Rayelle's Fence - Block C-3

4 blocks down - 221 to go.

Mind the stray threads - needs trimming! It could also do with a proper iron...

Moving Right Along....

Onto my Mum's 60th birthday quilt. I have until the 3rd week of June, so "should" be ok with this one!

I am going to use these 2 blocks in the quilt - the centre will remain the same with each border changing within this pattern. I will then frame it with Michael Millers Fairy Frost in khaki, a butterflyy border and the binding in the Fairy Frost. I am even going to give FMQ a whirl on it! Don't you think the butterfly fabric is just divine?

Better get back to cutting whilst I still have time, before I have to leave to do pickups and park plays!

3 down, don't want to think about how many more there are to go...

Tonight I sewed up my next 2 Dear Janes blocks - B13 Four Corner Press and A8 Florence Nightingale. I love the Green fabric in the Florence Nightingale block.

A life changing read, a remarkable story of courage and adversity

Back in February, Dave headed off to San Diego for a conference. This is not unusual...our family regularly farewells him off to a fabulous destination, usually for him to stay in a fabulous hotel and see not alot of the great city or place he is in, but to network, mingle, usually drink a fair amount ~;)~ and learn about his industry. The conversations upon his return about the trip are more often than not quite similar. However this conference has left a profound mark in his heart. The key note speaker was Nando Parrado, the incredible man who walked out of the Andes after 72 days in the mountains after a plane he was travelling in crashed. According to Dave, my man who is nicknamed "the machine" for his lack of showing emotion, there was not a dry eye in the room as Nando told his story, this included Dave. At the end of the presentation, everyone was given Nando's book "Miracle in the Andes". What a story, what a read. It truly is a remarkable story and hits home on the way we should be living our lives. It has made me want to dig deeper into myself, strengthen my relationships and bonds with those who matter most to me, I want to learn to love more and better, to see and understand more about life and what is truly important. A wonderful read and the best I have had in a long time! It comes highly recommended, by me!



The following is taken from Nando's website, here.

In October 1972, a plane carrying an Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes. Not immediately rescued, the survivors turned to cannibalism to survive and after 72 days were saved. Rugby team member Parrado has written a beautiful story of friendship, tragedy and perseverance. High in the Andes, with a fractured skull, eating the flesh of his teammates and friends, Parrado calmly ponders the cruelties of fate, the power of the natural world and the possibility of continued existence. "I would live from moment to moment and from breath to breath, until I had used up all the life I had." Parrado, who for the past 10 years has been giving inspirational talks based on his experiences, lost his mother and sister in the crash. Struggling to stay alive, his guide becomes his beloved father: "each [stride] brought me closer to my father... each step I took was a step stolen back from death." More than a companion to the 1970s bestselling chronicle of the disaster, Alive, this is a fresh, gripping page-turner that will satisfy adventure readers, and a complex reflection on camaraderie, family and love.

How the Experience Affected Me - Nando Parrado
Time, a very good healer, has a put a veil over my worst memories and sorrows. I now remember the most awful parts of our ordeal almost as though I had read about them in a book.
But when I first returned I realized that the Andes had affected me more than I thought. I saw there was no way to pretend it had not happened, and I tried to learn from the experience. This changed my life dramatically.

My familiy life was destroyed when my mother and sister died in the accident. When I returned home, I had the strange experience of observing what would have happened if I actually had died. Arriving at my house almost three months after the crash, I found that my clothes had been given away, my room taken by my elder sister, who had moved in with her family, my posters and photographs had been removed from the walls, and my motorbike had been sold. There was no trace of me, except for some photograhps in the living room and in my father´s study.
A couple of days after my return, I went to the same pizza place that I used to frequent before the accident. All the young people were astonished to see me. They asked for autographs, and the owner did not charge me. I was the same person, but something had changed in the way everybody saw me.

Before the crash my mind was filled with my studies in business administration, but as soon as I came back I found that I had to exchange my studies for everyday work. Our family business organization had nearly been destroyed, since my mother had taken care of half the work. When you are young, you feel immortal. There is nothing that can modify or destroy you. Through our painful experience I learned that life is linked to death, that these are the only realities of our existence. You are born and you will die someday… In between, nobody knows. There are some things I have thought deeply about over the years, my thoughts influenced by the Andes experience. I am sure it is the same for the other survivors. These things are: FAMILY, CONFIDENCE and FRIENDSHIP.

All through the seventy-two days we spent in the mountains, there was absolutely nothing to which we could attach ourselves. Everything had lost its meaning. There was no future, no hope. Studies, work, material things: nothing had any value.


But omnipresent in everyone was the need of family affection. Our desire to feel secure in a family and our need to feel and give the love of a family were the only things that kept us going. So now, after having experienced a human situation where our limits of physical and mental suffering were constantly reached and even exceeded, I have come to understand that FAMILY is what made us survive.

Our lives honor this fact. I am extremely happy just to be able to put my daughters to bed every night. This realization has not taken away from my work or “success” in life. I am the CEO of six companies, but ther is no business meeting or commercial activity that I would not exchange for the moments of hapiness I have had with Veronique and my children.
I have learned that moments do not repeat themselves, but the next time I am dying I know what I will be remembering: my affections and love, not my businesses, cars, contracts, bank loans, earnings, faxes, airports…
Another thing I am certain was influenced by the Andes experience was my personal CONFIDENCE.
I have been able to make decisions quite easily in many aspects of life and work because of something that happened in the mountains.

When I was at the top of an 18.000-foot peak with Roberto Canessa, looking at the vast scenery of snowy peaks surrounding us, we knew we were going to die.

There was absolutely no way out.

We then decided how we would die: we would walk towards the sun and the west. It was better than freezing at the top. This decision took us scarcely thirty seconds. Other decision taken later in life seemed no more difficult than deciding about my own death.

I have gained confidence in myself, a quiet tranquility that has given me a better perception of the world around me. Making decisions became easier because I knew that the worst thing that could happen would be that I would be wrong. Compared to what I had gone through, that was nothing.

Finally there is the value of FRIENDSHIP, of our feeling of affection and love. It was deeply moving to see young boys helping their friends in ways they could not have imagined, even risking and giving their lives for each other. Frienship was a major factor in our chances to survive and, after we managed to rescue ourselves, we made our friendship with each other an important part of our lives. Sometimes I ask myself why people need to experience extreme situations to understand the real values of life. These values are so clear and so near us, yet we rush by them looking for the “important” things. The warmth of my daughters´s embrace at night when I put them to bed or the quiet presence of my wife, Veronique, near me - moments that will not be repeated-,these are the important, enduring values.

Love Knots

The Love Knots quilt I have been working on for my lovely friend Mel is finally finished! Wa-la...! Now to wash, label, snip any stray threads and to send it down to Ulladulla to her. I love it, and hope she does too.

Next on the list is Mum's quilt for her 60th birthday in June....here is the fabric..tomorrow I will decide what I am going to do with it!

And I must remember to bind the monsters Quilt for Ciára...

The Force of Nature

There was a buzz in our house last night. Dave's dad, the kids much loved Grandad was heading down under for a 3 week visit from Ireland, supposed to arrive early tomorrow morning. We woke to the unfortunate news this morning that his flight had been cancelled. Needless to say we are all feeling a little bummed out!

A volcano in Iceland has erupted and brought flights around the world to a halt - airports are closed throughout Europe, planes are stranded in Asia and there are delays elsewhere. The National Geographic reports that "Aviation authorities have taken the highly unusual measure because tiny particles of rock, glass, and sand in the volcanic ash cloud could potentially jam jet engines."

All the technology in the world can not compete against the sheer force of nature.

Hoping Grandad is not delayed too long, as we can't wait to see him!

Dear Jane is go - Uncle Homer DONE!!!

Yay!!!

Siobhan's Quilt - CHECK!!

One more quilt from my big long list completed, and only 18 months after she was born....whoops. Following are front and back shots.



Now, I am moving onto start my Dear Jane quilt finally. Just the first block, so don't get too excited! I hope to get it cut out today, and sewn tomorrow. We'll see!

And then this, Ciára's Monster Snuggle Quilt - the equivalent of Zoe's Dora Snuggle Quilt recently finished! The girls each chose their own panels so it goes to show how different my girls are! The monsters are fun though, and makes for a nice change from Dora, Barbie or Disney Princesses that seem to be all the rage in this house at the moment!

D-D-D-D-Dora!!

Just so you know I am not a complete NQ fraud - and even though it almost doesn't qualify as a home made quilt here is the final product. Zoe is delighted and despite the humidity of an evening insists on wrapping herself up in it of a night.

And also the progress report on the handquilting of Siobhan's quilt...it is slowly getting there! This quilt is so simple but I really love it!

Big school is go!

Today my precious first born, Zoe, started school!! My darling I am so proud of you and how you handled your first day! I was delighted by how excited you were about this next stage in your life. I was in awe of how composed you were and just how happy you were to be there. I love you Zoe Pops xxx

Nanny's Quilt - first completed quilt in 2010 - or is it?

This quilt has been a long time in the finishing. I did the quilt top in January last year for my lovely Nanny. It was finished in a hurry to give to her sometime later in the year, with no handquilting done and a dodgy binding. When we were out there before Christmas (she lives 3 1/2 hours away from us) I took it back and have redone the binding and handquilted the 30-something blocks on it. So even though it was finished in 2009, it was REALLY completed in 2010, so do I count it as my first 2010 quilt??? Anyway, Here is the finished result straight out of the dryer - i love how the dryer just crinkles everything up on a quilt, makes em so more loveable! I really must spend some time working out photoshop so my photos are not so dark and dreary looking!

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy, Successful + Creative 2010.

I plan to spend a whole lot more time being creative this year...and to get to 50 books in 2010.

Summer nights in Sydney..

Nothing beats the Opera Bar with a glass of bubbles and good friends! Top it off with a fabulous meal at Guillaume and a wonderful night was had....

Some day soon there will be a post about sewing, and no-one will believe it!

Secret Santa Stash

I received this lovely gift from Kirsty from EB Newbie Quilters for my SS gift. I just love it all, especially the divinely smelling soaps, thanks Kirsty xxx

The Birthday Party Girl

Yesterday we celebrated Zoe's 5th Birthday...it is not her birthday until 31st December but decided to have the party and then have a quiet family celebration on the day. I actually baked her cake...not even with a packet mix!! Just call me Martha Stewart - LOL! It was delicious and I got loads of compliments so I was delighted! We also had our favourite entertainer Fairy Fun, come along to look after the kidlets - they all had a ball!

Meet Vespa

The carwash we use is fantastic, not only do they do a great job washing the cars, they have a fantastic cafe with a kids area. Meet Vespa - he lives at the car wash. So many times we have been lucky enough to meet and pat him but today I actually had the camera with me. Zoe, as with everything was very cautious and admired him from a distance. Ciára however went in with her usual gusto for a close up hello and a pat!

Christmas Tree Tradition

We have a little tree from when we lived in a unit, this is the 3rd Christmas in our house and still we haven't bought a huge big new tree like we always planned, must be too attached to this one.

Our tree is very eclectic...and daggy! We have collected ornaments over the years on our travels so it tells a bit of a story for our family. This year the girls made 12 new baubles - we had so much fun doing it!

My mum joins us when we can to put the tree up and decorate it. It seems to have become a bit of a tradition over the past 4-5 years that she actually puts it up and decorates it, first it was just with Zoe and now with both the girls!
Here we are with the finished result last Sunday afternoon!
And here's Zoe + Ciára with some of their handiwork last week, making the new baubles.

Hoping to get some sewing posts in here over the next few weeks, time seems to be scarce at the moment and I haven't touched anything quilty for a week or two now! So Sad!

Isn't it Summer time Now?

So it was the first day of Summer yesterday. I love Summer but was a little disappointed when it was cool and showery all day. Well now it is Day 2 and we are all wrapped up in our dressing gowns and the girls are complaining of feeling cold. Now, I am not a fan of 35 + degree days, but surely 25+ is not too much to ask for? The view from the front of our house this morning, there was rain and wind for most of the night....

Unofficial Advent Blog Along

The lovely Car has organised an Advent Blog Along - I don't think that enough really happens in my life to blog every single day for the next 24 days but I will give it an unofficial whirl!

This morning my darling little two and a half year old had her Chrismtas concert at daycare. It was adorable!

Here she is in "Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star" mode. Cute huh!

And with her our family friend, best little mates who also goes to the same daycare..

Opinions please...

Now this will determine how many readers I really have ...ha ha ha....

This is Siobhans's Quilt, coming together slowly but surely when I get a chance here and there. I am really hoping that I will find the time to finish the top this weekend and get it sandwiched and the hand quilting started...So my question to you, which perle thread should I use - the red or the pink??? (please excuse the pile of pink thread...miss 2 1/2 got her hands on it).

Thanks for your help!

Cut It Out!!!

I am way behind on getting a quilt done for my gorgeous little neice, Siobhan, who was 1 in October. I decided that I am just going to do a very basic quilt of 4 inch squares and then handquilt in a raspberry red all over it, probably just diagonally. I love this fabric, and the colours. This is as far as I have gotten....but I am working on it when I can. I have made 3 "Antique Tile" blocks in this fabric, and will make those as a bed runner...I love the fabric so much I might just keep it for myself to go with aqua european pillow cases + white doona cover...

I really need to get game and try out some FMQ but I am very nervous about! Would love to do Deborah Louie's machine quilting class, she comes to my LQS...perhaps 2010 is the year?

Love Nest ...

finished and on the Love Nest!!!

Sasha's quilt...done!!

Rainbow Jane - Let The Journey Begin....

Stay tuned for progress....

Sasha's Quilt

This morning Zoe had her swimming lesson, then both the girls spent some time playing in the water....on the way back home I declared that the rest of the day would be an "At Home Day"...I really need to get Sasha's quilt finished!!!

So, all the inner square stitching is done and I have 6 more of the outer squares to do, that should get knocked over tonight...the ironing can wait! Seeing Sasha tomorrow afternoon but the girls have swimming again tomorrow morning so I just don't think I am going to get it finished in time for 4pm......will give it a whirl otherwise it is a great excuse to catch up with her lovely mummy for a coffee next week sometime!

Bananas Galore...

Twice weekly we do a fruit and vege order through here. Last week Dave was unpacking the box and yelled out, "Have we adopted a gorilla?". In a momentary lapse of sanity I ordered 6 KILOS of bananas, rather than the usual 6 bananas. So...some were given away, others were hastily munched down, put on breakfast cereal and frozen. Zoe decided she wanted to bake a cake this morning..."excellent idea" says mummy, "let's make a banana cake". A quick search on my fave site for recipes, Taste, came up with this yummy sounding cake recipe . This is the result of some fun in the kitchen with my angels...

Afternoon tea for a last minute playdate. And because there is little ones who will be munching on it we decided to leave off the dessicated coconut!

We still have about 10 bananas in the freezer. Nest week will be a banana bread or two, I think!

What's a Girl To Do...

...When she is child free and it is a dull and dreary day outside? Finish her RR blocks of course.

None of my blocks claim to be perfect, nor the spot on exact size or to have wonderful points...but I did my very best and have really enjoyed putting them together so far. Only two to go...can't wait to get all of mine back and put them all together.