Celebrating...Stitch-a-long...A Gardener's Journal Quilt...and some new buttons!!!

 After much deliberation...and with lots of encouragement from Dawnie I have joined Stitch-a-long hosted by Chookyblue...

Here is a copy of the book by Anni Downs I have had for ages...

I have decided to use Anni's recommended coloured threads...

I love Anni's quirky style and her muted country colour choices!!!

I first met Anni in my friend's lounge room while we were stitching away back when we lived in Bathurst...

and I remember to this day when she said she was opening a shop next week...and the rest is history now!!!

Here are the fabrics I have gathered...

 A few of them are from Anni's at Hatched and Patched so I thought it very fitting that they be used in this quilt!!!

I have traced Block A and started tonight...so let's hope the momentum keeps up!!!

I have just had a Blogaversary not too long ago and to celebrate that...

and the upcoming Halloween weekend I thought I would giveaway a copy of A Gardener's Journal...

so if anyone is interested in perhaps stitching along together with me just leave a comment here!!!

I'll draw the winner 2 posts from this one!!!

My banner above I won last year from Annabelle...she has one of the most magical and enchanting blogs I think!!!  Thank you so much Annabelle!!!

A couple of weeks ago a new gal in town...the lovely Barb from Theodora Cleave popped in for a minute and a chat and gave me some gorgeous painted buttons of hers...Just beautiful...Thanks so much Barb!!!

A Win and a Challenge...A Block A Day (I hope)!!!

A few weeks ago I had a comment from Margaret who has a fashion blog...

she then in turn asked me to come over and enter her giveaway...which I did...

and blow me down...I won!!!

All packaged up in black with a bright blue ribbon...

the prize was a bracelet by Christiana...

Designed by Dawn...to read an interview with Dawn hop on over here...

Thank you so much Margaret...I love it!!!

Last year when JoJo went off for a Careaway holiday which gave us some respite we headed up to Berry, a little village not too far from us!!!

We called into the Berry Patchwork Shop there and saw a quilt displayed...

It caught Mr Armchair's eye and Elizabeth kindly gave us the pattern for it which is available from Modabakeshop...

I bought these 2 packs of Charm Squares...

here the squares are laid out...

and I have started to put some blocks together...

I'm hoping to do perhaps a block a day when I am not tied up doing other stuff or Cabareting...yes the show is still going and I am having a ball!!!

I'm really hoping I can get it together for him by Christmas...

I'm off next week to some lessons on my new machine at Steph's which I'm really looking forward to!!!

With any luck hopefully I'll have the top done in a couple of weeks!!!

That's setting myself a challenge isn't it LOL!!!

This is my first time using Blogger's New Editor and I love it!!!

The pics can be moved around easily...and can be put in order of appearance....

should've made the switch sooner!!!

Meanwhile...I'm still singing,

What good is sitting alone in your room

Come hear the music play...

Lyrics ~Fred Ebb~

A Belated BirthdayGift...(Ber)nina all set up...Japanese Fabrics for Shattered Nine Patch...and an Award!!!

I'm having a fabulous time at the moment being involved with Cabaret...

lately it feels like whenever I go out I go to the Kit Kat Club!!!

Amidst all this a surprise birthday gift arrived from my dear blogging friend Simone!!!

Little parcels all wrapped up...

and on opening...a sewing machine mat...

I have started using it...and it's fantastic Simone...I just love it!!!
Thank you so very very much Simone!!!
And so very very handy too for all those threads as I still work my way through getting used to using Nina!!!

Here is the new table and chair all boxed up...

Chair all set to go...

And what a surprise to find that the seat lifts up for storage...YAY!!!

Table all set up...

And here is the little accessories box all set ready to go!!!

From a previous post on The Shattered Nine Patch quilt which my Needlework Group is going to begin soon...

For this quilt I have decided to use Japanese fabrics...
Above is the fabric I have chosen for the back of the quilt...it is really stunning!!!

Beautiful gold with an awesome eagle on it...I couldn't resist...

originally I was going to use a black backing...

but the eagles kept calling me!!!

And the fabrics for the quilt...
to see the shattered nine patch...go over here...

Here is The Versatile Blogger award I have received from Natima which I am to forward on...as usual to hard to choose so dear readers...please accept this as I think you are all Versatile Bloggers!!!

Thank you so much Nat!!!

It's Just About Showtime!!! Life Is A Cabaret...First Dress Rehearsal!!!

First dress rehearsal has happened for our local amateur theatre's production of Cabaret!!!

The poster...

signage outside the Playhouse...

the Playhouse...

Empty seats waiting for Patrons...
The show opens Saturday night!!!

Before and after makeup!!!

The props backstage...

Adjusting lighting...

Part of the scene...

Some hair-dos and hats from the era...

One of the books the wardrobe mistress used as a guide for the costumes...

Costumes waiting on the rack...

And us gals posing in our little dressing room...

The gorgeous Janet...

Delightful Noreen...

Caroline looking stunning!!!

And here we are altogether...

This is part of my own clothing used in a day scene...
Since this pic the hat has been eliminated...

And after a long and fun day I arrived home and Mr Armchair cooked dinner...
Sirloin Steak...roast potatoes...asparagus...corn and mushrooms...
Just what I needed!!!

Along with Pavlova!!!
Just what I needed...thank you so much DH!!!

The play opens this Saturday...more rehearsals to go...
and I'm starting to think that the Kit Kat Club really exists...
after all...when I dress up it's where I go!!!

Until then...I'm still singing...

What good is sitting alone in your room
Come hear the music play
Life is a Cabaret old chum
Come to the Cabaret...

Lyrics by Fred Ebb