Vandals

A couple of months ago I posted some photos I had taken at the Begonia House and The Fernery in Machattie Park, Bathurst. About 2 weeks ago some vandals smashed some windows in the Begonia House and now over the last weekend the local vandals smashed their way into the Fernery and did considerable damage. Needless to say these facilities are again closed to the Public whilst they are repaired, it makes me so angry.

I have been busy this week sewing,raking leaves and even some housework, yes I do occasionally do some! I decided to move all my small ornamental sewing machines down from a shelf in the spare bedroom to this bookcase.I don't think I have dusted these for over 12 months! There is one antique amongst them but all the others are ornaments/toys that I have been given over many years, some are also music boxes and have animation.

For the last week I have been baby sitting my Grand-dog; Beau is a 10 week old pup that Tim and Tamara have adopted but because this overlapped with their new home he has had a week in cold old Bathurst!Macy,Murphy and Millie have slowly warmed to him over the last few days but they still might need some Prozac or something next week so they can calm down!!! Today I was working in the garage cleaning things out and he decided that Millie's little red bed would suit him fine, didn't matter that he was way too big he just folded up his legs,looked Millie in the eye and said get over it!!! I have renamd him bono becaue all I seem to say to him is BO-NO and usually he does stop whatever he is doing until tonight;he had got oout one of my Monet books from the bookcase and when I found him he was well into it, I just hope he learned how to paint(or garden) whilst chewing the book. Here is Beau in Millie's bed today with her looking a bit peeved!!

The Begonia House

Yesterday I went for a walk to Machattie Park an old Victorian Park in the centre of Bathurst to see the Begonias flowering.Machattie Park was built on the site of the old Bathurst Gaol and was opened in December 1890.

Then I went to the Fernery (next to the Begonia House) which is also very historically important.

Wall Hanging

I have made this wall hanging for myself from a pattern by Joined at the Hip.

Even though it's really for Halloween I think I'll hang it in my hallway all the time.

Agapanthus

A few years ago Bathurst Regional Council beautified the streets in the CBD and every summer we get this display of agapanthus.

Orca Bay

I am doing Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery quilt called Orca Bay but I have chosen my own colours.So far I am only on step one as I have had visitors and haven't done any sewing for over a week.I can recommend her designs this is the fourth mystery quilt of hers I have done.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/

Another quilt finished

I have finished this I spy quilt for Hudson Riley and he will probably receive it over the next few days as I know it has arrived in Adelaide where is is currently staying.The back is a map of the world (current in 2010, the year of his birth) which his grandfather purchased in Dallas, Tx.

Some more quilts completed/nearly completed

This as you go quilt is a Christmas present for a family friend (male) I was very pleased with it as I haven't used this method since I was at TAFE in the early 80's.
The quilt was made entirely from my stash as I am trying to dwindle it down a bit.

I purchased this scrap bag of flannels from Keepsake Quilting in the USA and put it aside to make next year for myself but as it was so cold last week here it is finished and in use.It was lovely sitting under it whilst I tied it, the backing is polar fleece and without any batting.

This quilt replaces a very similar one I made about 12 years ago, that gets used every evening from May until September (usually);this year I'll probably be using it in December!

This is yet another quilt top made in the last couple of weeks, designed by Pam and Nicky Lintott in their book Jelly Roll Quilts.

This I spy quilt is for a little boy who will be turning 1 in April next year

I have made 2 new table runners for Christmas in the last couple of weeks, the star one for my dining table and the other for my table in the lounge room.

Christmas Party

Yesterday my patchwork group travelled to The Blue Mountains ( 1 hour east of Bathurst) for our Christmas Party - High Tea at the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba and just look at the food accompanied by Champagne and a pot of gourmet tea each

http://www.thecarrington.com.au/news.asp?pid=12




Mind you this was scheduled for 2.30PM and we left Bathurst at 8AM stopping at the Victory Theatre in Blackheath for breakfast.

http://www.victorytheatre.com.au/

Breakfast was followed by much shoppping at Blackheath,Leura and Katoomba

Christmas Decorations

Then around the television I have my collection of angels surrounding the nativity scene, so we don't forget the meaning of Christmas.Many of the angels were given to me in angel/mortal swaps with SCQuilters and as gifs from friends who know my love of angels.

Christmas Decorations

This is the first Christmas I have put up most of my decorations for 5 years, I do love Christmas and all the decor of Christmas.This some of my Santas that flood the house in December every year,some are nearly 40 years old.

More quilting required

This are the shelves where I keep some of my quilts including unfinished quilt tops but I didn't realise how many UFO's I had so I guess my new resolution is to finish these quilts.




On these two shelves they are all unfinished,some of them for over ten years the top three are my Bonnie Hunter mystery quilts from the last three years.



Macy and Murphy think they make any quilt look good and helped me to decide which ones to finish first! I might try and finish my 2001 year quilt, as my Mother was very ill I decided that 2001 was going to be a challenging year and a diary year quilt was the right thing to keep the diary.After the end of that year I coudn't do any more but I should try and quilt it when I have made the back which is going to be the diary printed out for each.

A busy winter

Today's weather is so perfect I have been working outside but to show I haven't been idle over the winter months here is some work I have completed/almost completed in the last few months.



This quilt is for Jayne and Tom I started it this time last year but is now completely finished with machine piecing and applique both hand and machine quilting.





This is my Roll,Roll Cotton Boll mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter which also was put on the back burner for most of the year .I am thrilled with it although sometimes when piecing I did lose my cool.As always Bonnie's designs are challenging but worth it.






This is for me!!! I purchased the embroideries from the shop that used to be at Kurrajong Rumplequiltskin I think it was called.I have a collection of blue and white china and I have been saving one piece of blank wall for these hangings.





These are some blocks that I have pieced this week and will quilt as you before joining the blocks together, I haven't done this method since I was at TAFE in the 1980's doing Creative Needlecraft.

quilts

Whilst I have been laid up with my still sore leg I have been catching up with some sewing,I finished the baby quilt for Michael and Emma and I have been told she likes it.Good luck over the next few weeks Emma and Happy Birthday Michael next weekend.










This is a Bonnie Hunter design that I started years ago with a jelly roll and over the last few days have finished the top until I decide what borders to put on it.

Being Single

< I promised some friends I would post a copy of this catoon onto my blog;it has been on my desk for many years because ever since I have been single people have asked why don't I meet someone?Well this is the answer my working years revolved around Aged Care and community care and my hobby is quilting.
With apologies to the artist as I can't even remember the name of the cartoon.