How's this for being organised?

It's only the middle of January, and this year's challenge quilt is already being made!  That's pretty good going for me, also known as The Queen of Procrastination.  The quilting on last year's was only started a week or two before it was due to be unveiled.  

Here's the first block completed and another being made - somehow my Singer Featherweight seems the right machine to make these little blocks.

 These nine-patch blocks measure 6-3/4in finished and form a chain of pinwheels across the quilt; the size is because the pinwheel blocks are leftovers from another quilt and are 2-1/4in square.

This is what the pile of blocks looked like yesterday.....but today, they are all done!  Yay for me!

Here is a picture of Binky, just because we haven't had one for a while.  Does that look say "go away and leave me alone", do you reckon?  Binky has several hidey-holes for when she doesn't want to be disturbed, but on this occasion she was checking out our bed while it was being made.  She is a sweet old puss and we reckon that in the middle of next month she will turn 15.

The huge country music festival held each year here in the Small Smoke will be starting soon and some of the thousands of people who attend have already started arriving.  The usual population more than doubles; last year because of interstate flooding numbers were down, so we didn't really see how much it changes the town.  Although I was born here and lived here until the age of 23 when the lure of the Big Smoke proved attractive (that wasn't the only reason I moved, but it's a long story and believe me you don't need to hear it) last year's festival was the first I had attended, and even then we didn't go to many concerts and managed to completely avoid any line dances.  Line dancers never look as though it's an enjoyable activity, do they?  I have seen chooks in a farm yard have more fun.  All together now......hook your thumbs into the belt of your tight black jeans, tuck in your fringed satin shirt which emphasises every teeny bulge and wrinkle, cram a hat - good idea in the middle of summer to have a hot felt hat - on your head, kick out with one leg and repeat after me, "yee har".

"Balls.
The requisites for a successful ball are good music and plenty of people to dance.  An English writer says, "The advantage of the ball is, that it brings young people together for a sensible and innocent recreation, and takes them away from silly, if not from bad ones; that it gives them exercise, and that the general effect of the beauty, elegance and brilliancy of a ball is to elevate rather than to deprave the mind."  It may be that the round dance is monopolizing the ball-room to a too great extent, and it is possible that these may be so frequent as to mar the pleasure of some persons who do not care to participate in them, to the exclusion of other dances.  There should be an equal number of waltzes and quadrilles, with one or two other dances, which would give an opportunity to those who object (or whose parents object) to too many of one sort."

You notice that nothing is said about line dancing?  I enjoy waltzing and like nothing better than a quadrille......yes, I can dance any number of quadrilles......so let's hope my mind is well elevated.  Wouldn't want to have a depraved mind, would we?

Enjoy your days!

Quirky quoll

This little feller is a Spotted Quoll, but don't be deceived by the cuteness; quolls are related to Tassie Devils who can be rather nasty.  We saw this quoll and some of its friends at an animal park on our holiday late last year, and while we were watching them the keeper entered their enclosure with food, raw meat - they are carnivorous - which she placed in tree branches, on the ground, behind twigs, etc. to make the quolls work for their dinner.  Then it was every quoll for itself, and their table manners were appallingly bad; no "after you, sir" or "oh no, after you madam".  Their growls and screeches were to warn the others " this is mine, keep away from my dinner"!

There you are.....if you ever need a 'q' word for scrabble, you can use quoll.  Or quokka, another Aussie animal.  Probably earn triple points with either of those.

Summer has hit with a vengeance and the past couple of days have been fairly warm, but relief is in sight later in the week thank goodness.  I know some of you are battling winter storms and shovelling snow while we are sweltering and dodging thunderstorms.  Fortunately my sewing room is a pleasant temperature, because that's where I have been playing; yesterday some of the fabric for this year's challenge quilt was cut out, how's that for being organised?  The Big Reveal isn't until late November and this year I am determined not to be finishing it at the last minute, unlike last year.  This year's challenge is to make a quilt, any size but at least 120cm square, from fabric already in the stash although one other fabric is allowed to be purchased, as is batting and backing fabric.  Before we left Sydney I bought fabric for background, borders and backing to use the little pinwheels sewn when my arm was in plaster late in 2009, and they were leftovers from another quilt anyway.  All the background fabric has now been cut out, so the blocks can be made.

The lovely green skirt has been worn (it still doesn't have its ruffle trim, but it is wearable) with the green print top which fortunately fits well, and my new outfit gained several compliments.  It's nice to have new clothes, and there is one more skirt and top to go in the current clothes-making session.  The arty quilt I started in a workshop last year really should be finished too; even though I am not sure if I like it, I am determined to finish it.....perhaps I will feel differently when it's done.

Karen is writing a very interesting series of articles on her blog about copyright.  Quilters have a reputation for being 'caring and sharing' with patterns and designs, but while it's all right to help friends it shouldn't be done at the expense of a copyright holder.  Just imagine how you would feel if your original design were to be copied and sold as the work of someone else - it wouldn't be a good feeling, would it?

"Greediness.
To put large pieces of food into your mouth appears greedy, and if you are addressed when your mouth is so filled, you are obliged to pause, before answering, until the vast mouthful is masticated, or run the risk of choking, by swallowing it too hastily.  To eat very fast is also a mark of greediness, and should be avoided.  The same may be said of soaking up gravy with bread, scraping up sauce with a spoon, scraping your plate, and gormandizing upon one or two articles of food only."

No one told the quolls about greediness, although none of them were scraping their plates....probably because plates weren't used.

Enjoy your days!

Happy New Year!

Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.....heavens, 2012 already!  Seems like only yesterday we were worried about the millenium bug, remember that?  The world was going to end because all computers everywhere would suddenly freeze.  But they didn't, we are all still here and so are our computers although I suspect there wouldn't be many of us still using the computer we had in 2000.

We had a relaxing family time over Christmas, sitting in our beer garden.......

..........looking at the view over the back fence.

Even New Year's Eve was quiet for two Olde Phartes like us.  We enjoyed an entire whole bottle of a rather good bubbly wine - Australian, of course - washed it down with some nibbles, and stayed up long enough to see in the new year.

Santa was good to us too; we received a weather gadget that tells you what temperature it is outside, and inside, and how much rain has fallen.  Nothing, yet.  As part of our Christmas present to each other we have ordered ourselves a new TV, so we will really then be part of the 21st century.  Other gifts were chocolates, some scrumptious fabrics, a calendar all the way from British Columbia.....I like to have a scenic calendar or two around the house.....a scrumptious hand-dyed scarf, and some gorgeous smelly things from Fenella Jane.  That was for me.  I was also sent a wombat calendar!

Here in the Small Smoke we don't have a humungous fireworks display, although we did hear a cracker or two go bang.  When we lived in Sydney we never went to the NYE fireworks display, the crowd is a frightening size - last night it was expected that one million people would all sit around the harbour and go ooh and aah over the pretty bangs.  One million!  All those noughts!  What a scary thought.  The idea is all those people will spend lots of dollars while in town for the fireworks, so that is the justification for sending the equivalent of the gross domestic product of a small country up in smoke.  While I don't wish to be a party pooper, I would like to ask - how is it that so much money (we are talking many millions of dollars here) can be found for fireworks, but not for our hospitals, schools, and other places where it could make a difference?

Our local paper yesterday had a story about the Catholic priest from a small town north of here who has a pyrotechnics licence and stages fireworks displays in some of the small towns and villages hereabouts, with the profits going to the church.  He calls his business "Holy Smoke"....isn't that a hoot?

This year, as last year, I do not intend to make any Resolutions although I do have Plans.  Those Plans include finishing off a quilt top or two which are languishing in my cupboard waiting to be quilted (believe me there are more than a few, but we have to start somewhere), make one or two more and quilt them straightaway, and make more clothes.  The new scrumptious emerald/jade/teal green skirt is wearable as is although I have A Plan to trim it before it's worn, and the top which will be worn with it is in progress.  It looks a wee bit small......let's hope the stretch factor is right......when it's done there will be a picture but not of me wearing it, because there are some things for which the world is not yet ready.  While I was never a raving beauty when young I'm certainly no oil painting now and cannot pass a mirror or shop window without shuddering, so there is no way the world is going to see a picture of me in all my glory or lack thereof.  There are a few pictures of me out there on the interwebz, but be assured they weren't put there by me.

Now that summer is here and today is hot and sunny, we may need to make use of this recipe just as our foremothers did......or if they did, they were braver than I would be.

"To remove sunburn.
Take two ounces of borax, one dram of alum, one dram of camphor, half an ounce of sugar-candy, and a pound of ox-gall.  Mix and stir well for ten minutes, and stir it three or four times a fortnight.  When clear and transparent, strain through a blotting-paper and bottle for use."

Enjoy your days!

Happy Christmas Wishes

A while ago I made myself a Christmas apron from fabric which has been in my stash for......oh......a hundred years, at least.  It would have looked even lovelier had it been ironed, now you all know what a sloppy housekeeper I am.

 The pattern is in a book bought on our last trip to Canada in 2009, "Canadian Heritage Quilting".  As soon as I saw this pattern I knew it was for me, isn't it great?  It's a lovely book, a very interesting read about the history of quilting in eastern Canada, and has wonderful patterns.

Here's a basket of pretty Aussie wildflowers for you all for Christmas, as a 'thank you' for reading my blog and sticking with me.

This afternoon I have been making some yummy goodies in preparation for our older son's visit, and some more will be made tomorrow.  Nothing like chocolate and nuts at Christmas, is there?  A pork roast (won in a raffle at the local lawn bowls club - meat raffles are a great thing here, and we are lucky enough to win from time to time) is defrosting in the fridge and tomorrow evening will be rubbed with a mixture of sage, lemon rind, garlic, oil, salt and pepper ready to be roasted for lunch on Christmas Day.  There is also a small rolled turkey breast roast with cranberry and apple stuffing because the aforementioned son likes turkey, and they will be served with roast potatoes, roast sweet potatoes, caramelised onions, and fresh asparagus.  And gravy.  Mustn't forget the gravy.  To be followed by traditional Christmas cake, pecan brownies (also to be made tomorrow), chocolate nut slice (made today), rosè wine ice (currently being made), cherries, and ice cream should your little heart desire.  It will be served with sparkling wine.

I won't think badly of you if you refuse seconds.

While our older son is visiting we hope to spend a little time on the computer chatting to our other son, who lives on the far side of the known universe from here i.e. Toronto, Canada, and to his lovely partner our girl-in-law.  We miss them and are sorry they are so far away, but glad they are happy.

We have been hearing lots of Christmas music on the radio, fortunately not much has been of the "Winter Wonderland"/"Let It Snow" variety.  They are songs about winter, not songs about Christmas, and Christmas in Australia is not in winter.  By all means play them until you are tired of them (and you may already be so, for all I know) on the other side of the equator, where they are more appropriate.  While I quite enjoy most Christmas music....for a while.......by about tomorrow it will all start to sound a little too familiar.

Before I leave you with the quote from my 1885 etiquette book without which no blog post would be complete, I would like to extend my greetings to you, dear readers, and your families, for a happy and peaceful Christmas.

"Praising Dishes.
A hostess should not express pride regarding what is on her table, nor make apologies if everything she offers you is not to her satisfaction.  It is much better that she should observe silence in this respect, and allow her guest to eulogize her dinner or not, as they deem proper.  Neither is it good taste to urge guests to eat, nor to load their plates against their inclination."

Have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope the fat man in the red suit is good to you all!

Some pretty orchid goodness

Today while digging in the garden we managed to keep intact some clumps of these beauties....Aussie native rock orchids.....this was taken at Mount Annan before we left Sydney.  We will see if we can get them growing and flowering.  They were almost hidden under some plants that we didn't like, so all had to come out together.

Aren't they gorgeous?  Wish our green thumbs luck.  According to my 1885 etiquette book, in the language of flowers orchids stand for beauty.....a bouquet of these would indeed be beautiful.

At present the radio is playing a tribute to Spike Jones who would have celebrated his 100th birthday a few days ago, if he were still alive.  Did you know he played drums on Bing Crosby's original recording of "White Christmas"?  Neither did I until a few minutes ago.  My generation grew up with Spike's recording of "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth", and of course "William Tell Overture", as well as other gems, and I still enjoy them.

Speaking of "White Christmas"......during World War II my father spent time in New Guinea and never ever spoke of his wartime experiences, but my mother once told me that the soldiers sang a parody "I'm dreaming of a white mistress", which was considered a very risque thing to do at the time!

The clothes sewing is proceeding along nicely.  One skirt has been made, and was worn to a Christmas party last night.  When I am in the mood the next skirt will be cut out; it won't take long to make.  It will be green, lovely dark green, gorgeous green.  

Unfortunately last night's Christmas party wasn't enjoyed as much as we had hoped it would be.  The company was fun, the food was excellent, but the music was loud.  Way too loud.  Loud to the point of pain.  The musicians, a duo who played guitars and sang, were asked to turn the volume down - but didn't.  We gave up trying to talk (it was more like lip reading), and left early, in company with many other people.

"When a color is chosen which is favorable to the complexion, it is well to associate with it the tints which will harmonize by analogy, as to use contrasting colors would diminish its favorable effect.  When a color is used in dress, not suitable to the complexion, it should be associated with contrasting colors, as they have the power to neutralize its objectionable influence."

One suggestion for harmonising with green is crimson, blue, and gold or yellow.  All at once.  Oh dear......

Enjoy your days!

Today's post is brought to you by the letter J

This bird is a Black Neck Stork, commonly called Jabiru in Australia.

Several years ago I recall seeing an Australian alphabet in cross-stitch, and the Jabiru represented J. Don't those legs look fragile to bear the weight and height of the bird? Unfortunately we couldn't get closer to get a better picture.

Speaking of better pictures the quilt I won last week is still un-photographed because the weather has not been kind; strong winds for a few days, followed by rain, rain and more rain. The quilt is too large to get a good picture inside but never mind, outside will improve soon. We hope. Summer may be a little late this year but that's OK, the hot weather will come soon enough. I don't mind if it stays away for a little longer.

This week the sewing room has been in use for making some clothes. I have been digging into my Retirement Stash of fabric and out came a few pieces which will be used to make summer skirts; the one currently under the machine needle is a white faux (that's a fancy word for fake) broderie Anglaise, but instead of the fabric being embroidered it is printed with yellow around the edges of the holes. Because of the holes it is fairly sheer, and I am past the age of wanting the world to see everything I own, so it is being lined in deep gold solid. Last summer I bought a gold tee at a local op shop which matches beautifully, so that and the new skirt will be my Christmas outfit this year.

The next piece to be made will be a gorgeous solid green, not quite teal, not quite jade, a lovely rich cotton fabric bought in Toronto, Canada, in 2007. (Have I ever mentioned that I really like green?) Here in the Small Smoke I was able to find a matching green and white knit fabric for a top, so that's another new outfit. The last piece in this sewing session will be a skirt in a border print which shades from deep blue at the hem to pale aqua at the top, overprinted in black - there was no way the colours in this fabric could be matched, so its top will be black.

I am enjoying the process of making clothes. When I was a sweet young thing of 18 or so I bought a second-hand sewing machine, a pattern for a little top, and a yard of fabric......cut it out and sewed it up.......and was so proud of myself. The only sewing I had done was at school and that wasn't very much; my mother didn't sew, so I just blundered along on my own. Over the past umpteen years I have clothed myself, and my children, and even my husband. I have made wedding gowns, and 19th century-style ball gowns for myself (until just a few years ago I used to do vintage dancing, and made all I needed - gowns, hair ornaments, everything) but now I only sew for myself and just everyday clothing at that, because it suits the life I lead. Have you noticed how many quilters are dismissive of those of us who use our machines to make clothing? "Oh", they say, "I used to do that but now I can't be bothered". That's their choice, just the same as making clothing and quilts is mine. Over the years I have gained many skills in sewing, and how I choose to use them is my business.

"Indifference to dress.

Indifference and inattention to dress is a defect of character rather than virtue, and often denotes indolence and slovenliness. Every woman should aim to make herself look as well as possible with the means at her command. Among the rich, a fondness for dress promotes exertion and activity of the mental powers, cultivates a correct taste, and fosters industry and ingenuity among those who seek to procure for them the material and designs for dress. Among the middle class it encourages diligence, contrivance, planning and deftness of handiwork, and among the poorer classes it promotes industry and economy. A fondness for dress, when it does not degenerate into vain show, has an elevating and refining influence on society."

Correct taste, deftness of handiwork, and economy.......all sound like me.

Enjoy your days!

Lucky lucky me!

What a lucky time I have been having! Today my reward from Sara arrived for choosing Daisy's name, and Sara made me this pretty pillowcase....lots of stars in this galaxy, aren't there? I do like these fabrics.

Yesterday my name was pulled out of the hat, or the box or barrel or whatever was used - I wasn't present so didn't see - and I won a quilt! Pics will be shown, a few were taken today but they didn't turn out very well; it's not easy pressing that little button while balancing on a ladder. It has embroidered blocks (one of which was worked by me) bordered in blue, lots of bright fabrics joining the blocks, and is backed in green. Have I ever mentioned that I am very fond of green? It's a lovely quilt made by the quilt group at the local craft centre, and I am very fortunate to be its owner.

The quilt shown in my last post, 'Windmills of My Mind', has been entered in Quilting Gallery's weekly contest because this week's theme is "stars". You can see the quilts, and vote for your choice, here. Stars are a popular quilt design, aren't they? I have a book entirely about star quilts by Mary Elizabeth Johnson; it was one of the first quilt books I bought many years ago and it's still one of my favourites.

Next week 'Windmills of My Mind' will be delivered to the local gallery as it's going to be in an exhibition of works by gallery volunteers, of whom I am one. We were asked if we painted, or photographed, or knitted, or quilted, or just about anything else, and if so would we like to have something hung in the volunteers' exhibition "Time to Shine 2011". Isn't that something?

This coming weekend will be somewhat busy: Monday night choir practice tomorrow afternoon, Thursday night choir Christmas party tomorrow night, Monday night Christmas carol concert on Sunday evening, somehow need to find time in there to do some baking for contributions to both the party and the concert........I thought retirement meant sitting around and doing not much at all........

"Dining should be ranked among the fine arts. A knowledge of dinner-table etiquette is all important in many respects; but chiefly in this: that it is regarded as one of the strong tests of good breeding. Dinners are generally looked upon as entertainments for married people and the middle aged, but it is often desirable to have some young unmarried persons among the guests."

If dining should be ranked as a fine art.....I wonder if it would be the subject of an exhibition?

Enjoy your days!