Snippets 'n' Scraps

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 10 - Self-portrait

2012-02-10T18:26:00.001+11:00

Portrait of the the writer in her new Laura Ashley tee shirt.

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 9 - Front door

2012-02-10T10:21:00.001+11:00

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 8–Sun

2012-02-08T12:19:00.000+11:00

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 7 - Button

2012-02-07T23:54:00.001+11:00

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 6 - Dinner

2012-02-07T03:19:00.001+11:00

Spaghetti for dinner - in the garden.

Di

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 5 - 10am

2012-02-05T21:03:00.001+11:00

Church morning tea kindly held to celebrate our 10 years here. Love our congregation :-)

The inaugural Team Di Beginner Quiltmaking Class

2012-02-04T20:00:00.000+11:00

Six ~~brave~~ delightful ladies signed up for the 4 free lessons Di B and I (“Team Di”) will be teaching over the next three months in conjunction with St Mark’s Quilters.

Next week they’ll have Lesson 2 up one end of the hall where our regular SMQ-ers will be meeting, with all the laughter and chatter that’s sure to accompany our first get-together after the summer break.

However, not wanting to overwhelm our newbies the very first time, we gave them a quieter lesson on their own this morning to get them started.

There was laughter…

…and concentration.

They learnt about fabric choice and preparation.

Straightening the fabric.

And rotary cutting.

All six of our enthusiastic quiltmakers went home with their squares cut out and ready for next week’s lesson when they’ll begin to sew them together. Some of them couldn’t resist laying out the pieces for a preview.

10 out of 10, ladies!

{One of their instructors, being a dill, scored a FAIL in Handling Sharp Objects 101 when she stabbed herself in the palm with a knife while trying to open a new package of coffee. Fortunately no great harm was done, and she was still able to type up this blog post }

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 4–A Stranger

2012-02-04T08:00:00.000+11:00

While he was sleeping .

Venice. June 2010

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 3–Hands

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000+11:00

St Mark’s Quilters (and friends) stitching and knitting quilts for others.

Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
– St. Teresa of Avila

Di
Have you joined {fat mum slim}’s February Photo a Day Challenge yet?

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 2–Words

2012-02-02T10:00:00.000+11:00

In case you haven’t caught up, my intrepid daughter Sarah is doing post-doctoral research into leptospirosis in rural Botswana and we’re getting used to her …ahem…slightly unusual Facebook status updates.

Like this one.

I have to admit that, while moved by Sarah’s and R’s plight, most of us here on the other side of the globe enjoyed a chuckle at their Third World predicament.

Our amusement might have had something to do with her subsequent message…

Resourceful gal, our Sare xxx

Have you joined {fat mum slim}’s February Photo a Day Challenge yet?

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 1–Your View Today

2012-02-01T23:29:00.001+11:00

Have you seen Chantelle’s {fat mum slim} latest photo challenge? The boat had sailed by the time I stumbled on her January challenge but I’m up for some February photo fun, starting with today’s theme “your view today”.

Admittedly it was only on my computer screen, but this photo my son sent me of the Princess showing off her new school uniform was just about the best view I had all day.

She’s all ready for her very first day at school – but is the school ready for her?

How about it, will you join in the February Photo a Day Challenge with me? Take a look at Chantelle’s daily themes here, share the link to your blog , and check out the amazing creativity of the almost 270 bloggers who’ve already joined in.

Delivering cuddles

2012-01-30T00:08:00.001+11:00

Last Friday Di B and I delivered three bags full of ‘cuddles’, around 40 child-sized quilts, to the KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning & Care Centre, now affectionately known as “The Marcia”, at Liverpool on Sydney’s fringe.

It’s been more than a year since we’ve made a visit, but as always we were greeted as part of the family and Margie (in reception) and Netti (the Director) were so warm and generous in their praise of our St Mark’s Quilters and the beautiful quilts they’ve made for the children attending the kindy.

Every little one gets to choose a quilt to keep for themself, and Netti told us how thrilled and moved the kindy parents were to receive our quilts.

(L to R) Netti, me and Di B

There was even a pretty “thank you” note for us all, and an Autism Awareness ribbon pin which we had never seen before.

Like us, you’ve probably seen other awareness ribbons, for example pink (breast cancer), red (AIDS) and sky blue (prostate cancer) to name a few. The Autism Awareness ribbon consists of multicoloured puzzle pieces, and has an interesting story.

The puzzle pattern of this ribbon reflects the mystery and complexity of autism.

The different colors and shapes represent the diversity of people and families living with this disorder.

The brightness of this logo represents hope – hope through research and increasing awareness in people like you.

Because having a couple of strangers in their midst could potentially upset the children in their secure environment we aren’t able to see the children when we visit, but we hear about their progress in general terms (no names) from Netti.

This time we shared her excitement when she told us several of the children had progressed into the mainstream school system. Small victories, but a huge cause for celebration.

It might not sound a big deal to most of us, but just imagine a 4 year old autistic child finally being able to say “I love you” to a parent for the very first time.

That’s the kind of miracle they’re striving for at The Marcia, and it’s a privilege to be part of this as we deliver quilty ‘cuddles’ from the St Mark’s Quilters.

Toe to toe

2012-01-26T18:30:00.001+11:00

It seems Gail and I share a similar taste in shoes. Hers are peep toes and mine are ballet flats, but as you can see we both love flowers on our toes.

We’ve both making progress with our Daisy a Day quilts too (though Gail’s calling hers Joseph’s Coat). These pictures were taken last time the English Quilt girls met (I neglected to share them at the time), but they’ll give you an idea of the size of our quilts.

Gail’s beautiful fabrics are Liberty prints, some from the V & A Collection produced last year, and some from Liberty’s modern-day collection. To give this quilt a mellowness befitting such timeless classics she has chosen a self-patterned background in a creamy beige.

My daisy petals are somewhat brighter, perhaps too bright some might say. I’ve cut into my collection of Kaffe Fassett fabrics and added other brights that looked as if they would play well with the Kaffes.

There are even a couple of fabrics that I received as gifts, during the year I’ve been hand piecing my quilt, and a piece of Sarah Fielke’s “From Little Things” range that she sent me for spotting her book “Quilting - From Little Things” in The Brown Bookshop in Bowral.

We’re now so close to finishing hand piecing our quilt tops! It’s not a race, I know, but I can’t help but speculate … who will be finished first?

Please vote for my quilt in the Aurilil Thread Quilt Contest

2012-01-25T20:07:00.001+11:00

(I wasn’t going to ask, but…) If you liked my Alhambra Romance Quilt you might be interested in knowing I’ve entered it in the Aurifil Thread Quilt Contest. Please click here if you’d like to see it again and would like to give it a vote.

The competition ends tomorrow.

Thank you very much,

Where’s ya wheelie-bin?*

2012-01-25T19:06:00.001+11:00

[As a nod to the fact that it’s Australia Day here tomorrow, this post has a touch of the Aussie vernacular. I hope my American readers will forgive me for being a little silly.]

Where’s ya bin?

I suppose after a week and a half of silence from this end you deserve to know where I’ve ~~bin~~ been.

What if I told you I’ve been on a cruise, relaxing in a deck chair, ice-cold lemon, lime and bitters in one hand, engrossing, mindless page-turner in the other, with nothing but the sea and the sky to look at?

But where’s ya wheelie-bin?

OK, ~~I ain’t bin away~~ I haven’t been away, I’ve been right here, trying to tick off some of my January “To Do’s” while the new year is still in holiday mode and I have to think twice about what day of the week it is when I open my eyes each morning.

At the top of the list has been some tossing out. There’s been some eBay action, which is a rather slow and painful way to de-clutter, and not recommended if you want to see quick results (I still have to look at boxes of sorted eBay items in the corner of my study as the process of selling grinds on). In addition few boxes of household goods have gone off to a charity garage sale, and some unwanted clothes have gone to the Anglicare bin.

~~I’ve culled~~ I HAD culled quite a few bags of fabrics that I am growing tired of looking at, or for whom the romance has soured (or which I never really liked at all!). Yes, I HAD culled them – before I saw this scrappy quilt Linda’s making.

Source: flourishingpalms.blogspot.com via Di on Pinterest

So my scraps are staying, but they’re going to be made to work. No more lazing around taking up valuable space in my stash for no reason!

I’ve had a small finish too, another baby-sized quilt to be added to our 2012 St Mark’s Quilters collection for RPA Newborn Care.

My walking foot decided to drag its heels and not walk as evenly as it should, but I was reasonably pleased with my free motion quilted flowers on the feature blocks.

I used a fresh-looking red spot on the back, and bound it with a red fabric with just enough of a fine white pattern to make it interesting.

Finally I added a tiny label, the same one we attach to all our Blankets of Love.

Happy Australia Day, everyone.

* A “wheelie-bin” is a council-issued garbage bin in Australia.

Child’s play

2012-01-16T19:57:00.001+11:00

So far Sydney’s summer has had a decidedly soggy feel, but with perfect beach weather last week we enjoyed getting wet with young Jack and his Daddy down at our favourite harbourside beach.

Today, passing through squalls of rain as I drove, I returned to another favourite spot by the water, Di B’s place, for a relaxing and fun day of stitching and chat with friends. The streaks of rain were still clearly visible across the harbour as we sat on the balcony.

With such an inspiring outlook, a cool drink and plenty of laughter I tackled the binding on a quilt that has languished in my cupboard for far too long. It’s a cot-sized “Fishes and Loaves” quilt (from Linda Hungerford’s pattern) for a little one at the KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre at Liverpool, one of the charities St Mark’s Quilters supports.

I do like striped bindings!

The fabrics were all from my stash, and with the rows of sheep, cows, picket fences and apple trees, as well as the little chickens, I think there’s a bit of a farmyard theme going on here.

I hope a little boy or girl from “The Marcia” comes to treasure it one day.

It feels so good to finish a quilt, and I’m happy with this one.

Tonight I’m raising a glass to celebrate - Bottoms up!

Alhambra Romance

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000+11:00

Have you ever looked back at something you achieved and asked yourself “How did I ever do it?”

Yesterday my sister-in-law, Sheridan, currently wandering around Spain, sent me this photo she’d just taken of an intricately tiled wall at the Alhambra in Granada.

I’ve never stood in front of that wall, never even been to Spain - but ah, the memories!

Back in 2005 I offered to make a wedding quilt for my son and future daughter-in-law. They happily accepted and I slid a small pile of quilting magazines in their direction for them to choose a design.

“Not necessary!” they protested. What they would really love would be a quilt inspired by this wall in the Alhambra, because it was while they were on a holiday in Spain that they became officially engaged.

Gulp!

Oh, how I wished I’d paid more attention in maths at school as I scribbled and doodled, studied tessellations and lost a lot of sleep trying to draft a pattern. I was quite pleased with myself when I finally managed to reduce the tessellations to a grid of equilateral triangles, and draft the little curvy swoosh shapes.

I decided to make “tiles” of the positive shapes (chocolate, green, blue and rust) as well as the negative spaces (beige), and after marking my whole cloth background fabric with the triangle grid I planned to applique these “tiles” across the cloth leaving narrow spaces in between to represent the grouting. Using hand-dyes for my tiles gave them a more realistic appearance, I think.

But the challenge of creating the wedding quilt didn’t stop there. I pre-cut all the tiles, pressed them to cardboard templates using spray starch, and bagged them up. Then I took the whole kit in my cabin bag on a 3 month long service leave holiday my DH and I took across Europe and the Middle East.

“Alhambra Romance” was stitched in some amazing locations including a café beside the Grand Canal in Venice, a villa in the Tuscan countryside, the terrace of a hotel near Petra in Jordan - and a ward in a Cairo hospital where I was admitted (initially to intensive care) with severe dysentery.

If these two dear people had not given me a nudge I would never have ventured so far out of my quilt-making comfort zone, and I would never have experienced the absolute exhilaration of clearing those hurdles and finishing such a special quilt.

Have you ever made a quilt that took you totally out of your comfort zone? How did it feel?

The kindness of quilters … yet again

2012-01-12T01:00:00.001+11:00

Back at the end of August Sarah of The Last Piece made a very special request for quilt blocks. The lovely Amy of Mrs Schmenkman Quilts had sadly just lost her husband Dan, and like many quilters around the world who had followed Amy’s blog and admired her work, it was a pleasure for me to contribute blocks for the two quilts Sarah planned to make for her and her daughter Anabel.

The blocks are supposed to look like the bass lines on a stereo, and we were asked to use Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Such a simple concept, and with Kaffe’s fabrics how could these blocks not look fresh and vibrant?

Over the last few months Sarah’s been busy piecing together the blocks, in between her other commitments. She received more than 160 blocks, exactly enough for the two quilts with two to spare, and now you can see Anabel’s very pretty quilt top here on The Last Piece. I even spotted my block!

Apart from representing an incredibly generous outflowing of love for Amy and her daughter by the worldwide quilting community, these quilts are a credit to Sarah.

She’s now looking for someone in Australia who would be willing to donate the machine quilting on one or both of the quilts. Could that be you?

Bargain shopping

2012-01-05T00:58:00.001+11:00

There’s no doubt about it, the January sales are a great way to pick up a bargain – or two!

Spotlight’s been having a “30% off everything” sale and I’ve been resolutely telling myself for a week that I don’t need any more fabric. Really I don’t. But I finally changed my tune yesterday. I would be irresponsible, I told myself, if I didn’t at least make sure I wasn’t missing out on some bargain fabrics for children’s quilts.

So half an hour before our local “Spotty” closed yesterday and the sale ended, I popped in. Just looking, you understand.

And when I found some fabrics going ~~cheep~~ cheap, of course I did the responsible thing.

Here’s what I bought - three bright stripes, just perfect for bindings, some seriously cute chicken fabric, a bright and beautiful yellow blender (because I LOVE yellow in quilts) and an alphabet panel that reminds me of my own schooldays and those classroom reading charts.

Oh, and I also bought these flats in DJs a few days before, just because I loved the flowers

And while we’re on the subject of bargains - If your tastes run to more traditional quilt fabrics, and you live in Australia*, you might like to take a look at my eBay listings.

I’m having a serious de-clutter, selling off some household items, but mostly fabrics I’ve kept for a few years “just because”. These are beautiful fabrics I haven’t been able to bring myself to cut into, from lines such as Moda Chocolat, Peace on Earth, Dominique (not yet listed), and At Water’s Edge, as well as many others, and they include a couple of wide backings. I’ll be adding to the list over the next few weeks so you might like to keep checking back.

* It’s becoming very expensive to post parcels internationally, especially to the United States where an AU$9 surcharge is now imposed on all parcels over 250g to cover necessary security checks. However, if you live outside Australia and really want to purchase / bid on something just let me know and I’ll email you privately with a postage estimate so you will know whether to go ahead or not.

Daisy a Day

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000+11:00

Have you noticed I’ve gone a little quiet lately on the subject of my Daisy a Day quilt?

If you say it quickly (and perhaps underwater!) “Daisy a Day” can sound like “lazier days” - and that, my dear readers, describes what’s been happening around here. At least as far as quilting’s concerned.

December has been full of shopping, end of year break-ups and Christmas parties. We even had another graduation in the family, to match Sarah’s December graduation last year.

In this post I was ~~confident~~ silly enough to claim that

1) I could make “a daisy a day”, and

2) Another 16 daisies and I’d be done.

I wish!

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m in love with everything about this quilt. It’s just that I can’t wait to see it finished and in use. It’s become clear, though, that I’m going to need many more daisies if it’s to cover the bed properly, and rather than piecing “a daisy a day” I seem to be currently averaging a rather more laggardly “four daisies a week”.

That doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, does it?

But, as all quilters know, creating a quilt is as much about the journey as the destination, and for now I’m simply enjoying the ride.

Are you?

It’s 2012 here in Sydney, Australia

2012-01-01T01:46:00.001+11:00

You’ll definitely see better photos of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display, but perhaps not quite as soon as these. They’re hot off the press, taken just for you with my humble Canon Ixus camera from the street where I live - all except the above photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which I took from the TV.

As usual, the focus of the display was the Bridge, and these (below)were just some of the spectacular effects, with our Sydney Opera House silhouetted against the lights.

It’s well past midnight here but the partying goes on in the high-rise apartment buildings that surround us. I predict a few sore heads in the morning

Just slap me (gently) across the face with a fat quarter*

2011-12-31T02:31:00.001+11:00

…if I ever again start whining about not being much of a finisher.

Admittedly my big quilt finishes are so rare it’s been rumored there are small principalities where a national holiday’s declared when Di comes to the end of stitching a binding down. But when I trawled back through this year’s photos I couldn’t suppress a tiny “Hooray” of my own.

Hey, small projects count as finishes too – don’t they?

I’ve made sock monkeys (“Stella” for Toni’s Auction for Queensland Flood Relief, and “Blossom” for the St Luke’s Hospital fundraiser). Along with my friends Di B and Gail I made origami bags for the Gumtree Designers’ New Beginnings appeal after the QLD floods.

In addition, for the St Luke’s Hospital (Potts Point) fundraising event mid-year I crocheted and knitted baby bootees and beanies, sewed pincushions and pink origami bags embroidered with grub roses, and created a ‘parliament’ of cute little sock owls.

I sent off two cosy knitted cowls to Sarah, shivering with the approach of winter in the USA – they arrived there just a day before she left for tropical Botswana (but that’s another story!). My dear friends Moo and Margaret scored mug mats for their birthdays this year, and there were baby singlets appliqueed with an elephant, a teddy bear and a ladybug for our new grandson, Jack.

And there were just enough quilt finishes to keep those principalities happy . I had great fun making the red, white and navy hippo quilt for Jack, and tried my hand at a quilt-as-you-go scrappy quilt that went, along with others from St Mark’s Quilters, to help victims of the Christchurch (NZ) earthquake.

I managed to complete several Blankets of Love for RPA Newborn Care, and put the finishing touches on my Scrappy Hexagons quilt which hung in the Victorian Quilters’ Fabric of Society Challenge at the Melbourne Craft and Quilt Fair in July.

Then there were the projects Di B and I worked on together, though when I think back to our stitching days throughout the year I’m amazed we were so productive with all the fun and laughter going on.

We delved deep into our scrap bins for the most colourful and girly fabrics we could find and made a large hourglass-patterned bed quilt for our friend Alicia’s 60th birthday. This was extra-sneaky of us since we’d only just completed a bowtie quilt Alicia had asked us to make for her to give her friend Ian, and she certainly wasn’t expecting to be presented with a quilt of her own at her birthday party in January.

Our St Mark’s Quilters made individual blocks with appliqueed teddy bears which Di and I sewed together into a quilt for the arrival of our Assistant Minister’s new baby boy in the middle of the year.

We quilted and bound a large cheater cloth in time to cover the table in the entrance to St Mark’s for the Advent and Christmas season, and Di helped me sew and machine quilt all the “healing hearts” blocks sent to my mother by Southern Cross Quilters when my father passed away last year. This was a real labour of love.

Finally, there were the cupcake potholders we made as Christmas gifts for our lovely St Mark’s Quilters. Let’s just say the question “Whose bright idea was this, anyway?” might have been uttered a few times, as we tried to wrangle several thicknesses of fabric and batting beneath our sewing machine feet and machine needles constantly broke under the pressure of stitching through Insulbrite. We expended quite a bit of blood, sweat and … laughter on that project .

* Non-quilters, be assured this isn’t some kind of masochistic plea. A fat quarter is just a small piece of fabric (18” x 22”) whose uses include small projects, piecing … and silly hyperbole such as this.

I have a little more to add to this story about baby Morgan:

One of our St Mark’s Quilters, Ruth, has moved out of town but still makes Blankets of Love for us and keeps up with our doings via this blog.

I was so excited when, after reading about Morgan, she emailed me this - “You’re not going to believe this! The couple featured were in the cabin next to us on that cruise.” Ruth and her DH shared the same dinner table with Paul and Leanne a couple of times, but Ruth had no idea of the drama that eventually unfolded and was very happy to hear the positive outcome.

What a small world it is – and what an uplifting ending to 2011!

Happy New Year, everyone. God bless you and thank you for reading my ramblings.

The kindness of quilters

2011-12-29T00:23:00.001+11:00

Do you think that might be the collective noun for quilters?

Let’s start with the kindness of one particular quilter, my friend Lindi.

Lindi and I have never met face to face, and until last Saturday, when I finally called her up for a chat (so pleased I did!) we didn’t even know the sound of each other’s voice. We both belong to the Australian online group, Southern Cross Quilters, and when my dear father passed away last year it was Lindi who put out the call for “healing hearts” for my mother.

These were just some of the beautiful 6 1/2 inch blocks that began to arrive in my letter box as a result of that request. My mother and I were overwhelmed by the sensitive and gentle messages of sympathy on the squares, and by so many cards and letters enclosed with them.

The quilting community is certainly a caring one, and my mother couldn’t believe so many women around Australia would take the time to embroider, applique or piece a token of affection for the mother of a “friend” they only knew online.

I slipped the cards and squares into plastic sleeves in a display folder, and that’s probably where they would have stayed but for the ~~nagging~~ encouragement of another generous friend, Di B.

I used a little subterfuge to spirit the folder away from my mother’s house, and Di and I together chose fabrics my mother would like and which would set the healing hearts off to advantage.

We spent a day machining the squares together and sandwiching the quilt, and then Di ditch-stitched along every seam and free motion stitched around every heart.

Then she handed the quilt back and it was my turn to fill in all the blue areas. Since I always like to “run” before I can “walk”, and I do aspire to free motion quilting feathers (crazy, I know!), I used a stencil and chalk pounce to mark the pattern on the border and made a “courageous” attempt at a feathered vine.

No, you’ll not be seeing any close-ups but you can probably just make out the wavy pattern on the border, and the feathered sprigs on each blue square. Let’s just say we all have to start somewhere and there is plenty of room for improvement!

I missed the anniversary of my father’s passing, so I set myself the deadline of Christmas Day to have it quilted and bound – and made it with a day to spare.

Mummy was taken completely by surprise, but filled with delight and happy tears, when she opened the parcel.

Once again we were simply lost for words to express our gratitude to all the Southern Cross Quilters who made the hearts.

If you were one of them, please accept our deepest gratitude.

And as for Lindi and Di B, they’re simply angels in disguise

And so that was Christmas …

2011-12-27T19:28:00.001+11:00

Some snippets from my extended family’s Christmas.

I hope yours was as enjoyable as ours.

A happy ending…

2011-12-25T11:00:00.000+11:00

I thought you might enjoy this little postscript to my story about the St Mark’s Quilters’ visit to the Royal Prince Alfred Newborn Care nurseries last month.
On that day Dahlia Brigham, the Fundraising Manager for RPA Newborn Care introduced us to a rather special little group – baby Morgan and her family, from Melbourne – and filled us in on her background.

Photo from The Friends of RPA Newborn Care Newsletter

With their baby due in 13 weeks her parents, Leanne and Paul (from Melbourne) had been enjoying a last holiday on their own in September, a one week Pacific cruise, when it became clear that something was very wrong with the pregnancy. Despite the best efforts of the ship’s doctor and her obstetrician back home Leanne started going into labour as the ship was entering Sydney Harbour.
When the ship docked at the Sydney Overseas Terminal an ambulance was waiting to rush Leanne and Paul to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and three hours later Morgan was born at just over 27 weeks’ gestation and weighing 1030 grams.
Morgan’s birth was dramatic but when we saw her on that sunny November morning she looked healthy and beautiful, peacefully curled up under a blanket against her Daddy’s bare chest with her Mummy and doting grandparents (who had flown up from Melbourne for the day) looking on.

Photo from The Friends of RPA Newborn Care Newsletter

Di B’s mother Margaret gave her a tiny pink beanie, and we all laughed at the way it came right down over her little face, it was so big on her.
But that’s not the end of the story.

Di B with Dahlia Brigham

When Di B and I went back two weeks ago to deliver the rest of our quilts to Dahlia, she told us that baby Morgan was doing so well that she had been moved from Intensive care in RPA to a smaller hospital in Victoria just 10 minutes from her home. Great news!
Then, as we stood there in the hospital car-park sorting the quilts into two piles, those destined to swaddle stillborn bubs, and those to go to the Newborn Intensive Care nurseries, all three of us had the same thought – we should send baby Morgan a quilt for Christmas!
Di and I looked at each other – we knew exactly which one to send!

The prettiest, girliest, daintiest quilt of the lot, with old fashioned floral fabrics and silk ribbon bows in the corners, and fittingly made by G, one of our beautiful quilters who lost a newborn bub herself many years before.

We hope Morgan’s parents will feel all the love that G stitched into this little quilt, and pray that Morgan will continue to thrive after the expert start in life she received from all the doctors and nurses at RPA Newborn Care.
This Christmas may you know the greatest love of all.

Di

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

2011-12-24T18:32:00.001+11:00

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house

We finally rested, except my poor spouse -

For a preacher the Christmas church programme is gruelling,

With barely a moment to stop for refuelling.

We’d Skyped with our Sarah across the wide world,

The baubles were hung and the tinsel unfurled.

The gifts were all wrapped – ‘twas a last-minute rush,

We’d braved busy malls, and we’d coped with the crush.

The binding and label now stitched to this quilt,

I relaxed with a coffee, quite ready to wilt.

The cherry tomatoes I’d carefully stuffed;

With the spud salad made, I was feeling quite chuffed.

My hair had been trimmed and my nails had been done -

(Yes, I know it’s bright, but isn’t it fun?!?!)

The countdown to Christmas was almost complete

With Christmas tunes playing I felt quite upbeat.

The night before Christmas is my favourite time

To focus on God’s Greatest Gift so sublime.

Midst the tinsel and toys and the hype of the season

Let’s remember to celebrate CHRIST as the Reason.

Prayers for a wonderful Christmas to all my blog-buddies

Carols in the Domain

2011-12-21T15:52:00.001+11:00

Thanks to our generous friend Robyn Hobbs, founder of Carols in the Domain, we were once again able to experience all the excitement and wonder of this annual Sydney performance last Saturday from some of the best seats in the ~~house~~ park.

From meeting up with little friends

to the face-painting

to meeting Santa

to the beautiful carols, dancing and fireworks

– it was a night of pure pleasure.

Especially for one little Princess!

Thank you, Robyn

David Jones Christmas Window Display for 2011 (and a cheeky visual Mondegreen!)

2011-12-16T01:30:00.000+11:00

It’s been a Sydney Christmas tradition since even before I was a child (and let’s just say that was some years ago). Thousands visit the decorated windows of David Jones Elizabeth Street store where automated marionettes wave, nod, walk and dance to broadcast Christmas songs and carols, and little children stand and point, wide-eyed with wonder, at the whimsical telling of the Christmas story. The people-watching is almost as engrossing as the show!

Last week when I visited, Santa was dozing in his chair, a little weary from all his toy-making.

But the Main Event was still given pride of place.

Curious animals watched on as Mary and Joseph laid the newborn baby Jesus “away in a manger”.

The shepherds watching “their flocks by night” looked up with suitably amazed expressions as “the angel of the Lord came down and glory shone around”.

“We Three Kings” in exotic costumes, leading gentle-eyed camels, brought him their precious gifts.

Even a little mouse, riding on a magic carpet, appeared to be bringing a gift. The tag on the little purple sack reads “To Mary and Joseph, with all our cheese. Pip and Barry Squeak xo”.

By now you’re probably wondering about the Mondegreen. (And if you’re asking yourself “What exactly is a Mondegreen?” click here)

Tucked away in a bottom corner of the shepherds’ window, where you could easily overlook them, I spotted this pair of shepherds, sitting on the ground engrossed in a particular task.

Perhaps it’s just my corny sense of humour, but it made me laugh (and laugh!)

Can you work out the Mondegreen?

A “thank you” morning tea - with a breakfast flavour

2011-12-15T00:10:00.001+11:00

Our St Mark’s Quilters morning tea/breakfast on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago was an opportunity to say “thank you” to everyone who has supported us this year, both materially and with encouragement and prayer, and to show them what we’ve been up to.

It was also the last time our Blankets of Love would be displayed before being handed over to Royal Prince Alfred Newborn Care, so we made the most of it, hanging them everywhere we could.

On the door of the church…

On the stone font and the pew ends inside the church…

And everywhere we could possibly peg them in the hall…

Where St Mark’s Quilters are involved you’ll know by now there’s usually a bountiful spread of delicious food, and since our morning tea was slotted into the Sunday morning program at church, between the 8.00am and 10.00am services we tried to keep it reasonably breakfast-friendly.

For the foodies who want to know, there were finger sandwiches filled with ham or egg, strawberry mini-muffins, a platter of fresh fruit (watermelon, honeydew, strawberries, apple, pineapple, rockmelon etc), olive and rosemary mini-muffins, smoked salmon tartlets, and sticky date and chocolate and macadamia cookies(for those who just couldn’t help help themselves!).

Di B and I are just a little proud of the fantastic work done by our St Mark’s Quilters. Does it show?

I never imagined I’d wake to this news

2011-12-09T13:28:00.001+11:00

“Mum, I just heard on the radio there’s been a shooting at Virginia Tech and two people are dead”. My son’s phone call shocked me wide awake this morning.

I wouldn’t ordinarily be writing here on a subject so very remote from quilting, but having just told you yesterday that Sarah is a Hokie (a member of the VT community), I felt it was OK to share my feelings as a concerned mum on the other side of the world.

I immediately turned on Facebook for the VT updates, and put in a Skype call to Sarah in Blacksburg. It went unanswered.

It wasn’t until I reached her on her cell phone some minutes later that I was reassured. I knew she wasn’t hurt, but having heard that the university was in lock-down, with everyone warned to stay indoors and away from windows while the police searched for an armed gunman, I imagined her anxious and frightened.

Nope. That was just her mum.

With the calmness I should have expected from my Sarah she explained that she had left the general area of the shootings just 20 minutes before it happened, and was now waiting to hear when it would be safe for her to return.

VT has an impressive array of up-to-the-minute media alert systems that not only keep students and academic staff abreast of what’s happening on campus, but are a God-send for parents at times like these – especially parents like us on the other side of the world.

Not long after this I was extremely relieved to view this media conference.

The healing still continues from the 2007 massacre when 32 people were shot on the VT campus, and incidents like today’s easily shake out those dreadful memories. My heart goes out to the college community.

How desperately sad for the policeman’s family, and the family of the unidentified, but clearly troubled, gunman. May they be conscious of God’s arms around them in the midst of this tragedy.

So many questions – and so much we may never be able to explain.

A warm hug from home

2011-12-08T00:45:00.001+11:00

It’s getting mighty cold in Virginia. *

As if my weather apps weren’t enough, the sight of a beanie-clad Sarah on my computer screen, snuggled under more and more layers of clothing each time we Skype, is a dead giveaway.

Though I‘m a little rusty on the knitting front, I’ve rummaged for my knitting needles and yarn and managed to knit up two cowls over the last month which I hope will keep her a little warmer.

This first one was my own design.

I’m new to circular needles, but it didn’t take long to master the technique. Don’t know why I’ve avoided them for so long really.

She’s currently living and working in Hokie territory, so maroon was a natural choice, but nothing could have induced me to include the other VT colour – orange! Sorry guys.

This cowl is quite versatile. It concertinas down to a sit comfortably around her neck, but can be pulled up over her head to keep her ears warm when she’s walking to and from the lab (or at a football game).

I made another one, too, using this easy free pattern from Revelry.

It’s not as wide and hugs the neck a little closer than the Hokie cowl.

That popcorn stitch adds style, and the crochet picot edging gives a nice finish.

I sent them off on their long journey in a “care package” last week, and I hear they’re already serving their purpose well

*It’s getting mighty cold here in Sydney (Australia) too, when we should be basking in summer sun. But that’s another story…

Butterflies, bugs and sunshine

2011-12-05T17:00:00.000+11:00

I had butterflies on my mind after admiring Lynette’s latest finish when Ruth dropped in three more Blankets of Love to me last week, two with butterflies (and a couple of cheeky bugs)!

Ruth has been with us ever since we kicked off our quilting group with a Stitchin’ Mission two years ago, but sadly she had to move to another city early this year and we miss her. Fortunately for us, she still makes time to create baby quilts for us to give RPA Newborn Care, and for that we’re very grateful.

The fabrics she’s used in this sweet blue and white one have a distinctly French flavour. Ooh la la

I’m off to “hang” these beauties in our virtual gallery (see the Blankets of Love tab). Thank you very much, Ruth!

Spoilt for choice–and just a little bit spoilt too!

2011-12-04T09:00:00.000+11:00

For our final St Mark’s Quilters Saturday workshop of the year our industrious quilters arrived with sixteen stunning Blankets of Love to add to our collection. Sixteen more tiny quilts for parents to choose from for their babies needing special care in RPA’s Newborn Care nurseries, or tragically stillborn.

There was still more stitching to be done and fabric to choose from.

Then it was time for a Christmassy lunch in the garden, where once again we were spoilt for choice. The food our girls brought to share was amazing as everyone seemed to feel we wouldn’t have nearly enough sugar to keep our energy levels up for the day

Santa had obviously made a visit overnight because we discovered a mysterious box in the hall when we arrived.

Look what we found inside – cupcake potholders! (Yes, there seems to be a recurring food “thread” here)

More choices. Blue, pink, aqua…?

Barb and Moo were uncharacteristically camera shy. Were they checking out Santa’s workmanship? Or planning their next quilt?

Michaela was happy with her choice.

And Margaret’s sure to put hers to good use when she bakes her next batch of scones.

Barb had little gifts for everyone too – goats’ milk soaps that she had handmade herself. She told us she’d even milked the goat! There was a choice of rose or lemon myrtle scent, and each was presented in a Christmassy fabric bag.

A little bit of luxury – they looked so pretty on the table, and oh the delicious aroma!

Di B and I feel incredibly blessed by God to be part of such a wonderful group of friends, and look forward to more creative fun next year!

Show and Tell from Di B and Liz

2011-12-03T11:00:00.000+11:00

By now you must know how much I love to share my clever quilty friends’ finished projects.

(Is it wrong to hope that by doing this you won’t notice how few finishes I have?)

Di B’s niece recently gave her this beautiful framed photo of the wedding quilt Di made for her and her husband.

She started it in a Sue Ross class last year and although we’ve raved about her wonderful fabric choices and meticulous machine applique, but this quilt never really set her heart aflutter.

That is, until it was finished and professionally machine quilted by our friend Linda Billett of Artisan Quilting. Her quilting really was the icing on the cake!

Stunning quilt! Stunning couple! Don’t you agree? Those colours just zing, perfect for its new home in Holland where those sunshine-yellow hand-dyes will brighten up the dreariest winter day.

Liz has been busy too, making a New Life quilt bursting with colour.

All those scraps of fabric could very easily have been consigned to the rubbish bin if it wasn’t for Linda Hungerford’s easy and clever pattern. Now those old scraps can live again!

Liz practiced her free motion machine quilting on this one, after attending a class with Amanda Daly recently. Go to the top of the class, Liz!

Another friend, Lyn, recently gave me a bunch of angel blocks she’s had in her cupboard from a swap some years ago, and I took them along to St Mark’s Quilters.

Some of us scratched our heads but Liz knew immediately how to use them, took them home and made this angelic quilt, complete with Christmas buttons stitched onto the plain squares.

Waste not, want not (as they say in the classics!)

Tiny toes, a tour … and a few tears

2011-12-02T11:48:00.001+11:00

November was a HUGE month for St Mark’s Quilters, and I have lots to tell you. It’s going to take me a few blog posts to cover it all, so please stay with me.

Photo by Teresia on Flickr

Dahlia Brigham, the Fundraising (and “Friend”raising!) Manager for RPA Newborn Care invited us to go and see the nurseries where some of our tiny quilt recipients spend their first days, weeks, or even months of life, and with an armful of Blankets of Love to deliver, a few of us were very excited to accept.

All year we’ve been stitching these mini-quilts to be given to grieving Mums and Dads of little bubs who sadly pass away during or after being born at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital here in Sydney.

However Dahlia showed us another side to the story – the three levels of care for babies who survive their passage into the world but are born early, or with serious medical problems, such as respiratory distress, needing extra care.

Out of respect we didn’t take photos of the babies we saw, but this photo below (from the front cover of their 2006-7 Review) will give you some idea.

Photo by Ray Riley for SSWAHS-RPAH Audiovisual Services

Most of the humidicribs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery had a doting Mummy (and sometimes a Daddy too) sitting by. The skin-on-skin sensation is supposed to be very therapeutic for all newborns and the sight of a big burly man tenderly cradling his tiny daughter against his bare chest under a t-shirt was something I’ll never forget.

Some gently stroked a sleepy head, some just gazed in wonder and love at the tiny miracle that is a newborn and some, I’m sure, prayed fervently that God would continue to breathe life into their little one, making him or her stronger with every passing day.

Our enthusiastic knitter, Margaret, took along some beanies she’d made, and handed some of these to the parents who so kindly allowed us to intrude on this very private experience. There were tears all round – happy ones – as we had the privilege of actually meeting the bubs whose little heads will be warmed by Margaret’s beanies, and the parents were touched by the kindness of a stranger.

We’re not the only patchworkers who’ve given quilts to RPA Newborn Care. We saw these cheerful coverings keeping some of the bubs cosy in the Special Care Nursery, the final level of care before they go home.

Not only will our quilts be used in the nursery, but we’ve asked that the babies be allowed to take one home. So not only will our Blankets of Love help parents in their loss, but for parents celebrating the triumph of their baby’s survival after a rocky start in life they will become a reminder of the dedication of the RPA Newborn Care team (and its volunteers!).

But wait, there’s more! We just couldn’t help ourselves.

For all sorts of reasons (keeping the light out, keeping the warmth in) the medical team like to cover these humidicribs a lot of the time.

Some of the covers we saw were purpose-made, but there simply aren’t enough, so flannelette throw-overs are being used. We thought it would be nice to make some quilted covers like this for the nursery, but in fun baby fabrics, with flaps that can be lifted up for easy access to the armholes.

So watch this space!

These are just a few of the Blankets of Love which we gave Dahlia as a “down-payment” on the day of our visit. Our wonderful quilters have made more than 70, which we’ll deliver in the next few weeks.

Yes, this photo is slightly different from the first one.

(L to R – Margaret, Michelle, Di J, Di B, Liz and Dahlia Brigham. Di C was there on the tour too.)

A Christmas reveal

2011-11-29T03:24:00.001+11:00

At the beginning of this month I teased you with photos of Team Di’s latest collaborative project, and now that Advent has officially arrived I can tell you exactly what it is - a Christmas quilt to decorate the table at the entrance to St Mark’s throughout the festive season.

This is the table where we keep the hymn books ready to give out to folk as they arrive for our Christmas church services, so we hope it makes them smile.

We’re pretty pleased with the way it turned out (but things could get a little ugly if anyone dares to rest a coffee mug on our special quilt!)

Shhhh!! Our quilt has a little secret, but don’t tell anybody - it’s made from a cheater cloth

The Holy Land beckons

2011-11-25T01:34:00.001+11:00

Back in May I posted here about the exciting 3 week tour that my husband is leading to Jordan and Israel in February 2012 – “In the Footsteps of Jesus”

It seemed so far away at the time, but with less than 3 months till we fly out our bookings are being finalised in the next couple of weeks.

Tonight we hosted a dinner and information evening for our currently signed-up participants and I must say they are a great bunch, eager to embark on a wonderful adventure together.

This will be the third time I’ve visited Israel and Jordan, and I never tire of it.

If you’d like to come too, just leave a comment below with your email, or email me at dianne.jobbins@gmail.com and I’ll send you the detailed itinerary and costs, as well as a booking form.

Once you’ve walked “in the footsteps of Jesus” you’ll never read the Bible’s stories in the same way again.

Ten things I loved about Melbourne (No 9 and 10 … finally!)

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000+11:00

9. Chocolate shops! There seemed to be one on every corner.

Lindt

Haigh’s

And Ganache

It was here that, on my final morning in Melbourne, I unashamedly spent all my walking “credits” - on one wickedly indulgent breakfast.

Couldn’t help myself.

10. Getting locked up in the City Watch House.

What????!!!????

I was “arrested” for violent and threatening behaviour, and made to stand against a wall while my charge was read out to me.

After dutifully answering every question during my interrogation with “Yes, sergeant” or “No, sergeant” as instructed, I was put into a small cell fitted with wooden benches, along with five other women. We were left to look at each other in bewilderment as our arresting officer turned the key in the door and walked away.

Nervous giggling for thirty seconds. Then she came back, told us we were being punished for making too much noise, and flicked the light off. Total darkness for another twenty seconds, before our sergeant returned and let us out.

Don’t worry, it was all in fun.

This interactive experience is an optional part of a visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol. Great for those with an adventurous spirit, and very informative too. “Sergeant” Finch played her role as arresting officer superbly, with plenty of ad-libbing and a talent for choosing the best stooges to bounce off.

She told us the history of the now-closed Melbourne Watch House where miscreants were held immediately after being charged, but before being tried. This grim space was the men’s exercise area.

Then there was the padded cell (Do you ever have days like this?).

And finally, the mug shot.

It’s OK, I was grinning on the inside.

Di

Ten things I loved about Melbourne (No 6, 7 and 8)

2011-11-22T09:00:00.000+11:00

6. Trees flourishing in the middle of many city streets, making a cool canopy on a warm day.

7. Quaint little pedestrian-only city lanes lined with coffee shops and exclusive boutiques. They’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings as the thoroughfares for garbage and night soil carts, haven’t they (Too much information?)

8. Gracious and elegant city arcades.

The most beautiful of all being The Block.

One of my most favourite shops was even having a sale – never a bad thing!

I decided against joining the very long queue of hopeful diners outside the Hopetoun Tea Rooms. No doubt they were enticed by these delicacies that we could only view with our noses pressed to the window.

This popular little eatery started its life as a small tea room which was set-up for the Victorian Ladies Work Association in 1891 and named after its founder, Lady Hopetoun, wife of the Governor. You can read its history here.

More soon

Ten things I loved about Melbourne (No 3, 4 and 5)

2011-11-21T17:59:00.001+11:00

3. The free City Circle tram. When I was weary and footsore after a day exploring and crisscrossing Melbourne's city lanes and streets (ok there were shops too) this little tram gave me a welcome rest from walking, and showed me some of the (few) places I'd missed :-)

4. Something that's made this novice walker very happy indeed - very few big hills!

5. Patchwork on Central Park at Malvern - 5.72km from South Yarra. How do I know? I walked the whole way there, though I took the lazy way out and caught two trams back. Effie made me feel welcome and I bought a few very pretty Liberty pieces for my stash - as you do :-))

Ten things I loved about Melbourne (1 and 2)

2011-11-18T16:57:00.001+11:00

1. The cute rubber ducky theme of The Como, (the hotel where we stayed) right down to the toilet paper!

2. Chapel Street, the shops, the fashions, the cafes and bars, the great buzz, and the elegant facades of the old buildings.

Morning Glory

2011-11-16T16:34:00.001+11:00

It was the kind of morning when even that pesky weed, the Convolvulus (aka Morning Glory) looked good enough to photograph.

I was in a pretty relaxed frame of mind too because I was in Melbourne for a couple of days, happily amusing myself while my DH was occupied in meetings.

The sun was getting uncomfortably warm, so I kept to the shaded pathways on my walk into the city through the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Later in the day the clouds would roll in and a gentle shower of rain would cool things down again.

That's Melbourne, they tell me - four seasons in one day.

Nevertheless, on this sunny morning with my Runkeeper recording my walk and camera in hand I was in my own happy place.

The gardens were looking their very best.

I had a glorious morning! In fact the rest of the day was a winner too, but that can wait till another post.

Love books? You’ll love this!

2011-11-10T03:40:00.001+11:00

{Disclosure: I’m writing this post as a Book Depository Affiliate}

It’s no secret that I love to read. You only have to run your eyes down the left sidebar of my blog to see the growing lists of books I’ve enjoyed, both on paper and as audiobooks.

Have you ever stayed awake all night reading a book you simply couldn’t put down? I did this with Australian author Belinda Alexandra’s book, Tuscan Rose. I just couldn’t turn out the light and go to sleep until I found out how it ended. So I read all 600 or so pages in a single sitting … er, reclining!

Have you ever driven round the block a few extra times so you could finish listening to a particularly exciting part of an audiobook in the car? Susanna Kearsley’s books have made me do this too many times to mention.

She’s a new-to-me author who writes intriguing historical romances involving time travel, and the plots of the two I’ve listened to, Mariana and Sophia’s Secret, have been fantastic tales of parallel romances in the present and the past.

And have you ever taken a long walk with your iPod just so you could listen to your latest audiobook without interruption? Maeve Binchy and her engaging characters always have that effect on me, and while I’m reading one of her books I can’t wait to get back into their community each time, to see what they’ve been up to while I’ve been gone

OK, so if that’s you too, and you’re madly nodding in agreement, I feel it would be downright selfish of me not to tell you about a special promotion, starting on Thursday 10th November at Book Depository.

For 24 hours they’ll be announcing a new offer every hour - that’s 24 different offers! Whoopee!

The particular books promoted each hour are to be a surprise – no-one has any idea what’s coming up - and we’re going to have to be on the ball if we want to take advantage of any particular offer because once the hour is up it won’t be repeated (though we can always buy the book at its usual bargain basement Book Depository price, postage free).

Of course these are books of the conventional paper variety, books that will set your little heart racing when they arrive at your door in a couple of weeks’ time all pristine and new-smelling.

So how about it? Simply click on the link here or in the sidebar to start shopping once the promotion starts in your part of the world.

Here in Australia that’s 10 o’clock tomorrow (Thursday) night. I can’t wait!

Out and about

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000+11:00

It's that time of year. You know it. The time when the sun shines, the breezes are warm, and you can at last get back to the freedom of summer clothes. Tragically some of my favourites have shrunk, can you believe it?

I can't afford to replace them so there's been only one solution - get out in the fresh air and start walking regularly.

Here are some of the views I've enjoyed on my walks around the neighbourhood.

This is one of my very favourite walking routes, along the harbour"s edge. Trouble is, I live on that high ridge you see in the background and while I can coast down the hill to the park, the journey home involves a very steep climb.

Sometimes I just walk along the spine of the point, a nice, level route from which I can look out on views like this while I challenge myself to walk at a faster pace each time.

I have a very sedentary occupation, and my relaxation, quilting, doesn't work off too many calories either - unless you count the stress involved in getting points to meet! I'm always conscious of those "fat quarters" (lol) so I must tell you the secret to my newfound enthusiasm for exercise - Runkeeper my new DiPhone app.

The GPS records the route I take, and with my phone in my hand I can see (and hear) how far I've walked, my average pace, and the number of calories I've burned. I can also listen to the playlist of upbeat music I've created in iTunes to help me keep up the pace. Couldn't manage without that beat to keep me moving :-))

Finally, at the end of the walk I upload this information to the Runkeeper website where I can see my progress - or lack of it!

I absolutely can't resist gadgets, and this one has put the fun back into exercising for me. Oh, and did I tell you it was free?

"Team Di" has been at it again

2011-11-07T01:55:00.001+11:00

Just sayin'.
All will be revealed in time :-)

November in Sydney

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000+11:00

For too many years the sight of these magnificent trees in full flower filled me with dread because they heralded the start of exam time.

These days I’m glad I can just enjoy the brilliance of the Illawarra Flame trees and jacaranda trees that are so quintessentially Sydney in November.

I don’t have far to go for this one. It’s growing right here in my back garden

Plenty of trees shed their leaves in autumn, but the Illawarra Flame tree does this at the end of winter, replacing its foliage with a brilliant coverage of flame-red flowers and not a bit of green.

The blue-purple of our jacarandas provides the perfect contrast, and the lovely canopy of this one, growing in a school near us, towers over our garden. (Have another look at the first picture.)

Thanks to Erica’s link, I’ve been able to generate this colour palette, in case I feel inspired to capture the season in a quilt.

The harbourside suburbs of Sydney are an absolute symphony of jacaranda blue and scarlet right now, and ferry companies run jacaranda boat cruises on Sydney Harbour where you can appreciate the full effect.

Even when they start to drop their flowers the blue/purple carpet is so pretty. Here’s a photo of our church’s garden that I took a couple of years ago.

Halloween

2011-11-01T01:33:00.001+11:00

Halloween hasn’t really taken on in a big way here in Australia, but on my walk this afternoon it did make me smile to see this Welcome sign.

I passed a few little groups of fairies, ghosts and witches out trick-or-treating, always accompanied by a protective Mummy (of the non-bandaged kind!), but otherwise our neighbourhood was very quiet and not at all scary, being the beginning of summer and daylight saving.

Back home the Princess popped in with her pumpkin bucket - and that sweet smile won her quite a few treats

That quilt again!

2011-10-27T08:00:00.000+11:00

Regular readers know the one. It’s a beautiful quilt but it has an identity crisis.

Joseph’s Coat / Waiting for Russell / Tea Leaf / Lover’s Knot /Lafayette Orange Peel… This traditional quilt pattern goes by all these names, but until now I’ve been fence-sitting, unable to decide what to call my particular version.

Several of us are working on the same pattern, and in the collage below you can see our fabric choices.

(Clockwise, starting with the top right photo) Jill’s, Lyn’s, mine and Gail’s.

Anne is making one too, using blue Kaffe fabrics.

I’ve finally finished enough circle blocks to make my quilt the same size as Sandra Dart’s “Waiting for Russell” pattern, but I’ve decided I want my quilt larger. 16 circles more ought to do it, and shouldn’t take me too long.

If I can find a couple of hours in the evening to stitch in front of the TV I can complete one of these daisy-shaped blocks a day.

So that’s what I think I’ll call my quilt – “Daisy a Day” What do you think?

Paddington Patchworkers Breast Cancer Morning Tea

2011-10-26T00:46:00.001+11:00

Statistically you’d expect to find them in a group the size of ours, and you do. Breast cancer survivors, strong, positive women getting on with their lives and making the most of every day.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, accounting for 27% of all cancer diagnoses in 2007, and one in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 85.

So when Breast Cancer Day rolls around each October we at Paddington Patchworkers usually hold a morning tea and do our best to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Yesterday our quilters brought along these delicious treats (and more!).

We brought handmade goods for a stall too, but I think I must have been too busy sampling Charlyn’s lavender-topped cupcakes to get a photo before the stall was cleaned out by eager buyers.

Same story with the lucky door prize hamper of quilty bits and pieces (this time I’ll blame Di B’s scones with jam and cream for distracting me).

Amazingly some industrious types even managed a little stitching.

Janet worked on her scallops.

Jillian and Glenda stitched away at their embroideries.

Rae was making more hexagons for her grandmother’s flower garden quilt.

Gail was smocking a little Liberty print dress for her granddaughter.

Julie worked on her applique.

Sue sewed the binding down on this zippy strippy quilt as some of us made a mental note to make a quilt like this ourselves.

Hannah brought along a spectacular quilt top for show and tell, the very first quilt her daughter has made – pieced completely by hand. I’m loving this one!

And Di B and her lovely mum Margaret just enjoyed the fun.

How much did around 20 Paddington Patchworkers raise? The very respectable sum of $550. Well done, girls.

BOMs away!

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000+11:00

Most of the Block of the Month quilts I’ve seen in the past have been expensive, time-consuming and required me to commit to a lengthy contract. I’ve always imagined myself burdened with the pressure to keep up my “homework” each month lest I fall behind. I have enough pressure in my life, thank you very much, so consequently I’ve steered clear of BOMs.

Until now.

Circles of Life by Jenny of Elefantz is great value (unbelievable, in fact), runs over just 6 months (perfect for those of us with commitment issues) and is the sweetest little embroidered and pieced quilt I’ve seen in a long while.

Better still, Jenny has cleverly broken up the monthly assignments so that they are do-able for even the busiest person. That embroidery is so portable that it can be whipped out whenever there’s a spare moment.

This month’s BOM was in fact six! But they’re all mini-blocks, and took no time at all. As you can see, I haven’t quite finished my homework yet. I need to trim these blocks down and machine a border around each one.

Circles of Life is just one of the delightful little patterns Jenny publishes in her Elefantz Home online magazine every month.

Are you working on Jenny’s Circles of Life quilt too?

I love to boast…

2011-10-21T01:18:00.001+11:00

…about what talented friends I have!

Look at Margaret’s latest finish, an amazing quilt-as-you-go quilt for her great grandson, Hamish.

A quilt like this would be an achievement for any quilter, but when the crafter in question is eighty-something years young and has only been making quilts for 2 years I think she deserves all the accolades I know you, dear readers, are going to send her way (in your comments).

As a graduate of Stitchin’ Mission here at St Mark’s Darling Point (Australia) Margaret knows how important it is to label her quilts so future generations will always know who made them. This label was composed by Margaret, created in Publisher by me, and printed on Printed Treasures fabric by Di B. It was easy.

What better reward could a great grandma ask for but a beaming smile and a big hug from a little boy who’ll be reminded how much she loves him every time he snuggles under that wonderful quilt for years to come.

Great job, Margaret!

This one made me cry…

2011-10-16T18:08:00.001+11:00

Beautiful daughter … Beautiful Virginian countryside … Beautiful message!

And it came as the “icing on the cake” just after she had Skyped me this morning too.

Thank you, darling – you made my day

Some thoughts on sponsored blog posts

2011-10-12T14:30:00.001+11:00

If you’re a blogger you’ll probably recognise this scenario. An email pops into your box from a company offering to give you a free product, and maybe even one to offer as a giveaway to one of your lucky readers.

All they ask in return is that you write a review of their product on your blog– unbiased of course .

To review? or not to review? That is the question

Julie’s been pondering this too, and has set out her stance in her blog post today. She’s asked us, her readers and fellow bloggers, to share our thoughts on the subject as well, and I’m so glad she’s opened the discussion on a subject that’s been on my mind for a while now.

So far I’ve resisted the lure of free goodies because the products have simply not been a close enough fit with what I write about on my blog. The lure of money-making from my writing is just not strong enough to take me down that path.

When I write a review, I want it to be from the heart, and I think any sponsor worth their salt would want this from me too. Besides, dear reader, you’ll see through it in a wink if it’s not.

I enjoy blogging because…

I love words, their rhythm and colour, and the effect they can have.

I love sharing my life with you, and half the fun comes from the sharing.

I love shouting to the rooftops about the creativity and generosity of so many of my real-life quilting friends especially as I’m the only blogger among them. Somebody has to show you what a wonderful bunch they are, and they won’t blow their own trumpets.

I love the connection it gives me to a whole community of readers across the world. When I started out blogging 6 years ago I had no idea this would happen and it still blows me away!

I don’t do it for the money, but I’ll be honest and say that if I can earn pocket money from writing about the things that give me the most pleasure in life, then I’m more than ready to have a go. For example, since I love reading I’ve felt very comfortable joining affiliates programmes and offering links in my sidebars to Book Depository and Amazon.

I might do better if I actually wrote the occasional book review, but let’s just say I’d need more hours in my day right now!

Following Julie’s example then, here are some subjects I’d consider writing about, if approached by a sponsor…

Quilting, fabric, embroidery, knitting, sock monkeys, life with grandchildren, labradors, travel, photography, reading and cooking (and, if there’s any left over after Julie’s had her share…chocolate!).

What are your thoughts?

Making and giving

2011-10-11T08:00:00.000+11:00

At St Mark’s Quilters we love to make quilts for others. Mostly we make them for charitable organisations who know best how to use them.

But sometimes those “others” are simply people near and dear to us. And sometimes we don’t even make quilts.

Look at this jazzy Patchwork Cat tapestry that Kirstin was working on today for a special gift. What a winning combination – such a sweet smile, colours that sing (jazz, of course!), a sprinkling of hearts, a sassy crown and the patchwork pussy cat herself. I really love this!

For those enquiring minds who want to know, the kit can be purchased online from Jolly Red (in the UK) or Mosman Needlecraft (in Australia)*

Michelle was knitting a very special doll for her granddaughter, complete with her very own hipster wardrobe. Again, anticipating eager cries of “Where can I get it?”, I took a photo of the pattern book and went a-Googling.

The 32 page AK Traditions classic hand knitted doll book (shown below) is available online from AK Traditions in Melbourne (Australia) and really appeals to my “inner child”. When I was researching where my readers could buy this book I saw that they also have what looks like an amazing book of patterns for even more knitted accessories for these dolls*

Perdita’s daughter was married in August, and having shared the excitement of the wedding planning each month everyone wanted to see the album of photos she brought along today.

Not only did the mother of the bride, the bridesmaid (Perdita’s other daughter)and the bride herself look stunning, but they were elegantly accessorised with a simple bunch of hot pink sweet peas carried by the bridesmaid, and snowdrops carried by the bride.

Perdita had even more to “show and tell” – a Double Irish Chain wedding quilt of more than 2,000 2 inch squares that she has lovingly (and accurately!) pieced together for the happy couple. Just the borders to come, then the quilting. Watch this space.

And finally, just so we all felt part of the happy occasion, she brought along some wedding cake (which she had made herself). Wonderful!

* In case you’re wondering, I’ve not received sponsorship from any of these companies ( – but samples are always welcome )

The sky was blue – and our quilts were too!

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000+11:00

Gillian created these three beautiful variations using the same cute-as-a-button fabrics.

Dale’s a friend of ours from Paddington Patchworkers who can’t come to our monthly Saturday workshops, but generously made us a Blanket of Love to add to our growing collection. How’s this for sunshine and blue sky?

Moo knows that sometimes simple is best if you have the right fabrics, like these confetti dots and teddy bears.

And Barb’s been playing around with delicate blue florals from her stash to make her Disappearing 4 Patch with a difference.

Finally, doesn’t the green in this one by Gail D go well with the fresh greens in our garden at St Mark’s?

Yes, amazingly there is more work by our keen St Mark’s Quilters to share here. See you back tomorrow?

One year on

2011-10-10T07:00:00.000+11:00

This time last year I had just been woken by a phone call telling me that my darling father was no longer with us. He had slipped away during the night and was at peace with God.

It’s been a year of painful “firsts”.

First came his own birthday, then each of our birthdays.

Our first Christmas without him wearing a huge grin and a silly paper hat, laughing at everyone else’s jokes but no longer able to make the corny “Dad jokes” he was infamous for.

Our first Easter at the Blue Mountains house, this time saying our fond good-byes as we scattered his ashes from a cliff overlooking the beautiful Megalong Valley. I’ll never forget cradling the box containing his ashes in my arms as we quietly made our way down the bush path to the clearing, and wishing I never had to let him go.

He’s in a better place now, where there’s no more confusion and bewilderment, and where at last the world makes sense to him again. While there isn’t a single day when I don’t think of him, I have wonderful memories of a loving father, I’m grateful we had him with us for so many years, and my tears are gradually becoming happy ones.

Spring has sprung…

2011-10-09T16:27:00.001+11:00

De grass is riz

I wonder where dem quilters is? [with apologies to Anonymous]

Dere dey is!!!! Enjoying lunch in the garden after a morning’s stitching.

Hi ~~dere~~ there, St Mark’s Quilters!

Some bright spark even suggested we should set up our machines and sew out there in the garden one day.

Imagine that…! (with very, very, very long extension cords )

Moo’s latest work-in-progress was appropriately full of sunshine.

And the sunshine just kept coming with this ducky little number from Di C.

And Di B’s and Michaela’s Disappearing 4 Patch quilts.

Di B, Gillian and Liz were in the pink with these three very girly Blankets of Love.

There’s far too much creative fun from this month’s St Mark’s Quilters workshop to share with you in a single blog post. Please pop by tomorrow (and maybe even the day after!) for more

Up….and down….up ….and down….

2011-10-08T01:22:00.001+11:00

As we watched the boats at anchor in the bay outside Di B’s sewing room window bobbing up and down today, she and I sewed up and down on another secret squirrel project.

Tell you what they are? Not. a. chance.

All will be revealed in a few weeks’ time. I’m really very sorry to be such a tease.*

* No I’m not

God the Quiltmaker

2011-10-04T22:29:00.001+11:00

Have you ever stumbled upon a blog with an absolutely amazing name and thought “I wish I’d come up with that!”

It happens to me every week, except that my imagination would never stretch far enough to come up with some of the clever, cute or just plain hilarious blog names I’ve seen, and being just a wee bit curious in nature I often wonder how these bloggers have settled on them.

I’m not the only one. This week Dawn’s pondering blog names too, and has asked us to write a post about how we came up with them and to link back to her blog. So here goes …

By now you’ll have noticed a recurrent theme in the quilts you see here – they’re all scrappy! Yes, I love using lots and lots of different fabrics in my quilts, the more the merrier .

Not only are my quilts scrappy and filled with a variety of fabrics, but my life is full of endless variety, never dull, and always busy.

There are days of glorious sunshine and special relationships, days of contentment, and there are times when I feel bogged down in the humdrum, or challenged to the limit by something very un-pretty happening I my life.

But as time goes by and I look back I can see that “God the Quiltmaker” has been using these dark or uninteresting times, along with the beautiful moments, to make the special and unique creation that is My Life – just as there is a place in the best scrap quilts for the less attractive fabrics as well as those that grab the limelight..

“snippets ‘n’ Scraps” seemed appropriate for a blog that I hoped would contain posts about everything and anything in my life I decided to share.

You’ve watched me make quilts, sometimes with my quilting buddy Di B, you’ve said kind things about my cooking (the photos anyway!), you’ve come along on holidays with me, you’ve shared my joy and my sorrow as babies were born and our precious Chloe and my darling father passed away, and you’ve encouraged my talented but self-effacing quilting friends when I’ve blown their trumpets for them here.

Snippets ‘n’ Scraps indeed.

Now pop on over to Dawn’s blog to see the links to everyone else’s posts on this fascinating subject.

Just a snippet before you go…

Anonymous left this comment today on my blog post “The quilt formerly known as Joseph’s Coat”.

Is there anywhere I could get this pattern? I know you have given us the book no. etc. but do you know of anyone who is willing to part with their magazine if they no longer need it? I would SO LOVE to do this quilt - the pieced way of course. Irene

Not only can I not identify Irene because she has no blogger profile and has chosen to be Anonymous, but sadly she has her comments set to “No reply” so I can’t contact her even if I find a copy of the magazine she’s after.

Irene, I’m not ignoring you. Please contact me through my email (on my Profile page) so I can have your contact details.

And any of my readers who think I’m downright rude because I don’t reply to their lovely comments, please check your settings to be sure you’re not a “no reply” blogger. If you are, this tutorial from Jodie at Pleasant Home will show you what to do so we can enjoy our conversations

Busy hands

2011-09-29T22:47:00.001+10:00

Gail’s and Rae’s quilts might have been the only finishes at our English Quilt group get-together last week, but on the other side of the room there were more works-in-progress.

Robbie was starting to knit the very nifty Alexandria cowl. I might just try one of these next winter – all the warmth of a scarf/shawl without having to continually stop it unraveling or slipping off my shoulders.

Lyn’s tea leaf blocks were coming together in a leisurely fashion (and isn’t that what its all about?), piece by piece using her chosen Aunt Grace fabrics in delicate pastels.

Anne’s Laurel’s Stars medallion quilt, a Lynne Alchin pattern, has gone from this…

…to this.

OK, she’s only added a few more stars, but Anne has been very busy with a brand new little granddaughter - as has Robbie!

Anne also brought along a very special “show and tell” - the christening gown she made for her firstborn daughter, which was also worn by the second, and has now become a family heirloom, worn by her each of grandchildren.

Plenty of creative inspiration in our past and present projects!

Using up, and cheering up

2011-09-26T10:00:00.000+10:00

After singing the praises of Gail D in my previous post, today it’s another Gail’s turn in the spotlight – my friend Gail O, who generously hosts our English Quilters’ monthly get-togethers (along with group mascot, Evie).

Gail loves to challenge herself in quilting, and has recently turned these 100% cotton curtain fabric samples into a spectacular modern quilt for her son.

Under normal circumstances the samples would have been tossed out, but Gail took the time to trim off the sticky labels and use up these otherwise perfectly good pieces in a very imaginative way.

I think the purple triangles between the rows, and the paisley borders, provide the deep, dramatic perfect foil for her colour-washed strips.

Rae’s another friend with an eye for colour in quilts. At this week’s get-together she was putting the finishing touches to a more traditional quilt for a friend in need of a good quilty hug.

Rae is usually a hand quilter, but she had this one professionally machine quilted in the ditch to save time. Leaving the squares free of quilting means the quilt is still nice and soft.

Bound in bias stripes, Rae’s quilt is all ready to be sent to its new owner.

Can you imagine how touched she’s going to be when she opens her surprise package?

I predict happy tears…

Take a bow

2011-09-25T08:32:00.000+10:00

While I can honestly say I love every one of the quilts we’ve made for RPA Hospital, as each has the potential to warm the heart of a grieving parent. However, every so often one of our St Mark’s Quilters comes up with a combination of fabrics and colours that makes my heart sing.

This beauty, by Gail D, is such a quilt.

Gail has used mellow, traditional florals in buttercream, raspberry, the palest aqua and cream – with an adorable finishing touch, a delicate silk bow on each corner.

Another quilt to be treasured.

Circles of Life

2011-09-24T01:27:00.000+10:00

I needed another quilt project like a hole in the head, but when Jenny of Elefantz unveiled her new Block of the Month, Circles of Life, back in June I fell in love with it – and with the fabric range she chose. You might recall I wrote about it here.

(You might need to sit down before you read what I have to tell you next…)

In a complete reversal of my usual form, I’m actually keeping up with each BOM as it appears in my monthly Elefantz home online magazine!!!

This is the latest block, Circle of Life.

And these are my two previously finished blocks, Sewing Circle…

…and Circle of Friendship.

Working on these blocks has given me so much pleasure, as I think about the meaningful circles in my life.

It’s also been my pleasure – though in an entirely different way – to make these two blocks as a contribution to Sarah’s gift to Amy.

Take a look at Cathy’s blocks here. Sarah has been overwhelmed by the response to her call for blocks, such is the compassion and generosity of quilters the world over. She has more than 160 blocks, but is very happy to accept more.

Email her at sarah@sarahfielke.com for the details.

* * * * * * * * * *

And now I have a special request…

If you live in Blacksburg, Virginia, or know someone who lives there, could you please leave a comment below, with your email details? I’d like to ask you a question.

Thank you,

Ten tiny “treasures”

2011-09-18T14:10:00.000+10:00

Measuring just 24 inches square these Blankets of Love are tiny – but then so are the little bubs who will be wrapped in them by heartbroken parents.

Moo, Barb, Gail, Susie and Liz and Di B pray that every parent who receives one of these quilts will find comfort in knowing a stranger took time to choose the fabrics, devise a design and create something beautiful - just for them.

Gail

Barb

Di B

Moo

Susie

Moo

Liz

I made this for Sarah’s birthday dinner last night

2011-09-17T17:49:00.001+10:00

Ingredients for torte

125g hazelnuts

4 egg whites (I hope you like making egg custard, otherwise that’s a lot of leftover egg yolks)

1 cup + 1 tablespoon castor sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Ingredients for topping

450g raspberries (frozen will do)

3 tablespoons castor sugar

1 cup cream

vanilla to taste

sifted icing sugar

Method

Spread the hazelnuts on a tray and toast them for about 6 minutes in a hot oven. (This is inexact – just keep checking them.) Cool. Then grind them (not too finely) in the whizz.

Beat egg whites. Add in tablespoon of castor sugar, beat in and then gradually add the rest.

Add vinegar and vanilla.

Fold in the ground toasted hazelnuts.

Spoon into 2 x 8 inch cake tins (lined or sprayed with cooking spray) and cook in a moderately slow oven for 40 minutes.

Assembly

Beat cream, sugar and vanilla until thick. Spread tops of both torte bases with cream, then sprinkle over the thawed raspberries (or other berries of your choosing).

Lift one base and place it on top of the other to create a layer-cake. Sift icing sugar over the completed torte before serving.

This quantity serves about 8, but it’s my go-to easy dessert for a crowd so I just multiply the ingredients and use bigger tins.

Last night I was cooking for 10 and wanted generous servings, so I doubled the recipe and used a large and a small springform pan to create a tiered look to the birthday ‘cake’.

Maximum effect – minimum effort!

(and you can cover your mistakes with cream. Just saying )

More Blankets of Love made by St Mark’s Quilters

2011-09-13T09:00:00.000+10:00

These little quilts are around 24 inches square, the perfect size for quilters wanting to try out a new block design or practice machine quilting.

By Di B

By Barb

By Di C

By Moo

By Di C

By Michaela

If they could speak our Blankets of Love would probably tell some anguished tales of the quiltmakers’ struggles to get them ‘just right’, but in the end we just do our best and stitch an armful of love and prayers into every quilt .

I’ve popped these quilts onto our Blankets of Love page (see tab above) where they’ll stay as a permanent record, and I’ll be back soon to show you some more of our quilts.

Happy birthday, Sarah!

2011-09-12T02:07:00.001+10:00

For many reasons this particular birthday is very special because after all these years of studying and peering into microscopes you’re finally about to set off for faraway places to achieve your dream (leaving us with a spare bedroom, and two cats we’d never have acquired but for you )

We’re going to miss you (as will Satchmo and Poodie) but you deserve this opportunity.

You’re creative, smart and pretty, you’re loyal to your friends and caring towards anyone with a heavy burden.

You’re sometimes a little too adventurous, but God has guided you and kept you safe over the years - even when you weren’t aware of it.

You’re not afraid to try something new, and you give 110% to every challenge you take on.

You have high ideals and want to change the human and animal world, one paw-print at a time.

In fact, you’re one of the very nicest people I know.

Happy Birthday, darling – Dad and I are so proud of you and hope your big adventure will be amazing!

(just don’t hug any hippos)

Disappearing acts

2011-09-11T00:58:00.001+10:00

After disappearing beneath an avalanche of paperwork for ten days I’m back!

I have a brand new profile pic too, after sources close to me hinted that the one I was using made me look like … well … a rather stitched-up old schoolteacher.

Now this was not too surprising, since I do have *ahem…* a few years under my belt and was, in fact, a schoolteacher many moons ago.

However these days I’d prefer to look more ‘groovy granny’ than ‘sober schoolmarm’, so I asked a friend who always makes me laugh (guess who!) to take some portrait shots – and with a click of the “delete” button the old pic has disappeared.

One of my greatest joys is being part of St Mark’s Quilters, a wonderful group of women who’ve grabbed with both hands the opportunity to make quilts for those in need of a comforting hug. It’s almost two years since two dozen newbie quiltmakers made their first quilts for the children at the KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning & Care Centre at Linda Hungerford’s Stitchin’ Mission course, the only one ever held outside the USA, but the legacy continues.

Today’s workshop was all about the Disappearing 4-Patch, a perfect block for the tiny Blankets of Love we’re currently making for Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Newborn Care here in Sydney.

Di B was the teacher and used samples to demonstrate each step in the construction of this very useful block. You’ll find Linda’s excellent tutorial here.

In the photo above Gail and Di are pointing to the block after the 4 patches have been sliced, and just before doing the big ‘switcheroo’ resulting in the layout in the photo below (Barb’s block). Poof! Those 4-patches have disappeared!

You can design countless variations on this theme, using just two contrasting fabrics –

or as many as you like, as Linda’s done here in a larger quilt.

Whichever way you do it, that rather ordinary little 4-patch block, once sliced up, disappears completely, with minimal effort and just a little concentration, to become a block that’s very attractive indeed.

Margaret and Moo were content to stitch bindings on their latest projects rather than embark on Disappearing 4-patch quilts of their own.

Sarah auditioned her fussy-cut snowball blocks on the design wall - and liked what she saw! She’s hoping to have this quilt all finished before the disappears overseas on her big adventure.

And our group’s mascot, the lovely Matilda, just hoped I’d disappear soon and take my camera with me, after my lame attempt at posing her as a quilting diva.

OK, I’m out of here

At a time like this …

2011-08-30T14:00:00.001+10:00

…your first instinct is to do something, anything, to soothe the hurt.

If you read Amy’s blog (Mrs Schmenkman Quilts) you’ll be aware by now that her dear husband passed away yesterday.

He was so young, so talented, and so brave, and Australian designer Sarah Fielke is organising something special from the quilting community for Amy and her daughter Annabel. If you’d like to join us in this outpouring of love for them email Sarah sarah@sarahfielke.com and she’ll send you details.

My prayers go out to all my US blog friends, too, who’ve been affected by Hurricane Irene. So many deaths, floods, power outages and damage to crops it’s difficult to fathom the magnitude of this damage.

Progress on “The Quilt Formerly Known As Joseph’s Coat or Waiting for Russell”

2011-08-28T17:46:00.001+10:00

The two quilts look very much the same in the end, but just as several of us in the English Quilt group were collecting our fabrics together to make Kellie Wolfsohn’s glorious “Joseph’s Coat” applique quilt late last year Jill spotted Sandra Dart’s pieced version, “Waiting for Russell”, in Australian Patchwork & Quilting Vol 19 No 7 and we unanimously decided to go the piece-able way.

Jill’s using teals and earth tones to co-ordinate with a bedspread she has.

Gail’s using dainty Liberty lawns, including a few from the Victoria & Albert Museum’s limited editions.

Lyn opted for pastels with a 1930s feel.

Anne’s using Kaffe Fassett fabrics exclusively in blues of every variety – from cobalt to sky to aquamarine.

- and mine is in brights, many of them also Kaffes.

With only about a dozen blocks left to piece I’ve been giving some thought as to how I’ll tackle the quilting.

I’d almost decided machine quilting was the way to go for a fast finish when Robbie arrived at our get-together last week with hers completed, hand-quilted and bound while all the rest of us are still in the process of putting our quilts together.

Isn’t this an absolute stunner of a quilt!

Robbie’s is cot-sized and mine will be bigger, but I’m so in love with the softness of her hand quilting and the wonderful antique-like texture that I’ve done a complete (figurative ) back-flip and decided this quilt deserves nothing less than to be hand-quilted.

Oh dear, and I have so much spare time (not!).

Now all we need is a name for this delightful quilt. The name Sandra Dart chose seems a little too personal (I’m not sure I need a quilt named after her husband on my bed ) but in the magazine she’s written:

“This quilt pattern is known by several names including Tea Leaf, Lover’s Knot and Lafayette Orange Peel. With such a diverse range of names, you can choose the one you like best.”

Will you help me decide? Which name do you like best?

Company’s a’comin’

2011-08-26T23:27:00.001+10:00

Cooking, cleaning and tidying the house for just under sixty guests coming to afternoon tea tomorrow, along with my regular “supporting-my fabric-habit” job, has occupied quite a bit of time and headspace this week and accounts for the hiatus in blog activity around here. Please accept my apologies, dear reader.

Since there has been little quilting done, I thought you might like the recipe for one of the slices I’ll be serving up to my guests.

It’s an oldie, but a goodie, and comes from a tattered and stained little cookbook I’ve owned for more than 30 years.

Raspberry Slice

Makes about 16 pieces

Base ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

Raspberry jam

2 ounces (60 grams) softened butter

1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

Cream the butter and sugar, add egg yolks then flour. Press into a tin 8” x 12” (I line it with baking paper just to be careful, but you can just grease the tin if you don’t have the paper). Cover with jam. My recipe says 2 tablespoons, but as you can see I use much more – no sense in skimping on such a yummy ingredient!

Topping

1/2 cup sugar

2 egg whites

1 cup coconut

Beat the egg whites . Add sugar and beat some more until you have a stiff meringue. Add coconut and stir in well. Spread this meringue mixture carefully over the jam.

Bake in a moderate oven (about 170 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes. The aroma of toasting coconut will fill the house, and the result is this crispy topping with a soft fluffy inside.

Beneath that is a layer of yummy raspberry jam, and on the bottom a buttery biscuit base.

This recipe never fails to attract compliments (always acceptable!) and requests for the recipe. So it goes without saying that I make it often

Do you have an old favourite, never-fail, crowd pleasing recipe like this?

And here’s the snuggly one

2011-08-13T22:16:00.001+10:00

Michelle spent a lot of time on her knees at our June St Mark’s Quilters workshop, not praying but auditioning strips of pastel flannel “tiles” to find a layout she liked.

After much deliberation she settled on this, strips in a single colour grouping sewn side by side.

At least that’s what we thought…

But in a “light bulb” moment at home later she came up with this winning configuration instead, and today she brought along her finished project.

Don’t you just love those blocks of gentle colour?

To make it even more tactile Michelle’s sewn it as a raggy quilt. You can guess what all our quilters did today as soon as they saw it - stretched out a hand to stroke those raggy seams, of course!

Being a larger quilt, this one will probably join our collection for the children at the KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning & Care Centre at Liverpool (affectionately known as “The Marcia”), hopefully to be ~~treasured~~ loved to pieces by a little person who’s absolutely enchanted by its soft touch.