On holiday at home

Now we are home, it feels like I am actually on holiday!

I'm at our local beach, only 20 minutes from home.

It's the main esplanade, and it now hosts electric scooters.

They scoot up and down so fast, and they don't really walk anymore.

We don't always swim in the water in Summer, because of the stingers (jelly fish with stings). There is a special place with nets to keep the jellyfish out. That's the best place to swim if you are not wearing a stinger suit.

Grabbing some quilt inspiration with these views, I've always always loved palm trees. They bring me calm and joy and peace whenever I See them.

This is 5yo sitting on a dugong statue, and that's Magnetic Island in the background. Snorkelling there is excellent. We are on the Great Barrier Reef here.

Do you ever find that your holiday at home is better than going away?

 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Baking time with the family, makes me happy!

Lots of icing and sugary toppings make the kids happy. Haha happy new year!!

See you in 2021. I am excited for fresh starts, vision boards, new goals and plans!

 

The Raven quilt goals

We went away for a couple of days with the family: The kids uncles, partners, kids and grandparents. Well, I felt very much like I didn't have a holiday at all. I didn't get to sit out with the other adults late at night (ours were in bed), and I was up at 6am with an extra one to take care of, bouncing on me in my room. The kids had a blast, and I learned about what I want out of a holiday, and where I would go stay.

My enjoyment was stitching after going into our motel room for an early night (couldn't leave the kids on their own!!) .....

 I now have two blocks finished from my blackbird designs quilt "The Raven". It's my goal to finish this by next Halloween.

These blocks are huge at about 15 inches each. Lovely big pieces, except for the berries.

Only 9 blocks in total, time to prep another needleturn block. I have goals!!

 

Christmas Cats

One more chance to show off a finished Christmas project hanging in a space where it gets the attention it deserves!

I made this swag by making Crazy Christmas Cat quilts, using quilt as you go, then binding them individually with little ribbons hanging out of the sides.

Such a pleasing view. I used up every scrap of that cat fabric, and the co-ordinates I bought to go with them.

Some Christmas ribbon I got on sale after Christmas one year.

And backed with Christmas cat fabric as well.

There we are, all documented for the future. That's why I started this blog after all. I love quilt history, the stories behind why something was made, the evolution of a project, and the quilt artist herself.

 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas. My heart is full.

 

Christmas Eve

I wanted to turn my brain off, so I asked the beloved to get me a jigsaw at the shops. Oh my goodness. Well, it's a painting.

So i got the sky done, which traditionally would be the hardest part, and now I am throwing the jigsaw away.

I don't even want to give it to the opp shop, it's so bad. What a waste it's been.

So he grabbed me this Christmas one too.

It's also a shocker. 

No more cheap jigsaws for me. I will choose my own. Preferably scenic photos!!

Stuff it! I am going to play with these fabrics I had on layby instead. I think it will be a French Braid quilt.

The children are too excited to eat much, but we dressed the table with wholesome foods and handmade care.

A little boy's yule....

honey glaze roasted carrots

Goddess Fortuna

It's Christmas Eve... plenty of carrots for the reindeer, a chinotto drink, cake and decorated gingerbreads.

Letter to Santa....

Santa sacks and Christmas stockings are under the tree... 

This is a time I cherish so much. I give thanks for these wonderful times, future memories, I am so grateful to experience the wonder and joy of Christmas from the eyes of my own children.

This is my snowflake candle. Gratitude. Blessings to all, and to all a good night.

 

A card pull

I really wanted to photograph this gorgeous piece before it went to its new owner. I hadn't even finished it and it sold. It's another one of those that I would love to get that fabric again!!

Just another way to use these altar cloths. Take them to a friend's house with a deck and bam. Instant sacred space.

I decided I needed to complete the superhero quilt for 10yo. He is the only one still using his oldest quilt with monsters on it. 

This one should carry him through for a while. I've made it quilt as you go, same as the other children's new bed quilts from earlier this year.

I got so busy this year with altar cloths that he hasn't had a lookin, and just humbly used his old one. Not that it's cold anyway. But he does take pride in a clean room. 

Hopefully time for a few more personal stitching projects before the end of the year.