Merry Christmas Everyone

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas with a lof of fun, family and friendship. 
I spied this lovely tree over on mamcjt's blog and thought it summed up Christmas in Australia.

Brisbane Bloggers Meet

I know this is old news - I have been too busy to do much on my blog.  The lovely Joy and Maree organised a follow up Blog Meet at the Grandview Hotel at Cleveland on Sunday 27th November.  We had a great time catching up and talking to real people instead of email addresses.   Pity it was so hot on the day.

Here are two pictures - copied from other blogs - thankyou - I didnt have a camera.

and a better view of the right hand side:

From left around the table are; Michelle Ridgway, Kate, Lynda, Noela, me, Marilyn, Kayly, Joy and Maree

Thanks to Joy & Maree for organising this and hopefully we can do it again and many more will be able to join us!

Journey of a Quilter

Block 4 (of 9) is finished.
I have stithced a lot of the emboideries but only have one block all together.  I am using mainly fabrics from the Adelaide Collection by William Morris that I bought in a pack of 8 from Logans Patchwork (in Sydney) but have since added a few more.

Some Kind of Wonderful by Anni Downs

I have just finished my "Patty Cakes & Other Delicious Things" block. As usual a small change from the pattern.

The cake would go well with a Cup of Tea.
Only one more to do by the End of December.

Some Kind of Wonderful by Anni Downs

Here is my Cup of Tea. I do enjoy a well made cuppa - English Breakfast is nice but I also used to drink an Assam Tea which was always served from the pot in lovely china ....memories of a very dear friend no longer with us.

(Should have trimmed it first!!)

The quilt from "Some Kind of Wonderful" is called My Favourite Things, so I couldn't resist this bag that I saw in Big W this morning - perfect for keeping my finished blocks in?? If I were REALLY keen I could turn it into a block holder . . . then again - maybe not.

Time for more re-arraning in the "Sewing Room" . .  its slowly getting there.

Some Kind of Wonderful by Anni Downs

In a moment of madness - spurred along by the wonderful chit chat that happens on the Stitch-a-Long I have decided to work on the quilt "My Favourite Things" by Anni Downs (in the book Some Kind of Wonderful).  I have finished 2 blocks so far.
The pattern is done in needle turn but I am opting for the quicker machine applique and as those of you who know me well - there will be a few 'adaptations" along the way.
I am using fabrics I already have - that were originally destined for another quilt.

The blog's leader - Chookyblue - is a real whip cracker when progress is slow and this will be an incentive to keep up - I do not want to be cyberspace-whipped!!

Here is my first "Favourite Thing" - Singing in the Rain - probably a bit of a fib as I am not sure I have ever really done that - but I was happy to include it.  (It's about to absolutely bucket down outside - maybe I should try it tonight??)

and the second block is Old Blue Jeans
(I know - I can't wear long skinny jeans like that but lets be creative!!)

and some close ups -"The Eye for Detail" takes over again

Crazy aren't I??

Baby Quilt

I have just finished a quilt that I made for a work colleague to give to a member of her family (a cousin I think) for when her baby is born.  It is 'quite' bright and the print fabric has ladybirds.  Not good photos unfortunately but I was in a rush to drop it off so she could take it on her trip to Sydney this week (rather than trust the postal service).  This is the front - a lot more colourful in real life.

and the back - I used an alphabet panel and the 'giver' embroidered her own label to make nit more personal.

 

1500 Followers!!!!

Nah - not me but Jenny Of Elefantz has 1500 followers and is having a celebration - go HERE to find out what.
And what a pretty logo!

Polka Dot Girls Finished.

I have had my purple Polka Dot Girls Quilt finished for ages, but finally got around to having it quitled, so now its all done.  The design is by Bronwyn Hayes.  I do love her stitcheries and still have a few of her projects to go (maybe one day!).
So, its one more off the list (and probably anther three added. . .)

The completed quilt (I didn't add any borders)

.

and some close ups:

I seriously think I need either a better camera (using my phone for these) or a class in photography, to be able to show the detail better. 

Wedding #2 for 2011

My God Daughter was married in Sydney on 13th August.  What a perfect excuse for a trip to Sydney - my home town.  And  I made a looong weekend of it too.
Friday I was collected by one of my old Sydney Sewing Friends and she very kindly drove me here and there.  Firstly lunch at her favourite spot in Kings Cross.  Walter (the owner) has won awards for his cooking endeavours in the past and also for his coffee decorations!  Here is my special coffee.

Saturday was the wedding - a lovely day - sunshine and  no wind.  The bride looked wonderful!  The groom looked pretty good too.

My present to them was this quilt - a big one for snuggling under when watching TV. 
(The picture was taken with the quilt on the hotel bed - hence the lump down the middle.)

And a special label.

Sunday was the City to Surf race - and as I was staying in Rushcutters Bay - I was trapped til lunchtime.  Sunday was wet and cold but it didn't stop the runners - and I have never seen so many different coloured joggers in one place.  This was the view from my hotel window.

Fortunately the light was good enough for me to do some stitching.  (Lucky I had it with me??)

Sunday night was a catch up with the rest of my Sydney Sewing friends - great to see them and their latest show & tells.  And a lovely dinner was included.

Monday I was lucky enough to have my brother drive me around for a Patchwork shop hop.  I visited Quiltsmith, Logans Patchwork, Lyns Fine Needlework, Craft Depot and Sewrite.  Helped the Sydney economy to keep going (a bit).  The range of fabrics in most of the shops was huge compared to most of our Brisbane shops, it was hard not to buy heaps.

Monday night I had to return home - but I am on holidays so it's not so bad.  Details of how I spent a large portion of the rest of my holiday to follow!!!  (Really good sewing stuff.)
Fortunately I do not have any more weddings on the horizon!