Which layout????

Working with the octagons...which layout do you prefer?

I am in two minds...

as octagons and dots...

or floating snowballs????

 Lots of fun though.

We had a great time with DS at a lunch to celebrate his 21st birthday...

the most beautiful spot...

Bistro Molines in the Hunter Valley...perfect!

Cardygirl xx

Parcels to pack...parties to attend!

 Parcels need to be sent on their way to Tracee, Chookyblue and Lise! Congratulations! My first thought this morning was drawing the giveaway with the help of SB. So many people were keen on Anni's lovely fabric that I measured and found that there was enough for two sets...wish I could have found more so that I would have been able to send it all over the world. Interestingly, two parcels can be hand delivered at Nundle...nice to give them in person to Lise ( who I have never met before!!!) and dear Chooky. Had to laugh when her comment was drawn. It was lovely to read all your comments...I appreciate you popping by and wish I could send more gifts!

And amongst lots of trips up and down the highway, more octagons have been stitched...

 there has been time to stitch some more circles...

and create a 5" diameter Dresden. I have plans for this!

We are heading off today to celebrate a 21st birthday with this young man!

Should be fun!
Cardygirl xx

Goodbye 2011!

 Evening is falling here...and 2011 is almost over. 

Whilst each year has it's highs and lows, this one has been a bit taxing! Long absences of loved ones with the subsequent hardships of managing daily life without support, the challenges of parenting young adults who experience adult problems, supporting parents finding their way alone again and the myriad of worries that seem to pervade our lives. Whilst this all adds resilience and colour to life, I would hope 2012 may be a little calmer in my household.

In 2012 I look forward to DD starting her new life and job on the coast full of hope and love, DS continuing with his studies and further maturing into a young man who is truly lovely to know, and that dear SB will see some reward for his very consuming work commitments which will enhance life for us all. Decisions need to be made about relocating from our rural home of more than twenty years as work and family commitments are no longer here. Moving back to the city of my youth I feel some trepidation...will I fit in...do I wish to settle back here? Family and friends are keen for my return...I feel becalmed and unsure. As one wise friend assured me...time will reveal which way to go. So I must be patient.

Fortunately  I have my pressure release valve which always keeps me sane(?) or perhaps at least anchored! Stitching takes me away and calms my head...I think designated time each day will be the key. My boss laughs about the little bag of fabric, hexies and gluestick on my desk...he calls it my security blanket! Small and achievable projects...lots of bright colours...stretching some boundaries....that will keep me grounded.

My last finish for this year was an apron for DD...super cute and very retro in 30's repro...for her new kitchen (a late Christmas present)...

and some inspiration for 2012 comes from Lise, some lovely "Friendship" charm squares that I think will become a new version of this...

I need to do it before we meet at GDITC in March...thankyou!

Thank you for being my blog friends in 2011, each comment is appreciated and your support valued. 

Have a Happy New Year and may 2012 be kind to you and yours!

Cardygirl xx

On the road again...

The weekend saw me heading north to visit my son at university for a Parents Weekend...fun!

I miss him being around home and it was great to catch up with him and his friends.

On the way home I decided to pop in to The Cottage on the Hill at Nundle as I knew Peg, Dale & Gai would be there for a retreat. Kerry was welcoming as always and I was able to have some lunch and catch up with blogging friends...bonus! This reminded me that I have not shown pics of my Nundle retreat which happened just before I left for Singapore. Here are the blocks from my project...

the pattern was from here...I like the way it is going together and Kerry taught me how to machine applique as I always hand applique...I like the way this is looking.

As I was flying out the next day, I did not stay for the second day of retreat, but the girls made some lovely tops and had a great time...here are some of the happy sewers!

I love going to Nundle, it is always a relaxing weekend. Here is my poor frosty car...and 24hrs later I was heading to 35C plus temps and swimwear!

 Cardygirl xx

Just quickly...

...this week has whizzed past with work and lots of miles on the highway and still more to do!

After returning from the quilt show in Sydney, I had plans for some quiet catch up & a bit of play with these delicious purchases...then I remembered that the next little quilt with Le Petite was due...eeek...grab fabrics...cut...sew...tada!

Then my Semester 2 subject started...download the notes...lots of berating of self for taking it on...

but best of all my sweet daughter graduated from her Honours year...a special day!

It was great to have Mum with us to share the excitement.

What on earth would girls who wear shoes like this work as????

 Cardygirl xx

Easter Snapshot

A quiet family Easter...Mum up to visit...both children home...pleasant weather...opportunity to wake up without the alarm. Bliss!

Homemade Hot Cross Buns...

Easter tea towels with Mum's crocheted edgings...

Easter bags full of treats...

Delicious cake for Easter celebrations...

A little progress on my cross stitch...

Hope everyone is having a joyous Easter!

 Cardygirl xx

Brigitte and beyond.

Tuesday was spent in the company of a pleasant group of ladies & Brigitte Giblin at Southern Cross needlework. I never seem to do much stitching but come home SO inspired. Brigitte shares so much inspiration & it is lovely to see what everyone is working on.

A new quilt of Brigitte's...

some beautiful  hexagon framed diamonds...

Brigitte's original quilt...

Then on Saturday we went to Armidale to visit DS for his birthday...

a teenager no more!

A wild and wet trip home...

over the ranges...

Rainbows pointing the way to ....

NUNDLE! One week and we will be there for GDITC 2011!

...looking forward to catching up with old friends and maybe meeting some new ones!

Cardygirl xx

Mon Ami fin! And a float on the harbour...

Mon Ami...this months quiltlet in the Le Petite group is finished. I used one charm pack of Punctuation by American Jane with some bits from her previous ranges thrown in to add variety. It certainly was interesting...SO many HST's...they seemed endless at one stage...but I am happy with it's cheery scrappy look but have noticed that the border has a slight ripple....hope it will quilt out! Now I am looking forward to next month's selection....and fabric selection!

Last weekend saw DH & myself heading off to Sydney for a cruise on the harbour with his work colleagues. Fortunately it was a little cooler than today, but still a lovely sunny day.We bobbed around on the water for about six hours and looked at all the lovely waterside properties. There are certainly some lovely homes.

Here I am looking a trifle windswept with the "coathanger" in the background (and a boat on my head!)...

Luna Park ( I have never been there...not a fan of scary rides)...

the Anzac Bridge ( great flags especially as today is Australia Day)...

the skyline at night.

Cardygirl xx

Life's varied fortunes

Time is passing quickly by...frightening & sad natural disasters both here and abroad show the fragility of our lives and the importance of appreciating who we have in our lives...families, friends & even the kindness of strangers. We have been fortunate & have not been personally affected by these tragedies, but feel a great sadness for those who are suffering at this time.

We are blessed to have our children return home after holidays both here and abroad with happy tales and lots of pictures. It is wonderful to see them stepping out and enjoying their lives. DD had a wonderful time in Rome & Paris and it has been fascinating hearing stories of friendly Italians & walks down cobblestone streets. Their showband performed at several venues & was even acknowledged by the Pope.

Some stitching has happened here today...the HST's are nearly all done for this month's Le Petite...just the border HST's still to do. Thankyou to everyone who gave me their tips...I have settled on lines marked on squares with the Hera marker and sewn a 1/4" on each side...it seems to have worked well. Lots of trimming of the blocks...lots of scrappy bits. They are a bit of work but do look really good. 

One quick lesson I learnt this week...When you are awake at 0430hrs it is not a good idea to cut out a quilt top just because it is quiet! A couple of wrong cuts has led to the makings of several skinny tablerunners or coin quilts...OOPS!

Cardygirl xx

Christmas Wishes

May you all have a Happy Christmas...sharing the joy of this special time with family & friends.

If you are travelling, stay safe....it is a wonderful time of year.

DH is recovering from his op...so Christmas here will be quiet & housebound. My dear Mother is with us and the children are both home...nice to all be here together. It has been a challenging year, many changes in our lives...but we have worked together as a family and had the support of our friends...many positives.

Last weekend we took Mum to Sydney for a special weekend. she has not been shopping in Sydney for 20 years but she loved it! 

 Shopping, the Christmas window display at David Jones, St Mary's Cathedral, the enormous tree at the Queen Victoria Building hung with Swarovski crystals,

dinner at Circular Quay, 

ballet at the Opera House...The Nutcracker, 

and morning tea at the QVB Tearooms...a weekend of indulgence which she thoroughly enjoyed. Our hotel rooms overlooked Hyde Park and we were treated to fireworks from the Carols at the Domain. It really was a perfectly wonderful treat...our gift to her.

A joyous Christmas to you!

Cardygirl xx