The best view

I nearly said 'in the world' and I think it is.  This is the view from my laundry, really no excuse not to do the ironing is there?

I have been busy with some sewing but no photos until I am finished so I thought I had better post something  :-)

Sew along

I have joined the sew along that Lesley Boost at SewHappy.Me has organised. 

How cute is this? I will be back with pictures once I have finished.

More bushfires

Very smokey in Hobart today, the fires at Molesworth are sending a haze over the city. Residents have been told to evacuate, hopefully no houses will be burnt. You do wonder how these fires start. So sad for everyone affected.

 

Clouds of smoke billowing from behind the mountain

 

Finally finished my next block for the Red Brolly Wish Quilt, do you think I will get all the others finished by Christmas?  This was quite involved (for me anyway) and it came with me to England and back. I have to admit I didn't do all that much of it when I was on holidays.

 

Only the third block finished, what do I do with my time!

I think she is happy!

Here is Miss Caity, library bag no way! This special bag is going to hold her ballet and tap shoes.

I think she might like it and I was thrilled to receive the photo, always nice to see the reaction even if at a distance!

Computer Kaput

I came out a couple of days ago to do some work at the computer to find it locked up. Today I sat down to try and fix it only to find it looks like a mother board problem and no go. It has been playing up for a while but I have been able to do a repair and all was well but not this time.

Looks like that will curb my online shopping *sob* for a while.  Now should I get a shiny new one or repair? Decisions, decisions.

Australia Day

I had a very lazy day today for Australia Day. I put my flags up first thing as I forgot last year!

Flags flying and table ready for champagne to celebrate Australia Day

Then drove down the Channel to visit two absolutely beautiful open gardens. 

The first one was Greenslade, where Wyn and Rupert, the garden owners, have created paradise.  They came from the Northern Territory seven years ago, looking for a cooler climate.  The garden was established but had been reduced in size from the original when gardeners were employed.  Wyn told us they have reinstated the borders and they also have an orchard and vegetable garden. The herbaceous borders and the roses were just fantastic. Lovely walks down to the beach and along the creek with a small waterfall.

These photos don't do it justice. A magic spot.

 

Then up to Bracken Ridge, at Flowerpot. A very new garden only four years old, I feel very inadequate when I view their hard work.

 

Beautiful flowers, lovely spot with views out over the Channel.....sorry not a photo here of that

 

 

A scarecrow garding the compost and the echidna who thought by hiding here I couldn't see it!

 

So many bees! and they were huge!

 

Fantastic vegetable garden, so jealous!

Of course coffee and cake *yum* at Fleurties near Woodbridge rounded off a lovely morning. Then dropping my friend home what did we spy on her drive but an echidna, how Australian is that? 

 

 

top photo is a sculpure at Fleurties, so kitsch it was georgeous. the cacutus flower was also there, IT WAS HUGE!

 

Oh I forgot to mention the amazing scarecrows all down the highway, couldn't resist stopping to photograph the two headed Tasmanian and the buxom wench hitching to the fair (Middleton next weekend). Aren't they special!



 

Anyone?? I need a lift to the fair....cute, cute, cute, lift those skirts girl.

 

Happy Australia Day, everyone! 

 

 

P.S. Just back to say what is on the sign on the scarecrow, asked by a friend:

 

A Fine Thing by Rosemary Dobson

 

To be a scarecrow

To lean all day in a bright field

With a hat full Of bird's song

And a heart of gold straw.

With a sly wink for the farmer's

daughter

When no one sees and small

excursions

Returning after

To a guiltless pose of indolence.

Library bag

Miss Caitlin's bag all ready for posting off.  Hope she likes it although there isn't much pink on it. 

Great-nieces can be demanding lol

Is it too early?

The postman has been very kind to me lately. Here is another book left on my doorstep! So my question is "Is it too early to start sewing for Christmas? ". Never!

Kinder

One library bag finished last night, one to go.  Max is off to Kinder this year and can't wait to be going to school like his big sister.  Hope he likes his new library bag even if the fabric doesn't have dinosaurs on it.

Sunday morning quilts

Waiting on the doorstep when I arrived home from work tonight.  Started reading it already. Looking very good!

More Cherry Shed

Some more photos from yesterday's sewing day at the Cherry Shed in Latrobe.

 

 

Some close ups of a couple of the quilts thst were bought along.

 

 

The large cherries outside are great for kids (and adults!) to play in.

 

 

And finally I did make a start on a library bag, so not ALL chit chat lol.

Quilting at the Cherry Shed

Having a lovely day at the Cherry Shed with all my quilting friends. Drove up from Hobart with Faye, a coffee + stop at Campbell Town. Everyone busy with their projects and some lovely quilts on display. 

Mushrooms and salad for lunch and now we are back into it.

 

Christine with her lovely appliques!

 

Lots of ladies chatting (and receiving iPhone lessons!)

 

Loved this quilt that Jo's mum bought along.

 

Faye right into it snapping away and Vicki and Sarah having a gossip while pretending to work  lol

 

 

Lots of admirers and the quilts they were admiring! 

Happy Christmas

Wishing all my family and friends a very happy Christmas and a healthy 2013.

Just in the (St) Nick of time!

Two gifts that are needed for today, lucky it was Sunday yesterday and I could spend the afternoon (and night) sewing.
I made a very cute bag with a Red Brolly stitchery on it to fill with some lovely Tassie wine for my neighbours who have very kindly given me a lift to work most days since I have moved to the city.

 

The cushion is for my very good friend Wendy, and I am going there for tea tonight so I had best be out the door!
The stitchery is Red Brolly too, if I remember rightly!

 

Nearly ready

The tree is decorated, the lights are flashing and the reindeer are here. I think I am ready.......oh wait what about the presents?

I love my Christmas momentos, the guardsman bought at the Buckingham Palace shop when I was in London recently and the two little hand-painted glass baubles I found in Durnstein, Germany. 

Birthdays

It was young M's birthday last weekend and I finally threw of my sewing ennui and made him this little bag to hold his books and pencils.

 

Luckily I had finished Miss C's little bag before my holiday or it would never have made it to her on time. Hidden inside was a cute little sundress with hearts all over it. Hopefully arrived in Melbourne on time.

 

Look what happened yesterday!

Remember I said I was waiting for the electrician yesterday morning?  Well I now have a new stove installed, only the second one ever in this house. The other is about 55 years old. I just had to take a photo of the new stove with my Harrod's tea towel. :-)

The first photo is my old stove, moved out of its regular spot ready for the installation. It is kinda sad to see it go.

I am in trouble

A friend wanted to know what I had been doing since I arrived home as there have been no posts. I promise to mend my bad ways! :-)

This morning, while waiting for the electrician, (that is another story!)I went for a wander around the garden and found some beautiful flowers amongst the weeds.

The first plant is a teatree called Rudolph. I wonder why? :-)

Home

Always nice to arrive home, even after fantastic holidays. Even better when greeted by such beautiful blooms on one of my outdoor pot plants.

Such a long flight from England, left 9am on Sunday morning (Australia time - 10pm on Saturday night in England) and walked in my front door about 1pm this afternoon.

Goodbye England

I somehow think that we won't be sorry to be going home, just gets dark a bit early for us. The rain was constant today but luckily no disruptions to the trains so we came through to Heathrow without a hitch. We returned the car early and then went to do our last bit of Bath shopping. There were crowds everywhere, avoid Bath on a weekend.
The photo is the only one I took today, from our B&B window this morning
Happy Birthday to MBS, it is your birthday in Australia but not in England yet.

PS Nicole said I should mention just how wet we got today BUT my coat was fantastic!!!!!!