January's completed projects

Aren't holidays wonderful? I have spent part of January organising and preparing several projects so I can just pick them up during the year and work on them. In this way, I am hoping to keep hold of my sanity and actually complete several of the ones from the list at the side.

So far this year, I have completed:

A bag for Alana

I was given a beautiful blue and yellow bag for my birthday by my angel, Sue Daly. Alana was very impressed with it, and Sue kindly sent me the link to the pattern. I used the fabrics Alana is using in her Little Macca's quilt, and were both very pleased with the end result. These bags hold an amazing amount of goodies!

Next I made three little gift bags, but gave two away before I could photograph them! Here is the one still to be given...... you'd never work out what her favourite colour is, would you?

The third item completed was the mystery quilt top I made last Friday. I am counting quilt tops as completed because I need to save up for them to be quilted, and can add the binding quite quickly once they are quilted. The construction of the actual top is what is challenging for me, due to the time constraints of working full time.

All four quilts made on the day were effective and were laid out in different ways. It was an enjoyable activity to undertake!

(Liam always comes in useful when I need to photograph quilts!)

Do you have this fabric for sale?

I am supposed to be using this fabric next Friday to make a mystery quilt with some special friends, but because I had to be difficult and choose a directional fabric, I need to cut another 2 - 9" half square triangles.

The fabric is:Momoyama by Sentimental Studios for Moda, pattern # 15711.

If you live in Australia (due to the pressures of time!) and have this fabric for sale, please contact me .

Thanks for your help

The Winner Is........

Hello this is Liam.

I have decided that all of your entries were great and all were special for their own reasons so I decided that it was unfair to only give one prize away. So if you could email my mum via her profile with your snail mail address I will send you off something each. Thank you for entering i hope you enjoy your prizes.

Our first competition!

Liam has decided to make a few special origami items for one person who leaves a comment on my blog. He wants to know:

What is the most memorable item you have made, and what made it so special?

We don't know how to 'do' the random numbers, so Liam will be the sole judge....

Good luck!
Al

My amazing middle child

This is Liam......

Apart from being a gorgeous son, he has an amazing talent for origami. He became interested about ten years ago, and over the years has produced beautiful creations made from paper.

He completed the 1000 crane challenge about 4 years ago. He made 1000 peace cranes out of various types of origami paper 5cm square. We then strung these and alternated them with some beads.....

and hung them all from a small bamboo hoop.

I love gazing at it, as I know how much patience and perseverance it took.

Here are examples of some of his other pieces - he has given away hundreds of creations over the years, bringing pleasure to many different people.

The latest recipient was Sue, my fantastic SCQuilters' Angel

A very special photo

I have decided to share this very special photo........When I started my blog, I thought I would try and stay as anonymous as possible, partly due to my job and also to protect the identities of my lovely children. Because of that (and the fact that I HATE having my photo taken!!) I have never posted my photo.

However, with Steven undergoing treatment for a major illness and also suffering extreme long term pain, I regret not having more photos of my family unit or of the two of us together as a couple.

I want to share this photo with my many blogging friends because it is a rare photo of the five of us together and because it reminds me of much happier times. Steven's diagnosis was so unexpected that we did not have any opportunity to plan, prepare ourselves or make any decisions........ this photo is my goal of what I hope we can do in the future if all goes well.

If you are like Steven and I and shy away from the camera, try and brace yourself and have a couple of photos taken - you never really know how special they may become!

Last wood photos for a while....

These will be the last wood photos for a while - my lovely man is facing a major health battle over the next few months, so no woodwork until he has won the war.

Here are some bowls he designed and created a while ago. They are amazing pieces, due largely to the unique qualities of the burls they are made from. You can never be sure how each piece will turn out- that is part of their attraction, I think! The colouring is so rich and luscious, and I just want to stroke them, due to their smooth, silky finish.

He also made a special container for each of our children.

The one on the left was designed by Liam - trust him to design a spherical shape! It is made out of huon pine and flame she-oak - both quite amazing woods.

The middle one is also huon pine - it has the most striking scent when it is being turned, such a rich and uplifting aroma!

The third container uses figured Tasmanian myrtle - yes, we love our native woods, particularly the Tasmanian ones.

It looks as though we will have to cancel our trip to Strahan for our 25th anniversary - hopefully, we can re book it when he is fit and healthy again. It gives us something to look forward to!
Please keep him in your thoughts.... it just may make a difference!

Gifts

I love creating gifts for special people...... it is so exciting to plan the ideal present and see the recipient's reaction to it.

My most recent project is a pair of placemats for a very dear friend who turns 60 tomorrow

(I hope she doesn't check my blog!) Three of us are each contributing two placemats that we created from some of Bronwyn Haye's cute stitcheries. We have made them so they can be reversible if she wishes.......

Now, I have to admit to being human - I also LOVE receiving gifts, and have been spoilt by both my SCQuilter's Angel and my Stitcher's Angel. They are both such thoughful and caring ladies.

I had a lovely surprise when I arrived home from a frantic day at work - this lovely package had arrived from my Stitcher's Angel.......

I am going to love using my armchair caddy - thank you dear angel!

Signs of Spring...

I know spring is on its way when two of my favourite plants start flowering. My Michelia Doltsopa begins in August, and produces these stunning creamy white flowers that have a luscious, almost tropical scent. It flowers for about a month, so I make the most of that time

My other very special plant is this Magnolia. My sister gave it to me for my birthday nearly 16 years ago, when we were creating our garden. It flowers faithfully every year, and reminds me of what a special person Cyn is. She always puts a great deal of thought into making sure her gifts are ideal and something special!

Many of our plants have suffered in the extended dry conditions that are now the norm. Every year, I wonder if they will survive for another magnificent performance, and so far, they are managing to survive and bring a great deal of beauty and enjoyment into our lives.

My lightning fast Stitcher's Angel...

has sent me a fabulous gift ALREADY!!! Wow, talk about efficient!

This swap only officially started on Monday, so I amazed that i have received such a lovely little threadcatcher (and a very cute letter!) so quickly. Aren't I lucky? And to my angel - if you are reading this - thank you for such a lovely surprise!