Catching up

-->Now that the new year has passed and we approach Autumn and cooler months I had best catch you all up.

Well we left Coffs Harbour December 22^nd. We move on down to Wauchope to Jan (Michael's mum) for Christmas. Our sit in Coffs Harbour had finished early due to the owners coming home early due to illness. We have secured another house sit in Hervey Bay from late January to late October next year. This is another area we both really want to explore. We also had a short one near Bundaberg for a week, which also gave us the chance to check out the area.  Yes I know we're suppose to be going south, but when opportunity knocks we took it.

So what has happened since the last update, well we have a new home on wheels. We traded the caravan in on a Travelhome Macquarie Fifth Wheeler. She’s 29 feet long and luxurious.

She unfortunately doesn’t have the internal storage as the caravan had, but she makes up for what can be stored outside.

I finally got my electric bike back after the controller packed it in again. We’ve also now discovered the battery is on the way out, Michael thinks it’s sat too long at the shop and has deteriorated over time.  We had both gotten involved with the Coffs Cycle bug group and regularly rode more than 50km’s a week. Certainly makes it easier to keep up with them with the electric bike.  I’d found a couple of craft groups and enjoy regular catch-ups.I have also managed to get a couple of classes organised.

We spent new years with my brother Peter’s place near Warwick to de-clutter some more and re-sort the container again. As when we put Chris’s stuff in there we just placed his stuff on top of ours, so not secured. Speaking of Chris, he and Rachel have enjoyed 4 months touring through Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma).  They will arrived in the states mid December, spent Christmas with Rachel's family and went up to Stow in Vermont for some snow skiing after Christmas and new year.  

Getting use to have Rosey around again, I think she is enjoying the caravanning side of it all.  The house sitting side gets her out and about without the lead, which can be a pain at times.

We bought her a new bed, which doubles as her travel caddy. She travels exceptionally well, I put her harness on and she goes into the caddy and goes to sleep. 

She's going blind now so keeping a close eye on her as she is starting to bump into things.

We are now settled in our house sit at Hervey Bay and as usual haven't taken long to get into the swing of things. Michael is enjoying here immensely as the wind has been kind to him and stuck around for weeks. As well as kiting he's been 'yogaering'(is that such a word) and has again started to Ref the Touch Footy. He's also gone for a couple of rides with the local groups, I hope to start once my new battery arrives (which it finally has).  I have gotten involved with a craft group and will be doing three workshops whilst we're here. I am also helping with a local Community support group two days a week. No rest for the wicked.
We ducked up to Rockhampton a couple of weeks ago and visited my sister and my nieces for a couple of birthdays in the family, was nice catching up with family.
I have been stitching and have almost finished four of my blocks for my 'outback quilt', can't rush these things.  I'm also working on getting more of my tutorials I did on Joggles into my Esty shop so everyone can access them now. I am almost finished my 'Twines of Nature' and ' Cheerful Flutters', they should be up soon. And if you missed it my Beetle is still up at the moment.

Well that's about it for now, happy stitching.

Last Class with Joggles

Barbara from Joggles has finally realised she is not Superwoman and can't do everything, so something had to give.  Barbara has decided that this last quarter of the year will be the last of the online Classes.

My Beetle will run for the last time on Joggles on October 21st, (which happens to be my birthday).  If you would like to do this class before Barbara closes them for good, pop on over to HERE and book.

There will be some changes happening now, so stay tuned.  I am working out how I can run my own online classes.  Once I have it worked out I will let you know.

Arlene

I got Champion - Townsville show

After 4 years of trying I have finally won Champion of Hand Embroidery and Needlework at our Local show.  My piece called 'Bonsai Wisteria', came first in the raised surface embroidery section, which put it into the running for Champion of Section, which it won, Yippee.....

Bonsai Wisteria is being offered on Joggles as a 5 week class read here all about it.

My Mermaid came second in the same class.

I also won first and second for two more pieces respectively.

My Twines in Nature piece which I have reworked and converted into a book for my ATC's.

and Spring Blooms which is also being offered as a class on Joggles, read here for more details.

So do you think I'm excited.....  more about the show on the Townsville Arts and Crafts Blog... link right. Update shortly to come.

Arlene

New Classes on Joggles

Two new classes are available on Joggles.

Bonsai Wisteria:

Link: Joggles Class - Bonsai Wisteria

Spring Blooms cushion:

Link: Joggles class - Spring Blooms

Arlene

Class closing soon - Cheerful Flutterings

Hello All,

Been a little quiet, yes I know, but I have been busy, will show results in the next few days.  In the meantime my next class with Joggles is closing soon.  Cheerful Flutterings, scheduled for April 8th the class will run for 4 weeks.  You will be introduced to needle lace, wire wrapping, some advance stitch techniques and a couple of little known stitches.  Click the link or go to the Classes tab for more details.

Arlene

Catching up

I can't believe we are half way though March already, where has this year gone.  While we wait here in North Queensland for two cyclones (one potential - not named yet as of this post), to cross the coast, I am busy behind the scenes working on two projects for Joggles.com for the Spring offerings.  I have finished but can't show you yet my work, as that would ruin the surprise.

I have also been busy working on my blocks for more Round Robins this year, two of which are already in full swing.  Those two are with Southern Cross Crazies, my Australian Yahoo crazy quilting group.  We are working on two RR's, one is a needle case and the other is a DYOB.  I have finished this months work already and am ready to post along with the next two RR's about to start.  Funny enough that they both have the same name, Gardens and Flowers except one is a Traditional RR (one 12 inch block) and the other is a DYOB with 6 6 inch squares.  Photo's please you ask....

My Needle case for SSC




















My work on Glenda's needle case (SSC)














My blocks for the DYOB (SSC) We have seven participants, so I choose to add 8 blocks.

My work on Alison's DYOB (SSC) her theme is Under the sea..... Loved working with these colours...

My Traditional Gardens and Flowers 12 inch Block, for my curtains in my craft room...

And my blocks for the Garden and Flowers DYOB - yes they are the same or similar to the others, that's because they are from a set of 20 blocks.












Here is the full set.

I'm considering making a single quilt for my niece for her 21st.

Time for more stitch.... gonna finish my CQJP block 6.

Arlene

Class closing soon - would you like to learn Needle-lace

This class is closing soon: Class commences February 20th. Here is the LINK to book.

Embroider this 3D Dolphin in needle-lace technique.  Tail Flukes, Fin and front Flipper are detached, with the body embroidered above the fabric.

Arlene

2014 Joggles classes

Introducing a new class for the first part of 2014 on Joggles.

Dolphin:

and a repeat of "Cheerful Flutterings's"

I'm moving..... rooms at least

Well after much deliberation (on my hubby's part), he has finally relented and has decided where not going to move houses, he's moving me instead, (cheaper option).

So the last couple of weeks we have been building a carport, we have to shift my car out of the garage first. Then shift everything that was on his side of the garage to the vacant area my car has left. Then put down the floor coverings.

We will hopefully be getting a glass sliding door in the place where the garage roller door is, just waiting on the supplier for this. It may not be installed until mid January.
Next Michael got to cutting out a doorway between this room and the spare room.  Messy job and yes for those who might be asking we did get a small part of the wall tested for asbestos, thankfully all clear.

Whilst he was doing this job, I got busy shifting some of the shelving from my room into here.

Once the doorway is cut, we're now just waiting for the carpenter to build the wall and finish of the doorway.  The open doorway makes a huge difference. This first photo is looking from my 'new' office into the 'studio'

 From the studio into my office.

 Further back in the garage looking towards the 'office'.  Soon there will be a wall here, so I wanted to get a pic before that happens.

 This one is looking back towards the garage door again, now with everything in place. Even the air conditioner is ready for action. The room will be much more bright once the glass door is installed.

Now back to creating...... just a quick note, new Joggles classes are out tomorrow, so watch this space in a day or so, or go visit my classes page or Joggles.

Thanks for visiting...

Arlene

Classes on Joggles

Hi All,

Just a reminder that two of my classes are coming up on Joggles.

On November 7th: Two styles of Christmas Boot in the one class, plus a miniature version in a Christmas Ornament and a lovely Christmas Holly brooch.

Jump on across to Joggles and book in, there is still time.

While your there you might want to also book into my Beetle class. He's scheduled to run on December 3rd, just in time for Christmas. Would make a lovely gift on a trinket box or bowl.

Whilst your on Joggles site, you can browse though my other classes and put them on your wish list, or make a selection of wonderful stuff that Barbara sells on her site.

Don't forget there is only a couple of days left to enter in my giveaway for the Release of 'Arlene's Crafts Embroidery App'.

Arlene

Autunm classes announced on Joggles

Classes for the Autumn Season.

Victorian Christmas Boot - November 7th

 This class has the added bonus of two different sorts of boot, one Crazy Patch and the other traditional colours and one fabric and one piece. The second book has stumpwork candles and silk ribbon wreath with bow.

 The other two bonus's with this class is the template for a Christmas ornament for your tree and the stumpwork Holly is a removable brooch.

The other class for the fall is my Beetle, yes again, he has now run non stop for 2 years, that's just amazing. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the class.

Arlene

Winning results - Townsville Show

After an exhausting two weeks of Judging, and hanging the exhibits for the Townsville Show, it's all done.  Last Thursday night was the Presentation evening, and there was a fabulous show up.
Some of our sponsors were there to present their prizes, and I was honored to be presented with the Innovative Champion Trophy by Jean Grove for my CQJP 2012 Crazy Patchwork Christmas Tree Skirt. 

To add more icing on the cake, I received 3 firsts and 2 seconds for my 8 entries. The three first's were for my gold beetle, Cheerful Fluttering's and my Crazy Patch thread roll.  The seconds were for my 'Doris' and Goldwork Poinsettia flower.

Getting a first for my beetle was a wonderful surprise and just adds to the excitement that little bug has created. Not to say I'm not excited about my other pieces, but he is something special to me now.  I am also over the moon about the tree skirt, it's amazing how many men have actually stopped and looks and oohed and aahed at it, very exciting.
After the show is finished I will post the winning champions.
Arlene

Spring/Summer offerings of Classes at Joggles

I have 4 classes in the next round of offerings from Joggles.com
2 New classes and 2 that are being re-offered.
New classes are:
'Hopper-Grass'

and 'Mermaid'

The classes being re-offered, are 'Beetles in Stumpwork' and 'Twines in Nature'.

I am still amazed by the interest in my beetles, this class has run each season now for 18 months.

Also on offer are two classes from a fellow Australian, Janet Banks.  Janet is also a member of Fibres and Fabrics.  Click here to go to her classes and blog.

 

 Arlene

next round of classes on Joggles

Hi all,

The next round of classes are up on Joggles website - link here.

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From advance beginner to intermediate embroiderer, create ‘Cheerful Fluttering’s’ a Floral and Insect Stumpwork scene ready for framing.

 

Using two very different techniques, one three dimensional and the second stitched onto the background fabric using a lesser-known honeycomb style stitch creates two playful Dragonflies. 

Each Dragonfly also having different body types.

 

The inquisitive needle lace butterfly flutters happily about with oversized Daisies standing boldly tempting him to land. 

 

While the Hydrangeas stand defiantly in an elegant vase of smoked glass with an intricate design stitch to it’s outside.

 















 




-->All elements are then placed on a background of linen and framed to allow us to stand back and watch our cheerful insects fluttering about enjoying the fragrance and spender of two beautiful flowers.



 This new class is offered on the 22nd March.







Spot's walk is featured, he is offered on the 5th April.

 And again for the 5th time running, my beetles are offered again. March 1st he is offered.

It's wonderful to have the opportunity to share embroidery, I hope you enjoy the projects if you decide to join me.

Arlene