35 years ago ......

I was a sewing machinist in a Jeans Factory here in Adelaide.  K.J. Jarvis & Co Pty Ltd - my boss was the most wonderful first boss anyone could ask for, Kevin Jarvis.

On this day, 35 years ago, the factory went quiet with the news on the radio that Elvis Presley was dead.

Do you remember where you were when you heard the news?

My sister gave me this book for my 14th birthday in 1974

I even did the cross-word

Whilst I don't consider myself a serious fan anymore, I still love most of his songs, and I just can't bear to throw it away ;-)

I also realised while I was sitting at my sewing machine just recently, making up the cardholders for an ETSY customer, I seem to have come full circle ;-)

Here I was sitting at a sewing machine, earning some money sewing .... not a lot of money, but it doesn't matter, I was enjoying myself, and I was making something very pretty.

I am sure if I did a comparison of the wages at the time, it just might work out the same hourly rate ;-)  here goes..........

My pay back then was a whopping $56.60 for a 36 1/2 hour week - we worked an 8 hour day Monday to Thursday, then a 4 1/2 hour day on Fridays (payday)  that makes it a whole $1.55 per hour!

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day. 

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-) 

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

I have been Busy, Busy, Busy!

I have been very busy this month - what with organising the Fat Quarter Swap, the Christmas Block Swap I decided to throw in another swap and organised a Christmas in July Mug Rug Swap.

Just after I had finished organising these swaps, I got a request via my ETSY Store for a custom order of Business Card/Loyalty Card holders for a lady in USA!  So, I was kept busy making 15 cardholders.

While I was at the machine, I made up a few more samples in another fabric.

Normal sewing for my block swap commitments has now resumed.

Here is a pinwheel block for Michell of QBSA

Here is a log cabin for Jeneta for Christmas Block Swap

Here are my Fat Quarter Swaps for the month of July

For Narelle

For Dee

For SueB  (Sue's FQs to me have arrived, but I have not been able to take a photo yet)

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day. 

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-) 

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.

Healing thoughts & prayers for Julie-Ann - UPDATED 22/8/11

I am a member of the DUST (Down Under Street Team) on ETSY - it is a group of Australian ETSY sellers that support and help promote each other.

I haven't been a member for long, but my communications with Julie-Ann have made me feel quite welcome and hopeful of my success in ETSY.

Unfortunately, Julie-Ann was involved in a plane crash where her daughter was killed along with the pilot. 

Julie-Ann is now fighting for her life.

See news story HERE and updated story HERE 

UPDATED:  22/8/11 via Shirley Twigg

Julie is speaking, which is a great start, she is having more surgery today hopefully, she isn't completely coherent for the moment with anesthetic and sedation xxx

I am not a religious person, but I do believe in the power of positive thoughts, so I have a small request to send some positive healing thoughts (and prayers too ;-) ) Julie-Ann's way.

A Happy Easter to you all ....

.... well, those that celebrate Easter, anyway ;-)

I received the last of the D4P blocks from Block Lotto during the week and have finally been able to take a photo of the design wall.

There is a lovely 'light & dark' pattern emerging and I think I will have a play with layout before stitching.

I also received this lovely block from Sharon, for the Christmas Block Swap.

I love the fabrics you have chosen, Sharon, they are so me  ;-)

lovely golden goodness

I have also made up some more purses for my ETSY store - specially with Mother's Day in mind.