Of droughts and Flooding Rains........

Well what a week we have had in my small part of the world.  Our town had a rain total of 256mm for the week, with over 100mm  in one day.  Above are a couple of pics from the golf course behind my street.  The fairway was like a river and the carpark was completely cut off and under water.  Thankfully the water has all dissipated and run off to wherever it is supposed to go but please spare a thought for our quilting friends in Wagga Wagga and surrounding towns as they brace for some seriously major flooding.  My thoughts are with you all.

I have had a testing time with Irish Circles.  I originally chose the pink fabric as the separating border.  I stitched it all down, added the next appliqued tongue border (with mitred corners) and then laid it all out to see how it would look with the next border and YUK!  The pink looked flourescent and totally took away from the blue centre of the quilt.  As you can see from the above pictures, the fabric isn't that bright or solid, I just needed something really soft.    Anyway, all the unpicking and resewing is done so now, I am onto piecing the final border and I will be very happy to have this one finished.

Nic was home for a couple of days so of course, I had to make another pavlova (I promise this will be the last photo for a little while).  I decorated this one with passionfruit and we have all decided that this is the best topping.

We had some Show & Tell last Friday at sewing.  This gorgeous quilt was made with lots of reproduction fabrics that have been collected through a fabric club.

Jan is making a quilt from blocks like this one.   The blocks are really big and this block looks fantastic.

There is less than two weeks to go until the Gathering in the Barn and I am starting to get really excited.  Jan and I also made the trip down to Castlemaine a few weeks ago to the Castlemaine Applique Group meeting.  We had a fantastic day catching up with quilting friends and making lots of new friends.  I am definately looking forward to the next meeting.

I haven't done a lot of blogging lately as we have had some computer issues at home.  Hopefully things are back on track now.  It amazes me on how dependant we have become on computers. 

Sue-Anne xxx

First Finish for 2012

I have a finish for 2012!   My Clamshells is finished, complete with label on the back. 

Soot & Ashes

This is another almost finished.  Cheri Payne had a quiltalong last year and I participated quietly in the background.  I have always loved her work and found this project to be lots of fun.

This week has also seen me working on  the next border that goes on this...

Irish Circles

And whilst I was fossicking into the depths of the fabric cupboard, I came across this project half completed.  I still have a lot of applique to do before this quilt is finished but maybe I might get back into it soon.

More pavlovas!  This time, I made mini pavs.  Here they are cooking in the oven

Here is one all ready to eat and ...

A collage of my pavs - was nearly going to make this my blog header but I thought it might be taking it a bit far!

Sue-Anne xxx



HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

I love a sunburnt country

A land of sweeping plains

Of ragged mountain ranges

Of droughts and flooding rains

I love her far horizons

I love her jewel sea

Her beauty and her terror

The wide brown land for me

I am so proud to be Australian.

Happy Australia Day

Sue-Anne xxx

Slowly Settling Into The New Year

I am slowly getting back into a routine, sort of, after the hype of Christmas. I have managed to do a little applique - yes Phebe has reappeared and I am very proud of these little flowers! I have absolutely no vision when it comes to fussy cutting and even less patience with fiddly little pieces so I am sure you will understand how happy I was to get these little darlings stitched down.

I also made a cover for the ironing board.  When I had the Friday Girls over to make our little quilts (the I'm not going overseas quilts) back in October, I was very embarrassed at the state of the cover.  It has only taken me 3 months to replace it!  This is the first time I have made one and although it is a little rough around the edges I think it looks pretty good and next time I will have a better idea on how to have a better fit.

I've been sewing some clamshells too.  I think I only have about 7 rows to go so may decide to put my all into it and get it finished.  It would be nice to actually have something finished for a change...

I also managed a little fabric shopping at Needles & Pins at Warrandyte.  I had to go down to Melbourne on Friday with Nicholas to pick up his Drift car.  Its a bit of a long story but was down there getting a specialist tune up after the motor getting rebuilt.  I took him down, he was going to drive his car back  and I planned to do a bit of shopping before coming home.  Anyway, turns out there was a last minute problem with the car and Nic couldn't take it home so, off I headed to Needles & Pins with Nic in the passenger seat.  We get there and he says to me "Please don't be long, I have to be back home before tea tonight".  I replied "Don't worry, I don't know anyone at this shop".  I walked in and who do you think was there - Di Ford - of Phebe and countless other beautiful quilts fame!  We had a great chat.  Di and the Secret Sisters are featured in the next Quiltmania due out so make sure you get a copy.  

This week also saw the family get together for dinner to say goodbye to Nic.  He has headed back to base now after having a month off.  That's him above with Chris and Amy.  All major dinners in this family have to be a roast and Nic's favourite dessert is Pavlova.  Now I don't make pavlovas - my father has always made them and this Christmas there was a lot of discussion as to how to make the perfect pav.  I decided to give it a go and make one out of the Donna Hay magazine.  I was quite ambitious as it is a double layer pavlova (two cakes) but I was so happy with how it turned out, that I am claiming bragging rights for quite a while.

There was no beading or weeping, the crust was silky smooth, tasted divine AND

look at all that marshmallow in the centre of it!  I also made raspberry coulis (another 1st for me) and everyone had two helpings.  I hate to think how many calories are in it...

Even Buddy was wanting to see what was happening up on the table!

Sue-Anne xxx

Merry Xmas & Happy New Year!

I did intend to do a post before Christmas day wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, but the madness of pre-christmas set in and I forgot completely.  So ..... Merry Christmas!

My brother and his family came and stayed this year and it was really nice seeing and sharing my niece and nephew's excitement Christmas morning.

Christmas lunch is always a roast dinner with all the trimmings.  This year we had 14 for lunch.

Tea on the other hand, is leftovers and salads plus far too many desserts!

Big and little cousins keeping each other amused playing X Box.

Poor little Buddy trying to have a rest after such a big day entertaining the visitors.

This is the beautiful big bunch of Kangaroo Paws that my girlfriend gave me from her garden.  They are magnificent and I think the perfect floral arrangement for an Aussie Christmas.

I decided to take advantage of Nic being home and took off to Melbourne for a couple of days this week.  I stayed with my girlfriend and we had a great time time shopping, dining out and catching up with a few other friends.   I discovered a "new to me" shop called Zetta Florence.  I wish I had money to burn as I could have spent a fortune, but I was good and came home with only a couple of things.  I am in love with all the stationery and the whole atmosphere of the shop.

I want to wish all my fellow bloggers, followers and friends and very Happy New Year and a wonderful 2012.

Sue-Anne xxx

Christmas Decorating

No sewing today.  I love seeing how everyone is decorating their homes for Christmas and thought I would show you a couple of pictures of our home.

 Our main Christmas tree in the Loungeroom.

Some snowmen - always dreaming of a White Christmas (which is NEVER going to happen in the middle of Summer).

Rag balls and a couple of dolls.

Blue and green Christmas sparkle.

One of my treasured wool cones made by Michelle.

Michelle and I have been collecting Blossum Bucket snowmen for a few years now.  Here is the tinsel tree where they live at Christmas time

And our pool table that I have managed to keep clear since March - can you tell my soldier boy is home for Christmas???

Sue-Anne xxx

Irish Circles & Xmas Lunch

I have finally finished the centre for Irish Circles.

I have fallen in love with these baby circles.  They are only 3 inches in diameter.

Here it is all joined together.  It's not very big for all that work!  I still have a couple of borders to go though.....

We had our Friday Girls Christmas luncheon this week.  It was Marg's turn to be hostess and she did a lovely job.  The table looked so pretty (and the strawberry cider was pretty nice too).  We ate and laughed way too much and had a great day.

We exchange gifts each year and here is what I received.  There was also a home made pudding but it has already been cut up and sampled.  We all agree it is the best day of the year for us and this year did not disappoint.

Sue-Anne xxx