dudes - it was meant to be a giveaway

It really was meant to be a giveaway, but I got carried away sharing my angst with you all. Thanks for your comments about your lack of balance it makes me feel better to know that we are all listing to one side.

After I first found Helen's blog I bought a copy of her book and through no real fault of my own I may have ended up with two copies. (I blame red wine and Uncle Google.)

So, I have a copy of Simple Sewn Gifts to give away to you , along with four Fat quarters of Bunny Trail fabric.

(photo courtesy of Helen's blog)

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post- tell me anything you like.

Actually tell me the first thing you think of when I say "sewing school".

(There was a boy called Peter in my sewing class in year 8. In politically correct times we might say he exhibited inappropriate behavior, at 14 I can tell you he was a grabby little grub and I stuck him in the thigh with a quick unpick).

I spent a lot of time outside the textiles room 'thinking abut my behaviour'.)

The winner is Bluebird !!!!

this is not where I was going

Some time ago I sent some of my Bunny Trail fabric to Helen Philipps.

Do you know Helen? I don't but I do follow her blog.
 It is the prettiest blog in all of blogland, full of great photography and sewing and flowers.

Helen made a bundle of the cutest things with BunnyTrail - but I thought I had better wait until the fabric was actually available  before I shared .

(The timing stuff with fabric design is bonkers )

Check out Lettuce - isn't she awesome ? You know how much I love a good name for a softie!
You should do yourself a favour and pop over and see the little quilt and the hexie ball as well as a great block that Helen made.

I have been glued to my computer for what feels likes weeks, finishing off two HUGE patterns. I have been working on another little alphabet friend, making suitcases, and watching the days fly by on the calendar.
I got an email this week asking me to teach in 2018 !!!! It totally fruck me out friends, and don't think it will surprise you to hear that I am failing at any semblance of a work/life balance these days. I keep saying things like "Oh it's just busy now because of the fabric, or because of market, or trade show"....but I think I need to realise it is always like this. this has become my normal.
How do you do it? Do you balance stuff?
 If you run your own business, large or small- how do you stop working?
Even if you don't run a business, do you struggle with the elusive 'balance'that we all must have in our lives?

(Must we have it? Is it in fact haveable? Is is a crock of shit?)

Hop to it - a giveaway.

If you saw a picture of my booth at Spring market you would have recognised the beautiful quilt made for me by Rita of Red Pepper Quilts. I always get so many great comments about her quilt at market and so many people know instantly that it is hers.

I am eternally grateful that Rita finds time to work with me.

But it is not all work - now it is giveaway time !!

 Pop over to Rita's blog and enter the draw to win a fat quarter bundle of Bunny Trail fabric plus a selection of patterns , all designed to coordinate with the range.

The winner will be drawn 11am (Australia EST) on Saturday 30 July 2016 and will be notified by email. Entries are open to all and sundry.

Go on folks - get moving !!

(I will be back tomorrow with a list of stockists )

Big news and bigger news

 Here we are on Easter Sunday. What better day to tell you about my upcoming fabric range.

Due for release in May at Spring market, this is Bunny Trail.

I am super pumped about it and am keeping one eye on the calendar and one on the to-do list as things get closer to market time. The sooner the fabric gets here the better, but in truth, I am not expecting it for a few weeks. Then it will be saddle up and sew like the wind to get everything ready for market in mid-May. (I am going to Salt Lake City !!!! Can't wait )

The neck / back thing has improved , and now  the man with the magic hands is working on the shoulder. New drugs mean my stomach lining will return to something closer to normal in a few months and for this I will be eternally grateful. (Oh friends it was a new and awful place).

But the really big news ? Bigger than a trip to the USA  and bigger than new fabric range ???

I have a grandpuppy !

He is the cutest puppy ever (of course)

and as a total bonus - I am holidays for two glorious weeks so I have plenty of time for puppy antics.

I hope your Easter makes you as happy as a puppy with two tails.

(His name is quite possibly but not definitely going to be Mac)