Leaping and jumping

One half of one side border is done.

The magazine instructions are quite sparse - we are told to just "arrange the pieces and sew together as in the photograph".  Well.....that's what I intended to do anyway!  If using someone else's pattern I generally follow the picture rather than the writing although I do take their word for the cutting instructions, and fortunately this pattern's cutting instructions were spot on.

A few years ago a local quilt shop/café/gift shop closed when the owners retired, and I took the opportunity to buy all that was left of an autumn leaf print that I had fallen in love with when it first arrived.  It will be the outside border and some of the pieced backing; it's peeking out in the square on the centre left on the leaf block and is quite scrumptious.

It's not my first autumn quilt either......this was made several years ago.  It has been shown on my blog in the past - but because I love it, here it is again.

All batik fabrics, some bought locally and some from overseas, including gifts from friends.  It was a workshop with a visiting tutor several years ago, and was fun to make.

When that pic was taken we were in the throes of drought, as you can see by the dry grass on the hill.  The plant in front of the quilt succumbed - such a shame, as I really loved it - and has been replaced by drought-proof rosemary which is in the throes of taking over the universe as we speak; bees love its pretty blue flowers, and it's useful for cooking.

Another sign of progress this week: I can now use my right hand to comb my hair, and my left hand is pleased about that.  You don't realise how much your wrist twists while doing these everyday activities, until it can't twist at all.  My thumb can touch the tips of the fingers one at a time, but those fingers can't yet touch the palm....I can't make a fist with that hand and until I can, I'm not keen to drive the car.  On Tuesday Emma physio was pleased with my progress and pointed out that it was, indeed, a bad break, and my hand and fingers also suffered significant damage.  So, the exercises are done daily and the hope is that one day eventually it will be more like it used to be, even though it may not, because of my age, ever quite go back to what it was before the fall.

Ah well.

Stitches have been sewn by hand and by machine.  Words have been read.  Songs have been sung.  In the coming week the uke will come out of its case for a bit of a plink which, hopefully, will be easier and less painful than a few weeks ago.  Hunting and gathering and the usual drug run, and that's been our week.

Some of you liked my thoughts on old words in last week's post.  Several years ago the school library where I worked was culling a copy of 'The dictionary of Australian colloquialisms".....you can't chuck that out, I said....take it, I was told.  It's a very entertaining book; each word or phrase is dated to where and when it first appeared in print, a reliable method of dating when it came into popular use.  When I put it in front of our musician friend his eyes lit up, and he had great fun poring through it.  My copy is the 1980 edition and, although there are more recent editions - mine was the right price!

This week has certainly lived up to its reputation of being the coldest week in the whole year.  Now, although I'm not a great fan of summer's heat, we can look forward to some warmer weather once July is behind us.....meanwhile, that fire is keeping us warm.

Continuing on with Conduct at charity fairs:

"Never appear so beggarly as to retain the change, if a larger amount is presented than the price.  Offer the change promptly, when the gentleman will be at liberty to donate it if he thinks best, and you may accept it with thanks.  He is, however, under no obligation whatever to make such donation."

These words, unlike last week's, seem to be aimed at a seller rather than a browser or purchaser.  The monthly main street markets were on this morning, but it was a bit cold for getting out and about too early.....so we didn't get to check out the baby Stuff and dog Stuff for sale.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer