The new cat bed

I did warn you I wasn't arty.

The top is not yet finished, some of the leaves still need to be stitched down, then it needs to be quilted and bound.
A close-up of one of the top corners.
The diagonal bottom corner.

While I don't hate it I am not in love with it. However it won't just get tossed in the back of the cupboard unfinished; it will eventually be finished. (though it may still spend the rest of its days in the back of the cupboard.......) The design is called "Deciduous", the designer and teacher is Amanda Daly.

Meanwhile work on the flowery table runner is proceeding along, the quilting is about all done (both the wobbly vines and the straight lines) so the binding needs to be made and attached.

The other day I was thrown into a bit of a dilemma. One of my local quilt groups here has undertaken to make the raffle quilt for the state guild's Big Exhibition in 2014 (a very organised lot, those quilters; they get things done well in time) so five members, including me - because, I was given to understand, I have used EQ7 to design a few quilts - were asked/chosen/conscripted to be on a sub-committee to oversee the making of said quilt. Now in my ignorance I thought this meant designing something original ourselves, then choosing fabrics and making the quilt. Apparently not. To everyone else but me it means flipping through books owned by one member while all the time saying "I like that....we could make that". Even the mention (by me) of the words "copyright" and "other people's designs" went nowhere. I will give the committee one more meeting, then if I am not happy about the direction things are taking I will resign because in all honesty I can't be part of something like that.

Ah well, she says sighing.

Meanwhile, life here in the Small Smoke proceeds along gently. The birds have been more active lately, probably getting ready to build a nest and do what birdies do in spring (which, to judge by this week's weather, may not be long in coming) and yesterday we were entertained by the visiting kangaroos and/or wallabies who spent quite a long time just grazing. The three horses who visit from time to time have also been ambling around. We have noticed that some of the local wattle trees are in full glorious bloom too. When I was at school Wattle Day was celebrated on 1st August - now it has moved back a month, and is held on 1st September. I remember that a local park had a row of large wattle trees, the whole air seemed golden when they flowered.

"Be moderate.

Always express your own opinions with modesty, and, if called upon, defend them, but without that warmth which may lead to hard feelings. Do not enter into argument. Having spoken your mind, and thus shown you are not cowardly in your beliefs and opinions, drop the subject and lead to some other topic. There is seldom any profit in idle discussion."

Something to keep in mind if I need to express my opinion about the quilt design. I am not usually forthright in expressing my own opinion in the face of others' more definite opinions - I wish to goodness I was - but I shall stand my ground on this, because I believe it is right.

Enjoy your days!