Saturday 26 June 2010

Charm Square Quilt Underway

Yesterday at my regular quilters' gathering (or "knees up" as it is known to the family) I cut the chenille squares for my Kaffe Fassett charm square quilt in pastel fabrics. The chenille squares provide textural interest! And remind us of our childhoods with chenille bedspreads and dressing gowns ... Next I laid all the squares out on the 'design' floor and added in the chenille ones until I had 12 rows of 10 squares. We spent some time moving squares around until we were satisfied with the "ordered randomness". This quick quilt will have a white chenille border and larger floral border and is designed to go over a white doona cover.





The darker squares from the charm packs (with reds, browns, purples, blacks and greens) will make another different quilt.

Tuesday 22 June 2010

Flying Visit to my Folks

Just back from five days visiting my folks in northern NSW and had a lovely time catching up. The New England weather had been very chilly but turned mild for my visit so I didn't need the flannelette PJs or warmer overcoat. I arrived at Armidale just before sunset and picked up a Corolla hire car for the trip to Glen Innes.




We went on an interesting drive to Emmaville, Wellingrove, Strathbogie and Kings Plains, which I hadn't seen in MANY years.





On Fridays at midday a piper plays on the Town Hall balcony - the area is know as "Celtic Country" and has an annual festival.


Monday 21 June 2010

Happy Anniversary

Sunday 20th June was my parents' 51st wedding anniversary.



Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad from us!

Thursday 10 June 2010

What's in the garden

Winter is definitely the off season in the fruit and vegetable garden in Melbourne, but we still have a number of herbs, granny smith apples, tamarillos, lemons and oranges.





 The rainbow silver beet is also coming along well. I like growing it for the colours as much as for eating!

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Baking day

Today it was time to restock the pantry with home baked treats ... Chocolate Express Cake (dairy and egg free) and Scottish Parkin.

The Chocolate Cake is a quick one bowl cake that is delightfully moist and chocolatey.


The Parkin is from K's recipe and uses oats and treacle and keeps very well. It has to cool in the tray and be cut much later ... if I can wait!


 If you would like either recipe, please leave a comment.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Rocket Quilt completed

I thoroughly enjoyed sewing and hand quilting this quilt in Prints Charming "2 Young Street" fabrics, for my nephew.



The rockets and moons were outlined and I did shooting stars in the border cornerstones.




I used perle threads and soft Polydown batting.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

London - Day 9

My last day in London and a great holiday coming to an end. I went back to the V&A for my second visit and also browsed the shops in Kensington and Knightsbridge and the Oxford St area.

I loved this tiny private park/garden not far from Harrods!





While shopping I managed to find some things for the children, family and friends. The Harrods shop at Heathrow was the source of a few items as well.



Tuesday 1 June 2010

London - Day 8

I got sidetracked and didn't finish my London posts, so here goes.

Tuesday was a long train trip to Kew Gardens as my Richmond train twice got redirected to Ealing Broadway and I had to hop off! The outdoor station was charming as were the group of little shops nearby. The butcher's shop had sirloin type steaks for 36 BP/kilo (about A$51 at the time) and lamb loin chops for 28BP/kilo (about A$40) ... I am sure the locals eat cheaper cuts of meat most of the time!



I visited the gardens and then the local patchwork shop that I had researched at home - Tikki Patchwork.


It was easy to find from the internet directions and thankfully open. A small but well stocked shop with a lot of quilts on display. Kaffe Fassett prints and most others were 10 BP /metre which was good value for an Aussie. I was tempted by one kit but had a number of the fabrics in my left overs pile so just made some notes for later! I did, however, buy a kit of Scandinavian fabrics in white, blue, red and pink plus the binding and backing fabrics as they were all in 150 cm wide and only 13 BP/metre.

I also picked up some KF fabric for a backing - matching floral and spot.


Later that day we had quick ready meal and then went off to a West End show - "Jersey Boys" - which was great entertainment. Terrific to be able to go there and back in safety on the underground rail.