Tea Cosy

My friend, Colleen, thought the teapot at Vickery Quilt and Craft Retreat looked a bit naked last month so she whipped up a crocheted tea cosy for it! Thanks Colleen ... now the tea will stay nice and warm too.

Plenty River event - Melbush O

Last Sunday's event saw a wet start with some slippery mountain bike single tracks to contend with, as well as wet grass and bushes, plus a persistent light drizzle.

I decided on the B course again as it was hard navigation rather than moderate for the C, but a little longer than I am used to at 4.7km. It all went fine until control #8 when there was a new track, that didn't appear on the map, situated only about 10 metres before the one I really need to turn onto. I wasn't the only one searching for the "small depression" that the control was located on and I was feeling a bit of a "depression" coming on myself ... however by relocating back to the intersecting track I managed to find it and continued on my merry way. I was happy with my time and navigation, except for that one delay!

There was a large mob of eastern grey kangaroos in the out of bounds area, obviously quite used to living so near to humans with all the housing construction going on in what used to be a sheep property next to the Park, by the look of things.

Holidays

The days have been full, not much time to think of posting to my neglected blog. M16 is into his third week of school holidays and F20 is on Uni holidays which seem to go for ever! We have done some shopping, I visited the great Eugene von Geurard exhibition at the NGV's Ian Potter gallery with Philippa, M16 went to two careers events, a junior orienteers training camp and worked on his Yr 10 personal project, while F20 went to the Southern Uni Games in Geelong (where her hockey team picked up the silver medal) and then on a trip to the snow.

I also went on the orienteering camp, which was in and around Beechworth VIC, as one of the "responsible adults" ... and it was quite fun and very worthwhile. It was a  joint camp with the NSW kids and the coaches provided lots of valuable information and set good courses. While the kids from the two states didn't mix much, the Victorians got to know each other much better ahead of the Aust. Champs for which many of them will qualify and attend.

There was a lot of running on granite terrain as that is the sort which will feature at the Aust. Champs. Even the sprint or short distance is in the bush on granite  so I reckon I might save my entry fee on that one, as speed over rocky ground is not one of my virtues.

Not much sewing has been done unless mending counts! I have managed to add a hanging sleeve to my entry for the Quilt Showcase at the Craft and Quilt Fair, however.

I've also attended my Census Officer training and reviewed my area of approx. 440 dwellings and prepared my materials ... writing the ID number on 900 forms and envelopes! Census Day is Tuesday 9 August and we start delivering forms and eCensus password envelopes on 29 July. I'd encourage everyone to do it online, much quicker and easier!
 

June Retreat Weekend

I have just returned form three great days away with seven friends from my group Connected Quilters on a quilt and craft retreat - this time at our place in Alexandra, Vickery Quilt and Craft Retreat. We had such a ball and produced heaps of craft projects and had much fun admiring each other's parcels and treasures that we found while exploring the town. Each Queen's Birthday weekend Alexandra hosts a "Truck and Ute Show" on the Sunday which is a big deal for those interested in such things ... not exactly us,  but the town was buzzing, the shops were open longer hours, there was a wood-chopping competition, Quilt Show by the local group, Church fete, auction and mini fair with rides and side shows etc.

We also had lots of laughs, great walks on the frosty mornings, coffees from the local cafes, yummy bread and sausage rolls and vanilla slices, and a terrific vegetable lasagne cooked by Karyn and Sue one night.

I didn't progress much with the quilting of my snowballs quilt ... lots of puckering, so will have to start afresh on that one. It was either the sub standard basting spray or thread or both.

The top I pieced was much more successful and I love the colours and fabrics. Just have the borders to add and it's done.

Kaffe Fassett again, a design by Roberta Horton called Garden Rainbow Quilt in his book "Country Garden Quilts".

Goodies for Mum

Yesterday I whipped up an apron from two beaut fabrics I picked in Bowral at My Place. The apron is for my Mum and I will include some pickles and jam as well.

Easter Break at Vickery Retreat Alexandra

We had a lovely Easter break at our retreat house in Alexandra - it is a beautiful time of year to be there. The Autumn nights were cool when the sky was clear, with crisp mornings and lots of colour among the tree leaves.

There was entertainment in the main street on Saturday and an Easter Fair in the Rotary Park right at the end of our street on Sunday. More than 40 stalls, food, entertainment and wine tastings too. The town was buzzing!

We enjoy the quiet there after the city background noise and enjoyed the birds each morning and afternoon. We even had a sulphur crested cockatoo come down to the bird bath for a drink one day.

We did a few jobs such as weeding, putting up some new towel rails and best of all - a design wall! We kept busy with kayaking on Lake Eildon, bike rides, skating, sewing, reading and watching TV or DVDs. It was very relaxing.

AQC- Part 2

Here are the threads I purchased. A green multi in 30 wt Mirage for accent work, caramel Dazzle for my "Aurora" quilt bobbin work, red 50 wt Konfetti for my French General Rouenneries machine quilting, and 100 wt neutral tone Invisafil for the Kaffe Fassett Snowball quilt and ditch lines of the drunkards path quilt. That's going to be a lot of quilting, but what a difference the "right" thread will make.

Here's a little sample of my overnight stitching.

I admired many examples of machine quilting amongst the quilts on display too.

 I aslo purchased some fabric and ric rac for another two tea cosies.