Sweet

Straight off the clothesline, freshly washed and dried outside on a beautiful spring-like day - we are going to a wedding at the end of September and this quilt is the present. 

I've called the quilt "Sweet" after the fabric range it's made from.  I bought the layercake and yellow background from Bec, can't remember where I bought the border fabric from, and the design is from a tutorial on Cluck Cluck Sew's blog.

We had such a wonderful time at the Attestation Ceremony at the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn to see my nephew take his oath as a Policeman.  My brother and all his family drove down from Lake Cathie, Mum, aunts, uncles and cousins drove up from the Illawarra.  We haven't seen my brother's family for a year and it was fantastic.  Mum was able to meet her little great-grand-daughter and spend some time with her great-grandson as well as give her grandson, John, a big hug on his big day.  John has wanted to join the police force since he was a little boy - it's a magical day when a dream comes true.

John is in the front row, far right

Lots of pomp and ceremony with the Mounted Police

Police Pipe Band

Police Brass Band

and a motor cycle escort for the VIP's.

Proud and happy Nanna with John and his daughter Charlyse

There are some more photos on our phones - I want to upload the one on DH's phone of nephew John with his 3 brothers - John, who is the eldest, is now the shortest.  Mitchell, No 2 son, is 6'8" and Zac, 15, is quickly catching up.

Floral Bouquet

My dear friend, Diann, has been to visit - we had such a lovely time together during her too short stay.  After I collected Diann from the airport we headed into the city to meet up quickly with Peta (who had to work that day), have lunch with Elizabeth and we had a good look around the refurbished Centre Point and also visited Queen Victoria Building (may have found myself something to wear to Michael and Peta's wedding).

We then went to see "Jersey Boys" - what a fabulous show; sensational singing and a great story.

Monday was a busy day:  baking in the morning, lunch with Mum, sock-knitting lesson for Diann (on four needles) and then the friends started arriving for dinner.  Jenni joined us for dinner too.

Shortly after dinner, the stitching girls came over for the evening and we had a show and tell of our Floral Bouquet quilts.  Earlier this year Diann and I decided to make this quilt and I asked the stitching girls if they wanted to join in too.

Paula's pretty and fresh quilt top is almost together.

Diann's quilt top, in Aviary with a few added fabrics from her stash, is ready to be quilted, after which she will scallop the outer border. 

My quilt top, in Fig Tree fabrics, is ready to be quilted when I have a free weekend or two.

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Sharon's wins second prize - she is about 2/3 through quilting.  Her quilt is very pretty - she's added an embroidered vine along the caramel sashing and also pearls at the centre top of each flower.  The fabrics in the flowers are all from her stash.

AND THE WINNER IS KAREN - Karen's beautiful quilt, made in a Sandy Gervais range, is quilted, bound and labelled!  It looks fabulous.

I'll take some closer photos soon to show the detail in Sharon's quilt and also Karen's lovely quilting.  It was a shame Rhonda couldn't join us this time - her batik quilt top looks great.

Tuesday morning came and we drove back to Sydney to go shopping at Peter's of Kensington (had lunch there too - delicious).  Too soon it was time to go to the airport for Diann to catch her flight home.

Back at work yesterday and today but I'm having tomorrow off to take Mum to Goulburn - my nephew has his attestation ceremony (passing out parade) at the NSW Police Academy.  We are all so proud of him.

It's been a great week so far.

New Cardigan

This is another cardigan/bolero from Cleckheaton Book 950 knitted in Bendigo Woollen Mills wool bought at the Quilt Show for me.  The first photo shows the colour properly.

   

Yesterday some more wool arrived from Bendigo - lovely colour called Poppy.  Not sure what I'll make out of this wool but another cardigan from that book is high on the cards.

Two more Civil War blocks:

Fort Sumter

Log Cabin

 and another block for our on-line group's 6-1/2" BOM:

Antique Tile

John and I have been so busy over the last 3 weekends helping out at an eisteddfod - I am so looking forward to Diann's visit and a change of pace.

More Blocks

 

Missouri Star

Blockade



Louisianna

Empty Spools



Birds in the Air



Richmond



London Square

Next Door Neighbour



Kansas Troubles



10 blocks to go and I'll be up-to-date.

Blocks

The Stitching Girls came over on Tuesday night and I spent the time cutting out Civil War blocks.  Sewed up some last night. 



New England Block



Ladies Aid Album



Little Blue (Pink) Basket



Fox and Geese



Union Square

 

White House



Blocks so far - the photo gives me a good idea of which fabrics need to be included.

I love making these blocks - another 17 and I will be caught up.  Our next Sylvia's Bridal Sampler block:



Rolling Stone

Beautiful spring weather today and the last few days - a lovely change from all the rain last month.
17 sleeps and Miss Diann will be here for a quick visit - I hope she brings some pickles.