Sunday, September 28, 2008

Myra's 200th Post!

A little quiet moment without the family about ... please check out Myra's blog, Tactile Pleasures in Fabric. Yesterday she posted a great tutorial on a pincushion/thread catcher bag.
Myra is a great Blogland friend who is always there - worth a visit!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Scrap Happy Project!

Wow ... I have woken up feeling so well this morning, I can't believe it! I feel better than I have done in months, so new asthma treatment and antibiotics have finally kicked in. I am so happy and so determined to have a good weekend!

It's a bit of a story, but all being well I will bring Mum home again later next week - she is really well now and really wants to come home, so lets hope and pray she doesn't continue to have falls. I am thinking I may have my wings clipped a bit and may be at home a bit more with Mum and have been really wanting to think of starting a new project (yes, another, don't we all do it!).

Dear Kathie Holland (Inspired by Antique Quilts), a wonderful inspiration to us all is having a little break away from blogging at the moment. However, I was fortunate enough to be sent the above magazine featuring one of her quilts (American Patchwork & Quilting October 2008). My Dolly Quilt Swap partner sent it and I'm feeling very sentimental about Kathie's design, so I have been inspired to put my own twist on it with a sort of Thirties touch using the lower blue Kaffe Fassett fabric as my feature fabric. Sort of whimsical and quirky, but I think it will work - hope to trial later next week.

While racing about this week, I decided I really must buy a new handbag. Did a lot of searching, it had to have access to car keys, glasses, mobile phone, etc. I really procrastinate when shopping, so am pleased about finding this bag. It is a little different, by Nica of London, so let's hope it stands the test of time. It should go with everything and there should be plenty of room for me to lose things in it!

The roses are starting to bloom again, though we are still having quite a lot of cold, wet weather. Should not be long now until all the annuals are in bloom.

Hope you all have a good weekend! Thanks for visiting!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A Good Start to the Week!

Oh, how lovely this looks to me - this is my sewing room! It has been a MESS for weeks and has been really bugging me, so yesterday was the day. I didn't get any sewing done over the weekend and have a busy week ahead, but maybe later in the week I will get a chance. Have made so many promises to myself to keep the room tidy ... we'll see how we go!


I use the front lounge room of the house as my Sewing Room and at this point in time could move to a bedroom, but prefer to stay where I am - lovely bright, sunny outlook - the roses are all in bud - and it is nice to see the passing traffic, especially as it is often people and their dogs.

I had a surprise visit from Jan and Bill of Gallivantour on Sunday - they are down in Perth for a wedding - it was just lovely to catch up with them - check out their travels around Australia. The change away really agrees with them - they are looking lightly tanned and healthy as!

Off to Teena's for sewing today - hope to catch up with lots of friends. Have a busy week ahead as I'm not too happy about the situation with Mum in the nursing home, so it's a week of social workers and doctors.

'Bye, 'bye!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Have a Good Weekend!

Yesterday I went to my local sewing group and shared a lovely day with friends - it is a while since I have been so it was nice to catch up on everything, sew and chat. I did manage to make a start on my Hexagon Sewing Bag - always so lovely to work with Kaffe Fassett fabrics - certainly not boring - I think I will be happy with the outcome - hope my mortal is!


This is a beautiful view from Karon Point, Phuket, Thailand - so peaceful and calm!
As I mentioned previously, Oy met us at the airport in Phuket and surprised me with this big basket of beautiful roses. Imagine dragging this beautiful creation through barricades and protestors and trying to keep the children safe. I wish I could have taken photos, but was too scared - I don't know what the protestors would have done if I had photgraphed them - I did think about it, but decided not to take the risk.

I am being a brave girl today and sprucing up Mum's room - must think happy thoughts while doing so! I visited again yesterday and she seems reasonably good about it all and is settling in. Have #1 Son's room to spruce up also, so hopefully can gather the necessary emotional strength this weekend and get things done.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hexagon Sewing Bag for My Mortal!

As you can see ... a new pic of me with white? hair! Dark roots are fashionable ... white roots, not so! This way regrowth won't be noticeable - DD, Angela (hairdresser) is not at all impressed - however, we have agreed to disagree and I'm sure she will go back to being my hairdresser again! All sounds a bit vain and self-centred but girls will be girls - just a shame I had to go prematurely white (LOL)!

We all had a lovely day together yesterday at WAQA (Guild) - so good to catch up with friends - lots of news and gossip and new quilts and projects to see.

As you can see by my sidebar, I have become a Stitcher's Angel. Henreike has stated she likes country colours, but happened to mention the name Kaffe Fassett. That was enough for me - so today I will start on the dilly bag above for her! I love anything Kaffe and happened to have the patterned fabric on hand. It is a bright, happy project for me and that is what I need at the moment. Hope she likes it?

Hope to have a cuppa with Julia today - haven't seen her since before I went to Thailand - though we chat all the time.

Hope all is well - bye!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Temple in Thailand and Posts Corrected!


I know my previous post of last night is a bit confusing - you see I was unable to post normally and enter a link. Donna, of Chookyblue helped me - all that time wasted trying to get things corrected. I just love, Chooky and have told her so!

As one would expect, I took stacks of photos of Thailand and here are a couple of the inside of one of the beautiful temples. You will notice Yours Truly has almost white? hair now - will post a decent photo when I get one. I liked it coloured as hairdressser daughter, Angela, did it, but I didn't like regrowth - I think I am happy with it now. Anyhow, this is not about me, me, me, just an explanation.

It was a very beautiful temple, with lots of floors - the lower pic is of dear friend, Oy - the young (27) Thai girl I have spoken about. I had a great tour of all the wall paintings explaining the Buddhist religion - a little too much to absorb in one go.

Oy was with us the whole time we were in Thailand and we all had such great times - I have very happy memories!

Off to WAQA (Guild) now - have a great day!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Is It Working?

I've gone into Compose!

Quilt-As-You-Go Hourglass Quilt!



I am still having trouble with my blog - gremlins have been at it and I can't fix - just a few changes and minor things, but I don't like them! Sorry, I can't set up any links at present - will just have to keep working on it.

This great quilt has been made by our group, Creative Threads. At first we intended making JUST a charity quilt - now we have decided to raffle it with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Research. It really is a fun quilt to make - each hourglass being done separately then joined by hand. The girls have put a lot of work into it and as folks saw it being done they suggested with so much work involved it should be raffled. We all think that is a great idea!

Our Hostess Day for West Australian Quilters' Association is 15 October and the girls have great things planned to make it a day with a difference.

I still haven't started stitching - don't know where to start, that's my problem - oh, well, I guess this week will be quieter than last - sure hope so. I want to be able to show you Lisa's correct blogspot - we'll try again - http://lmdandmyworld.blogspot.com/ and also I have heard from Kathie and have news of her in my latest American Patchwork and Quilting, so shall post about that later in the week.

'Bye for now - have a good week!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Butterflies and My Doll Quilt Swap Angel - Lisa!!!



Hi Everyone,

I am sure you will all know how thrilled I am with my new dolly quilt from Lisa. If only you could understand what joy this quilt brings to me at this time, Lisa - I will treasure it forever!

Lisa used some vintage reproduction fabrics and it is hand and machine quilted and an orginal design - I love it, love it, love it! Also included was an American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine, which I love, but don't have this particular copy, and also a very pretty, dainty fat quarter, and a lovely card.

I am working in Java Script??? and can't get up Lisa's blog so please visit her if you wish - http://lmdandmyworld.blogspot.com. I have also listed her on my sidebar, so maybe that will work. Someday soon I will get Julia to help me sort it out - meanwhile, hope I am getting there!



Mum moved to a nursing home, Shoalwater Lodge, yesterday. At present she is there on respite until we get the financial negotiations sorted out - it is a wonderful facility and I would think ***** as far as nursing homes go. Hopefully she will remain there in the room she is in - this is what I want for her!

Doesn't she look wonderful for less than a month off 90 years - I took her red roses and a beautiful little purple Thai silk elephant. Unfortunately, she had a fall last night, but fortunatley just cut her leg. I have been and read the riot act to her today - she really must allow those carers to care for her full time! Of all the tears I have shed, I am now convinced I can no longer care for her at home. Hopefully in the days to come, we will both feel as we do now, as she has accepted her situation with great grace and dignity and it is what she wants,too!

Being the neat-freak that I am, I have at last managed to get my house in order as much as I can considering the changes that are taking place. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to think about stitching again.

Thanks for being my friends and thank you once again, Lisa - you are a little ray of sunshine!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Swasdeeka - Hello!



Hi Everyone!

We are home from Thailand after a wonderful fun-filled holiday. We survived landing amidst political unrest, protestors and barricades - madly busy, exciting and wonderful times in Phuket - heat, markets, robbery and designer stores in Bangkok. Can't help but mention divine Thai food!

When the wheels of our aircraft hit the runway in Perth, Australia, I knew what life changes and busy times were ahead of me. My mother, who has lived with me for over 8 years and who I have looked after for over 14 years will move into a nursing home. She has been in hospital while I have been in Thailand and is really back to good health and a positive attitude now.

Emotionally, I am not in a very relaxed place, but have accepted that's life! Have quickly had a browse through quite a few blogs and emails and really appreciate all your news and nice thoughts. I am looking forward to having my life sorted out and becoming a Professional Pleasure Seeker again.

It is nice to be back in the loop - God Bless!