Being grateful

It has been a bit quiet on the blogging front from me for a number of reasons. A bit of an anticlimax from my last exciting story as I am still waiting in anticipation for my payment for said quilt! I have spent this welcome bonus over and over in my head so I am trying to learn a little patience and gratitude! AA Milne often has just the right words at a time like this………

While one feels a need for justice I also feel a sense of selfishness with the overwhelmingly tragic news of the loss of one of our rising cricket stars this week - Phillip Hughes. It was a very freak accident playing the game he loved and representing our state at the time. You can read more on the web but I found the tribute from his team mate and captain Michael Clarke one of the most moving. (You will find that by clicking on Phillip's name ). Cricket is a big part of our lives at home as Larry has played since he was a young boy. His skills were in fast bowling and some years back I made a tribute in a frame - he is the handsome young one on the top row, second from right……..

 Our girls Saturday afternoons were often spent playing under the trees with their dolls while their Dad played in the scorching summer sun for hours! The trophies occasionally get a much needed dust and just this year Helen from Whitecroft Tours sent an appropriate mug for Larry's 60th birthday……..

 So it is a time of gratitude while life goes on. Last weekend we had a wonderful day with Beau riding on a small version steam train on the Semaphore Tourist track by the sea………..

 He hung on to his ticket for the entire 40 minute ride…….

After a picnic lunch it was time to go to Nanna and Poppa's to put up the Christmas tree and he tells us all he wants for Christmas is Superman!………...

 

So I hope wherever you are in the world that life is good x 

A humble moment

Today has been an extra special day for me as I travelled to Canberra to meet a stranger! It all began back in August when I received an email from the convener of the Canberra Quilters' quilt show to tell me a gentleman had expressed interest in purchasing my 2013 Best of Show quilt………

Well that was a thrill in itself but then when I found out who the man was I began to feel quite overwhelmed. Peter Travis is an artist, designer, colour expert and collector of art. (and also the designer of the infamous Speedos 'budgie smugglers'!!). So today was the day to deliver the quilt in person. With my luck of losing quilts in transit I decided to use up all my flyer points and deliver it in person. Down side of using points is that I have seen four cities in one day! Adelaide to Melbourne, then Melbourne to Canberra, Canberra to Sydney and now waiting to go home via Sydney…..it has been a very long day! I only found out in the last couple of weeks that Peter was also responsible for the colours of Parliament House Canberra! If you click on this link HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page you can watch a video interview with him……amazing! So today we met in person and the quilt has a special wall all ready for the quilt to be hung amongst many more collectable works of art. Preparation took a few hours at home last night with pockets and rods and a brand new label for the brand new owner. So farewell from home and then waiting in Canberra………..

 I was lucky to be picked up by Jenny Bowker as I only had 45 minutes with Peter (thankyou so much Jenny)…..and here is our memorable photo and you can see in the background Peter already has another quilt in his possession. I am chuffed to bits and incredibly humbled to have someone of his calibre admire and want a piece of my work….still saying WOW!!…..

 I left Canberra airport in a state of awe and wonder…….it is hard to say in words how I feel so instead I will leave you with some images of my day of airports……...

WOW!!! How lucky am I?

A moment of magic

I received my very own personal copy of Thorngrove Manor's new DVD in the post today and it immediately stopped me in my tracks….I think I have found a way of meditating for just two minutes and 52 seconds! So see if you can find just two minutes and 52 seconds out of your day and be transported to a magical place in our very own Adelaide Hills. (and you will see a glimpse of some of my stitching too!) Thankyou so much Nydia and Ken x

Show and tell

Spring is definitely a time of change with the recent weather events here in Adelaide. We have gone from a record breaking October heat-wave to chilly and cold. Last week we had a spectacular storm which resulted in us losing power for 16 hours. One forgets how much we depend on electricity and it was a challenge doing nothing in the dark for hours. It was actually very frightening and loud with extreme lightning and thunder overhead. I tried to get some photos but I think I need to learn how to get spectacular shots like these (credit is beneath the photos)……..

source

Ben Heide Photography found on the Adelaide Now website

The website for the above photographer is well worth a visit as it is full of photos from near where we live too. So here are my attempts as the sky started to change colour…….

All is calm once again and it is high time I shared some quilt photos that have been kindly sent to me over the last couple of weeks. First is from Judy in Queensland with her version of my Renaissance quilt pattern. She won first place in her category as did her long arm quilter. My version is on a black background and it is lovely to see it like this……your quilt is beautiful once again Judy and thanks for the photo and congratulations on your award!

Marina in Perth sent me an image of her version of the My Walk in Melbourne pattern and it is stunning as you can see…..thanks Marina and well done too…….

Julie from Sydney has been very busy with several Morris designs and all looking fabulous. I love the quilt on her bed…just divine with all those bunnies. Thanks Julie……

More from the Queensland quilt show and some more winners too! Rosemary attended one of my design classes and came up with this fabulous result. Her reward was a second place and a judges choice award. Congratulations Rosemary - it is beautiful! (and I am teaching another design class here next year for those of you thinking of going to AQC!)

And finally Jenny with her version of A William Morris Garden pattern. Jenny told me she loved doing this as all the flowers reminded her of her childhood garden in Wales. I love it Jenny - the colours are glowing (as are you too!), and thanks for the photos……

 So a little other news from home. We have had some more work done around the house - part of the process of making it "ours". I've been spoilt with a new kitchen sink and benchtops………(the benefits of Larry back at work!)

 And also a pergola out the back which has helped immensely with the hot morning sun on the back part of the house. I call it another "room" and Larry has his own lounge-about which he has already enjoyed while reading………..

The tomato plants are blooming as is my Morris rose………..

 There is a special place for the little ones including the beginnings of a fairy house which Beau and I have been working on……….

 The roses have been wonderful and I never tire of them as you can tell by all the photos I share each post! The two Pierre-de-Ronsards are wonderful and I look forward to them cascading over the arch……..

Amongst the many roses I planted are a yellow and white rose that are just delicious!……

 The unfortunate part of my week was reversing out of the roller door garage and having an unexpected car parked in my blindspot in the driveway! Lewis who was working on the pergola at the time was more worried about me than the damage to his car. Amazing how you do something everyday like clockwork…."roller door up, look in the rear vision mirror and take off"! I heard a crunch and still couldn't see anything in the mirror so figured I'd run over something……got out and discovered I had hit a car. But $1800 damage just for this????!!!!!

It has been a busy couple of weeks as we prepare for our annual quilt show. Judging is complete with results to be announced at the gala night on Thursday this week. So for now these are the latest photos of our dear Maisie with big brother Beau reading to her….

I hope life is good wherever you are x