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

What a Month We've Had!

Last week saw us attending the March Out of our son Nicholas, with the Australian Army.  He has completed his basic training and is now in the process of learning his new trade of Australian Soldier.  We were so excited to see him and our time with him went far too quickly. 

Here he is with his brother.  Of course we are very proud of both our boys and I can see a proudness in Nic by the way he carries himself now.  Amazing how they can grow up so completely in such a short time. 

His quilt was completed a couple of weeks before and I couldn't wait to give it to him.  It is now with him to keep him warm and remind him of home.

Chris and Amy arrived home from their honeymoon a couple of weeks before the March Out and here they are at the airport with Lucy (their baby).  Amy's sister Kate made a sign and brought her to the airport.  I don't think I have ever seen Amy so excited as when she realised Lucy was there.  5 weeks is a long time away from the people/dogs we love.

Remember this quilt?  I finally got around to having it quilted and got it back yesterday.  Rose did a wonderful job with the quilting and now I have to make another binding.

I have also been doing a little machine piecing and this is the start of another quilt, Washington Sidewalks.  This was a pattern from Patchwork on Stonleigh's fabric club.

These are the latest Irish Circles blocks. 

Sue-Anne xxx

I Remember and a Visitor

This is another UFO called "I Remember" by Rosalie Quinlan.  I completed it as a BOM through Beechworth Quilters Cottage and I love the fabrics that Yelena chose.  This quilt taught me that it is ok to use other fabrics besides cream as a background.

The most challenging block was definately the birthday cake above.  This is another quilt on the handquilting list.  I have quite a few I want to handquilt but have been put off by the basting - it is backbreaking for me.  However now I have a new secret weapon - my machine quilter Rose, from Pandora Quilting.  She machine basted my "Flowers & Flutterbys" which I am now in the process of quilting, and it is fantastic, keeping it all together much better than if I did it by hand myself.

This is my son, Nicholas, with his friend's "puppy" called Koby.  He is an Australian Bulldog,  which I haven't seen too many of.  They are a fairly new breed of dog and this little fella is soooo cute.  Nic's pretty strong but he was struggling to hold him still for the photos.  Look at that round tummy!

Sue-Anne xxx