Ok, hands up. Who pinched last week? Come on, I know you’ve got it somewhere!! (LOL)

What happened? One minute it was Monday and now it’s Friday. My apologies for not getting this newsletter out earlier this week. No real excuse except I had some visitors who we gave the “grand tour” during the week. Had a lovely time with them, lots of laughter and latish nights. I think I’m getting to be a better hostess these days. I guess it’s the company that is so enjoyable.

We had an enormous amount of rain during the week, over our usual monthly rainfall in just a few days. The people in the know are saying that we’re in for a very hot, wet summer which means things won’t dry very well, and the humidity will be pretty high. Such a change to the drought we’ve endured over the past 10 years or so. I guess some would say this is all about climate change, others will argue that this is simply the cycle of climate over one hundred years or so. All I know, and what’s important to me is that rain means I can quilt without guilt!! And that’s all that matters!!

Christmas is coming (I’m guessing you’ve already realised this), and so it’s time for me to refresh the Free Christmas patterns article and give you a lot of the current free Christmas patterns and designs that are out there on the net at the present time. Here’s the link to the first instalment – I found so many, there’ll be another instalment next week!! http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6345.asp

It’s been quiet on the forum front; don’t forget it’s your forum where you can make your comments. Pop over and make use of it. Here’s the link: http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43

So onto my yummy things for you this week. A few “different” little gifts, but interesting just the same. Enjoy!

http://carlafinley.blogspot.com/ a little tote bag with a great tutorial
http://qfdcreative.com.au/tutorials/cutting-cookies-a-reversible-childs-apron-designed-by-rachel.html lovely little apron for your special little “grandee”

http://themagicbean.typepad.com/the_magic_bean/2010/04/fabric-baby-blocks-stuffed-with-memories.html gorgeous baby blocks with a big difference

http://cesstrelle.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/freebie-horse-shapes/ Not only Horse shapes, but cats and cows. Not exactly made for the genre of appliqué, but can be used as such.

http://www.ikatbag.com/2010/04/10-reasons-to-love-your-seam-ripper.html Lots of useful info here

http://andsometimesy.blogspot.com/2010/05/diy-keyboard-wrist-rest.html I need to make one of these because I spend so long on the computer!

http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/05/guest-post-with-alisa-burke.html get your teenager into indie crafts with this fun bracelet.

That’s all from me this week. I’m busy getting ready for my trip to Norfolk Island. I’m getting excited, but the thought of packing doesn’t thrill me at all!! Oh well, you can’t have a rainbow without the rain!! Take care everyone, enjoy your week and we’ll catch up next week.

Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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