This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

OPAM...(One Project A Month)...A Workshop and Halloween!!!

This month I have finished 4 articles for the SSCS (Secret Santa Christmas Swap) hosted by Chookyblue but I can't show them as it's all a big secret!!!
All will be revealed after my partner has opened her gift on Christmas Day...

OPAM is hosted by Peg and Kris...
so a BIG thank you Gals as I'm sure I wouldn't be completing one item a month without it!!!


Meanwhile...I couldn't have a post without pics so thought I would show a project that I have started at a class at Step's...the workshop for this was held last year and I had everything ready cut up and ready to go but I didn't attend as there was a sudden death in the family...
so it sat around all this time!!!

A gorgeous tablerunner 'Going in Circles' in the French General fabric Rounnieres...



I even had the circles all cut out and pinned onto the backing fabric...


Here I am using molofilament thread and doing a blanket stitch with foot 20...
I am loving everytime I attend a workshop and learn how to use more of my machine...
Apparently this is also needleturn applique...


One of the quilts on display at the shop...


and this is a Postage Stamp Quilt done by one of the girls at a workshop here...


Anni Downs' new fabric 'Some Kind Of Wonderful'...


and a fabric panel of labels from Sarah at Patchworks Plus...


It's Halloween weekend here in Australia...wonder if we'll get any Trick or Treaters?!

I won this banner over at Annabelle's, I tried to put it up but it just seemed to shrink?!


Look at these lovely Halloween pumpkins I saw at the supermarket...never seen these before!!!
I suppose they are for carving...they look great!!!


the carving of jack-o'-lanterns springs from the souling custom of carving turnips into lanterns as a way of remembering the souls held inpurgatory.[6] The turnip has traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween,[7][8] 

I liken this to a ceremony we used to go to when we were children...Kapu Svetkus (Latvian, the link is a translated one) in October...we used to go to the graveyard (sounds spooky I know)...light candles and sing and honour those who had passed away...Halloween is also known as All Saints Eve and originated with the Celts...


I'll sign off now with Happy Halloween to those that celebrate...
and Happy Stitching to all the stitchers...now to get on to my next OPAM project...Dzintra

15 comments:

Nat Palaskas said...

Happy Halloween girl! Those pumpkins are giant! I collect fruit stickers I might have to get one just for the sticker! Lovely ufo to share. I have a lot of them too - Have a great weekend dear - Love Nat

Rachaeldaisy said...

I'm in love with your circle table runner!! French General fabrics are so pretty!! I hadn't thought about trick or treaters, I better get some treats. One year I had to give out fruit and the children were not happy! I was tempted by those big pumpkins, they look like fun, maybe next year.

Margaret said...

Love the circle quilt. Have you padded the circle? before blamket stitching ?
Halloween isn't a really big thing in Australia so thanks for doing the research.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Love your quilt....lots of wonderful things are happing her Dzintra...

Palomasea said...

Oh dear, how I wish I would have learned to sew from my dear mother. It is so wonderful to have your skill and creative talent!

I so appreciate your visit and your kindness. Thank You!!

Blessings, and a beautiful weekend to you,
- Irina

Simone de Klerk said...

Happy Halloween. Great project you are working on.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

There is always magic here because your spirit is filled with glorious visions of patchwork beauty my dear....enjoy your day. Anita

Kath said...

Here in Glastonbury Halloween is called Samhain, the old Celtic festival.
Tomorrow night we are off to a big celebration at the Chalice well with fire, music, daning and stories and of course- dressing up!
I liked the fabric range for the circle quilt, but my favourite- no prizes for guessing- the Hexagon quilt :-D

Chookyblue...... said...

don't forget to email me pics ........glad to hear it is done.......lovely circles runner......an gorgeous Anni fabrics........

Astrid said...

You've been busy! I've made some Christmas gifts too, but can't show them yet. The FG fabrics are very pretty, I have quite some but haven't decided what to make of them. I love to see what and how you learn to use your machine! There's nothing like that here... sob! :)) So I'm learning from you! :)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

OH! It has to take so much patience to sew circles!!!!!

Thank you dear one for coming to visit me!!! ENJOY THE NEW WEEK! Anita

Bev C said...

Hello Dzintra,

Love your circle quilt, it lloks so lovely. I saw those pumkins in Coles too, I wonder how popular they will be.
Happy Monday.
Bev.xoxo

Pooch Purple Reign said...

what do you mean you havent seen those before.... how big are they :) ?
i think i will carve a pumpkin today too
awesome fabric !
~laura xx

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

The circle ... the most perfect shape! ... and I think I could live at the French General! (; xxxVicki

vicki archer said...

The quilts are fantastic...Dzintra, I don't know how you have the time for all this wonderful creation....Your blog looks gorgeous....xv

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...