The Eagle Has Landed ... errr ... Launched!!

One of my all-time favourite cartoon characters is Snoopy from the Peanuts comic strip. He has this crazy imagination that gets him into all sorts of trouble (BOY! Can I relate to THAT!!! Tee! Hee! Hee!), but everyone loves him anyway ... well ... except for the cat next door! :0) One of his 'characters' that he pretends to be is the World War I flying ace and he's often heard to use the phrase ... "The Eagle Has Landed." I feel a little like that, except in this case ...

"The Eagle Has Launched!"

Yep ... it's time to dust off your "To Do" list, drag those WISPy WISPS out of your sewing cupboard, rummage through your stash and decide what projects you're going to tackle this year as part of ...

Emails have been flying fast and furiously between Peg and I and we are EXCITED ... and just a bit NERVOUS!! ... as we announce the start of this year's OPAM sign up!! YAY!! Now, from the emails we've been receiving in the last couple of weeks, I KNOW a lot of you have been waiting for OPAM to kick off, so grab a cuppa and settle back to read this year's guidelines for OPAM - there ARE a few changes, so even if you've played along with us before, make sure you read the guidelines to help us all keep things running smoothly. It might even help you to keep a copy of the guidelines somewhere to help jog you memory throughout the year, but of course, if you have any questions along the way, feel free to email Peg or I. Are you ready? Let's LAUNCH!!!!

The One Project A Month (OPAM) Challenge Guidelines 2011

The idea of the “One Project A Month Challenge is pretty simple ... To try to finish at least ONE craft project by the end of each month. This can be something you’ve had partly done for a while (a Work In Slow Progress WISP), a pattern you bought ages ago that you finally get around to making up, or a completely new project. This is meant to be a low-stress challenge - if you don’t finish a project every month - that’s fine! We understand sometimes life interferes with our plans. We also realise some projects are meant to be long-term and have a LOT of work involved, like a quilt or a cross-stitch. The main aim of the OPAM Challenge is to give us all a bit of a motivational boost and to give us all a big cheer squad to encourage and inspire us.

However, there is quite a bit of time and work involved in running OPAM, so Peg and I have some guidelines we ask people to take note of AND please only sign up if you intend to follow through. If for some reason during the year you decide you don’t wish to remain part of the OPAM Challenge, just drop Peg or me an email to let us know. Please read through all guidelines before you sign up.

1. Participants must have an ACTIVE BLOG. (sorry non-bloggers, it was too hard to keep track of people who didn’t have a blog and dropped out of contact.) If you change your blog address, drop us an email telling us your old address and what you’ve changed it to. If your blog is already, or you change it, to invitation only, please send Peg and me invitations, or we can’t check your finishes list each month.

2. The number of participants in the 2011 OPAM Challenge will be limited to 200 - first in best dressed!

3. Participants can sign up via email to me or Peg, or via a comment on EITHER blog AS LONG AS it includes all asked for information.

4. Participants MUST provide all info asked for. * Name (first and initial of surname in case of double up names); * Email; * Blog address.

5. Participants MUST have the OPAM Challenge badge on their blog sidebar and link it to either my or Peg’s blog. Don't do this until you receive the welcome email from Peg or me because the format for this year's button is a little different ... not just copying an image.

6. Participants MUST keep a list of each month’s finishes on their blog sidebar and update it BEFORE the last day of each month. (This is easiest if you add each project as you finish it.)

7. Only ‘soft’ crafts are included in the OPAM Challenge, ie. Projects made from fabric or wool. Some examples are: embroidery, patchwork, quilting, cross-stitch, knitting, crochet, practical sewing (curtains, clothes etc), long stitch, appliqué.

8. QUILTS: A quilt will only be counted as a finish if it is COMPLETELY finished ... Quilted and bound. Flimsies/tops won’t count as finishes.

9. BOM’s: Blocks that are part of a BOM (Block Of the Month) program will only be counted as a finish when they are joined, quilted and bound. Individual BOM blocks DO NOT count as a finish.

10. OPTIONAL: If you are able to email Peg or me your list of finishes each month BEFORE the end of the month, this would be appreciated, as it cuts down the amount of time it takes to check finishes for the month. (and save Peg and me from getting square eyes! Tee! Hee! Hee!)

11. Lastly, participants MUST ... Have fun! After all, the reason we craft and create is to relax, have fun and take some time away from the “Have to” tasks to do the “Like to do” ones! :0)

So what are you waiting for?! Email me or Peg and then get that "To Do" list updated!! It's going to be a FANTASTIC year and I can't WAIT to see what all your clever-clogs crafters will create!! :0) But right now, I'd better get ready for work or my boss will be on to me! :0) Til next time ...
 

BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS

Something ... Is Coming!!!

One of my all-time favourite movies is "The Mummy", with Brendan Fraser and Oded Fehr. Not only is there lots of action, lots of suspense, lots of humour and lots of eye-candy (I DID say Brendan Fraser and Oded Fehr after all!!! Tee! Hee! Hee!) it also has SOOOOOOO many wonderful lines in it's script. One of my faves is uttered (not sure who says it!!) soon after the cursed mummy is accidentally raised from the undead (though how one manages to ACCIDENTALLY raise an undead mummy, I'm not sure!!!) The line is ...

"Something ... (dramatic pause) ... is coming."

As the movie unfolds, we see that this is enough to win the award for "Understatement Of The Year", but it applies here too. You see, we're in the FINAL COUNTDOWN to the launch of OPAM 2011!!! YAY!!!

You'll see on my sidebar that I've added this year's brand-spanking-new OPAM 2011 logo ... created by my Beloved Geek Boy, who has once again worked his computer magic. :0)

You'll see that this year, we've added a running total to the button, which will be updated at the end of every month ... how AWESOME is it that since May-Britt and I first started our "little" challenge in January 2009, OPAM participants collectively have finished ...

12,890 projects!!!

How about that!! Like the hapless heroes in "The Mummy", May-Britt and I didn't really know what we'd 'unleashed', but WHAT A RIDE! Tee! Hee! Hee! And Peg and I are looking forward to our second year of co-hosting OPAM and I think the ride will get even more EXCITING!! :0)

You'll also see that I've also added a count-down to my sidebar under the new logo, because sign up doesn't start until January 25, Eastern Australian time and some of you were a bit worried you'd miss it. I think I've set the time on the countdown for midday ... cos I didn't quite have the hang of working out the time thingy! :0) But sign up will begin AFTER Peg and I post on the 25th with the guidelines for OPAM 2011. Please don't try to sign up before that, as we won't be adding names until then to keep it fair. Places will again be limited to 200, so first in best dressed, as they say, so watch the countdown and my and Peg's blogs! :0) And the list of OPAM participants from last year has been taken down and Peg and I are listed there, just waiting to be joined by 198 of you fabulous blogging buddies! :0)

I have a feeling that, although it got off to a VERY bumpy start, 2011 is going to be a GREAT year that sees lots of FANTASTIC things happen and I look forward to sharing it with all of you, my blogging buddies!

And since I probably won't have too much time to sit with my feet up next week, I'm off to have a cup of lavender tea and perhaps do a bit of stitching ... or maybe I should keep working on those pattern instructions I should be writing ... or maybe I'll just drink my cup of tea and daydream for a little while! If anyone's looking for me, I'll be off with the faeries! Tee! Hee! Hee! Til next time ...

{A friend had this made for me ages ago and I've not had a chance to use it til now! :0)}

BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS

Sun, Stitching, Cricket - Must Be Summer!

Today actually FEELS like summer! The sun is shining and drying my washing on the line and I'm enjoying some stitching time in front of the one day cricket. Yep ... maybe it's summer after all! :0)

What have I been stitching, I hear you ask? I've been finishing off a couple of little needlekeepers to send off to the Gum Nut Gals for their "New Beginnings" flood appeal. Have you popped over to visit the Gum Nutters to see what "New Beginnings" is all about? You might be able to help out. My little contribution so far ...

Two needlekeepers. When I was deciding on a stitchery to put on these, I tossed up between a few and finally decided that what was more perfect for items going to a flood appeal than  Noah's dove with it's olive branch in beak and a rainbow overhead. Both remind me of God's promise after a somewhat larger flood than we've faced here in Queensland. Whenever I see a rainbow, my thought is, no matter what's happened, there's a promise of better things to come. I've used the cute little dove from Lynette Anderson's Noah's Ark BOM and added the rainbow ... Lynette's BOM was so much fun to stitch and one day I might even finish putting it together! :0) When the needlekeepers are opened up ...

Both are the same, so I've showed the outside of one and the inside of the other! :0) I raided my stash for rainbow colours to match the stitchery and inside, have added pockets to hold threads or new packets of needles, as well as somewhere to poke the ol' needles in to keep them from poking into YOU! :0) I suppose that's why they're called "Needlekeepers"! Tee! Hee! Hee! I'm hoping to make a couple more little bits and bobs to send off with these, too, but it was good to make a start.

Don't forget to pop across to visit Toni at Make It Perfect to see the full list of auctions being held to raise money for the flood appeal too. There are some FABULOUS items up for grabs ... Toni at The Red Boot Quilt Co. is auctioning off a GORGEOUS teddy quilt with accessories; Vikki is auctioning her cool sewing travel kit that is featured in the current issue of "Homespun" as well as a full set of the "Springtime" BOM patterns; and Rosie and Melly are each auctioning a year's worth of patterns/fabric ranges/books ... whatever each of them design and publish this year, a copy will go to the winning bidders of their auctions. How exciting ... not to mention that all money raised in these auctions will go to help flood victims rebuild and recover. There are literally HUNDREDS of items being auctioned to raise funds for the flood relief appeal, so it's worth taking a peek.

I have to say, that as much as it has broken my heart to see my home state going under water (I have seen most of these areas firsthand over the years) and the terrible destruction that has resulted ... ... my heart has swelled to overflowing to see the HUGE outpouring of community spirit, generosity and goodwill as the cleanup and recovery begins. I've just seen some news footage of volunteers lining up for over a kilometre to register to join the clean up and take a provided bus to the area where they can help. I've seen people from all over Australia (some still recovering from their OWN flood damage!) and all over the world not hesitate to put their hand up to donate, to organise events to raise money and to give of their time. It brings tears to my eyes ... though THESE tears are HAPPY tears! My new New Year's wish is that we all carry that generosity and spirit of community with us throughout the whole year, because I think it will be a long, hard road to recovery in the eastern states of Australia.

Right now, though, I'm going to go see if I can help the Aussies break their losing streak in the cricket ... maybe we need to bring back Rod Marsh, David Boon, Dennis Lilly and Thommo! :0) Hope you're making the most of your weekend, too. Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS

A Confession & A Quilt Drive!

I have a confession to make ...

My name is Kris and I am a Fabric-a-holic!!!! :0)
I popped into Quilters Angel ... otherwise known around here as my 'home-away-from-home' ... to catch up with Marion and Steph for the first time since before Christmas ... oh ... and of course there WAS that 30% off sale that started today and runs through til Sunday, too! (Sheepish Grin!!!) So with such a wonderful sale happening, you just KNOW that some fabric followed me home, right?! Wanna see?? OK!

Just a couple of the yummy fabrics from Rosalie Quinlan's "Sweet Broderie" range. Really ... just a couple ... especially if you're talking to my Beloved Geek Boy! Tee! Hee! Hee! I've been eyeing off these sweet fabrics for a while now and Marion's fabulous sale (did I mention you can ring orders in during the sale even if you can't visit?!?!?!) seemed the perfect time to stock up ... there ARE a lot of projects on my "To Do" list, after all. Besides ... Toowoomba's still isolated, so no groceries are getting into town, so we don't need the grocery money this week, right?! :0) I promise to show you what I make with these ... but for now, I think I shall just look at them and stroke them for a while ... told you I had a confession to make! :0)

Now for the Quilt Drive mentioned in the title. While I was chatting to Marion and Steph, Marion said that she knows a lot of local quilters who want to DO something to help those people affected by the floods. So, she is organising the Quilters Angel Quilt Drive.

I'll let Marion explain ... in her own words! :0)

"As you are aware, many in our community (Grantham, Murphy's Creek and Toowoomba) have lost their homes and everything they own. We would like to help by donating quilts made with love as they begin to rebuild their lives. We will open our Work Room to all patchworkers to bring along their machine and thread (and fabric if you wish) to create quilt tops which will then be quilted and given to the flood victims. There are no restrictions on size and quilts can be made for babies, children, teenagers and adults. We will be providing fabric, however if you cannot make it to a sewing session but would still like to help, donations of fabric and sewing supplies would be greatly appreciated. (100% cotton please, no smaller than 4" pieces)"

These wonderful quilting sessions will be held at Quilters Angel from 10am to 2pm each Thursday and Friday in January and from 10am to 2pm each Thursday in February. Now, I know a lot of you, my blogging buddies, are far from local to Toowoomba and a trip from Norway, Sweden or Germany may be just a LITTLE too much to cope with (though if you do, there's a spare bed at my place for you! Tee! Hee! Hee!) but maybe you have some fabric pre-cuts you've fallen out of love with, or kits that you're no longer enamoured of ... maybe even some quilt tops that are finished but you don't want to keep for yourself ... I'm sure if you contact Marion and send them to her, she'll organise to have them quilted and made ready for some very special new homes. You can pop across to Marion's web site HERE to find more details and how to contact her, or if you want to send anything to me, I'll be happy to pass them along to Marion ... it IS my home-away-from-home, after all! Tee! Hee! Hee! I think this is a great idea because although many of us stitchers don't have a lot of money, most of us DO have a rather healthy stash and some have the time to give to make comforting quilts, so this is a lovely way to bless some of the flood victims. I know I'll be planning to pop into Quilters Angel on some of those days to help out.

I've also started to trace off some stitcheries to decorate needlecases etc for the "New Beginnings" kits and will be spending some time this weekend stitching away, but before I started on those, I thought I'd update you on my Gardener's Journal blocks. I've got five blocks stitched and pieced ...

... and am in the midst of stitching my very last stitchery for the remaining blocks ...

Ta Da! See, Chookyblue, I TOLD you I'd show you I'd really been stitching and not just slacking! :0) Lots of stitching has been going on during the holidays, I think I only had the dovecote and basket of flowers finished before Christmas, so I HAVE been busy ... really! :0) My decision to add a few little patches of satin stitch to most blocks is one I'm happy with, as I love the patches of colour that now jump out (especially those apples in the orchard block!!) but boy of boy, to they take some time to stitch! (especially those apples in the orchard block! Tee! Hee! Hee!) I'm not sure if I'll have my quilt finished by the March deadline, but I sure am a LOOOOOOOOONG way in front of where I would have been without joining the Stitch-A-Long! So, thanks to Chookyblue, Peg et al for the 'gentle' shove. :0)

And now ... I'm off to make myself a cup of lavender tea ... no milk, so no coffee for a few days til roads reopen and groceries come into town (I drink tea black, but have a splash of milk in coffee, you see!!) ... and to start stitching some needle cases. Whatever you're up to, I want to leave you with a little challenge ...

List FIVE blessings in your life today

... family only count as one ... even if they ARE a BIG one! Tee! Hee! Hee! I guarantee that this little exercise will boost your mood! :0) Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS

A Quilt Begins With A Few Stitches!

That sounds rather profound, doesn't it! :0) But nevertheless ... it's true. Most 'big' projects begin with baby-steps. I know most of you have by now heard about the widespread and devastating flooding here in my home state of Queensland. With over 75% of our rather large state under water or affected in some way by flooding, it seems very overwhelming ... nothing we can do, right???

THINK AGAIN!!

One of my favourite Graeme Connors' songs is called "Births, Deaths And Marriages". It tells the story of someone with an elderly female neighbour, who he chats to each day when they both collect their newspapers from the front yard. Some days, when the paper boy makes it too challenging and they only find one paper between them, they've worked out a system to share ... the elderly lady takes one page and the man takes the rest. Can you guess which page she takes? Yep ... "Births, Deaths & Marriages". The man thinks this is a little funny - why take that when all of the IMPORTANT news is in the rest of the paper? One day she explains to him by saying:

"I know this world has it's problems,

Problems that need to be solved,

But from what I see in the headlines each day

It's all out of my control,

But a gift for a baby, a sympathy card,

A prayer for a couple in love.

Is something I can do that might make a difference ...

No matter how small."

So even if we can't do something to fix the BIG problems facing QLD and the families affected ... there are some things we CAN do that  ' ... might make a differenc ... no matter how small.' :0)

Firstly, the gals from Among The Gum Trees are co-ordinating the collection of  some basic sewing supplies to put together some stitchers' kits to be distributed to stitchers in flood-affected areas. They're calling their little campaign  ...

Click on the above button and it will take you directly to the post on the Gum Tree gals' blog where everything is outlined and explained. I'll be raiding my stash and hope to make a few little bits to send off to the gals.

There are also a number of silent auctions happening in blogland at the moment with all proceeds going towards the flood relief fund raising appeal ...

This series of auctions are being co-ordinated by Toni at Make It Perfect. Click on the above button and that will take you to her original post ... there are a couple of other posts after that that will probably add more info for you.

So there you are ... a couple of small ways you CAN help make a difference and lend a hand ... no matter where you are in the world ... to help out families whose lives have had a literal 'dampener' put on them.

Once again, THANK YOU to all of you lovely blogging buddies who have been checking up on me and GB after seeing news footage of our flash flood here in Toowoomba - I have felt very loved and blessed!! There are some truly alarming photos and video clips out there, that show the rushing water, cars being swept away etc., but I think for me, it really started to hit home today when I drove through several of the intersections, that had been flooded, as I followed my usual route to work. I also drove over part of the range where a huge landslip and a number of smaller ones had dumped mud and rocks onto the road, causing one lane to be closed still this morning. Then, when I got to work, my boss explained that he was supposed to be in one of the cafes that were flooded for a business meeting and would have been in the middle of the chaos ... but due to minor flooding problems in our village caused by the torrential rain, he was too busy to head into town. Val from Apple Cottage had passed through that street just minutes before the wall of water hit. One of GB's workmates lost his work van and helped rescue a child from a car being swept away, but had to watch as the child's mother and sibling were washed out of his reach. He then had to hold onto a power pole in the midst of the rushing water until rescuers could help him. It makes it more personal now.

And that's why I'm off to dig through my patterns and my stash to start working on some little items to send to Jenny ... to do MY ' ... something to make a difference ... no matter how small!" Stay safe, hug your loved ones, squeeze the most out of every day, because we just never know what's going to happen five minutes from now!! Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS