Bubbles just loves sleeping on all the quilts, crocheting and whatever I make. I can chase her off and as soon as I turn my back, she's back on. Fortunately she's clean most of the time and goes to the 'doggy parlour' every week!

Excuse the bad quality of theses photos, but I took them in a hurry and quietly (with my cell phone) so that she doesn't hear me and move away.

Happy Friday 13th! Trust you all have a peaceful weekend.

Good morning everybody! Well, hubby finally arrives on Friday and I can't wait to give him his quilt!

I have already started handstitching my next one that has been waiting for me. The binding is finished, so just the quilting to do. Will show you at a later stage. I may want to make a few additions to this quilt. Will see and discuss with dear ol' Tiki!

Anyway I am enjoying the appearance of Spring and the fact that we can start planting and fixing up our gardens.

I think that I'm going to work on this corner on the side of our house. Add more paving blocks and colour. I have a 'chippy' old bench standing there in a quiet and private place.  Can't plant anything in the ground there either but can add some succulents and colourful shrubs in pots as well!

Star Quilt...

Finally I have my American Star Quilt to show you all. After our visit to the USA I felt that I just HAD TO make a quilt that reminded me of our trip there! The fabrics are reproductions from the 2nd World War and are direct copies of old designs and patterns. Some of them are called 'Old Glory Gatherings' by Primitive Gatherings by Moda. I must say I enjoyed making this quilt; from the selection of the fabrics to the cutting out and piecing together. My dear friend Tiki Brophy initially showed me how to cut and join the pieces together and then I just carried on from there.

So I hope you enjoy as much as I did making it and then photographing it. It's so much fun and so rewarding taking the photographs. One feels like a child playing "Housie House"!!

I have just finished adding this on to the back of hubby's quilt!

........and here she is...... what do you think? 

Until we meet again tomorrow or the next day. I have started hand quilting my next quilt!
Will give a preview sometime soon!

Please leave a comment. I would love to hear what you think about my quilt. Thankyou. xx

Good Morning once again!
What a busy last few weeks it's been, travelling to Johannesburg a couple of times.
Anyway, hubby arrives home this Friday, so there is lots to do before he lands!
His quilt is finally complete!! Yayyyyy!! I can't believe it! Will be taking pics this morning and posting later on today.

I bought this pretty bird feeder a while back and just don't have the heart to hang it in the garden for the elements to destroy! The sun is so harsh out here in the North West Province (South Africa), so I opted to hang it on the verandah under the rafters where it has some protection. I have 7x other feeders scattered around my garden which I keep topping up with seed, fruit, bread or whatever I have in stock. So, I think the birds are well catered for. I'm trying to introduce plants that the nectar - eating birds will also go for.

2x bird feeders that are well used at the back of the garden.

While I was sitting in hubby's study the other morning, I noticed a little 'white eye' sucking nectar from a small aloe. How privileged we are to witness them. Can you see him....right in the centre of the photograph. I didn't want to move around too much because they are terribly shy, so just took the pic from my desk.

Anyway I have to set up the props for my 'Star Quilt' so that I can take some nice photographs for you all! Take care. Until next time.

(American) Star Quilt

I started this quilt a few months ago for my husband's birthday and have to finish it now! He returns from Ghana next week -13th Sept - and I really want to give it to him. The hand stitching takes very long as I also have a few other projects that I'm working on in between as well, but I have to now get finished!

Here's a sneak peek....

I enjoy visiting my dear friend Tiki Brophy, where we happily stitch and chat in her Quilt Room. You can also follow her on her blog...www.tikisquiltroom.tumblr.com. I always feel so motivated and inspired when I spend time with her.

I was on facebook a couple of years ago and then took myself off, because of some misconceptions I had, but now am back on (with my daughter's assistance and Tiki's persistance) and have no regrets. I have discovered a 'treasure trove' and wealth of information at my finger tips. I don't like talking nonsense to people - just to say something. I love following a handful of people and chatting to them, especially from other countries. Who knows.... I may just learn Italian, Spanish or French? The ladies are so sweet, friendly and knowledgeable with the products that they sell! They are deep, warm, intelligent, inspiring, creative and very helpful!! I have purchased some items overseas and they have been so helpful. I could go on and on. Perhaps I should share their names with you and you can see for yourselves. Of course I have a few close friends and family members here and overseas, and....that's it!!
I really enjoy spending time working on my hobbies, gardening and interior of my home that I don't have time for empty things.

Here are my favourite people and their facebook pages that I follow. Please do yourselves a favour and
have a look at them.....

I'm sure that I will also add more to this list as time passes by.

- Primitive Quilting - gorgeous fabrics and patterns and very affordable compared to our S.A prices! Crystal is a darling!

- Ines Marta Quilt House - they have just brought out their latest book! Absolutely awesome! Such kind and helpful ladies.

- Victoria's Webb - a real sweetheart who sells such amazing vintage products from the U.K. She will also accommodate your every need.

- Rouge Cerise - beautiful lady and fb page.

- Jugando Con Telas Inma - gorgeous!

- Country Life and Other Passions - Anna is so creative and a talented jewellery maker. She also goes by the name of Anna Giganto. Beautiful lady.

- Linen Closet Designs -Dawn Heese - A beautiful quilter who designs quilt and cross stitch patterns and fabric with a vintage feel.

- Hekel - Crochet Accessories - my favourite South African. Beautiful Hester will make a plan to supply all our creative needs for crochet supplies. She's amazing and creative herself, kind and friendly.

I love them all and appreciate their efforts and hard work with the service they are providing for us around the world.

Some inspiration.....  for our house in the Karoo...

I have soooo many small pieces of fabric in my stash and can quite easily convert a crochet tablecloth or something for the valance. Hope it also inspires you to do something special and inexpensive for a window treatment?

I recently saw this dresser in a local shop here in our town and had my eye on it for a long time. After trying to convince the owner to sell it to me, he decided that he wanted to keep it for the shop. I sadly left my name and cell number in case he changed his mind, and went home.

I popped around there last week and asked where the dresser was. The shop assistant told me that it was sold!!! can you believe it? I often wonder why people do that??

Anyway, I consoled myself with the fact that I will find a better one at a later stage. Who knows????

Good morning!!

We are already in full swing into the new week! Gee, but time is flying... just too fast!!!

I visited our local Nursery some time ago and found these beautiful rustic signs! They can be found at Irene Lifestyle Garden Centre in Klerksdorp and are not that expensive either. There was such a big variety to choose from at the time. In fact i had the first one "A busy Quilter lives here" especially made for myself. I just love the rusty simple material - metal- that the artist uses. Apparantely she lives not too far from Klerksdorp either. You can join Irene Lifestyle Garden Centre on facebook. Go have a look at their page, as they have recently changed ownership and I've known Cobus Swanepoel & his wife Annemarie for many years. Awesome people who will go the 'extra mile' for you!!

Have a beautiful day!