Hello, hello to all again for another week. Boy, where do those weeks go? We’re nearly at the end of February already? Hope it’s good for you this week and you’ve got a little time to sit and chat with me.

I had to laugh at myself yesterday, because I found myself sounding exactly like my Mother!! You see I used to cringe when I’d hear Mum say things like “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”, but I said exactly that yesterday, and really meant it!

We purchased a clothes dryer when I had our first son, 32 years ago, and it’s still in use to this very day! Sure, it’s looking a little worse for wear, with a smattering of rust here and there, and a collection of bumps and bangs. We’ve replaced the filter inside on numerous occasions (when it fell apart in my hand) and have had to replace the belt at the back three times in three decades, (we did this yesterday).

I’m afraid I can’t think of any other domestic appliance that has lasted that long for us. My first washing machine lasted for just on 20 years, but I’ve never had one since that lasts longer than 8 or so years. The cynic inside of me imagines that this is all part of the necessity of “making a profitable manufacturing industry”; by making products that don’t last for long.

My darling husband has been heard to say that he’s going to trade me in one day but I don’t think he’d get another wife who would be so cost effective. I don’t each much, don’t spend money on expensive clothes or shoes, don’t go out much, and an afternoon stitching in my sewing room is all I crave for. They don’t make us like they used to eh?

Last week I wrote an article about making a quilt bag to hold a quilt that is going to be presented as a gift. I didn’t have time to take some photos, but I’ve got some on my blog of the latest quilt and bag Sunshine Linus Inc. are making for a charity to raise funds at their annual Ball and Auction. I used the left over fabric from the backing and it looks really pretty. Pop over to my blog to have a look. Here’s the link: http://whenlifehandsyouscraps.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks to all those lovely readers who gave me ideas for finishing off the little baby shoes that I spoke about last week. Lots of great ideas, and I’m going to be stitching up a storm for the stall. Great ideas, thanks so much to you all.

There’s been chat on the forum again this week, and we’re getting to some interesting topics. Here’s’ the link to the forum if you’d like to join us. http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43

So onto my little pressies for you this week. A mixed bag to be sure, but hopefully something for everyone.

http://www.knittingfool.com/pages/yards1.guest.cfm need an estimate of yarn for your next knitting project?

http://www.quiltedcupcake.net/2010/08/few-folks-have-requested-that-i-re-post.html OMG, gotta do this, just gotta!!

http://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/inside-a-fallen-redwood-avenue-of-the-giants-humboldt/ wow, I mean, wow.

http://thelittlehousebythesea.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/toadstool-cottage-and-mushroom-house-%E2%80%93-free-pattern-and-tutorial/ The cutest and most special little pincushions

http://podruzki-rukodelnitsi.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/blog-post_1.html a pretty cross stitch ornament, and you don’t need to understand the language – the pictures are great

http://coatsandclarksewingsecrets.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/around-world-quilt.html a simple but spectacular quilt tutorial

http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/finding-right-background-for-applique.html an ingenious idea for appliqué placement and background

http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com.au/2008/07/drum-roll-pleasemolly-monkey-pattern.html pretty Molly Monkey free pattern

http://lilysquilts.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/lynnebobsquarepants.html a nice block tutorial

http://www.purlbee.com/buttonhole-napkins/ at last!! Buttonhole napkins for people like me who have difficulty navigating the food from the fork to the mouth!!!

http://ginghamcherry.blogspot.com.au/2009/05/teabag-tag-tutorial-i-love-alliteration.html a teabag tutorial

Well, that’s all I have for you this week dear quilters. I hope you’ve got some time to indulge some quilting and sewing this week. Until next week, take care and stay happy. Here's my email if you'd like to be in touch: quilting@bellaonline.com

Cheerio for now


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

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com