Books Page Updated

The final updates for this month (reviews here):

Surprise

I was feeling a bit down - had just seen my passport photos - even hardened criminals would run a mile if they saw me coming...sigh.  But then I came home to the most delightful email from Mary - she sent me photos of her version of my quilt "Freewheeling" which was in an AP&Q some time back.  This is part of what she wrote:

" I changed it by adding a border by Moda Fabrics from the Origins collection.  I loved that black!  I made my pinwheels red.  I made it for my sister-in-law’s niece who is legally blind and can only see red, white and black.  It was her Christmas present.  That young lady is the young blond in the picture.  I am the lady with the dark hair.  I showed the back of the quilt which was made from Mark Lipinski’s Krakow collection because it was white, black and  red.  I hope you enjoy the photos and it was a lot of fun making  this quilt.  I probably will make this quilt again.   I hope I will  see more of your patterns in future issues of AP&Q."

Here are her photos - doesn't her version look great? Thank you so much Mary for sharing!!!

Done Done

The quilt is F.I.N.I.S.H.E.D.  and entered.
First time doing free piecing, first time doing a facing finish, first time submitting an art quilt for jurying.  Yikes!!

It is a truism, but oh so true, you learn so much by doing.  Whatever happens at the next step kind of doesn't bother me - I have gotten so much from working through the process.

The Quilting Has Begun

There was a  bit of this

 then a bit of this

and now there's some of this...

Tennis

I've enjoyed the tennis in Melbourne - wish I were there!!  This cartoon on the subject amused me.  And check out this short (2 1/2 minute) clip from the Murray/Llodra match - they worked hard!

Experimenting

I love it when things work together.  I spotted a pattern a friend (Hi Jan) had designed for a mag.  I loved it, but it was all hand done - sorry, but not for me.  I then happened on a website where there were some interesting ideas for creating blocks.  By machine.  Now THIS looks like my sort of thing.  First, you sew BOTH edges of a strip to another strip - good contrast is a must.  Mine are the standard 2.5 inches wide.

Slice them up - these are 3.5 inch lengths.

Cut them on the diagonal (NOT through the stitching line), making sure the diagonal is the same direction in each case (ask me how I know).

You need them to be perfectly equilateral, and mine weren't at this stage, so I used my 60 degree ruler to trim them up.  Then play!  I ended up with the same pattern (I think) that Jan had, but my block is all machine done.  This test block is now in a box with the fabrics I want to use.  I just need some good black fabric to go with the Lisa Walton hand dyes, PLUS, I have to figure out how to connect hexagons by machine....

Prep

Continuing my rationalising, sorting, de-cluttering, I earmarked fabrics for a pattern I found - A Ritzy Cracker Quilt.

 I made two test blocks

  and put them in a box with the fabrics and the pattern, ready to go when I want a project.

Redcliffe Peninsula

In the crazy weather on Tuesday I drove up to Redcliffe - so much quieter than market day (of course).   I don't remember seeing this last time

The Union Flag was everywhere - it may as well have been called the Jack, considering the weather conditions.

At Scarborough I happened on this cute coffee/lunch place - I read my book and looked out at the rain.

 

If you're a coffee and cake person, bring a friend - the cakes are enormous!  Honestly!  These are about 10 inches cubed.

Rain makes things more beautiful I think - it heightens colours and softens sharp edges.

 

But there is a limit.  Sadly, this place is called Shangri-La.

Cat Nap

Napping...

 but always on the alert.

Dex-troyer

Pre Dex

Post Dex

Nest

Crosswords

I have a calendar for the year with a crossword a day -

some are fiendishly difficult, but on 16 January I solved the entire thing - then again on the 17th and 18th.  I think they slip simpler ones in so you don't lose heart...

They Work!

Remember yesterday's post with my $2 tea light treasures?  They work!  I think they're supposed to be like this -

but I like them better like this -

Saturday Field Trip

I do like a good forage, and found out about The Rubbish Removers this week and had to visit their warehouse on Saturday to check it out for myself. Turn here -

yep - still on the right track

now down here

It's a big, big shed full of stuff.  It kind of made me sad - all these things we buy and then get rid of.  Here's someone's school shirt with messages - no longer wanted - I wonder why?

I found a couple of beehive shaped candle holders - I'll used them outside - originally marked at $24.95 now $2 - but wait - is this the bottom and they should go the other way?  I like my way better.

I also found a ceramic water cooler for the fridge.  This is a business with a wonderful attitude - see their philosophy here.

As I was already in the Logan area, I thought I'd keep driving and see what there was to see.  Have not been here before so I had a poke around

stopped off here and got rhubarb and some Vietnamese Coriander/Cambodian Mint (which looks like spiky weeds but smells awesome - if you like coriander that is)

had to laugh...

found fun things at the op shops - a Jetson plate - yep, said "Jetson" on the reverse

 I have one of these already

 AND these - I've been wearing my version all week - but they're my size and everything and only $5!!

New Purse

A few years ago I decided to have all my cards with me all the time, and I bought a fun purse for that reason

 but  the wear and tear of being flung around inside a bag every day took its toll

so I'm going to coopt a purse brought home for me from Turkey by a friend - looks good with my money purse I think...

A little brightness for the black depths of my handbag.

Car Games

I've always loved making words from licence plates - small things amuse me.  This caught my eye the other day -

bright yellow - "gelb" in German - how fitting!!