"Time out" of the best sort

I've just had a fabulous three nights away that was the most perfect "time out" that a friend could ask for especially when those friends also like to quilt! Faye picked up Vicki and Delma me, so with two cars full of more sewing supplies than clothes we drove two and a half hours north to the National Heritage listed town of Burra. The history of Burra is linked to copper mining with descendants from Cornwall, Scotland and Wales and I read with interest that Burra was once responsible for 5% of the world's copper for 15 years. The first mine opened in 1848 and Wikipedia tells us it was probably responsible for helping South Australia to prosper during difficult times of first settlement. I love the old buildings and the two fully restored cottages we stayed in are perfect for quilters as you will see.........

 Deb and her team of builders have done the most incredible job and HERE you can see many photos of the renovations - they are quite remarkable! Deb's attention to detail inside reminds us of our love of stitching with many lovely features and a very open and light airy space to sew........

Faye, Delma and Vicki spend much of their time sewing charity quilts and a pink one was completed by Faye while Delma stitched almost 30 breast cancer surgery comfort pillows....... 

 Faye also completed this quilt top for me......all those tiny four inch blocks.....you are the best quilting friend a girl could ask for Faye!! This was going to be in my third William Morris book that I abandoned so now it is time for me to appliqué a Tree of Life in the centre and maybe add another border...........

 On the first morning beyond the back fence an emu greeted us.....you need to look carefully in the centre of the photo as he/she was well camouflaged......

We enjoyed a couple of walks where these beautiful stone structures charmed us all........

 Two "blossoms" under the blossom........

 One can only imagine how many thousands of years old these slate layers have been around........

 Thankyou girls for such a wonderful time and thankyou Deb for allowing us to share in your beautiful retreat - the first of many - I might even take Larry for a weekend away soon! So it is back to life here at home with much of it consumed with the little people. This is what our lounge looked like a couple of days ago.....

It is currently Book Week here across the whole of Australia where we celebrate Australian children's literature and the current theme is "find your TREASURE". I am looking forward to Beau's book week school parade but for now we enjoyed the younger members of the family participating yesterday. Maisie and Wade both attend the same childcare centre on a Wednesday so two little pirates were dressed for the occasion........

 Little pirate Wade and another precious image that Sophie received via a text message of Maisie visiting Wade in the baby room last week............

Some of Larry's 'time out' while I was away included some colouring in - a book given to him by the family as they know he loves to colour by number just like his tapestries! These animals are colour coded and the dog was composed of thousands of tiny hexagons and the armadillo just rectangles. Larry has way more patience than me!

 Thanks again for sharing in our lives........I will have some very exciting and unexpected news next post!! It is all about that saying "Never say Never"!!! See you then! x