Tick it off the to do list

I’ve finally finished this thing! and it looks pretty good.

It has been hanging around for years in the UFO pile. (Unfinished objects).

Its great fabric, The Beatles in the sea of holes.

Designing this quilt was a bit of a challenge as I bought the fabric

first then had to find a block that worked with it.

 

Thank goodness for the website – Quilt Blocks Galore.

The block is called, not too fussy.

Its only a small quilt, but some of the coloured pieces are tiny.

And there's more Beatles on the reverse.

I also had planned to quilt it myself but it took so long

to finish the final couple of borders that I got Kay to quilt it for me

just to get it out of the way.

Looks good now its finished at last and up on the wall…

now to finish the other quilts sitting in the UFO pile.

The problem is I move onto other stuff and then lose interest in the things I’ve already got started!

Until next time, Kim

Holiday Time, Yippee.

Yes, I know it seems like we’ve only just got back from our Grand Tour but we just about to go off on another holiday.

Europe was nearly six months ago and Graham is feeling restless.

This time we are off to Melbourne and the Victorian goldfields…..

(Yes, I know, not quite the same as Venice, but one has to come down to earth at some point)!

Above: Flinders Street Station taken by me in December 2000

Last time I was in this area of Australia was 12 years ago.

My then teenage sons and I did a big holiday road trip.

We travelled down through central Victoria to the Great Ocean Road and then to Phillip Island to visit the penguins.

above: Me and Sean at the entry to Sovereign Hill at Ballarat.

Look at how thin I was then…..

I’ve always wanted to go back and have a better look at Ballarat and Bendigo

so that was the catalyst for this trip.

Graham and I have been to Melbourne for a Grand Prix but not into country Victoria together.

Anyway, humour me whilst I reminisce about a great trip

with Sean and Andrew and their single Mum.

I scanned the photos, hence the grainy quality.

Hey this was in the olden days when one used a thing called – 35mm film-.

Here's Andrew panning for gold at Sovereign Hill

 

Above: This was our picnic sitting on the edge of the Great Ocean Road.

Yes, the car was big enough to even take our folding table…

 

And the boys discovered all the traditional Melbourne icons including the MCG and  Old Melbourne Gaol.

Hummm, I seem to remember a lot of Paul Kelly songs and Cold Chisel on this trip.

and, here I am at the Zoo in Melbourne, in the Butterfly House.

It was the day of my 38th Birthday and it was over 40 degrees.

Anyway, we leave in a few days, and this time we are flying to Melbourne

and then hiring a car for the drive up to Ballarat.

I’ll blog during the trip – so watch this space…

Until next time, Kim

Our New England Autumn Amble

above: John Stanley's 1926 12/50 ducksback Alvis at Gostwyck Church

 

Last weekend Armidale had a visit from the Alvis car club

and Graham and I spent the day with them to spread some Lotus magic!

There were about 20 Alvis cars and a few ring ins like us.

We met up with the others at their motel and travelled down the Dangarsleigh Road

stopping at the old Church at Gostwyck near Uralla.

 

As you can see by the photos the Gostwyck Church is a famous local photo spot,

especially when its in its autumn colours. (A special favourite for wedding photos).

After our photo stop we travelled on a short distance to the Phoenix Foundry for a tour.

The foundry is famous for making wrought iron lace work in its hey day.

Next – we continued to travel south to Walcha, ending up at the Apsley Falls.

Another one of the many famous waterfalls we have nearby in the New England,

and due to all the recent rain it was gushing.

We then headed for our lunch stop at a historic property called Langford near Walcha.

We pass by this house when we travel to Sydney and it was in disrepair for many years.

Its been nice to watch it being slowly restored over the last ten years

and I’ve always been curious about what its like inside.

So it was nice to have a look, and the owners took us for a tour of

the restored rooms. This is a huge labour of love.

The last stop of the day was at a property owned by the Whiteheads

to look at his collection of buxom curvy Lagondas.

And of course the dusty old shed with the dusty old projects in waiting.

 

Alvis Autumn Amble VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Until next time, Kim

Violets 80th Birthday Garden Party

The family decided that in honour of Violets 80th birthday

we should do something special.

above- that's me behind Vi’s head at the back…

 

So we organised a lovely garden party at Paul and Mel’s place.

Well, actually I suggested they volunteer their place.

(“But, I’m not bossy” says Kim,  – just ask any of my work colleagues -

I can hear their laughter ringing in my ears as they pick themselves up off the ground…..)

The day went off incredibly, wonderfully well,

the weather was glorious, and the food and company good.

Above: This is a scanned menu (on very lovely 2 sided Christina Re paper)

YES, I have been watching My Kitchen Rules!

I cooked most of the food, with Mel doing the salads, a lovely punch and a potato bake..

and of course I seriously over catered!

(My mantra – “Better to have too much than too little”)

Setting the tables.

I had a flower and butterfly theme.

Each guest had a little gift and there was a pretty menu on each setting.

The gifts were Jumbo Caramelo Koalas which I wrapped up

with a little gift card that I made online from Vista Print.

Gail made the most spectacular and delicious cupcakes –

she should go into business producing these for weddings and events as they were wonderful.

Jessica also made some Apple and Berry crumbles which were scrummy.

Kayden supervised the event.

 

Above: Putting the marquee away at the end of the day.

Ever tried to put a sleeping bag away in its cover? This was like a giant sleeping bag!! ha ha.

Phew – Good fun doing the organising but hopefully no other big parties for a while!

 

But I’ll forget and then it will be –

“I have an idea, why don’t we…..”

 

 

Until next time, Kim

Andrew's Graduation

Hey he's finally done it and he now has a piece of paper to say he can speak German proper!

But he's re-enrolled for another degree in Education

Hummm, I notice he dressed in 'Andrew Style' for the occasion.

We are very proud of you Andrew - well done on finishing this degree as I know it was a drag at the end.

Until next time ... Kim