Opal tree

We all know that opals don't grow on trees.  My opal jewellery (I am lucky enough to have some) certainly didn't - but if it had, it might have been from a tree such as this one.  The fabric used for trunk and branches looks very opal-y, doesn't it?  (I know there's no such word, but I don't know what it should be.....opalescent, perhaps?)  The tree fabric has a look of William Morris about it.

Water puddles in a tree, another fabric used in 'Summertime Blues'.  We have had a little rain in recent days, and more is forecast for the next couple of days too.

An interesting pair of trees for the week, taking the total so far to 42.  The original quilt used 99 blocks.

This morning some of the members of my quilt group attended a trunk show put on by a quilter visiting from interstate.  Her quilts were all antique - and even if they didn't meet the definition of a true "antique"  (an article over 100 years old) they were certainly vintage, and each and every one was hand-quilted.  Many were pieced and appliqué quilts from the 1920s-30s; this was described as being "from the time of the American Civil War, early 1860s".  I don't know if it is or not, I suspect perhaps not, but it appealed to me most of all.

A couple of the blocks showing fabrics used.  I like the red used for the alternate squares.

Not all the light fabrics in this block were the same; two of the nine-patches use a different print to the other three.

The same blue fabric was used in all the blocks, and the sashings between blocks were a different blue fabric - but once again, all used the same blue.  The tan setting triangles were the same throughout the quilt, although faded in some places more than others.

How has everyone's been been?  Ours was, as usual, fairly quiet.....stitched were stitched, words were read, songs were plinked and sung.  We went out foraging for food and similar Stuff, and that was about it.  

All very unexciting, I suppose, but at least we haven't been affected by the blackouts happening in other parts of town caused by fruit bats roosting in electricity transformers.  We are supposed to love all creatures, but bats are a species of which I am not fond - especially these bats.  They are usually more prevalent at the coast a few hours east of us, but habitat clearing sends them inland looking for just the right flowering trees.  It seems that we have an abundance of the correct trees, so that means we have thousands upon thousands of bats.  Apart from some wildlife people no one likes them, but we are stuck with them until they move on....which they will, eventually, although that can't come soon enough for those poor folk who keep losing power.  A couple in the choir were saying on Thursday night that their part of town is the worst affected; the noise and particularly the smell are difficult to live with, but as horrible as it is they cheer themselves up by saying "at least we don't live in Gaza."

Eventually the bats will move away as they have before, and we will all breathe a deep sigh of relief.  Then one day they will return......

Continuing with last week's quote.

"Driving.

The place of honor is on the right hand of the seat facing the horses.  This is also the seat of the hostess, which she never resigns.  If she is not driving, it must be offered to the most distinguished lady.  A person should enter a carriage with the back to the seat, so as to prevent turning around in the carriage.  A gentleman must be careful not to trample upon or crush a lady's dress.  In driving, one should always remember that the rule of the road is to keep to the left."

Now, that is interesting.  This book is adapted for "the Australasian colonies" from an American publication, and Americans - and indeed the citizens of many other countries - certainly don't drive on the left these days.  Perhaps the advent of the horseless carriage brought about the change of custom?

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer