Daffy Dabbles

A Workshop

2010-12-03T17:35:00.000+11:00

I don't do workshops very often - I usually puzzle things out on my own but just sometimes it's nice to join in with others to learn something new. This time I went with one of my groups to Mittagong, about 1-1/4 hours south of Sydney (depending on where you live) to Village Patchwork. I have to say we had a fantastic day, doing both foundation piecing and curved piecing. This is the block we did:

There were eight (yes!) sections to the central part of the block and then the four quarter-circles were added. Mine was made pretty much according to the colours in the shop sample because I had only returned from Canberra the evening before and I knew I had a lot of the fabrics already. The block did take a while to construct and if I want to make a quilt I have to do 12 more like this one. If you want to see how I've progressed, I suggest you watch this space in no sooner than 12 months' time, LOL.

Another stocking

2010-11-12T14:22:00.000+11:00

Here is the Christmas stocking which I've made for Henry's sister Jenna. I think it turned out even better than the first one actually.

Another flaunt of a kind: my DS and his lovely girl announced their engagement last weekend - it wasn't unexpected but still very exciting. So there is going to be another wedding in the family in the fairly near future. It's been a good year for us.

Christmas Stocking for Henry

2010-10-29T21:08:00.000+11:00

Again, it's been a while, although I have been working on a few projects. I've been doing Candied Hexagons with Kaffe Fassett fabrics as the feature but as I'm a glutton for punishment, they are all being done by hand. Actually, they are great to do while watching TV or going to sewing/quilting group when you don't feel like lugging a sewing machine along. Pictures of these to come later.

Another project has been a quilt for a child with cystic fibrosis which one of my groups do. It's a simple design using three different 2-1/2" strips sewn together, then cut into squares and then HS triangles (half of which are cut on the opposite diagonal) and these are sewn together and arranged on point. A very effective but simple block - again pics to come in a little while when I've done a bit more. Sorry to tease!

What I have finished is a Christmas stocking for my now three months old today grandson, Henry and I have a photo of it! Next up will be one for his 9 year old (half) sister which will be made in green. I'm thinking though that the top needs to be of a different fabric - maybe felt? - but my DD is really happy with it as it is. The reindeer is an Embroidery Library design - probably my fave place for designs.

More about knitting than quilting

2010-09-04T21:42:00.000+10:00

I've hardly sewn a stitch in weeks because, apart from the excitement of Henry's birth, I have spent the cold evenings knitting rather than sewing. I am not making anything for him for now because it is now spring (although it will be cooler for a bit longer where he lives), so I am now busy knitting for him for next winter and the photo below shows what I have been up to. It's a very cute little jacket with a hood from a Sirdar pattern which I picked up at the Darling Harbour quilt and craft show in June, weeks before he was born. Lucky that I knew he was going to be a boy!

My DD has been visiting for a few days with Henry while her husband has been in Cairns for work and we have had a lovely time together. It was all the more wonderful having Henry here. He is now five weeks old and already changing. New Nanna has been working her new camera overtime taking all sorts of photos of Little Man. Here are a couple but I promise to (try to) limit the photos in future!

Meet my grandson, Henry!

2010-08-26T17:49:00.000+10:00

Oh my gosh, has it really been that long since I last wrote something? Very slack of me but a LOT has happened. OK, so I worked for two months marking tests and while it was pretty intensive work, it was hardly newsworthy, although the money was nice, LOL. I was almost at the end of that long slog when I got The Phone Call on 29th July from DD saying she had gone into labour a week early, so luckily I was able to down tools (pencil actually) and be on the road to Canberra within hours. Unfortunately for DD, it was going to be a lot longer before little Henry would make his appearance as finally, it was necessary for a Caesarean. It was all rather traumatic at the time but as soon as we saw our little boy, we were all in love with this darling baby. He weighed 3180g (7lb) and to me he looked so tiny as my own children were quite big babies at birth.

He is my first grandchild and I am besotted! Just wish I could see him every day! I have been lucky though as I stayed to help out and consequently I got lots of cuddles! Here he is:

Henry's quilt (as in my last post) is not yet complete but with the size it has become, it will be good for when he goes into a bed, LOL. However, I did finish the one in aqua and white with the chenille and that one is waiting in his cot for him. Otherwise I spent much of the winter knitting all sorts of things for him. My sister got very keen too and knitted the blue jacket he is wearing above - it's part of a set.

At last something to show

2010-05-21T15:44:00.001+10:00

I started out so well with this blog that I'm sure anyone who has been reading it has probably given up on me by now. Well, I have something to show that follows on from my last long ago post and that is the grandbaby quilt. Here it is.....ta da......The Cot Quilt Top:

I am very pleased with it although I notice two blocks which perhaps should not have been put together - wonder whether I should change them. I originally planned to set the blocks straight but suddenly had inspiration and set them on point. Now they look like they're floating which is nice.

As you can see, it's not a baby quilt as such but we're thinking the little man will be able to use it on his eventual Big Boy's bed.

Now to sandwich and quilt it - where are the quilt fairies? They are real, aren't they? I will be starting some fairly intensive work next week which will continue almost until our little boy's due date and I know that, as past experience tells me, I'm going to be too tired most evenings to do much. That's where the knitting will come in. I've been furiously clicking the needles and have four garments and a cap to show for it. More pics may come in a few days.

That's not all - I have another quilt to sandwich and quilt - that's the chenille and blue one I showed ages ago plus a charity quilt to make. Just need more energy and less sleep!

Back to some sewing

2010-04-12T16:09:00.000+10:00

Oh my gosh, has it really been that long since I posted? Life has been busy since the end of February and it has included a 4-week visit by friends from Holland and a lovely 2-week cruise around New Zealand. I know, tough life, but someone's got to do it :-). Following our friends' departure for home, I was off down the Hume Highway to Canberra to be present at my DD's second ultrasound at which time there was the distinct possibility we would find out the sex of the coming babe, and find out we did! No pics this time but we are 99% sure we are going to be welcoming a little BOY into the family in less than four months!! One very thrilling thing to have happened this past weekend is that I actually felt and saw him move!

So Nanna-to-be has been gathering fabric together (plus knitting madly) to make another quilt, this time for The Quilt. The colours have been chosen according to the nursery colour scheme which was always going to be cream, smokey brown and green with either blue or pink to be added as a focus colour. It's not going to be a 'traditional quilt' as I find myself moving away somewhat from that style, and besides, it has to be quick-to-make with other commitments I have coming up over the next few months.

These are some of the fabrics chosen but I may add a bit more blue.

Here are some of the first blocks. On looking at them I am thinking they won't look so much a baby quilt as an ordinary quilt but I can't change my idea now or Baby might be three years old if I start making an applique quilt. DD wants me to make a floor quilt (that will be three) so perhaps I can go to town there with a little 'boy' quilt.

Until next time,

At last, a finished quilt!

2010-02-21T09:50:00.000+11:00

This is my latest effort so as you can see, I do sometimes finish a quilt! This has been largely made amidst great preparations for overseas visitors and a holiday but it is finished, right down to the label. This quilt is not for me or anyone I know: it is a charity quilt for a women's refuge. A group I belong to makes quilts for the children of women who must take refuge somewhere safe.

Again it is the Continuous Stairs design but how different it is with a complete change of colour and colour layout! It is very bright as I wouldn't ordinarily use so much yellow but I am sure some child will like it. Quilting has been very basic (in-the-ditch) just with stitching down the 'stairs'.

NB. The baby quilt with the chenille as in the previous post has come a bit further and is now a top and I'm rather pleased with it but I don't think I will be sewing chenille again in a hurry! My sewing room looked like snow had hit it for a while!

Enjoy.....

First Baby Quilt

2010-02-05T17:12:00.000+11:00

Now that I've announced our coming grandchild :-), I thought I would flaunt my first item of sewing. I had the kit for this quilt in the stash for a couple of years or more and pulled it out the other day, thinking that now was as good a time as any to start baby sewing, although it isn't going to be my piece de resistance. Luckily though, I didn't choose pink - not that we know the sex of the unborn babe yet, although I am guessing it's going to be a boy. I am sure though that bubs will need more than one quilt. I haven't got very far with it - I think it will look good when finished but I'm not enjoying working with chenille and bias cuts. I have, however, found that the walking foot makes working with chenille a little easier. Hopefully the next time you see this quilt it will be no longer a Work in Progress.

Close up of the block. The two aqua and white fabrics are alternated in each block.

Having a few little teething problems with Windows 7 in my new computer so it's a typed signature again.

Daphne

Very special flaunt

2010-01-23T18:37:00.000+11:00

This flaunt is the reason for the Very Important Quilt I mentioned last week, in case you haven't worked it out. We are going to be grandparents for the very first time, late July/early August, courtesy of our DD and DSIL! Here is the very first indication that Bubs was on the way:

Yesterday was the first ultrasound which was at 13 weeks and yes, it's definitely a baby! I am quite surprised that such a tiny being who is just 6 cm from crown to rump can be seen this clearly. We are all very excited at the news (needless to say) and so is Jenna who will be big half-sister to Bubs (what do we call him or her at this stage??).

Went out shopping this morning and bought the beginnings of Baby's 'glory box' (some washers and burp cloths) as well as looking at prams and strollers. I had not looked at such items very closely for years and wow, how they've changed! Lots of sewing and knitting ahead for me this winter - can't wait. Actually, I couldn't wait and already am well on the way to having a little jumper made. The parents intend to find out the baby's gender later which I am happy about because then I can get into some colours!

All very exciting (have I said that yet?) for this first-time grandmother-to-be.

Daphne (not on my usual computer so don't have my signature handy)

A long break between flaunts

2010-01-16T16:37:00.001+11:00

As I said, it's been a long break and even then I couldn't have this posted for yesterday - very slack. Anyway, here's what I've been up to in the last week. I found an interesting but simple design called Continuous Steps on Quilting About which kind of appealed and what was more, I could try it out with my Japanese prints (the colourful kind, that is) before perhaps using the design to make a VIQ (Very Important Quilt) soon. More about that in the weeks to come. It will need a couple of borders to make it a useful size though.

I am happy enough with it and you might notice I've tried a bit of colourwash technique with it. However, if I make the VIQ in this design I think I will organise the fabrics differently.

BTW, Oscar (my dear old 15 years old ginger boy) even approves. I found him quite settled on it in the dark one night where I had it laid out on the floor in my sewing room! He left some of his personal embellishments on it which, sad to say, I had to brush off it next day.

Now for a MINI-TUTORIAL: Last week I watched Jinny Beyer on a free video from Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims and saw the simplest idea for getting seams to meet exactly. If yours already meet exactly then you don't have to read this but this is for the benefit of those like me who battle to get seams meeting properly. I tried it and it works beautifully!

First, with seams pointing in opposite directions, butt the seams together and place a pin 1/16" each side of the vertical seam. You can check how the seams will look by opening out the two pieces. If they don't meet, then try again!

Now stitch right up to the first pin, holding it at right angles to the stitching. Remove the pin and do a couple more stitches and then remove the second pin. Continue stitching.

Voila!! The seams meet and there is no frustrating frogging (unpicking). BTW, in case you are wondering why there are different fabrics in the pics, the last two turned out fuzzy and I had to do new ones!

Let me know whether this has helped you. I've been doing PW for years and tried a number of different ways of getting the seams meeting. Very simple but it was a lightbulb moment for me. Maybe I'm just simple ;-).

View from a Window

2009-12-30T11:29:00.001+11:00

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

2009-12-19T11:15:00.003+11:00

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

2009-12-14T19:52:00.001+11:00

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

2009-12-13T13:22:00.000+11:00

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

2009-12-05T19:55:00.002+11:00

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?

Autumn in Holland

2009-11-26T20:00:00.001+11:00

I've been meaning to post these photos which were taken recently on our rather hurried visit to Holland for my MIL's funeral, and as my creative output lately has been nil, here they are. It was not exactly a pleasure trip because of the reason we went and the encroaching northern winter but I was entranced by the beautiful autumn foliage that signifies colder days are around the corner.

Isn't it beautiful!

I couldn't resist a photo of these colourful ornamental pumpkins, ready to be bought for autumn decorating. Quite inedible, but they made a very attractive picture.

Just a catch up for now

2009-11-24T16:17:00.009+11:00

My friend Bev commented today that it's a while since I posted so for those who have followed me, here's what's been happening.

First of all, a happy ending to the Missing Milly story. Believe it or not, she had taken up residence just down around the corner! A young girl who did not know about microchipping found her and took her in. She did advertise in the Canberra Times but DD Belinda did not see the ad. Finally, Belinda stuck a poster to a box and left it at a set of traffic lights nearby and the girl saw it and realised it was Milly she'd been looking after! She rang Belinda and Dale and within minutes (probably!) there was a happy reunion. The girl was rather sad at having to relinquish Milly and asked whether there was a possibility of getting a dog like her (Cav/Shihtzu/Maltese) but no, there wasn't. Milly herself was an 'accident'.

That isn't the end to the doggie saga. A week or two later, Rex decided to proclaim his territory to the Rottweiler next door. This was too much for the Rotty who could not take this little whippersnapper's big brave/foolhardy act and jumped through a broken pailing in the fence and went for Rex's jugular and only just missed it. If it had not been for a neighbour's quick thinking, Rex would now be no more. At first it was thought he was dead, but no, that little heart was still beating, and he was taken to the vet to be stitched up. Rex has almost recovered now, but, shall I say, his behaviour sometimes does not show his brain power to best advantage and he still makes a beeline for the side fence when let out. A new fence is to be erected as soon as possible, so hopefully that and blocking up under all fences will put paid to this particular doggie saga! I'm not sure how to add a caption so that it will go in the right place so for now, the above photo was taken a couple of years ago, not long after Milly joined the menagerie.

Blast from the Past

2009-10-23T11:47:00.000+11:00

No sewing of note here this week......instead I have been busy moving my huge stash of sewing/fabric/books/patterns/miscellaneous items to a new room. It long ago outgrew its previous home in my son's old bedroom and as there are only the two of us here now we don't really need all the living areas we have, so the rumpus room is to be my new bolthole. It's a lovely room but the only problem is that it has four floor-to-ceiling windows/doors so the two available wall spaces will be crammed with cupboards, shelves etc. Anyway, more on that later as it takes shape.

Instead, this week I am showing you the very first quilt I ever made. It has a secondary tessellating pattern formed by the Bright Hopes block. So easy and yet so effective. It's a very good quilt for beginners with no triangles to contend with and so I taught this quilt as a first one for newbies at an evening college class a few years ago. I have to confess that the way I went about it originally wasn't so clever though because I did it without instructions, sewing it completely from squares! Also, one of the fabrics (dark green) I am sure is not cotton!!! I still love it though.

Missing Milly

2009-10-19T15:27:00.001+11:00

This is my daughter's missing 2 year old Cavalier-X. She and her partner-in-crime, Rex (pictured) dug a hole under the fence and took off into the wilds of Canberran suburbia in the southern Tuggeranong area. This is not the first time they have escaped their lovely roomy backyard and we are wondering why. My daughter and her husband moved to the house less than two months ago, but the dogs have never appeared to try to go back to their former home so that doesn't appear to be the reason.

Happily, Rex was found just three doors away, having followed a child home from school. Normally both dogs have stayed together during their wanderings. However, most search avenues (any many have been tried) are turning up little or nothing in the way of sightings. As it's now five days since Milly was last seen, we are very worried for her safety. She's a friendly dog so it's just possible she's just followed someone home. Oh, and she is microchipped. If you have seen her please phone 0409 379 659.

Thank you,

Semi-Flaunt

2009-10-16T22:22:00.001+11:00

Didn't get too far with this; hence a semi-flaunt :). I had planned to make a swag of The 12 Days of Christmas, using embroidery designs from Embroidery Library (http://www.emblibrary.com/) but after I had sewn two narrow borders around the designs I realised I would have one very long swag as each block is more than 9" (around 23cm) square. Second idea: make a Christmas wallhanging but I won't say more at this stage and then I can save it for a Fully-Fledged Flaunt. I do have one idea floating around. I am also thinking I might buy a set of smaller designs to do a swag. I mostly seem to go all out and buy the biggest designs my machine will take but just sometimes, the smaller designs would be preferable.

A Little Flaunt

2009-10-09T12:23:00.002+11:00

Not a big flaunt this week but I really like the idea of flaunting because without it, I would still be thinking about it, LOL. This little bag came from one of the designs on DIY Bag Lover

Ooh, I am getting clever - I managed to put a link in - I think....

Anyway, the bag is of a heavy Indian cotton and lined with a tangerine-coloured fabric. I embroidered a design on it before cutting it out. It's OK as a small handbag but to be really useful, I think I need to enlarge the pattern a bit more - had a few difficulties with that and my printer. Guess I could simply draw it, couldn't I?

Below is a close up of the embroidery:

Floriading in Canberra

2009-10-03T12:36:00.019+10:00

Yesterday we spent the day at Canberra's famous annual Floriade display, although a good part of the time was spent looking for an elusive parking spot. We took our step-GD Jenna with us and I have to say she put a different perspective on the day out to what we've become used to but it was a lovely day seeing it through her eyes. We enjoyed a ride together on the ferris wheel but we baulked at the giant slide for some reason (!) although Jenna of course enjoyed it. She also enjoyed feeding a mother swan and her two downy cygnets on the lake while two step-grandparents thoughtshe was going to end up in the lake with them. Remember we are just Learners!

Unfortunately the some of the tulips were a little past their best but what an overall spectacular sight - whites, yellows, scarlets, pinks, blacks (really maroon), oranges and variegated. Some of the pictures below will show the splendor of the display. Another very pretty display was the coloured and lit lanterns which criss-crossed one of the walkways.

Jenna had a great time on the giant slide.

Aren't they beautiful!

Multi-coloured lanterns hung above a pathway.

These were the swan and cygnets Jenna fed.

Death by Chocolate (and Cholesterol)

2009-09-29T17:02:00.003+10:00

I am helping DD Belinda out by making a couple of chocolate mud cakes for a wedding cake she is decorating - for this coming weekend in Canberra! The 30cm (or 12") cake took 1.68 kg of chocolate and 1 kg of butter. Oh yes, also a cup of Kahlua coffee liqueur, apart from what seems excessive amounts of ingredients. Just as well it's a wedding cake and only small amounts will be eaten by the guests. It's enough to clog your arteries just looking at it :-).

Daphne

Flaunting Again

2009-09-25T15:40:00.006+10:00

This Friday flaunting thing is very good for me. I am actually working towards having something to show and what is even better today is that all of the fabric came from my stash. The flower heads have been machine embroidered on a nice quality osnaburg and are quite detailed. They are Thimbleberries designs from Embroidery Library. I think they're gorgeous! When I first started making the top I had a yellow in the middle of the nine-patches to pick up the stamen colours but soon realised they were a bit overpowering and I replaced them.

Here are a couple of close-ups of the flowers to show the detail in them. Enjoy!

Red Dawn

2009-09-23T11:32:00.004+10:00

This is the world we woke up to this morning. Very weird and other worldly, it was due to red dust being blown across from a very dry western NSW. As I write this at around midday, thankfully our world is almost back to normal. Interesting while it lasted though! These photos were taken around our place but there are plenty more to see on the Sydney news sites.

Tulip Time at Bowral

2009-09-21T17:27:00.014+10:00

Yesterday, we had a family GTG for lunch in Bowral, it being as close as possible a halfway point between Sydney and Canberra where DD Belinda and her family live. It was a belated Fathers' Day celebration, the first attempt two weeks ago having to be cancelled, due to Belinda's two dogs going walkabout (that is another story but suffice it to say that happily they were found together, alive and well). By yesterday it had become an extra celebration, that of DS David's birthday.

After an enjoyable lunch at Palate Pleasures, we adjourned to the local park where Bowral's

famous tulips were on display, with the Tulip Festival beginning on the 24th September. The tulips were a multitude of colours, along with violas, bluebells and daisies. Jenna (almost 8 year old step-GD) was quite fascinated with the ladybirds and other bugs on some of the flowers. She told us the flowers she'd seen were much prettier. "Why?" we asked. "Because they had bugs on them," was the reply. Children do see things differently, don't they?

The day was finished by filing into the local patisserie for coffee and yummy cheesecake or icecream. Naughty but nice!

I wanted to show a couple more photos but having enough trouble getting these photos into line. I am obviously missing something :-(. Oh the fun of being a novice blogger......

Another Friday Flaunt

2009-09-18T12:23:00.003+10:00

Hope I can keep this up every week! Today's Flaunt is a wallhanging I have made for the baby girl twins of a friend of my daughter. As you can see by the birthdate, it's been a while coming but at last it's finished, save for a few little details. The giraffes were embroidered using a design downloaded from the internet (that's another story - I think I'm addicted to buying designs online, LOL). One was done as is and for the other one, I mirror-imaged it. Still a few little things to attend to - maybe a tiny Suffolk puff between the babies' names and the date, a label (machine embroidered) and a rod pocket. Hope Peta (Mum) likes it and still has a space to hang it!

First Friday Flaunt!

2009-09-11T12:20:00.011+10:00

Here it is: my first Friday Flaunt. It's a bullseye quilt (top) which I've pieced for one of the groups I belong to which makes quilts for children with cystic fibrosis so that when they have to go to hospital for treatment they have their own quilt to take. It is going to be longarm quilted which will be great :-).

It is an easy quilt to piece and a good way of using up novelty scraps. The blocks are 10" finished (11" cut) and I cut the circles 8", 6" and 4". The 4" came from the centre of the 8" circle because I felt it would add more interest to the quilt to have three circles. At first I wasn't sure about the sashing colour but those who saw it loved it. It's growing on me. It certainly gives a bit of zing to the quilt.

Daphne

2009-09-06T22:48:00.004+10:00

Here I am at last with my very own blog - now what to say. I have quite a few ideas in mind but they will have to wait until at least tomorrow because in my part of the world (NSW, Australia) it's time to count sheep. In the meantime I will get myself ready for my first real posting. But I have started!!

I will tell you a little about myself first though: I am mostly retired, a former teacher, married to my dear Dutchman (Hans) for nearly 39 years and have two grown up children, one of whom is married and lives about three hours away. The other is still single and lives nearby. My interests are largely of the creative kind when I am at home - patchwork and quilting and machine embroidery mainly. I love to read and adore travel. Hans introduced me to it when we were first married and now he wonders whether he did the right thing because I'm always thinking about somewhere new to see!

Now I'm really going to bed! Talk again soon,

Daphne

SCQuilters