Hi everyone, I’m Diane from The Sloan Patch. I live on a little bit of acreage at Telegraph Point along NSW’s mid north coast. My kids have all finished school now (just) and are at different stages of work/study so there’s definitely a bit more time for ‘me’.

I started blogging just a couple of years ago when I needed a little inspiration after starting full time work. I’ve enjoyed being part of the community so much – and find the virtual sew ins particularly inspiring. Like many of you, Chooky got me started, and although I’ve dropped out of ‘blogland’ when times are particularly busy, I always try to jump back in.

I started my patchwork journey about 15 years ago when my beautiful friend Sally put the call out for volunteers to help make some craft projects to be sold at our local school country fair. I was handy with a sewing machine – making clothes all through my ‘poor’ uni days – but I’d never done any other sewing and didn’t fancy it too much. But boy, did I enjoy the sisterhood, so we decided to meet regularly and try our hand at patchwork.

The beautiful Sally (right)

Wednesdays at my place became the highlight of my week. And although I don’t have a lot to show for all those years I certainly enjoyed lots of tea and cake! In saying that, Sally generously taught me some valuable patchworking skills, and I have since taken lots of classes with my friend Debbie at Everything Country.

I particularly enjoy handwork and love projects which offer a variety – embroidery, applique, EPP etc. I’ve just recently started hand piecing and I love it. I’ve always liked the country colour palette, but I’ve found myself straying a little lately and it’s been fun. Like many of you I get excited by new projects, but they seem to take me an incredibly long time to finish. I do finish some of them…the others are still happening, I promise J.

I’ve read all your posts from previous GDITC with envy, so am very excited about joining you this year. And I’m especially happy to be bringing Sally along. It seems only right to share this experience with the person who got me started!

See you soon.

I'm coming....I'm Sandy...

Hello everyone. I thought I'd introduce myself. I am Sandy, I used to be a 'good' blogger, but recently I'm a very bad blogger but lookie here, Miss Chooky, I am actually managing to remember how to do it tonight!

Lucky for me,years ago, Chooky thought I was the 'nice' Sandy and she invested the time to get me blogging, and did for me what she has done for so many, offered the beautiful friendship and inclusion to this magical friendship group of like-minded sewers.
On my first, very nervous trip to Nundle, I took my Mum, not knowing anyone, but certain I would meet the blogging celebrity, "Chooky". Well meet her I did, along with the lovely Jenny aka Bird on the Border, and Trish aka Googygirl, and the friendships just grew and grew, and became many many more in numbers, and immense value.
(hmmm...how do I insert a picture???....some things never change, Chooky..lol)

This was my first Girls Day in the Country.

Donna and I have enjoyed many more since, and developed a lovely friendship.
Oh, I just realised, Chooky, this was the piccie when you got my gift in the swap.....

And then there's Jenny. Well we met at my first GDITC being popped on the same table with Googy as well (nailed it Kerry!), we became room buddies the next year, Jen and I, and we are travelling together to Scrub Stitchin'... like sisters us duo!







I love hand sewing, am an addicted EPP er, and I like to work with reproduction fabrics.

Who would have thought that the blog name, which Chooky and I agonised over, Shiralee Stitches, would go on to become my business name?...well it did. Shiralee is the name of our cattle property in Northern NSW.... and most of you know that I have a little patchwork business, mobile and online.
You can check me out at www.shiraleestitches.com.au 
I design a lot of the projects in my shop and run a few BOM programs, which many of the bloggy girls have done or are doing...

Chooky and Sonia have twisted my arm to bring a few goodies to Scrub, although Jen and I have to fit our sewing gear in her car, so if you really want anything in particular, you'd better let me know. We just might have to ditch the stock at Jenny's place in Goondi if we can't fit the bubbles and the other essentials in...lol...

Chooky and Sonia...you are doing an amazing job, and I thank you so much for organising this opportunity to have a blast again..bring on the laughs, the show and tell, the hideous behaviour that only we 'get', and all the fun and antics.....oh, and the sewing....hehe....can't wait to see you all again.
(hope this post works...)

If only......

If only you could see in these envelopes you would be able to see the pattern........ Oh shame it's not a see thru envelope..........

'Snoops' will just have to wait........

OK gotta go packing too go pick up Fairy Girl...... Woo hoo...... Bring on the school holidays (qld) ......... 

Catch you later...... 

Chookyblue.......

Ps maybe we might see some more intros here while I am gone....... 

Susan Oh 2 Sew Intro

I figured I best get on the band wagon too.

A lot of you have met me at GDITC - I am a reasonably regular blogger (here) - and went to GDITC each year from 2014 to 2017.

I am originally from Sydney and now live in Brisbane - have two girls - aged 28 and 26.  I started cross stitch in the mid 80s and then patchwork a few years later.  Cross stitch eventually faded out of the scene - although recently I have done a few smaller items.

For my patchwork style, I prefer brighter colours - although I like the look of civil war, reproductions etc - it just isn't me.  And I haven't been bitten by the EPP bug.  I prefer making tops rather than quilting them.  And for me it is about the process of making them not so much the end result.
Yes, I do like Purple but I love any of the jewel colours just as much.

I am so easily sucked in by new projects, new ideas -  a lot of you will understand that!!
I am so good at starting a new project - not so much about finishing.
I belong to 3 sewing groups - so rarely have a weekend without a sewing day in it.

I will be travelling with my bestest buddy, Maureen, - most of you know her from some GDITC trips too - stopping at a few shops along the way....if we find them.
Maureen and I met at work - we spent our lunchtimes sewing in one of the spare offices.

I am very much looking forward to seeing all those I know again - meeting some newbies - especially the ones that I know via blogging - and having a long break from work - since this trip is just after Easter and I need to leave Wednesday to get there by midday Thursday - I figured there wasn't a lot of point in going to work on Tuesday - so I will start Easter on Wednesday night - I don't work Thursdays - and will have all the week after Easter off.  Mind you I think I am going to be pretty tired on Monday after a long trip home...oh well - so sad - too bad.

Not long to go now - 18 sleeps til we leave!!!

. . . .

Feeling hot hot hot...........

I can hear Sonia singing this one now..............

Thankgoodness we got the weekend we wanted in April.................this was one of the options............one I didn't really want......its a too hot here.......

38 today.........39 tomorrow...but atleast it's not  humid............

Baradine is always a smiggen cooler but still it would not be so nice............yes we have air con in the room and in the cabins but still........its much nicer with nicer weather..............

OK must go...........stitching is calling in the air  con..........

Chooky..........

…ta da……

Peg, Dale and Kath….

the Narromine gals….

Well, we have clocked up over 190 plus years between the three of us!!!!!!

OMG we must be the old girls of the group….

these two are my besties…love them dearly……

We have all been friends for so so may years…

Dale is my next door neighbour …39 years…. we  have worked together …

Dale was always been there to help me with  out all my the fund raising ventures…

I put  my hand up so may times  when my boys were at school…

I had a real problem and Dale was there always to help out…

Her boys had left school by then…

Now, my very precious Kaffaleena…

We actually met way back in the day of basketball,

Kath was a Dubbo girl and we played in a comp down there, and that was in the early seventies…

Kath married a local painter, I went to School with him and he is a great mate of my DH….

Boys for Kath as well …. 7 boys between the 3 of us…..

our boys all had school and sporting functions that they all participated in and we travelled the countryside ….

and yes, all those school, sport fundraisers Kath was there to help ….lots of street stalls, fetes,

night functions they were the best ever….LOL

we have so many wonderful totally amazing memories…I keep giggling to myself and shaking my head…

Day Day and I dabbled in so may different crafts, we tried it all,

until we found QUILTING…!!!!!

After some travelling to craft shows, fabric shops, we got bestie number 3 convinced to have a bash as well…..

this is a photo taken at at one of our fundraising functions….in the 90’s

the theme was …. 1950’s

We went as the “Pink Ladies” and the boys were the “T Birds”…

yes, we all had wigs, furs, pearls, I had corsages made….

my god we looked hot…LOL……

it was the best ever night…

LOOK OUT THE OLD GIRLS ARE A CUMMING!!!!!!!

My name is Deb...

Hello Ladies
I know I have met most of you attending but for those that haven't. I am a wife, mother, foster carer, nanna and quilter...All titles which I juggle and suit me well. I gave up the corporate life of a Manager for a major Pharmaceutical Wholesaler after the birth of my last baby Maddi ( who is 15 next month OMG)...

I bought a property on the outskirts of Australia's oldest gold Mining village, Sofala NSW and haven't looked back. I used to be a workaholic in Sydney,who flew interstate weekly; to become a stay at home mum. I was bored ( creatively). My mum told me of a new designer Anni Downs who sold patchwork online...and the rest was history. I love all sorts of the quilting techniques but just lurve my EPP... I have many UFOS and do not hesitate to start something new. I love reproduction fabrics, but finding the modern/brights starting to sneak into my stash. I am starting a new business with a friend called Lost in Play, handmade educational play materials for children. Our goal is to create toys and games that will foster a love for nature. 

I started my own patchwork pattern business Frog Cottage Designs (named after the B&B on our property) a month before three gorgeous kids came into my life.  In 2008 Zac 2.5yrs and Taylor 1.5yrs needed a forever home and I raised my hand...Holly came 6 months later as 5 month old. They are 12, 11 and 10 this year and although our lives are hectic I wouldn't change it for the world. Frog Cottage fizzled out a few years ago after I broke my leg (yes the family goat pushed me down a embankment)...

 I am also a proud Mumma of Amanda, Taryn, Caden and Madison..Nanna of Joshua and Lachlan ( who live in Perth sniff sniff) and a Jamie ( who lives in Bathurst)...No pics of her daddy ( my son hates photos lol)

 and last but not least, my hubby who hasn't been well of late, but is now on the road to recovery... hes my biggest supporter whether I'm sewing, quilting, writing or off for another sewing day, he just smiles....and in turn I ignore all (most) of his ebay purchases .....hehe

Cant wait for Baradine!

20 DAYS AND COUNTING ....omg

20 days and counting......OMG

o  Suitcase -    

• DON’T FORGET THE TOOTHBRUSH and toiletries.
• Comfort is Key – pack your comfy crafting casual clothes, with the weather being so unpredictable, we suggest you pack for both hot and cold options over the weekend.  (Weather update will be posted a few days before we leave home)
• Sunscreen & Hat 
• Walking shoes - as there are plenty of walking trails if you fancy a stroll. (and walking clothes.....)
• Insect Repellent
• Torch
• Camera 

Excitedly counting down the days 

Sonia and Chooky.

Meet Bird on the Border

Let me introduce myself

I am Jenny Morris, AKA,   “birdontheborder”  my name was conjured up on the way home from my first meeting with Chooky at the second Girls Day in The Country.  Bird – there are many in my garden and border – I live in Goondiwindi on the QLD NSW border.

I am bringing my dear friend Sandy Cousins. She is  “Shiralee Stitches  “ so if you love EPP or cute little projects you will have to chat with her she has a beautiful  little business going in that department. Check her out on facebook .

I have always been into sewing but now I love to make quilts. I started simple but now applique quilts and small projects are more my thing.  My favourite designers are Anni Downs, Natalie Bird and Sue Spargo.  

I love to catch up with my blog friends both on the blog and in real life. I love to travel. Combining travel and catching up with my blog friends is the best and this has been a real treat for me in 2017

I belong to a small quilt group and our group has just completed  a Natalie Bird quilt that was featured in Homespun 2016-   Foxley Village 

I love to visit Chooky at the chookshed .  Found these little memories from a very wet visit! Do you know them ? 

 

Sonia find me at Forever Always Online

Introduce yourself she says..... so.....

Hi I am Sonia from Forever Always Online

Brave/silly ....me.....????

or just plain crazy!!!!

So let's start here. I have run17 retreats to be exact, and helping Chooky with Scrub Stitchin really came out of left of field, but I am so glad it did. 

My last retreat was back in July 2012, where I combined my love of papercraft with my passion of stitching. My life was just crazy, and family and my health came first. I was nudged into running a couple of sleepover event at my home in Seaforth, but that was it, I wasn't going to run anymore I was going to enjoy some just for fun for me.

Which is why I Love Girls Day in the Country (GDITC) in Nundle and Bloggers in Bathurst over the years since then, just being a participant in a great weekend away.

SOOOOOO,  after missing the very last GDITC in Nundle I was devastated so much so That when Chooky suggested that we organise something, and that she had a venue in mind, I did think oh my what am I doing. But, I am glad we did it when we did. We both jumped in with 4 very big feet, organising almost every detail in a very short time.

SCRUB STITCHIN' 2018 was born.

Lucky for us we were so excited/organised, as the past 10 months have been super crazy for both us. 33 of you are going to benefit from this crazy decision. But I am sure we will all have an amazing time.

Personally, I sold our home in Seaforth in 6 short weeks later in September and moved to 2 Fig and Pines, a 100 acre homestead in Brombin on the Mid North Coast. WOW what a change. 

My feet haven't really touched the ground. Most days at the moment one or two of us can be found tag teaming on a ride on mower trying to keep on top of the 25 acres of paddocks. the remaining 75 acres is wonderful bushland. As well as working on the renovations that need to be done to make this homestead our forever home.

So this weekend, I plan on doing lots of catching up on both my stitching and my friendships. I will be bringing my Lucy - which I can blame on Chooky for its passion/addiction of paper piecing. I will also bring my Down the Rabbit Hole which I fell in love with thanks to Deb.

I will also be lucky enough that my Daughter will be my travelling buddy. For us this will be special, as she was involved with all 17 of my previous retreats. So for me this is extra special to share some relaxing time stitching with her. Bianca prefers to embroider, and is still very scared of anything sewing machine related.

I also run a little home business where my hubby and I create and design items with a vintage flair. From New and reclaimed materials we produce a wide range of gifts and homewares. I will be bringing a little sample of things with me... so if there is something that you are wanting or like the look of please comment, so I can be sure to pack just what you want to see or purchase.

Well that's me and Bianca.... tag your it... jump in and introduce yourself.

And if you happen to pop over to my blog... it is getting some updating... see Chooky, I am trying to work both sides of the dark dividing line.

Suze, Alison and Kate (The Girls from Orange)

Hi everyone, taking lead from Chooky I thought I would add this

 post to introduce myself and my  travel buddies for the first ever 

Bush Stitching pilgrimage to Baradine.....

From left to right we have Suze, my little Bestie from Cobar and most 

recently Orange, we have stitched, laughed cried, got married and had babies 

together and we will be friends forever because we know far too much about

 each other for it to be any different..... Plus I love her.....

In the middle is Alison, my stitching partner and retreat travelling buddy in 

crime, far too much of a lady to be my friend but they do say opposites attract after all.....

We all have a love of Pimms, stitching, and many other things

 and look forward to seeing you all real soon..... 

And then there is little old me, I grew up in Cobar and moved to Orange a

t the end of 2016 for my oldest Miss Molly to commence high school, 

she graduated in 2012 and her brother Jacky Mister in 2014.....

This makes me an empty nester these days with MM living and working in

 London and JM at Uni in Newcastle. No rest for the wicked though because 

I have had my own little place for 5 years and I have a list longer than 

my leg to do inside and in the garden.......

 I like to spend time stitching in my little studio in my back yard
(being a town girl verses a bush girl like Chooky, I have a studio not a shed)
and love it when the girls come to join me, I work full time, like to travel,
 cook, spend time with my friends and family, don't blog much so I am
always in trouble with the head Chook! (kateshowandtellblogspot) 

But lets face it I am sure she would find lots of other things for me to be in trouble for..... 

I love my sewing space that I have created and have set myself a goal 

to get more done this year....watch this space!

  It doesn't always look this tidy that's for sure.....

This is where I sit and machine sew on my little Bernie "The Bernina" that I have

 had for about 35 years, bless her little heart we have done some miles together....

 My design wall that I built for my studio, one of my greatest achievements....LOL

I love a good power tool session that's for sure!

 I also have a little home market business called "Pickled on Peisley" 

The pickles shelf looks more like Mother Hubbard's cupboard at the moment but I do hope 

to get some cooking done before Baradine so I can bring some goodies along with me..... 

The clinking of the jars will hide the clinking of the wine bottles in the car!!!! HE HE HE......

Looking forward to seeing all the old faces and getting to know the new ones.....

See you in Baradine, the girls at work get so jealous when 

I tell them I am off to "Stitch and Bitch"

Until then, Happy Stitching......

Kate

Chooky and Jules..........

Loving all the chatter on the blog.......be brave a join in the conversation........

So for the few that have not met me I'm Chookyblue or Chooky as everyone calls me at these sewing days............

I love nothing more then getting together with sewing friends........at home or away............

I was so sad when Kerry said she was no longer running Girls Day in the Country........Our annual pilgrimage where a lot of us girls met due to blogging.........

I had thought of this venue for quiet some time and sparked by the terror of not have a big catch up with the girls I decided to organised Scrub Stitchin'

My buddy Sonia is brave/silly enough to join me in the crazy idea........

Miss Jules my partner in crime all things quilty who lives just down the road is our sounding board for some of the ideas we have.........shes been great.........

So here we have a pic of Miss Jules on the left.........now I know she won't introduce her self on here so I will.............

She is a bit of a batik fan, bright kaffes, mutted colours..........when she first started quilting she had no idea what she was doing.......she had done some dress making and cross stitch..........she was very meek and mild and not confident to offer advice at all but believe me she has grown and come so far........she won't hold back now in giving her opinion.....in the nicest possible way.....making you change blocks around (for the better) helping choose fabrics............

early on her stash was contained in a brown paper bag.......not a big one a sandwich size one......OMG.......its ok we fixed that issue............shes very industrious and gets projects finished (unlike me).............and best of all she loves coming to the Chookshed and sewing with me.........

&&&&

Me on the other hand.....(on the right in the pic).......I'm so lucky to have a Chookshed aka sewing shed and plenty of space for friends to join me........just not 32 at once.......

I love EPP..........actually lets rephrase that I have a huge addiction to EPP, if it was a drug I would need to go to rehab fast.........I love fussy cutting too.......

as Lea puts it I do have quite a few fancy rulers.........

also enjoy stitchery, applique and anything patchwork really........

looking forward to meeting you all.......
I'll be bringing some sewing machine and hand work..........
I like to mix it up......
&&&&

Also I will have Fairy Girl aka Georgia with me...........shes in yr 11 at boarding school and loves time in the Chookshed when she is home........

She has a free mind of rules and how you do stuff and I love seeing her make things happen.........who knows what she will be working on this weekend.........

Catch you later.......

Chookyblue.........

PS I hope a few more of you girls do an intro.............

PSS Bring your walking gear as I love walking at sunrise and/or sunset...........
think boot camp/sewing camp............
you can't sit on your butt all day........

Pretty in pink dinner..........

everyone loves a little bit of pink so Friday night dinner will be pink themed.................

If everyone can bring something pink to wear.............

a pink dress or a pink top.............

only a few of us could fit into something like this...........

and you don't need to add all the tulle either but I am sure you can find something lovely to wear............
dress, boa, tiara, scarf, 

I have a pink dress all lined up but it depends on the temperature..........

and whats a special occasion without presents so Friday night we will also do our Make It or Fake It Swap..............details here
OK go get your pretty pink clothes organised..........
We'll send you off before dinner to get ready......
Catch you later...............
Chookyblue and Sonia.........

The girls are coming as well…

The girls haven’t been our for a while….

maybe, its time for them to go on a little road trip as well….

heading home I need details!!!!!!!!

Hi All.............

Just working out some of the finer details now things are getting closer............

So originally we had planned not to include lunch Thursday as who knows how many would be there or not be there by lunch............hence the 2pm time........

We still are not going to have lunch but you should be able to arrive from 11.30 onwards (we need time to get organised ourselves)...............

so you could grab something at either of the cafes and head to Camp Cypress.

Leaving on Sunday what time are people thinking of heading off????

Who would be there for a 12 noon lunch eat and leave? (yes you can rush away)

Who would leave earlier in the morning?

If you're leaving earlier we can arrange a packed lunch........

would you like that?

Could everyone please respond by way of comment on the blog. You can comment for your car load so long as you let me know who you are travelling with. 

I'm not holding you to this strictly but I need a pretty fair idea of what to arrange with our wonderful cook also.................

PLEASE RESPOND

Thanks heaps........

Chookyblue

I'm so excited

That is all!!!!!!!

URGENT............

I gasp in horror as sometime who shall remain nameless only just told me they had put in for leave.........gasp  today.......thank goodness it is ok...........

OMG make sure you have you work days off girls.............

Can't have anyone missing out cause they can't get off work..............

I even have put in for an extra day............woohoo.....

i've got the Wednesday off also...........

last minute prep time..........

OMG i'm so excited i'm not sure I will be able to sleep the next 28 sleeps...........

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

Chookyblue (and Sonia) (insert excited squeal)

My Blocks

After flicking thru many of my patchwork books, I came up with 4 different blocks to make.

Here are my "Cream & Classic":

 ...and here are my "White & Bright"

It's been a long time since I made "swap blocks".

See you soon.

Jewells

 

30 Days and Counting

 30 SLEEPS, (excited squeal)  till we all make the trek to our little sewing oasis in the scrub, 

checking off the lists of what to bring.

Make it or Fake it - pretty parcel tied up with string  (small gift max $15 to swap) 

ONLY 30 MORE SLEEPS.....excitedly counting down the days 

Sonia and Chooky XXX

Directions needed in one month...........

Its the 5th March already............in one month.........we will be heading here.........

hope you like my dodgy drawing.............

But Baradine is not that big you cannot get lost.........

population 600........

most of you will come in from the bottom of the map I think from Coonabarabran.........

by this time in one month we will be having a great time together.............the chatter will be loud...........some maybe starting to fade and need to head to bed after a big trip...........

As you drive into camp cypress you will see the cabins.......park anywhere here in front of them..............

OMG I am so excited............ticked off a few jobs again this afternoon........

I'm not sure why but not everyones comments are being emailed out...........all I can say is the internet is a weird place so look at the posts for all the comments............its the best I can offer...............

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

Chookyblue.........