An Apple A Day

Hey Guys, just letting you know to check out the latest issue of 'Country Threads' - Bountiful Harvest, out now. I have a project in there called "An Apple A Day", which is two lovely cushions, that you can complete in a weekend featuring an apple box label fruit print.

My Garden...the best place to be...in the summertime...

Today I went to the local nursery and bought a beautiful new bird bath...bought it home and filled it with recycled water...I also splashed out on some new plants for my garden to go with my magnificent roses...I have chosen plants that flower prolifically and have the same colour palette; either pink, purple or white...they look so pretty....

my scented roses...

New flowers for my garden...

Christmas has come again...and gone again!!

Isn't is amazing just how we spend weeks planning Christmas; our gifts; the Christmas meal; wrapping the presents; only to have in one day, it totally demolished.... I had a very heavily ladened tree this year, with gifts for cousins, nieces and nephews, sons and daughters and for my husband...only for it to be all gone by Christmas night...is it worth it she cried...ABSOLUTELY YES!

My greatest joy is to give...to give of love, family and presents. To bring family together to celebrate at this time of the year...

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas and have a fun filled New Year...

This is my tree after the event...it's looking a little sad...and one of my most favourite decorations this year....

A beautiful beaded bird...

Our City Tour

Tony and I spent the day today in our beautiful city - Melbourne! Our friends (the city buffs) took us a backstage tour of some of their favourite haunts and sights in and around Melbourne.

We started the day at Nth Bawlyn Cemetery, looking at the mausoleum of the acclaimed Elisabeth Springfield, who died over 100 years ago. In his grief, her husband created the most magnificent shrine to his wife...it is definitely something to see.

A Celtic Cross at the Cemetery...

We then travelled by tram into the city, stopping at Flinders Street. By the time the tram got to the city it was packed full off race goers, all heading off to Derby Day. We walked from there up to Degraves Street where we stopped and had a well earned cup of coffee and a muffin, at an outside eatery. I was entralled by the people and the sights that past before my eyes, I could have stayed and watched all day, just wondering where and what these different people, were doing and where they were going.

This is a photo across from where we were sitting....

We visited the State Library, looking at the exhibitions that were on show at the time, mostly about our history of books and literature and our history of Australia. It was fascinating just to look and to read about our history and just spend time - quality time reflecting on our pioneers and how they forged the country that we live in - it was quite humbling.

The writing on the wall... the beginning of the literature exhibition...

Artwork on another wall...

We travelled down some side alleys and lanes and came across some beautiful and very artisitc graffiti....

We had a great day and were thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day... it's kind of great just exploring your own city...we have so many unearthed treasures...

Fresh New Quilt....A Slice of Heaven II

I just needed to quilt..it has been awhile since I created anything...and I felt the need to create! This quilt uses some of my favourite fabrics in a simple square in a square design...couldn't be easier to make and gives a quick beautiful result. This quilt was featured in the Homespun Magazine Vol 9, No 9 Page 79, but in a different colourway. It is a design I created called "A Slice of Heaven", because any work that you do just on a whim is a slice of heaven!!!

Glenharrow Gardens Stitch In 2008

Wow! The sun is shining and warm, and we are again sitting in one of the most beautiful places, with only one thing to do - that is to stitch! My friend Nancy and myself spend Sunday past at Glenharrow Gardens in Belgrave at the Spring Stitch In 2008, with Rosalie Quinlan and Leanne Beasley. We have been given 2 lovely stitcheries to do, or if we don't get to finish, which is highly likely, due to all the talking, we get to take them home to finish. Lunch consisted of the most magnificent food I think I have ever had. We had a most satisfying day and are both thoroughly refreshed and totally inspired! Here are a collection of photos that I took during the day.... And thankyou to Rosalie, Leanne and Nell for hosting yet another enjoyable Stitch In...

Our Inspiration...


My friend Nancy's work...in progress!

A Beautiful Blue Peacock....

The Stitching Room... Full of Inspiration of Every Wall...

The Barn Area... The Room where Lunch was Served....

Vanilla Slice... Yummy!

And more Stitching after Lunch...... Well Maybe!!
Lots of talking and catching up with friends and just a little stitching...

A Slice of Heaven - My 'Homespun' Profile!!

Homespun Magazine Vol 9 No 9 Page 79 - 84

Just wanted to share with you all my profile that has just been released in "Homespun" magazine - it is very exciting to have had this done and together with a project, it's a great feeling to finally be out there - sharing what I love to do the most and that is create and share. I believe that we are designed to be creators - but ultimately we must share in that creativity. I hope you all grap a copy of the magazine and have a read.