Sunday Quote

Improvised go-cart, made and "powered" by Master T,  aged 9 in 2009

"To be upset over what you don't have

is to waste what you do have."

                                                                        Ken Keyes, Jr

Beautiful Beach

We are spoilt with multitudes of beautiful beaches in Australia. This is the "Main Beach" of the village where my "parents-in-love" live. Late yesterday afternoon the weather was fine enough to enjoy a visit to the main beach, and as is often the case, it was almost deserted.

Plenty of open space for sand play, kite flying, beach walking or just sitting and letting your senses soak it all in.

Our 16 year old son has long been passionate about flying, as have his father and Grandfather. Remote control planes, particularly gliders have become his chosen outlet for this passion in recent years. The late afternoon on-shore breeze is perfect for this type of flying from the dune tops.

A very pleasant way to pass the last hour or so of sunshine.

Sharing at Little Somethings: Vacation.

Hexies - Quilting Underway

Last week I finished stitching the hexies together for the lap quilt which has been in progress for a while. On the weekend I basted it, hoping to make a start on the quilting while away from home this week.

As the colours are rather rich and busy in this quilt I didn't want to chop the hexies up any more visually with the quilting. However I didn't want to detract from the neat top stitching by quilting in the ditch, either by machine or hand. I had a look around the internet but wasn't happy with any of the quilting options I could find so I had an idea of my own to try out (which no doubt others have used too). My idea seems to be working well. Can you see the quilting in the photo below? No??? Good!

Now if you have a look at this close up below you will be able to see the quilting at the intersection of the blocks.

Using a dark green Gutermann quilting thread I am making a little "Y" of stitches at each intersection, beginning and ending with an embedded knot. It is rather fiddly but it is producing the effect I was after. It is a little similar in effect to "tie quilting" yet a bit more secure and without any visible threads or knots. I would be interested to know if you have used or seen this technique before. If so, were you happy with the end result?

Sand, Sun and Showers

Late yesterday afternoon

Almost sunset

This morning, still sailing, between coastal showers.


All these photos and yesterday's are taken on and around my "Parents-in-Love" front yard, it's a pretty special place. No wonder they named their house "Narnia" when they retired here around 25 years ago (before I knew them).

Plain Sailing

We left home late yesterday for a few days away. So far it's been all plain sailing for our 16 year old son.

Sharing at Crazy Days of Summer: Water.