Happy Australia Day

Wherever you may be, I wish all Australians a Happy Australia Day!

Sue-Anne xxx

What Is Going On!!!!

Queensland, Australia is suffering from its worst ever natural disaster.  I have been glued to the tv for most of the week in shock at the enormity of the Queensland floods.  As I write this post, four of our States are suffering from floods!  This time last year we were in drought suffering from 40 plus temperatures and now there has been so much rain, that any area that gets a big downpour is at risk.  There are lots of ways we can help.  Donations can be made through The Qld Premier's Flood Relief Appeal .  Also, Make It Perfect is hosting an online Auction and if you click on the links, you will be able to find out all the details.

My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected in some way by this catastrophic event, especially to those who have lost loved ones. I fear that it will take years and years to fully recover from this  and there are still towns bracing themselves for the worst as this massive amount of water travels down our river systems.

On a brighter note, Swan Lake is finally together Yay!!! 

Even Buddy is pretty impressed!

I still have a bit of applique to go but at least now, she looks like a quilt and I am very excited to be near the end.

I also had the honour of viewing another Swan Lake quilt on Wednesday.  Pleas from New Zealand has "crossed the ditch" to come visit and participate in Patchwork on Stonleigh's Summer School.  We had a little Show & Tell at class with Susan's, Pleas's and my quilts.  Pleas has added some little dollies to her centre and it looks fantastic. 

It is a little hard to tell in the photo, but there are three Swan Lake quilts all laid out on top of each other!!!

I also received a lovely surprise in the mail this week, all the way from Cyprus!  Valentina sent me this wonderful diary from the V & A Museum.  Look at all the wonderful clamshells on the cover!!  Thank you beautiful Valentina!

Sue-Anne xxx

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Exactly one year ago today I decided to start a blog of my own.  I never imagined that I would make so many new friends from all around the world and I wish I could someday get to meet you all in person, what a wonderful time we would have! 

Christmas day arrived and even though there were a few "Kath & Kim" moments we had a fantastic day.  This is the only photo I took (slack I know).  Kellie's job was to bring the ham and because she had to work until 5 in the morning, she slept in and didn't make it till lunch was nearly over.  The Plum Pudding turned out well and my father told me that I have the job of making it from now on - don't know whether that's good or bad?  This year we finally decided to do Kris Kringle and everyone seemed quite happy with it except for Nicholas (the middle child, need I say more?).  He still thought he would be getting a present from his mum and dad and was devastated when he realised this wasn't the case - he is 24 years old!!!  I think these little stories are what makes each Christmas special and gives us a laugh when looking back in years to come.

The flooding has gone and the heat has set in and Buddy is bedding down for the duration.  I am not quite sure why he has started sleeping with his tongue poking out but it does look pretty cute.

I have cut out and stuck down all of the 48 star flowers for Swan Lake!!!

Here she is laid out on the floor and is now starting to look like a quilt - I am getting a little bit excited!!!

I have also stitched two more rows of clamshells.  It has been a stressful couple of months and this little quilt has been there to let me feel peace and calm whenever I start stitching.

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year with lots of health, wealth and happiness for 2011!

Sue-Anne xxx