The Ports Are Packed!

The ports are packed (I figure most of you know by now that I mean suitcases when I say 'port'!!), the patterns are folded and packaged (phew!), the bears have been told to be on their best behaviour and we're off on a road trip! "Get your motor runnin', get out on the highway ... Born to be wiiiiiiiild!!" Tee! Hee Hee! Suddenly having a mental picture of fuzzy bikies roaring along the highway with the wind blowing their fur!! I do, in fact, have my own bear bikie gang ... but that's a story for another day!!

The Tag Along Teddies Road train is heading west - ish! To my hometown of Mundubbera because I'm teaching a two day bear making class in the next town over, Gayndah. It's been a bit of a mad rush this week to get patterns printed and packed whilst fitting in a session of sewing with Miss Mary and the girls from Fresh Hope, a catch-up coffee with my Nutrimetics lady, not to mention my 'grown up' job, where this week I've been holding down the fort while my boss was away. I was a bit worried for a while that the Indians would overrun the fort like in the old western movies, but we survived to tell the tale! Tee! Hee! Hee! As a result, most of the packing had to be done yesterday afternoon.


Here's the box of patterns for sale and my box of 'bear bits' and tools, ready to be loaded into the boot of the car. Looks nice and tidy and organised, doesn't it? Now look at the result of preparations on the sewing room ...


Hmmmm ... not so tidy and organised! In fact, it looks like a Craft Bomb exploded and my sewing room was ground zero!! Guess what the first job on next week's list of "Things To Do" will be!! Yep, excavating the sewing room! Wonder if "Time Team" is available to take part in the archaeological dig!! Tee! Hee! Hee!

And of course, the furry babies had to be prepared. So ... can you guess what's in this port?


My 'bearbies' weren't all that impressed with their accommodations, but it's the best I could do considering what has to fit into my little two-door hatchback Ford Festiva!! And I'll use the port at the workshop as my display case, so, two birds, one stone!! Not that I would hurt birds ....!! However, I digress! Actually, I love this port (OK, so I love old ports in general!) because if you look VERY closely, there are two tags on/near the handle.


One is a paper tag that has been put on at a train or bus station and has the name "I. M. Kent" on it. This is my beloved Geek Boy's Gran Kent, who is 93 years young and still going strong, though she does have the same conversation with you every 10 minutes, because she's forgotten she's had it!! The second tag is the little metal plate which has the name "A. A. Dean" on it. This is the original owner of the port, Gran Kent's father, GB's great-grandfather. The photo doesn't show it very clearly because the flash reflects off the metal, but it's quite clear in person. I think this is part of the reason I love old ports - they each have a story to tell! This one is just a little closer to home and all the more special for it!

Now, however, it's time for me to pack MY port and load up. Hmmm ... wonder how we're going to fit all that I've shown you, plus two overnight bags for GB and I, plus two dogs, plus the paraphernalia that goes with two dogs, into my poor little Baby car?!?! Could be a challenge! Perhaps I'll take a photo!! And I'll take a photo at the other end when we open a door and it all explodes out of the opening like in a cartoon!! Tee! Hee! Hee!

So ... whatever you're up to this weekend, whether you're packing up to hit the road like us, or staying home to veg (lucky you!) hope you have a great weekend and I'll be back with photos of the workshop! Til then, Bear Hugs! I'm off to hit the highway!!! "Get your motor runnin' ... Born to be wiiiiiiiiild!!!!"

CHEERS!
KRIS

The Money or the Box!

OK, so there actually wasn't a 'money' option, but there was a box involved! You see, I received a bit of a surprise yesterday when one of my sisters-in-law rang to say she was popping around to give me my birthday present - from March!! Better late than never!! And I'm always willing to accept surprises!!

First, I took a peek at the card she and her kids had made ...


Isn't it a great picture? Particularly since this SIL plays the viola (big violin!!) So, then I unwrapped the present (before remembering to take a photo!) and I found ...


A box! But not just ANY box - a really PRETTY hatbox!! I LOOOOOOOOOOVE hatboxes!! Ooooooh! What can I put in my box?!?! Maybe .....


Some bears! Now I know all of you who read my blog regularly will be soooooo surprised with THAT suggestion!!! OR ... maybe ...


Some of my vintage linens, like the white cotton tablecloth I bought earlier in the year and these fantastic lacy handkerchiefs my Mum gave me at Christmas time. The gorgeous crocheted cotton edgings were made by both of my great-grandmothers and my Nan. Or ... maybe ...


Some of my pretty shabby chic fabrics! Oh dear! I just can't decide!!! I guess I'll just have to keep the lid on for now and admire the pretty flowers and butterfly!! Of course, I did suggest to my beloved Geek Boy that I should go straight out and buy some very special fabrics to store in it!!! For some reason, he didn't think that was a good idea - I don't understand WHY!!! Tee! Hee! Hee!

That's about all I've been up to, really, except for making some preparations for the workshop I'm teaching on the weekend, continuing the hand quilting of a flannel quilt for a gift, working on neat copies of my two latest patterns ... hmmmm!! No wonder I'm feeling tired - there's no time for sleep!!

Oh! Before I go, a couple of people have responded to me tagging them. Check out Carin's responses at Conceived Without Regard For Reason Or Reality and Cheryl's answers at Willowberry Designs. Hmmm, must check up to see if the others I tagged have had a chance to post their answers! Maybe tomorrow - I think I hear my pillow calling, it's feeling neglected!! Til next time, Bear Hugs! (Still getting a case of the giggles over Kerryanne's typo!!!)

CHEERS!
KRIS

Kangaroos Loose In The Top Paddock!!

Now, for years people have been telling me I've got "Kangaroos loose in the top paddock" - and now there is definitive proof that they're right!!


Yep! It's that time of month again when the very generous Lynette Anderson posts the new block in her free Noah'a Ark BOM on her blog and this month's critters are the very Aussie Kangaroos! I diverted a little from Lynette's example (what's new, I hear those of you who know me say!!) I gave one of my kangaroos a pouch and long eyelashes - everyone knows there should be a "Mr" and a "Mrs" in each of Noah's animal pairs! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Oh! For those of you non-Aussies (and some city-dwellers, perhaps!!) the expression to have "kangaroos loose in the top paddock" means you're "a few snags short of a barbie", "a tinnie short of a six-pack" ... hmmmm ... I'm not sure I'm making this any clearer!!! Ummm ... "a few sandwiches short of a picnic", "not playing with a full deck", "not the sharpest crayon in the pack", "not the sharpest tool in the shed", "reality challenged" .... OH!! ... a little eccentric ... a bit crazy!!!! Phew!! Who would have thought there were so many ways to say the same thing!! Tee! Hee! Hee!

But I digress (again, those of you who know me are saying So What's New!!) ... I've now completed four blocks of Lynette's BOM and - shock, horror, surprise!! - that actually means I'm up-to-date!! Must be a first!! Lynette should be proud of me, as I'm usually several steps behind where I should be because I ... get a little ... OK, a lot! ... side-tracked!!! I think the fact that Lynette's blocks are small and very achievable is what's keeping me on track. YAY me!! YAY Lynette!! Oh, you want to see my four blocks as proof?? OK!!


See? Not telling pork pies! I'm rather pleased with how they're all looking, though I did notice today that the rabbits and cows blocks are supposed to match up and they're different widths - oops!! I think I've miscalculated somewhere! Oh well, will have to get creative when I'm putting them all together - won't be the first time!!!

Now ... the other thing I have to do this post is to answer the tag from Linda at Many Things To Do - affectionately known in our household as "Birdhouse Linda" for two reasons - firstly - the first post of Linda's I ever read included some fab photos of some Birdhouses she'd made for a challenge and secondly - I seem to have a large collection of friends called Linda, so we have had to find ways of identifying them - Birdhouse Linda, Lilly Linda, Dancing Lynda ... you get the picture!!! Oops! Side-tracked again! To the Tag ... (sounds a bit like Batman - To the Batmobile, Robin!! Sorry, back again from la la land!! Tee! Hee! Hee!) Linda challenged me to answer some questions, so here goes ...

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was living in Bourke with my beloved Geek Boy, working as the staff Journalist/Photographer/general dogsbody for "The Western Herald" newspaper, getting ready to move back to QLD at the end of the year to be close to both our families.

2. Five things on my "To Do" list?

ONLY FIVE!!! I WISH!!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Hmmm ... good question! Where is that list!!
1. Finish proof reading "Morgan The Pirate Bear" instructions
2. Finish quilting the "Chocolate Mousse Quilt" for friends
3. Write instructions for "Ladybird Mug Bag"
4. Start prototype for planned ladybird quilt
5. Make myself some lunch!! That's getting more important!!! Tee! Hee! Hee!

3. Snacks I enjoy?

Hmmm ... not sure there are many I DON'T enjoy, hence my "Rubenesque" figure!!! I do tend to choose savoury over sweet: different cheeses, bickies and dip, cob loaf dip, bickies with cheese and tomato, cheese Twisties ... unless of course it's something caramel, butterscotch or lemon flavoured!!! Then I can be tempted down the sweet snack track!!!

4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire?

OK, first, I'd have to establish how BIG a millionaire I was!!! Tee! Hee! Hee!
* Would start with a long holiday exploring Scotland and Ireland (family has VERY Scottish heritage!!)
* Pay off the mortgage!! (a small but liberating step!!)
* Pay off family members' mortgages!!!
* Find the perfect spot for, and establish our dream B&B.
* Provide ongoing support for several charities/mission projects like Fresh Hope and Connect (Scripture Union project that works with kids at risk)
That would do for a start ... for the first month!! Tee! Hee Hee!

5. Places I have lived?

Tara (small country town in western QLD)
Mundubbera (lived there a few years and moved back, parents still living there)
Bundaberg
Eidsvold (small country town north of Mundubbera - bet that helped all my overseas friends -NOT! Tee! Hee! Hee!)
Brisbane (Wishart and Mansfield)
Hervey Bay (great for wale watching!!)
Toowoomba (two years to finish uni, then back here for five and a half so far!)
Bourke (far north-western NSW)
Bongeen (45 minutes west of Toowoomba)
Several of those towns involved more than one address, too! My Dad used to work for the National Bank, so growing up we moved round every few years until he left the bank and we settled in Mundubbera. Then, after I left home, I seemed to move every 12 months or so - sometimes more often - with the uni thing!!

Okey doke! So, now I'm supposed to tag five people - hopefully who haven't been tagged before!
Kerryanne of Shabby Art Boutique
Chookyblue
Cheryl at Willowberry Designs
Lorraine, better known as Granny Loz
Carin at Conceived Without Regard for Reason or Reality

WHEW!! That was a bit of a brain-bender!! However, I've now tagged people so it's done! Yay!! And now, I think I'm off to cross number five off my list of "Things To Do" cos my tummy is telling me it's past it's lunch time!! I feel a bit like Snoopy, except I don't hear cookies calling to me, I hear a yummy toasted ham and cheese sandwich calling my name .... "KRIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSS!!!" Tee! Hee! Hee! So until next time, be good and have fun! My Mum used to say this to my brother and his response was always, "Well, which one is it, Mum!!" Now she tells him to "Be Careful!" Tee! Hee! Hee! Have a fab weekend! Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS

What's in the bag?

If you saw a purple bag, what would you expect to find in it?


What if I told you that I obtained this pretty purple bag and its contents at a spectacular sale at Quilters' World here in Toowoomba?! Aaaaaah! You guessed it - FABRIC!!!!! I had decided that good things come in brown paper bags, but have to amend that to include purple bags now! Tee! Hee! Hee! You see, Pauline (owner of QW) has had a change of circumstances forced upon her - all the the land and buildings around them were sold to a developer, leaving her with no shop car park and no street parking - how rude! And rather inconvenient when one has a business that people mostly DRIVE to!! So ... she decided that if she couldn't beat 'em, she'd join 'em and as a result, she is re-structuring her business. While the shopfront will close in about a week, Quilters' World will still operate from the web site (listed to the left!) and Pauline will focus most of her attention on her first love - teaching workshops and classes. She has exciting plans to eventually set up a workshop premises in Toowoomba, but isn't rushing into anything, as she wants to find just the right spot. So ...... wow! This story is getting long-winded! To cut the story a little shorter - Pauline had a sale to clear lots of stock so she didn't have to pack and store it and of course, being the helpful person I am, I helped her by taking some off her hands! Tee! Hee! Hee! It sounds so altruistic when I put it like that!!

Now, I bought two lots of fabrics. The first was for my stash.


The green with daisies and the red with flowers were both picked with my ladybird quilt in mind. The green spot? Well I got it because ... it was green ... and because it has spots ... and because ... well ... JUST BECAUSE! Tee! Hee! Hee! I have no doubt I'll find a project for it!

The second grouping of fabrics was bought for a friend - really!!!


Aren't they pretty?!!! I just love the hand-dyed look, especially in such vibrant colours. These fabrics are destined to go towards making two quilts. I've corrupted my friend Lynda enough that she's going to tackle her first ever quilts!! Yay!! Spread the love, I say!! Tee! Hee! Hee! It also gives us a fabulous excuse (as if we need one!!!) to go to patchwork shops and then discuss our purchases over a coffee!! The two quilts Lynda has planned will be for her children, Jayk and Amy. Jayk is mad, keen on dinosaurs of all sorts, shapes and sizes - I asked him the other day which was his favourite in a poster and he pointed to one and said "That one ... and that one ... and that one ... and ..." Bit like me with bears!!! And Amy's quilt will feature mermaids and dolphins. If you ask her, Amy will tell you her favourite colour is ... "Rainbow!" Tee! Hee! Hee! If Lynda lets me loose with my camera, I'll take some photos along the way to show you our progress.

And speaking of progress, the instructions for my buccaneer bears have been written, I just have to proof read them and I find that's most effective if I walk away from them for a few days, then go back again, otherwise, it all looks right and I just want to move on!!! And I've finished these instructions not a moment too soon, as I head home to Mundubbera the weekend after this to teach a bear making class at a Cottage Craft weekend in Gayndah and the pirate crew member is one of the options being offered! Phew!! I had one of the ladies who's signed up for the class call me last night with a few questions and double checking what she needs to bring. She told me she's REALLY excited to be part of the class, as she loves bears and collects them, but has never attempted to make one before. We're going to have lots of fun!! Oh, and I HAD to share this photo with you! I was walking through the lounge room last night and happened to glance at the chair where my two pirates are currently perched awaiting their official photo shoot. Obviously, my beloved Geek Boy has dumped some of his 'stuff' in this chair somewhere along the track because the bears have gone from sitting up, alert and straight to this ...


Oh no! They look like they've been into the rum stores!! "Yo ho! Yo ho! A pirate's life for me ... HIC!!! Drink up me hearties! Yo ho! HIC!!" I think there's been a pirate party in my lounge room! I wonder how I managed to sleep through it!! And why didn't they invite me!!! Tee! Hee! Hee! I'll have to sober them up to take their official portrait. Hmmm lots of black coffee or a threat to walk the plank - we'll see which is more effective!

And on that note, I think I hear the kettle calling me for my afternoon cuppa, so I shall sign off for now. Oh, Linda from Many Things To Do has tagged me to answer five questions and I keep forgetting about it until the end of a post! So, Linda, if you've popped in , I haven't forgotten entirely - just momentarily!! And I promise I'll respond to the tag next post. Until then, hope you all have a productive day - or stop for a cuppa and enjoy a break!!! Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS

How to chase the winter blues away!

Today dawned grey, overcast, drizzly and cold, with 40km/h winds in Toowoomba today. Anyone would think it was the first day of winter! Brrrrrr!! Only three more months - GROAN!! So, what do you do when you're still recovering from a rather stubborn head-cold, it's cold and icky outside and you just want something to cheer the day up? You travel to exotic locations, meet interesting characters, hunt for treasure and - of course - beat the baddies and win the day!! Yep, my beloved Geek Boy and I indulged in some serious escapism by hitting the local cinema to catch up on the latest Indiana Jones adventure!!


Now one of my all-time fave "cheer myself up" movies is the one pictured above, "Indiana Jones. Raiders of the Lost Ark". Yes, yes, I know it's still the video version - the collector's DVD set of all three movies is on my wish list! I've lost count how many times over the years I've watched this movie and it still makes me feel good and laugh, not to mention having one of my all-time fave movie quotes, "It ain't the years, honey, it's the mileage!" Tee! Hee! Hee! Some days I know just how Indy feels!!

So, being a big Indiana Jones fan, I've been waiting with great anticipation to see how the latest installment would come together and I have to say, I wasn't at all disappointed!! I won't share too many details, just in case you haven't seen it yet, suffice to say it has the usual Lucas/Spielberg hallmarks of action, special effects, humour, a hint of romance and a touch of the other-worldly! Just BRILLIANT! And it was indeed a good way to escape the cold icky weather. In fact, it seems to have been a case of "Great Minds Think Alike", as when I popped into visit Lynette Anderson's blog (yep anxiously awaiting the next Noah's Ark BOM installment!!) she and Vince were also planning to catch up with Indy - wonder if they enjoyed it as much as we did?

Apart from going adventuring witn Indy and his friends, things have been pretty quiet in the Meares' Madhouse as we both try to kick the last of this persistent cold. Having finished 98% of my pattern instruction writing (YAY!!) that I set myself as homework this week, I rewarded myself with a day of hand quilting yesterday in front of the heater and some DVDs. The Chocolate Mousse Quilt I featured a while ago is now about 3/4 quilted, so that's been very satisfying - even if it does make typing this a little uncomfortable, since several fingers are covered in needle-pricks!! My quilting methods may need some refining, but they get the job done!!

Oh! Thanks to all who left comments on my last post telling me they were glad I hadn't fried myself with the hairdryer, although some showed remarkably little faith in my ability to get along in the electronic world!!! OK, so this may have been slightly justified, but still ....!!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Several of you also confessed to having the same or similar experiences, so I don't feel quite so silly - Hopefully Jo has replaced HER hairdryer now and heeded my first-hand experience of what happens when you put it off!! So ... I know you'll all be VERY pleased to know, my beloved Geek Boy bought me a new hairdryer when we sallied forth to do our weekly grocery shopping.


Oooooohhhh! Shiny new hairdryer!! Now I just have to work out how to drive it! I'm sure I'll get there, but the first few tries have resulted in a slightly fluffy look!! Oh well, it works for poodles and dandelions, I guess! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Well, that's about it from here - as I said, we've been pretty low-key for a few days, but I will point you towards my list of "Blogging Buddies" to the left. I've added some more of my frequently-visited blogs to the list, so pop in and visit them if you haven't already - tell them the Mad Bear Woman sent you! Tee! Hee! Hee! Oh, and I've also played a bit with my blogger profile, adding some more info and a cute tag that my mate Deb from Newcastle made for me from a photo of one of my stitchery designs.



Thanks Deb! So, not only can you find out a bit more about me, you'll know when I've commented on your blogs because you'll see my pretty new tag!! So ... until next time (or when you see the pretty tag appear on your blog!!) Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS