New bike and back to work

Ben's new bike has arrived, I am one nervous mum, he has not got a lot of riding experience but has purchased a big package of a motorcycle. I really hope he handles it okay.

No point worrying tho. At least he looks the part.

I have to go back to work this week as I am in Sydney and the lady who was taking my class on Thursday night is unwell so I said I would come and do it. And a class again on Monday with the baltimore girls. I will also catch up with the Wednesday class and have some fun.

So while I was waiting for him to get the bike started, I went around Dad's shed and the yard looking for things to photograph for my photoshop backgrounds. I heaps on the old tractor that I thought were really good, just hope my camera was good enough to get the detail. It's amazing that even a piece of termite eaten timber can look great. And check out the front of the tractor, rust and mould, wonderful.
I can not wait to do something with this.

I will also be doing a sneak preview of my French Quilt very soon, the stitching is coming along well and I have already shown it and the rough layout sketch to Bron and she loved it. I am tossing up some ideas with doing a little applique.

Please check back soon and I will have some pics up of the redwork.

cheers

Update on what I have been doing

It seems like ages since I have blogged, I have been up in Port Macquarie these last two weeks and have had limited internet. So no blogging, just keeping up with my emails was a chore.
So I guess you are wondering what I have been doing?

I have been sewing, knitting and reading and relaxing, eating but eating well. Spending time around the town and getting to know the place but in a relaxed and easy going way.

Above: The dining table before I got started

I have come back to Sydney a bit more mellow I must say, but funny thing is that the unit we are currently in is so noisy, it is really amazing, I am not used to such close quarter living at all and as Tony loves every available door and window open it is like inviting the noise inside.

Left: Sewing started and a mess made

Miniature quilt passion

Some of my good friends have been inspired to make lots of mini quilts this year, one person is now teaching these as part of her class - but the real culprit is Bronwyn as she has been quietly making small hand pieced minis for a while now and these she has folded into an antique wooden trug that sits on her table in the family room and just looks stunning.

How could you not be inspired??

So, this attempt is my version and given as a christmas secret santa and Wendy got it, it is not at all Wendy colours so I hope she liked it.

I love the look of the old fashioned and reproductions and the dark blues and faded browns that older quilts have, we tend to forget that these quilts would have been much brighter when made and it is just time and use that has faded these beauties.

If you ever get the chance, and without damaging a quilt, ie if the seam is already open have a look at the reverse side in th seam and see if indeed the fabric colour is brighter.

While your there - see what the batting fibre is, this can help date a quilt from pre commercial wadding. Is it cotton, flax, wool or something unknow??

Being a quilt detective is fun and you can learn so much from an old quilt.

Getting those tops done

I havn't said much about quilting of late but I have been doing it. Trying to get finished up last week on the promised ones and leaving a few very short on time, having to appologise a couple of times for missing a deadline is not a good look.

Left is a panel I did, one of three finished for the Thursday night girls, they will now have to do their own quilting. One was a dinasour quilt, very nice in khaki's and browns, the other was a vintage cars panel quilt top and then finally a comic cat quilt top.

AND - Below, OOOPS -some froggy stitches required

Below is a stunning quilt that one of my Tuesday girls made for her niece in Armidale, for this winter while she is studying, hey luck girl.

I quilted it for Narelle in a circle wavey type free motion style and was really pleased with it.

The more I practice the better I get. For this I charged $50.00 and also did the binding for her.

I have never charged the girls much for the work as it has been all practice for me and I have not minded doing it. I know it is not much for my time but I feel I have really benefited and am so much better with the free motion which is practically all I do now.

Below a close up, what do you think??

Unemployed

I am now officially unemployed, lol. I finished up at Sewrite on thursday night. It was lovely with the girls bringing in cake and nibblies for supper and some champers too. I had a huge grin on my face all night, but not because I was leaving, that part is very difficult, but because I am heading into a new faze of my life.
Charlotte arrived home from NZ and had a wonderful time, including jumping out of a plane, bungy jumping, black water caving, etc etc, she had a fabulous time. So it is back to work for her and a change of life style because she and her brother will be responsible for themselves and the house and the animals, good luck.
The unit we have acquired is a lovely one, it is available in April and is in the centre of Port M and on the river, it is very nicely decorated and very modernly appointed. QuayNorth

In front is the stunning old oak trees and the river, this being a very popular park, and further right of the picture, is the old restored Hotel, pub on the corner of the park, with some stunning meals available, a great fish and chip shop, perfect for sitting in the park and feeding the gulls, of course we did this.