Flowers for my blossie

So nice to be back at my sewing machine this afternoon. I finished my version of Janelle Wind's 'Flowers for Daisie Mae'.

I have been saving up a luscious jelly roll of 'Sweet' fabrics by Urban Chiks for this project.

I made some minor changes to Janelle's pattern, mainly to finish it more quickly. I appliqued a single flower rather than two. I machine appliqued rather than using needleturn. I modified the handles to a single adjustable shoulder strap, using a very groovy slide adjuster from Nicole Mallalieu.

I used Heat 'n' Bond for the scallop applique at the top of the bag, which made it a little stiff. The lining consequently wanted to protrude from the bag by 1/4", so I just went along with it. I quite like how it gives a 'bound' look to the top of the bag.

It was excitedly received by my blossie after school this afternoon!

Thank you to Janelle for another excellent pattern. Janelle has a listing of stockists of her patterns on her blog.

A topsy-turvy day

Wonderful news from my doctor today that there was no sign of any tumour on my MRI. Praise God! Whatever is causing my neck pain should now be safely treatable with physio. Thank you to so many of you who have left sincere, thoughtful and supportive messages in the last couple of days. You are all very lovely and I am blessed to count you as my friends!

That news was the 'top' for my day. The 'turvy' came this evening with a harrowing phone call from the wife of a old friend from Uni days. She bravely called to tell me that my friend has died at 46 from pancreatic cancer. Her distress was heartbreaking. She has four children, the youngest just two. Her phone call put my recent concerns in perspective. Her husband & I studied Soil Science together and spent many an hour at the Grandstand at Sydney Uni philosophising, arguing about religion & solving the world's problems, but mostly drinking beer! I am so sad for her and her children.

So, at 11 o'clock in the evening, I am an exhausted mess of emotions. So thankful for my own good news, but devastated by the bad news of my friend. When life gets too tough, I walk in my garden and talk with God, wondering with Him what on earth it is all about. And in my garden, even in the winter, I find solace & peace ...

Delicate creaminess of Erlicheeer jonquils, the first of the bulbs.

Bright & happy buttercups jump up out of nowhere, announcing cheerfully, 'Look at me"!

Drifts of violets, nodding heads in the breeze.

The first fluffiness of the winter's wattles.

The promise and hope of blossom buds, preparing for a riotous spring.

The birthday wish list of a 9-year-old girl

It was my youngest daughter's 9th birthday last weekend. My handmade gift for her is late - nothing new there! I am in the process of converting this 'Sweet' jelly roll ...

... into a version of Janelle Wind's 'Flowers for Daisy-Mae':

If you happen have a nine-year-old girl in your life who you need gift ideas for, here are some of the things that were on my blossie's birthday wish list:

Kimidoll jewellery, in particular this bracelet & matching necklace:

Penny Scallan Girly Bird toiletry bag:

Style Me Up glamour purse:

Klutz 'Fancy' Paper fashions:

Crayola Slik Stix super smooth crayons

My personal favourite was a special edition Pippi Longstocking book (my choice!), purchased here. It is a beautiful hardcover book, delightfully illustrated by Lauren Child, who we both love.

My sincere thanks to each and every one of you for your best wishes and prayers for my health. At my best, I have convinced myself that all will be well - that God has taken good care of me in the past, and can again. At my worst, usually laying awake in the dead of night, I relive my previous tumour experience & dread what may be ahead for me. All prayers and good vibes will continue to be gratefully received!

One quilt + one small boy = ?

I am just back from two weeks at our farm, pruning the garden into shape. I took the opportunity to take some photos of a quilt I made for my son a few years ago.

The pattern is called 'Road to St Louis', and I made it in the brightest of colours, tempered by a dark navy & tan microcheck for the background.

The backing is a brilliant purple swirl fabric, and for the label, I asked my boy to draw a picture of himself at the time!

My baby boy is now eleven, and ever so willing to help me with photographing his quilt. "How about I run around like a lunatic Mum?"

"Or perhaps take my quilt for a bike ride in the mud to get the mail?"

"How about this Mum? Is this good?"

We did have fun taking these photos together, and it was the perfect tonic for taking my mind off some medical stuff that is going on for me. I had a benign tumour removed from my spine 14 years ago, and have had no further trouble until just recently. Recurring neck pain has raised suspicions of a further tumour, culminating in an MRI today. I will not receive the results until next Tuesday. I am working hard at not worrying until I have something definitive to worry about. Thankfully, I live with the perfect distraction - a cheerful, 11 year old boy!

Lovely to be back chatting with you. Bloom x