Hello.....I am still here!!!

Hi there everyone,

Well, I know you have been thinking that I don't love you anymore and that I have given up on each and every one of you but I am back. Over the past few months I seem to have taken on a little too much and have been struggling. Yep, it happens to each and every one of us at some stage of our lives and this just happened to be mine. Tired? Exhausted? Shattered? a little, but .... inspired by others, brimming with ideas and ready to get into the next challenge. Just wait 'til I catch up on my sleep and I will be right along.

2008 BERNINA BLANKETS OF LOVE

The Postman delivered my Fat Quarter fabric from the 'Williams Inn' Flannels range by Nancy Halverson and it is lovely. The challenge now is to create a small quilt for the Australia-wide Blankets of Love program running to provide comfort for a grieving family. Along with putting in for a worthy cause, the challenge winner can also recieve a Bernina Avtiva 240 sewing machine which I am desperate for. Just being in it will be fun and as there are so many wonderful quilters in Australia the chances of winning are negligable but hey, whats to lose.

The Blankets of Love program
Started in 1992 by Shirley Zions and Jan Polverino, the Blankets of Love program distributes small quilts to the families of babies who die around the time of birth. Not only does the program assist the grieving families by providing a memento and celebration of their babies, but it also provides an opportunity for people to speak out about the loss of a baby.
Each year, at the completion of the Bernina Blankets of love Challenge, the quilts are sent to the Blankets of Love Challenge, the quilts are sent to the Blankets of Love program coordinator and then distributed through State quilt groups to Australian hospitals in the program.

'JET JET'

We welcome to the family our new car 'JetJet' and sadly say goodbye to the Camry which served us well. We were lucky enough to buy her off a golfing friend who has sadly returned to her homeland following a four year stay in Melbourne. Miss Nederlands has left a little bit of Orange here though and and her clogs keep on clacking. 'Babe' is enjoying her driving lessons and is handling her well. 'Jet Jet' is so easy to drive, can turn on a coin and has the same familiarity as my dear old Mondeo. I am a very happy little vegemite.

JUNE UPDATE

I could not resist taking the camera out of my bag this morning and taking these photos of our glorious city. Some mornings we see the golden sun-rise and the hot- air balloons gliding past and on other mornings a storm racing across the city and hitting the windows with pure vengeance. No matter what day of the week it is truly spectacular.

SYDNEY and AEROBICS COMPETITION

'Husband Dear' and I went to Sydney for the Company's 25th Anniversary Ball. A spectacularly organised affair which was enjoyed by International and National clients, suppliers and the all important staff. The theme was a formal 'Black and Silver' event with everyone frocking up for the occasion. We were entertained by Jugglers on our arrival, an energetic 16 troupe 'Swing' dance display and of course the wonderful Swing/Jazz 10 piece band selected to get even the oldest of hips rocking. It was a wonderful night.

The weather was clear and sunny showing off Sydney as it should be seen. We stayed in 'The Rocks' and had a wonderful time at the Market and Galleries in the area then meeting my brother and partner for a relaxed lunch at the waters edge. Not a bad photo, huh.

'Babe' stayed in Melbourne and competed in the State Aerobics Competition, unfortunatley missing out on getting through to the Nationals. The competition is steep and we are incredibly proud of all the teams that compete from school.

HANDBAG MAKING DAY

Today Myrane and I spent a wonderful day creating handbags with Nicole Mallalieu . This was a course offered through Kimono House, a fabulous fabric shop tucked away in Nicholas House on the Corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane, Melbourne. They specialise in Japanese fabrics and run a variety of classes promoting the many talents of external and inhouse tutors.

I managed to finish this gorgeous clutch purse by the end of the day having used Nicoles excellent teaching style to achieve what I thought would be the impossible. She has years of experience and numerous tips to share which resulted in a surprisingly professional finish. I feel that this photo does not do it justice.

QUILTS

Hi there,

This is the latest quilt or should I say quilts I have been working on. I am using the range of fabrics from 'Maywood Studio' Romance Flannel - 33 Sweet sixteen fabric. My friend Myrane and I each purchased the range at Caulfield Stitches and Craft Show. Myrane is making a 75th birthday lap quilt for her mother and I am making three lap quilts for Mothers Day. One for my mother Lorraine, one for my mother-in-law Rosa and the other for my special mother Annie Burns. The label on each will show three hearts alongside their names. I hope they will appreciate how much they are loved and that they are three very special ladies.


The quilt I have just finished was made for my brother-in-laws 60th birthday. He lives in Geneva, Switzerland and also has a chalet in the mountains where I can visualise this quilt living. I finished it one hour before cutoff for the quilt hanging our local group put on which is where this photo was taken with Husband Dear. I hope Reudi thinks of us when he uses it even though we are on the other side of the world.

I am a proud member of Bay Quilters, a local group with over 120 members. We meet once a month at the Library Complex in Reserve Road, Beaumaris and have a wonderful day enjoying the company of like-minded women. We all enjoy 'Show and Tell', guest speakers, a wonderful library, a Trading Table, morning teas and lunches.

I should be stitching now instead of setting up this blog. Oooops.

Well, I hear Husband Dear tromping around having just come in from the garden so I had better get off this and throw the stove into action.

Keep smiling