Unearthed Treasure!!

Just a quick post (OK, no laughing you lot who know me well and know I'm practically incapable of writing a QUICK post!!) because life is busy, busy, busy at the moment, but I just HAD to share my unearthed treasure with you!!

A little over a year ago, I visited friends for the first time. As I was given the 'grand tour' of their house, we came to a spare bedroom that had a rather sad looking cast iron/brass bed in it. The base was bent out of shape and sagged, the cast iron had been painted over at some stage and all of the knobs and decorative bits were missing. It looked quite forlorn!! And then I was told that it was going to take a final trip to the tip to put it out of its misery and make way for a new, sturdier, more practical bed. Oh horror of horrors, to a 'collector' like me! (I say 'collector' my mother says 'pack rat' or 'hoarder'!! Tee! Hee! Hee!) So after voicing my horror, I was told that the bed frame was all mine. YIPPEE!! A treasure in the rough!!

My beloved Geek Boy and I took it to an expert on antique brass and cast iron beds, Mark at Timeless Antiques and he assured me he could unearth the treasure that lay beneath years of abuse and neglect. And so I left my new baby in his capable hands!!

Now, it took me a little while to save up my play money and pay it off, but last week, Mark rang to say that my unearthed treasure was ready to come home!! WOO! HOO!! So after GB dismantled the bed that had been in the spare room, the new baby was installed. Mark has done a FANTASTIC job of restoring my 'buried' treasure!! Not only has it been powder coated and polished, he's tracked down replacements for all of the knobs and decorative bits to bring it back to it's former glory. Want to see??


I found it hard to take good photos to show the whole bed, so this is one taken from the doorway. The knitted quilt was made by my great-granny and is made up of smaller squares all joined together to make a really cool pattern.


This shot shows the half-tester frame that will eventually have a valance - we have one above our bed, now I just have to find another somewhere - oh dear! I think that means I'll HAVE to go searching in some antique shops! What a SHAME! Tee! Hee! Hee! You can also see the decorative hoops and discs that Mark tracked down to deck my newsest treasure in its much-deserved finery.

So, there you go, that's my unearthed treasure that I thought I'd share with you - hope you enjoyed the peek. Life is pretty hectic at the moment, lots of deadlines looming and a busy social weekend coming up, so things have to be done before then - it's hard to be so popular! Tee! Hee! Hee! A few sewing projects are on the go, so hopefully I'll be back in a few days with some progress photos. Til next time - Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS

Winners Are Grinners!!

And there will soon be two grinning winners, after the trusty "name out of a hat" method was employed to find who will receive the Stitchers Surprise Packs to help me celebrate 100 posts! Drum roll plese ..... the first winner is ...

STINA!!

YAY! Stina and I have been 'chatting' back and forth for a while now, dropping in on each other's blogs to catch up on our latest adventures - how cool is it to have friends on the other side of the world, whose sewing room you've seen even though you've not left the country!! Stina said she's not much for big parties, but loves to celebrate the little moments in life, like taking a friend out for coffee, or a celebration of a 'small' milestone, like celebrating seven years of home ownership! Congrats Stina!!

And the second name drawn out of the trusty hat is ...

CRAFTY DIANE!!

Congrats to you, too, Dianne! Diane said that special events in her family are usually celebrated with a quiet dinner at home with family and maybe a cake - YUMMO!

So if Stina and Diane would like to email me with their snail mail addresses, a Stitchers Surprise pack will soon be coming your way. I will take photos before they hit the mail, but will wait to share them until they arrive at their new homes! That way, they really will be a SURPRISE when they arrive!

So ... there you go! Thank you soooooo much to all 54 - yes I said 54! - people who left congratulatory comments - it was a wonderful encouragement to hear that so many of you who've not commented before enjoy reading my musings and adventures. I hope you'll all comment from time to time to let me know what you're up to and what you think of my ramblings! I've made so many wonderful friends in the 9 months that I've been blogging and I look forward to making even more and hopefully, meeting a few more in person in the future. Thank you all again for your fantastic support - even though I blog to amuse myself, it's lovely to hear back that you enjoy dropping by for a 'visit'.

And now, I'm off to watch a DVD with my beloved GB (who helpfully drew the names out of the hat - it was HIS hat after all!!) - we're watching the world snap freeze due to climate change in "The Day After Tomorrow". I quite like a good disaster movie! Hmmm ... that sounds a little bit of a contradiction in terms, but I'm sure you know what I mean!! Hope the rest of your weekend is relaxing and that you get to spend it in the way you all told me you like to - surrounded by family, friends, good food, and lots of fun - oh and perhaps some stitching to make it perfect!! Til next time - Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS

Slowly But Surely ...!

That's how the turtle won his race with the hare, according to Aesop, but in Lynette Anderson's BOM, the rabbits came first and my turtles, or tortoises, have DEFINITELY been a bit slow and steady in putting in an appearance. However ... after attending some staff training sessions with my beloved Geek Boy last weekend (after all, I am VERY practiced at stitching while I listen!), Mr and Mrs Tortoise have arrived on the scene, along with their hitchhiking birdy buddies, Mr and Mrs Tweet!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Here is the slow-moving travel party ...

You'll see I've done my usual trick of dressing the two ladies, with a bow in her feathery hair for Mrs Tweet and a flower behind her ear for Mrs Tortoise (cos everyone known tortoises don't have hair!!), while the two menfolk have gussied up with spiffy bow ties. And my Noah's Ark BOM project so far ...


I'm really happy with how the colours are all looking together, though I may end up shuffling the order around a little bit. I'm going to wait and see what it all looks like finished, but I may also add a few extra log cabin blocks to make it big enough to be a lap quilt - I'll see how much enthusiasm and energy I have when the time comes! In the meantime, I'm enjoying stitching Lynette's little blocks very much - Thanks Lynette!!

Only one more day left to pop your comment on my "Celebrations" post to help me celebrate 100 (plus one!) posts and be in the draw for one of two Stitchers Surprise Packs. I've been absolutely gobsmacked by how many of you have popped in to say congrats and hello - I do hope you'll all pop in from time to time to leave me more comments so I don't think I'm chatting to myself! Mind you ... that happens in real life quite frequently, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised if it happens in blogland! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Actually, I popped into my fave patchwork shop, Quilters' Angel, on my way home from work on Thursday to look for a few bits and bobs to go in the prize packs, and instead, this box followed me home ...


Aren't they GORGEOUS!! Almost too pretty to use!! Here's a closer view ...


I'd love to keep these myself, but got them with birthday and/or Christmas presents in mind. Hmmm ... may have to go back and buy myself a set!!! I also had the chance to sit down and catch up with Marian over a cuppa, which was great. We're usually both going a million miles an hour in different directions and only get to have a quick chat in passing, so it was lovely to catch up a bit. There was also a bit of secret squirrel business about an event Marian is planning for next year - it sounds VERY exciting, but SHHHHHHHH!! Don't tell anyone yet! Will fill you in on all the goss as soon as plans are a little firmer!!

Now I'm just about to head back to my sewing room, where I spent the morning hard at work (well, sort of! Since I enjoy sewing it doesn't usually FEEL like work!!) but before I do, I have to pass on a great big

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAR HUG!!!

To by blogging buddy, Kerryanne!! Hope you've had a lovely day, today and that you've felt very spoilt - because you're worth it!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Remember to measure your life in friends, not years!

So ... that's it from the Meares Madhouse for today - I'll be back with the names of two prize-winners tomorrow, so if you haven't already - you'd better get commenting! Til then - Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS

WOWSERS!!

That's all I can really say!!! I have been BLOWN AWAY by the wonderful response to my 100 (plus one!) blog post celebrations!! We've actually been away for the weekend, so I was away from my computer from Friday afternoon, but my beloved Geek Boy receives notification of all posts to my blog on his Blackberry (read: brain, address book, email address storage unit, alarm clock, work schedule, diary ... you get the picture!!) We'd only been away from home for about two hours when he said to me, "What did you say on your last blog post, because the Blackberry is positively BUZZING with new comments being left!" Tee! Hee! Hee! I told him it was everyone in blogland helping me celebrate my 100 (plus one!) posts. He replied that it certainly SEEMED to be literally EVERYONE in blogland from the number of times his Blackberry was buzzing!

While GB may have been exaggerating just a little, I have been amazed at how many of you wonderful bloggy buddies have stopped in to say g'day and congrats on the blogging milestone! Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and well-wishes - they are so very much appreciated! I've tried to reply to you all to say a personal thank you and I think I have only missed those of you who are listed as "no-reply" - so please take this as my "THANK YOU!" While I know some of you have only popped in for the celebration prize draw, many of you have commented that you enjoy visiting, often visit or frequently stop by - you've just been too shy to comment before, so it's been great to hear from you and realise people out there are enjoying reading about my ongoing adventures!! All of you will be popped into the prize draw and those of you who let me know that you've blogged about my celebration with a link back will be popped in twice. I'm already gathering little surprises to include in the Surprise Stitchers Pack!

I will be back in the next day or so with a "Real" post - I just wanted to thank you all for helping me celebrate, so for now I shall sign off and go see if GB's hip (where his Blackberry 'holster' is attached to his belt!) is still buzzing! Til next time - Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS

Celebrations!!

One of my favourite songs by the band "Dragon" is 'Celebrate' - in fact, when my beloved Geek Boy and I were married, this is the song we chose to walk back up the isle to after the ceremony!! Ours was NOT a traditional wedding in SO many ways - I bet that doesn't surprise most of you!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Now, I mention this, not because my mind has wandered off on a random tangent (though it does that a lot! Oops! There it went!) but because the words are: "Celebrate good times, COME ON! There's a party going on right here, a celebration to last us all the year! So bring your good times and your laughter too, we're gonna help to celebrate this party with you!" And that's the song that is circling in my head as I sit down to write this post, because I am CELEBRATING 100 posts! Well, 100 and ONE if you want to get REALLY technical, cos I had to finish telling you about my holiday on the 100th post!

I started blogging in February, a little bit by accident and mostly (like 99%!!) not knowing what I was doing. Someone had suggested that it might be a good way to let people know about my craft designs and patterns, encouraging them to visit the Tag Along Teddies web site. So that was why I started blogging. (oh and because GB said in passing one day, 'Oh, I set up a blog for you to play with.'!!) I wasn't sure how long I would keep it up, as I've never been any good at journaling or keeping a diary. So, I thought it might just be an interesting way of keeping track of the stitching projects I've done throughout the year - I give lots away as gifts that I usually forget to take photos of and at the end of the year always feel I haven't achieved much, this way I have photographic proof that I have! However, it's become so much more!!!

Not only have I found I enjoy blogging - it's just like having a chat with a friend - who takes a while to think before responding! Tee! Hee! Hee! I've enjoyed seeing what other crafters are up to and the sorts of projects people are working on/looking for. But beyond all of that - I've made some FANTASTIC blogging buddies!! There's Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique whose blog was actually the catalyst for this whole journey. Kerryanne has also been incredibly supportive of my designing and has even invited me to make a trip to Melbourne in the new year to teach a weekend workshop at her gorgeous studio! Plus, we've become good friends in the process. There's other designers like Lynette Anderson, Rosalie Quinlan, Natalie Ross, Melly, Leanne Beasley, Liz at Teddlywinks - all of whom have given encouraging feedback, but also inspired me to continue with my designing efforts and stretch my creativity. Thank you ladies! There's blogging buddies like Lilly Linda, Peg, Carin, Chookyblue, Granny Loz, Stina, Jo (Vintage Stitches), Jo (Home Sweet Home), Birdhouse Linda and Bek whose wonderful feedback and encouragement has nudged me out of procrastination and into stitching action on many occasions. (Especially Peg who hosted the Five Before The End Of July challenge!) Not to mention all of your wonderful bloggers who pop in for a visit and leave a comment - it's so wonderful to hear from you when you stop by. Not to mention the other wonderful blogs that I pop into for a visit quite frequently - and that list is ever-growing!! I could go on and on (and have been known to!!) but I'll cut myself short and summarise a little, with a HUGE, GINORMOUS, HEARTFELT ...

THANK YOU!!

Now, when you celebrate something, people usually give YOU the presents, but to celebrate this blogging milestone and to say "Thank You" in another way, I'M going to give some presents to YOU - well a couple of you, anyway!! I've been on the look out for lots of fun little giftie items, as well as some stitching supplies, so will draw TWO names from the list of all who comment on THIS post to receive a "Surprise Stitchers Pack" - a lucky-dip of loveliness!! All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favourite way of celebrating a special event. Everyone who leaves a comment will go into the draw and I will announce TWO prize winners next Saturday, October 25, Eastern Standard Time. (Darn daylight saving just adds more confusion to the whole time zone issue!! Tee! Hee! Hee!) Tell your friends - the more the merrier is the celebration rule!! And if you mention my blogging century on your blog and link back, then let me know, I'll pop your name into the draw twice. Can't wait to see how all of you, my blogging buddies, like to celebrate!

The other thing I'm celebrating today is a FINISH! YAY! I've finally put the finishing touches on my Stitchers' Angel gifts. Now I just have to wrap them up to send them off, but thought I'd give you a sneaky peek first, cos I'm pretty sure my secret angel swap partner hasn't discovered my blog. Here we go ...

The three stitching accessories are, from left to right: a scissors pouch, an embroidered pin cushion and a needle keep. The scissors pouch (which also makes a great mobile phone pouch!) and the needle keep are from one of my patterns called "A Month Of Sundays", which I designed after friends who work full time complained that after housework takes up Saturday, they only have Sunday to sew, so were looking for quick, achievable projects. the MOS pattern includes four projects that can each be completed in a day, which means it will keep you busy for ... A Month Of Sundays! Tee! Hee! Hee! The other bits and bobs are some of my little knick knacks that I've been collecting for a while ready for gifties - a cute teashop shaped tin, which I've filled with Bag Lady teabags like the one resting in front in the photo. The tag to each teabag has a funny saying or quote. Then there's the magnetic note pad that lets you send notes from a "Cool Chick", the smarties-decorated tape measure (got myself one of these, too, and it works a treat!) and another gorgeous, handy little tin that I've popped an emergency sewing kit into, complete with needles, pins, thread, clips, buttons and the teeniest pair of scissors I've ever seen that really work!! Hope my swap buddy will like them - can't say where this parcel is going once it's wrapped - gotta keep some surprises!

Well, I think I've sufficiently carried out my threat of a sentimental monologue, so I shall sign off for now and wait to read your comments on how you like to celebrate. In the meantime, it's cold and wet here in Toowoomba, so I'm off for a mug of the YUMMIEST hot chocolate I've ever tasted. It's Candy Cane Cocoa that Carin sent me just before I went on holidays and it is THE BEST EVER!! I think the cold weather warrants another cup - it's as good an excuse as any!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Til next time - Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS