Wherever you are, and whatever you celebrate.....

....even if you don't celebrate anything at all.....best wishes for a season full of love and peace, and good health in the coming year.

And music.  Lots of music.

And, of course, chocolate, preferably good quality dark chocolate.

Enjoy your days!

As we march ever closer to the Big Day....

A small amount of decorating has been done, as you can see if you come to our front door.

Welcome - do come in!

Flossie the Angel is guarding the wombats; some of the wombats were gifts and some were bought by me.

Or.....perhaps the wombats are guarding Flossie?  Who knows?

The Canadian tree, once again some gifts and some purchases, but all come from Canada.  The tiny green lights are little pine trees, appropriate considering how many of them we have seen growing in Canada.

That's pretty much it for this year, folks.

We have bought a seasoned turkey roll so we can feel a bit festive, it will be cooked on Christmas Eve (if I am organised enough) or Christmas Day (if I'm not).  The turkey farm just outside town has a shop; it's been a local hangout for years but we hadn't been before, so yesterday we harnessed up the trusty steed and out we went.  Anything turkey - you name it!  We also bought some turkey sausages to try.

Now I think I have said that I never make new year resolutions, but I do have Hopes.  Some of the current Hopes are gifts from a friend in Canada that I plan to make; since making my tree hanging and my Canadian quilt I have lost my fear of fusible applique, so it's time these were done.

First will be the musical piece on the bottom right; the fabrics are mostly from the Grunge range in muted browns and greys, appropriate considering that guitars and ukuleles are mostly made from wood.

It may go on the wall, or it may become a table centre.....yet to be decided.

Some (many!) notes have been plinked, some diamonds joined although more need to be cut, not one stitch knitted.  Words have been read.  Rehearsals have happened.  The usual hunting and gathering took place, and so another week has passed.

The ukulele group played its last gig for the year last night at a small village not far out of town, and considering that it was pretty much thrown together with not a lot of organising it went off well.  The folk who ran it were lovely and they want us back next year; we sang our funny and happy Christmas songs, a choir sang a few songs, and there was a pianist leading everyone in the carol singing.  

Seasonal music is taking over the air waves, as they say, and we are being regaled with the usual December selection.  While I don't mind most of the traditional carols - indeed, I grew up singing them - I do draw the line at songs which are about winter but not about Christmas. Songs such as 'Let it snow'......'Winter wonderland'.....'even 'Jingle bells' was not written as a Christmas song, you know.  Our Christmas is in summer and it can be very hot, so we don't need songs about nostalgic winter Christmases in our December playlists.  Many Christmas songs are too sentimental and mawkish for my taste, anyway;  I don't put my foot down very often with the ukulele group, but under no circumstances whatsoever will I ever sing 'I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus' - I can't stand that song, grumpy Olde Pharte though I may be.

Some recent visitors to my blog have come up as "no-reply bloggers", meaning I can't reply to your welcome comments....if this is you, you might want to change your settings so I (and other bloggers) can reply.

 Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Bowing to strangers with friends.

If a gentleman meets a friend, and the latter has a stranger with him, all three should bow.  If the gentleman stops his friends to speak to him, he should apologize to the stranger for detaining him.  If the stranger is a lady, the same deference should be shown as if she were an acquaintance."

Indeed.  One should always be polite.  Politeness costs nothing, and leaves a lasting impression.

Enjoy your days!

Moving back into the neighbourhood

The big box which until recently held all the requirements for my Canadian quilt now has a new project - the house blocks have moved in.

'There goes the neighbourhood' is back!

Earlier in the week I took the blocks, the cut sashing pieces and my 1950 Singer Featherweight machine to quilt group, and sewed sashings to blocks.  Nearly half the blocks have now had sashing sewn on one side.

Some of the result laid out on my work table to be admired.  The sashings will be joined to one block side first, the blocks laid out to mix the house and background colours to my satisfaction then they will be joined into rows....after that the looong narrow sashings will be made and atttached, and the top made.

It will be a fun happy quilt, with a lot of yellow.

Some diamonds have been cut, no stitches knitted.  Words have been read, notes have been plinked, songs have been sung.  Hunting and gathering has taken place.

Because it's getting to 'that' time of year, here is some New South Wales Christmas bush.

We had a couple of plants in our garden in the Big Smoke but sadly they don't grow here, we're too far away from coastal humidity and don't have the right soil.  We could probably spend an exorbitant amount of money and buy some from a florist, but for now I'll live on the memory of it.  The flowers are teeny tiny little white blooms, nothing much to look at; the red - sometimes it is really vibrant bright red, not pink like this - are the sepals behind the flowers.

Last night we atttended a concert featuring instruments not usually seen here.  We had a saz....and an oud.....flamenco guitar, double bass, clarinet, soprano and tenor saxophones, piano, a singer.....it was a fun night and the music was really interesting, a mix from different cultures.  We were told that there will be more similar music next year - looking forward to that!  It makes a change from twanging country music guitars, usually a popular choice hereabouts.

The weather folk have told us to expect some rain tomorrow, and it will be very welcome.  You wouldn't think that after all our rain and floods of recent times that we would need more rain, but we do; the warmer dry weather of late has really dried out our gardens, our skin and our hair, so we are looking forward to some moisture.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Always recognize acquaintances.

One should always recognize lady acquaintances in the street, either by bowing or words of greeting, a gentleman lifting his hat.  If they stop to speak, it is not obligatory to shake hands.  Shaking hands is not forbidden, but in most cases it is to be avoided in public."

I wonder why that should be the case?  A handshake is not an intimate greeting like a hug or a smoochy kiss, something which a bystander might find embarrassing to witness.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Yay! Double yay and triple yay!!

Yay even unto the nth degree yay!!!

It is done!

I am very happy with it, too.  When I can I'll get a better pic, but it is done.  The hanging split sleeve still needs to be sewn down on the back, but that doesn't count towards done, does it?

During its making I earned a lot....I learned how to quilt as you go; I learned how to do raw edge applique, something I had done very little of before this.  On our last trip to Canada our DIL and I went to a quilt show which had one of these hanging, but I didn't take a pic - because I wanted to photograph my own when it was done.

However, the most impotant thing I learned was - don't ever do anything like this again!

Now things can be moved around again in the sewing room.  The house blocks have been brought back into daylight and will now be worked on, likewise a foundation pieced project which needs its turn in the sun.  Each project has its own box; for some time now the biggest box has had fabrics and patterns for the Canadian quilt because it was large enough that the blocks could stay flat, but now it will be used for another project.

A few diamonds were cut but none joined.  No stitches were knitted; it's getting a bit warm for knitting.  Words have been read.

A few nights ago Kevin was standing over the barbecue on the back verandah (which we call the beer garden although we seldom drink beer in it) and a few of the neighbours popped by for a visit.  I think the one on the right should be wearing a "baby on board" sign.

There's always one who likes to be Nigel or Noreen No-friends on its own....

The year is slowly winding down.  A few nights ago the choir had its end of year dinner at a restaurant for a very nice meal and in a week or so the sewing group is doing lunch.  The quilt group had theirs last Saturday but I didn't go as it clashed with the choir concert, and as it was probably our very last performance ever there was no choice, was there?  Choir won't stop meeting, but we won't do concerts.

Ads are starting to appear for so-called 'talent' programs starting back on TV next year (nothing like getting in early, is there) and one young feller shown was singing, head back, eyes closed, throat tight, face contorted in agony.....if you don't enjoy it, mate, don't do it.  Simple.

Houses in our street are putting up fancy lights, the neighbours two doors down at no. 72 have a large display with just about every light flashing merrily.  When we came home from our dinner on Thursday night we passed several houses with their flashing displays and it was already 9.30 p.m......if we lived near one of those displays I would be asking (nicely, of course) (at first, anyway) if they could be turned off no later than 9 p.m.  Or preferably earlier when it just starts to get dark, because flashing lights annoy the bejabbers out of me.  Bah humbug.

This year will be just the two of us so the house will be quiet, but there will be a few decorations put out.  My Canadian tree - a small tree with decorations from Canada, some bought by me and some gifted - will go up, and the Chrissie wombats will of course make an appearance.  Even Flossie, the Jim Shore Christmas angel, might pop in for a visit.  She can keep an eye on the wombats, because Santa Paws doesn't come to naughty wombats, you know.  Even Christmas decoration wombats.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"The first to bow.

In England strict etiquette requires that a lady, meeting upon the street a gentleman with whom she has acquaintance, shall give the first bow of recognition.  In Australia, however, good sense does not insist upon an imperative following of this rule.  A well-bred man bows and raises his hat to every lady of his acquaintance whom he meets, without waiting for her to take the iniative.  If she is well-bred, she will certainly respond to his salutation.  As politeness requires that each salute the other, their salutations should thus be simultaneous."

I remember being out with my maternal grandfather, Pop Davis, when I was a child, and he would always raise his hat if he saw someone he knew - particularly a lady.  I don't, however, remember if their mutual salutations were simultaneous.

Enjoy your days!

Alas....it was not to be

The Cunning Plan to have all the binding sewn down on my Canadian quilt didn't happen in time for show and tell yesterday....but that's all right.  It can be shown at the meeting at the end of January so I don't have to rush.  It is more than half done, anyway.

So now my thoughts have turned to houses.  To be specific, the box of house blocks and sashing strips and setting triangles.  And backing fabric.  And Stuff like that.

Very merry and cheerful and bright, yes?  It's going to be a fun quilt.

Gorgeous fallen leaves in the car park at Butchart Gardens in autumn, taken just because the ruby and garnet colours were so lovely.....a good reason to visit Canada in fall.

The cone is one of the lights found throughout the garden.  We have been lucky enough to visit in summer when the roses and other flowers were in bloom, and also in autumn with foliage colours.  On our last visit the annual display featuring the twelve days of Christmas was being set up, which was fun to see.

What a busy week, I'm glad to draw a line under it!  Two ukulele gigs and a choir concert, all of which went well, plus the usual weekly rehearsals, and hunting and gathering, and socialising.....next week is looking (slightly!) less hectic, thank goodness.  An end-of-year dinner with the choir on Thursday night will be the highlight; I always enjoy a meal I haven't had to think about, prepare, cook and clean up afterward.

Words have been read.  No stitches have been knitted, no diamonds have been cut or sewn.  More had better be cut soon, the waiting-to-be-joined stack is perilously low.  Notes have been plinked and songs sung.  That's about it.

Here in Australia the concept of 'Black Friday sales' has never been big but over the past couple of years its popularity has, as they say in the media, soared to new heights.  Our traditional big sale day is Boxing Day but if one is shopping for Christmas pressies it makes more sense to shop a few weeks earlier, doesn't it?  To that end we betook ourselves out a few days ago and I was able to find some cropped navy pants to replace a pair which are still fine for wearing at home, but less so for wearing out.  That's probably my not-very-major purchase for the year done.

Last of the big time spenders, me.

It has not rained all week!  Today is quite warm and sunny, a foretaste of summer.  A couple of days ago Kevin rolled the outside blinds down to shade the windows on the north side - our sunny side - if the sun doesn't hit the windows so fiercely, the rooms inside stay cooler.  They were a purchase several years ago, and we are so pleased we did it.  It won't be so hot after tomorrow so we will enjoy the cooler weather before summer really hits hard.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Intrusive Inquiries.

If you meet or join or are visited by a person who has any article whatever, under his arm or in his hand, and he does not offer to show it to you, you should not, even if it be your most intimate friend, take it from him and look at it.  That intrusive curiosity is very inconsistent with the delicacy of a well-bred man, and always offends in some degree."

In other words, don't be nosy.  If your friend wants to show you the article, she/he will do so.  If she/he doesn't wish to do so then, in the immortal words of Kath and Kim, "mind your own beeswax".

Enjoy your days!

A corner has been turned!

A cause for much rejoicing, let me tell you.

The binding was re-joined correctly, and all is good.  Even the final join (often a bit tricky) was done without incident, although I noticed when pinning the binding to the quilt that there could be, just might be, a very small tuck where there shouldn't be one.....but I won't tell if you don't.

The binding is now being sewn down on the back with tidgy widgy little stitches, and more than a quarter is done.  I always start a little way down from a corner so, by the time the fourth corner is turned, there isn't much binding left to be sewn.  The Cunning Plan is to have it finished for show and tell next Saturday morning....not sure if it will be, but I'll give it a go.  I sew until my fingers get tired, have a break, sew some more....

Last week was very busy, this week is quieter.  There is still one ukulele gig on Wednesday evening, and that's it for the month.  Four gigs - I don't think we have ever had that many in the space of just a few weeks!

This morning we played for a fundraiser fair and it was fun, although it's always hard work being outside.  We were under cover which is better than being in the open - at least we could be heard - but by the time we finished I just wanted to go home to peace and quiet.  The local pipe band played and, much as I love the sounds of the pipes, they are definitely an outdoor instrument!  Another band played in the same space as we did before and after us, and they were good; a bit jazzy, a bit boppy, and they played songs that we knew so we sang along.

One thing our town is famous for is its beautiful jacaranda trees and this year they have been late to flower, probably due to the cool wet start to the season.  However they have caught up, our trips towards town are now brightened by the beautiful trees in full bloom along the way.

Here we are - we made number 5!  This pic though was taken in our back yard in the Big Smoke where we had a self-seeded jacaranda; it appeared as a small seedling twenty years before we moved out, and we enjoyed its beauty every year.  Looking at maps and satellite pics, though, that lovely tree has now gone.  It wasn't a large yard and by the time we left the tree took up most of it, but we enjoyed it for its shade and its flowers.

The forthcoming season is now making its presence felt more and more.  Shop displays....ads on TV......people out and about today in seasonal clothes.....goodness, I don't even think of getting out my Christmas earrings until at least the first of December!  Our younger son's birthday is 2nd December and we always celebrated his birthday before starting the family Christmas, and even though he has been in Canada for nearly 18 years and had moved out of home before going there, we still keep the same tradition.  He was born early, he wasn't due until 20th December; The One And Only Grandkid's birthday is 19th December, which is even closer to the big day.  

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"A crowded street.

When a gentleman and lady are walking in the street, if at any place, by reason of the crowd, or from other cause, they are compelled to proceed singly, the gentleman should always precede his companion."

One thing which I notice in old street scene photographs is the number of people out walking.  There would have been few distractions such as movies, television, even radio, so if you wanted a social life you went out.  One could stroll along showing off one's new outfit and admiring - or not! - others' new outfits, too....and of course one would definitely need an escort to precede one, through such a crowd.

Enjoy your days!

There's the right way, and there's the wrong way

A few days ago the binding for my Canadian quilt was cut, diagonal seam lines marked - because if seam lines are marked the strips are sewn together correctly, right? - and the strips joined.  The wrong way.  Thse seams have now been fixed, and there is one long strip instead of strips going off at strange angles to each other.

My calculations were correct; the seven strips called for in the pattern were much too long so I cut five strips and measured them after joining, but it wasn't quite long enough for that final join and for corner allowances.  Another strip has now been joined on, making it (hopefully) long enough.  It just needs to be pressed....then it can be pinned to the quilt, yay!  The second label is also done.

Aren't these cute little flowers?  Over the years we have taken some interesting pictures, so every now and then the photo vault will be dug into and something retrieved.  This was taken at Mount Annan Botanical Garden the year before we left the Big Smoke behind.....these are paper daisies or everlastings, and are popular for dried arrangements.

It is raining again....another flood warning is in place.....we'll all be rooned, said Hanrahan, if this 'ere rain don't stop.....a line from a poem by John O'Brien, the pen name of Father Patrick Joseph Hartigan.  Patrick Hartigan was born in 1878 to Irish immigrant parents in Yass and grew up with a great love of country Australia and its people, serving as parish priest in small towns before moving to Sydney many years later.  'Said Hanrahan' is well known, many Aussies recall studying it at school, and the line "we'll all be rooned, said Hanrahan" has become a byword for lighthearted pessimism.

Now that both labels are finished, other projects can be resumed.  A few diamonds have lately been joined but more need to be cut for the Tumbling Blocks quilt; not long ago I calculated how many would be needed to make a smallish quilt, and the answer was - 449 hexagons each made of three diamonds, making a total of 1347 diamonds.  There are already nigh on 70 hexagons made....they go together very quickly, and are fun to make.

Not one stitch has been knitted.  Words have been read.  Notes have been plinked, indeed two gigs in just a few days has kept us busy!  Our midweek performance at the seniors' village was well received, and afternoon tea was indeed as delicious as was promised.  We'll be back there in a few months, by request.  Yesterday's fun day also went successfully; the acoustics in that club were bad, but we soldiered personfully on.  Now we have a week's rest, then another gig at a charity fundraising market next Sunday.  We have played for them a few times, the organisers are lovely people and very appreciative that we give our time.

Thoughts are turning to the occasion late next month which is now starting to make its presence felt.  For many years we have gone out to lunch or dinner to make the day more festive, otherwise we would just sit around and grin at each other.....but not this year.  Prices are so steep that we could buy food for a few weeks with what that one meal would cost, so we will stay home.  We realise that restaurants have to pay staff higher holiday rates, and food costs are increasing everywhere, but two Olde Phartes are not going to eat $300 worth of food at one meal.

Oh well......so long as I can have a couple of mince pies with good quality cream and don't have to do much cooking, I'm happy.....

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Recognizing friends in the street.

No one, while walking the streets, should fail, through pre-occupation, or absent-mindedness, to recognize friends and acquaintances. either by a bow or some form of salutation.  If two gentlemen stop to talk, they should retire to one side of the walk.  If a stranger should be in company with one of the gentlemen, an introduction is not necessary.  If a gentleman meets another gentleman in company with a lady whom he does not know, he lifts his hat to salute them both.  If he knows the lady, he should salute her first.  The gentleman who accompanies a lady, should always return a salutation made to her."

Interesting, isn't it, that "walking the streets" has come to have a different meaning these days.

Enjoy your days!

Just hanging around

The hanging sleeve - actually two shorter sleeves, to spread the weight more evenly - for my Canadian quilt has been prepared, and the next step is to cut the binding.  Sleeves are on the right, matching the solid red back.

The instructions have been good, but I think cutting instructions for the binding may be a little extravagant; pattern says to cut 7, 2-1/4 in strips, but by my calculations I should only need five or perhaps six.  So......five can be cut, joined and measured, then more can be cut if needed as there is ample fabric.  I really lurve that border/binding fabric, it's so gorgeous.

The second label is not far off being done, a couple of evenings' work should see it finished.  The quilt edges also need to be trimmed, but that's a quick job.  It's getting closer to being finally completed, and believe me - much rejoicing will happen when it is.

The coming week is really busy with two rehearsals and two gigs.  Rehearsal tomorrow afternoon, performance on Wednesday afternoon at a seniors' village - we have been told not to eat much lunch beforehand because the home-made afternoon tea will fill us up, cream horns were mentioned, yummo - rehearsal again on Thursday afternoon, performance on Saturday afternoon for a fundraising fun day at a lawn bowls club.  A big sigh of relief will be heaved on Sunday, I can assure you.  A week to recuperate, then two more gigs the following week.

The last Saturday in November will be a sad day too, because it will be our last choir concert.  We won't stop getting together each week to sing, but our director/piano player Bill said, being in his late 70s, he feels he doesn't play as well as he used to and some members are getting past performing although they enjoy singing.  We used to have more members, but all the shutdowns over the past couple of years has meant that several folk have dropped out.  I enjoy the buzz of performing for an audience and feel that having a concert to aim for keeps us to a higher standard than just singing for fun, but I also understand Bill's point of view.  Especially having sat in front of the men a couple of weeks ago.....

Of course there was yet another flood earlier in the week, two of the three river crossings were closed and the main bridge through the centre of town came perilously close to also being closed as the river was so high.  One crossing is mostly across the flood plain and goes under water easily; another has side by side bridges which are above the river but the approach road on the western side is quite low so it doesn't take much for it to also close, meaning the one bridge remaining open gets very busy.

I really feel for those who have had flood damage to their homes and businesses.  Back in 2017 we had two floods just nine months apart caused by plumbing issues (one in a bathroom, one in the kitchen) which meant having to re-carpet twice, throw out three-month-old furniture, live away from home for seven weeks after the second flood while the house was dried out and repaired - but it was clean water.  River floods are not clean, the water can contain sewage, dead animals, all manner of things you wouldn't want floating through your house.

To say nothing of the smell.

My etiquette book was bought at a library surplus sale several years ago back when we lived in the Big Smoke, and from memory only cost a few dollars.  It was first published in 1885, with a facsimile edition - my copy is one of those - published in 1980.  Facsimile editions are exact copies of the original text of an older book, usually photographic  copies; these days it would be easier to scan the text, but back in 1980 that technology hadn't yet been invented.  This book (which may have been first published, I think, in the U.S.A. or Canada) when compared to another etiquette book on my bookshelf is quite relaxed - the newer book, published in Great Britain, is much more stiff and formal.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Forming street acquaintances.

A lady never forms an acquaintance upon the street, or seeks to attract the attention or admiration of persons of the other sex.  To do so would render false her claims to ladyhood, if it did not make her liable to far graver charges."

 Indeed. 

Enjoy your days!

Reverse label is done

Reverse in two ways; it will go on the reverse of my quilt, and it  shows the layout in reverse because that seemed logical to me.

Even if it isn't logical to anyone else.

Many years ago.....many many years ago.....this little butterfly was embroidered when I was given a tiny frame.

It would have been done 30 years ago, maybe more....as was the rose, although this time I bought the frame.

For many years they sat on the kitchen windowsill where they could be admired - which they were - and where they could get a little grubby - which they did.

The embroidery was done using one strand of DMC floss over one thread of the background fabric.  My eyes were over 30 years younger back then, too.

No stitches have been knitted, no diamonds cut or sewn, although I will need to cut more soon.  Words have been read.  Notes have been plinked and sung.

The past week hasn't seen much rain but more is promised tomorrow, bringing even more flooding.  A couple of days ago we needed to cross to the other side of the river and were surprised by how much water is still around; the river is quite high and is flowing very quickly, which was even more apparent when we came home by a different bridge.

Now I'm not a scientist by any stretch of the imagination, but I would think that every time a river floods there would be silt left behind which, after a few floods, would eventually make the river shallower than it had previously been.  In subsequent floods the water would then flow over the banks more quickly than before and spread further, for the same reason.  That's why floodplains are often very fertile, and why crops planted there grow so well.  It's impractical to dredge rivers (although it's sometimes done where a river empties near a beach) and not a good idea to interfere too much with the natural scheme of events anyway, so I don't know what the answer is.....or even if there is an answer.

It might help if people stopped covering so much of the earth with concrete paths and buildings and left more open ground for water to soak into, rather than having it run where it wasn't, perhaps, designed to run.

Oh well.  As I said I'm not a scientist, just a concerned Olde Pharte who fears for the world.

Over the past couple of years of shut downs and "don't do this"...."don't go there"...."wear this bag over your head if you so much as stick your nose outside your front door"....I am getting quite lazy.  It has become very easy to just veg out in the mornings, have a leisurely breakfast and take my time getting showered and dressed; by then it's nearly time for lunch and that's half the day gone.  As we head into summer (it's been a cool wet start to the season this year) it might be easier to get into more disciplined habits.  The suspicion which has spoiled any interractions we have had with other people is gradually easing, too.  I know the covid plague is far from ended - it may never be finally over, although we are certainly over it - it will be with us for a while yet, but we can't keep the world shut down forever and keep our sanity, can we.

Meanwhile we are seeing pictures of beautiful autumn colours to make us (me in particular) drool.  Only six months to go.....I wonder if there is anywhere in the world which has a climate that goes from autumn to spring and back to autumn, bypassing summer and winter completely?  Because I would move there in a heartbeat if there was.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"A lady never demands attention and favors from a gentleman, but, when voluntarily offered, accepts them gratefully, graciously, and with an expression of hearty thanks."

If those offerings include chocolate - good quality dark chocolate only, of course - they would most certainly be accepted gratefully and graciously.

Enjoy your days!

Decisions, decisions.....

What a week it has been.....family stuff that I won't go into, but it's been fraught.  Thank goodness I have my sewing room and my music to help keep me sane.

Having given up on this year's quilt group challenge, my thoughts are turning to next year's.  At yesterday's meeting ideas were asked for and I suggested a two colour challenge - could be a quilt, a bag, a cushion, table runner, anything - using shades of just two chosen colours.  In the absence of any other suggestions, it was chosen for the challenge.  The fact that I have a couple of two-colour UFOs to choose from is a bonus.

A few years ago I made a quilt in blue and orange:

Soeveral months ago when it was my turn to choose a block of the month for members to make I chose these two blocks in blues and greens; the finished quilt measures 48in by 60in, plus borders if used.

That's a manageable size.  More need to be made, but it's very easy.  The top left block isn't brown, it's khaki green, but green fabrics don't always photograph well.....especially deep khaki yellow-greens.

Then there are blue and yellow stars, once again my choice as a BOM.  About six or seven different star blocks were made; the pattern needs 12 large stars and 16 small ones.  My thought was to make a star sampler rather than have all the stars the same design, certainly for the large 12in stars.  There is a lot more to be done on the star design than on the blue and green design, and it's bigger to quilt.......so, I think it will be the blue and green, although I haven't given up on the stars.  It can hang around for sometime in the future.

Stitches have been sewn on the red quilt label.  No stitches have been knitted.  Words have been read, notes have been plinked and sung.  

It has rained and it has rained and it has rained some more.  The town has had yet another flood, the highest one so far this year; the ground is so wet that water can't soak in.  It runs into already full rivers and creeks which are probably silted up from previous floods so that they are shallower than they used to be, then spreads above the banks and onto the land beyond, closing and damaging roads, ruining crops, flooding houses.  So far today we haven't had a drop.....the sound you can hear right now is that of mowers doing what they can before the next shower!

The kangaroos on the hill don't mind rain.  They are often to be seen hopping around and grazing on wet grass (food and drink in one mouthful - how convenient!) and fighting.  This morning we had a female with a joey popping its head out of the pouch; I don't know if kangaroos wear 'baby on board' signs, there wasn't one to be seen, but perhaps they should.

I wonder if wet kangaroos smell as bad as wet dogs?  Or, even worse.....wet teenage boys?

Yesterday, 22nd October was World Wombat Day.  How you can have a "world" day when the wombat is unique to Australia I don't know, but it happens every October.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"A lady walks quietly through the streets, seeing and hearing nothing that she ought not to see and hear, recognising acquaintances with a courteous bow, and friends with words of greeting.  She is always unobtrusive, never talks loudly, or laughs boisterously, or does anything to attract the attention of the passers-by.  She walks along in her own quiet, ladylike way, and by her pre-occupation is secure from any annoyance to which a person of less perfect breeding might be subjected."

All of which is a far cry from the "look at me-look at me-look at me" of current generations, yes?

Enjoy your days!

Spring is sprung

It's been a slow starter this year, but is now creeping in.  This morning we trotted off to the monthly main street markets (which we hadn't been to for years, what with plague shutdowns and all), and it was very pleasant strolling in the sun.  We treated ourselves to breakfast - eggs Benny with smoked salmon for me, yummo - and collected a plant that our friendly horticulturist had for us....I had forgotten that we had ordered it!  It's a red flowering bottlebrush, Callistemon "Four Seasons", and we have just the spot for it when the weeds are cleared out.

It was even sunny enough to need a hat, just as well the hair and I went to the hairdresser the other day for the six-monthly trim.  Since having eye surgery a couple of years ago I need to wear a broad-brimmed hat on a sunny day, and that's easier with shorter hair.  Not short, though.  It's still shoulder length.  I am not yet ready for the Olde Ladye Choppe.

I hope I never am.

After we came home I looked at the partly-finished bag which was started at my treadle machine demo last month and it looked back at me as it has been doing for several weeks.....and I thought, hmmm, I thought.....so now it's done.  

The green bag was made during the demo, the red bag finished today.  They aren't huge bags, but.....a big bag holds a lot of Stuff so you fill it up, then you can't lift it and your ageing body complains and says "why did you do that, you shouldn't have put so much in it, take something out".....so, a smaller bag is better.

Slow progress on the first label for my Canadian quilt.  The initials for the provinces and territories will be done in one strand of floss, the sashing and border have been done in two strands.

Yes, I know it needs pressing - it will be, once it's completed.  The second label is now on the light box waiting to be traced.

No stitches have been knitted, no diamonds cut or sewn.  Words have been read, many notes have been plinked.  The coming week looks to be quite busy with something happening every day, but I do have hopes that something worthwhile may be accomplished.

Now I don't know what the rest of you think, and I realise that language is constantly shifting and changing, but poor grammar - or what I perceive to be poor grammar - seems to be more and more prevalent.  On the window of a women's clothing store this morning I saw "Fantastic starts here".  Fantastic - what?  Fantastic women?  Fantastic stupidity?  It's as bad as the sign on another business wall that reads "Great happens here"; we pass it occasionally, and I shudder every time.

It's not a place I shop at anyway, because so much of their stock is synthetic - even their summer clothes.  Australian summers can be quite warm, so natural fibres such as cotton and linen are most comfortable; even away from the humidity of the coast polyester is not a good choice.  Over the past couple of years our town has lost several women's clothes shops, I can think of at least five or six which have closed....one only yesterday.  I visited it on Friday but there was nothing I loved enough to buy, even at 40% off.  I think a lot of shopping has moved to online now but I am cautious about buying clothes when I can't feel the fabric first, then if it doesn't fit there is the hassle of returning and ordering another size.  Time for my trusty sewing machine, if only I can get patterns which fit.  When I was young and slender that was never a problem....sigh.....

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street.

"The street manners of a lady.

The true lady walks the street, wrapped in a mantle of proper reserve, so impenetrable that insult and coarse familiarity shrink from her, while she, at the same time, carries with her a congenial atmosphere which attracts all, and puts all at their ease."

Does that sound like you?  I'm not quite sure that it's me, either.

Enjoy your days!

Unchallenged

You know what they say about plans going astray and all that stuff.....

Yesterday, in a great fit of enthusiasm, those Jacob's Ladder blocks were taken out of their box and measured.  The blocks were made by several different people and the instructions supplied (written by me, and I was trained to write correct instructions) ended with, the block should measure 9-1/2 in finished.

Well - no, they didn't.  Not all of them.  Seven blocks did; the remaining 22 blocks were lucky to measure 9 in and some of them weren't even square, making them well nigh useless.  As I see it there are a few choices, one of which is to trim all the blocks to 9 in.....not happening, too many seams would be cut off; take the undersized blocks apart and hope the pieces were correctly cut to size in the first place, then reassemble the blocks to measure 9-1/2 in....also not happening, that's a lot of work for a not-very-fabulous result considering the quality of some fabrics used; or forget the whole thing.

So, forgetting is what I'm doing.  That challenge will go unchallenged.  Those useless blocks may end up being tossed out.

Four years ago we were enjoying autumn in Canada, and getting ready for Thanksgiving.

This is a very small pine tree by the water in Parry Sound, it was down-on-hands-and-knees to get this photo on a cold snowy day.

Each time we left the car in a parking area behind the Midland main street shops we saw this tree....it was even more beautiful than this pic shows.

Fallen leaves on the sidewalk outside our B&B in Goderich.  I love this mix of colours, it puts me in mind of some batik fabrics.

A damp day in The Land of Tall Straight Trees, on Vancouver Island......I know that's not its official name, but there were a lot of trees, and they were tall and straight.

Embroidery on the first label for my Canadian quilt is proceeding.  No stitches were knitted, no diamonds cut or pieced.  Words were read, notes were plinked and sung.  A sore right shoulder and upper arm has somewhat hampered efforts this week, goodness knows how that happened, but our helpful chiropractor has hopefully started it on the way to recovery.  I'm trying not to do anything which will hurt or will injure it further, which makes for a slightly boring week.

A milestone was passed last week - I have now outlived both of my parents!  All my grandparents made it into their 80s.....my maternal grandmother was 80 when she died, but both my parents died younger than their parents did.  I think my paternal grandmother made it to 90 but I don't know for sure; my father's family cut my mother, my brothers and me out of their lives when my father walked out on us.  "I don't want any part of your family squabbles" the old bat wrote to my mother on hearing the news that her older son had left his wife and children without a word to any of them.  That's fine.  We can live without you too.

We have another flood.  The river is up, roads are cut including one of the three river crossings in town.  I have lost count of how many floods we have had this year.  However, with memories of the drought of just a few years ago fresh in our memories, we aren't complaining.

Now that we have finished with our general rules of etiquette for balls, we shall move outside the ball room to the street.

"The manners of a person are clearly shown by his treatment of the people he meets in the public streets of a city or village, in public conveyances and in travelling generally.  The true gentleman, at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances, is kind and courteous to all he meets, regards not only the rights, but the wishes and feelings of others, is deferential to women and to elderly men, and is ever ready to extend his aid to those who need it."

I think we could add "the true lady", could we not?  It behooves a 'true lady' to be kind and courteous, also.  

Good manners and courtesy are not just knowing how to hold a knife and fork, but how to make others feel at ease in any situation.  This is not the only book of etiquette on my bookshelf; I have a more modern book, published in England, which is quite stiff and formal.  It places great importance on knowing which fork and spoon to use for which course, and which glass for which wine, and how deeply to curtsey to Lord and Lady So-and-So, but very little on how to treat others with kindness.....something far more important in my opinion, which is emphasised in my 1885 book.

Enjoy your days!

A week of something!

Finally.....the quilting on the border of my Canadian quilt is done, so it's itme to think about a sleeve and a label.  Labels, because there will be two; one saying who designed it, who made it, and who it's for, while the other will have a key to the blocks.  If I had been thinking at the time the back of each block could have been identified as they were made, but better late than not at all, yes?

The blue is painter's tape holding it to my light box so it didn't slip.  Because the fabric is red to match the back, rather than white or cream, I used a fine Pigma pen which will be covered by hand embroidery in black floss. 

Early this year my quilt group's (non-compulsory, thank goodness) annual challenge was handed out.  Now I don't know about the rest of you but I have enough partly done projects that I don't wish to take on any more, so I put it to the back of my mind.....until a few days ago, when this quilt popped into my head. We were given two choices, both of which were quite similar; one was to take the initial letters of our first name, middle name and surname and use them for blocks, colour, and quilting design.

Well......

This unfinished design was done several years ago, and it fits the bill nicely.  First name Jennifer, so Jacob's Ladder blocks will work.  Second name Grace, and I am (as I may have mentioned once or twice) quite fond of green.  Many of the blocks were made when I belonged to another group; we took it in turns to choose a block which would be made for us by other members, and my choice was Jacob's Ladder in greens and creams.

Switching the placement of the colours around makes an interesting design, although I see the block on the left will need to be corrected.  Some seam allowances are downright.....creative, to the point where the blocks are so inaccurate that they are well nigh unusable.  I am not going to fluff around taking blocks apart and remaking them, so they will be tossed.  Some blocks used just two fabrics while others - the more interesting ones - used a mix of greens.

There is a very good chance that it will still be an unquilted top when the time comes for the Big Reveal, but I don't care.  It's been sitting in its box for long enough, so moving it up a step or two is a Good Thing.

More diamonds have been cut and joined.  Not many stitches have been knitted.  Words have been read.  Notes have been plinked.  Another week has passed.

Daylight saving started in this state at stupid dark o'clock early this morning, and will continue for six months.  I can cope with either time, standard or daylight; it's the changeover time that does me (and a lot of other people) in, consequently I'm feeling a bit jet lagged today.  Never mind, an early-ish night tonight, a couple of good sleeps and by next weekend the old body and brain will be adjusted to different time.

Not everyone likes daylight saving time, when it rolls around every spring long and loud are the moaners and whingers but it started back in 1971, so like it or not I think it's here to stay.

One thing which does start in October is storm season - something to look forward to, for sure!  Compared to how some folk on the other side of he world are faring at present we're not doing too badly, but of course that can (and indeed, may) change.

The final rule, from General Rules for Balls.

"In a private dance, a lady cannot well refuse to dance with any gentleman who invites her unless she has a previous engagement.  If she declines from weariness, the gentleman will show her a compliment by abstaining from dancing himself, and remaining with her while the dance progresses."

Supposing the reason a lady declined a gentleman's dance invitation was just because she didn't wish to dance with him?  If that is the case she may not want to be stuck with a bloke she doesn't care for, while others are whirling around the dance floor enjoying themselves with their partner of choice.

Enjoy your days!

Another week of nothing much

Which is probably better than too much excitement, I suppose.

Diamonds have been cut, and sewn.  Stitches have been knitted.  Words have been read.   Music has been played....but no choir because of the public holiday and we meet in council-owned premises, so all council buildings were unavailable for the day.  

Now some of the world has farewelled one monarch and greeted another, can you just imagine how many things will have to be changed?  Currency, for one....those little royal badges on some products which are supposed to endow them with magic because a royal personage has used them.....

Our callistemon is flowering, 'King's Park Special' is blooming, a long way from where it was developed and bred on the other side of the continent.

It's been a case of 'just plant it and stand back', because it has grown quickly; I am wondering, though, if we might have planted it a bit close to the house.  Never mind, Kevin enjoys pruning and cutting plants back, even hacking into them severely, when he is allowed to.

We also have a tree in front of the house which started growing about a year ago, from a seed dropped by a bird (probably) or drifting in the wind (possibly).  It is now just starting to bloom and is a very healthy specimen of whatever-it-is.  I suspected an acacia of some sort so earlier today we took a piece to a horticulturist and were told it's probably Blackwood.  Many acacias don't live very long so I don't suppose we need to worry it it undermining the house, but it is growing very quickly.....very very quickly.....and it might grow huge, it's already as tall as the house......

Another flood, less than a week after the previous one.  We have had a heap ton of rain - if that's not an official liquid measure it should be - the ground is so sodden that it can't soak up any more moisture.  On our way out and back earlier this afternoon we crossed the river on different bridges, and couldn't believe how much water is still flowing.  

Temperatures are warming up but unlike some people I have not yet found it warm enough to flash my bare arms, and certainly not my bare legs.  It's still warm enough for us  to stay covered, and to wear socks; my sandals haven't yet seen the light of day since being put away at the end of last summer.  Never mind, no doubt we will soon be complaining that it's too hot.  If only we could go from spring to autumn, bypassing summer and winter, what a happy woman I would be - but I don't know that there is anywhere in the world with such a climate, is there?

Continuing on with General Rules for Balls, which will finish next week:

"Gentlemen should engage their partners for the approaching dance before the music strikes up."

Indeed.  When the music starts everyone should be ready to take the first step in the dance, they should not still be fumbling and stumbling trying to find a place on the dance floor.

Enjoy your days!

That was fun!

Last Sunday's treadle demonstration and ukulele gig went well and was fun, but oh my....it was a busy day.  By the time we arrived home, unloaded the car, put the machine back together and sat down with a cuppa I was done for the day, so no blogging.

This is the base - doesn't it put you in mind of a skeleton!

It looks a bit naked without the cabinet and machine, doesn't it?  The cabinet screws into four holes at the top of the base.

The green bag was started and finished during the demonstration and the red bag would have been finished too, had it not been for the machine having conniptions with its tension.

See the tension wheel on the front left?  Part of the tension assembly includes a fine wire spring which had slipped out of place and moved, allowing the thread to wrap itself around the next guide, pull taut and snap.  Fortunately Gina (a choir friend who knows old machines inside out and backwards) was at hand to help, we fixed it and had it going again.

The ticking fabric was given to me by a former boss who, with her husband, had a side business restoring old furniture.  They did the wood finishing themselves but had an upholsterer do the seats, backs and pillows who didn't stint on quality fabrics......I know because she gave me some bags of leftovers; this sturdy ticking was included.  There were two long pillow forms already sewn along the sides and ends with openings left for stuffing; cut across the middle they make good sized bags, with strips cut off for handles.  The backing on the straps matches the lining fabrics from my stash, so they are colourful as well as being strong.

Our ukulele songs were well received, people said nice things to us and about us and the young children who danced around to our music had a great time, so much so that we have been booked for the next Spring Fair - in two years' time!

The big news item in recent times has, of course, been the death of Queen Elizabeth II.  While I sympathise with her family losing a loved mother and grandmother I really don't understand the outpouring of grief from those who would never have moved in the same circles.  She (and various other family members) visited Australia several times, but I have never seen the attraction of being squashed in a crowd just to see a hand waving out a car window.  I would, however, love to put dibs on all the emeralds....she had some beautiful emeralds, I am quite fond of green and emerald is my birthstone.....she often wore a beautiful Golden Wattle brooch which my country gave her on her first tour and which I covet mightily.  There is also a gorgeous diamond and sapphire brooch which was a gift from Canada which I really like, but will leave for my Canadian friends to fight over.  There are some very pretty jewels and trinkets in the royal vaults, I do like a nice trinket....and these are very nice indeed.

Some quilting has been done on the Canadian quilt border, yay!  Hopefully some more can be done later today.  More stitches have been knitted, more diamonds have been joined.  Words have been read, notes have been plinked.  Hunting and gathering has been done, and so passes another week with more of the same to come.

Much great excitement here on Friday, after very heavy rain the previous night we had a flood with two of the three river crossings in town being closed.  The river has gone down for now but more rain is expected later in the week, goodness knows where it will go as the ground is so wet already.  Those Who Know have assured us that another flood is possible.  Meanwhile, smaller towns downstream are currently seeing major floods with the prospect of being cut off from the outside world for several days, so I don't suppose they will need more water.

It hasn't been the weather for a barefoot frolic in a flouncy summer frock.

Continuing on with General Rules for Balls:

"When balls are given, if the weather is bad, an awning should be provided for the protection of those passing from their carriages to the house.  In all cases, a broad piece of carpet should be spread from the door to the carriage steps."

Such an awning would have been needed here on Thursday evening.  Fortunately the building in which our choir practices are held has such an awning going from the door nearly to the street, so one didn't have to sprint through the raindrops for too long before arriving at one's (self-drive) carriage.

Enjoy your days!