Retail Therapy

These sweet flowers are a gift from my dear friend Robin (no blog) from her garden. She is lovely and always remembers my birthday. The green glass jar is salvaged from my father-in-law's shed before they moved. I think it used to have hair cream in it originally.
So this all my shopping from my holiday. The Christmas FQ's were a real bargain at 90cents each at Spotlight. The hand towels are from a street market - we use these all the time and I'm always on the lookout for them at markets. I'm really in love with burnt orange at the moment... my mind is swimming with ideas!

This little seeweed bracelet was from a church shop that sells local handmade crafts on consignment. It is a gift for my #2 daughter.

I got this little purse at the same shop. I don't (and probably never will) knit but I really appreciate the look of it and the feel and the work involved.

It's actually lined and I'm looking forward to using it for something, not sure yet what though.

Busy days again with work and fitting it all in to only 24 hours. Pity about that sleeping thing we have to do...

This is Post Number 310 - wow.

Albany 2011

We are now back from our annual holiday in beautiful Albany, Western Australia. We stayed at the Albany Gardens Caravan Park located in town. Here is our tent with our car in the right hand background.

We did a lot of walking and hiking. We walked the entire length of this beach from Emu Point to Middleton Beach. It took just over an hour.

Walking up Mt Clarence to the war memorial. It was cold and very windy.

And of course we had to climb further to see the towers.

We also visited a lot of museums and historic buildings.

This sewing kit was issued to soldiers in the Vietnam war.

This exhibit was at The Princess Royal Fortress on Mt Adelaide.

And of course you just can't escape the cooking and dishes etc.

Before you knew it, it was time to pack up and head home.

The tarps and tent etc. laid over the top of all this before being covered with another tarp and tied down. The little car travels quite well with this load.

And of course no trip is complete without a little retail therapy. As I celebrated my birthday while in Albany I made sure to support the local quilt shop (LQS). I haven't taken any pictures of my few bits yet but will try to later in the week.

Off to the WAQA today and my QuiltWest meeting.

Happy New Year 2011!

This little flower grows and blooms and then is gone.

Our years flash by just as quickly.

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Now here we are at the beginning of a new year.

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2011

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Now we reflect on the years passed.

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Now we ponder the years ahead.

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We want a better year. To self-improve.

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We promise to make more time for... ?

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Resolutions. Promises.

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Are we really serious about making changes?

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To be healthier. To gain wisdom. Be more productive.

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To do... or not to do.

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Be true to yourself.

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Make good decisions.

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Every day is a new beginning.

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"The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

SSCS 2010 What I Sent Away

This is what I sent to Floss in Canada. This little ornament was fun to make although I did find it a little challenging as I have not worked with hexagons before. I really like how it turned out.

Here is the gorgeous table runner I made for Floss, even if I do say so myself. But before you all reckon I am too clever, I did follow a pattern diligently. This pattern is from the book Skinny Quilts and Tablerunners. The pattern is By The Sea by Karen Eckmeier.

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Floss is an Australian married to a Canadian. In looking through her blog to choose a theme for her, I discovered she misses the beaches of Oz and takes every opportunity to get her feet wet when any kind of beach appears, even in winter (yikes!). So this quilt is for Floss to have a bit of the beach with her wherever she goes.

The quilt is long and narrow (i.e. skinny quilt - lol) so it was hard to photograph.

Here it is again in sections.

Note the starry fabric...

Remember those sneak peaks? Bet you never thought of a beach scene when you saw the lace and beads then the starry fabric. Lol.

Yes, really real seashells sewn in with a bit of tulle.

A little embellishment with wool to add texture and interest.

And not seen in the photo above, I added a few lace seagulls before posting it away.

Here is the quilt again in the bright sunshine.

All those shadows create an interesting effect.

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So another successful SSCS with Chookyblue.

Hope you all had a great Christmas! And here's Cheers to the New Year!

SSCS 2010 Quilt Received

This adorable little quilt was made by Laura of 3 Doodles and a Dog in Chookyblue's SSCS 2010.



What a perfect little quilt for me. I keep Christ firmly at the centre of my Christmas and always have at least one Nativity scene on display. This little beauty will fill me with joy all year round... Thank you so much Laura for such a thoughtful and meaningful gift!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends!

I hope you have a lovely, lovely time with family and friends!

Embrace what went right, laugh off what went wrong and

remember the God who loves you through it all!

Australian Jingle Bells

Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden Ute,

Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot,

Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,

It's Summer time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs!
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Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day,

Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
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Engine's getting hot; we dodge the kangaroos,

The swaggie climbs aboard, he is welcome too.

All the family's there, sitting by the pool,

Christmas Day the Aussie way, by the barbecue.
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Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day,

Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
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Come the afternoon, Grandpa has a doze,

The kids and Uncle Bruce, are swimming in their clothes.

The time comes 'round to go, we take the family snap,

Pack the car and all shoot through, before the washing up.

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Oh! Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,

Christmas in Australia on a scorching summers day,

Hey! Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,

Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.

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More Aussie Christmas stuff here.

A Second Quilt

Do you remember by niece-in-law Louise? I blogged about her first quilt here, a small Double Wedding Ring. She's back with a baby quilt for a friend, and of course it's a Drunkard's Path. It's still rough around the edges as she's struggling with that quarter inch. But I so admire her willingness to just dive in. To her, one pattern is like another and you just follow the directions. There's a lesson here for all of us, I think. Especially me...

I've shown Louise some of my quilt tops and she wants to know why they aren't finished... good question. Did I have a coherent answer? Not really. No excuse. Too lazy to quilt? Scared of ruining the top by trying to quilt it? Hit a design wall regarding borders? We've all been there and done that.

2011 is a finishing year for me. I'm determined and mentally ready. There will be finished quilts flowing from my sewing room. I will work only on projects that are started already. This is my promise to myself. I am resolved.