March block Complete

This is my March block for the Adventure Block Swap. It will be on its way to Colorado on Monday. My partner liked brights with definition in a pinwheel design.

Rehearsal for Murder

My most talented and beautiful friend Kurt has taken on the role of director for 'Rehearsal for Murder'. A brilliant 'who did it' play with a constant blend of humour and intrigue. The cast was amazing.

I highly recommend this thrilling. theatrical mystery, so gather your friends and loved ones and go and see this play now showing at the Mousetrap Theatre, Redcliffe until March 12, 2011.

Where : Mousetrap Theatre, Redcliffe Showgrounds (Entrance via Lamington Drive)
When : February 25th, 26th at 7.30 pm and 27th at 2.00 pm / March 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th at 7.30 and 6th at 2.00 pm

Tickets : Adults - $15.00 / Pension Card $12.00 / School children $10.00

Tickets available from Thurecht's of Redcliffe, Sutton Street, Redcliffe

It's so easy - it's all in the manual

At my age I should know that nothing is ever easy. There were five people today with ten degrees between us trying to put the long arm together. After four hours we threw the towel in because we had extra parts and no instructions on how to put the these different parts together. One call to sales and we found that the 14' table does have specialised parts and this has not been updated in the manual. Hmmmmm. I will have to call in the specialists!

Jelly Rolls Galore!

Just in at my little shop are Sherbet Pips, Antique Fair, A Morris Tapestry and Pom Pom de Paris Jelly Rolls. I love Jelly Rolls. Not only can you make so many quick quilt designs using the 2.5" strips, you can also use them for making the 1" sided hexagons. The template fits perfectly across the width of the strip.

Many flower Wednesday

I have been making thirteen 'welcome' hexies for the swap and one wee one for my February partner.

Lots of goodies in the mail today.

Melody, from my hexagon swap, has sent me this delightful and cheeky flower. (Sorry, the chocolates never make it out of the post office). I love it. It is like one of those paintings where the eyes seem to follow you no matter where you go.

Also, my mug rugs arrived today courtesy of Martine in Belgium. They are simply gorgeous. The stitchery, colours and quilting is perfect. Thank you, Martine. Everyone at my local shopping centre have seen them as I opened them at the post office.

What could this be?

A nearly finished room

A very long crate

A very big crate

Tuesday's Treasure - 21st present

Growing up there are people who make such an impact on your life that you never forget them. This gorgeous tea set was given to me by Grandma and Grandpa Conway for my 21st. They were not even my own grandparents but I loved them dearly. Grandpa Conway was in his 90's and read my tea leaves after school on my visits. He told the most thrilling stories of his adventures as a merchant sailor. Grandma would make me bacon and eggs. Those are beautiful memories I hope to keep for ever.

A very Morris Piano Runner

I fell in love with the new Barbara Brackman collection - A Morris Tapestry from Moda and decided to make a piano runner and stool cover for the Moda Bake Shop. This is my fourth recipe. The pattern has no curved piecing but uses applique to create the orange peel block design. I would like to make a full sized quilt using this method. Ah, one day!

Moda Bake Shop is a wonderful place to be inspired.

Just into the Little Shop - Layer Cakes $30

Mug Rug Swap

Come join in the Mug Rug Swap Adventure over at Leona's Quilting Adventure.

February Block Swap

Sandi from The States has sent me this beautiful block, hand painted card and gorgeous dragonfly earrings. I love them. Thank you, Sandi.

Thank you Hexie from Ingrid

Lately, when I clear the mail box, I find a little surprise waiting for me. This one is from Ingrid in Denmark. Ingrid is part of our hexagon swap and she wrote, "The children symbolise that we are from many parts of the world in this fun swap." How true. Thank you Ingrid. It will look beautiful in my flower garden.

.... And this is how the garden is looking.

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day. Make this day and all days about Love.

I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon with my beloved and some friends and went to the movies. We watched (and cried through) - Sarah's Key

Valentine Swap

Sandy at Cookies and Cream Craft hosted a Valentines swap.

 I sent Andrea this pillow ....

and Andrea sent me this wall hanging.

Isn't it beautiful. I love the colours, stitchery and gorgeous ceramic button in the centre. I am so lucky. 

Thank you Sandy for hosting the swap and thank you Andrea for being my partner.

Just because ......

Behold, in the mail this morning was a large, yellow envelope filled with beautiful hexies. The lovely Anorina from Samelia's Mum had made me some hexies - just because ..... What a beautiful thing to do. I am deeply touched and love the colours and designs.

Anorina is hosting a giveaway. Rush over to her site now and make sure you have a look at her beautiful creations. Anorina is one talented quilter and designer.

When Fussy is Good

Look what arrived in the post today. I am speechless. What a wonderful design. Thank you Pia.

Tuesday's Treasure - Happy Hens

My husband always thinks of something different for Anniversary presents and one year he gave me some Happy Hens. These little darlings are made in Portobello in NZ. I have even seen them in fabric.

These are my happy hens. The girls are gentle, unobtrusive, great insect controllers and scrap eaters, not to mention the deep, golden eggs they produce.

Another printed whim

This is my second attempt at (personal) fabric design. One of my colours came out a little too light but nothing I cannot fix. Once again you can see my addiction with hexagons. I have a plan for this piece of fabric, including a hexie flower for my swap.

A printed whim

I am a great fan of Spoonflower and one day decided to whip up a design in Illustrator (in 5 minutes flat) and make a sample of fabric to play with. Being an avid hexaculturalist, my design emerged as hexagons and swirls in my two favourite colours - red and turquoise.

I will be sending this one to a member of my swap that loves red and turquoise too. What will I do with it next?

The Garden Grows

Yesterday in the mail arrived three lovely flowers from my swap groups. One each from Hanne S, Sharyn and Kate. Thank you ladies. They are just perfect.

Block Swap 2 for February

Currently, I am in two 12" block swaps. This is my block for a fellow aussie who loves earthy greens and browns. I used William Morris fabrics and reproductions to give it a very earthy character.

Block for February Adventure Swap

My partner loves autumn tones and mauve. I hope violet is a good substitute for mauve. I don't seem to have that colour in my stash.

Tuesday's Treasure - Mini Me

Cleaning out a cupboard one day, I stumbled upon a rolled up piece of paper. On this paper was a charcoal portrait of my husband, sketched when he was only eight years old. The paper was slightly creased and yellowed so I had it restored and framed.

It hangs on the glass door to my quilting space and when people look at it they say, "What a beautiful drawing of William". William is my oldest son you looks the spitting image of my husband.

Giveaway at Poppy Seed Fabrics

For your chance to win a fabulous fabric bundle from Tina Givens new range - Haven's Edge, visit Diary of a Quilter. Giveaway sponsored by Poppyseed Fabrics.

Closes Thursday 3rd February 2011.