It's winter, I'd like to hibernate!

But I can't.
There have been so many things happening, and exciting changes!

The first exciting thing is that our sign has gone up, now we are officially a studio! Tui Glen is the name of the road we live on and we have large numbers of kowhai trees which means our gardens will be full of tuis once they are flowering.Mr M&M (aka Dennis) made it himself, very clever!

And today I discovered a little touch of yellow in one tree, it must be an early flowering variety, but it's an exciting sign!

Mr M&M is, as some of you will already know, is a watercolour painter who specialises in landscapes. He has been busy assembling paintings for his very first solo exhibition in a gallery in Palmerston North. It opened last week for two weeks, and after a week he has sold seven paintings! I am very proud of him!

He is having another exhibition of work in Wellington in mid July and wants me to include some of my work! I think it might be a bit short notice for me! Mind you, if I canceled hot dinners and house work never made the bed and had some days off work pleading a mysterious illness......... ?

Here at Tui Glen Studio it's winter. We have loads of beautiful fallen leaves covering the ground, in fact we are getting buried under them! But the colours are gorgeous and I love walking through them. It's exciting to see the changes with the season.

I'm pleased we've got lots of firewood because there's been a lot of this happening during the evenings! It's most unusual to see them snuggle together, they must be mellowing in their old age. lol

Of course when I'm out walking round both Buddy and Wednesday like to follow me. They love all the places to sharpen their claws, and hide, and they have now have little bells (much to their disgust!) round their neck. We have some lovely walks, they run after me and 'talk' to me. As if I know what they're saying I chat back. I hope the neighbours aren't listening!

So you can see there have been a lot of things happening. As well as working in two jobs now and preparing for teaching at symposium and working on projects for the quilt store there has been no time to sit still for very long!I hope you'll all forgive me for not posting here as often. I take the photos, but run of of hours at the end of the day to post them!

Well, must go and light the fire, and do a little more stitching. Hopefully I'll have some stitching photos for you soon :)

Hope you are all well!

Carole x

I'm getting left behind!

I can't believe it's May already! The world is spinning much too fast for me!

Quite a lot has been happening here in our little piece of paradise. First off we had a wee visit from a special wee person.

Neve at 10 months

The kids came to visit for a long weekend and we got to have loads of cuddles and see just how much she has grown since we saw her last! She is busy pulling herself up onto the furniture and will be walking in another month or two. She crawls at the speed of light too!

Things are also changing here as autumn comes to an end and winter officially starts in another couple of weeks.

New Zealand Weta

We have loads of these looking for nice cosy places to hibernate over the winter. I don't like them one little bit, however, I was very good and didn't stand on it and it thanked me by posing for a photo. It disappeared shortly after and I missed where it went, so I shall keep the windows closed for a few days I think!!

toadstools

I was delighted to see some of these come up on our lawn under a large old silver birch tree. They are more orange than red and look pretty and mysterious.

A perfect dance floor for a fairy? And it's lovely to see a pair of tuis making themselves at home in our garden. I love hearing them call to each other.

Tui

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pretty batik fabric

And of course I'm having fun at our local quilt store, the KC. and am going to start on another project this week for them. Must remember to take some photos!

What have you all been doing over the last week?

Carole x

A week in pictures

7.

Sunday.

our woodland secret

Carole x

A week in pictures

6.

Saturday

pansy seedlings

Carole x

A week in pictures

5.

Friday.

sample cushion made for the KC
(for you Annette)

"Mother, may I go out to swim?"
"Yes my darling daughter.
Fold your clothes up neat and trim,
But don't go near the water."

Old nursery rhyme.
 

Carole x

A week in pictures

 4.

Thursday.

Fabric I found at the KC 

Carole x

A week in pictures

3.

Wednesday.

ric rac in a row

Carole x

A week in pictures

2.

Tuesday.

Buddy

Carole x

A week in pictures

1.

Monday

Carole x

Some more embellishing and the last FQ finds a home

Easter weekend, the perfect time to spend catching up on projects.

I managed to get all my spring bulbs planted into pots. I dug them out before we shifted thinking we might have quite a journey ahead of us, so now they've all been planted again.

But I also managed to do some more embellishing on the exhibition piece.

Of course there has to be a yoyo somewhere!

And some pinks.

I'll add some more pics as I do them.

Well the last fat quarter is off to a new home, Lottie your name was drawn for the lucky last. As yesterdays winner hasn't chosen hers yet scroll down and pick which you'd like and let me know.


Now we're into April and it's a whole new year. I'm not sure where this year is going to take me. Am wondering if I should teach some more online classes, or 'in person' classes, should I concentrate on adding new and exciting things to my Etsy store, should I make samples for the quilt store I work in one day a week, or should I just make things for me?

I'm not sure.

Anyway my friends, thanks for sticking with me for six years. We've certainly had a few adventures together haven't we?

Back soon,
Carole x

Easter Balloons

 

As it happens it's 'Lift off Levin' this weekend. Ballooners from all round the country flock to Levin for a long weekend of ballooning. Flying or watching. Thought I'd share a few pics with you. We didn't go out to see them, these balloons flew over our property. 

You couldn't see them, but you could hear them, hissing,

hear the sound of the gas as it was turned on and off, so we knew there was a balloon somewhere above us.

 

We would have had a better view if we didn't have so many large trees all around us.

But we sat outside for ages watching them all float by.

Very pretty.

Sorry the photos aren't too good,  I don't think I'd had breakfast or a cuppa yet!

Then they disappeared off south of us.

They were flying over three days, but today it's raining, so I guess they'll have a day of telling stories and catching up on the ground. 

They were lovely!

Mustn't forget, the day 6 fat quarter winner was picked from the comments left and guess whose name got picked out this time? 

magpiesmumblings

There are 2 fat quarters left, let me know which one you'd like with your address and I'll get it to you.

the dusty pink in the front is still available

and the brown with the daisies

So I will give away the last fat quarter with this post. 

Hope you've all had a lovely Easter!

Carole x

My first class -Michelle

I have decided my first class will be a mini blackboard class at the Krazy Cow Quilts. 

The class will be held on Saturday 13 April, from 10am to 12 noon. 

These mini blackboards have 101 uses and make gorgeous gifts. If you want to be well organised you could make some as Christmas gifts!

Class cost $25.00 and you will be doing some machine and hand stitching. 

You can book through Krazy Cow Quilts, or contact me for a seat. Limited spaces available.

Last year I gave away a bundle of fabric, and then felt awful because so many people left comments and I couldn't give more people fabric.

With 3 more fat quarters left, day 5 draw has gone to: Michelle. Congrats Michelle, let me have your address. If you scroll down, there are 2 brown, the dusty pink and the tiny heart fabric left. Let me know your choice. 

Two more fat quarters to give away.

Hope you're having a great relaxing weekend!

Carole x

Happy Easter!

This picture is taken from the telegraph.co.uk from 2009 and I think it sums up my idea of Easter Heaven! Imagine if you were a child and you stumbled upon this tree!

Hope you all have a lovely enjoyable Easter, and no over-dosing on chocolate!

Oh and the winner of the fat quarter for day 4 is Jen. Thanks for your lovely comments.

You'll need to scroll down and tell me which fat quarter you'd like, and let me have your address. My email address is on the right hand side of the blog. 

Back soon

Carole x

Some exciting news...

Those of you who follow me on Face book will have heard my exciting news.

I have been offered work one day a week at a local quilt store here in Levin. As I don't work on Fridays this is awfully convenient!

The store is called Krazy Cow Quilts and is located on the main state highway in the old railway station building at the southern end of Levin. As you would expect is full of delightful and exciting things!
Trish the lovely owner is happy for me to make projects and teach classes.She also stocks my gift lines, like lavender bags, buntings and cards. 

This fabric was crying out to be made into something isn't it gorgeous, mmmm, ...watch this space!

I have started a Facebook page for Krazy Cow Quilts, if you have time, pop by and say hi! Or if you're driving past on a Friday, pop in and say hi in person!

So I am going to be extra busy and am busy planning my first class.  I'll keep you posted!

Today Janelle's name got drawn from the hat for day 3 winner of the fat quarter! Scroll down and choose a fat quarter Janelle. (The pink on pink and the little green circle have gone).

Call back soon,
Carole x

I discovered this video a couple of days ago and I thought I'd share it with you.

http://youtu.be/-j06WzmN7KI

If you've ever wondered about making a matching pillowcase for your quilt here are some very easy instructions for a pillowcase with french seams!

Let me know how you get on!

And because it's my blogiversary I'm giving away another fat quarter!  

LINDA, your name was drawn from the hat for day 2! Scroll back and let me know which fat quarter you'd like. (The pink one is gone.) 

Carole x

still on a wee birthday high...

birthday cupcakes...

Hey Suztats you have a fat quarter coming your way from day 1. Pick out the one you want and let me know!

I will be sending another fat quarter away from the comments left today!

Carole x

And you know what happens in March?

Guess what?

March is the anniversary of the Madness and Mess blog!

But I'm sure you knew that right?

I've amazed myself by blogging for six years! 

And as usual I like to do a small give-away to celebrate my

lovely blogging sisters out there. 

So for the last 7 days of March I am going to give away one fat quarter

every day.

Each day I will randomly pick one name from the comments left

that day. That person will get to pick which fat quarter

they'd like.

So thank you for your friendship, and I know that sometimes I 

don't get time to reply to each of you personally, but I love hearing from you!

So get your comments in and I'll let you know if you've won a fat quarter.

In the mean time, have a piece of celebratory cake! 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Carole x