Holidays on the Mighty Murray

I was very lucky to be invited onto a Houseboat for lunch one day while on holidays on Mildura.

My friend and her family had 5 days just lazing on a houseboat.

It was peaceful, and a fantastic experience to "have a turn"

This is the life!

Officially on HOLIDAYS!

It hasn't quite registered yet. . .

This was last weekend's market I had with my sister.

She came all the way from Mildura, and we had Plants, Craft and Olive Oil

Did I mention, that I'm now on . . . holidays!

. . . almost there

I just have to get through one more day

"I THINK I can I THINK I can . . ."

but I'm looking forward to seeing that little blue engine "puff" right over the hill.

The Challenge is ON!

This is the car that I learnt to drive in . . .

It has lost it's way on the farm over the years, but now has a second chance at life

Little Pete, has 6 or so years, to bring old "Betsy" back to humming stage

I think it could need more than "food"

The challenge has begun

Quilting

Some quilting done, and now for the binding.

BUT

Look what happened, when I checked it out the next day . . .

There must have been a scrap on the sewing table (what am I talking about must have been!!)

On advice from a sewing friend, I just cut it close and pulled the threads through, rather than unpicking and re-quilting.

Back to my sewing machine

These pieces have been hanging around for months and months. I was inspired by Amanda Jean way back who liked the idea from here, and when and after reports were out of the way, I just wanted to sew.

I wanted to feel that sense of achievement, and finish something, so I worked on this one.

I'm going to have a go at quilting it tonight.

. . . and that's a wrap!

"I'm Done" - well, that's what the kids say at school anyway and it really annoys me, so I'm trying it on. So happy to be finished reports at last, and hope there are not too many things to fix up once the Big Brass check them over.

The storm last night was amazing. It has continued to rain ALL DAY today.

When the sun was setting last night the whole world turned a golden yellow colour. We were drawn outside to see, and it was like the universe was telling us something.

. . . maybe it was . . . "hurry up"

"I get by with a little help from my friends. . ."

A walk around my garden was my reward for "almost" finishing my REPORTS!

My timing was spot on, as I watched this amazing storm roll in.

Like a huge explosion in the distance . . . and then the rains came. I opened all the doors and let the sound of the rain on the roof resonate throughout the house and skipped around singing "Hark to the Rain - Hark to the Rain" just like my mother used to do. My kids think I'm slightly crazy, but what the heck! I actually heard my youngest last week do a "Hark to the Rain" when it started coming down. I said nothing to him but had a HUGE smile on the inside of my heart. "The universe is unfolding as it should"

I posted a picture of this magnificent cactus last week. It was much lighter then. We had a little snap of cold weather and it turned really rich in colour. It's just an amazing plant. Was a cutting from my Mother in Law a few years ago, and is quite ugly most of the time, but this is it's week to shine, and shine it does.

This is Wendy's Wish (Salvia) - and does very well in my garden and climate. Even my mother says so, and she is the Chief Gardener in our family!

This is a beautiful dark leaved Euphorbia. I think it might be called Black Bird? Not sure, but it's so pretty and the foliage is a lovely contrast in the garden.

One of my famous Poppies that just invite themselves into my garden year after year and are most welcome!

. . . and a couple of interesting cactus plants that I have given prime position at my back door and am loving their interesting different shapes.

. . . now, back to those REPORTS, not much to go now, I promise!!

Things I learnt at Sewjourn

When I was at Sewjourn a few weeks ago, I kept learning new things from the other girls. I kept saying "I need to write these things down, or I'll forget" I love learning new things.

Here's the list:

Hera Marker, for making lines on quilts. I'm surprised that with the amount of quilts I've made, I never knew about this wonderful too. (and thanks to Nikki for adding the tool to my kit) I always wondered how people got such straight lines!

Quilting Guide on my Walking Foot. It was there all the time and I never knew what it was for. Thanks Rachael for shedding the light.

Bias Binding Makers - heard of them, but never used one. Had some fun making some binding of all different sizes. Fantastic little machine.

Basting Spray - never used it, but think I might have a go at it - lots of positive comments.

"Elevensies" - time for a coffee and a trip to the bakery - love it Catherine, and think of you each day.

Quick and Easy Block Tool - C&T Publishing, I'm going to investigate this tool Rachael. Thanks for sharing

Some tips to quilt shops: Quilthome.com, Pinkchalk, Fabricshack

A fantastic IRON - Philips GC4420 - thanks Lara for bringing it along

OTT Lite (Daylight Light) - I have to get myself one of these.

A great weekend of fun and learning

(still procrastinating)

Report Writing

What a glorious weekend it's been in Ballarat

It's not as if I haven't thought about the reports

I've mowed, I've weeded, I've taken lots and lots of photographs

. . . and admired every living thing in my garden

This started out as a cutting!

Monday is fast approaching

They are due Week 9

I'd better get cracking

. . . soon!