aubirdwoman

WOE IS ME

2012-02-01T12:38:00.001+11:00

A pox on all those folk who think it funny to create threats and malware so that other poor souls like myself suddenly (and really through no fault of their own) get multiple windows appearing, funny things happening and then switch off the computer only to find when switching back on NO DESKTOP and NO FILES whatsoever. May they rot in a place where there are no computers.I am fortunate that The Scot is formatting my pc and I have the laptop to use as well. He is not a happie chappie but then neither am I as I also dropped the bowl of sugar (which The Scot had just filled). Believe You Me the language was not polite.

To calm my jagged nerves here are my finishes for January for OPAM 20012

Only 2 finishes as I seemed to start more than I completed. But lets hope February is better.

GREETINGS

2012-01-26T01:35:00.001+11:00

for AUSTRALIA DAY celebrated the 26th January. If interested you can read about it here AUSTRALIA DAY.

Following on from my attempt to stop procrastinating I was going to make 3 journal covers, and finish two wall hangings today.

Did I do this

ummmmmm no ..... now its not an excuse but it was the Cricket Test India v Australia. and we are showing the Indians that we have heaps of new fresh talent to replace many of the guys who have hung up their bats in the last couple of years. Australia declared its first innings closed at 7 for 604, after Ponting (221) and Clarke (210) combined for a record 386-run partnership. Being a Ricky Ponting fan I do hope he gets to go to England to play for The Ashes next time.

The Scot thinks I multi task very well.

Cricket is on the TV sound turned down
whilst I listen to my Kindle
and of course stitching.

So of course the planned tasks didn't even get started but I have started on a new wall hanging.

2012-01-24T02:01:00.002+11:00

Happy Chinese New Year to all my blog readers.

Chinese New Year Day is on January 23 2012.
but
The first day of 2012, which is The Year of the Dragon will arrive on February 4th 2012.

The days between are days of celebrations and many traditions.

My chosen theme for the 4x6ers swap was Celebrations and these are the Postcards I sent.

One was also sent to No1 Son who is located and working in Taiwan.

I must explain.

The emblem was printed onto fabric on the computer. Then stitched to the Gold background.
Gold is lucky and foretells wealth. Hence the back was printed on gold paper and glued.
It is a lucky symbol to have 3 coins fastened with red cord/ribbon. The three coins attached.
Another custom is the giving of Red Envelopes. Red is also a lucky colour. Because I hadn't given myself enough time they were enclosed in red envelopes. But now I wish I had printed on them.

btw     A few years back No1Son   gave The Scot and myself a Red Envelope which contained money, as was the custom .... but when I told him (tic) that mine must have been a reject because it was always empty yet The Scot's seemed to get fatter and fatter.   You know what he told me ...... I need to keep something in it to enable it to multiply.   hummmmmm sounds like a reject envelope to me.

or did Confusus say ......   Save for a rainy day
                                                                                  don't spend it on fabric.?

I THINK ITS CALLED

2012-01-22T17:51:00.005+11:00

Procrastinating. Or as The Scot tells me ... just being plain lazy. But I can't seem to get my head around sewing or anything at the moment. The weather is either hot or cold and usually very humid. That being said today was a beautiful day, so without an ounce of guilt I sat on the patio and stitched and listened to my Kindle. Did I tell you that I love my Kindle. I have been thinking of upgrading but as I have now organised it to play through the speakers in the sewing room and I am very happy with buying the books from Audible. sometimes there are specials and if I am lucky one can't be bought for as low as $4.95. And as this is my pleasure I think it a good way to dispose of my pocket money. Over the holiday period I read The Elegance of the Hedgehog ~ Muriel Barbery. This was recommended by my good friend Molly. It was quite hard going, but I have to say a really good read, even if it did have me reaching for the tissues at the end. The present reading is Pearl S Buck. Trilogy of The Good Earth. This is quite absorbing reading and I can't wait to start the third part "A House Divided"

Weeding and deadheading has been done on the patio areas. But the ground is so dry I am waiting for the rains to come before attempting any more.

I finished the stitching part of another Christmas Sampler.

The Scot just couldn't help himself. When asked what he thought. umm are those supposed to be holly leaves - don't like them. Well at least he knew what they were :)

I hope to make this one and the Peace at Christmas (shown in a previous post), into mini wall quilts, at the weekend.

You will also notice in my sidebar.
I have know Peg for some years and was too late too join last year. But this year hopefully it will inspire me to complete more projects. Thanks Peg and Kris.

So watch the side bar. Lets hope I have at least one finish a month.

HAS IT BEEN THAT LONG

2012-01-14T01:20:00.000+11:00

since I last posted.

I have been like a bear with a sore head, The Scot has been in and out of the 'doghouse' a few times. I haven't been talking to him a few times. But at last the sewing machine is working. Very nicely actually. Today I finished my Postcards for the 4x6ers PostCard swap. I won't show you them until they have been received, but here is a sneak view

and the back

I guess tomorrow I will turn the bottoms of his pyjamas, which is where we started when the machine stopped.

I do have a few WIPs that I want to get finished. There is a very nice wallhanging I have seen online, but I am telling myself I can't start it until I finish something. That may help speed things up a little.

DON''T

2012-01-08T17:55:00.001+11:00

count your chickens before they are hatched. Or some such wise saying.

It appears that my sewing is now

full speed ahead
can't stop
won't sew

The Scot is looking into it. ????????????

Meanwhile I have finished some hand stitching,

well not exactly finished. Think I will add some gold thread to the heart and gold halo to the Angels. This will be put in the Christmas Box Ready for making closer to the date.

I am not sure if my Postcard group is continuing but I have been making some Postcards to celebrate Chinese New Year. I would like to send one to No1Son in Taiwan.

Gold is a lucky colour for fortune. And three coins tied with red ribbon are lucky. I have printed the back on gold coloured paper.

I have been told to be patient...... but if the machine is not fixed I think some hand finishing will be in order.

And this is for Molly. I was very clever with the packing this year and found some larger boxes to put into the plastic ones. These are all the Christmas Decorations, except the Quilts which are in special bags on the top shelf above.

THE FOOT SAGA CONTINUES

2012-01-07T18:05:00.000+11:00

The saga of the Sewing Machine continues but

what a clever little Scot I have (no he is not for sale)

He has spent the last two days plus today on trying to fix it (but he says he does enjoy a challenge)

On the left is the faulty bit with the bit he is making on the right. (don't you love my technical knowledge)

As you know he doesn't like to throw anything away. This is the circuit board he used to cut the piece from.

It has been tested and it works. Well done The Scot.

And today I found this

This is the gardenia bush which has been moved twice but it looks as tho it likes this situation which is to the right of the patio. So we should enjoy the perfume.

A TEN POUND POM

2012-01-07T10:46:00.000+11:00

but now an Aussie

We left England at 11.45 am on Wednesday the 5th January 1966
arrived Australia 5.05 p.m on Friday the 7th January 1966

and what a lot has happened in 46 years

NOT HAPPY

2012-01-06T17:15:00.000+11:00

in fact VERY NOT HAPPY.   My dear little sewing machine is dead.

It just proves that This Quilter should not do buttons or mending. The Scot needed trousers turned up. Short legs he has. So early yesterday morning, I usually rise a couple of hours before him, I headed to the sewing room cut and turned, found the correct thread. Switched my new CD player on and the machine.
Sat down, put my foot down and

nothing

Not a stutter.

I did a bit of fiddling, well it is quite a few years old, Pfaff 1471. Deducted it must be the foot pedal.

The Scot has spent two days trying to fix it. A new foot (if we can obtain one) would cost around $100. Is it worth it? or a new basic machine.   Decisions, Decisions.

In the meantime if anyone has or knows of a spare Pfaff foot Pedal going, or how to obtain a resistor board or piece of metal.   Please let me know.
                                                             DESPERATE

HOW GOOD IS LIFE

2012-01-05T14:26:00.002+11:00

My cyberfriend Thea @ http://grannygoodstuff.blogspot.com/ (she is also a member of the 4x6er's Postcard Swap) wrote about the places visited and things she made last year and invited her readers to write about the Good Things from 2011

So ever up for a challenge ......

Life is usually good for me, as I am a glass half full usually spilling over the top type of person. Something can be learnt or laughed at from most things in life.
I am particularly glad The Scot is still in remission and looks better every day (even if he does annoy the bejebbers out of me sometimes)
So lucky he has a mind that wants to fix things (he took his Mother's vacuum cleaner apart when he was 8 years old ..... hahha yes she made him put it back but there was a spare part and it never worked again, But he is fixing my sewing machine at the moment and I have every confidence in him (or else its a new machine !!!)
Although not actually meeting them, spoke with my three Offspring. Who are all out in the big world making it a better place.
Succeeded in making 90% of my Christmas Presents, and managed to afford the postage out of my pocket money.
Not on a large scale but have a Home and Garden I love and am able to enjoy.
Oh and did I tell you I have a Kindle? and good books to listen to.
Our Electricity Account has been in credit all year due to the Solar Panels.
I could list gazillion zillions more
But all in all so thankful to have such a Good Life.

WELCOME 2012

2012-01-02T18:02:00.000+11:00

The first post for 2012.

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I used to. Some were not successful, others stretch a bit, a small number actually kept.

When one is retired and as fortunate as I - Life doesn't really need resolutions.

But this year I am really going to try to put into practice.

A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place.

According to The Scot I am notorious for being a 'One Way Person" or take it out put it back later.

So I guess I will try to keep my brain in gear with my actions. Which in fact should keep everything in its place.

hahaha says The Scot and how long will that last.

If it this hot tomorrow then the Air Conditioner will have to be switched on and I will get back to my Reconstructed Cabins quilt which had to be packed away at the beginning of December to make way for Christmas gifts.

Yesterday was Hot but to day is H O T T E R, just looked and it was 40 degrees in the shade. When it gets that hot I don't bother looking anymore.

The Dorset Buttons are proving more difficult than I thought. Three have been unpicked, but I think I am learning something each 'unpick'.

2011-12-31T18:03:00.003+11:00

FILLING IN TIME

2011-12-31T10:40:00.004+11:00

This period of the year always feels a bit like 'No Mans Land' to me. The Christmas rush is over, those that have parties are recovering and those that celebrate Hogmanay are hustle and bustle.

Here at No 21 Life goes on the same (thank goodness) The Scot is not a Party Animal as he made it quite clear when I first met him lol But I think he has shaped me into much the same. Nowadays Home and Garden are our little bits of Heaven.

This is my special bit of Heaven

The mini player was my birthday/Christmas present. And the clever Scot has fixed it so that I can play my kindle through the speakers.

The Kindle is great for listening when cutting, drawing or tidying. But when in competition with the sewingmachine I like music. So I have been burning our old discs so that I have a copy for myself.

Now this took some learning. Bear with me now.

No 1 Son offered me his old Ipod. He likes to keep up with the modern technology going on about Android something or other.

So .....

it needed protection so a small big was the answer.

But now comes the tricky part. How to play it. It is one of those fangle dangle thingies that clip on your sleeve, stick the ear phones in the ear and off your go for your walk.

Trying to get sound out of it was like getting money out of The Scot's wallet. After I gave up on it he offered to give it a try. (He reads The Instructions word for word) And success.

But now comes the big BUT using ITunes. Now no1Son even admitted he found it easier to use it through Windows. The Scot has an Ipod and can't use Itunes. Me .... it was going to defeat me. I spend a whole day but now it works perfectly. The ipod, itunes, burning discs. Very Happy here.

My swing seat and evening sewing has taken a slightly different turn.

Dorset Buttons which I am hoping to make into broaches and tassel ends.

I thought it would be a doddle. hahaha think again birdy. I am pulling it too tight and I need to mark my start point. I can see quite a few practice ones being needed.

To finish with I can't let you go without showing you my bargain of the year.

Baubles ......... 75cents a tube

Biscuits .........$2

Lollies ...........$2 (these are The Scot's favourites)

ALMOST

2011-12-28T02:25:00.001+11:00

The festivities are nearly over for 2011 and then we can get back to some serious stuff ....like sewing, reading, and gardening.

Today before the weekly shop, although it was only a small fill up one, I was cleaning the bathroom and toilet. oh a job I hate. They always get their daily wipe down but need a weekly thorough clean and I HATE cleaning the shower recess. But its all done now, mats washed and it smells and looks fresh as a daisy.

Although The Scot will wash up and make the bed on these days, I can't seem to con him into cleaning the shower ah well.he wasn't lazy. Out in the garden busy with the vegetables, which I must say are looking pretty good.

We will have grapes but I don't think there will be enough for Wine this year.

The same with the strawberries, to eat but not jam.

The Possums help themselves, usually picking the nicest ones to munch on.

And look what I found in the corner of the fish pond seed bed

After it finished flowering, I moved it because it was fighting for space withtwo other plants I wasn't sure whether it would survive. But as I didn't know what it was or where it came from I took the chance. It appears to be quite a sturdy little plant.

CHRISTMAS TOUR 2011

2011-12-19T18:40:00.001+11:00

Welcome to Number 21

Thank You for visiting

I LOVE DECEMBER

2011-12-17T01:59:00.000+11:00

memories, decorations, making presents, sharing and

on Wednesday it was my birthday. How the years have flown,I used to think that 30 was over the hill. Never in my wildest dreams thought about being over 60, well now I am pushing close to 70. Oh my goodness that is old..

I have always loved having a birthday in December. Sometimes I could get a much needed more expensive present because I add birthday and Christmas.

The Scot bought me a mini CD player for the sewing room because the old one was not working correctly.

The one thing I don't like is ...... if folk wrap my birthday present in Christmas paper. Somehow it seems like cheating to me.

The weather in Aus is starting to look a lot more like summer. This is The Scot having breakfast this morning, (actually it could be almost any morning)

Tomorrow you are invited to take afternoon tea on the patio and I will give you a tour of my decorated Christmas Home.

Meanwhile, have you ever wondered why some songs have the lyrics they do .... this is an old favourite many years old in fact, but I play it every Christmas.

16 MORE SLEEPS

2011-12-09T17:59:00.004+11:00

for me anyway.   Lucky me gets all the days before most of you. ummmmm wonder what would happen if the world ended, would I end before you. ummmm

Busy                     !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                                 H O T                   day.

So it was up early and get things done. Which meant I had to go to the SC, We buy 'The Age' Newspaper every Thursday as it has The Green Guide which is a TV guide, in it. The other guides are more expensive and usually fully of some gossip about someone.   So just in case I don't get to the Newsagent on Thursday they kindly put one by for me.   I don't think they would just deliver for one day.

Anyway back to the plot ......   Newsagent, BigW for Velcro for the Christmas cushion covers, quick look to see if I could find some sandals - no luck. And I happened to pass The Reject Shop,   I am sure you all have these shops, not rejects,   some junk, but if you look around you manage to find really nice things.

and ......................................

wait for it .............................

they had their Christmas Baubles ON SPECIAL, I just couldn't go past.

So for the princely sum of $10 for the jar, which I assured The Scot I could use during the year. And $4.10 for the two packets of baubles I now have

My table decoration.

Of course one can never ever just walk in and out, so had a peek at the garden section and

for the princely sum of $3 each I have solar lights for my new plant.

Will try to get a night shot to show you.

Then the boring supermarket finishing up at Bunnings but I only bought what I went in for. Closed my eyes to everything else. Extra seedlings and a plant for the patio where there is a bare spot.

Yesterday I told you about World War 3 of the Birds.

Well today we have the noisiest Mothers Club Meeting ever.

This is on the Nature Strip next door. I showed the photos to The Scot and he said well whilst they are there my trees are safe. hahahha by tomorrow they will be into our back yeard.

so watch this space.

and the Cricket Test - Australia v New Zealand is on the TV for the next 5 days. So it could be more sewing less housework. ahhhhhh bliss.

ON A HOT DAY

2011-12-08T18:47:00.006+11:00

Some folk take it easy.

But others have to work. :)

It was hot, this is the temperature now

But I was determined to get the seedlings planted. So after breakfast I set myself up in the shade. The Scots old ladder affair that doubles as a workbench, the wheel barrow, potting mix, seedlings, etc. etc.

Its all finished now, and I am exhausted.

I weeded and tidied the patio areas. The little bird I told you about tried to attack me,

and I was only pruning a few stray branches from another shrub. But for almost the whole day, the parents were chirruping and carrying on. And to make matters worse behind the fishpond we have a wall with a shrub close to it where another bird, the swoopy sort that think they own the joint, have built their next.

So between them I think they were starting the War of the Birds. But it is all quiet now. Probably because I am out of sight and they think they have won..

So some photos to prove what has been going on

The Scot says I have put too many in, but I say he is 'mean' when he does them, and I want a thick show of flowers.

I found a new quick way to put the Christmas Covers on the cushions. Use Velcro. Unfortunately I need to buy more tomorrow so thats why we only have one Christmas cushion cover.

now I will make a Spinach and Cheese Quiche plus some oven cooked potato gems maybe a few veggies and then I am dun for the night. Sewing and I don't care whats on the TV.

Addendum

Quick Dinner on a hot day .....

BUSY BUSY BUSY

2011-12-07T19:14:00.001+11:00

phew ... moping my brow furiously. All my parcels have been Mailed. The morning was spent finishing off presents and this p.m. a trip to Waverley Gardens SC to the Post Office. I now know to purchase the packaging, obtain the custom labels, and then I can get everything ready at home. It still takes quite a while as I have to

present my driver's licence. The young lass then puts me into the system (so to speak) and each parcel must be treated separately.
weighed, postage fixed. Stickers only for larger amounts.
Customs Declaration put into the system, she signs it. Then a large yellow ID sticker fixed
Airmail sticker
the smaller part of the Customs Dec.
Then I have to pay .............:(

but its all done now so on to some gardening.

Which of course meant a trip to Bunnings.
The Scot was busy on a project of his own, so I had the little piece of plastic in my hot little hand.

Potting Mix
Seedlings. There seems to be a lack of pansy seedlings this year.
So I settle for portulaca and petunia
2 mats for lining the larger wire baskets.

And of course I really need another plant for the patio.

This is called Santa Paws and had a lovely label attached so it could be given as a gift It really is Kangaroo Paw.

So tomorrow I will be up bright and early and it looks like being a busy day. Must search for the shade tho as it forecasts 30 degrees.

Recovering from my shopping expedition with a cold drink on the patio. The Scot drew my attention to The Jade which is to the left of the fishpond.

This grows really well. It was given to me as a tiny cutting from a neighbour in about 1978.

But look more closely

We thought the birds had a nest somewhere but didn't think it was so close.

The birds are becoming very trusting. This morning whilst feeding the fish, two currawongs were having a bath in the bird bath. I walked down to within a couple of feet. Talking to them and they just carried on. Tomorrow I will take my camera out with me and see if I can snap them.

18 MORE SLEEPS

2011-12-07T01:02:00.000+11:00

its closing in on us .... I can't believe how dis-organised I am this year. Parcels still to be mailed, tomorrow I hope, Postie had better get his fast running shoes on

Today I made these. I had some lovely 'Holy" Christmas Fabric (for the uninitiated that's fabric you don't like to cut just look at) and it seemed to lend itself perfectly. This is one set of six

Gift tied ready to give

The other sets have slightly different reds and greens. Even The Scot thinks they are 'not too bad'

A package for me from my cSister in England. Gifts under the tree but this one I was allowed to open early

A New Santa. (I wasn't going to buy any more this year)

The other guys in the Posh Gang welcomed him and shifted their position slightly to make room for him.

2012 is A NEW YEAR

2011-12-05T10:44:00.003+11:00

What have I planned for the New Year?

Firstly no Swaps, well that is apart from the 4x6ers Postcard Swap which is an enjoyable ongoing swap and no great hassle.

All my commitments for this year have been 'done and dusted'.

So time to look to 2012

A blogging acquaintance who knows I love embroidery sent me this link. http://www.pintangle.com/

So I have been reading Sharon b's blog and I also knew a couple of quilters who had done TAST2011.

Problem solved

Take a Stitch Tuesday 2012

Sharon's work is fantastic and she is very sharing so do go take a look at her blog and also TAST2012.

Can you be tempted.

Oh did I say she was an Australian.

IT'S GETTING CLOSER

2011-12-04T10:32:00.002+11:00

Goodness me I seem to have become a lazy blogger of late. But I haven't been slack. The decorations are all 'hung'. I will give you a Christmas Tour later but for now .... this is a sneak view of the patio. Looking at it I realise I have forgotten to change the tablecloth and seat covers which will be done this am

This year I changed my method of hanging and it proved much easier. Although time consuming at first, next year it will be a doddle. The Scot ~~kindly~~ always insists on climbing to do the hanging as he says he couldn't cope with my broken bones.

My finger pads are getting quite sore, and the sewing machine desperately needs a clean.
Tomorrow its going to be a case of The Scot starting the Supermarket shopping whilst I queue at the Post Office. Although I am getting it down to a fine T or Q. I purchase the envelopes/bags, obtain the customs declaration forms prior to posting, then get everything ready at home. This makes life much easier - have you tried filling in forms and envelopes at the very small tables they provide?

Do you remember Scoops, my Owl Pigeon deter. I usually feed the goldfish before preparing my breakfast. This morning this is what I found

I am not sure what went on during the night. We do have possums but there were traces of bird droppings close to the crime scene.

R U READY

2011-11-21T14:22:00.004+11:00

I definitely have a looooog way to go, but I thought it would keep us on track if I placed the above information.

The 'Not the Quilt Police' quilt is definitely giving me a headache. The wires in my head seem to be kinda crossed, on Friday it seemed that every other block I cut was the wrong way. So for the time being it has been put away, not out of sight tho. But Christmas Goodies need to be made.

Yesterday The Scot and I went shopping. During November I think they must cut down forest upon forest to account for the number of catalogues we receive. I usually flick through as I collect them from the Mail Box and bin the ones I am not interested then peruse the others. Ummmm lots of Christmas Goodies so I convinced The Scot we needed to take a look at a new barn like Specials shop.

Lots of junk as usual but if you looked carefully some interesting buys.

very moderately priced at $7. They did have some gorgeous BIG baubles which I wanted for the Patio but The Scot frowned and growled. But I think I will take a trip there again to get some. Note to self DON'T TAKE SCOT if you want to buy Christmas Goodies just buy and decorate.

Today I have to sort fabrics for above mentioned Goodies ..... then this week the windows must get cleaned because Saturday week the Decorations have to be put up.

Now I should explain here. Christmas is just the two of us. Remember the kids all live too far to travel, although they do phone on the day which is nice.

We don't have parties or family or visitors. So who gets to enjoy the Decorations.

The Scot - and one year I chucked a hissy and didn't put any decorations up. He was so miserable that on Christmas Eve I frantically decorated the tree and hung the lights.
You my good cyberfriends - because I wont let you get away without photos of every room and every decoration via my blog.
My good self who has such wonderful memories of Christmas Past.

But just because no one sees doesn't mean I can't 'DO' Christmas now does it.

Now you have to promise me you won't laugh at the following photos - remember you may have some tucked away almost as ~~bad~~ ancient.

This is Christmas Morning 1966 .. Our First Christmas in Aus.

Decorations have always been part of my Christmas

Also the Tree. no comment necessary.

This is our 1st Christmas Dinner in Australia. We thought EVERYONE went to the beach for dinner .. haha soon learnt different.

Then the kids came along and Christmas took on a whole new meaning. Like all young families money was rather tight, so the weeks before Christmas were spent ransacking the shops for the best buys. And do you remember paper chains ~~oh how I hate paper chains~~ that the kids so lovingly made and hung.

A candle left burning so that Santa would know we were home, a glass of sherry and cookies - usually devoured by The Scot.

These were the early Christmas Times of family life until .......................

The Scot saw a Camper van on special

and then ................. it was four weeks holiday, never knowing where. But as I assured the kids ...Santa would always find us - and he did.

but now its just

memories

and

The Gang

2011-11-16T18:19:00.005+11:00

And HE thinks he is busy ..... but he really is only playing

goodness me can you imagine THREE Scots. I shudder in my boots to think of such a thing.

Another lovely day, but the dice rolled for sewing I have been back to stitching the "Not The Quilt Police" quilt. You remember I didn't like the light green strip. I found one that fitted in well, after a lot of ribbitting (unpicking for the uninitiated).

I think this will look much better, whilst the light green was a lovely fabric it did keep jumping out.

Back to the garden

the hydrangea has more buds on this year and will look a picture when in flower.

And this is my Mystery Plant, which Betsy thinks is a Lily. I do hope it flowers every year. I have no idea where it came from.

The Water Lily is looking good too.

I mowed the lawns for The Scot yesterday, as I know he was keen to get into his playroom. And I told him provided he trimmed the edges, made sure the lawn mower was full of petrol, I was happy to do it.

The front looks so much better than when we had that old hedge.

But we do have a Power Pole.

No 21 ........45 years old but with makeovers lol.

My Christmas Stitchery is slowing coming along but I think it will look great when finished.
I do like the white on the dark green. The old fashioned Christmas Colours are getting hard to find but I think I prefer them.

And Postie left me The Naked Theme from Thea. We really have some outstanding ladies in the 4x6ers Swap Group.

TODAY IS SATURDAY

2011-11-12T19:01:00.001+11:00

Interesting things are happening in The Scot's Playroom

The picture of concentration

But the weather has been beautiful these past two days so I have been out in the garden.

These are lettuce, pinched from the Scot's veggie plot, which I can continuously pick the leaves plus seeds planted for chives. And being on the patio they will be sure to be watered.

and a close up of my parsley planted yesterday.

and the patio weeded and swept cleaned.

someone enjoyed MY swing seat on the freshly cleaned patio.

But I guess he deserves it as he brought me a bucket of these.

BUSY B

2011-11-11T19:18:00.001+11:00

Today was one of those days when I couldn't quite make up my mind what to do.
The sewing was calling, but I think I have to change one of the strips.
This is the one block I have stitched

and this is one I prepared earlier (NOT SEWN just MANIPULATED in PHOTOIMPACT.

The reason for the manipulation was that I used Photoimpact to create what my quilt would approximately look like

and I found the light green just jumped out at me saying .. not me, not me, please not me.

Please note: I have NOT STITCH all these blocks just manipulated them on the computer.

So I felt I need time to think about it.

The gardening won. The Scot was off to Bunnings (remember the HUGE DIY warehouse) and I managed to get a lift,

Yes I was after a few plants. And if The Scot is buying timber on my MasterCard (long story but if he has a 2nd card on mine we don't pay the Annual fee) I was going to buy some plants.

Of course on the way out we saw a Fly Catcher. Now we are not plagued by flies but do get the odd couple annoying us. So for the princely sum of $10 it was considered a good buy.

This is what it looks like. The green liquid comes as a powder which is mixed with 1/2 cup of water and shaken not stirred. It says it has a life of 2 to 3 weeks before being renewed. Although the dead flies do have to be removed or they smell.

The instructions state it takes 24 hours to be come active.

But I couldn't resist checking before I came in to get the tea

and

THREE trapped flies. We now have to go buy another one tomorrow for the Scot to use near his fruit trees.

The reason we really went to Bunnings was for the Scot to purchase timber.

I will let the pictures do the talking as to why

and what is he making. A Cool Storage Box for the vegetables to go in to be placed underneath the water tank.

Whilst all this was going I was busy in the garden

Note my judicious pruning. The Scot says he dreads it when he see me with secateurs in my hands. The Lemon Verbena always needs pruning and comes back even more healthy. Not too sure about the other plant.

Can you see the new tablecloth and seat covers I made.

I have this Old Wives Tale that Parsley only grows for The Boss. So this time I planted it in my pot and went to the shed shouting .... I'm the Boss. But I guess time will tell.

Today being Remembrance Day. A few quiet moments were spent in reflection. Although I never knew them, Father lost a brother and Mother also. Being a Pommie Aussie I am thankful for all the brave sacrifices made by many nations to enable me to live my life 'free'

PROGRESS

2011-11-09T19:32:00.000+11:00

I am not as fast at sewing as Elaine but the machine is running hot

and The Scot did see them and ...... ummm improving.

This is my mystery plant, it seems to have two flowers now.

The garden is growing fast as we have humid weather at the moment. We have just had a flash storm which showered us with 8mm of rain in about 5 minutes. They forecast returning storms for the rest of the evening.

WHO WORKS AND WHO PLAYS

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

No progress photos on the "Not The Quilt Police" Quilt. The bathroom and toilet received their long awaited clean. Oh how I hate bathrooms especially showers. When the three kids were living at home I always said that they should all stand out in the garden and I would hose them down.

I did take a coffee break sitting on the patio and found my Mystery Plant has a flower. This has been in the ground for about five years, suffered a bit in the drought but always seemed to come back but no flower.
Does anyone know what it is.

It is the best photo I could manage without falling into the fishpond. The flower is long bell shaped, white but seems to have a pink tinge.

And whilst I have been busy working, as usual the Scot plays. We now have

BELLS

on our fruit trees

But he promptly informs me they are not bells, but fruit fly traps. ?????

Apparently the inside is spread with a mixture of Vegemite (Marmite for those in the Northern Hemisphere) and an insecticide. The flies apparently are addicted to Vegemite and so they eat it and ------. He hopes.

This is what the inside looks like.

I will let you know how it goes.

Postie probably felt sorry for me having to work so hard he left this parcel

5" A VERY BERRY CHRISTMAS Moda Fabric CHARMS Quilt Squares RARE Charm Pack

I bought this on ebay a few weeks ago. I am so pleased I have bought two more packs and this can be my new Christmas Quilt. No I don't know the pattern yet. lol.

FORTY EIGHT MORE SLEEPS

2011-11-07T18:37:00.000+11:00

The Scot ponders ... why do I like to go shopping on my own. Since his retirement it has become a ~~bad~~ habit that we do our supermarket shopping on Monday. I usually print out a shopping list The Scot scours ~~and misses out~~ all the items we need, and we try to shop before lunch. But he NEVER wants to look, especially now that it is coming up for Christmas. So I have my ways and means ..... I usually have some small task that needs doing maybe the Newsagent or the Post Office or like today I was looking for a special kind of keyring without the fancy doodah. Which I suggest I go by myself and he can start the supermarket, trying to convey the idea that it is important for him to choose.

This morning it was the Reject Shop. Well its not strictly speaking Rejects but cheaper items.
And

I know I know ...... I don't need any more but the prices were right

Santa Light for the Patio Table

Ceramic Coasters for the Patio Table

A pen with chocolates in the base .... Stocking Filler for The Scot.

And I didn't manage to find the keyring. But the above are now safely hidden away in the Christmas Cupboard.

The afternoon was spent sewing the Not the Quilt Police Quilt. Progress so far. I should have learnt my lesson by now. Asked Himself what he thought (because I am so pleased with how it is coming along) and he says ummmm "don't really like it". durrrrrr wait until its finished and the cold weather returns maybe I will just put it on my half of the bed. That will teach him.

This is the Seasons Postcard received from Isabell in England. She really is the Professional of the Group. Isn't it fantastic.

BETTER THAN HOUSEWORK

2011-11-06T19:19:00.002+11:00

I am using my back as a reason to tell The Scot I can't do the housework this week. But he doesn't seem to give me much TLC as he says I spent all day yesterday standing cutting fabric into strips only to spend today sewing it together again. Men they just don't understand do they?

Anxious to see what it is going to look like I am stitching 10 blocks of my relocated Cabins quilt, which from now on will be called Not the Quilt Police. Another thing The Scot doesn't understand is my mind and how I name my quilts.

I like how its looking so far, but there is green to be added on the dark side.

oh and did I tell you I luv my Kindle, it has been great to listen to whilst doing all that cutting.   The last two books I read.

Ghost Light" by Joseph O'Connor ..... now this was recommended by my good friend Molly.   If it had been any one else I think I would have given up on it.   But no Molly said so   I persevered.     It took me quite a while to get into it but I think by the end I had the plot.   But it definitely must be read again for me to fully appreciate it. It is read in the Irish Brogue and I just imagine that it what Molly sounds like.

Then I read Night by Elie Wiesel. I had this book on my wish list for quite a while but as I do get upset by some books I hadn't purchased it.    I don't like to comment on Religious or Political Affairs on my blog, but I am glad I did read this book.   It left me quite cold sometimes but

I am glad I read it. If interested http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/holo/eliebio.htm

Molly now suggests I read Run by Ann Patchet.

Any one else like to recommend books for me. You too Molly.

READY SET GO

2011-11-03T01:52:00.001+11:00

well not quite.....

Elaine has added a wonderful Tutorial to her blog for the Relocated Cabins. But it takes me a little longer to get things organised. At the moment its cutting cutting cutting.

Although a new blade in the rotary cutter zips through the fabric now.

As I intend using all material from my stash, and as mentioned it does contain rather a lot of shorter pieces, plus not being the smartest mathematician on the block, I had to work out the minimum length for each strip.

So I lifted the photo from Elaine's blog and then spend rather too long in marking out the ACTUAL size of each strip. So I now know that the strips in that pile must be at least 1inch longer than said measurement. Time well spent I think.

The Kindle is all charged ready to go with a new book recommended by Molly "Ghost Light" by Joseph O'Connor Tomorrow is here but after a good nights sleep (yes I do sleep soundly for at least 6 hours) a lick and promise to the housework, a quick trip down to WG local shopping centre, to collect The Age for the Green Guide which has the weeks TV programmes, to enable The Scot to plan his evenings I may just finish all the cutting ready to start sewing on Friday. But it is very difficult when the stash is 30 odd years old and most pieces are really just bits and bobs.

And ............................................ not only but also a little diversion for the evening whilst sitting with The Scot

I know I don't need anything more Christmas but it is only a small one and I have to keep my hands busy.

The Stitchery a freebie kindly offered from Red Brolly, do go and take a look at her site.

LONG WEEKEND

2011-10-31T21:38:00.000+11:00

The 1st Tuesday in November merits The Race that Stops the Nation or as we like to think The World.   Well that's all except probably quilters.
Tomorrow is the Melbourne Cup.   A Race Meeting that is the highlight of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.   In Victoria it is a holiday but most cities seem to watch the Cup Race on the TV.

But when one is retired, all days are holidays ... bliss.

My next quilt is going to be a Rebuilt Log Cabin. This is one I prepared earlier

At least one I made in 2008 gave it away as a present and it now resides in England. I do hope it is well loved as I dearly loved that quilt and always wanted to make another for myself.

As so I shall

a dear friend Elaine from Elaine Pieces in the Panhandle USA is such a whiz at quilting both piecing and the actual quilting, she is kindly doing a tutorial and sew along. So I am going to make another one with her.

The weekend was spent sorting in the cupboards and boxes of my stash. I have now discovered to my dismay that whilst I may seem to have a lot of stash, it is only small pieces. But I think I have enough of each colour now.

This is what I propose some have been cut into the 1.1/2in strips whilst the others will be joining them tomorrow.

I can't wait until she writes up the first set of Instructions .. so watch this space.

and thank you Elaine for your kind generosity in helping those of us not quite so creative.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE

2011-10-27T18:46:00.000+11:00

only 59 more sleeps until the Big Day. Are you getting ready?

Unfortunately due to this ......

which I had better hide quick before The Scot sees it, I think I had better stop looking in The Christmas Shops.

But this is now ready for the binding to be stitched and three poinsettia flowers to be added. They are lovely but had a shank type on the back, this I twisted off with the pliers, and then borrowed The Scot's electric hand drill and made two small holes in. Will show them tomorrow.

And my Postie is speaking to me again, or rather the other way around, because this am he left me the Trees Row for my Robin Rowers Quilt. Only one more row to go now and that is Hearts.

Most things are in the slow lane at the moment because after my Cat Scan it is revealed that I have a slipped disc. I was very good and almost held my breath so the photos they got were very good and they can see exactly where it is. But I have opted to just try and let it take its own course to heal.

And the weather in Mulgrave is beautiful one day perfect the next .... well at the moment but we shall see what Paul the Weatherman has to say tonight.

THIS'n'THAT

2011-10-23T01:38:00.002+11:00

A few things to post about today.

The weather is typically 'Melbourne Springtime' at the moment. Wednesday was beautiful with the temperature hitting 30 degrees and no wind. But that was soon followed by a cold and wet 3 days with thunderstorms this afternoon. Electric blanket on 3 every night. So some gardening was achieved with a little help from The Scot. He digging over so I could weed and then plant some new bushes.

The Scot has been keeping out of trouble .... he was trying to raise seedlings with not great results

So in his usual self assured manner it was up to the Library for some books on the subject, down to Bunnings for some equipment and he is now trying out Hydroponics

So its either Watch this space .... or down to Waverley Gardens SC Veggie Shop :)

which is a bit unfair of me as we are enjoying lots of snow peas and spinach at the moment.

Onto my sewing

Firstly my 1st Christmas Quilt Hanging for 2011, stitched in the evenings and just awaiting quilting and binding.

It was one of those times when The Gods were all on my side. I just had enough of the burgundy fabric to make the border and have enough for the binding with about a 6inch x 2 inch strip left.

The 4th block for my House Quilt has been put together and I am now doing the embroidery.

This almost got the better of me and landed up in the corner of the room. But I persevered and I am so glad now.

I can now show you the row I did for the Robin Rowers round robin swap quilt.

This row is for Cynthia in The States. Many ideas went through my head but this seemed to fit in with the rows she has received so far.

This is Cynthia's quilt to date. Just one more row to go and that is 'Hearts'

DID YOU REALISE

2011-10-12T17:18:00.000+11:00

its only 74 more sleeps until THE Day. Have you started your shopping or sewing.

I have started sewing presents and planning quilts, whats new. Its a bit like when the Scot lounges on his chair in the shade in the garden with his eyes closed. He tells me he is is not sleeping but planning.

Also purchased some fabric for Christmas 'Things"

I seem to have hit a dull spot in the cycle of things since I had that cough, sore throat etc. I have taken an awful long time to get back to being healthy. So sewing and gardening have been very hit and miss. Thank goodness for my kindle, I did tell you how I love my Kindle. I really enjoy listening to the books, I have listed those read in my right hand column, plus the ones currently being read. There seems to be a lot of them made into movies or like the No1 Ladies Detective Agency - a mini TV series. So of course The Scot has to watch to make up for the ~~boring~~ educational tic programmes he makes me sit through.

Also when No1Son was last here, he had bought himself a new Ipad, think it was called that but he asked if I would like the mini shuffle he no longer used for music.

This clips neatly onto my sleeve and is great for when I am using the computer or out for my walks.

These are my earphones

I call them earphones for folk with funny ears. The reason being the normal ones kept falling out, whereas these clip neatly around the ear.

Of course I immediately said Yes but for a time did live to regret it as I couldn't switch it on let along load music or listen. I spent a couple of days and decided it was not for me. Then at the weekend whilst tidying my desk space I came across it again and decided to give it a go. I managed to switch it on and change music but for the life of me I couldn't load music. But with The ~~genius~~ Scots help I downloaded Itunes again and now I can say it works. Listening to Eva Cassidy and Freddy Mercury at this precise moment. Bliss.

Whist on my walks I look at all the gardens to give me ideas, and one particularly took my attention. It had a ~~shrine~~ letterbox similar to ours and so a project was forming.

Fortunately The Scot was in a helpful mood and did the heavy digging, but this is what we did this morning.

This is as it was.

and now we have

The replacement Lavender is looking healthy

Of course it is never safe to let me free in 'Bunnings' the large shed like warehouse where all DIYers, handymen and gardeners go.

Because .

He is advertised on the packet as Harold tm Hoot ..... The motion sensor hooting owl that frightens pests. I only want him to keep the birds away from the patio and fishpond area so I have renamed him Scoops. And I am going to have to adjust the sensor as it picks up the slightest movement.

What does it do ..... hahaha his eyes blink and he makes this owl like noise. Yes batteries are needed. But if it comes to it, I can always just use him as a statue. Well he did only cost $19.90. evbg.

SPRING IS HERE

2011-10-06T01:24:00.000+11:00

at least it has been for the last couple of days. And I have managed to spend them productively in the garden.

Pruning and weeding at the front of the house.

Whilst busy this afternoon I managed to make a new friend. It was really quite funny.   We have a couple of families of Currawongs http://birdsinbackyards.net/species/Strepera-graculina whom I often see when I go for my walks.   There always seems to be a Mummy a Daddy and a Baby, I always say hello where is your Mummy etc.

But whilst weeding the Grevillia bushes this one which I think must be the baby followed me around and came quite close.   I fetched some Native Bird food and found a ceramic low bowl which I filled with water and placed underneath the water tap. It was almost as if he wanted to be my friend.   Whilst I weeded one bush he wandered down to the next one and started pecking away at the earth.   He followed me whenever I moved. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera at that stage.

But whilst the tea was cooking I went out to take a photo of the days work, and my new friend waddled up to me (keeping at a distance of about one meter away) These are the photos I managed.  But tomorrow I will try to get more.

Excitement during the past week was when the neighbour over the back fence had one of his trees chopped down. This was a beautiful Jacaranda. He never saw the brilliance of it as it was too close to his house but we saw it in flower every year, and the birds did love the branches. The first is a photo 'prepared earlier'. and the second the Lumberjack in action.

On the Sewing Front ..... I have almost finished the "Trees" row for the Robin Rowers but can't show you until it is received. But after a lot of thought and false starts its looking good.

HERE TO STAY

2011-09-28T03:10:00.001+10:00

Not moving, nor having to learn more technology .... for the pricey sum of $5 per year I can now have 21 GB of space of which I have used 1 GB (4.75%)
which really means lots and lots of photos on my blog and in my Picasa Album.

Here is the scrap quilt in progress ..... it is using up my scraps and becoming a quilt. We have one on our bed but we like an extra one folded into three across the bottom of the bed for when the nights become chilly.

TO MOVE or NOT TO MOVE

2011-09-27T01:54:00.001+10:00

Although my Information Technology is not on the ratings list, I think its time I explored new avenues.

Whilst writing my last post on my ‘old blog one of those annoying little messages appeared but this one had to be noticed. Written in red it told me that I could not upload anymore photos or pictures as I had exceeded my limit, Now I have been blogging for quite a few years, well since 15.10.2006 and I have nearly notched up 50,000 visitors, plus the odd 100 before I added the counter.

Many cyberfriends have been made and I have learnt a great deal of IT but not enough, guess I am a bit long in the tooth for too much.

As I consider the most interesting and worthwhile reading blogs HAVE to have photos – I either give up blogging and maybe sew or read more or make a move.
this is one I prepared earlier australianbirdwoman
So we will see what transpires.

Meanwhile having deleted some photos from Picasa I managed to recover some space so here is a photo of what I have started recently in an effort to use the ‘stash’ a quilt that shall have no bought, well newly bought fabrics in it.

TEMPUS FUGIT

2011-09-18T11:15:00.002+10:00

when one is having so much fun, and Paul the Weatherman's forecast is right for this weekend .... sunny ...... Spring is here.   Although when I was a child and wanted to stop wearing my 'liberty bodice' ....(I lived in England then) ... Mother would caution ne'er cast a clout till May be' out which simply means 'never discard your [warm winter] clothing until after May. Which probably means October in the Southern Hemisphere.

It has been one year since we had the solar panels installed, and despite a few disputes numerous phone calls and they send an amended Account nearly every two weeks, they seem to have at last sorted out the Billing System..   Since Christmas we have paid for no electricity and we are $360 in credit. Admittedly it will take about 7 years to pay for itself, but electricity prices are going to rise and it is nice to receive a credit bill instead of a debit one.

After turning up sheer net curtains and sending to No1Son.    I don't really 'do' curtains or dressmaking or buttons. Its nice to get back to sensible sewing like patchwork.

I can now show you the last postcards I sent.   The theme was "Naked" and this is how I interpreted it.

The Emperor's New Clothes

I did have fun making them and I think they depict the theme very well. I won't go into the details about the ~~arguments~~ discussions I had with The Scot about body parts. He thought I should make underpants for them. drrrrr no imagination that Scot of mine.

This is the PostCard received from Isabell in England. She is the very artistic and clever needlewoman of the group.

Unadorned from a quote by Ray Thompson circa 1861

"Beauty when unadorned is adorned the most:"

and she sent it 'naked' (without and envelope) though the mail.   And would you believe the stamp fell off just as I put it down on my desk.

oh and did I tell you how I luv my Kindle ... the last three books I have read were ***** thats meant to be Five Stars.   I judge my books by how much I think about them after I have finished reading, either part way or at the end.   These had me thinking for quite a few days.

How do I choose my books.   I do like recommendations, especially from my cyberfriend Molllybawn.   But I usually read the publishers review and then the comments made by readers.

I am starting to read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. This is one that I choose by the later.

SPRING WAS HERE

2011-09-04T13:09:00.000+10:00

When I took this photo it was looking to be a lovely Spring Day

but it is now raining. Ah well showers bring forth the flowers.

And after a big effort I have finished the Dolphins for No1 Son

I do hope he likes them. He is renting so is not able to put up many hooks. The Scot cast his ~~critical~~ "Engineering" eye and said he doesn't like the different colours around the edge (don't think he knows about variegated threads) the gaps between are not exact and the ribbon should be double.

So if I go by what he says they get thrown across the room into the bin or I just ignore it and hope No1Son likes them. Watch this space.

WEDNESDAY and the LAST DAY of the MONTH

2011-09-01T01:25:00.000+10:00

woops sorry it was Wednesday when I thought of this post, but it is now actually Thursday the first day of the month.

two hexie flowers this week. Really must plan the layout soon.

No1 Son has departed to go to his home in Taiwan, but not before reminding me that I had promised to make him 3 Dolphin postcards to hang above his computer. Photos tomorrow.

And Postie left me a parcel consisting of the Food Row in the Robin Rowers Swap.

Just on the design wall and will not necessarily be stitched in this order, but it is looking good.

Today has been very quiet for The Scot and I. The first day for a week as we have had many visitors to our small home. And I have to admire the Taiwanese because their English is much better than my Taiwanese.

But we had many conversations which we all could understand. But thank goodness for hands.

THE MONTH THAT WAS

2011-08-27T11:44:00.003+10:00

I must say in one way I am glad that this month is almost passed as I have been so sick it hasn't been funny.

But on the flip side No1 Son is visiting from Taiwan, and as you can imagine we don't get to meet very often nowadays.
He has two Taiwanese friends with him.

Whilst not staying with us they visit almost every day. Its quite amazing to hear him chat with them in their mother tongue. Michael speaks ~~Australia~~ English, but his friend Joy has only a few words but we are managing very well to understand each other. She can't pronounce my name so she calls me Mother. lol. And have you ever stopped to really think about the English language, the following is from an email on the Quilting List I belong to

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,

But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.

One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.

You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?

If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?

If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,

And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,

But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

Let's face it, English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.

We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,
we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,
and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing,
grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?

Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.
If you have a bunch of odds and ends
and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English
should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.

In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.
We have noses that run and feet that smell.
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns
down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out,
and in which an alarm goes off by going on.
And, in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop?

I didn't compose this and my thanks and apologies to the author.

So give a thought to our non English speaking friends, I would not like to have to learn the language.

Amidst the turmoil of the month I have managed a little sewing. Hexagons are on the go again and I think I have my Asian Quilt roughly planned out (but remember I do change my mind a lot).

And .... I did manage to finally get my PostCards stitched and mailed. This months theme was "Free Choice"
Now I had some fabulous ideas ... a signpost ..... two gates with left and right written on them but leading into one tunnel. Oh and so many other ideas. I just didn't know what to do. But I finally managed these

Oh and did I tell you that I Luv My Kindle. I purchased a cover for it from ebay for the sum of 10cents. I did have to pay $9 postage. But it only cost me $10 and I am really pleased with it.

Just need to make a fabric holdall for it.

Reading a fabulous book at the moment
Prayers for Sale~Sandra Dallas just the kind of book I enjoy.

HIDING ONE'S LIGHT not

2011-08-26T18:08:00.000+10:00

As the subject says I am not one to hide my light under a bush, or rather as The Scot says 'showing off'. But I like to think of it as sharing. I have entered a quilt in The Weekly Contest of Quilting Bloggers. So make yourself a cuppa and head on over to The WTQuilt Contest and if you like mine please vote for it. But be warned there are some really nice ones to choose from.

Wandering

2011-08-23T01:33:00.003+10:00

I wandered lonely as a cloud

Daffodils bringing a little sunshine to Winter.

The hanging baskets, faithfully looked after by The Scot are starting to look very nice

As is the fishpond area. The gorgeous Clivia are just starting to flower, they make a beautiful sunny sight in Winter.

this makes me think that Summer is just around the corner.

I am almost back to shouting at The Scot, and thankfully eggs and toast are not on the menu this week as I am back to cooking.

Finally managed to finish the postcard for the 4x6ers swap. This Theme really had me stumped, so many ideas but nothing seemed to work, then I got rather sick so unfortunately I am a couple of weeks late but here is a sneak view,I will post a full reveal when they have been received.

No1 Son is visiting from Taiwan and although not staying with us he seems to visit a lot. I think the internet has something to do with it. This is how he spent Sunday morning.

A LITTLE SEWING

2011-08-20T02:14:00.000+10:00

The third block is finished, but not stitched together, of the embroidery quilt I am making. I am really pleased with how it it coming along.

the photo doesn't look very straight, but the actual pieces are. Must get more practice with the camera.

As mentioned No1 Son is in Melbourne and they visit to use the Internet ..... Mums do have a purpose lol.

He is trying to convince me I need an Ipad. He has given me his old ipodshuffle. But the problem is I can't get it working. Thinking I better stick with the technology I know ie personal PC and Kindle. Leave the new whistles and bells to the young ones.

Think I will be back at the Drs. tomorrow. The antibiotics have finished but this week the cough is getting better but my throat and voice have just about gone. Can't shout at the Scot which he thinks is great, tells me he at last gets some peace.

CATCHING UP

2011-08-18T11:51:00.003+10:00

on the past 13 days.
Well sleeping and flicking through the TV channels. What a load of rubbish during the daytime. Although that said I did find a movie about Nancy Wake The White Mouse and her work with the French Resistance during WW2, which was very interesting. But I don't think I will become a daytime TV viewer now that my cough and cold are clearing, more interesting things to do.

I think Postie was afraid of catching something as I had virtually no mail during that time where as this week all my parcels seem to be arriving. A lovely scarf, a fabulous book mark for Sisters Day from two of my sisters, and two books I had bought Doodle-stitching and Doodle Stitching: The Motif Collection. Fabulous books and one even has a DVD with it.

And then there are .......

Postcards

You remember the 'Buildings' theme. This is what I received from Betsy. I immediately thought .... ah rich Arab's tents in the desert. But Betsy ~~insisted~~ wrote on the back "Pyramids of Giza" but I insisted they were tents.

This month is 'Free Choice and this glamorous lady arrived.

together with a note saying

This is what you can wear when you meet up with your tall dark handsome Rich Arab in your tent in the desert.

Now you know what a fun group this is.

No1 Son is visiting (although not actually staying with us) from Taiwan, so it is good to catch up on his news.

THE WEATHER CHANGES

2011-08-04T18:10:00.000+10:00

and gives me a cold ... sniff sniff... cough cough cough. One of those annoying ones that also annoys anyone else in the same room.

But the weather has been beautiful these past two days. This was today

which meant I actually felt like getting out into the garden.

The patio and the fishpond area have been weeded.

I have managed to count 9 fish so far, this was the best photo I could manage. They are not very co-operative.

Rain is forecast tomorrow and most days next week, so I guess it will be back to sewing.

FINISHES POSTCARDS AND RxR

2011-07-29T16:07:00.002+10:00

The finishes I cant show as they haven't been received yet.

But this is the fabulous Postcard from Thea in the 4x6ers Free Choice. Very talented ladies and a group I really enjoy belonging to.

And in the famous words of the Commercial
not only but also

my Animal Row in RxR Exchange.

Birds from Michelle

I really love these. When I was a child, many many moons ago, my Father would draw little chicks for me, and they were exactly like these. So like when I smell home grown tomatoes, looking at these I think of my Father.

There are now five rows complete. They will not necessarily be joined together in this order, but this is how it takes my fancy at the moment.

NEVER TRUST THE WEATHERMAN

2011-07-24T00:54:00.000+10:00

Yesterday evening (Friday) the Weatherman forecast fine and sunny weather for Saturday and Sunday. So I was all prepared to garden. The weeds have been taking over for the past couple of months and it definitely needs some attention. The fishpond needs cleaning and a couple of plants need moving.

The plan was I would be up bright and early, breakfast, have the dishes washed and the beds made and be out in the garden by 10 am.

hahaha the well laid plans of mice and men ...... the sun did manage to shine around 4.00 pm but it was a chilly, windy, damp day.The temperature did make this at around 4.00

Not much electricity generated by our solar panels,but then we are $300 in credit, so that should see us through the winter.

To make up I took some photos of two of my shrubs which are Winter Flowering and look rather nice at the moment. The white one is behind the bird bath, and would you believe we have birds bathing and having fun every day. ummmm who said 'bird brain'

And here are two Postcards received in this months theme of "Free Choice" swap.

From Janet in Canada

Isabell in UK

Mine aren't done yet as I keep changing my mind .... Free Choice is very hard to deal with.

DID YOU REALISE

2011-07-22T01:15:00.000+10:00

its only 156 more sleeps

so I have started on my Gifts. This is a hand towel with lavender soap, always useful but nice when it looks a little different.

I must look out my Christmas Present Box and book of ideas.

Now don't forget if you start now you wont be rushed and hassled in December.

THE AGE of TECHNOLOGY

2011-07-21T02:31:00.000+10:00

may have passed me by ...... The Scot and I both have Mobile phones .... only used vary rarely. For instance yesterday he had an appointment with the eye specialist and whilst waiting I went over the road to the shopping centre to have a quick look around and then to do the supermarket shopping, and when he came out he would ring me so I could tell him whereabouts I was. OK sounds good in theory ..... but then we have to have a practice before hand to make sure we remember how to answer the darn things.
Have you noticed the mobile phone does everything but make a phone call .... well that is a bit of an exaggeration but it seems a phone call is the least important thing.
All went well and I was in the Craft shop and my phone went, and this time I managed to answer it first time..... but could we find each other, hahha - where we were meeting was outside of Cole's Supermarket, but in the middle of the court there was a coffee shop, yes you guessed it, we were following each other round the coffee shop. But we did finally meet up. Then we find that the phone provider has put Call Catcher onto all phone accounts, this is like call divert, I wont go into details but we spent all morning trying to remove it...... just google call catcher if you are wondering what I am talking about. Talk about Big Brother is Watching.

but at least I can sew ....
the second block of My House Quilt is finished

and the 3rd one started.

46 YEARS is a long time

2011-07-18T19:05:00.003+10:00

well a lot can happen during 46 years .... as it was my Wedding Anniversary yesterday I thought I would show you a snippet of my life

The weather here is still cold, one night it even went down to 0.5 degrees (not that I was out in it) but that is way too cold for me. Still the Winter Solstice has passed now and I always think.... ah shortest day over here comes Summer. See what an optimist I am lol.

I can now show you the row I sent for my Animals RxR, it took a long time to travel and they had a huge Postal Strike in Canada and that's where it was heading.

I also did a cut and past just to show what rows Michele has. Originally I intended to do dolphins but I kept looking at the photo of the previous row and it just shouted Dragons, Dragons, Dragons. So I hope Michelle is a little Fantasy Minded like me.

THE PHONE CALL

2011-07-07T02:45:00.001+10:00

The phone rings ..... No1 Son is calling from Taiwan to Australia .... Are You Ok he asks ... his father says Yes but why..........

well it seems like I haven't been blogging or writing many emails of late and he was worried.

The reason being I feel like I have been

hibernating... the weather is cold and wet. Although I must admit we had a couple of nice days, not warm but sunny, last week and I did manage to do some gardening.
So after chatting, I promised No1 Son I would write a substantial blog post.

Happy 4th of July

to my American friends.
But I have a special reason to remember and celebrate that day. It is the birthday of The Princess, 3rd child and only female (and favoured by all, but she does deserve it)

This is her with her two brothers, both of whom she is great friends with. I had the photo taken approx 1976 and had a large one made to send to my Mother in England who unfortunately never met her Aussie Grandchildren.

A beautiful girl, with a beautiful smile who always seemed to make others smile too.

Hope you had a Happy Birthday Sarah, whose name incidentally does mean Princess.

The days have been spent in the sewing room. I have found some UFO's which I really want to get finished.

But the one I am currently working on is from a Pattern Called Leanne's House, but I call it My Home. This is the 2nd block work in progress.

I am doing more embroidery than the pattern, but I do love embroidering.

Also you will note in my right hand margin Stitched Sunday .... Helen from Hugn'Kisses is teaching us how to stitch and there is always something new to learn. The squares she gives are for a Needlebook, but I am doing mine to put into a Cuddle Quilt. This is the 1st block from last Sunday, not stitched yet so I had better get a move on.

There has been great concentration put into the making of the Food Row for the Robin Rowers. I was secretly dreading this row as I felt that food just didn't fit in. But I think its fine, the Quilter wanted 30's prints and I just couldn't get my head around it until ....... now this is only a sneak view and the rest of the row is not at all like it

I finished stitching this tonight, (nice and early once again) and I have just to stitch the label

Tomorrow is forecast much the same weather wise (and life wise) so after a quick trip to the shops I think its back to the sewing room and my Kindle, did I tell you how I love my Kindle. The books I have read this year I have listed on the right hand side, this is for my reference and its great to see how much I have read.

PARCELS IN THE MAIL

2011-06-25T11:11:00.002+10:00

Postcards received, plus my one, for the Buildings Theme in the 4x6ers Postcard Swap.

We have been doing this for approx. 18months now, and we have never had two interpretations the same.

and the RxR theme row for this month was Stars

This is mine so far, not necessarily to be joined in this order.

The rows are my own, Betsy, Cynthia, Isabell.

IS IT WEDNESDAY AGAIN

2011-06-23T11:25:00.001+10:00

whoops NO it was Wednesday yesterday. This week 3 Little Sisters. I am really grateful to Karen from Journey of A Quilter for keeping me on track, its great to have a task to accomplish each week, even if it only gets thought about, as in the Asian Cousins Hexies. I also have to decide how large this quilt is going to be ..... to make a top for the bed I will about 600 flowers. ummm think I had better do some proper maths and make up my mind.

I feel I should really be a Mama Bear and hibernate in the Winter months but the disadvantage of that is... you are expected to eat yourself silly first, then give birth to your baby cubs. Nice thought but I am too old for that sort of nonsense. and then they grow into teenagers. So I guess its thick jumpers, quilts and a bit of growling.

STITCHING

2011-06-16T01:40:00.001+10:00

Only one flower to show this week.

But quite a few are cut and ready to tack then stitch together.

The reason for lack of Hexie Flowers is this

I can't show you anymore as we are not supposed to show until the row has been received. My row for Michele was Animals..... leaving a lot to the imagination of course. All along I had planned to do Dolphins, but when I studied the rows Michelle had received the above critters just kept shouting .... stitch me stitch me oh please stitch me. So they have been stitched and I am pleased to say the row is finished. You can see the rows of ones received so far at http://robinrowers.blogspot.com/

I am now stitching the label,

so the row should be in the mail by the weekend. Nice and early for once.

The weather is very cold, it is down to 3 degrees tonight, brrr the electric blanket has been on for quite a while. But the upside to cold weather is stitching as shown above and of course reading. I have just finished The King's Speech. This was an excellent book and being born a 'pom' at the end of the 2nd World War, very interesting historically.

Something light is on the Kindle now. Alexander McCall Smith and another delightful tale from his No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. 'Morality for Beautiful Girls'

G O N E

2011-06-07T16:47:00.001+10:00

The Young Guys worked very hard, waking us up at 7.00 am yesterday and today. I usually get up around 7.30 ish, but try to make it as late as possible so as not to wake The Scot, who since his Epic Year with the c, seems to be reluctant to get up very early. Another of the reasons I go to bed later. I usually find I can't stay longer than 6 hours, so I enjoy being a 6 hour sleep person. But I do HATE being woken up.

So what does it look like now ...... this was yesterday

and today

This 1 block of land is owned by the Housing Commission .... so now we must wait to see what they will build....... please don't let it be a two storey building.

Moving onto nicer things ... this is the Postcard received from Janet in Canada for our Building theme for the Postcard Swap.

Oh how clever how I wish I had thought to do a dunny with a redback spider ah well another time.

The next theme is Free Choice, this I am having a little difficulty with but I think I will try some photo transfer and machine embroidery.

GOING GOING

2011-06-03T14:27:00.002+10:00

You will remember the 'sad' excitement of the fire in the House Next Door last November http://birdwomanau.blogspot.com/2010/11/house-next-door.html

well today

After 6 months of a very scruffy looking plot next door they have started to rebuild. But first to remove all the old debris. We are very glad it is the colder months, as we wouldn't be able to sit outside for the terrible din that is going on.

It is quite mesmerising to stand and watch.... and it feels so sad as this house was built about a month before ours, and that was 42 years ago. I can hear the noise as I sit here, and it leaves a cold dull ache in my stomach. So many memories just going to the 'tip'.

Better back to the sewing room..... can't show you what as they are both for swaps and we are not supposed to show until they have been received. But suffice to say the row is for 'animals' now I was going to do 'dolphins', well we are allowed to run riot with our imagination. But I kept looking at the rows it was going to join

and these little critters just kept shouting,

we belong there

so sorry Michelle NO Dolphins.

THE NIGHT WAS DARK AND STORMY

2011-05-31T02:29:00.001+10:00

40 years ago, my red hair started to go white but hey look what happened

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS MIDDLE SON

They ~~fought~~ grew up together 2 years and 1 month apart but

chalk and cheese

Have a great year No1 and Middle Son.

NO HEXIE FLOWERS

2011-05-27T01:27:00.000+10:00

Unfortunately no Hexie flowers this week.

But I have not been idle.

The first block is finished of Sunny Days.

As usual I have done more embroidery than the pattern stated but I am well pleased with it.

A start has been made on the first block of 'A Faithful Friend' and I am well pleased with this too as I do like my choice of colour threads they will look super with the April Connel Portugal fabrics. I have managed to locate a copy of the Homespun Magazine from Honeysucklecottage.

The weather in Mulgrave has been very cold and wet. And the same is forecast for the next few days. So I don't think I will be in the garden and the housework can wait. I think ~~tomorrow~~ later today will be spent in the Sewing Room. Yes I have started something else whilst clearing the mess. Photos later.

POSTCARDS

2011-05-24T13:59:00.000+10:00

As you know I am in the 4x6ers Postcard Swap. Which I enjoy very much but as you will see by the photos I think I am very much the beginner in the group.

These are the Postcards I sent for this Theme, which was Buildings.

and now you will see why I put mine first. This is the fabulous one from Isabell in the UK. she really sets a high standard and her work is fabulous.

I have a lot to learn.

But tomorrow I get my eyes tested. So new glasses here I come.

RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTIONS

2011-05-20T13:59:00.003+10:00

oh dear, I made so many of them and they all seem to go the same way. I think I must have a cupboard full of them.

This year I was NOT going to start any new projects. Well so far so good. But then I saw this one. http://www.stitchingcow.com/patterns/173/Free+Block+of+the+Month+Quilt+Pattern.

And it just was calling ... stitch me, stitch me.

Unfortunately I missed the copy with the beginning of the pattern in. And I can't locate another copy either at any of my Newsagents or on the Internet.

So if anyone has Homespun vol 12 copy 4 that they would be willing to either sell or swap for something. Please email me.

I have started the first three blocks ready to stitch

I am going to use the remainder of my Portugal by April Cornell, with a few added.

Of course having a multi track mind I am still working on this one

I don't usually use pale colours but I am enjoying working with these threads and they are looking so kool.

Whilst I am snug in the Sewing Room, listening to The Help ~ Kathryn Stockett

What an engrossing book, if you haven't then it is definitely worth a read.

The Scot has been busy in the garden.

The vegetable plot,

and he tells me the Scarecrow needs some new clothes..... ummmm hasn't he learnt This Quilter doesn't Do Buttons nor does she Make Clothes. lol. But I will see what I can find in the cupboard.

And he has removed his beloved passionfruit and planted another in is place.

THE BIG TIDY UP

2011-05-15T11:38:00.001+10:00

Oh I do hope it is.

I have completed my commitments for the time being.

The Stars row was mailed early last week, and the Postcards are all packed ready to go tomorrow.
A sneak preview of the Postcards. I would love to show them but will wait until one has been received.

Buildings was the theme. Next theme is going to be difficult ..... Free Choice. Any ideas gratefully received.

I have the next row planned for the RXR and also No1Son wants 3 dolphins like the Postcards for the Oceans Theme.

But today ....... we tidy ..... I am too ashamed to show a photo of what it looks like now, but hopefully will be able to show you one later.

One Way Birdwoman is what the Scot calls me, I take things out but don't put them back.~~ah well we all can't be perfect. Thank goodness roflo~~.

ONLY ONE FLOWER

2011-05-12T01:17:00.000+10:00

A bit slack this week, only one flower to show. But then every one helps.

A Little Sister

I always have a nostalgic feeling after finishing a quilt. So starting to tidy the sewing room, but not getting very far, I came across an old UFO. This is the first block, in progress.

and a small detail

And I do apologise for not replying to those who kindly left comments but I do enjoy reading the same.

SEWING sewing and more READING

2011-05-11T02:05:00.001+10:00

The sewing room has been a hive of activity of late.

The birthday quilt for No1Son was finished and is now in Taiwan. Although I think it will be only used for decoration at the moment as its quite hot there.

The quilt is quite a simple design, but has fabrics purchased in New Zealand, where TP lived for a while, and the gold has clamshells on which are reministant of China and Taiwan, and it was made by his pommmie born but now Aussie mum. Quite an international quilt.

and also the row for ~~this~~ last months rxr has been mailed. The theme was Stars.

The Postcards, theme Buildings, will hopefully be in the mail by the weekend. and then I relax for two months.

Meanwhile as a change to the hexies, I have looked out a very old UFO, which has machine piecing and embroidery on it. Will photo it tomorrow.

Oh and did I tell you I love my Kindle. currently reading

The Help ~: Kathryn Stockett

MORE HEXIES

2011-05-04T18:49:00.000+10:00

Goodness me, One Flower Wednesday comes round so quickly. Last week I missed as I was busy trying to finish a present quilt for TP. But its in the mail now but I did manage to get some hexies done in the evenings.

I am getting quite anxious to start stitching it together now, as the pile of flowers is growing.

Oh and would anyone like The Scot. I am mad at him .... he is very good at maths and can use Autocad exceptionally well. But when I asked him this morning of he could draw me a template, he started giving me all sorts of silly excuses .... like angles and lines and things like that. So I am giving him away now. But no return address will be put on him. Yes he is in the dog house and will be lucky if he gets any tea.

I mean he should have learnt by now not to cross a quilter.

IDLE HANDS...not

2011-04-29T01:21:00.000+10:00

Little blog posting but quite busy otherwise. A few late nights, courtesy of my cyberfriend Molly Bawn who told me I should read Edgar Sawtelle. Didn't think I would really enjoy it, but then Molly suggested so....as usual I became absolutely enthralled by Edgar and the Sawtelle Dogs. Each chapter seemed to change and keep me guessing but the conclusion what not expected. thanks Molly for such a good read, and if you haven't I really would recommend Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.

What next Molly???

the stitching and colouring is finished on the 1st block

I am well pleased with it. But I hope my colouring in improves by the 9th block.

Also the quilt for TP is ready to be pinned and quilted

The Scot keeps reminding me that I should have outlined the 9 patch blocks with the brown. But I somehow dislike quilts with sashing on them.

The first quilt I made was this Bears' Paw. And I really liked it. But on looking at it now I think it would be much nicer without the sashing. I just seem to prefer no straight sashing lines in my quilts.

Tomorrow I plan to spend in the garden. It really does need some attention and the weather is for sunny and warm. The past couple of days have been beautiful, sunny and warm but very cold at nights.

PROGRESS

2011-04-19T01:12:00.000+10:00

Making some progress on the Colouring Stitchery.

I think I will definitely look into doing more.

THE YOUNG TRAVELLER

2011-04-17T11:06:00.003+10:00

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO NO1 SON

The Traveller of the family With an English Mother, Scottish Father, who are now Australian Residents. He was born and spent the first years of his life in Australia,lived in New Zealand and now resides in Taiwan.

Have a great day Son.

but send more photos, I had to lift this one off your blog page.

MONO READING DISCUSSION

2011-04-16T10:33:00.004+10:00

Four of my Postcards for this months theme "Monochromatic" have now been received. I still marvel at how different we each interpret the theme and no fabrics the same.

and this was the one I stitched. I am getting much better at doing the edges, much neater now. And I found some stiffener, have no idea of what it is called, in Spotlite. So now I just have to practice my hand writing for the back (Usually print the back but I think hand writing would be nicer.

and having finished 'In The Company of Cheerful Ladies' I am having a change in pace. My reading err listening, ~~did I tell you how I love my Kindle~~, is now The Grand Design by Stephen Hawking.

And in the Audible.com newsletter there was a sale so I managed to buy The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives by Leonard Mlodinow. This will be interesting as The Scot is always saying to me " the law of averages" and I tell him there is no such thing, its just luck or bad luck.
I can see I am going to have to sit outside the toilet (that is the only place where I can be sure he is a captive audience) to discuss these things. Yes you are right the Scot doesn't talk much and hates a lot of discussion. lol.

LOOK OUT NIGELLA

2011-04-15T00:41:00.008+10:00

well not really but many moons ago, especially when I was leaving school, Cooking was one of the options I would have liked to pursue. But nowadays we don't eat cakes and deserts preferring fresh fruit and not being very fond of spicy food my cooking skills have errrr to say the least 'got left behind'.

But The Scot has been growing Guava for quite a few years now.

He eats them by cutting open and spooning out the flesh. On checking details I find they are a very good source of Vitamin C. This year there seems to be zillions of them so I thought I would see what I could do with them.

Jam had been mentioned. So this afternoon, prepared with large saucepan, wooden spoon, sieve, caster sugar, citric acid and of course Guava

And listening to "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies" I managed to produce

which The Scot pronounced ' delicious' which was praise indeed.

So not a lot of sewing but a progress report on the Colouring Stitching

7 DAYS

2011-04-13T15:24:00.002+10:00

Goodness me has it really been 7 days since I last posted.   Time does fly.

but I have not been idle, well apart from reading, did I mention that I love my Kindle. I finished A Thousand Splendid Suns~Khaled Hosseini, such a compelling book.   It took me at least three days to get over it. I kept thinking and going over sections in my mind. I just didn't realise how lucky I was to be Australian (even tho everyone grumbles about the politics and other things. And yes I do realise K H's books are Fiction but there is a lot of thought provoking fact there.

Now just for a little light read I am now living with Precious Ramotswe that lovable traditionally built Lady and her No1 Ladies' Detective Agency wickedly written by Alexander McCall Smith.   Now I did read (as in actually using my eyes instead of my ears) one of these many moons ago and just didn't like it.   But as is my way I reread it and now of course I am collecting all of them.   A great light hearted read in this troubled world ... In the Company of Cheerful Ladies:The No.1Detective Agency~Alexander McCall Smith

And whilst reading, sometimes sitting outside, although these last couple of days has seen Winter popping its head around the corner, I have stitched     6 flowers

I have roughly worked out that I need 99 and so far I have 34.

Leaving only 65 to go

Progress has been made on the quilt for P, I really must make more headway on this. It needs to be finished by the end of the month. I have tried many different settings but have gone back to my original idea ... so far we have

And by way of a little bit of a change to give my mind a break I am tyring something new, But I think I need more colours, and much more practice.

This is only the colouring done I have to do the stitching.

WEDNESDAY AGAIN

2011-04-06T13:57:00.002+10:00

Garden Party Day again. My the weeks do fly past. My Mother used to say .... don't wish your life away, it goes too quickly when you get older. This was usually said to me when I was counting the days to a birthday or Christmas.

This week 2 Asian Cousins

but

I have been busy preparing

The Scot has been busy too

He is very into this Environmental Business. But this year we did have some lovely juicy tomatoes. So he has collected and dried some seeds

When we went shopping he was going to buy some envelopes to keep them in.

But I made him some

These were the same as I make to put Australian Tea Bags in, when enclosing a tiny gesture with my swaps.

The weather has been beautiful these past few days and I have been sitting outside on the swing seat, sewing and reading.

I have finished The Silent Governess~Julie Klassen.   A really excellent read. And I will be looking for more books by Julie Klassen, I really like her style of writing.

So now onto a new book. I thought I would read A Thousand Splendid Suns~Khaled Hosseini. I read The Kite Runner by the same author and was totally enraptured.   A Thousand Splendid Suns is proving to be the same.

oh btw did I tell you how I love my Kindle.

This is the Postcard received from Thea in 4x6ers PostCard Swap.   The theme this month monochromatic.
Its amazing isn't it - how we all interpret the theme.

and finally a rethink on the Quilt for P. Whilst the golden clamshells is perfect, I began to think it was getting a bit suffocating. So I think I may try brown, very dark hopefully a tone on tone. But this is a mockup in black.

PROGRESS on Q4P

2011-04-04T18:51:00.001+10:00

You remember ......

which was taking shape nicely.

Well I committed the unforgivable sin (in my eyes anyway) of asking The Scot's Opinion.

He thought it looked too muddled and offered a few different solutions. One being sashing between the blocks, which would have been easy but I have a thing about straight vertical and horizontal sashing on quilts ..... it just jarrs my senses.

So this afternoon, after shopping and a quick lunch I sat down at the computer with EQ4 ( I know its outdated but it works well for me)
and I have come up with this.
Now remember not exact colours and it has to be fine tuned a little. But I think I will like this better, so maybe it was a good idea to ask The Scot but I wont tell him.

and just on looking at it here, I have a better idea so back with another design later.

MORE HEXIES

2011-03-31T02:04:00.000+11:00

One Flower Wednesday again

three more flowers for the Asian Cousin Quilt

and the Little Sisters with their new centres plus a few extra.

POSTCARDS

2011-03-29T18:24:00.000+11:00

I was beginning to think Postie had something against me and he needed a slab of beer or something to keep him in good humour .... but today I received

Pink Pandora's Box

this is from Janet in Canada.

I feel very honored to be allowed to belong to this Group of Ladies 4 x 6ers They are very talented.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTTIE

2011-03-28T14:38:00.012+11:00

GRAB A CUPPA

2011-03-25T16:37:00.000+11:00

and have a look at some beautiful quilts

I have entered The Weekly Themed Quilt Show of Quilting Bloggers run so well by Michelle.

go to Quilting Bloggers Weekly Themed Quilt Contest
@ http://quiltinggallery.com/tag/weekly-themed-quilt-contest/
and if you like mine please vote for me. but there are some beautiful ones there.

This is the quilt I have entered

It was a birthday present for No1 Son and the quilt and he now reside in Taiwan. It did take rather a long time to complete, but being an ideal Quilter's Son he understood why it came a couple of years late.

MUCH ADO

2011-03-23T18:09:00.000+11:00

about a busy day..

First up its One Flower Wednesday and although not many new hexie flowers quite a lot achieved

A new Asian Cousin and a tidy box

The Little Sisters with their revamped centres

and their tidy storage box

Adopted Sisters weren't forgotten, even tho the photo was.

This morning we had a hospital appointment for The Scot, what a hassle to find the MRI Building but that's another story. I had to be organised as I had a three hour wait. Lucky for me in the same building right through the glass doors was a

coffee shop

so after making sure The Scot was having the Nurses and the Lady Doctor dancing attendance on him I headed for a large coffee and choosing to sit on the balcony where it was very quiet ..............I

and

Did I tell you I luv my Kindle. I am now reading The Silent Governess

and I only seemed to get settled when out he came. Oh to be happy in a waiting room for three hours lol.

This afternoon a little progress was made on the TP Quilt

and to top off a good day just look at the Monochromatic Postcard I received from Isabell

He looks even more beautiful in the flesh.

A NEW QUILT

2011-03-22T18:30:00.000+11:00

oh I know I have too many UFO's but I need to make a new quilt.

A jelly roll of New Zealand fabrics given to me by No1 son.
It is to be a birthday present for him. The NZ fabrics for his time living in Christchurch and the gold fabric has the clamshell symbol which is used often in Oriental Quilting, for his time living in Taiwan and of course made by his Australian Mum.

These are the fabrics

and this is a preview of what it will be like.

At the moment only three fabrics have been used but when all of them are incorporated I think it will look great.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL

2011-03-22T02:46:00.003+11:00

I found this so true when working in an Aged Care Home about 6 years ago. I was fortunate in that I was not Nursing (not that I wouldn't have liked to be a Nurse) but just listening and chatting and helping the folk in the Winter of their lives.
Some of the lovely interesting ones.... an old fellow who had been a Principal of a School, one who had hoped to be a jockey but always seemed to be 'mucking out' the stables.   A concert pianist, the guy who had invented those Magnetic bands for arthritis and rheumatic sufferers. a lady whose son had been captain of a famous Melbourne Football club.   a tiny lady who had survived two concentration camps. Oh and many more, and they all had stories and tales of yesterday to tell but unfortunately not many folk to listen to them.

Why write about this you may ask.   I have just finished my last book
(did I tell you I love my Kindle)

Water for Elephants~Sara Gruen.   You must put this on your library list. It was suggested to me by Molly @ http://mollybawnchronicles.blogspot.com/  a cyber friend of quite a few years now.    She writes a very interesting blog (I think she should have been a writer herself).   Now I read the description of the book and thought .... I don't think I will like this one you see I HATE circuses.   I hate to see the animals perform. Many moons ago when I was young we lived close to a RaceCourse that was no longer used for racing but was a Recreational Park. And when a Circus came to town more often that not they would stay there.    A Parade, as described in the book, always took place. I well remember the Elephants they would walk holding the one in front them by the tail. That was the only part I would watch.

But back to the book ..... I was sure I would hate it and not even get past the first chapter.   But as Molly recommended it (and all previous recommendations have been great) I bought it and read it.

I wont spoil the plot but you must read it for yourself. I had great difficulty in putting it down, hence a late night last night and no housework today.   But my what a book    the beginning the middle and the ending ... fantastic.
Water for Elephants~Sara Gruen.

quote from Audible.Com
An atmospheric tale of life and love in a Depression-era traveling circus. Nonagenarian Jacob Jankowski reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. It's the Depression Era and Jacob, finding himself parentless and penniless, joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. There he meets the freaks, grifters, and misfits that populate this world. Jacob introduces us to Marlena, beautiful star of the equestrian act; to August, her charismatic but twisted husband (and the circus' animal trainer); and to Rosie, a seemingly untrainable elephant. Beautifully written, with a luminous sense of time and place, Water for Elephants tells of love in a world in which love's a luxury few can afford.

Did you see the SuperMoon on Saturday night/Sunday morning. It was very clear in Australia although my photography is not very good.

Haven't heard of a SuperMoon check out http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/16mar_supermoon/

I can show my Monochomatic Post Cards now, as they have been received.

FRIDAY AGAIN

2011-03-19T01:14:00.000+11:00

and I missed One Flower Wednesday post. But these are my hexie flowers for this week.

I knew I didn't like the plain yellow centres of the Little Sisters, so these have been unpicked and new centres added.

and one Asian Cousin

and I have just finished reading 'TeaTime for The Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith'

For the first chapter I didn't think I was going to like it. But it actually grew on me. A very light hearted read in the series No1 Ladies Detective Agency.

Now what to start next, I have 12 books waiting.

MAKEOVER

2011-03-15T00:29:00.000+11:00

The Little Sisters are getting a makeover. I knew all along I didn't really like the plain yellow centre, and I just won't learn to stop and think when my brain is telling me .... don't like that, don't like that.

So after a bit of organising in the sewing room today. (Today is a holiday Labour Day ~ which always makes me think of Maternity Wards)
I am sitting down with the unpicker going ripit ripit ripit.

I did think I would have to bin them and make fresh ones, but if I unpick carefully I can save them.

Yes The Scot is rolling his eyes again.

And to see the works of The Robin Rowers click on the title ROBIN ROWERS just under my heading banner ( or click http://birdwomanau.blogspot.com/p/robin-rowers.html and you will see the rows received so far by all the ladies.

PRODUCTIVE WEEK

2011-03-10T01:30:00.002+11:00

probably due to the nicer weather and sitting outside reading (listening) to my Kindle ..... did I tell you that I love my Kindle. I have joined Audible.com enabling me to buy one book a month at a lesser rate. And today they sent me an offer of a choice of books at $4.95. So on perusing I found two to buy

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built The No.1 Ladies'Detective Agency

and the monthly read

The Silent Governness by Julie Klassen

Sewing 'chantelle'

four flowers for the Asian Cousins Quilt

They are shown on black, but I am thinking maybe a deep aubergine colour. I have seen a fabric which I think would look good. I must chase it up and see what I think.

And welcome back Adopted Sisters

Only a sneak preview of the Monochromatic Postcards ... which are all finished and ready to be put in the post tomorrow.

...

Robin Rowers

2011-03-08T11:45:00.000+11:00

For my readers that don't quilt. A row x row is a swap amongst friends. We are a group of International Quilters (and Quilters usually means embroiders crafters you name it we do it). Eight is the chosen number and we each make a row for another member. Anita is the swap mom and keeps the rooles etc. So to make it simple .... we make a row for a designated partner every two months ... and we receive a row from one of the Ladies.

This is my quilt so far. The wonderful top row is from Cynthia in Canton USA. middle row is mine which kinda indicated the colours. The bottom row is the lovely row from Isabell in England.

Its coming together very well.

My rows so far have been sent to The Yukon and The States.

And yes I am being very strong with myself this year. I have not enrolled in any new swaps.

I just participate in Robin Rowers and 4 x 6ers The Postcard Swap.

SUMMER IS HERE

2011-03-08T01:49:00.000+11:00

well, for a few days anyway. But the last couple of days have been beautiful. A bit windy today but the swing seat is fairly sheltered so a couple of hours sewing and reading listening to The Clockwork Universe is a very interesting read. Probably more so if you understood maths. Was discussing it with The Scot .... whose brain seems to revolve around numbers.... he admitted he never could get his head around 'calculus' whilst I had to admit the 'times tables' sometimes baffled me.

Postcards are almost ready to be sent... this time Monochromatic. Wont show until they have been received.

But these are the ones I received for Circles and/or Triangles.

Betsy says... Pyramids of Giza. But I really think they look like luxurious Tents with a handsome rich Arabian Prince awaiting me inside. in my dreams :)

GOODNESS GRACIOUS ME

2011-03-03T01:08:00.002+11:00

it's Wednesday again and the third calender day of Autumn, and its cold and wet.

But not to worry its Garden Party Day

I managed to buy some Oriental Charm Squares on Ebay. I needed a few light coloured prints. They arrived today and are very welcome.

This week just two flowers

The garden is slowly growing, but its very relaxing to sit and stitch them in the evenings

And as it was a cold day, after my walk, I hibernated into my Sewing Room and made myself this House Block. The blue is one of the fabrics I dyed myself (must do some more). I thought the blue/purple/pink tinge made excellent sky.

HOW MANY

2011-02-26T10:03:00.001+11:00

Have you heard the joke .... How many (choose whatever group of people you like) does it take to change a light globe.

This happened at the end of our driveway

There were two other trucks and four other workers to the left of the photo.

I guess in all fairness to them I should explain ....

The Electricity Suppliers are upgrading all the cables from the houses to the Power Pole. Victoria is going Smart Meter ......

We have a big red warning sign by the box on the roof

After they rang the door bell I said oh ... you had better wait whilst we switch off the Solar at the Invertor Box.

The Worker didn't understand and shouted to his boss, the one who was in the 'cherry picker'. But of course he couldn't hear because of the noise of the engine.

And I think this is where the problem started, Boss yells to the bloke in the truck to cut the engine.

So after The Scot had sorted out the instructions and switched the solar off, thumbs up were given.

They went about their job, and actually very efficient, they all seemed to have a role to play.

But then ~~The Supervisor~~ err The Scot came rushing in for his camera , apparently they couldn't get the engine started, and The Boss was stuck up in the Cherry Picker, and was proceeding to climb down a rope.

A couple of hours later they did get it going, with help from the other guys that came in the other trucks.

And I must admit they did think it funny, but wouldn't do it, when I asked the Boss to climb up again so I could take a photo of him climbing down.

Whilst waiting they did sit and eat their lunch, which was quite conscientious of them.

and they must have thought we were a dotty old pair of pensioners, because they came and said they had finished and wished us a happy day..