Happy Birthday Larry

My best friend and biggest fan checks this blog regularly just to see what we have been up to!!! So this is for you Larry....Happy, Happy Birthday....born on this day 59 years ago - Lawrence Edwin. I gave Larry a ride to Melbourne to see his beloved Carlton football team beat Hawthorn. Well it wasn't to be but I believe it was a very exciting and close game. I am not a football fan but it amazes me how many are. The crowd of over 46,000 made a tide against me as I headed in the opposite direction and they kept coming and coming - that was a spectacle in itself.........a sea of blue and white and yellow and purple scarves and beanies...

Off to the game..........

 It is a typical cold day in Melbourne today, but that didn't stop us from venturing out to see some fabulous sights........

Tonight we are having dinner with a special friend and her husband so home tomorrow

Time flies

As one gets older it seems time goes a little faster....I cannot believe it is 11 days since I last blogged! We've been a little downhearted here in the Hill household with sad family and friend news....but as they say - life does go on. I had the weekend at Jude's Sanctuary and I put in a mammoth number of hours doing some machine appliqué. The fire kept us warm each day.......

And here is a little progress to share. Pauline soldiered on with unfinished projects despite feeling a little unwell.......(and for some reason I missed out on catching Helen at work)

 Pat was probably the overachiever completing several bags......

 and this wonderful red and white quilt.......

Christina continued piecing her reproduction star blocks.....her work is meticulous and her points so perfect......

 As for Jude....well she was supposed to be having a weekend of sewing too but that chair was empty quite often!!......

 Val was working on Lessa Siegele's "Ring Cycles". (And do you know you can join Lessa in Fiji later this year - details are all HERE. You can also join Lessa on a cruise around New Zealand in February 2014 as well - more details for that one HERE)

 Jocelyn worked on completing her machine embroidered blocks that she had done in Jude's class. Wonderful machine stitching that had pieces from the past in it......

This was the scene after a late night of frenzied stitching........

 and we also got the chance to catch up on this while we stitched!!.....

 Jude has some new friends in the garden and her flowers continue to bloom.......

 ...and I am pleased to say Jude did finally get some work done....the evidence is on the floor!!!...

Mignon dropped by to share her exquisite hand pieced hexagons........just beautiful.......

 I was pleased to finally visit Val's historic little store in nearby Mundulla. A small village with a charm about it and full of history.

 Gorgeous celling rose......

 On the way back Jude took us to see the rare white kangaroo colony. The first was born in 1984 and you can read more about them HERE.....

Now I won't show the shot of Jude tucking into this but it was nice to see her unwinding! Thanks Jude for another wonderful weekend of friendship and time out - you are a treasure xx

 When I got home cuddles were way overdue but again the books win!!

 He is growing up way too fast!

I also had the most wonderful thankyou gift in the mail from Queensland. Rose didn't have enough fabric to complete a quilt so I popped some in the post for her...and look what came back! Lucky me - Thankyou Rose - I will treasure the cushion always xx

So because there is a little sadness about our place I have decided it is time to share some joy.......so I am giving away some leftover Block of the Month pattern packs for the Adelaide Collection Floral Sampler. (detail is of Jude's exquisite quilting)

In November 2011, I blogged that my quilt had gone missing in the post - well it is still missing so maybe one day I might make another. I have no original fabrics left and they are no longer available, but I am sure you and I can substitute and even think about using a darker background. So I have 8 complete pattern sets to give away. Leave me a message and I will get Larry to do another lucky dip. (I will leave it for a week before we do the draw). May this bring joy to others and smiles to those who need them xx