Link Love: Some Fabulous Finds & My Mum Was Right

Well that was an interesting weekend. I’m paranoid at the best of times about the security of our house and someone breaking in, but on Saturday night that paranoia was ratcheted up a notch. My sewing working “station” (a big dining table with a hole cut out of it so I can sink my machine into it) is right up against the only window in my sewing room. I like to sit there and occasionally look out the window as I work and it lets in the natural light which I just can’t get enough of. Anyways, I was sitting at my machine putting the final lines of quilting into an upcoming project when I hear a noise. I thought it was my husband at the window so I looked up expecting to see his handsome face. Not so lucky. In the dark outside my window was a guy with his hoodie pulled up to help try and cover his face, just looking at me sewing. We locked eyes for what seemed like eternity before he made off into the dark.

Here’s the weird thing, I didn’t scream. Didn’t make a peep. Just calmly got up and walked into the lounge room where I declared that was “a strange dude” in our front yard. By the time we got out there he’d long ago legged it and the only thing showing he’d been there was a footprint in my garden bed. Talk about surreal and unnerving. All I kept thinking was “I really can’t afford to be robbed right now.” On an intellectual level being robbed doesn’t bother me, as long as we’re not home. (I’d be really PO’d about it and I’d rant and rave, but as long as none of us are hurt there’s worse things in the world. Although, I’d be doing my damnedest to make sure we aren’t robbed!) It’s just stuff and we’ve (hopefully) got enough insurance to cover it. However all our photos are digital, I couldn’t handle losing those to some stranger with a blatant disrespect of someone else. But right now, to have our stuff stolen when I’m up against so many deadlines, that would break me.  All of this is going through my head as we stand in the dark, in our front yard, looking for some guy who peeked in the wrong window.

The other thing that’s going through my head is my mother telling me when she was last here that I needed to keep my sewing room window curtain always closed because you can see into the room from the street and it might prove to tempting for someone. (I wrote this concern off because I couldn’t think of anyone other than another quilter who’d want to steal what’s in that room. I mean, what’s the street value of some out of print Heather Ross these days?) Dang it if she wasn’t right. Guess that’s why she’s the Mother!

We called the police and they came around, took our details and kindly did a sweep of the neighbourhood. They didn’t find anyone matching the description, but we didn’t think they would. That guy would have been running like Forrest Gump after seeing someone so unexpectedly. The officers that came out were lovely and it was great to be able to teach the Little Man that the police aren’t to be feared and that they’re there to help. (I want him to grow up respecting those in uniform!) Such a weird thing to happen and I’m hoping it will be the last time that guy creeps into our yard, but it’s a hard thing to shake. (It’s also adding to my already strong dislike of Canberra’s no front fences rule!)

So that was my adventure for the weekend. I hope yours was much quieter and less creepy. May you have a peeper free week ahead!

ANZAC DAY

Today is ANZAC Day here in Australia. It’s a National Day of Remembrance where we remember and say thank you to the men, women and children who gave, and give, of their lives to serve our Nation.  Whether they died while serving or made it home, we remember them. Whether they served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Country Women’s Association or kept the home fires burning, we remember them. Whether they served in the First World War, the Korean War, the Gulf War or serve today, we remember them. We remember their service.

We also say Thank You. Thank you for sacrificing your lives, not only through losing their lives but by committing their lives to the service. For living with the memories and impacts of service. For committing not just themselves, but their families. For being a service person, we say Thank You.

If you’d like to find out more about ANZAC Day you can do so by clicking here.

FUN THINGS TO CLICK ON

• Caroline of Nightingale Quilts is sharing a great tutorial for her Lattice Quilt Block. Love the impact that something so simple as tone creates. Click here for the tutorial.
• Another fabulous fruit inspired backpack, this time a strawberry from the lovely Heather & Meg of Quilt Story. Click here to find out the details.
• I enjoyed this post by Megan (of Living Between the Lines) wrote about perfectionism killing your passion. Click here to read.
• If you like being organised (and love a sewing project to help you procrastinate from getting organised) then check out this great wall hanging organiser from Svetlana of s.o.t.a.k handmade. Click here for the tutorial.
• I love this phone and ID Case free pattern and tutorial from Clover & Violet. Click here for the tutorial.
• I love this free foundation paper piece pattern from Cotton + Steel. Would be great in a “Things I Love About Summer” kind of quilt. Click here to get the pattern.

COMMUNITY CORK BOARD

• Michele has opened a new Etsy shop and has this to say about it, “Designing and creating quilting pieces is my passion and I love it! I hand quilt pieces with care and attention to detail. Each item is unique and an original, one of a kind piece to be treasured. I think that any of the pieces that I have created would make a very special gift, even for yourself! Please drop in from time to time to see new items in my shop.” Click here to visit Michele’s Etsy Shop.
• Kristal recently signed up as a Jamberry Independent Consultant, check out her website (click here) to see over 300 heat and pressure activated vinyl nail wraps and a range of hand and nail care products. Follow her on Facebook (click here) for tips, tricks and for updates on any specials and to order a free sample
• Canberra Quilters Inc. are celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2016 and to mark the occasion they’re holding a “Celebrate 40 Challenge”. It’s open to Australian and New Zealand Residents, with 40 quilts (quilts must be 40cm x 100cm) being selected to hang at the 2016 Annual Member’s Exhibition. (You don’t have to be a member to enter!) It’s a great challenge and you can find out more or enter by clicking here.

Want something included on the Community Cork Board, then why not drop me an email and if it’s applicable to the GnomeAngel community I’ll share it. It can be anything from a local fate, a charity raffle, a class you’re teaching, a pattern you’ve released, a sew-a-long you’re involved in to a community event that’s happening. Be sure to send me as much detail as you can and links to any applicable websites. I do not have any affiliation with the information provide, it is done so as a community service only. Click here to email me.

SPONSOR MESSAGES

• I’m loving these cupcake toppers made with Sizzix Dies. If you’d like to see how they’re made, and get a yummy cupcake recipe, then click here to see more.
• Fat Quarter Shop have released their new monthly subscription service: Sew Sampler. It looks amazing and I love that unlike other subscriptions this one comes with all the information you need to make a quilt. Each month contains a quilt block recipe card that you can use to make a full 12 block quilt. Genius! You can find out more by clicking here.
• Have you seen the #BrotherMakesMemories competition for Mother’s Day? You could win over $3,500 in prizes. Find out more by clicking here.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!