I needed a distraction

With everything that has been going on (including a lot I haven't shared) I thought I needed a bit of a distraction, so I decided to see -
How long it actually takes me to make a Bonny Hunter Quilt!

Well, I hit some hurdles very early in the process like,
not having any scraps of any useful colour or quantity,
or any obvious stash of any useful colour or quantity.
Or the Right Shade of Grey!

That being dealt with, it was now time to start cutting - and sewing part 1
WHO'S bright idea was it to make a 'quick project' that was mainly 2 inch squares??

Not my favourite size to work with!

Part 2 was done in two parts taking maybe two half days including cutting.

And Part 3 -
I was steaming along with this getting rather thrilled it was going so well, when I had to drop everything, 'clear the decks' and make curtains for a photographic backdrop.


Today I will be rethreading the machine (after cleaning out the curtain fluff) and HOPEFULLY getting something achieved.

This project has been on the table for 3 - 4 weeks which keeps me in line with Bonny's original postings.
But, as I was challenging myself, I would have liked to have been much further ahead by now.

Progress reports will be posted on WOW - Wednesdays!

A long time ago

We were given this card

35 years later we are still happily paddling together

(and in the same direction!)

A Party they won't forget ...

This week I have had my sleeves rolled up and have been baking a High Tea for a special 16th Birthday Party.

OK - not EVERYTHING on this plate was home made. 

I did purchase some things like the Macaroons and the Mini Quiche, because I believe that if I can buy 'just the right thing' for less than I can make it - then I'll Outsource it any day!

To make the table setting extra special, we used the Birthday Girl's Great - Grandmother's Wedding Crockery, Damask napkins and Table cloth.

We even made room on the table for Candles and a Cake.

Because what you need at a 

High Tea is more cake.......

... and "Selfies" - lots of Selfies.

And their entertainment treat?

- A professional Photo Shoot!

Making this a very memorable

and Happy Birthday.

100 Stories

Their faces have stared out at us from my Son's computer screen for the last 2 years.
Some lingered briefly, others stayed much longer.  Their stories for us at the time, were best not told, lest the work could not be completed.

With their photographs cleaned up, reconstructed, renewed and with the help of modern technology, these people were now able to step into the world once more.

They are the Men, Women and yes, Children who answered the call to fight for King and Country in the "Great War" - The War to end all Wars.


Stories of the ANZAC heroes that we learnt about in school are not here.
These are stories that only families know -
These are the stories that should not be forgotten.

* * * *

My Son's involvement in this project came about when Monash University approached him to animate the photographs so they could be placed in a Digital Presentation of the project for display at Australian War Memorials in time for the 100 Anniversary of the start of the Great War.

I watched him create 3D images where portraits ceased to be nameless faces on faded photographs of young men about to go to war, but of someone's Son, Husband, Brother, resplendent in Uniform about to embark on a great adventure.

I watched as he worked on images of faces so badly disfigured by mortar fire and saw the valiant yet hopeless attempts to reconstruct these faces by Surgeons trained on the battlefield.

By popular demand, these stories have been re-cast in a book.
Yesterday he received, from the Authors an autographed copy.

My Son's work is not printed in this book - to see his contribution to the 100 Stories Project will require time in quiet contemplation at any of the War Memorials that are showing the digital presentation.

The first 50 Stories
are available on-line at monash.edu/onehundredstories.

The book is available through
Penguin Publishing

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is not normally a big event at our place.

When they were little, it was always get up quick and get ready for Sunday School.
And my DH has always maintained that I am NOT his mother - so no gifts from his direction.
(To be fair it is our Wedding Anniversary next week - so I can wait).

This year I will share a couple of gifts that I received from 'the kids'.

D-DIL raised this baby Cactus from a cutting off her own plant and has been nurturing it for the last 6 months.
Apparently when she was carefully transporting it yesterday DS#1 took a corner a little less carefully than he should have, resulting in pot, cactus and gravel spilling all over the seat of their (borrowed) car!
She was not amused, but carefully put everything back as it should and I didn't know anything about it until (someone told on him) much later.

D-SIL made a lovely dinner from a recipe he learnt by watching Food Safari
and DD just could not resist buying this Quilting game when she saw it.

Now all I need is someone to play it with!

Where did the month go? ....

Stop me before I Volunteer again.

When I was leaving the Quilt Convention I stopped in at the Merchandise counter - and having just finished 2 hours of White Glove duty, I could not resist buying this souvenir mug.

It is very cute but -
a little too true to be funny!

The following Saturday saw us at a Working Bee at our DS#1's home where we introduced his D-MIL to the joys of our Garden Shredder.

(I think she wants one for Mother's Day!)

Then the next 4 days we totally repainted a friends Rental Unit, and in the process turned a "Sow's Ear" into a Silk purse!
The friend helped as well, moving well out of her comfort zone by climbing ladders and learning to paint.

New carpet was installed on Thursday - what a lucky tenant to get this place, considering they inspected the property BEFORE the work was done!

The following weekend DH and I attended the 'Home Show' - getting ideas and quotes for things we most probably will never afford to get done around the house.

There were many opportunities to put our names in for a prize or special offers - but I was rather amused by this one.

I think it must be the ultimate "DOOR PRIZE" !
(DH didn't get the joke)


Well, today it is bucketing down with rain and a good day to be baking - which reminds me -

I volunteered to organise a 16th birthday party this weekend....