A thing of beauty is a joy forever

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have this beautiful book in my hands! My lovely friend Di dropped a copy in to me this morning, and I have spent some time today feasting on the glorious pictures within.  To me, of course, they are more than pictures, but rather memories from the past 20 years, starting back when I took my first class with Di at Primarily Patchwork.  At that time I was a newish mum, with not many female friends around, and without a clear idea of where my life was headed.

Di's shop was an oasis for me, somewhere I could be just myself and indulge in the process of creating gorgeous quilts.  Of course I was awed by the Primarily Patchwork quilts. Di seemed to be able to conjure something beautiful out of nothing - putting together fabrics in a way that was magical.

The book also holds the promise of things to come. As I was reading through today I was planning which quilt I would make next, and the next one, and the one after that.  My first choice is "Miss Porter", I remember fondling it when Di was making it (I even tried to sneak it out in my bag but I got sprung, lol!). I have a bag of blue and brown goodies all ready to go.

I still count my blessings that the Secret Sewing Sisterhood formed at the shop before Di retired, and this group of women, with Di at the heart, have become so important to me.

It's a beautiful book, reflecting the beautiful person that Di is. Congratulations Di, may you be reprinted many times!

Happy Easter,

Deb

Bird Dance Takes Flight

Well it took a little while to wing its way to me, but the first installment of the new Sue Spargo BOM, Bird Dance, eventually flew the coop and has landed here.

When Sue said that the backgrounds would be neutral, I was so hoping for grey rather than beige, and I'm happy to say that grey they are!  Or some would say taupe.  Whatever they are, they are glorious.

Each block is six inches square and each is embellished in a different way. Beautiful pieces of linen, ribbon and ric rac, make each background special and unique.  Indeed, they could make a rather gorgeous wallhanging without further addition.

My other project pictured here, is George III, another two blocks completed.

The one above started in Bali, the one below went to Bali in pieces and came back in the same pieces! I'm always overly ambitious with what I can do on holiday, are you?

 I had a wonderful day yesterday with my sisters.  We all went off to Sue's an hour and a half drive from Melbourne.  Sue has a lovely house, one of the most welcoming that I know.  Thanks Sue.  We were surprised by a sneak preview of something rather marvelous.  Keep your eye open over at SSS to find out what that might be.

 I hope you're enjoying your weekend too!

Happiness always,

Deb

Talk about behind the times!

Did I really spend all February talking about January?  Sure did.  Which is lucky, since February wasn't nearly as action packed.  

All was pretty routine and normal.  Back at work, you know the drill.  Another birthday has passed......those numbers are starting to look big - a bit scary really - how am I ever going use all my fabric - not to mention the fabric I haven't bought yet.

My lovely sisters helped me mark the event painlessly, since it was my turn to host our monthly meeting.  And much to my delight and surprise, they arrived bearing a 2013 Frida Kahlo calendar. Thank you lovely sisters for being so thoughtful.

Not great sewing weather here to be honest, below some more blocks for Caswell which is still bringing much pleasure. Some, like this one,

are very simple, and take no time to do. Here's another that was real quick to sew.

And then there are those that take a bit of time, but are so worth it (I think anyway).

Our sewing group keeps Liptons in business (lol) since so many of our fabrics get a tea bath. It is just enough to take the bright out of the white.

I thought I'd finish up by showing you some more holiday snaps.  Here are a pair of beautiful carved doors at the Neka museum in Ubud.

I love the frame on this one as much as the painting.

We had lunch one day in the mountains, with a spectacular view across the rice fields.

Enjoy your week,

Deb

January Part 3: Relaxing

It's quite a while ago now that we were in Bali........and you know there are days I wish I were still there! Here is the view from our hotel window, overlooking the rice fields.

Our hotel (suite) had a wall of windows, wasn't too much of a chore to wake up in the morning I can tell you. Every morning we swam in the infinity pool, the weather was glorious.  The Balinese people are truly wonderful. Incredibly friendly and deeply spiritual.

A highlight of our trip was a visit to the Neka museum.  Wouldn't want to mess with these dudes!

 

I loved this astrological piece- so patchwork. 

 

 

The Balinese painting is so finely detailed - and what beautiful colour.

 

I decided to take some hand piecing to do,  so a couple more  George III circles were completed.

 

 

They were a perfect choice, since I can never get enough direct light when I'm not in my own sewing space.

Mind you I haven't touched this project since I got back - I have another one nearly completed, maybe that's a job for tonight.

The weather has been terribly hot in Melbourne, so not really great for sewing. Wish I could still walk out and jump in that pool.

Stay cool,

Deb

January Part 2: Partying

I'm sure I'm not the only mother (far from from it) who at some point has wondered, "How on earth did this little one

This onesie is so comfie, I hope they keep it for when I'm a big boy.

become this big one?"

Hey Ma, where is my favourite blue onesie?

 

The days and years slip by as a collection of (mostly) ordinary days, with some extraordinary moments thrown in. The trials and tribulations of babyhood (we had many), childhood (pretty easy) and teenage years (not too bad, with some notable exceptions) seem quite distant and my much adored baby has become my still much adored adult son.

Oh yes, let's not forget his much adored sister.

He'll never guess where I hid his onesie!

To be honest, I'm not much of a party person but DS wanted a party and he wanted it at home. Well how could I refuse? He was turning 21!

So the early part of January was concerned with organising a party, cooking, cleaning and general fretting.  In the end, it went off without a hitch.  No drunks, no gatecrashers, no neighbour complaints, no problem.

I am very happy that DD has really great friends who are pretty chill (and party so often, it isn't really a novelty) so that even though the last of his buds were sent home at around 5am, it was all pretty easy and the damage was minimal......one broken glass and an "empties" strewn backyard.

 Less than 24 hours later, we would be flying to Bali.

In the meantime, I prepared some piecing to take on holiday (more on that later).  I find that the combination of my poorish eyesight and dull lighting in hotel rooms, means that applique is best avoided.  And another couple of Caswell blocks were completed.

This one is one of my favourites in the quilt.

Some of the blocks are simple - so quick to sew - but still need some embroidery to complete.

Have a great weekend,

Deb

January Part 1: Mooching

In Melbourne, the Christmas/New Year period is pretty hot and slow. Lot's of little businesses are closed and half the population is off to the beach on holiday somewhere.  It's the perfect time for kicking back and doing a lot of nothing much.

With this in mind I decided to use some of the time to relax, prepare for the upcoming party and holiday, and think about which projects I should work on.

First up, was to get some more Caswell blocks completed.  This one for example.  

I do really love the colours in this quilt.  Can't wait to get more done!  The little yellow buds that appear to be floating, will eventually be connected by embroidered stems....but these can wait.

I put some thought into what I might take OS with me.  I usually take applique, but find it hard to do on the flight, and the light in hotel rooms is not usually good enough for me aging eyes.   What do you take with you when you travel?

I eventually decided to pull out an old cross stitch project.  It's funny, since it was joining a SAL for this project that got me involved in blogging in the first place.  It was supposed to be completed in a year, and I made good progress, but once something in my room is put down, it stays down for a long time.

When I picked it up a couple of weeks ago, it looked like this;

 

after stitching on it a bit at home, and a bit more on the plane, it looks like this.

It was perfect for the flight since it has only one colour thread and is not too fiddly.  Unfortunately the flight back was a night flight, and I was too tired to stitch.  There is another reason why I am trying to finish this............more on that later.

Stay tuned for more shortly.  I hope you are all having a great January.  Today is my last day of leave :( back to work tomorrow.  That will be a big shock I can tell you!

More soon,

Deb

Happy 2013!

I hope your year has started with a bang!  This year I decided to make NO resolutions, since usually I'm lucky if they last until the end of January.  But I did decide that at least for January, I would try to get a little more R&R and spend some time doing the things I really enjoy.

So I am taking some leave AND trying very hard not to read email - except for those marked URGENT. So far so good. I have spent lots of mornings mooching around the house, particularly in my sewing room...and quite a few hours on the couch watching cricket - not that I like cricket, but this is where number one son can often be found, and it's a good place to chat.

My general slothing was interrupted by the need for me to organise a party for DS's 21st birthday which went off with a bang.  After a day of recovery, we hopped on a plane, destination Bali.

We have had a great week here and we head home later today.  Sadly I can't upload photos on my iPad........but will do so shortly after I return.

Enjoy your day

Deb

Farewell Frida!

I do love Frida Kahlo, and when I can get a good calendar of her art, I grab it. She has been adorning my wall all year, but sadly she is getting ready to leave us, as the minutes tick down to midnight.

 This year, 2012,  has been a year of highs and lows, and I can't say I'm sad to be waving it goodbye.

 

Not much to show you this evening I'm afraid.  I managed to finish the applique section of the last Imperial Blooms block.  Not quite finished this BOM, but I hope I will be a lot closer when the first installment of Bird Dance (Sue Spargo BOM 2013) arrives towards the end of January.

It looks rather plain here, but it has quite a bit of embellishment to come, never fear!

I have  a few things coming up to show you, but you will have to wait until 2013 starts to unfold.  In the meantime, I wish you all a very Happy New Year, filled with delight and achievements, surrounded by the ones you love.

Peace,

Deb

Merry Christmas, 2012

 

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a fabulous day tomorrow.  

Clearly, Santa hasn't been here to offload his stash yet........better leave out something special for when she he comes, don't you think?  I heard that Spanish Brandy is a real winner with our Santa here.

Over the years we have had rather haphazard Christmases; trying to fit in family, in-laws and out-laws has been a bit of a juggle.  But a couple of years ago, I decided we would be "in" for Christmas, and whoever could come would be most welcome, whoever could not, would not be written out of the will. It has worked a treat, and I love establishing our own tradition. And besides, it means I can have an extra glass (or two) of champagne without worrying about driving.

Whatever your family tradition, I hope you have a truly wonderful day.

Actually, I am feeling quite excited, since I have four weeks leave coming up now.  I actually can't remember when I had more than two(ish) weeks in a row, so this is some unfamiliar territory. I'm hoping to catch up on some well deserved R&R with a few day trips to visit friends, visit quilt shops out of town, and a week in Bali.  I also have my lovely boys 21st birthday to arrange, so lots to keep me busy.

So what have I been sewing?  Not much since I have been trying to et some overdue work out of the way, and then get sorted for Christmas.

But there has been the next Caswell block

and another George III circle block.

I hope for some more sewing time after the full Christmas day experience!

Jingle your bells,

Deb

Still on the Ark

The joke is probably getting a bit tired now.....but I am out of inspiration, so it will continue until the end of the year.

Over summer I hope to get a couple of quilts to the quilter (they have been collecting dust for months) and Phebe is my project to finish. Too soon to decide what else 2013 will bring, but I'm looking forward to a fresh start for the new year.

So what two blocks have I got to show you today?

Block 3 from the Caswell quilt:

I'm enjoying this project so much, and it's giving me an excuse to buy some new fabric.  Always makes me happy.....I know you will agree.

Second project is the finished Block 8 from Imperial Blooms:

Quite a bit of stitching on this one, but it was so much fun.  Here's a close up:

Yesterday we attended the last CAG meeting for the year.  Such a great day, it's just the therapy I need. The group has become so popular, that a larger venue was needed, and it was still full!

I hope your Christmas preparations are all going well.

Much happiness,

Deb

What a Pair!

Another two blocks to show you - haven't managed to do much more than that over the last fortnight, sadly.
  On the upside, exam marking is finished and workish things should slow a little between now and Christmas.

First of my pair this week is the next George III Coverlet block (which I have been incorrectly calling King George Coverlet).

I do enjoy hand piecing so this project is making me smile :)  I like Carolyn's fabric choices for the BOM which are a mix of fabulous repros and some more modern soft florals.

Block 2 this time is the next block from our gorgeous Di's Antique Wedding Sampler.

The blocks will be set on point, so the dear sweet bird will be flying correctly eventually! Until then, tilt your head 45 degrees to the left.

Speaking of Di, poor girl has broken her ankle, so will be forced to sit at home and stitch furiously.  If you leave her a comment at the SSS blog, I'm sure it will speed along her recovery.

Another thing making me happy, is Sue Spargo's glorious stitching book, mine is already covered in drool.  

Last photo is of my "design wall";), lol,  I don't actually have one.  But what I do have is an a tapestry frame that I throw things over, so you can see a bit of a sneek peak at what is to come.

I hope your run up to Christmas is not too hectic.  Mine is rather busy but includes my DD's birthday and a couple of trips to Castlemaine, too much fun.

Much joy to all

Deb