A fantastic sewing retreat....

After a break of a few months, I am finally getting around to publically raving about the last place

we stayed on our fabulous Tassie holiday .......

 The Old Cable Station in Stanley.

I decided this place was so beautiful for so many reasons that it deserved an entry all by itself.

This little gem is tucked away just outside of Stanley proper, a short distance from the Highfield homestead and is the site of the cable station that enabled a telecommunications link

between Tasmania and the mainland.

We were lucky enough to be placed in the self contained cottage containing the old telephone exchange....

Out the window of the photo below, there is a covered courtyard the holds a beautiful timber table,

large enough to seat 10-12 people. A gas heater and barbeques are also provided, so even on a cool day,

it would be possible to sit and sew or relax in comfort.

Upon arrival, we were provided with tantalising foods of the highest quality for breakfast the next morning.

Several smaller but really lovely rooms are located on the other side of the courtyard. I could imagine staying here with a few friends for a weekend (or even longer!) relaxing in the fresh air

and sewing to our hearts' content.

The cottage has several bedrooms, and at least 2 have their own ensuite, as well as

a self contained kitchen and lounge with a TV and DVD player.

We were given the main bedroom which had its own massive bathroom

complete with a luxurious spa.... it was heavenly...

The icing on the cake was dinner in the restaurant in the evening. Mic is a top class chef who created a memorable meal for the two of us. I had been hanging out for the

wood oven roasted Stanley 1/2 crayfish with baby potatoes and a fresh side salad......

while Steven enjoyed fresh salmon served with locally grown vegetables.

We finished off with a platter of Tasmainain cheeses and loccal produce.....MMMMMMMM!

You couldn't ask for better hosts than Mic and Charlotte - they are genuine people who are passionate about providing their guests with the best of everything. Would anyone be interested in going down there with me for a sewing retreat? 

Flaunting on a Friday!

I hope you are sitting down.... I am actually flaunting on a Friday! Both Steven and I have some things to show off....

Steven recently made me this lovely birds eye Huon Pine pen. It was a replacement for one he made me about 6 years ago that went missing at some stage. It is a beautifully designed pen, being a little wider than some of the other pen styles available and a joy to use.

We brought back some Huon pine from Tassie (as you do!) and he has now made us these salt and pepper grinders....

Neither of us like the usual design, so he designed these for us.

The photo doesn't do justice to them as it is difficult for you to see the wood grain.

He has inserted them with glass tubing so the salt and pepper don't take on the huon pine aroma.

He is trying to work out whether he should make any more - what do you think?

Your feedback on the design choice would be very helpful.

I was very late in completing the winter mini quilt swap coordinated by Michelle Foster at Quilting Gallery

Here is the completed quilt - a bit larger thatn set, but I thought she could use it as a table topper.

The friendship stars are actually made of a glittery fabric - the intention was to illustrate the icy night skies we both have, rather than snow, as well as friendships formed through swaps like this one. I used some of my handpainted fabric for the sky and the quilting is supposed to represent the wind - a common part of winter, I think!

Lisa, my recipient, has been very patient, so I have made a little extra gift for her.....

yes, I know, yet another bag.... but they are so lovely.

By the way, I STILL haven't made one for myself!

Maybe next holidays?!

Heaven on Earth Part 2

Sorry for the delay in posting the second part of our fabulous Tassie trip - work insists in taking over my life and preventing me from doing what I'd love to do! Now... for the rest of the trip;

Strahan harbour is very pretty and tranquil - it looks almost exactly as we remember from our last trip 26 years ago. We had booked a seaplane flight to get a closer look at the wilderness surrounding Strahan, as this is one of the most stunning places you can visit, in our opinion.

Four of us settled in to the small seaplane for an hour long flight..... the weather was perfect, bright, sunny and very calm. We couldn't have asked for a more ideal day!

The landing on the Gordon river was exhilerating.... swooping down to land on the water while being surrounded by dense bush kept us on the edge of our seats! After a very safe landing, we walked along the jetty to enjoy the secluded beauty of St John Falls....

The brown tinge to the water is the tannins that leach from the  trees. It was very therapeutic to stand quietly and enjoy the tumbling water and crisp, clean air.

On returning to the plane, we headed back to Strahan via the Kelly Basin and the King River.

We are so lucky to live in this beautiful country - there is such a massive range of environments and terrain.... and to think, all this area could have been lost forever if the dams proposed in the early '80's had been built!

After another lovely evening in our stunning accomodation, we headed for Stanley on the north west tip of Tasmania. It is an interesting town to wander around because it contains many beautiful and historical buildings.

The photo above of the Van Diemans Land Company Store, built in 1843. Below are photos of the convict barracks, used from about 1836. Approximately 23 convicts were housed in this tiny structure....the massive rocks it was made out of now litter the area around what is left of the building.

Before I leave this installment, I have to show you one of the crops grown in several parts of Tasmania.....

Does this help explain why Tasmanians are such relaxed and friendly people??

The other surprising element to the first poppy photo is the sprinklers being used - we were so used to drought conditions that it took us by surprise to see the amount of crop watering taking place.

My last Tassie post will be highlighting a stunning place to stay that would also be perfect as a retreat venue for a small group of friends....

Completed projects and Sydney recommendations

I want to show you a couple of things I've been up to....

My only sister, Cyn and I spent some time together Friday working on the "Hanging Garden" quilt top. We had planned on working out the pattern and possibly getting a little of the top together, but we became so enthralled with the pattern that we just HAD to continue and see what it looked like. This is the end result...

Sorry about the dodginess of the picture... every time Liam and I ventured out to take a picture, it suddenly became windy! I decided after trying for two days to just give it a go, and this is what we ended up with.

 I will put up a better picture when I am able to achieve it (it's the perfectionist in me... sorry!)

This is a fabulous pattern - the more we did, the more we liked it. It also goes together quite quickly and could be used successfully for either jelly rolls or scrappy strips, which is what we used. I really enjoyed spending some quality time with Cyn - it is something we have not been able to do

 for a couple of years at least.

I also managed to create some ATC's for our bi monthly swap.... can you pick the theme?

I really enjoyed making these... if you want to know anything more about them, you need to have a guess at the theme, okay? Give me some feedback so I know what you enjoy about my posts. :)

ALSO: Steven and I bought some very cheap flights for a weekend in Sydney, but we need somewhere reasonably priced and clean to stay... can you recommend anywhere to us please?

What should we make sure we see while we are there for out day and a half? I can't wait to read your suggestions!

Chocolate fantasy

During 2009, as one of the professional goals I was required to set at work, I elected to learn more about coverture chocolate, as I had no experience in this field of specialty.
I was fortunate enough to stumble into one of Sylvia's workshops, and was hooked from there!

I have attended three workshops so far. Each one built on the knowledge and stills obtained in each earlier one, and I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. Sylvia explains all apsects clearly and is a very positive and patient teacher.

The rose decoration is made using chocolate 'putty' and is fully edible. It's good to see the cake decorating skills I learnt in 2008 can be used in other areas!

I have to confess that it was a requirement to complete sensory evaluations on each type of chocolate.... some needed several 'checks' to make sure they were of a reasonable quality to offer to my colleagues and family. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.
Which type of chocolate is your favourite?

First Frenzied flaunt for 2010

Here is the first official Frenzied Flaunt for 2010.... I don't have a massive amount to show as yet, as I have spent a large proportion of the holidays preparing projects to just pick up and 'do' during the year.

Firstly, I'll show you a couple of the Peace Quilt blocks I have completed. I plan to always have one or two blocks with me so I can complete the hand piecing anywhere, anytime.... maybe I should log the various places I end up sewing them??!!

Next, I can show you my progress with my "Friends for Christmas" quilt.... I prepared it all for blanket stitching last January, and it has languished ever since. That was until a very clever QDU'er named Rosemary posed a challenge to complete one Christmas decoration or block a month... I'm ahead of time so far, as I have completed TWO! (Don't worry... it probably won't continue!) Here they are:

I'm hanging off with the beaks at the moment because I haven't decided on the best colours to use (and also because I can't find the *&#@$* book to trace them off... SHHH!)

The bits hanging off such as the rest of the tree branches and the RH penquin in the other picture can't be completed until the blocks are sewn together, so hopefully by July you'll see the whole top together. The RH peguin will then be holding its little star, rather than looking a little empty handed!

The next project is a quilt 4 of us are making for a friend of my lovely mate Judy.... Maree is going to let us use her holiday house down by the sea for a sewing weekend in early winter, so we decided to make her a quilt to say thanks. It is a pattern called "Hanging Gardens" that I bought a couple of months ago.

On Saturday, in between lunching and sipping bubbly, we selected and cut out fabrics for the 13 blocks required for the throw size.

Cyn, Judy and I will sew them up and then get together to work out the rest of the top layout. Stay tuned for progress pictures.

Heaven on Earth! (Part One)

Steven and I have arrived back from our postponed 25th anniversary holiday to Tasmania

….. the most beautiful place in the world, we think!

We were blessed with perfect weather, magnificent accommodation and sumptuous food

– it’s hard to know what to leave out, so get a drink, relax and enjoy!

The photo above shows part of the track to Liffey Falls, a beautiful waterfall which is well worth visiting if you are in the area. We spent quite a while relaxing here, just soaking up the atmosphere.

The first night, we stayed at Lemonthyme Lodge, near Cradle Mountain. It is tucked away on a gravel road in western Tasmania. The lodge is surrounded by forest and has several walks you can undertake. The evening meal was inspirational….

Much to Lana’s disgust, I selected …

“Tender and succulent char-grilled wallaby rump dusted in Moroccan seasoning

and placed on a vegetable frittata, topped with Chef’s tomato relish

and seasoned with red wine vinegar and sumac dressed salad”

The photo doesn’t do the meal justice – it was mood lighting in the restaurant! Steven had Crispy skinned grilled Chicken Breast which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Dessert? We shared a cheese platter and a platter of mini sized desserts that were heavenly!

The next morning, after a relaxing walk to the fern glade on Lemonthyme, we headed for Cradle Mountain. We had managed a flying visit on our postponed honeymoon nearly 26 years ago, but had more time on this trip. Neither of us were sure how Steven would cope, but we chose the Dove Lake circuit, which was not in existence on our first trip. We walked about 8.5 km that day, but enjoyed every moment – this area is SOOO stunning, in so many ways!

We fell in love with this tree… it contained several beautiful burls, which Steven loves to work with…

After such strenuous activity, we desperately needed a rest…

this is what awaited us at Wheelhouse Apartments in Strahan..

This was one of the most stunning places you could ever hope to spend a few days.

After a luxurious spa bath, we settled in to watch the sunset with

fresh fish and chips and a bottle of Tassie bubbly… what more could you want?

What an amazing lady!

I have to boast (and feel very humbled at the same time) about a special parcel that arrived from Julie.

Inside was this mangnificent Spring time quilt....

It is a stunning piece of work, as the following photos will hopefully show....

I am totally amazed at the care taken with the fabric selection and applique placement, the precision of the machine applique and the intricacy of the stippling and border machine quilting..... I definitely got the better end of the deal, and feel a little guilty now!!

But wait, there's more! (no, not a free set of steak knives)

Julie somehow managed to become my Friendship Bag swapper, and this fantastic set that I had ogled with envy was sent to me also.....

Julie has become a special friend over the last couple of years, even though we have not met in person. She is a fellow member of Scquilers, and gave me some very useful advice when I was starting off my blog. She has been a fabulous ear over the last 12 months and has kept me grinning with emails and in awe of her projects - I'm an incredibly lucky person!

What a fantastic weekend!

I have had such a wonderful weekend....

here are some photos from the conference centre I escaped to - it is in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges

The centre was surrounded by gardens - several plants were in flower and looked stunning in the early morning light:

The staff were excellent, the food was magnificent and the company inspiring...

what more could a girl ask for?

I did TRUCKLOADS!!!

1. I sewed the quilt top for Rob's 21st together - here is a photo of the top mostly completed - I finished it and piecing the backing fabric together very late on Saturday night, so forgot to get the official "top's finished" photo. Sorry!

Chris has taken it for quilting - she plans to use a gold thread, similar to the one used in the corners of the sashing (that aren't in this picture!) in an oriental design - I can't wait to see it!

2. I made another two gift sewing bags.. if you look closely, you'll see that I still need to do the tidying up and thread the draw strings. One day, I'll make one for myself!

3. I started quilting Steven's quilt - the photo doesn't show the quilting super clearly, but you'll get the idea. Steven made me up a template for the spirals which makes them very efficient to mark.

I took a few items I no longer wanted and sold many of them. That meant I had money to spend on this fabulous new book!

The weather was calm and sunny, and the whole weekend sped by much too quickly!

I will look forward to next year.