Category: Blog

Croatia cruise

The view from the top deck of our boat moored for the night in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Just spent the day exploring the Old Town with the thousands of visitors who came to see the Game of Thrones and Star Wars filming locations. We have seen neither show!

Today’s nighttime picture is of Kurcola – a mini Dubrovnik with 95 percent less people. We got this short boat trip to Croatia on sale and I’d recommend it to anyone. We’re the only ones from the UK – there’s Aussies, Kiwis, Americans and Cape Towners who are all doing the trip as part of a grand tour of Europe. They are all annoyed that we only had a two hour flight to get here!

Typical view along the coast as we sailed along.

Sicily in ten days

I love taking photos on my holidays but when I come back with 500 for a ten day holiday I have a lot of trouble paring them down. Anyway, here’s a small selection from Sicily – a very busy, noisy, deserted buildings, graffiti riven place but with gorgeous turquoise seas, history rich destinations and warm friendly people as well. And the food!!

Such fun working with this historic quilt

A post on Facebook from my friend Wendy:

“My Gramma Nagle made me a twin sized quilt back when I was a teen. The passing decades took its toll on it and even though it became somewhat tattered I did not have the heart to part with it. So a very special thank you to my dear friend Tricia Wilson in Britain who graciously offered her time to rebuild this old quilt and give it new life!   “

 

Ozzie – my goldwork lizard for RSN

My hand is is all cramped up right now. This evening I put the last stitch in the last project that I need for my Certificate of Hand Embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework. Ozzie is my goldwork lizard and, assuming I pass, I’ll have completed four projects for the Certificate. I’ll celebrate more when my hand can hold a glass of Prosecco!

It’s not proper decorum!

The British schoolgirl in me has a hereditary rule that one doesn’t wear white shoes or sandels or go without tights until after Easter and winter shoes and tights must go on after early September! It had something to do with summer and winter uniforms and somehow it’s stuck in my behaviour no matter what the temperature! Today, however, I’m rebelling. I want to wear a skirt for a nice Sunday lunch with the kids but I’m damned if I’m going to put the damn tights on again. Ssssh don’t tell anyone. I’m living on the edge – I’m going tightless BEFORE Easter!!

Hidden in the attic

Many years ago my mother bought me a pleating machine for smocking on the proviso that if she ever needed anything pleated I would have to do them for her. A year ago she gave me three items to be pleated – she said there was no hurry. Do you think I could find that pleating machine in the myriad of boxes and junk that is our attic (it is not something I use on a regular basis)? We’ve looked many times over the last 12 months, but this weekend, determined, Steve and I were not going to rest until we found it. Today success and I now have three Christmas balls pleated for her ready for stitching. I also have a much, much more tidy attic along with a firm belief that the last thing written on the box lid is not always what’s inside!!

Two months in Oz

In September and October 2018 I was lucky enough to have 7 1/2 weeks touring the southern half of Australia.  It was an amazing trip, but what impressed me most was the variety of unique birds and animals that exist in this country.  Thought I’d bore you with a few shots of these amazing creatures rather than the usual tourist fare of buildings and bridges etc.

 

Silk shading conquered!

At the end of July 2017 I took a two week long intensive course in silk shading at the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court.  It was exhausting and quite stressful, but I survived and have now produced a piece will probably pass and give me my third unit in the RSN Certificate Programme.  It’s a hanging begonia in case it is not instantly recognisable!

Glorious Corsica

Just returned from a glorious week in Corsica – thanks to my Mum, sister Diana and brother Richard who gave Steve and I the flights for our significant birthdays this year. Travelling there and back wasn’t easy and we had 35 degrees most days, but that just made the beaches and pool/aircon at the hotel much more welcome.

The mountains in southern Corsica give the Rockies a run for their money with craggy peaks jutting into the sky and beautiful vistas on high switchback roads. Even indulged in a dip in a rock pool to cool off – got my clothes totally soaked but dried off in only half a hour in the heat. The first few photos are of Bonifacio, a citadel town, which doesn’t understand the meaning of “town planning” and “building frontage” – I would hate to live on that cliff face!

 

Quilting Milestone – 200th Project

On the eve of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation I reached a milestone of my own! I logged my 200th quilting project since 1982 which includes 51 full-size quilts, 37 small quilts, 38 quilted tote bags and 14 baby quilts as well as table runners, clothing and Christmas stuff. It doesn’t include innumerable unfinished projects including the quilt I started in my first class. I’ve chosen a few favourites for you to view (if you’ll indulge me with a little bragging for a minute or so).