Enjoyable Visit To Another DJ'er

Last Saturday whilst staying at Monduran Dam for a Fishing Competition, a friend & I spent a most enjoyable morning with Lynette Day from Gin Gin. I'm now suffering from a major case of "Shed Envy" as Lyn showed us through her huge sewing/hobby space. I felt privileged to see Lyn's lovely "Show & Tell" items including Row A of her "Dear Jane" quilt which is completed & hanging on her design wall. Thanks for your hospitality Lyn & the delicious home baked morning tea. Unfortunately my camera batteries were flat so could not take any photo's. Next time !!

Australian Parrots

This beautiful photo of native Australian parrots was taken recently at Lamington National Park which is located west of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The red and blue parrots are Crimson Rosella's and the red and green are King Parrots. They are feeding on sunflower seeds. I couldn't resist adding this photo to my blog as it is just so beautiful .. enjoy !!

Craft Retreat & Luggage Tag Challenge

Sugar Shack Crafters - 2010 Gympie Retreat

2nd prize in Luggage Tag Challenge

Dear Jane .. I have been very slack of late & have neglected you terribly however I'm sure you'll forgive me when you read what I've been up to. My sister had emergency surgery for her appendix so I rushed to Brisbane to make her cups of tea etc & give her lots of moral support whilst she recovered. As I was on the organising committee for our craft retreat which was held at Gympie last weekend I was extremely busy getting ready for same after "losing" a week in Brisbane however the weekend went off well & the group of 20 ladies from Sugar Shack Crafters in Maryborough had a wonderful laughter filled, fun weekend. We had a Luggage Tag challenge which was judged at the retreat & .. guess what .. I won 2nd prize with my red shoe tag & was thrilled with my prize of a lovely wooden storage box. With a new grandchild due in December I concentrated on finishing a bunny rug .. however with all retreats my expectations before I went were that I would get two done .. I'll just have to burn the midnight oil !! On arriving home from retreat we have taken the caravan out of the shed & getting ready to head off for a few days with friends. I promise I will get back to my DJ blocks soon.

Blocks 8-9

A-7 Dad's Plaids

A-3 Hunter's Moon

Alexandra - my gorgeous granddaughter

Alexandra's first quilt - "Expect a Miracle"

Alexandra's Naming Day - she is sitting on the quilt I made for her before she was born. It's been loved to death already & I'm one very happy Grandi. Yes .. it has a twin .. her little friend Sienna has one too & it's lying on the floor next to hers.

Blocks 6 & 7

Not very happy with B-2 (one on left) .. a little bit wonky however it's finished. Onwards & upwards .. only 218 blocks to go.

Blocks 3-5 completed

D-6 Challenge; G-4 Shutter Bug; D-13 Field of Dreams .... Middle one was hardest block to date. I foundation pieced onto tearaway however had to unpick the middle 13 pieces & hand sew it back as I had short changed myself on a couple of seams & when removing the tearaway the seams came loose. Am learning fast !!!

Blocks 1 & 2 completed .. 223 still to go !!

After having first heard of "Dear Jane" a little while ago & being intrigued by this incredible quilt I recently purchased the book in Melbourne at the Mt Waverley quilt show along with some starter fabrics. I made the commitment to make one block per week (at least). Weeks 1 & 2 saw the completion of A1 & A2. Picked up the pace this week & have completed another 3 blocks & half finished another & having never foundation or paper pieced before this is quite a learning curve (along with creating this BLOG which I've never done before).