Linda's Muse

Granny squares and Ripples

2012-01-22T09:33:00.000+10:00

Crochet has always been such a joy for me. I have been hooking some ripple blankets and now I have reawakened my love of granny squares by making BIG granny squares. I am having such fun. I love all the magical colours and everytime I look at them I just have to smile. One of my grannies is for our grandson Ashton and the other is for his little brother who is due at the beginning of May. Joy, Joy, Joy.

A Beautiful Start to My Day

2012-01-13T10:12:00.000+10:00

This beautiful butterfly came for a visit this morning. What grace and beauty to start my day. I haven't blogged over the last year but now I am only working part time I have time to enjoy myself and do all the things I never seemed to have the time for. I feel free and happy - I can go for a morning walk, learn more about my camera, see my darling grandson during the week, play, have fun and start a journal. What pleasures await me...tra la la la la.

Our gorgeous grandson

2011-01-09T11:32:00.000+10:00

I can't believe that it has been six months since my last post. I have been busy seeing our wonderful grandson, Ashton, and his mummy and daddy , doing some online classes and even working on the weekend. I have promised myself this year that I will keep up my blog. I think though when you see the gorgeous photo above of our grandson Ashton, with his mummy taken a few months ago you will know why I haven't had that much time for blogging. He is just so happy, cute and adorable and his grandad and I love him so much.
I have just finished a wall hanging for his bedroom - the centre block from Noah and Friends. I realised that I was never going to finish the whole quilt while I was working full time. I will post a photo in my next post.

Happy Days

2010-06-14T10:03:00.021+10:00

Our darling grandson is growing so quickly. Here he is at 10 weeks old looking just adorable in his very cute hat.
As it is getting colder it is a great time to start one of my many cross stitch projects. I am so enjoying stitching 'Little House Neighborhood' by Little House Needleworks. I got the beautiful Sajou scissors for my birthday and they are just a delight to use.

I have been busy feeding my book addition. Here are a few of the books I have bought over the last months.
I have always admired Jude Hill of Spirit Cloth and I am so excited that I am starting her Spirit Cloth workshop this week. I know I am going to be inspired and challenged and I just can't wait to start the journey.

Our darling grandson

2010-04-05T07:26:00.006+10:00

Here is our grandson, Ashton Stephen, not long after he was born. He has brought such joy to us all and I don't think we have stopped smiling since his birth. He is a very happy and contented baby and he likes lots of cuddles from his Nanna who absolutely adores him. Grandad has been very busy buying lots of Thomas the Tank Engine trains for when Ashton is a little bigger.
We are so thrilled that we now can be called Nanna and Grandad and as we look at Ashton we think of all the wonderful times ahead and I know the first time I hear him call me Nanna will be one of the most happiest times of my life.
WE LOVE YOU ASHTON. Lots and lots of love, Nanna and Grandad

Sparky's Owlet

2010-01-01T11:52:00.005+10:00

I saw the most gorgeous owls on Craft Schmaft's blog made with socks. They are just gorgeous and I wanted to make one before our Grandson is born. I bought the kit for Cloudy the mini owl and I sat this morning and had a wonderful time making him. I just love him and I hope Sparky (the name we call our grandson before he is born) likes his little owlet. It was made with lots of love by Nanna.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T11:33:00.006+10:00

I had a lovely day yesterday spending time with our daughter, Justine, baby clothes shopping. Oh what a joy it is to spend time looking (and buying) baby things. We just can't wait till March to see our already much loved grandson.
I did manage to stay awake till midnight last night so that I could send Happy Aussie New Year wishes to our son, Richard and his girlfriend Ann, in New York.
Being on holidays I have had a great time reading and watching the books and DVDs I got for Christmas. I love cooking books and here are two of them: Food Safari and The Thrifty Kitchen.
My favourite cooking book that I got is Monica Trapaga's 'She's Leaving Home'. I just loved this book, the drawings were wonderful and quirky and the recipes fabulous and I especially enjoyed reading about Monica's family.
I also got some DVD's and I have been enjoying myself watching the gorgeous Alex O'Loughlin in Moonlight and Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote.

A wonderful day

2009-11-28T08:00:00.004+10:00

I had a wonderful day on Tuesday. Our daughter Justine, who is expecting a baby in March, had to come up to Brisbane to see her obstetrician so it was a great opportunity for us to do some serious baby shopping. We know that Justine is having a little boy so it was just great that we could buy 'boy' things. How could we resist a pirate themed mobile and a Lamaze dragon. By early afternoon we went to 'Room with Roses' cafe for a well deserved treat. The roses on the table, the beautiful table settings and the food were delightful. The passionfruit sponge was mouthwatering. Here is Justine with the baby bump looking so happy.

We are going to be grandparents

2009-10-04T08:13:00.008+10:00

Patrick and I are going to be grandparents. Our daughter, Justine, and her husband, Andrew are expecting a baby in March. I don't think we have stopped smiling since they told us. This will be our first grandchild and we are so excited about this wonderful news. I spent a fantastic 5 days with Justine and Andrew in Sydney and I don't think they were many baby shops that we didn't visit. A whole new world of baby things has opened up to me.

I have started a baby quilt - Kookaburra Cottage's Noah and Friends - and I don't think I have enjoyed myself so much. I haven't finished the first block yet but here is a photo of Gerry the Giraffe (minus the butterfly). I think he is so cute.

My friend, Di, tells me that Nanna's are very special people and I can't wait to be a Nanna.

Great reads, snuggly crochet and a goodbye

2009-08-09T09:49:00.009+10:00

It seems like ages since I last posted anything on my blog. I must admit that for the last few weekends (except when I have been working) I have spent my time reading - I blame the Logan City Library for acquiring such wonderful books. A few weekends ago I read 'Sweetness at the bottom of the pie' by Alan Bradley and this tops my favourite read for this year. What a wonderful book and one I couldn't put down. I am reading 'The Sting of Justice' by another of my favourite authors Cora Harrison. This is the third of the 'Mara, Brehon of Burren' series and I have enjoyed everyone one of them. A few weeks ago I read 'Silent on the Moor' by Deanna Raybourn, another favourite. I have to say that other than my family, my greatest joy is reading.
I am still so enjoying myself crocheting my wave stitch blankets. Since I last wrote I have started another wave stitch blanket this one with 2 rows (instead of 4) of the same colour. I just love the colours and it feels so snuggly as I am crocheting. Sadly the weather is starting to get warmer and soon my lovely blanket will have to be put away till next year.

At work we have had visiting our centre a PhD student, Nici from Austria. We will all be so sorry when she and her wonderful fiance, Andi, return home later this year. She is always so happy and it has been wonderful for me to chat with her and to find we both have a love of sewing and crochet. Nici and Andi actually got engaged whilst they were here which was very special. We will miss you Nici!

Happy Amelia Doll

2009-06-28T09:44:00.005+10:00

I have been quite sick over the last couple of weeks so I have missed blogging and reading all my favourite blogs. I needed something to cheer me up and as always when I look at the work of Dot Christian I feel happy and sparkly. Dot was selling one of her Amelia dolls in her etsy shop createarian and I knew this gorgeous blue/green Amelia doll was just the thing to lift my spirits. The picture does not really show just how much she sparkles when the sun catches her. I must admit that I have her sitting on one of our lounges and whenever I look at her I have to smile. I also have one of Dot's birds which I love. Thanks Dot for your fabulous, uplifting and sparkling creations.

One of my favourite authors

2009-06-28T09:27:00.004+10:00

Kate White, also Editor-In-Chief of Cosmopolitan, is one of my favourite authors. Imagine my absolute delight when I received one of her books for my birthday from my son.
When I opened the book and saw what was written inside I think I screamed. I was just so excited to see that it had been signed by Kate.
I have to keep opening the book and reading what Kate wrote. May there be many more Bailey Weggins books to read, enjoy and delight. Many thanks to my son, his girlfriend Ann and to Kate for the bringing me such happiness. I can't stop smiling.

Rain, rain more rain and crochet

2009-05-24T09:49:00.006+10:00

What a week it has been. So much rain fell over south east Queensland and so many homes have been flooded in Brisbane. My friend, Di, who has had a wonderful holiday touring New South Wales is trapped by the flood waters in northern NSW.
It was lovely to crochet at night and hear the rain on the roof (I felt sad for the possums who visit as they must have been very wet and cold). Peter (the female possum) came to sleep in the garage during the week so it was nice to know she was warm and dry for a few nights.
I have been inspired by quite a few English bloggers lately, my favourite one is Lucy 's, who has the most colourful and fabulous crochet on her blog. Here is my latest work in progress - a wave stitch coverlet (it has been folded in three so it's a nice snuggly size). I am having a great time crocheting as it is so relaxing and I was thrilled when my daughter (who has a great blog Satsuki Designs) wants to learn how to crochet. She is a wonderful daughter, sewer, jewellery maker and hopefully now a crochet diva.As it is getting colder I can start some of my cross stitch projects. I have finally got my "Little House Neighborhood" pattern and I can't wait to start. I have seen it on quite a few blogs and it is just gorgeous. I love sampler designs so as soon as I get the threads I can start. I have a few Charles Wysocki cross stitch kits to finish and I also have quite a few of his jigsaws. I love naive art and the art of Charles Wysocki in particular.

Our daughter is coming for a visit soon which is wonderful and our son is enjoying himself in San Diego. It is my husband's birthday next week so I am looking forward to that, lots of books waiting for me at the library and an afternoon of sewing so I am very happy.

Maneki Neko, crocheting and birthday

2009-05-10T08:45:00.010+10:00

Over the long weekend I finally stitched together the granny squares I made last winter. I think it will keep us nice and warm when it gets cold. I love bright colours and it was so nice to sit and crochet at night. Here is a close up of the blocks and on a bed - I hadn't realised just how big it was going to be. I have bought some beautiful crochet hooks on etsy so when I get them I will put them on my blog - they really are lovely and I can't wait to get them and start using them.

It was my birthday last month and I had a super day. I got to talk to my two children which was my best present of all. I had lunch and afternoon tea with friends and some lovely presents. Here are the fabulous things I got from my daughter even though I told her I didn't want anything.
I love and collect Maneki Nekos and here is a nodding one - she is solar powered so she pretty much nods the whole time - I love her. Isn't the Statue of Liberty fabulous - I love anything New York and this little lady has it all. The possum and cat mirror is so perfect as it reminds me of the possum who comes for a visit (we called him Peter until we saw her baby but we still call her Peter and I don't think she minds) and 'the cup' aceo which is just perfect.
Bookmarks are a great love of mine and I found some fabulous ones on etsy. Tigerpixie (Carrie) has a fabulous range of bookmarks and posters. When I ordered my fantasy cat bookmarks
I was lucky enough to win a poster from Carrie. I was so thrilled and when I received the poster I was so happy and I think when you see it you will see why. Is it absolutely fantastic. THANKS SO MUCH CARRIE. I LOVE IT.

Class with Sue Spargo

2009-04-26T09:16:00.007+10:00

I still haven't come down from the high of meeting and attending a two day workshop with Sue Spargo. Sue is a fabulously talented, creative, and super person who was so happy to share her creative thoughts and inspire us with her magnificent quilts. It was also great to meet Sue's sister Wendy who had travelled to Australia with her. Here is a photo of Sue (and myself) and her magnificent Magnolia quilt which was the basis of our class.

The class was held at The Quilters' Store and Karen did a wonderful job. As always the shop was filled with many wonderful threads, fabrics and books to tempt us. I got a wonderful surprise for morning tea - it is my birthday this month and Karen came out with a birthday cake for another quilter and myself - you made my day Karen - many many thanks.
I made block #3 from Sue's book Magnolia. It was wonderful to see all the different interpretations of Sue's blocks and the use of many different fabrics and I especially enjoyed using wool felt. I will never forget Sue's wonderful African animals, birds, leaves etc all made with wool felt. I will always remember these two special days filled with creativity, laughs, learning, friendship and seeing Sue's art up close and personal. Thanks Sue, Wendy, Karen, all the girls in the shop and all the quilters I met.

No quilting but some shopping

2009-04-12T09:34:00.012+10:00

I have been very busy at work so sadly not much quilting done. I am still working on my Pie and Tart quilt and Polka Dot Girls stitchery and having a fabulous time but not much progress made - oh for the day when I retire.
I have made a few purchases on etsy. Dot (famous for the Dotee doll) makes these amazing, beautiful, fabulous beaded birds and I finally managed to purchase one from her fabulous etsy store creatarian - Isn't she just lovely! You can read all about the wonderful Dot on her blog.

I love ACEOs and found some super ones as well as mirrors and magnets on Lindy Longhurst's serpentmandalas etsy shop. I bought more things than in the photo but they are presents for a friend so I can't show them just yet. I really enjoy reading Lindy's blog.

Matryoshka dolls are a favourite of mine and I bought these delightful ACEOs (the one on the left is an original) from loriotndorr.

It is my birthday this month and I bought myself the new Marilyn Monroe Barbie. I have to admit that I love barbies but I rarely buy new ones. I prefer buying old ones from op shops but I just couldn't resist this fabulous lady.

Pink and other things

2009-03-29T09:37:00.011+10:00

I, like a lot of other people, love the colour pink (well I work with two other people who love pink and my friend Di has bought the same vaio) so when I wanted to buy a laptop computer the choice was easy. So here is my beautiful, delicious PINK Sony Vaio.I have been having a great time paper piecing my Pie and Tart BOM quilt. I love hand work that I can do at night. I am getting my BOM from Sue Daley's Patchwork with Busy Fingers and I am so happy with it - the fabric, tips etc. are just wonderful.

I love having things hanging on the wall in my sewing room - here are two of my favourite dolls - an angel doll that I bought at 'Hail Mary I'm Home' in Sydney and the adorable Bubbles which I bought from a fabulous shop in Soho, New York. I just love them.

I am a very happy mum - our daughter came home for a visit which was absolutely wonderful and our son, who was on holiday in Florida, got to watch the Space Shuttle launch which is something he has always dreamed about.
I have a few goodies that I have been buying on etsy arriving soon so I will write about them when they arrive. I can't wait.

My sewing room

2009-03-07T08:48:00.006+10:00

I haven't updated my blog for a few weeks. I have been working most weekends and with the devastating bushfires in Victoria and the floods in North Queensland I haven't really felt like blogging.
At the end of January I finally got around to giving my sewing room a good clean out and I am happy to say that even now in March it is still tidy.
I am still enjoying myself working on my polka dot girls and I have started my Pie and Tarts BOM. It is a lot of fun as I really enjoy paper piecing.

Polka-Dot Girls

2009-01-18T10:18:00.003+10:00

I have finally finished by first block of Bronwyn Hayes' Polka-Dot Girls quilt. I am so happy to have found a group who are making these gorgeous blocks so I am going to have lots of fun whilst working on this delightful quilt. I only get the weekends to work on my quilting/stitchery so I try to make the most of every minute. I have become quite the 'weekend hermit' and I can't quite believe this but I don't even want to go shopping anymore (except for more fabric, threads etc.). I am going to work on my applique quilt today and listen to one of my favourite Agatha Christie stories.

Baskets, Berries & Leaves

2009-01-04T13:32:00.009+10:00

I have finally finished my first block of Jan Patek/Alma Allen's quilt Baskets, Berries & Leaves. Hand applique has always been my great love and it was wonderful to get back to doing what I enjoy the most. Only eleven more blocks to finish along with my stitcheries, the calendar quilt, the star quilt, the butterfly's garden ..... etc. It is a pity I have to go back to work tomorrow as I have enough to keep me very happily occupied for the next few years at least.

Great reads

2009-01-01T10:48:00.004+10:00

Over my holidays I have had the chance to read some wonderful books. Here are my favourites:

The Sugar Queen – Sara Addison Allen
The Glassblower of Murano - Marina Fiorato
The Chatelet Apprentice - Jean Francois Parot
Bad Lands - Selina Rosen and Laura J Underwood

I am currently reading The Private Patient by P D James - I must admit I have a huge crush on Adam Dalgliesh, well actually Martin Shaw who plays him in the BBC adaptations.

I have also been buying (again) from Amazon,
Patti Culea's new book - Creative Cloth Explorations: Adventures in Fairy-Inspired Fiber Art
Mixed Mania: Recipes for Delicious Mixed Media Creations and
Mixed-Media Self-Portraits: Inspiration & Techniques.

"I cannot live without books." Thomas Jefferson

"It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful." Vincent van Gogh

HAPPY READING

Block 9 Star BOM

2009-01-01T10:35:00.006+10:00

Here is Block 9 of of Judy's (Patchwork Times) Star BOM.

I am only going to make a nine block quilt instead of thirteen so I am not making all the blocks. It is great being on holidays for two weeks as I have managed to catch up and here is block 6.

THANKS JUDY FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN SHARING THESE WONDERFUL PATTERNS

More additions to my favourite things

2009-01-01T10:16:00.006+10:00

When I was in New York visiting my son I saw this fabulous seguro espiritual in a shop in the East Village and here it is on our lounge wall - thanks Richard for your wonderful gift. I have placed the candles in front of the Saints who look after safe travelling, success in business and the Virgen d Guadalupe who will protect my family.I also love to collect postcards and here is a fabulous one that Justine and Andrew sent from Paris.

Adding to my collection

2009-01-01T10:10:00.004+10:00

I love silver thimbles and I have collected quite a few. I was so thrilled to get a gold thimble from my husband for Christmas. It was made by Simons of Philadelphia, USA and has the name Morcy engraved on it. I am unsure how old it is but it is truly beautiful and I shall always treasure it. I try to use my silver thimbles when I am quilting but I don't think I will use this gold one - I will just look at it and love it.

That Suki girl

2009-01-01T10:03:00.004+10:00

We have been looking after Justine and Andrew's gorgeous ragdoll cat 'Suki' whilst they are overseas. Here she is looking very thoughtful and beautiful. She has been such a lot of fun and it has been so nice to have a quilt buddy and I will miss her when she goes home.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T09:22:00.011+10:00

Happy New Year to our son, Richard, in New York and Happy New Year to our daughter, Justine, and son-in-law, Andrew in Paris. Wow! New Year's Eve in Paris and New York.

I had a wonderful 2008, Richard came home for a visit from New York with his absolutely lovely girlfriend, Ann.
I got to spend time with my two children in Sydney which was just the most wonderful time for me.I can't forget a photo of our wonderful son-in-law, Andrew. We are so happy to have Andrew as part of our family.
HAVE A WONDERFUL, HAPPY, PROSPEROUS AND EXCITING NEW YEAR AND MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE.
Love Mum XXXXXX

Polka Dot Girls

2008-11-29T14:18:00.006+10:00

I haven't had much time for quilting lately but I have enjoyed myself working on my stitcheries. I have finally started on my Polka Dot Girls by Bronwyn Hayes and I am having a great time. I love Bronwyn's work and it is a delight to stitch. The block isn't finished but I just wanted to show a photo of this lovely lady in her garden. I can't wait to start on the next block.

The possum

2008-11-29T13:52:00.004+10:00

Every night we can hear the possums on our roof. They always make us smile when they arrive as it sounds like they are wearing 'army boots'. We managed to get a photo of one of the cheeky possums and here she is enjoying a piece of apple. I just love this photo!

I love Country

2008-11-29T13:19:00.016+10:00

I love Americana and with our son living in New York I feel I have a good
excuse to indulge my passion. My husband took me to this most fantastic
of shops "Country on Tamborine". It is just filled with the most incredible
collection of all the things that I love. I couldn't help but buy a 'few' things.
I love angels and I just couldn't leave this gorgeous girl in the shop so she
had to come home with me - isn't she just gorgeous!

I also love crows and houses and the American flag so here are some photos of the other things that I just had to buy.

Block 5 Star BOM

2008-10-12T09:04:00.007+10:00

Here is Block 5 of Judy's (Patchwork Times) Star BOM. I decided to change the fabrics for my blocks so here are Blocks 1 and 3 in my new colours as well. I hope to get Block 2 and 4 finished very soon.

Block 3 Star BOM

2008-09-06T12:10:00.007+10:00

Here is Block 3 of Judy's (Patchwork Times) Star BOM. I am going to make my blocks using my bright scraps keeping the blue as the background. I just love stars and orange so I will try and have a bit of orange in each block. I have so enjoyed seeing everyone else's blocks and all the different colour combinations. Thanks Judy.

Rosalie Quinlan's Love Is

2008-08-31T11:56:00.011+10:00

I have been making a effort to finish my Love Is Stitchery wallhanging.
This morning I cut all the blocks to size and got all the strips ready to piece
and cut into 1" square strips. I just love this wallhanging and I am so glad

that it won't be long before I can hang it on the wall. I have also taken a
photo of my Friendship Braid quilt. I love this quilt as it has lots of my
favourite things in it - chickens, hearts, Elvis, Betty Boop, stars, country,
brights.
I also took a couple of close ups.

Butterfly Garden

2008-08-13T14:11:00.010+10:00

I love quilter Leanne Beasley's work and I couldn't wait to get started
on her beautiful ButterflyGarden BOM. I brought my sewing machine into the lounge so I could watch the Olympics. I had a great time this morning sewing with my new machine, watching Australia win Gold in the swimming and piecing Blocks 1 and 2 of my BOM.
I have finally finished piecing the small blocks and now I can start to applique the butterflies, hearts and flowers. I received my Sweet Land of Liberty BOM yesterday from Buggy Barn in the US. I am so thrilled with this quilt as I love American themes and naive style quilts - this quilt has it all. I have also joined a pincushion BOM which will start next month so I am looking forward to posting photos of my pincushions. As I was putting my sewing machine back in my sewing room I realised that I had not posted a photo of my new bookcase. I had planned on using it for all my books but as usual I had to display some of my favourite things as well. So it ended up as two shelves for treasures and two for my favourite books. I couldn't take a photo in my sewing room without a photo of my barbies. I (and my friends) have rescued these barbies from op. shops - I just love them all.

2008-07-13T09:25:00.004+10:00

New quilt and new BOM
I got these absolutely beautiful Japanese fabrics in a kit from the Quilted Kimono. The quilt is called Hanashi II and it is just gorgeous. I am so looking forward to making this quilt and it will give me a chance to practice my machine quilting with my new Bernina. I just love BOMs and I have started a new one "The French Collection" from the Quilters Bazaar. It has beautiful stitchery blocks depicting scenes from a French village and the hand made and hand painted buttons are just delightful. I just wish there were a few more hours in the day.

2008-07-13T09:11:00.008+10:00

New Visitor and some old friends
As well as all the birds and possums that come for a visit we now have a new new visitor. Here is a photo of the brush turkey who sometimes passes through. We are very thankful that he hasn't started to rearrange our garden yet. Here are some old visitors, the gorgeous galahs who make me smile.

2008-07-13T09:01:00.006+10:00

Yum Cha
I had a fabulous time last weekend going for Yum Cha at the Golden Dragon Restaurant in the Valley. This was my first experience of Yum Cha and I just loved it. I went with a friend who is from Singapore so I left everything up to her. The tea, a mixture of Chinese tea and Chrysanthemum flowers, was a pure delight and the variety of food was incredible. I loved everything but my favourite was Siu Mai (steamed pork dim sums).

2008-06-01T09:14:00.011+10:00

Sydney Trip
I had fantastic time in Sydney visiting our daughter Justine and SIL Andrew. The weather was great, not too cold and blue skies, and of course Sydney was her glorious self. My favourite Sydney icon is the Harbour Bridge and I was so happy to see it again on our way to the Rocks. We did lots of shopping including a visit to the Queen Victoria Building (just glorious) and lots of markets including Paddington Market. I bought lots of kitsch things, an asian good luck money box cat, a felt angel from the Phillipines, a matryoshka doll, some bookmarks (of course) and my daughter bought me a tiara that I can hang on the wall. I have a thing lately for crowns and tiaras. We ate lots of fantastic food - a delicious meal at an Italian Restaurant in Burwood and a wonderful home cooked Italian pasta dish cooked by Andrew who is a wonderful chef - Buon Appetito. As you can see I just love Italian food. Thank you Justine and Andrew and that Suki girl (their gorgeous rag doll cat) for an absolutely wonderful time. Great place, great shopping, great food and more importantly great company.

2008-05-11T14:27:00.004+10:00

My new Bernina
Here is my gorgeous new 440QE Bernina. She is an absolute dream and in her honour I am calling her 'la stupenda'. I have been practising my free-motion stitching this morning with the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) - my stitches are now all even and it really is so amazing. I haven't got around to trying out the other quilting stitches yet nor the decorative stitches. I feel I am in sewing machine heaven - I couldn't ask for a more wonderful machine that does more than I could ever need. I will be writing more about my sewing machine adventures in the coming weeks.

2008-04-12T13:07:00.009+10:00

Some more bookmarks and books
Just can't resist bookmarks and I found these gorgeous ones on ebay. These gorgeous girls are called "Flapper Follies" and I think they are just divine. They will get lots of use as I can't stop buying books and here are a few of my latest buys.

2008-04-12T12:30:00.015+10:00

My walk to work
Here are some photos of the places I see as I walk to work from the railway station. The first photo is of the start of the walk down to the Eleanor Schonell Bridge crossing the Brisbane River. The bridge is a great way to get to the University of Queensland and it is Australia's only foot, bus and cycle bridge. The second photo is of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge looking from Dutton Park towards St Lucia and you can just see some University buildings above the tree line. The next photo is the walkway across the bridge. Here are a family of ducks who live near the lakes in the University grounds.
The last photos are of the Great Court. It is the most beautiful place and a lovely place to sit during the day.

2008-03-24T12:20:00.005+10:00

Love Is by Rosalie Quinlan
I just love BOMs (Block of the Month). I don't get time these days to visit many quilt shops but I can still get my quilting fix with BOMs. I have done many of them over the past years and at present I am working on Love Is by Rosalie Quinlan. I just love this quilt, especially the stitchery. It is very relaxing to sit and stitch and listen to one of my Agatha Christie talking books - heaven. I have finished stitching two blocks and here they are. I am working on the angel block at the moment and listening to "Cards on the Table".

2008-03-16T10:21:00.002+10:00

Wedding Anniversary
It was our 36th Wedding Anniversary last week. Here we are all that long time ago looking very young.

2008-03-16T08:30:00.005+10:00

Our bird friends
My husband was out feeding Willie, the lorikeet, when he decided my husband was taking too long to get out his food. He just hopped into the glass container and helped himself. We still laugh about that day.
We had another welcome visitor last week. Just at the bottom of the front steps was a gorgeous Tawny Frogmouth. We have had five of them in the tree at the side of the house but never one that near. As you walked by the tree he put his head in the air and closed his eyes. He obviously thought with that approach you couldn't see him. What a sweetie.

2008-01-06T11:42:00.000+10:00

Pandora bracelet
I got a pandora bracelet from my husband for Christmas. He let me pick out what I wanted to go on it so I had a great time picking out charms to go on it. I chose hearts, a pumpkin (when I was in NYC it was near to Thanksgiving and the shops were filled with orange pumpkins so this is a happy reminder of my holiday with my son), a suitcase for my trip (and Paris on the suitcase - I would love to go to Paris), the sign for Taurus, L for Linda, the symbol for happiness, the "mother" I got from my daughter for Christmas (something I shall always cherish) and the glass beads which I just adore. I just love this bracelet as it reflects all the things I love. I have a lot of fun thinking about what I will add next.

2008-01-06T11:20:00.000+10:00

My Girls

I also love Blythe and Pullip dolls. I have four Blythes (one is still in the box). Here is a photo of them in my display cabinet. The blonde one is lili lou (Sunday Very Best); the blue one is misayo san - the LES girl (Asian Butterfly Encore) and the brown haired one is kooki (Birdie Blue). I just love these dolls and I have had fun getting new clothes for them and I especially love the lolita shoes that lili lou is wearing. There are many collectors of Blythe dolls around the world. I also love Marilyn Monroe dolls as you can see.
I have recently started collecting pullip dolls. I think these are very beautiful dolls. The one of the left is Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffanys's and the blonde one is Miss America with tiara. The doll in the box at the back is the New York Haute Doll Pullip, a limited edition of 500, which features on the cover of Haute Doll magazine (Jan/Feb 2008). I just had to have this doll as she brings back many happy memories of my time in New York visiting my son. I just love that the doll has a dog and metro card as part of her accessories. Everywhere I went in New York I saw people walking their dogs - it was just amazing the size of some of the dogs that must live in apartments.

Here is my favourite photo of Miss America. Isn't she just fabulous?

2008-01-06T11:08:00.000+10:00

Momiji dolls
As well as my love of kokeshi dolls I have found momiji dolls. They are really cute and I just love them. My daughter bought me my first one (peaches) when she went to Sydney. I have since bought four from GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art, in Brisbane) when I went there with my son (he wasn't fazed when I bought four at once) and yesterday I bought another one (laughing). They all have descriptions of what they like. From left to right: laughing - cowboys and playing the bongos; cherries - collecting buttons and elton john; cha cha cha - the sound of music; giggles - reading, butterflies and rugby; peaches - marmite and jackie chan and blu - flip flops and bach's cello suite no. 5 in c minor.

2007-12-30T11:26:00.001+10:00

Our daughter's wedding
Our gorgeous daughter, Justine, married Andrew on 9th November at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. It was the most beautiful and happy celebration of their love for each other. Justine looked stunning in her Dogstar designed dress and her red rose bouquet was breathtaking. Andrew looked pretty good too. We had a great time at the reception, lots of laughs and fabulous food. I think we were all sorry that the day had finished. The happy couple went to China on their honeymoon and had a fantastic time.

2007-12-30T08:54:00.000+10:00

LES Blythe
Here is a photo of one of my Blythe dolls in New York City. I love Blythe dolls and have four of them. The background is of the Lower East Side and I think she is a real LES girl, a bit bohemian, a bit alternative and absolutely gorgeous.

2007-12-30T08:27:00.000+10:00

New York New York
In October I went to New York City to visit my son, Richard. I had the most fabulous time and fell in love with the Big Apple. My son lives on the Lower East Side (photo on the right) and this was my favourite place, I loved the architecture especially the tenement buildings, the many different eating places - I will never forget my pastrami on rye at Katz's (famous from When Harry met Sally) where I finally got to have a kosher pickle.

One of the places I wanted to visit was the Brooklyn Bridge and here I am, very excited, standing on the Brooklyn Bridge - it was awesome. I got to visit Bloomingdales, stand on the viewing platform of the Rockefeller Centre, see the Financial District (where my son worked), have a hot dog with the works from a street side vendor, visit New Jersey on the PATH train, visit Queens, have a fantastic Italian meal in Brooklyn and Little Italy, and visit the Metropolitan Museum and Central Park.
A visit to Liberty Island and The Statue of Liberty was the highlight of my trip. Here is my son Richard in front of that fabulous Lady. What can I say but that it took my breath away. I will never forget my fabulous trip, the people I met, the sights I saw and that New York really is the city that never sleeps.

2007-08-25T12:34:00.000+10:00

Kokeshi Dolls
I love to collect kokeshi dolls and here are some of my new ones. I have found a shop in Brisbane that sells them so it is easy for me to buy them now - my husband is not as happy as I am though.

2007-08-25T12:22:00.001+10:00

Our furry visitor
Here is a photo of a brushtail possum who sometimes comes to stay in my husband's workshop. My husband has been known to give him a piece of apple. He is just so cute and never bothers if my husband is doing something noisy. He probably visits once a week so it is a special time for us when we see him.

2007-08-25T12:00:00.000+10:00

Dragon
I made this cloth dragon for my husband. The pattern was designed by Melinda Small Paterson who has designed some fabulous dragons. I especially loved this dragon as he just oozes character. I think of him as our house protector. He took me many hours to make but I had a great time making him and best of all my husband just loves him.

2007-08-12T15:22:00.002+10:00

Colourful visitors These are a few of the lorikeets who visit us. What a display

2007-08-12T15:17:00.000+10:00

One of the boys. Here is a photo of one of the Kookaburras who visit us everyday. I just love this photo. The brown bird in the background is a juvenile butcher bird who is hoping for a free feed.

2007-01-07T09:32:00.000+10:00

Engagement
Patrick and I are so thrilled that our daughter Justine got engaged to Andrew on the 3rd January, 2007. We already feel Andrew is part of our family. Justine's ring is just fabulous and I need my sunglasses on to look at it :-). Here is my favourite photo of them looking very happy - I just love it. Congratulations Justine and Andrew - love you.

2006-12-24T08:42:00.000+10:00

More ebay bracelets Here are some of my new bracelets that I have bought on ebay. One is a Geisha Treasures - Good Karma bracelet from one of my favourite designers - JunQueJules. I love this bracelet especially the Mah Jong pieces as my husband and I used to love playing Mah Jong. I love anything religious so I had to buy the icon bracelet from Karen Hickerson and I just had to have the religious medal bracelet.
My husband just shakes his head at my bracelet addiction - I'm lucky he is so tolerant. I have bought another bracelet which my son is bringing with him when he comes home from New York on holiday in January. This one is a tarot theme bracelet.

2006-12-24T08:31:00.000+10:00

Quirky gals with attitude
One of my favourite doll designers is Jill Maas. I had a lot of fun making these two dolls from Jill's Ageing Angels pattern. I usually have one of them on my desk at work and I often get lots of funny comments especially from men. I love these quirky gals - they make me smile everytime I look at them. The hair on the purple one is made from bits of thread left over from sewing and I used old man's beard for the hair on the silver one.

2006-10-28T14:53:00.001+10:00

Kookaburra Wallhanging
This wallhanging was based on a photo I took of two kookaburras who visit us everyday. It isn't finished yet and as I don't get much time these days for quilting I am not sure just when I will ever finish it. I usually only ever do hand applique but this was started in a class with Jenny Bowker, whose work I am in awe of, and she taught us all about using Vliesofix to attach the pieces. This is one of my favourite quilts containing one of my favourite birds so hopefully one day it will be hanging in our lounge.

2006-10-28T14:36:00.000+10:00

Ebay buying
I have been having a lot of fun buying on ebay lately. One of the favourite things I have bid on and won is this fabulous bracelet from Canada. My husband thinks I am a bit of a witch so this bracelet was for me. It is called witching hour and as it is nearly Halloween it seems appropriate to put it on my blog. I just love it - it has witches, cats, an owl, a skull with a moving bottom jaw, a clock nearly at the witching hour, stars, moons and lots and lots of beautiful beads. I am really enjoying myself on ebay, I have bought a gorgeous Barbie doll (I think I am enjoying my second childhood) and some stuff for my husband. There is a beautiful bracelet that I would like so I am hoping that I am lucky enough to get it. Keep your fingers and toes crossed that I don't get outbid.

2006-10-28T14:08:00.000+10:00

Some Visitors
Here are some of the birds who visit us everyday. They bring us some much pleasure. The best times are when they bring their young. Here are four galahs enjoying some food. Our favourite is one we call 'Stumpy'. He has lost one of his legs but he still manages to push his way in for a feed, sadly he is not in this photo. Another of our favourites are the butcher birds. Here are two photos of an adult (just gorgeous) and a juvenile with some lorikeets. Some other birds we get visiting us are kookaburras and magpies. We feel so privileged to have these wild birds coming to our back deck. We love to listen to their magnificent calls. I must admit my favourite is the kookaburra.

2006-09-02T13:34:00.000+10:00

My beautiful children
My blog wouldn't be complete without a photo of my beautiful children. They have achieved so much, both have PhD's, and professionally they are achieving wonderful things. My darling daughter, loves her boyfriend Andrew, her two ragdoll cats - kiki and suki, clothes designed by Dogstar and jewellery especially from Tiffanys. My darling son lives in New York and works on Wall Street. I am waiting for him to get his Armani suit. He loves all things NY, skateboarding and going out for a good time with his many friends. They are the most wonderful people - intelligent, fun to be with, ambitious but with a sense of compassion. I am very proud of them. Love you heaps....Mum

2006-09-02T13:16:00.000+10:00

German Half Doll
This little half doll was my first ebay buy. I got her with 5 seconds to spare. I knew I had to have her when I saw her. She is 7cms tall, circa 1930, made in Germany and has the number 5936 around the base. She is so lovely and delicate. The description of her said that she had come from an estate sale and I imagine what a life she must have had - very genteel and refined or living a secret life as a flapper, sneaking out at night to go to nightclubs, drinking martinis and meeting dangerous men. She actually came from a Brisbane antique dealer so she didn't have far to travel. I hope she will be happy in her new home.

2006-08-27T08:29:00.000+10:00

Menopause the musical
I went with my daughter and some friends from work last Thursday to see Menopause the musical at the Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane. We set off with a glass of pink bubbly to put us in the mood and from then onwards we never stopped laughing. We laughed till we cried - it was all so funny and true. At the end of the performance they asked people to come on the stage. I thought why not and got my good friend Sonya to come as well. We ended up on the front row - I held hands with one of the stars of the show and Sonya's hand was held in a death grip by the man standing next to her. We danced and laughed and had a ball. We each got a badge as a memento of going on the stage and I don't think I will ever forget this wonderful, magical and hilarious night.

2006-08-16T15:41:00.000+10:00

The Waikiki Girl
Here is my favourite photo of Suki - Justine's ragdoll cat. Justine calls this photo Aloha Suki and I just think that is just perfect. I took this photo at Justine's birthday party - Suki quite happily wandered around with the lei around her neck. Her sister Kiki wasn't so cooperative. I think of Suki as the waikiki girl.

2006-08-16T15:28:00.000+10:00

Off to New York

Our son, Richard, now lives and works in New York. This photo was taken when he left Australia. He is having a wonderful time living in Tribeca and working on Wall Street. I envy him being able to walk everywhere and there always seem to be something happening. Our daugher, Justine, visited him recently and they both had a great time visiting lots of bars and going to watch the Yankees and of course for Justine, shopping.

2006-08-16T15:19:00.000+10:00

These are some of the dolls I have made. The patterns are by elinor peace bailey, Rhonda McGinnity and Cachet. I love all these dolls but I think my favourite is the gypsy (epb). She is one of the biggest dolls I have made and I have her sitting on the lounge. I made her after I took a class with elinor - she was a great inspiration and I came away from the class confident enough to tackle the most difficult of faces. I now like to experiment with my own ideas and designs but I still love all of elinor's patterns - they just have something.

2006-08-16T15:03:00.000+10:00

Material Girl
When my daughter was in the USA recently, we looked after her beautiful ragdoll cats - Suki and Kiki. They were a lot of fun and I enjoyed having them stay very much. I often found little things missing - wooden stamps etc. I then figured out that Suki was having a lot of fun taking them and hiding them. Kiki liked to sit in my quilting material drawers (in the end I took all the material out so there was more room for her) . I couldn't resist taking a picture of her there looking very innocent and adorable.

2006-08-16T14:55:00.000+10:00

57th Wedding Anniversary

It was my parents, Jack and Kitty, 57th Wedding Anniversary last month. We had a lovely day with them. My dad is in his 80's and he still plays golf and supports his favourite football team - Blackburn Rovers. My mum still knits and crochets and loves doing cryptic crosswords. We had a lovely lunch of fish and chips (their favourite) and a delicious strawberry cream cake - yum yum.

2006-08-16T11:48:00.000+10:00

A few weekends ago I went with my husband to a swap meet at Caboolture. I call it boy's shopping. I have been to many swap meets and I really enjoy them. I love it when there are trash and treasure stalls and then I can buy something. Sadly this was a bikes only swap but I did enjoy watching grown men rummage around in piles of rusty parts and get all excited when they made a find. It was only a small swap but my husband still managed to find a few things.

2006-08-16T08:51:00.000+10:00

I love cat ornaments and my daughter bought me some more when she went to New York to visit my son, and to Boston. Here is just a selection of my cats. The yellow happy cat and the black paper mache are the one she bought me. I have to smile when I look at them. She also brought me back a Harvard t-shirt (she was there for 2 weeks) I love NY t-shirt and bag, a card set I had wanted so much and a Harvard Mom cup that I am now using for my cuppa at work. I am hoping to visit my son in New York so think of all the wonderful kitsch I can get whilst I am there. I am in heaven just thinking about it.