Happy Butterflies

A little cutting and sewing, pressing and trimming as time allows and slowly my collection of happy butterfly blocks has steadily grown. Next week I plan to begin sewing these together, most likely in a pleasant random swarm of beautiful colour! The feature collection is Biology, a recent Cloud 9 release by Sarah Watson, mixed with some Cloud 9 Cirrus solids along with a Nancy Mim's Pick a Bunch print and a smattering of organic solids also from Robert Kaufman. All wonderfully fresh and organic.

I began with 7" squares of fabric, using a scant 3/8" seam as I find a larger seam more secure, especially when sewing on the bias. Making up my own plans as I go I figure there's no reason to stick with the conventional scant 1/4" seam. I've never really understood why this very narrow seam allowance has become the standard for the unfinished seams in quilting - I guess that's my earlier sewing background wanting to have a secure finish. Each hourglass block has been trimmed down to a 5 3/4" square, although I prefer to think of them as my butterflies.  :)


Sharing at WIP Wednesday.

The Passion Flower

As the Autumn showers lifted the sounds of bird song filled the air this Easter Sunday afternoon, enticing me outside. Then I noticed the unmistakable fragrance of a fresh passionfruit flower. Even though summer is over and some of the plump, delicious, purple fruit already enjoyed, the vine continues to surprise with these beguiling tropical blooms.

A little google search led me to interesting origins of the name of the Passionflower or Passionfruit, so named by 15th and 16th Spanish Christian missionaries due to the symbolism they found within the flower's structure to Christ's final week and particularly his crucifixion. (You can find more here under Etymology and Names).

Symbolic or not, I surely enjoy their fragrance and visual delights - as well as their wonderful seeds! 
A very joyous Easter to all!


* An earlier post featuring the amazingly quick opening of these flowers can be found here and while more details of their beauty can be seen here.

Marching on

Fabric delights and garden highlights. March has been an unusually warm yet wonderful autumn month. Our pool is still very pleasant for swimming. The garden is filled with colours of many flowers, butterflies, birds, bees and caterpillars - a delight indeed.

Cricket season has finished on a high with two grand final wins and an unexpected double/split sportsmanship award - photographed with the wonderful couple who lovingly support and serve our cricket club. Hockey is now underway.

Our local homeschool families have recently enjoyed a series of science workshops with over 40 students participating, split into two age groups. Last week's activities for the younger children focussed on magnets.

I'm thoroughly enjoying working with Sarah Watson's Biology fabric collection, while Geninne's Moody Blues are enticing me too. Both are organic fabric collections from Cloud 9, and two of my very best favourite collections ever! I want to rush in and create whilst also desiring to savour their beauty. Time restraints mean more savouring than creating at this point, however with a two week school break about to begin I'm hoping find the perfect mix of both.


Sharing at WIP Wednesday.

BORN FOR MORE.

Today was the day, our pastor and his wife baptised their beautiful daughter, making this Palm Sunday extra special. 

David Schaeffer happened to be passing through town and shared a brief encouragement before our pastor's message this morning. David explained that we are each really two people. We are who we've become, and we are who we are 'becoming'. Who we have become can be somewhat boring to live within. We need to live out of the excitement of who we are becoming, to be fresh with excitement, to impact the world with positive footprints - you deserve to be excited!

David's words were a great reminder and inspiration for me to focus on. They also seemed to be a fitting prelude for this afternoon's baptism in our pool. I love the Tshirt E chose to wear - we truly are Born for More!

Change of Season

Second Grade prelim. final last weekend - Miss N batting

Second Grade Grand Final - Master J hitting big, batting with Miss N

Hot autumn days with occasional thunderstorms have left everything green and vibrant while winter vegetable plantings begin to sprout. After our recent homeschool visit to a local organic farm I have a renewed interest in bringing the best from our small backyard. I paid a visit to our local farmer's market this week, the first time in a couple of years. The market is very small but I was pleased with my purchases and hope to return soon. A few more organic products found their way into my regular shopping this week too.

The summer cricket season has just come to an end this afternoon (Sunday). Miss N captains a local Under 16's side - they won their two-day grand final on Friday afternoon at a beautiful nearby village ground. Miss N bowled brilliantly, wicket kept when not bowling and captained the side under great pressure to a very close and exciting win. She gave a gracious impromptu speech after their victory. 

The very next day (yesterday) she was playing again in the seniors Second Grade Grand Final. Above she is batting with older brother Master J who batted brilliantly as an opener. Their team have just won the game, with the rest of today's play being washed out by more thunderstorms. Miss G has also played well in both these teams, enjoying both wins equally as much.

Next weekend brings our first hockey games of the season....

On a personal note, we continue to hope for improvement in my husband's health as we try and piece together various conditions and medical results. Challenging, but it's through challenges that we grow - and nothing surprises God, He knows and cares and gives us a future and a hope. And now I think I'll head off and reacquaint myself with my sewing machine.....   :)



Sharing at Skywatch Friday.