View from a Window

While things are quiet on the sewing front, here is a pic of my sewing room which is still not in proper order since the Big Move from my son's former bedroom at the back of the house but we'll get there.....some time!  :-)  I have to admit I did not attempt to tidy it before taking the photo - it is au naturel!  This room is actually our rumpus room (or as the builders called it, the solarium) and there are windows almost all around it.  If I'd had my time again I would not have had floor to ceiling windows because I don't really like furniture in front of windows.  Then at least I could have had some low-lying furniture.  Anyway, this is what I have so I am making the best of it.  Must say I do like having the extra space!

Now here are the views from the window you can see in the pic above.  It is the corner of our back garden - very bushy but it is a favourite part of the garden.  Over the fence is an enormous reserve where our dog, Minnie, loves to go for her walks.

Final Christmas Flaunt

This is to show my 12 Days of Christmas, a Work in Progress from a little while back but unfortunately it's destined to remain that for this year.  However, I am quite stoked at the way it's turned out even though my original idea was to do something quite different with the blocks.  I had thought to do a swag with the 12 blocks but I soon realised the embroideries were far too large for that, so a wallhanging it became.  The embroidery designs are from Embroidery Library (http://www.emblibrary.com/) and the text on the sashing is inbuilt on my machine.  I still like the idea of these embroideries being used in a swag so I have since bought a set of smaller designs so maybe next year will see the swag!

Close ups of Block 7 (Seven Swans a-Swimming) and 9 (Nine Ladies Dancing)

Queen Victoria Building

Last week we did a train trip to the city as we do from time to time.  The intention was to look at the Christmas decorations around the city and do a little shopping.  We got off at Town Hall and began to wander through the Queen Victoria Building which is one of my fave things to do when in the city.  Before we knew it, we'd been there an hour or more and that was just looking.  In  the atrium area there was a gigantic Christmas tree (naturally artificial :-)) and here are a few pics of it.

Many more years ago than I care to remember, when I first came to Sydney to live, I worked for the Council of the City of Sydney.  Amongst other things, the QVB housed the City Library and and believe it or not, the Staff Dentist, so I remember it under a very different guise to what it is today.  How fortunate Sydney is to have had this grand old lady restored to a semblance of its former glory.

Kris Kringle Flaunt

This is another Kris Kringle flaunt which I made for Jan in one of my quilting groups.  We exchanged gifts yesterday on a lovely Nepean River cruise luncheon which we all attended complete with tiaras but unfortunately there is no pic to show.

The table mat has 16 Dresden plate segments topped with an appliqued circle.  It really was very easy to make as Pellon was the only batting and it was bagged rather than bound.  If anyone is thinking of trying it I would suggest that you applique the circle after the mat has been turned outside in - much easier to get it flat, I think.

A couple of flaunts actually

Some of you may have seen this via SCQuilters (Aussie-based mail group) but I decided to have a go at it before I found the proper instructions.  Actually, I didn't do too badly but the instructions made the triangles much faster to do!  This one became part of a Kris Kringle gift but if I have time I may just make another for myself!

You can find instructions for making the triangle units at

http://www.checkerdist.com/ and click on Creative Grids Rulers.

I couldn't not show this beautiful little Christmas wreath made by my friend Bev for me!  Isn't it pretty?