwork skirt and alter some larger size girls clothing into skirts for a four year old.

Here's the skirt.  I love making these.

The brief was mainly red for Winter.  To be worn with leggings.

Next I was given a girls dress about a size 10 I'd say to cut off and make into a skirt.

An easy chop and some elastic and done.

I was going to use the leftovers in the first patchwork skirt but then had a brainwave.  I sewed across the bottom of the remaining top, boxed the corners out and voila.....a bag!!!  Might patent that idea!  

Lastly a big skirt chopped into a smaller version.  

So one little local girl has her new Winter wardrobe sorted.

Ausmodbee - April Blocks.

Two more blocks done for the Ausmodbee.

These ones are for Bronwyn of Whippet Good.

For the first block I used a tutorial from the Summer Sampler series as Bronwyn requested.  This block is called Flower Garden Path.  Very pretty but lots and lots of HST's and seams.  Its a smidge under the 12.5 inches which I wasn't happy about.  So I hope its still OK Bronwyn.

The second block  is called Lucky Pieces from the same tutorial series.  A lot quicker to assemble.

Now May blocks to complete and then its my turn to post out!!

Small farm, lifestyle property for sale.

Slight diversion from craft related activities.

Its a long story which I'll get around to telling one day but in the mean time.....

Does anyone want to buy a farm?

Between Bendigo and Echuca.

Would suit tree changers, sustainable livers, equestrian or tradesman working from home.

Great place to raise a family.

The house.

Five bedroom weatherboard home, re-stumped, re-wired, re-plumbed, new waste water system, new floors, neutral paint and soft furnishing throughout.

New kitchen, Blanco gas cooktop and electric over, dish washer.

Four car carport with remote roller door.

Wood heater and two split systems.

400m to school bus stop, buses to three local towns. 

The garden.

30+ fruit trees lemons, apricots, plums, nectarines, peaches, almonds, mulberry, pears.

Large lawn areas, big old trees and roses.

Vegetable garden and chook shed.

Tennis court/cricket pitch/soccer practice area. 

The farm.

35 acres

Currently running beef cattle.  25-50 head.

Very productive soils.

New stock and domestic bore.

60 HR 27 LR meg irrigation water right (1st offer to purchaser otherwise will be sold separately)

Lasered 5 years ago into 15 paddocks all with water troughs.

New electric fencing and water troughs.

In a previous life has been a dairy farm and before that orchard land.

Purchaser has option to buy cattle too.

  

Shedding.

(18m X 18m) 320 square metre, powered, lock up machinery shed

 with hoist perfect for a tradesman.

Old brick dairy with cattle yards, crush and loading ramps, power and water connected.

Offers over $400,000 (doesn't include water)

Interested?  Email me.

xx Julie.

Ausmodbee - March blocks.

Playing catch up here still.  A quick post to show my March Ausmodbee blocks for Charlotte of Lawson and Lottie.

I just googled 12 inch blocks and was inundated with patterns.  The trickiest part was choosing one that I had enough of each fabric to make.  I like a challenge.

The first block is a framed pin wheel. 

The second block is an Ohio star. 

Can't wait to see the quilt Charlotte.

I need to start getting my fabrics together, its my turn to post out for June.