WOW - That was AMAZING . . .

It was hot and a little uncomfortable, my outfit didn't fit and I had a buzzing sound in my ears but I would not have missed this for anything!

I got to visit "The Girls" up close and very personal!

* * * * *

In fact I was helping my DD inspect her Bee Hive.

A task that has to be done regularly to ensure the health of the hive and the Bees.


(Not totally sure about her choice of footwear - maybe they are "Special" socks!)

This time it was different as it was a Full inspection - right down into the bottom brood box

Checking the frames one by one
I got a lesson on what each part of the hive was..

I commented to her as I was taking these photographs that it was amazing what you can do when you trust your equipment

Fully encased in the SIL's Bee Suit,
I wasn't nervous at all.







Some of the racks were REALLY heavy ...

And full of beautiful golden HONEY.

They say there is nothing like the taste of your first honey harvest

Ohhhhh YUM -

How can I describe it?

Delicate, yet with a Strong Red Gum flavour and a massive kick of Lemon.

or just simply AMAZING!

You know you're in trouble when ....

The Quilt Police says "Take a Break" ....

... and if you don't

I'll just sit here and look cute until you do!

The odd thing about this is - Spike just doesn't jump up on the benches or tables - so sitting on my ironing board/work bench is VERY unusual!

Maybe I should take that break!

* * *

Before I was interrupted I was about to place the 4th applique spray onto my Istanbul Quilt centre.

It looks good sitting on the applique mat

But transferring all those  pieces which are so delicately held together isn't easy

And I have decided not to mark the quilt fabric with anything but some tacked in registration lines (see previous post).

A simple way around this is, with the template underneath, mark some key points through the fabric with pins ..

Then just position the flowers up against the corresponding pins and press!

And now I am ready to keep stitching...

(Interruptions permitting!)

Whittlesea Show 2015

Founded in 1859, The Whittlesea Show is said to be the oldest and largest 2 day Agricultural show in Victoria. Each year the Cake Decorators Association of Victoria (Diamond Valley Branch) comes along to demonstrate to the children.. and interested 'grown-ups'.



Hmm... it seemed that our audience was distracted by the roving Balloon Artist -
- who was making his own kind of flowers!



Each year the show has a theme.  This year was the commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary. So we chose to make Poppies.


Poppies take a lot of time and concentration to make, something you just don't have on a day like this...

(If you'd like to have a go, you can find tutorials online. I am looking forward to trying this one!)

...so how DO you make a Poppy in less than 3 minutes flat?

You start with some very simple tools and ingredients:


Rollout some Red Fondant and cut a simple flower


Flute the edges with a 'frilling tool' - or as I told the audience- a Japanese chopstick, Knitting needle, toothpick anything with a tapered end will do.

And of course we had to have something to stick the Poppies on, something that was quick, inexpensive and yummy - so what was The Essential Ingredient?

Lollypops!

A little water painted onto the Lollypop is all you need to get an instant 'glue'.
Then a ball of Chocolate Brown fondant for the flower centre.
A couple of pokes and a little humour .....

And in no time at all you have a "Lolly-Poppy".

The kids loved them and were reminded of the significance of the little flower with each one that was *handed out - all 700 of them!

Lest we forget!

*Footnote:  All ingredients and time were donated and the Lollypops were given freely (on the proviso that the child watched the demonstration) ...  we were VERY tired by the end of the Show but have all 'signed up' for next year!