May recap

 May is done and dusted! What did I do? 

I read and listened to a few books, I tried a couple of new recipes, I made a lot of hexagon flowers, I went to the movies, I worked a lot and I went to Sydney to meet my newest grandson!

 Books read- 

 

 

The Perfumers secret was a good read I have liked the Fiona McIntosh's books that I have read, even if I think the characters fall in love very easily, this one was no exception.

The Banned Books Club was a bit of a thriller it kept me entertained.

The Wild Rose was a period romance, it was ok.

Opal was a great book all about DS Lucas Walker from the federal police, I have read the first book about him , missed the second one this is the third and it was good, great to listen to as I was driving.

The Seven Sisters had me engrossed in it, I didn't watch any tv for the two days that it took me to read it and have borrowed the next two in the series.

 

I made a sweet and sour fish dish, it was ok but I probably wouldn't cook it again.

 

I am in an EPP swap group so I have been making a lot of hexies and receiving lots too some not to my taste in fabric so I decided to make Anorinas Bigs and Small quilt,  a few in the group are doing it as a challenge too . I have been thread basting my hexies as I am very heavy handed with glue.

 

I went to the movies and saw The Sheep Detectives which was really good fun.

 

Francis Myles Dawson was born on the 18th May at 4.03 pm, he was 3.060 kg, he is very tiny, there were  couple of problems in the pregnancy so he was early, he is doing ok, feeding every 3 hours (poor Sophie) and not yet back to his birth weight.

 He is the image of Brad as a baby. I spent the weekend with them and got lots of cuddles.

 

 

 

 

Chookshed Challenge went by the wayside as I was trying to get Francis' quilt done, almost finished I just need to baste and quilt it. I played with a lot of scraps and sewed up scraps and crumbs to make pouches in the future.

June Chookshed Challenge number is 7 which for me is the Blue Triangle Quilt, it is foundation pieced and partially done , it was given to me to finish I will have to lay it out again and see what it needs.

My Quilting goal for the month will be to finish Francis' quilt and to quilt my Oh My Stars quilt.

While I was in Sydney I stopped at My Sewing Supplies in Sylvania, Always a great shop with sooooo many bolts of fabric, on the shelves standing in rows on the floor everywhere, not any more. the shelves are full but the front of the shop is full of long arm rulers and not much more. 

I went to visit my older sister in Wollongong on Saturday and then had lunch with a work friend and her partner, it was lovely to see them. 

 

 

SS2026 - Chookyblue Day 2

 Onto day 2......

I really didn't take as many photos as previous years...........I was busy and just forgot.............

Raewyn keeping an eye on things in the kitchen................
We just go from one meal to the next.............lol

Jenny got this top finished..............

Sandy's quilt progress.............

during nibbles we got Evelyn to try vegemite...............

She did well........didn't like it...........

don't blame her I don't like it either............

me, Natasha and Sandy........

Cheers!

Phyllis, Sue, Deana, Raewyn, Sharmayne and Karen stitching and chatting..........

Nibbles time..............

There is always lots of time to chat together..........

Karen............

Georgina must have got the binding finished on this one........

Cool colour combination..............

Kylie got this quilt top finished........

Another top for Karen.............

It's always so much fun to see what everyone is working on..............

quick quilts, slow quilts........

all different styles and colours............

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

Chookyblue.........

SS2026 - Chookyblue Setup and Day 1

  Finally I am getting to blog about Scrub Stitchin' 2026........ 

yep it was back in mid April but lets not dwell on that fact...........

This year I took a pile of stuff over on the weekend before as I had to much for one load and Miss Jules came for a run over and gave me a hand..........

We enjoyed lunch at the pub after we got the tables and chairs all set up.........

The skeleton ready to "make pretty"...........

the bare room is a pretty good canvas to work with as far as hanging quilts up..........

I do love to get some pics of the room before everyone brings all their stuff in..........

I went with a mix of colours this year that compliments the kits...........

I'll share the bag later........

The windows let some beautiful light in...........

Thanks heaps to Sandy from Shiralee Stitchers for bring some shop goodies........

and yes I was tempted once again..........woops....

She designs some gorgeous quilts as you can see here........

Nibbles Wednesday evening..........

a compulsory daily event............

More to come.........

soon..........

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

Chookyblue.....

The scrubbers of 2026.....

The coolest crew for 2026......

Chookyblue....

group project.........if you want............

 Hi Girls
We have a group quilt design to work on if you so choose.............

Simply Serene by Diana Beaubien adapted by Jo and Chooky.......

This is totally optional like the usual but if you want to play along please join us...........

Quilt centre … 64” x 80” (no borders)

103 x 6.5” squares

40 x 6.5” Half Square Triangles

32 x Side setting triangles

4 x corner setting triangles

To make HST 8 at a time you will need 5 each x 14.5” of your 2 contrasting colours.....

To make the 32 x side setting triangles you will need to cut 8 x 10.5” and cut into 4 diagonally (slightly oversized)

To make the 4 x corner setting triangles you will need to cut 2 x 5.5” cut into half diagonally.

We have added below some colour options to get you thinking.............

The pattern is based on 5in squares....But being Jo and I we have adapted it to 6.5in squares..........

other colour ways below............

you can make it smaller if you choose also............

As I said this is completely optional and you can do what you want with it or do nothing.........

Any questions please leave them on this post or ask Jo or myself......

Hope you join in the fun..........

Chooky and Jo..........

My Kawandi project is done ready for 2026

 So here you are. I’m sure you are interested to see what I did with my Kawandi fat quarter that was in our gift bag at the 2025 retreat. I made 2 pouches with diagonal zips.

Then I sewed in some dog ears so they would stand up and not just be flat.

If you want to see the steps of me making them go  HERE

Hope to see some finished projects in April 2026

2026 Special dinner theme............

 Ahead of the game this time...............

You can't say I am not giving you enough notice this time..............

I have quilt a few ideas on my list but this year we are going to go with

"Your favourite book character"

This really is very broad and up to your own choice............

Bring the book that you are the character from.............

So many options..............

I hated book week so I am taking one for the team......

Actually hate dressing up except for Scrub Stitchin'......

My kids only ever won "most effective least effort"...........

Maybe you might like to choose a kids book............

the options are endless............

so you had better get planning............LOL.........

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

Chookyblue.........