Best laid plans....

Funny how the best laid plans never come to fruition! I hoped for a week that it would be all smooth sailing. First we had a phone call from Red on his 8hr drive back to work to say he had an accident involving a rather large kangaroo. I think he was quite shocked by the experience and just needed to talk to someone for reassurance and to calm his nerves. He was about 2 hours away from camp and even though the car was still driveable, we waited anxiously for his call to say he was there. The car needs repairs so I am not sure how he is going to get home for his next shift break.

Then on the following day Ted came to visit me and after staying for a couple of hours, he went home to get ready for his shift at work. I had a call to say that his car had overheated on the way home and the engine had seized.  The upshot is that I became mum's taxi again!

The other thing that I forgot to factor into my plans, was Miss M.  She left for Paris on Friday night, so the whole week has been full of last minute planning and a whole bunch of nerves for me.

I did get some stitching done on the farmyard frolics - block called "What a Stud" but that was all I achieved for my one week's holiday. I still have a whole way to go tho'!

Till next time,
 

Tuesday Treasure - Old Blue Combi Van

Driving to my sewing group today I pulled up next to an old blue combi van at some traffic lights and I immediately travelled back to my childhood.

Even though I was about 6 years old, I remember the day we picked up our blue combi campervan. I was so excited, I couldn't decide where to sit and boy did I have plenty of choice. My favourite seat, though, was up front on the bench seat between mum and dad.  We did so many trips in that van, to the most amazing places throughout South Africa (where I grew up) local and far away.  My favourite times were spent at a place called Smilin' Thru' on the Vaal River when we used to go for weekend BBQ's with friends.  I thought it was  a magical time and now have memories to treasure.

I wish we had taken more photo's of these times but I found this one amongst some photo's my brother gave me.

I am  linking in to Melody's Tuesday Treasure.....Do you have a treasure to share?

 

Beauty & the Beast

I have a really busy schedule today with a group of friends from work. A light snack at the RSL club and then whizzing into the city to see "Jersey Boys". After that we have decided to walk across the river into the city to the casino for an early dinner at Cafe 21.

As you can see there will be no time for me to go on my usual Sunday walk with dogs and camera. No fear, here is one I did earlier! Haha!

I actually took my camera with me yesterday in the hope of seeing something interesting and, as always, I did.

oxsalis debilis - aka Pink Wood Sorrel

Callistemon - Red Bottlebrush

And wait for it.................here is the beast that I mentioned in the title..............

an Australian Eastern Bearded Dragon

Look at those fearsome spines on his back!

Before I dash off to get ready for the day, let me leave you with this photo of Callie, patiently waiting for the walk to get underway.

bless!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

Hoorah....its Holiday!

Today marks the start of 1 week of annual leave for me although, really, I could say it started on Tuesday because I had two RDOs and then two sick leave days. Shame I felt too horrible to want to do anything. I am hoping to spend the week sorting out and organising my kitchen and posting that on Cath@Home......hopefully its all smooth sailing around here.

 I would also like to get stuck into "Rusty's Quilt" which is a quilt for Red which I started last year and hoped to have ready for Christmas '11.....well didn't make that deadline, so Christmas 2012 it is!

I have made quite a dent in it.  I found most of these batiks on my quilt shop-hop last year and in the colours that will match the decor in his bedroom.

I think there were something like 308 little squares to cut out and 77 large rectangles!

I am using a pattern I got from Koolkat Quilting in Toowoomba called Japanese Story which is based on elongated snow balls.

Ironing all those little squares in half to sew onto the corners of the rectangles. I did mention 308 of them!!

Pinning them onto the corners

and sewing them down that pressed line

That was really the hard part done.....well, except for cutting out all those squares.

and I got all the sashing cut out and sewn on to the blocks.

I laid them out on the floor to find a lay out that I liked since then I have sewn two rows together...in 6 months!

So about time I got this finished....Don't you think?

My funny, quirky girl

I wanted to share this gorgeous photo of Lila, taken this afternoon.  I washed all the dog blankets and mended their bedding a couple of days ago and every morning since, I have folded them and put them on the outdoor chair so they won't get ripped and dirty again, too soon.

I guess Lila doesn't like this arrangement as I found her perched on top of the pile of blankets and dog pillows having a snooze.

I have been off work today because I have caught the dreaded cold and up all night with a migraine and too many views of the inside of my toilet,  so her silly antics cheered me up no end.

Oh No, Busted!!

Now if there was a quilt in all that I could have linked up to this:



 

Sunday Blessings

Just a little look at the beauty I see around me.

While out walking the other afternoon, we spotted this native bush absolutely full of blossoms...a xanthostemon chrysanthus or Golden Penda not to mention teeming with bees.  It was late afternoon and a little dark for any good photos but we decided to make the most of the glorious days we are having at the moment and go for an earlier walk today and found the tree bathed in beautiful sunlight.

can you spot the bee?

The girls were really enjoying the time out exploring all their favourite spots.

Have a lovely week!

Sensational Girl

I was such a proud mamma last night. I love the way these children of mine make my heart swell to the point of bursting and the tears well up and I just want to show them off to the world. Well those are the joys of motherhood.

Last night was Miss M's turn. She graduated from her Fine Arts degree with Distinction last year but as her final assessment was based on a trip to NY, she missed the ceremony and had to wait until mid year.

Now I do have a rule that my darlings faces shall not be shown, so I took a photo of her looking at the Brisbane City skyline which shows off her beautiful gown and cap.

Afterwards we all walked to "The Point" Bistro in Southbank and had the most amazing meal I have ever eaten.

Grilled Barramundi with clams. I NEVER pick Barra but so glad I did last night. 

and for dessert Orange and Cardamom creme brulee with choc chip cookies.

Mr Ted had the most amazing  peanut butter ice-cream with his chocolate lava cake.

So if you are ever in Brisbane city, remember this Bristro.....I give it my highest recommendation.

Ooooo, one more photo! It may not be the London Eye but I was fascinated by our own Brisbane big wheel which had moving pictures of butterflies projected onto it from across the river. Spectacular!

This night was such a Treasure to me that I am linking up with Melody's Tuesday Treasures even though I am a day late!
 xxx

Homespun SAL

I just can't resist, no matter how hard I try, I just can't resist.

I have found another BOM to get stuck into!!

I would have been non the wiser but I had to head down to the pharmacy this morning because the dreaded "sore throat" bug has moved into our home.  The Pharmacy is next door to the Newsagent and I thought I would just have a little peek at the quilting mags.....you know.....since I was out!

One of my favourite aussie quilt mags is 'Homespun'. And there it was sitting on the shelf...The Christmas in July Issue. And it looked so Yummmy!

Page after page of oohs & aahs and then I stumbled across the new Homespun SAL which I immediately decided was a MUST DO!

It is called A Long Time Ago in Bethlehem and block one is called Hello. Block one and the materials/instructions are published in the issue and then you can log on to their website for the rest of the block patterns. Block two is already available and is called Kitchen Sink Camel (you will have to take a look to see why?)

 So there you have it, if you are thinking of doing this one, let me know.....I would love to see your progress!


I am linking in with Freshly Pieced - WIP Wednesday

Sunday Blessings

Debbie from Our old Homestead usually does a post called Saturday Snaps which always lift my spirits. I see almost everything through the lens of a camera and doesn't nature have so much to offer. I especially noticed this today while we were on a walk with the dogs but, alas, I had no camera with me.

 It did remind me that I was going to photograph the orange fungus growing in our garden atm. So when we got home I raced inside to grab my camera.

 The afternoon sun was just perfect for photography so I had to find something else to snap. 

 

Any thoughts on the matter?

I am so excited and cannot sleep? Can you guess why?

No, I am not going on an overseas holiday just at the moment!
No, I am not being spoilt with a new car, or a diamond ring or any material object for that matter!
No, no-one is getting married or giving me a "little treasure"!

The reason I am so excited is a bit simpler than all that......it is quilt challenge time!!!

The word got out the other day from Apatchy Quilting that a new quilt challenge is taking place. Last year I came third with my first ever landscape quilt
 

and these were the 1st and 2nd prize winners

came first

I really liked this one that came 2nd

We only had 2 months to work with last year, this year we have been given 6months....WOW!  I am probably going to need all that time as I have an amazing idea developing in my head.  The theme is "Colour Story".  I am thinking bright, bold and modern. Without giving too much away, I am planning on using a clamshell design and have been researching relentlessly to find a how to.  You see I really want to make my clamshells 3D and  so if you have any thoughts on the matter, I would love to know.