My quilt world - Who Let the Dogs out? - Finished!

Here is the finished cot size quilt - ready to send off to the new parents. I only did a minimum of quilting on this ... stitch in the ditch around each block.



below is the back and the label

Until next time ...Kim

Our sunny weekend at Port Macquarie

Graham and I spent an enjoyable weekend at Port Macquarie on the NSW coast. Its approximately 31/2 hour drive from Armidale. haven't been there for years and I was amazed at how much it has been developed. What use to be a pretty sleepy seaside village is now a city.


I didn't take many photos but I've been able to supplement this page with downloads from the web,, he he he,,,

Above is looking north from the lighthouse..... I took this one!

Unfortunately, I had worked the previous 2 nights and was really tired the whole weekend - I think I'm getting too old to work nights and then expect to function as a human straight away!


Above is looking south from the lighthouse and I took this one too.....

It was really nice to escape the cold of Armidale and get some winter sunshine. We booked a whale watching cruise in a jet boat, however while we waited for the cruise to start we went for a drive up to Tacking point lighthouse and saw a whale from there swimming up the coast!



Above, is a picture of Tacking Point Lighthouse from were we saw the whale (I didn't take this photo) and below is a photo of the jetboat we went on (I didn't take this photo either, of course)


Click here for a Link to Port Jet for a lot more info on rides and the boat "Wild Thing" including a video.

When we went on the jet boat we only saw distant whales -- I picked the wrong spot to sit in the boat as I kept getting wet, a bit like having buckets of cold sea water thrown in my face!

But it was fun, I spent a lot of the time laughing and squealing and dripping - hence no photos of the event...

We stayed at the Mecure hotel which was just a short walk to the shops and the green and everything.



Above is the is the view from our room and below is the hotel.

We had a lovely night out on the Saturday at the Whalebone Wharf Restaurant and splashed out on the seafood platter.

For more info on the restaurant click here for a link to their website.




Here is a photo of our dinner which I took -- I have to get into the habit of getting others to take our photo at these things!




We then spent the Sunday morning visiting the markets before heading home to two very pleased to see us doggies!

Until next time, Kim ......

In my life

Well, its been a bit busy this past month - work has been full on - lots of sick people, lots of bizarre incidents and the unit seems to be constantly full...


Andrew has moved out of his flat - and he has returned to a bachelors life after 4 years. He is having lots of trouble finding a suitable flat - thus he has moved home! (with the rabbit and the fish). So the house is a little full at the moment, but we are all getting on okay,,, so far.


Georgie would like to get to know the Ginny rabbit a little better!


Andrew won't let me take a photo of his room as he says its an invasion of his privacy.... He hasn't lived here since he was 18ish ( he is now 23) , but things haven't changed - there's something about the look and smell of a teenagers room! What I don't understand is that the flats he's had have always been neat and tidy - maybe he's always had someone to pick up after him..................



Fortunately he finds the fact I keep a blog very embarrassing so he won't be reading this!

Sean and Emmy are coming to visit this weekend - I don't know where they'll sleep - they'll have to bring a tent! LOL.


Graham has also been busy and we now have a bigger living room - with the fireplace removed. Its still a bit of a mess and I need to get someone to come and repair the carpet. Now I just need to be able to afford some new furniture (lounge suit) but I think I'll have to wait until 2011......



AND its been cold, with a big frost last night. Just as well the dogs have stylish new coats.

Here are Georgie Girl & Alfie Earl posing in their new fashions!

ABOVE: This is Georgie's denim number and Alfie's cammo coat.

ABOVE: Alfie has this fetching flannelette Sesame Street number

ABOVE: Here is Alfie in his trendy Beatles Coat

ABOVE: Georgie says "One day I'll get to meet that cat next door"


ABOVE: Georgie also has a pink Girlie number

Until next time , Kim....

My quilt world - Ripe Strawberries! - Progress Report

I have finished all the baskets now and I am working on the pink/blue/gold sashing.




Its not fitting together as neatly as I hoped, I think some of the basket blocks may be a little wonky. Probably due to the number of pieces in each.




Still on track to get this finished by Christmas - which is good as I've already bought fabric for my next BIG project!!

Until next time, Kim .....

My Quilt World - Who let the dogs out?

I've finished the top - Ready for the basting ( which is sandwiching the three layers together). These photos are from a week or two ago, before I put the final border on.



I'm going to quilt this very simply myself - just "in the ditch" around each block ---- just waiting for some free time to get it done. Next time I post about this quilt it should be finished and ready to go to its new home.



Until next time, Kim ....

My quilt world - A kiss to build a dream on - progress report

Well its a little slow - as I keep starting new things!~ But I will get back to the appliqué soon.


I'm not rushing as even when its finished I will have to afford to have it quilted and I've been stretching my quilt budget recently!


Also, I needed more of the periwinkle fairy frost fabric and I can't get it... so I'll have to substitute another fabric which has made me lose a little enthusiasm!



But its looking good - most of the flowers are tacked on and waiting for their final stitching. I have a purple iris to make yet.

Until next time .... Kim

My quilt world - Ripe Strawberries!

AND, yet another quilt that I have started - this one I plan to give away at Christmas (but that's a secret and depends on if it turns out okay and that I have it finished in time) .Its only planned to be a medium size quilt, good for a table topper or a throw quilt for the lounge room.

Its baskets full of strawberries with a feature print of teapots and (guess what) strawberries. I've been able to use more of the red fabric left over from the house quilt.

I'm also planning a second version that I will keep - so I'm making extra basket blocks.





The name was inspired by the musical Oliver! The big scene where all the street sellers are shouting and selling their wares door to door.

Who will buy

will you buy my sweet red roses
two blooms for a penny
Ripe strawberries, ripe!
Ripe strawberries, ripe!
Oliver:Who will buy this wonderful morning
such a sky you never did see
who will tie it up in a ribbon
and put it in a box for me

and so on.... If you've forgotten this scene then its time you watched this musical again!!

Until next time.... Kim