Well so much has happened in the 6 months since I last visited this blog and where do I start?I have had an addition to my family with another dog a rescued maltese cross dog called Murphy,he wants cuddles more than anything in the world but he regards himself as a quilt sitter rather like a cat.My friend Judy calls him the Quilt Police because whenever a quilt gets near him he has to investigate and then sit on it.
To summarise my life since June 2008 my holiday to the states was cancelled when my cousin's son died and they came home so I went to Adelaide for 4 weeks to stay with them.Then I was made redundant at work which has made me poorer but for the first time in my life I have time to sew and use my rather extensive stash.
My son Tim married his beautiful bride Tamara in November at St Brigid's Church in Marrickville and the reception was held at at the Royal Cruising Yacht Club,they delayed their honeymoon until Christmas Eve and they had Christmas in Paris and New Year in the Champagne region of France.They are now in the UK, a bit cooler than we are here in Bathurst.
In the meantime I have made them a quilt,worked on lots of other projects got all my UFO's out of storage and then decided to take on the Doubledelights mystery quilt from Bonnie which I am enjoying.
Trish is coming home this weekend and I looking forward to spending some quality time with her,all my visits to Sydney have been rather rushed but I am learning how to slow down and enjoy not working full time ,for the first time since I left school this is the longest time I have ever had without working,but no work no income and my money is about to run out.

Murphy

Mr and Mrs Timothy and Tamara Colley

I have been trying to upload some photos using flicka without success and the only thing I have done is waste good sewing time.I spent yesterday in the garden trying to tidy it up a bit.I am going to Wagga Wagga next weekend to visit my elderly Aunt and Uncle before I go on holidays next month.
This week I will be working in Orange at least one day I hope ; so I will be able to take my quilt up to Belinda Betts to have it quilted,she really is the best!I will be pleased to have it out of the house for a while.I have uploaded a 'bad' photo of it . it has been difficult to photograph because it is too big for my small house and yard I then took it to work and got some help in holding it up and they stood on tables which is very unsafe and anti OH&S.
The back is also peiced using photos of the bride and groom as children and then together and I will applique some wedding photos onto the back obviously next year after the wedding,any that's the plan.
Jayne has arrived safe and sound in Dallas for a reunion with her husband I can't wait until I get there in 6 weeks,I've started to look at sites for all the places we'll be visiting.

I just love a long weekend ,so nice to have time away from work.I played yesterday did a small split nine patch quilt,it's so simple and quick,will probably make one next time I have to make a present in a hurry.
Today I am trying to finish 3 assignments in Mental Health ,I do not like the subject and I do more procrastinating than normal.One is done, another is half done and the third one has to be completely redone and it's bogging me down but I have told myself no more sewing until these are done!
I'm a task master on myself but I have to be,then I can get back to the landscape I started at Pam Holland's workshop.
Only 7 weeks until my big holiday in the USA so I want to have all current projects finished the week before because when I get home it will only be 7 weeks until the Car race invasion and then another 6 weeks until my son Tim's wedding to Tamara in Sydney .I think I need to win the lottery so I can retire and give myself some decent sewing time.

Well I have bitten the bullet and started a blog,I was never going to but the best laid plans of mice and men!!!!!
I would like to thank Lissa Morrow who has encouraged me to attempt this and for her friendship over the years since we met at the SCQuilters retreat in Melbourne in 2003.
I have just finished piecing a large queen size quilt for my cousin's son who is getting married in Adelaide next February just 6 weeks before the SCQuilters retreat,shame I can't combine 2 visits but neither committeee would change dates!!!
I am going on the trip of a lifetime at the end of July to the USA and I will be visiting Paducah and Lancaster County which I am telling everyone is quilters heaven.Also a few other places of note such as Niagara Falls,Memphis,Nashville,St Louis and Chicago.I am starting to get excited already.
My next patchwork project will be to finish my applique from a Pam Holland workshop I attended in Canberra in March,I can recommend her workshops to everyone I just learned so much.