I've been having a wonderful time working on more little feature blocks using Tasha Noel's The Simple Life fabric range. Keeping with the fun and simple nature of the prints, embellishing has been a delight.
Miss E (5) was excited to know the quilt will be for her to use. She loves the prints, especially the ones with the girls and boys. The sections with the apple trees are her favourites as she loves red juicy apples.
Miss E was wanting to make her own quilt with my fabrics so as a compromise we decided we would work together on just this one quilt. Last night she diligently stitched a feature block of her choice.
Now we are both happy!
Sharing at WIP Wednesday and In The Studio.
A flowering cyclamen, mini watering can, chocolates and a personalised door sign made by the children, all to help my mother-in-love's room in the aged care centre feel even more like home.
Our weeks always seem busy but we are settling in to a nice routine of bringing Granny (mil) to church with us each week and then to our place afterwards for lunch, all at her suggestion. This gives us a good chance to catch up and enjoy some time together.
Little Miss E chose to wear this shirt today in honour of Mother's Day, although she makes it very clear every day that she loves me, never forgetting to tell me.
Miss O (11) and Miss G (15) created this masterpiece in secret. I LOVE it.
My children know me well! They also mowed and whipper snipped the lawn for me yesterday along with a little work in the garden.
A happy Mother's Day to all those who mother and nurture, for each person is precious.
Our Golden Dollar plant is flowering more profusely than I've ever seen before. It looked especially delightful after a lunch time dusting of tiny rain drops.
The peachy colour of this African Daisy (Osteospermum) always pleases my eye. Even in our autumn it continues to flower beautifully. I couldn't resist snapping this shot in this morning's sunshine as we spent a little time tidying the garden.
I've been looking forward to making something from Tasha Noel's The Simple Life fabric range. I have a little of three of these fabrics as well as two from her more recent Little Red Riding Hood fabrics. After added a couple of other fabrics I am now enjoying some fussy cutting and hand stitching, working on 5" squares with an everyday lap quilt in mind. I hope Miss E (5) likes it as much as I do. Keeping it simple, keeping it fun.
Sharing at WIP Wednesday.
Carrying heavy backpacks, they walked for hours along the creek bed, following a trail set by their teachers. Up and over steep hills then through another creek before setting up camp for the night by a river. Master J and his pack, including my pocket camera, took an unexpected dunking as they crossed that last creek Friday afternoon.
Master J set up a fire to dry his clothes and shoes, heat his dinner and warm himself. His shoes became warmest of all, melting a little around the edges....
Saturday morning brought beautiful foggy creek views. Thankfully the camera was still working, even though damp inside and flashing Low Battery.
The fog cleared revealing another stunning day for trekking through the bush, about an hour's drive west of our town. He was very pleased to arrive home safely (there was mention of a dangerous slip/near miss) and grateful for a warm shower and fresh food.
I'm grateful he chooses to take a camera to share his experiences (although the camera isn't too happy at the moment). I have edited these a little but none are cropped - he has a good eye for composition. The camera and shoes can be replaced, Master J is safely home!
UPDATE:
Due to popular request, I have just fished Master J's shoes out of the bin to show you. He said they felt a bit rough around the ankles yesterday....but thankfully he could still wear them!
At least they were his old ones, usually reserved for mowing the lawn.
His previous two Duke of Ed. camps can be seen here and here.
Sharing at Our World Tuesday.
To say hello like this friendly kookaburra who has been hanging around our back fence the last few days. He looks like a relatively young kookaburra with clean fluffy feathers. Kookaburras are the largest kingfisher in the world and are native to the east coast of Australia. They make a loud, very distinctive laughing noise.
I received a most wonderful surprise in the mail yesterday and feel totally spoilt. An unexpected gift which both warms the heart and feeds the creative soul.
Lots of fresh and fun ideas to try with even the tiniest of favourite scraps. Sunday Morning Quilts includes some new (to me) ideas and techniques to try too, I love it.
The beautiful bird fabric I shared earlier now graces our wall as a mini quilt (22"x25"). Rather different to my original grander visions but these little panels didn't want to mix with the others I also made. So I've ended up leaving them simply and happily perched together, finished with a little hand quilting.
I was delighted to find a straight stick around our yard to use as a hanger until some dowel is bought.
Here are the orphaned blocks which just didn't seem to mix well with those used in the mini quilt. Each one is quite pleasant by itself but I'm not sure what to do with them now, so I guess I'll put them back in the cupboard until inspiration strikes sometime. Any suggestions?
In the meantime I have some other sewing plans to try....and a beautiful new book to enjoy!
Sharing at In The Studio.
