An Update from Watbag

Hi everyone,

Let me update you on my first couple of weeks in my new home.

There are two humans here, The Mummy and The Daddy, a black cat named Sooty (although he tells me his full title is Monsieur Le Sooty Puss, and sometimes the humans call him Grumblebum. Confusing!), a little stripey cat named Miss Tigger, and an elderly black Lab named Jess (Jessie Bessie).

Sooty is the boss, and Tigger takes no notice of me, she just walks past with her tail in the air as if I’m not there. I think she really likes me. 

Jess is just Jess. She puts up with all the cat nonsense and even lets them sometimes sit on her bed with her.

They tell me my name is really Claude De Pussy but I have only ever been called Watbag, so I’m not really sure who I am.

Sooty took me on an orientation tour around and about.

We went down and sat on the gate post at the chook yard, Sooty told me not to fall off as the chooks chase cats and peck them.

You do get a good view of the fruit trees, but the chooks were lurking!

Then we looked at some other things. For instance, Dad’s car.

It’s a bit high up here, I might fall off.

Sooty says the back of Dad’s boat is a good lookout for cats.

Nice and warm out of the wind too.

I also tried to follow Mr. Sooty up onto the shed roof, but I got scared again.

Sooty says I should really be called Scaredy Cat.

I thought I might look at the trees over near the fence, but there are cattle in the next paddock, and they turned around and looked at me. So I just casually went elsewhere.

While I was heading to safety, there was a loud laughing. There was a Kooky Barrow or something sitting on the power lines having a chuckle at my expense. Then a Willy Wagtail tried to hassle me too. The wildlife is a bit scary.

So I just came inside and sat in the hall guarding the water bowl.

I can’t go anyplace else much, as the other Fur Kids have got it all staked out.

At least here I can see all the comings and goings, and it is warm and safe.

I don’t think I want to go outside again, too many things that might get me.

From your F.F. (Feline Friend)

Watbag (Claude De Pussy)

P.S. 

Today I saw two wedgetailed eagles. 

Sooty told me that they catch small animals and eat them for lunch! 

I think inside is a very good place to be.

Mum and Dad said that Sooty is one mean puss!

Bears in the Woods

At last, they are available! "Bears in the Woods" - a small stitchery quilt featuring a hedgehog, squirrel, owl and a fawn, as well as my teddies!

 

The fabrics I have used are from Lynette Anderson's new "Wildflower Wood" range.

This next one, "Garden Rose", is a little wall hanging of a stitchery rose bush, with a dragonfly, urn and a tiny snail.

A button pack is included in the pattern, as well as the pre-printed homespun.

"My Teddy" has the pre-printed homespun in the pattern. A lovely one to hang near you "best friend"!

"A Garden's Charm" - another wall hanging pattern with a garden theme - a button pack is included in the pattern, as well as the pre-printed homespun.

Go to www.teddlywinks.com.au for all further details!

Liz

Ernie Dingle at the AQC

On the train - what an excited little bear - off to the AQC last week. It was his very first trip through the loop (underground) and was looking forward to the really long and high escalators at Parliament Station. I don't know why, I always feel as if I'm about to fall over backwards!

At the show he caught up with all his friends in the quilting business. He tried to hide in a bag on The Patchwork Tea House stand, I think he found it the perfect spot to oversee all the comings and goings! 

Did I mention that he's a fabricoholic?

Here he is with Rhonda from Blue Willow Cottage with Leanne of Petals and Patches.

And he was thrilled to catch up with Bev from Craft Cubby and Creative Applique (I went to school with Bev, and she worked with my Mum for our local doctor - but that's another story!) Bev doesn't usually look like this (with the manic grin), it was really close to opening time, we were all in a hurry to get ready, and the result is a bad photo (sorry Bev!).

He was intrigued by some of the quilts that Jennifer and Terry from Patchwork by Sea had on display - they came all the way from South Australia.

                                         

Bill from Westalee Designs with Ernie - I'm not quite sure if Bill realises that Ernie has a screwdriver, and if so, what he intends to do with it........

And Gail and Russell from Patchwork with Gail B. This was the third attempt for a photo - someone had her mouth full of chocolate (but that's ok, isn't it girls?!). Thank goodness Ernie wasn't eating - he would have spread chocolate all over the fabric! Below is their daughter Rebecca, Quilting Supermum!

We met lots of friends at the show, including Lyn and Annette from my local quilting group. They had a great time. 

I caught the train each day, and always walked from the station to the Exhibition with a group of quilters - we'd never met before, but we all knew where we were going and made friends very quickly!

Now for some news of Watbag.

I think he has met his match!

Pam and Alan sent me some photos.

"Bweakfatht"

"Listen Kid, I'm the Boss"

"Oh no, not another damn cat!"

I think he's realised that he's not "top cat" any more!!!

Liz

P.S. New design photos next!

We Forget To Look Up

Where's Watbag? I'll be glad when he's gone - he can get up to mischief in his new home at Echuca! And the  bears can then rest easy!

Sight of the week - in a parking space at the motel in Shepparton where we stayed for the Craft Alive Show. It was there for two days.

The AQC in Melbourne, with Marilyn on The Patchwork Tea House stand, was a great success - we all had a very busy but satisfying time, and met up with many friends as well! Here's Annemarie (Eberius Designs), Lo, Gail and Lynette.

Another lovely photo - Lynette, me, Libby and Gail. We had such a good time together!

More shots of The Patchwork Tea House stand - looking fabulous! That's Lynette on the left, and Marilyn with her back to the camera

Lyn Hyland from L'il Blokes stopped by for a chat - she was enjoying herself, out for the day!

The title of this blog post is "We Forget To Look Up". The reason for this is because of the spectacular architecture and murals in The Royal Exhibition Building", next to the Melbourne Museum. It's a fabulous venue, and perfect for a quilt show!

This is the view from our stand.

Next to us was Mallee Country Crafts. Here's Sue and Darren, with Ernie Dingle who was so excited to be at the show!

Heather and Phillip from The Bay Window on Kangaroo Island were also there - once again Ernie had to be in on the action!

More news soon, I think I'll have a little nap now! 

Liz

Shepparton Craft Alive Show

Some quick photos of Shepparton Craft Alive - a great regional show for all the country women (and men!) who can't get to the cities, or do not have local shops where they can purchase their supplies.

This was the coffee vendor - Crank Coffee - it was GOOD coffee!

Our stand in all its glory.

Ernie disappeared during the afternoon - look where I found him!

He was also chuffed because Postman Pat was there, but quite relieved that his black and white cat wasn't to be seen! He doesn't like cats.

Back to the AQC tomorrow - another bus day!

Liz

P.S. Today Watbag went to his new home. Ernie is quite relieved!