Scrub Stitchin' why do I do it?????????

 Scrub Stitchin' and Chookshed Stitchers have never been more entwined...........I love gathering people together and sharing the same interests.........

This retreat started when another gathering ended and there was a big group of bloggers connected wondering how we would meet up again........and there was a few extra friends connected to the bloggers too...........

This was the 6th Scrub Stitchin' with 2020 held online on zoom due to "C"..........

following the Scrub Stitchin' online day I went onto to hold the Chookshed birthday online also a short time later.............previously it had only been sewing virtually with everyone doing a post during or after the weekend showing there progress..........

from then on I kept hosting zoom gatherings and eventually Gail named us the Chookshed Stitchers...........

But lets get back to the retreat...........I love to make the room look good and get everyone in the sewing mood when they walk in the door.........lucky we have the ability to hang quilts on the walls very easy......it really adds to the atmosphere......

the tables always have flowers of some kind........

there's even a vase of flowers in each cabin.......

This year with the Australiana theme I was able to get some natives and thanks to Brenda we added some more bits from her garden to make all the vases look great...........

Mum always makes us scones but this year one of her friends helped out also and they are always a hit with the girls............we did have to educate those Americans that they are scones and NOT biscuits.........and the only way to eat them is with jam and cream on top...........

the whole group........just two missing I think from this photo.........

such a diverse amazing group of women that I am privileged to call friends..........even Tracy who I had not met (virtually or in real life) prior to her arriving with Deana.........she slotted right into the group...........

they are a friendly welcoming bunch and it ia wonderful to see everyone just mixing with everyone.......enjoying seeing what each person is making..........the cheers when someone has a finish........and the photos also required at that time.......

the beautiful comments I get from everyone esp from those new to the group saying how lovely the group is..........

(I don't even have to tell them to mix each meal time now - it just happens)

Above if you join the Chookshed Stitchers these girls have all joined in at times and most are bloggers still..........

(Tracy USA, Me, Lou NZ, Gail USA, Raewyn NZ, Deana USA, sitting Sylvia Germany and Chris Canada)

I am always so excited about SS each year..........I can't wait to catch up with everyone coming.............this year was a little more special and we had a few more make the journey from overseas...............

Raewyn was finally able to join us again.......finally all the "C" travel restrictions have been removed and she was able to cross the ditch............Lou was finally able to use tickets she had to Oz that she had postponed during "C"...........

SOOOOOO exciting to meet all the girls............most friends with for so many years..........never thinking we would be able to meet.............

Tracy although you maybe have "been told" lucky you "made the right choice" lol........

Back to the goody bags............

once Scrub Stitchin is done I am working on the next one.........thinking of ideas.....With the scrub and the local area always in mind..........

This year I found gorgeous Australian native flower mugs.......I ended up with Sturt's Desert Pea, But there was also waratahs, banksias, gum blossoms, wattle and bottlebrush......

I popped in chocolates and the kit............

this year the designer was Anni Downs from Hatched and Patched..............

out of kitty as an extra this year I got some bags printed............this is the front........the other side has all the girls names etc who attended this year........

Very kindly a couple of the girls made a gift for everyone........

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie fabric pin cushions/clip holder and the heart and the star have magnets in them and will hold things onto the fridge.........

they fit into the theme perfectly........thankyou to the girls who made them..........

the saying is "No matter where they are......friends are never far" (Lea's finished bag)..........this is so perfect for this group...........lets take out the international girls cause that's a given it's a long way to get here BUT the Aussie girls travel long distances to get here too.......we come from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.......thousands of KM's travelled to get here......

I even had an extra couple of trips this year to get all the gear over.........wasn't just me in the car this year.......

A few hiccups in the setup and over the weekend but we all just made it work...........

thanks also to everyone who helped set up and pack up.....

I just want to say thankyou to everyone for making the long trip to join in Scrub Stitchin'

you are what makes it great.....

I feel blessed......

Catch you later.....

Chookyblue......

PS this is just post one from Friday........

forgetful miracles.........

Got some more binding completed on another quilt last night..........think I got 1/2 way around........I was chatting on zoom to the Scrub Stitchin' girls........Tina even got to pop in while on her dinner break........

I'll fix those couple of dodgy corners today on the machine on the quilts I have been binding and I should have 3 finished this weekend........I'll be on fire for July Rose Marie...........

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I "forgot" to share this new book of Anni's that I got..........I keep forgetting to take a pic........but it's the new one from Quiltmania.......they do make beautiful books and Anni always has gorgeous projects........

I got these fabrics added into the parcel.........not sure if they will go into my big churn dash blocks but they were nice additions to the brights..........

Speaking of churn dash blocks I am going sewing today.......in the Chookshed.........

And the "miracle" of today is that I have friends really coming to sew with me in the Chookshed..........

I was going to have some sewing days when I was on leave but it kept raining then we were busy chasing sheep..........

OK better go get ready.......turn the heaters on....big frost here this morning.......

its exciting........have a great weekend......

Catch you later.........

Chookyblue.......

Scrub Stitchin' Corona Style........

 Wow sorry i've been trying to get here..........had issues emailing my pics to the post like i usually do so I got delayed........Life's busy for me........work continues and with the changes due to corona virus its very hectic.....no chance to work from home or sit at home and sew like some........

We've had rain and things have been lovely and green........drying out a bit at present but we have an amazing bulk of feed in the paddocks for the stock.........its been wonderful not feeding.......yes we have been doing that for 3 years.......

Due to corona virus Scrub Stitchin' had to be cancelled........I was so devastated........I had been looking forward for months and months to the time away, see everyone and to stop.........It was supposed to be the weekend before easter.........in the end I pushed it back a week as I figured no one would have anything fun to do at easter so we could all joined in together then online.....

So we had a zoom sewing day..........it was the next best thing really...........we got on at 10am and the last of us got off about 5pm..........it was just lovely to sit and stitch and chat...........

So what did we stitch???

I decided I would try and send everyone a treat.......in the end given the rapid chances with corona virus I ended up getting Anni from The Home Patch / Hatched and Patched to send off the parcels directly.............

I had been so busy over summer I asked my friend Anni what new projects did she have...........this ended up with Anni making a special design just for us.........

ta da.............Anni's latest design........its also now available for everyone to make now........ 

Time With Friends Pouch can be found here

I just asked the girls to choose pink or blue........they had no idea why..........

I also likes this little needlebook with some wool applique also.........

So I got it added into the parcels too..........

Little Bird Needlebook can be found here

Thanks heaps Anni @homepatch or @hatchedandpatched

Thanks to all the Scrub girls for making the day great...........it was so wonderful to catch up.......

we also had more lovely rain around easter and the creek filled up.........no need to isolate we couldn't go anywhere anyway.....

Stay tuned.......i'll be back pretty soon...........the Chookshed 8th Birthday party was supposed to be next weekend but it's also cancelled due to Corona........BUT I have plans for the following Saturday or Sunday.......more on that soon......

OMG I almost forgot..........I have a spare kit.........given the issues with postage at present this will be a Australia only draw.........sorry international girls........

So if you would like to win this little kit or you would like to nominate a friend leave a comment........

tell me what would you pop into your pouch (7x12in)

Catch you later.........

Chookyblue......

Swaps, Shopping, Prizes..........

GDITC always means a swap...........Make it, Bake it, Fake it Swap is great as everyone gets to join in......its a swap we do with our blog friends in our group...........if you don't have time to make something or bake something just fake it and buy a gift.......this way everyone can join in.......

I faked it this year and Janice received my gift.......no pic sorry.........

I received from Sandy and you may think she faked it but really she didn't as she designed and put the kit together for this gorgeous little pin cushion.........

This is what it will look like when I make it up.............

I'm sure Sandy won't mind me using her photo esp if I include the link so you can buy one for yourself......

you can find them @ Shiralee Stitches........

so tiny and cute........

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GDITC always means some shopping.....both at the Cottage on the Hill and designer goodies on the day............

the kit for a baby quilt..........

Some of Anni Downs Hatched and Patched new fabric just in store Garden Whimsy..........so pretty............

A new bottle of Best Press

WARNING - has anyone else had the problem I had the squirty/spray on and while not using it in summer the whole bottle had somehow leaked out all over the ironing board..........thru the nozzle............so now I will never leave the screw top off when not in use................such a waste of a nearly full bottle...........

Some of Bonnie Sullivans new patterns..........and some cards  - quilty cards are always great...........

Now I must say I was not a huge fan of Bonnie's work before the workshop...........her things were a little more black and prim which is NOT me.......but I must say I LOVE all these new designs.............very happy with the project on the day.............and as Bonnie lies in the USA I had never met her before but she was soooooo lovely and we had a fabulous time...........

Bonnie is preprinting fabric........nothing like I have seen anyone else do......the pattern on the back ground is also preprinted.......the lines you can leave or stitch over..........add a bit of wool work and jobs done...........

the pre-printed christmas ornaments...........just add some wool and stitching....

I won these as I was one of the 4 ladies on the Saturday who had done the whole 10 years...........Me, Marcelle, Helen and Lea......Not sure if there was anyone on the Sunday............Lea I didn't know the first year but Marcelle and Helen we catch up every year since then just at GDITC...........Lea and I are good friends..........spending lots more retreats and sewing weekends together.........

Catch you later.......

Chookyblue.......

Keeping the love of blogging alive

Anni and her designs.....................

The gorgeous Anni Downs from Hatched and Patched was the designer for 

Girls Day in the Country this year. 

Myself, Annette (my new friend) and Anni

(Annette the contact thingy for the girls did didn't work so I don't know how to contact you or and of the girls with you)

the beautiful designs Anni made for us to work on this  year..........block roll, pincushion, scizzor keeper and a needlebook showing both sides for you...............made with Anni's latest fabrics using stitchery, applique, wool applique what ever method we chose to use.............

I got a scizzor keeper made on the day............

our 2016 group of wonderful bloggers................

Thanks Kerry from Cottage on the Hill Nundle for looking after us so well..............

Another wonderful workshop.............

haven't missed one yet and looking forward to Bonnie Sullivan in 2017............

Catch you later.......

Chookyblue.........

The Make it, Bake it, Fake it Swap goodies.....

Absolutely awesome gifts.....We are the best..... The best goodies done..... 

The brief was if your 'making' it had to be a small 'Anni aka Hatched and Patched' project...... 

OMG look at this display............

Dawnie @ Itching for Stitching received my swap gift............

A needle book from Anni's book The World as it Should Be

I got Kate @ Show and Tell's  swap gift..............

Catch you later..... 

Chookyblue....

Fun of the day.....

Sad to say bye to lea early 

My achievement.....  

Great table of girls.... 

The blog girls...... The rest were not listening..... 

Catch you later.....

Chookyblue......

This goes with that at Lucy's..............

For the Aussies I digress the blog title a slight twist on the old "This goes with that at Susans" advertising line.............

anyway back to Lucy.............

thought I had shared this but I hadn't so this is how I put my Lucy Boston blocks together..............

I join centre pairs and then put a green in this case and repeat for below then join those 2 sections and add the other 2 greens to make the section below.........

 I pair up the outer fabrics sometimes these have one directional prints etc and it is easier to think as I join them in pairs then as I put each one onto the block........

then it all goes together...........OMG when I first started I sewed wrong bits in or joined the wrong angles...........thank goodness I found a system.........well it works very well for me anyway..............

then  I add the units I have prepared of creams as per previous post........you don't need the little squares on all points.........

then we grab the fillers (see this post)

And this goes with that.........and Lucy starts to come together..........

Ignore the bottom left block as it is a corner and I am working that bit out............

I'll show you how I am finishing it off later..........

It needs more sewing and I am banned from Lucy at the moment.................

I moved it apart a bit so you can see the outline of each block...........

And just a bit closer..........

OK enough of Lucy..........I would not have done it today but we have free data with Telstra today so I have been getting some computer stuff out of the way.......updates etc..........I think they upped the speed because this morning mine was going SOOOOO fast for us..........not the case this arvo...........

usually we have such limited amount I am taking advantage.......

And it is hot so I am inside with the air con...............

I got one of the flowers finished and now April is done.............yep April last year........

better late then never?

Natures Journey.............

And my beautiful feathered friend Jenny @ Bird on the Border has been visiting for a few days..........the Chookshed was buzzing.............more from Jen then me but hey I got some sewing done.............made the design board above for Jenny while she was here.......

sadly she had to go home...........even if she banned me from Lucy and flogged me along with Natures Journey..................feeling heatly and reinspired with many projects and some time to do them..........

Catch you later.......

Chookyblue.........

HeLp........

The deadline is Girls Day in the Country 19th March....

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An insane Chookyblue......

new book............

woohoo...........finally got Anni's new book...........i've been flicking thru numerous times already...........

Well done Anni @ Hatched and Patched another gorgeous book which you can get @ The Home Patch............

scored some rain in storms.......finally........

got this block together.............I call it a joining block.............it goes with "Lucy"............I need heaps of these.........more on it later but it is pretty much all I have done since Saturday.......still sick......

slowly improving.........slowly..........

Just lying on the lounge or sleeping.........so boring............

no need to comment then I have to reply........and I don't have the energy for that.........

can't believe it's a good as the end of the month..........

Catch you later.......

Chookyblue.........

Natures Journey update..........

so I have not finished yet but I have more then 1/2 the stems stitched down.......... decided I needed the leaves as I went along since they are under the stems  so I spent today turning under the bits and cutting a few more bits I had not prepared........... so everything is turned and pinned on ready to stitch........ the creatures will be tackled once all these bits are attached........ I am LOVING all the centres..........they are amazing........... Check out the Stitch-a-long blog......... you can see what the others have done...... Chookyblue..........