Books, Dolls and Roses!

It seems to have been a very long week - sadly very little stitching - lots of spring cleaning ... even though it isn't spring! I received this book in the mail this morning - the title says it all!

At a very quick glance - I'm smitten! I have always felt so sorry I missed Gwen's first book and I think, I'm not sure, I'm one of the first Australians to see her second book! Maybe it is time - time to abandon the neatness and precision of traditional quilt making and move on to a bit of creative freestyle - I must admit my inspiration won't come from within and I will have to keep getting it from other sources - but, that's okay!

Here's another couple of pages from the same book - lots of fun!

Have you noticed my two new Kimmi dolls - I love them! They have been calling me for a long time and now I have indulged - maybe they won't call anymore - I'm so happy with these little ones!

Yes, I have discovered Fishpond and another two new books - purely for coffee table purpose!

A beautiful climber, Don Juan - he has survived our very hot weather!

It is so lovely to drive into the garage and be greeted by these pretties - makes my heart lift!

Another weekend is nearly here - I hope to get some sewing done - I hope yours is a good one, too!

Still a Sneak-Peek!

First finish 2010!

The Fragrance of the Rose

The disciples were absorbed in a discussion of Lao-tzu's dictum:

"Those who know do not say;

Those who say, do not know."

When the master entered,

they asked him what the words meant.

Said the master, "Which of you knows the fragrance of a rose?"

All of them indicated that they knew.

Then he said, "Put it into words."

All of them were silent.

from One Minute Wisdom by Anthony DeMello

Shocking Blue!

The Race That Stops a Nation!

Hello Melbourne! It is your day! Today the Melbourne Cup will be run - this is Australia's richest horserace - so I hope all you punters out there will go home rich! Have fun at your luncheons and parties!

Flemington Racecourse will be stunning with the display of roses and I have picked a few little buds from my garden - the yellow ones are for you Miriam !

' The small rocking horse quilt you've posted appears in the book, "Wisconsin Quilts: History in the Stitches," written by Ellen Kort. It appears on page 166. It dates back to 1935-1940 and was part of a WPA Handicraft Project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Maribeth Schmitin historic Cedarburg, WisconsinNQA Certified Quilt Judge'

I received the above email this morning - it came Anonymous, but I guess it was written by Maribeth - a nice little bit of information to have, thanks!

My Stitcher's Angel parcel is jetting its way to Sweden and we've had a SSCS reminder from Chookyblue today about our SSCS - I'm almost there with posting later this month!
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I still have PIF's to do and of course, friends pressies! Oh, maybe I should get to that sewing machine today! Have a wonderful day everyone!

Spring Fever!

Finally Spring is here - sunshine and warm days - just wonderful!

I stitched this quilt top yesterday from a jelly roll - aptly named Spring Fever! I intend donating it to our local patchwork group as second prize for an exhibition they are holding in January. Hope they like it!

My new roses are coming along nicely - every time I see yellow roses now I think of Miriam of Yellow Roses - I was fortunate to meet Miriam briefly on my last trip to Melbourne for the show! This one is called Friesia and the fragrance is absolutely delightful!

Angel Face - now isn't she so pretty - lightly perfumed, too!

For our guild Christmas Party next month it has been suggested we wear aprons. Some Girlfriends! are going to make and wear this little pinny! For me probably tights or black cropped pants and a black tee under this apron and I'll choose a lovely, modern fabric - for after use, I'll be the best-dressed gardener , in town and okay to pop to the local shop, too, LOL!

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Happy weekend everyone - I have a sewing date today and we are going to test Texture Magic - should be lots of fun!

Hire-a- Hubby Day!

When I do something, I do it properly!

Meet my new Hubby - kinda cute, hey! Sadly I have him for five hours only - see the weed mat going down, roses transplanted and new ones to go in - oh, yes, I am doing a happy dance!

Back to reality - here are my hexies for Green Tea & Sweet Beans! In this quilt, I have taken the opportunity to use little pieces of fabrics from Nanette of Freda's Hive even though fabrics are supplied in the BOM package - just a few nice little memories to have!

I recently read a tip to use Bottom Line thread for English paper piecing - wonderful - invisible stitches and will withstand the heat of a very hot iron - must have a little try on my applique!

GT&SB uses newspaper print for the backgound on a couple of blocks - I love it and quite a few people have been intrigued by it! good news - new from moda Authentic - so shop away, Girls! I noticed in Barbara Brackman's book When the Cold Wind Blows, some of the leaves in a particular pattern have been done in a pretty blue newspaper print fabric, so how very versatile is this!

PS - good news Aussie Girls - I have just opened an email from Busy Thimbles - woohoo! they have this range in stock

New book and a new jelly roll of Kaffe's 2009.

I rather fancy this gorgeous pattern by Kim McLean - very tempting, so we'll see! More Kaffe's to come, so my stash will be very healthy!

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Perhaps I should mention I do seriously support local and Australian patchwork stores - just every now and then I get a little distracted with armchair shopping and every day an exciting new range of fabrics seems to take my fancy - I think I have a lot of friends with the same disease, LOL!

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I'm looking forward to a productive weekend - hope yours is a happy one, too!