Summer holiday roundup ...

We have had the busiest, but most fun-filled summer holidays, which I will attempt to summarise into one post. Wish me luck!

It all started in early December with the most gorgeous wedding in Wagga Wagga (my old stomping ground & where I was married) - very special! This was followed by a camping holiday on the Murray River in Victoria ... ... a beautiful part of Australia, stirring strong childhood memories for me of growing up on river properties. A highlight was a river cruise on an original paddle-steamer at Echuca. And need I say sampling the regional produce was a highlight? Oooooh, and the coffee shops?

And then there were gardens to see ... ... and golf to be played! And all this before Christmas! I have given up on squeezing this all into one post, so this will have to be 'Summer Holiday roundup ... to be continued'! Back soon.

Back from cyber wilderness

A very happy New Year to everyone! Apologies for my absence. We have been backwards & forwards to the farm, where there is no internet connection. Just popping in to say a quick hello & let you know I am still in the land of the living! I hope you have had special times with family & friends over the festive break. Thought I'd share my favourite Christmas gift with you:

A gorgeous 'Aviary' layer cake by 3 Sisters ... ... and a layer cake pattern book by Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures. Ooooh, noice! This gift was from my husband's family, & expertly chosen by my lovely sister-in-law. I am thinking I will make the layer cake up using the 'Vintage Diamonds' pattern from the book. Should be very soft & antique-y. Or perhaps this lovely, lovely thing?! The pattern for this quilt is free on the Moda site, here. And so another year of fabric love, creating, scheming & dreaming begins!

A quilt shop tour for Christmas?

I have been travelling about with my family for the last couple of weeks or so, and consequently have been away from my computer & blog. A very disconcerting place to be! But of course, travelling throws up many an opportunity to visit quilting shops! A highlight has been Beechworth Quilter's Cottage, in the historic, goldmining town of Beechworth in Victoria. Inside is a most exquisite collection of quilts, many crafted by talented Australian designer, Yelena Elliott.

Delightful displays in every nook & cranny ... ... masterful examples of needleturn applique and amazing quilting ... ... and some always extraordinary Dear Jane Blocks ...

I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Yelena, and you can meet her too, at least via cyberspace at her blog, Flosie Floo. Yelena has the honour of being the only international designer invited by Alma Allen and Barb Adams of Blackbird Designs to contribute to their latest book, You're Invited'. In the photo above is the quilt Yelena submitted for the Blackbird Designs book, and is called In Mollie's Garden'. You can read more about this ámazing quilt here.

She has also recently had this quilt, 'Reg & Rita' published in Australian Homespun magazine. One of Yelena's works-in-progress is the intricate, hand-pieced work above.

One of my favourite quilts was this sweet 1930's child's quilt called 'Freckles'.

I also loved the old-fashioned look of this quilt called 'Connie's Crowns'.

And this would be my long-suffering family! "No Mum, not another quilt shop"!

So from my family, to yours, a very blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The photo was taken during our travels, just in case you thought reindeers were Santa's only means of transportation! Best wishes from the land of emus & gum trees, Bloom xxx

Red & white Flickr favourites

1. red and white floral journal, 2. Flora Wall Wear - 2, 3. wp #021, 4. eggshells, 5. wandering stars, 6. Keep Calm And Carry On, 7. red bird, 8. one metre, 9. Sew Simple Needle Case, 10. Close up 1, 11. House Tape Measure 30, 12. vintage apron made Gingham tote, 13. mrs sew & so pattern, 14. Elisalou Lily Bag, 15. red plant life, 16. My butterfly logo, quilted

Stitchery by Gail

This gorgeous bag belongs to my gorgeous friend Gail. I am yet to convince her to start her own blog, but she would have no end of beautiful work to share with you. She stitches the most tiny & perfect backstitches I have ever seen.

Until she joins blogland, I will just have to sneak photos of her work to show you when I can!

Nice spice

This is a favorite meal with our family at the moment. It is from Whipped, a really excellent food blog.

A yummy tandoori chicken, recipe here.

Tilda goodness

I have had so many beautiful things arrive in the mail lately, it really has felt like Christmas has come early! A little while ago, Marit from Norway (no blog) asked me to send her something, and this is what arrived in my mailbox in return: 

I have swapped twice now with Norwegian girls, and my request has remained the same: "Please send me a little Tilda"! It is as rare as hen's teeth in Australia. Thank you Marit for the beautiful fabric, buttons & angel sweetness. Just beautiful!

A meagre offering!

So little time for stitching right now, but I sneak a few stitches on this every now and then:

The pattern is 'Baby Love' by Anni Downs of Hatched & Patched.

A little fabric love

I have been enjoying Sew Mama Sew's wonderful tutorial links all through November - such a treasure trove of ideas. For each day of November, they ran giveaways, & I was the very thankful recipient of a $20 voucher at their shop. Ooooh, what fun, and a special treat considering the bottom has fallen out of the Australian dollar. I've not bought fabric from the States for ages.

  Here is my little, summer-y stash of 1/4 yard cuts. Lots of Heather Bailey (Pop Garden & Bijou), a couple of Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom, a little Park Slope by Erin McMorris and one beautiful Amy Butler Midwest Modern fabric.

Special treats indeed - I can't find any of these fabrics locally.

The sous-chef is home on school holidays!

FUNKY MORNING TEAS RULE!