More ATCs

I'm on a bit of a roll...following a colour theme and playing -
Zig Zag

No

 Diamond

 Falling

Thrift Score

These gorgeous glasses came home with me the other day....

Refreshing

The freezer is working overtime at my place making mountains of icecubes.  Most are plain - but isn't this one fun?

2QAQ February Meeting

The first 2QAQ meeting for the year, and my first for a while.  Such friendliness and fun.  Here are some interesting pieces in response to a challenge fabric given out last year.
Jane's journal cover

Lyn's pincushion

Suzanne's cute little somethings

Mareanna's exquisite piece

The leaves outside were in harmony with the colour theme - I love the blockiness of the variegation....

How Civilised!

I do enjoy ordering tea - the way it's served often surprises!

But Which War???

ATCs

I made a couple of ATCs this morning -
direction

and dilemma

Gloria Jean's

Yesterday was hot again (surprise!  it's summer in Brisbane!).  I treated myself to a dark Tim Tam drink at Gloria Jean's.

 It was double click day, so my drink was free because I had filled up one of these -

Cleveland RSL

After the Star Sea quilt group meeting three of us were looking for somewhere COOL to have lunch - and Rayna suggested the RSL.  It was so lovely to walk through the doors into airconditioning.  They have a "petite roast" for lunch which sounded just perfect.  The tenderest pork, vegies and gravy topped with a few pieces of the nicest crackling I've ever had!

The Applique Society

On Saturday four of us hopped into a car (thanks for driving Christine) and headed to Gatton for a meeting of  The Applique Society.  It was my first time visiting the group.  The ladies were all friendly and I met some people I knew.  There was great show and tell by Anne Hayes from Townsville...we learned some new techniques, and ate and chatted and shared tips and stories with others.  Here are some of Anne's quilts

Herston

On Friday I had a meeting and happened to park on Northey Street and passed this -

Stones Corner

Window Inspiration

Gillian's Kitchen

Gillian Hirst is a well-known chef around town and has started her own restaurant.  I didn't know anything about her, but luckily Christine is au courant with where to go to have a delicious lunch.  I had crispy crab cakes

Christine had the three bird pie (chicken, duck and quail)

Neither of us could go past the chocolate cheesecake - as you can see I hoed into mine before I realised I hadn't taken a photo

Hang on a minute - what's THAT doing on the table?

When was the last time you saw a pepper grinder on a restaurant table?  We must have looked like responsible diners - we were allowed to grind our OWN pepper - as much as we wanted!!!  Hey - some would go all silly with the power, but we were appropriately restrained, befitting the great honour bestowed upon us...

Avid Reader

I think the smaller independent bookshops will continue to grow in the current retail climate.  They offer wonderful service and some interesting events.  I went to Avid Reader on Tuesday night to hear Dan Akst talk about the modern crisis of self control.  Paul Barclay was asking questions and Dan was responding thoughtfully - such a good night.  It will be broadcast as Big Ideas in the next few weeks. 

Nope, books aren't going to be dying out any time soon...

Valentine's Day Dinner

Bronte and I met in Toowong and had dinner at The Ceylon Inn.  She was surprised that the person taking the booking guessed that she wanted a table for two.  It only dawned on us afterwards what day it was!
The decor is lovely - here is the window from the outside

Inside was a day bed for two strewn with rose petals...

Yo-Yos

I've taken to making yo-yos (suffolk puffs) using the Clover yo-yo maker.

 Here's my first one! (I only need about 1500 for a quilt top!)

Stella Star

The original 2QAQ Committee met at Stella Star in Coorparoo for lunch on February 13 to officially thank Sue for her work, to catch up, have lunch etc etc and hand over the art pieces.

I have eaten at Stella Star when it was in Lota (actually, the restaurant is still there, but the chef has moved to Coorparoo).  There was no doubt that the food is the star here -

Jan's entree as main

Suzanne and I had the boar in a puff pastry parcel

Jane's creme brulee

My tiramisu

There were other meals of course but I didn't want to sprint around to everyone and photograph each dish - some people don't understand and actually want to EAT what's in front of them without any distraction!!
Then came the presentation following a few words from Suzanne

Sue was genuinely surprised and pleased, and we all wanted to see th epieces too as we didn't know what the others had done.  Here are the 8 from the others (the ninth was to be done by Sue to make a 3 X 3 grid of canvases - Suzanne generously made an extra one so Sue could take her time making the 9th).

Here they all are together