A very expensive weekend!!

Well I was up nice and early on Saturday for Mum's and my big weekend in Melbourne and on the road to pick up Mum on time!!! Major achievement for me!! Unfortunately the trip went a little pear shaped when I hit a 'hare'! I had no choice , it ran out at me and I had no opportunity to slow down or swerve. I am surprised at how much damage it caused. I am insured but there is still an excess to pay and the inconvenience of getting the work done. I was able to continue to Mum's but we decided to play it safe and take her little car instead, not a major problem but it was very hot and each time we put the air con on the little green machine began to chug!!! For some reason it also didn't like climbing hills or going over a very large bridge!!! Think it is some years since it had travelled this far from home!!
We had a lovely day at the AQM. It was a real novelty not working at a stand this year and amazing just how much more you saw. Mum and I were filled with inspiration by the time we left late in the afternoon. We managed to put in a few orders for patterns which I will show as they arrive and we did do some damage at the Moda fabric stand. We fell in love with the 'Rural Jardin' range and bought the charm squares, jelly rolls and layer cakes of this. I also bought a fat quarter set of 'Simple abundance'. I can't wait to play with these fabrics. I also picked up some fat quarter packs of 'Suzani' (not Moda but I am sorry I have had a mental blank and can't remember the brand). I also received a free Quilter's Diary which has been earmarked for all my projects and swap details etc next year!!
Mum and I headed to Lygon St for dinner where we enjoyed a yummy Italian meal. We didn't break tradition and walked off our dinner by visiting the Borders bookshop and browsing. Yes I did manage to buy a few books but only a few. We finished off the evening with dessert and coffee at San Churro (spanish donuts served with pots of melted spanish chocolate).
Before heading home Sunday we experienced a first, a visit to the new Costco!!! For all my American friends this may not sound exciting but it is the first one in Victoria and unlike anything else we have. It was SO much fun!!! They really do sell everything. We managed to fill a trolley and I think save the amount we paid to become a member. I managed to also get some Christmas shopping done so a great achievement.
We have a special Birthday celebration on Sunday, can anyone point me in the direction of a great 'Red Velvet' cake recipe?????

An uncoordinated first!!!!

Well tonight I played my first cricket game!! The horsey one plays women's cricket each Friday night and unfortunately some of her team mates have a lot to learn about commitment!! The only way they were able to play tonight was with another Mum and I taking to the field. I batted and am proud to say I didn't get out , okay I will confess I only faced 3 balls and I am so sure I was going to hit it but for some insane reason the bat and ball didn't connect!!! I then bowled , underarm and one bowl was so so bad that in trying to slog it the girl swung around and hit her own wicket.I was happy to take the glory!!!!!
I am quite excited tonight, got an early morning planned as Mum and I head to Melbourne to the Australian Quilt Market trade show. I wonder who and what I will see there????

Beautiful work! and confusing blog!!

A few weeks ago Mum's embroidery guild held the exhibition they have every 2 years. I really wasn't sure I would make it and each time I tried I got called into work but on the Sunday morning I jumped in the car and just went. Mum was so surprised, she didn't expect to see me! There was the most amazing work on display. If blogger was behaving I would pop a note next to each piece but I can't!!! The first photo is of the Gum San chinese heritage centre where the exhibition was held in the Great Hall. It was the perfect place, lots of room and light and so welcoming. The next few photos are of some quilts made by members of the patchwork group. The embroidered fairy pillow is a Brenda Ryan design and available through www.orangedaisy.com.au !(may as well put a plug in!!) The next 2 photos are Robyn Allen-waters designs (and also available through Orange Daisy) made into lids for wooden boxes. The next bag is much smaller than it appears. It would only be about 5" wide and exquisite and perfect piecing. This was something I loved. The next quilt was something I hadn't seen before, it was a chenille and very effective the way they had done it and of course I am rather fond of cats!!! I loved this Santa that had been made. It's coat was all embroidered and he was very regal. This jacket was my absolute favorite thing, it was pieced and embroidered and I can just imagine it being worn with both an evening skirt or with jeans. I am trying to convince Mum that if I ever lose the weight I'd like to that it would be the motherly thing to create a similar jacket for me!!! One of Mum's friends Elsie does beautiful work and created this picture book for one of her grandchildren. All of the illustrations are embroidered and the amount of satin stitch is amazing ( my least favorite embroidery stitch!!). It will be a treasure to be passed down through the generations. The last 2 photos are some of Mum's work, her Noahs Ark quilt made from Lynette Andersons free BOM and a little pincushion set which now resides at my house!!It was a lovely and inspiring exhibition.
Now to the confusing blog comment in the title, give me strength! but blogger is playing up so much for me at the moment!! I had someone tell me early this week I was coming up as 'no reply'- I think I've fixed that now , and now tonight the photos didn't load as they are normally do so I hope this publishes okay!!!! Technology and I are only friends when it is working!

Running out of time!!!

Well I have a choice today - stitch or post!!!! and I'm afraid I am going to finish my stitching. I am starting to get panicky about getting my SSCS finished on time. I did survive my shift last night but I am not functioning on all cylinders today, I need more sleep than I got last night. There were no major problems but plenty of minor ones, lots of tlc to be dished out!! and yes I did need my chocolate, thank goodness I had prepared!

I have just realised that not all comments are coming through to my emails??? Does anyone have any suggestions as to why or how to fix it??? I generally don't go back to my posts to read the comments so I apologise if you have commented recently and I haven't replied.

Off to work!

For many reasons the planned post for yesterday just didn't happen and the planned one for today won't either. Couldn't not post at all though so thought I would drop in and say Hi before I head off to work! My kids go to a private school which has both boarding and day students. I work in the girls boarding house every 2nd weekend doing a 24 hour shift from 9am Sat till 9am Sun. I generally enjoy it but must admit find the evenings and nights hard and am hoping to only do the day shift next year. For whatever reason very few girls have gone home this weekend so I have about 40 teenage girls (some in the middle of exams) to look after. It is to be a beautiful day which is when I turn off the tv and 'encourage' them to get some fresh air - exactly what I would do with my own kids!!!! I have packed 'everything but the kitchen sink' to take - a basket of ironing, my knitting, stitching and a huge bag of magazines and newspapers. I've also snuck in some chocolate in case I'm driven to needing it!!! As the time for posting SSCS is rushing towards me I am hoping to achieve quite a lot of stitching! Wish me luck! At home SH is off to tennis, HS baseball and the horsey one is at a horse show.......never a dull moment.

My favorite mug!

I think this speaks for itself!!!

Memories!

Did anyone else watch the show 6.30pm on channel 10 on Sunday night 'Electric Dreams'????? Gosh it brought back memories. Its a new series where a British family is taken back to 1970 and over a period of 6 weeks are fast-forwarded through the ensuing 3 decades and its respective technological advances ( I took this from the tv guide - no way I could explain it so simply!!!) On Sunday they made their way through the 70's and I have to admit there were many laughs and cringes from SH and I (particularly some of the wallpaper - it looked awfully familiar) as we were transported back to our youth. Next week is the 80's - when I was a teenager - so I can't wait! Don't think the kids could quite believe what they were seeing and HS is keen to get Grandpa to bring up his slides for a slideshow at Christmas!

Was also happy last night as 'Private Practice' made a return, a show I really enjoy.

Doesn't time fly???

We celebrated another Birthday yesterday when HS turned 18. I don't quite know where the time has gone , seems like only yesterday he was born! He has grown into a wonderful young man with a wicked sense of humor. As there was no school today due to the Melbourne Cup race meet he had a group of friends over for dinner and to stay the night. It was very loud!!!!! and the amount of food and soft drink they consumed was amazing. 18 brings with it a lot of new responsibilities. He is now legally allowed to drink, vote and drive. It will still be a few weeks until he is ready to get his licence (after exams!!) Not sure that I feel old enough or ready to have an 18 year old!

A bouquet with a difference!

I celebrated my Birthday yesterday. ( I truly believe we should always celebrate Birthdays, each one we have is a gift, not everyone is so lucky) Imagine my anticipation when a large parcel arrived in the mail from a very special friend and her family. Inside was this 'cookie bouquet'! What a wonderful present and SO yummy!!! I'm rationing myself to a flower a day! The other thing I love about it is that it is a 'disposable' present. I once read an article that suggested unless it was a special gift that 'disposable' presents were best , candles, soaps etc, things that could be used and enjoyed but that wouldn't need a permanent home found for them. This made such a lot of sense that I try to remember it when possible.

BOO!!! hoo!

Halloween isn't generally celebrated here in Australia although it is starting to creep in a little. I love it! Any excuse for fun and candy!! While in the States I bought fabric to make a Halloween quilt ready for next year. I prepared last night after being caught by trick'n'treaters last year. I had a pumpkin bucket full of candy near the door. Did we have a single visitor? No, not a one!!! HS and his friends have assured me they are more than happy to help me out!!