Welcome to Wednesday
You may remember two weeks ago we gave everyone the chance to win a $100.00 Blueberries gift voucher by telling us their most memorable moment from Midweek Moments over its first 100 issues. We're pleased to announce that the winner is Peggy Mansfield. Thanks to everyone who entered the draw by sharing their favourite moments.
On another note, the upcoming Central Coast Quilt Show has unfortunately been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. The Show was to have taken place on 30 April, and the organiser, Janette Jones is making sure the money of everyone who had already paid is fully refunded. Hopefully the Show will be back again in 2012.
In the mean time, kick back and enjoy this week's Midweek Moments goodies. Read about the world's largest mosquito, and it's not even in the tropics, but much closer to home than you might expect.
Pattern Princess
What’s hot in the House of Blueberries
Well, my loyal subjects, I have a real treat for you this week. It’s the Cuddle Blanket, specially designed for Blueberries by the versatile Susan Carr.
No matter how many years ago it may have been, we all seem to retain a deep, almost primal memory of the special blankie we had when we were two years old (okay, thirty-two).
Kits are available in various colours for only $40.00 and contain all requirements and pattern to make your very own Cuddle Blanket for that someone special. Click here to order your kit. The cuddle cloth (a soft and sumptuous downy fabric) is available to also purchase by the metre in various colours. Click here to view.
You can also order the Cuddle Blanket pattern as a downloadable pdf version
for just $8.00, or if you still prefer a hard copy just click here and we will mail you a copy
The instructions are very easy to follow and are accompanied by colour photos. I made one myself over the weekend and it was a very easy project, and one that was very gratefully received. In short, it’s an ideal project for a beginner or if you need to whip up a little gift in a short space of time. Perfect for that baby shower the day after tomorrow.
By the way, there's actually a real name for a special blankie. It's officially called a snookie. Your challenge now is to use the word "snookie" in a sentence before the end of the day.
 
Pom Pom de Paris
Now available instore and online.
Charm Packs
Jelly Rolls
Layer Cakes
and by meterage...click here to buy now.
Oasis
Now available instore and online.
Jelly Rolls
Layer Cakes
and by meterage...click here to buy now.
Just Wing It
Now available instore and online.
Charm Packs
and Layer Cakes
click here to buy now.
Big 'n' Bizarre
A road trip of Australia’s fiberglass monuments
The Big Mosquito
Introducing what must be, without a doubt, Australia’s weirdest Big Thing of all. And the creepiest.
The Big Mosquito resides in the marshy, stagnant suburb of Hexham, in the far northwestern outskirts of Newcastle. This neighbourhood isn’t exactly brimming with possibilities for Big Things, but local residents haven’t let that get in the way of their quest for fiberglass fame. They’ve drawn inspiration from the fact that Hexham proudly boasts the biggest, meanest, most ferocious mosquitoes in the country, the Hexham Greys. This normally wouldn't be the most compelling sales pitch for local tourism, but as you can see, they’ve taken a different approach, turning an undesirable feature into a selling point.
The Big Mosquito (or Ozzie the Mozzie, as it’s more affectionately known) was designed and built locally at an initial cost of $17,200. He was officially “dedicated” in March 1994 by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle at a moving ceremony in the Hexham Bowling Club car park.
In the 17 years since, Ozzie has only been off duty twice, when he’s been taken down for necessary maintenance and repair work. In 2004 he suffered the indignity of having his “unbreakable” polycarbonate wings snapped off by strong westerly winds. Additionally, his continued exposure to the harsh Newcastle sun has resulted in extensive discolouration of his fiberglass body. This is in spite of being regularly coated with 30+ sunscreen twice a week by faithful Bowling Club staff using ladders and a large soft-bristled broom. (Actually, that bit might just be a myth, but the images it brings to mind are too good to ignore).
In spite of the fact that Ozzie looks like a prop from a cheesy 1950s sci fi flick, many Newcastle residents have formed a strong affection for him. So strong, in fact, that when he was dismantled to have his wings fixed, the Bowling Club received so many concerned phone calls that The Newcastle Herald had to run an item explaining that Ozzie was having a facelift (or rather, winglift) and that he’d be back within weeks.
However, the winglift actually ended up creating some dramas of its own, stretching from three weeks to three months and costing almost as much as Ozzie’s initial construction. The dismantling of Ozzie also managed to black out out all of Hexham plus surrounding suburbs (including the giant Oak factory up the road) when some overhead cables got in the way.
But these vexing local trifles were obviously a small price to pay for the ongoing glory of being home to one of Australia’s most unusual Big Things. There have even been rumours abounding lately of Ozzie being rebuilt twice the size and with a terrified woman clutched helplessly between his huge prongs, but this may just be another urban myth.
And the last word...
"Friendships are sewn... one stitch at a time." |
