Christmas in July ?

Well not really, but with our holiday in the Summer-like heat of Cairns and then on our return I received an email from the incredible Desley telling me my latest project is finished -
It sure felt like Christmas had come early!

Now, this wall hanging isn't quite ready to bind and hang - it is destined for a meeting with my Hot Fix Swarovski Crystals!

Because we all need a bit of "Bling" at Christmas!!

A funny thing happened when we got to the Airport...

We were not booked in on our flight!

It would seem that somehow when we made our online bookings a mistake was made and instead of booking our return flight for the 24th July - We were booked to fly home on the 24th of August!

The wonderful staff at QANTAS managed to squeeze DS#2 on board - so he could be at work on time this morning... leaving us to depart the next day.

The staff at Thrifty car rentals retrieved our hire car out of the car wash for us, and Tourist Information Bureau rang around to find accommodation for the night.

Leaving DH and I the terrible ordeal of staying another night in Cairns and waking to this sight from our room in the morning!

Day Nine - Our last day

With a last half day to enjoy before heading back to Chilly Melbourne we chose to spend it in Kuranda Village checking out the Markets and the Koala Gardens.

Although I have beautiful photographs of the Koalas - 

The Photo of the day just has to be 

this small Red Pademelon and her Joey.

Day Eight - More Friends

... and a BIG day trip.

More Internet friends to catch up with - 

this time visiting Aust. from Alabama USA. 

Today we whisked them off to see as much as possible in one day 

before we head back to Chilly Melbourne.

The highlight of the day had to be a visit to GRANITE GORGE where there are many wild Mareeba Rock Wallabies.  

They are used to people and come in to be hand fed.

... They grab your hand and you give them food!

Day Seven - Waterfalls and Blue Sky

It has FINALLY stopped raining!

A perfect day to go and see some of that water where it should be...

Going down a Waterfall
and although you  may not be able to see in this photo,
against that beautiful blue sky is the Tourist Train we were on last Wednesday!

Day Six ~ The Reef

The photo for today is...

The Great Barrier Reef

Taken by me from above in a helicopter!

Another awesome day, 

made even more special as it was our 35th Wedding Anniversary gift.

(Traditionally 35 years is your CORAL anniversary)

Kuranda and the Scenic Railway

A long time ago I met a boy 

who talked of a little train he went on as a kid.

Today he took me on that train.

We went up hills and through tunnels and passed waterfalls until we got to the town of Kuranda.

And when we got there we were met by my Internet friend Glenda and whisked off for lunch and a tour of her sewing space!

Thanks Glenda! - it was a beautiful day despite the rain!! 

Day Five - Kuranda

Yes it is STILL raining!

But we made the most of it and "Played Tourist"

And the photo of the day comes to you from "Bird World" at Kuranda.

I am not quite sure but I think this little fellow was checking my DH's shirt size!

(He then tried to souvenir the buttons!!)

Day Four - More Rain

Queensland, The Sunshine State

"Beautiful one day - Perfect the next"

It was not fun driving up that mountain in this weather!

Day Three - Rain

I know we are in a rain forest - but today it was a little over enthusiastic

Let's just say I am glad that we were not stuck in a camper-van! 

By lunchtime the torrential downpour had stopped,

The Sun came out and....

The relentless humidity kicked in! 

So - What did we do today once we could venture out?

Go shopping!

Boring but essential.

Day Two - Cape Tribulation

Today we did the road trip up the bitchium as far as we could go (and some)

I could have shown you a photo of pristine beaches and sparkling sea - BUT

Today's photo is....

Getting to know the Daintree - The oldest Rain forest in the world

It did have that "Jurassic Park" feel to it.

Today is a good day to go on an adventure

So we jumped on a plane and went to ...

CAIRNS !

With three and a half hours in the air we didn't see much more than clouds so -

The photo of the day is ...

Nice to know the brakes work!

Progress report - "Istanbul"

DS#1 & DDIL have been waiting patiently for their Wedding Gift while I have been slowly working on Tamsin Harvey's "Istanbul" Quilt.

As the centre filled with Tulips, Carnations and small blooms that are so typical of the Isnik design, I found myself researching more and more into this interesting and ancient art which is still very much alive today.

At last the whole cloth centre medallion is completed.

Looking back through my Blog Posts I have been stunned that I "only" started stitching this last October - it seems a LOT longer!

Of course there was the waiting for the book to be printed and a lot of preparation of the applique, not to mention a small problem of some lost Mojo along the way.



Now all that is left is some borders - and maybe, a tiny tweak to the pattern..... and then on to be Quilted.

I'll keep you posted.