A window to winter

Today in our part of the world it is the first day of winter and as I write this it is all quiet in the house. Larry has gone to the football so my afternoon is just for me to do what I love best.......

 Yes.....I am creating some new work with inspiration from a chintz petticoat dating from 1750...more of that in the coming months! I have also basted a quilt (with the help of good friends), in preparation for some long stitch quilting using perle cottons...but first I thought I should machine quilt close to all the appliqué.....it certainly keeps one warm with the quilting gloves on....

 I also have a pile of hospice and charity baby quilts all ready for hand stitching the bindings. I work in a small room 3 metres (9 feet) x 3.8 metres (12 feet), and my sewing tables, cutting space, computer, printer and filing cabinet are in this space as well so I wondered where I could store the pile of quilts.........

Some years ago I picked up a very cheap stool covered in an equally cheap fabric, so I decided to give it a new cover with fabric leftover from our curtains and it has worked a treat for storing those quilts......

When Larry gets home he will be in either a good or bad mood depending on the football score (!!), where his winter tapestry is waiting where he left it........ 

I noticed Larry's other pastime has remained where he left it on the table as well.......

 Meanwhile that window to winter means it is very chilly with mornings around 5C and during the day pushing to 14C (if the sun comes out!). We have had some wonderful rain but the forecast tells us there will be no rain for at least a week now........

Our ornamental pear trees have showed no autumn colours this year and are still holding on to their leaves and the ground is covered in self sown seedlings that will become a mass of pink flowers in spring......

 This gorgeous (and very large), chrysanthemum that I received for Mother's Day is still blooming inside and I've noticed shoots appearing in the pot so that might find a home in the garden too....... 

 There has been a little sadness in our lives this past week and that coincidentally follows on from my last blog post where I chatted about 'love being enough'.......we have had the news that love was not enough for the parents of little Wade and that they have gone their separate ways. We are hoping that things work out for the best and continue to support them all as best we can......

 The other half of the family are looking forward to the final year of four long years of study for their Dad. Maisie turns five in July but has to wait until next year before she can start school. She can already write and I was thrilled to get this kindy art work where she wrote both our names......

 We try to get the three cousins together as often as we can and Beau and Wade definitely have a special connection......this photo was taken at a much warmer time of year!......

We are heading to our beloved Robe in a few days for a much needed break so for now I hope you can follow the Dalai's inspirational words like I am..........