SAD SAD NEWS

Anyone who says that a pet doesn't become a very important part of the family is telling lies. I finally have to admit that our darling Megs has left us. He's been missing for almost two weeks now and today I have to admit that he's gone. I've kept up hope that he'd come back and think that it's the not knowing what has happened to him that hurts the most. We've checked all avenues from the pound to the roads but no sign.....maybe a tic got him but we're not sure. Ross checked him every day for tics so think perhaps it wasn't that. I miss him terribly and have no one to talk to through the day. He certainly stole his way into our hearts and will always be remembered. We went away for the weekend to the quilt show in Mossman and I really hoped that he'd be waiting for us, giving us a big talking-to for leaving him for the weekend but he wasn't waiting for us. I'll tell you more about the weekend another day as today is just for Megs. Just hope he's sharing cat heaven with all his friends.

Jan

RAINFOREST TO REEF EMBROIDERIES

Today is one of those absolutely beautiful, autumn days that we have here, in Far North Queensland. Temperature is "crisp" and beautiful blue sky and bright sunshine. I really DO appreciate our wonderful weather but also often wish we could have a "proper" autumn and have all the trees changing colour etc. Can't have everything I guess!!!

I just had to take the pic of the flowering (don't ask me what it's botanical name is!) hanging basket on the front landing. Covered in blossoms and looking so healthy - I might add NOT by my hands but Ross, he's the green thumb person in this household!

The "Rainforest to Reef" embroidery isn't framed yet but hope to have it done sometime soon. Each individual embroidery is 2 1/2in. x 3 1/2in. in size. I actually completed the three of them some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed stitching them. I've used a variety of threads, some handmade paper plus found objects. These are my favourite kind of embroidery when I get the time.

Real shells on the beach embroidery; a genuine handmade wooden button on the rainforest as well as the little gold frog (in actuality it's a hat pin sold in the tourist shops here) and more genuine shells in the reef embroidery. The final photograph is how I would like them to be placed when I get the framing done.

This weekend will be a quiet one as Ross is playing lawn bowls both days but I'm fine with that....lovely to have the house to myself and, no doubt, I will be sewing plus really have to get into my sewing room and put things away to it's tidy again! I promised myself once I got it organised that I'd keep it that way. So far I've done really well but things have been put in a corner just lately - "to be put where they belong another day"...this weekend IS THE DAY! :)

Hope everyone enjoys THEIR weekend and will try hard to be more regular again with my posting.

Read a lovely quote just the other day - "Friends are like a bra...close to your heart and uplifting!" :)

Jan

MY "OTHER" FAMILY

Thought I'd show you our "babies" - Megs (the ginger cat)you have met before but HAD to include him in the "family" thing! :) He's getting much "cuddlier" now it's a little cooler. Ross is VERY pleased as he sits on his lap in the evenings now and is such a sook! ROSS that is! lol NOT the cat! The only "look-in" I get is that Megs comes and sits on my hip in the wee hours of the morning and has a nice, comfortable sleep! He purrs so loudly it often keeps me awake but, me being the sook I am, won't move him.

Scooter is the furry one snuggled into the doona and he belongs to Kirsten in Melbourne. I'm looking forward to meeting him in June!!! We are flying down for 9 day visit and to say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement!!! We've been trying to get Ross down there for nearly 3 years now and FINALLY, and only because of the first State of Origin Rugby league game being held in Melbourne this year, we got him to go! Kirsten is taking him for his and her birthday so it will be a good "bonding" :) night for them both. Kirsten and I are hoping to go to see Billy Elliot for "our" bonding night! LOL We're both busily planning on shopping trips etc etc so I can't wait.

Little Ally is the new addition to Matt's household. To say he's turned into a bigger sook than his father is an understatement! To hear this 6'2" BIG guy getting all "soft" about a little kitten is just lovely! He always loved animals as a kid and finally has his own. She's a real cutie but knocked his expensive mobile phone over the balcony the other night so isn't too popular at the moment! I think owning a pet is so good for everyone and they certainly add another dimension to our lives. They say that pets are fantastic therapy for elderly people in homes etc and I DO believe this is true. They give us such unconditional love and loyalty and "round-out" our lives I feel.

I've been busy working on projects for the magazines so will give you some glimpes of them once I get them photographed. Hope you're enjoying the lovely autumn weather if in Australia and hope that spring soon will be "sprung" for those in the northern hemisphere!

Happy stitching, take care and stay safe,

Jan

MY FAMILY

I thought today, that I might share with you all, pics of my family plus my Mum and brother. Sadly my Dad passed away almost 26 years ago. Mum is now 94 and I'm sad to say she has been alone all those years. My brother, Ian - (we share the same birthday) - was six when I was born and that's him with the grey beard. :) I think the other pics speak for themselves - our daughter, Kirsten who turns 27 in June - she shares her birthday with her Dad! (which, I might add he's not happy about because he seems to miss out! LOL) Matt turns 25 this September and, as you can see, is in the Australian Air Force. Ross is very camera shy and it's hard to get a good pic of him! Mostly he pulls silly faces when he sees a camera around which annoys me, no end. This particular pic of him was taken at the top of a hill overlooking a tiny little outback town called Forsyth and that's one of the many ant's nests that are around. That particular one is only a very small one compared to some! Very dry country out that way and vast vistas of land in abundance. I used to go out there each year to judge the patchwork and needlework plus the craft for their annual "Forsyth Roundup"...the first time was a culture shock but people come in from all the outlying cattle stations and the "show" is combined with a rodeo and then an evening dance. They sure know how to enjoy themselves!!!

Until next time, enjoy your families AND your stitching, love,

Jan

ROARING 20'S

I designed this lady quite a few years ago and had never done anything with her. One of my sewing friends has been nagging me for a while now to complete her so she can do one too. I really wasn't sure how I was going to approach it but Stella gave me the impetuous to get her done. I will get her framed when I can afford to - think that's the best way to finish her. This lady (Roaring 20's) so inspired me I've designed a new BOM quilt around her....HATS! :) Will sit beside M'ladys Passion BOM very well I feel so now I'm busting to get into completing that too...."Passionne des Chapeaux" is it's title. Hats, Hat Box, one hat on a stand plus flowers. It's got a real 1920's feel to it so now looking for the right fabric. Fabric choice is so important isn't it? I've been looking at a few websites but, so far, haven't found the right one. I also have to try really hard to not have tunnel vision either, which IS a big problem of mine. I have what I'd like in my head and don't seem to be able to look past it.

Hope you like her...will come back soon as have a couple of other things to share too.

Happy stitching, love,

Jan

HELLO FOR 2009

It's rather too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I've been soooo lazy in not posting but I'm baaaaaack!!! Will try hard to get back into routine and post at least once a week. My first thoughts this morning are for the people in Victoria who have lost loved ones and homes in the terrible bushfires they're experiencing. 108 lives lost as of this morning so our thoughts and prayers are with those people. In stark contrast, here in Far North Queensland we're experiencing major flooding and in particular the town of Ingham have suffered badly. Such a land of contrast Australia is. Road have been cut for days now and the grocery shelves are very bare. Minor things to put up with compared to our southern neighbours.

During all the rain I've managed to get quite a bit of sewing done so thought I'd share the pics with you. "Feeling Pretty" (bottom) is a change in colour choice for me.....Not sure what's happening with me but I'm often drawn lately to softer colours but must admit that these fabrics were given to me and I'm quite happy with the result. "Pink and Pretty" (Middle) is a bit brighter in colour but using pink which is a colour I've never been drawn to! LOL Almost looks like I'm going in for the shaped tops of bags but quite like the affect. "Take me Shopping" (Top) is quite a roomy bag with 6in gussets but I've added a "tie" to the top of the gusset to give it the interesting shape and the "room to grow" if the shopping is LOTS! :)

Some other projects completed too but will post them another day. Almost mid-February already! Will be Easter before we know it! Happy Stitching,

Jan

CHRISTMAS WISHES

I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND SAFE CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR!

MAY 2009 BRING EVERYONE ALL THAT THEY WOULD WISH FOR.

I DID promise to post some pics of my decorations but have simply ran out of time. The quilt in the photograph is one I designed and made way back in the very early 90's. Not a terribly good photograph but it is still part of my decorations. It hangs in the loungeroom and for want of a better title is called "Knight Christmas" :) I've added more quilting in the background since the pic was taken and it DOES hang a lot better! LOL Port is almost packed, Megs has been deposited at the cattery (the owner is a real softie with cats so perhaps he won't want to come home to us!) and we fly out of Cairns at around 11am, I think, and arrive in Newcastle at 5.30pm their time. It's going to be very special to spend Christmas with Matt in his home - he even said he'd buy a Christmas tree! :) Unfortunately Kirsten has to work so won't get to see her again this year. Until I post again (we arrive home on 8th January) I hope everyone has a relaxed time and also hope Santa is kind to you all! Love and best wishes,

Jan xxx

PS. Have to add that here in Queensland a suitcase is often called a port. LOL I wasn't just packing a bottle of port to take with me! :)