Finding Time to Sew with These Easy Tips

Great tips - uses the 'just 15 minutes' and the 'little and often' philosophy

Bernina & Zen Chic Quilt-Along: Playing with Triangles

Here's another quilt along if you are looking for a little inspiration.

Check it out here.

New Applique BOM - On My Window

Esther Aliu is starting a new free BOM.

I love flowers in vases.

Check it out here.

Esther also has a lot of information on her blog 

to help you out with the applique.

New Quilt A-Long

Let's Quilt Something is starting a quilt a-long beginning September 1st.

This looks like a lot of fun. 

The curves are gentle and appropriate for beginners.

Click over and have a look.

HBF Run for a Reason

Keep that Run feeling going...

"The Finish Line isn’t the end to helping 199 health-related charities with a donation, big or small, every bit counts. Our charities are researching, educating and supporting people living with chronic illness and these funds help make a difference."

So me and my 36,000 closest friends had a great day on Sunday... ha ha. Got your attention. Seriously, there were a lot of happy people on Sunday. Serious athletes, friend groups, family groups. I saw some pretty awesome prams/strollers with cheerful babies.

My daughter Corbie walked with me as organised, and my husband tagged along as well. We walked a little faster than I normally do, which is slower than Corbie's normal walk and much faster than my husband's normal pace. I was just the tiniest bit puffed at the end, and it felt great. So my goal for next year is to beat this year's time.

Fundraising is just short of my goal and I really appreciate all the donations to Lifeline. It's hard for me to ask people to donate because I know finances are tight and I know most people have 'charity fatigue'. Lifeline is a charity worth putting yourself out there for.

I'm not sure how long this page will stay active so donate now. No one knows what the future holds. Maybe you will be calling Lifeline with your crisis some day. Let's hope someone answers. Click the green donate button. (You can use Paypal).

https://hbfrun2017.everydayhero.com/au/shari

HBF Run for a Reason 2017

HBF Run for a Reason

I've not had much sewing progress since my last post. I'm mostly busy with work, family and church these days. I'm not a hermit though and this year I am participating in the HBF Run for a Reason. I've chosen a charity to fund raise for and have been seeking donations for a few weeks now. Tomorrow is event day and I'm feeling really excited to get out there with thousands of other people.

The charity I chose to fund raise for is Lifeline (13 11 14), a Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention help line. This is a little personal for me as I've known so many hurting people through my day job and sadly several who have committed suicide. We simply must do more for people who need this kind of help. 

I've set up an Everyday Hero page to direct donations to Lifeline. 

If you haven't donated to a charity in a while and want to feel good about yourself, click over and make a donation. Most people won't miss $25. Donate today as my page will be active only for a little while. But you can go over to Lifeline's page for a direct donation any time.

No Sleep Retreat

I guess if I'm featured in the QNews (a newsletter for members of the WA Quilters Association) I'd better get organised and get a post up. I don't have a lot of time for sewing at the moment so haven't blogged properly for ages.

One of the recent activities I participated in through the WA Quilter's Association was a no-sleep retreat. This is a one day sewing activity that went from 10am to 10pm with either hand or machine sewing. I was able to make a good start on a baby quilt for a friend of one of my daughters.

"Splash" 12 inch block

The retreat was held in a church hall which had plenty of light and space. Overall it was a great venue but unfortunately no air conditioning. The day turned out hot, hot, hot at 40C. There were ceiling fans and high windows and we could take our shoes off so we just got on with it. We are tough Aussie girls after all. We took our own lunch and our tea was catered. We had two shops in residence so we got to have a little retail therapy.

Robyn from The Strawberry Thief brought gorgeous Liberty fabrics and a selection of her quilts to show how she used them. She also shared the history of Liberty fabrics and what makes it so special. Robyn has done a great blog post Tips and Tricks - Sewing with Liberty Fabrics.

Tips and Tricks when sewing the Liberty fabric

Our other shop was Anya of The Quirky Stitch. She demonstrated one of her products - a mini hoop which can be used as necklace, brooch, little pincushion etc.

Mini Hoop Necklace with Embroidery

We had a lovely late summer day here in Perth yesterday. We enjoyed time with friends for a picnic and then a walk along the tranquil Swan River. I managed to forget my hat so I'm a bit red today - just call me Rudolph (a.k.a. red nosed)

Swan River at Point Walter

It's cooler and rainy today in Perth - with a little thunder even. A reminder that summer will end soon as it usually does. We will enjoy the cool and rain but no one thinks that summer is done with us yet. I suspect there are plenty of hot days ahead.

Hope you enjoyed your little visit to my blog.

Stonehenge - Esperance

March 2015. A quick trip South to visit family. Who knew this complete, life-sized replica of England's Stonehenge was tucked away only a few km out of town? Not me. It was totally amazing and had a real atmosphere. The huge granite blocks created a calm quiet space.

Outside looking in. Note the dry, brown paddock.

Inside the structure it was cool and green and serene.
Standing on one side of the circle looking back at my husband and brother-in-law.
Gives you an idea of scale.
If you live in WA or are just visiting, it's well worth the journey.
Esperance Stonehenge.