Not Another Bridge Opening!

Yes! Another one. You're lucky. Hubbie and I missed the opening of the 'Go-Between' or I would have bored you with that one too. This is my Dad and I standing near the obligatory sign. The new 'Ted Smout' bridge is supposed to be the longest bridge in Australia at 2.7 km. Mum, Dad, Hubbie and I walked it both ways and the long walk to get to the beginning- well over 6 km or over 14,000 steps on Mum's pedometer. Dad has an artificial hip. I thought he'd catch the bus back, but no he did really well. It was good training for the 'Bridge to Brisbane' fun run/walk in late August. That will be 10 km and about 40,000 people very early in the morning.
This is my latest book purchase. It's Janelle Wind's first book - Pieces of Me. It is full of very do-able projects. Very colourful - great photography- easy to understand instructions. You never know I may even make something. I'll add it to the list. Boy that list is getting long.
The book is sitting on my favourite doily. I crocheted this one a few years ago.
I have finished the June's Gardener's Journal stitcheries and only have one to do for July. I may make this month's deadline yet.
Keep well everyone,
Kayly

Tuesday's Treasures

I've decided to join in 'Claire's Craftroom' blog's Tuesday Treasures. I have had a lot of fun looking at the things people hold dear. Some I recognise from my own childhood or youth.
This is one of my treasures. Yes I know it's a raincoat. It belonged to my late grandmother Lucy. The raincoat is at least 45 years old now and is in good condition. I stopped wearing it a number of years ago.
Grandma died at 56 years of age - far too young. This comes home to me even more so now as I have just had my 54th birthday. It was only 6 months after her 54th birthday that the signs on Motor Neurone Disease start to show.This is a photo of Lucy and grandad George on one of their very few holidays.

I'm behind in my blogging. I'll have to do a bit of retrospective posting.

Keep well everyone.
Kayly

Bunya Mountains Getaway

Photo from here.

My hubbie has just had holidays, mainly to work at the state titles for the little electric remote controlled cars. We managed to have a few days away at the end of them. We drove up and down the Bunya Mountains in cloud - very scary driving with little visibility. The 2 days in between were absolutely glorious- cold and crisp, but nice for a change for us coastal Queenslanders. We stayed here at Ecos, more by luck than design. We booked very late and I didn't realise just how popular the mountains are.
To say it was lovely is an understatement! It is only about 3 years old and full of really nice touches, like plunger coffee, special jam, an extensive DVD library and a reading floor lamp just perfect to stitch under.
We did four walks of various lengths. We managed to mark off several birds in our bird book. We watched 3 wedge-tailed eagles ride the thermals on the western side and stood very still while a yellow robin hopped around the trees in front of us.

I can recommend the Bunyas and Ecos for a relaxing and romantic getaway.

I spent yesterday afternoon with my little patchwork group, stitching away at the house for Gardener's Journal. I actually achieved quite a bit. I might get it done yet.

Take care everyone,
Kayly

June's Efforts

Finished and handed over with the bag from the previous post! The recipient was pleased, thank heavens. It turns out blue is her favourite colour. That was a good guess on my part and no thanks to her hubbie who could not help me with suggestions. I did a bit of stirring of him at the morning tea we had to say goodbye. I ended up calling it 'Boxes' because it looks like all the boxes we have carefully packed and stacked in the bookshop.
This was all I was able to do in June for the Gardener's Journal stitch-along. I have the house and July's stitcheries traced and ready to go. I'm off to Bunya Mountains tomorrow for a few days. I'm aiming to go walking in the mornings and stitch in the afternoons. The glasses are a bit lairy. They are a pair of those cheap magnifying ones. My prescription craft glasses are good, but these are better to see with at the position where I hold my stitching.
I've been quilting for a few years now, so I thought I might start showing photos of some of the quilts I've made. This one was purchased as a kit. The pattern is a Terry Atkinson one called 'Lucky Stars' rather appropriate as it turned out. It sat languishing in my stash for 'one day'. 'One day' came late last year when a friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer. The kit became her 'chemo' blanket. I got a lovely card from her, telling me it helped to brighten some dark days. It was great one to make, not too hard at all. I ditched stitched the quilting, but I would have loved to have free motioned it.
In case any one's interested, I did find my keys. Somehow they found their way way out of my handbag and onto the ground at work. Luckily they were handed in to the groundsman. My hubbie's relieved too. I think he is working out how to staple them to my head!
Take care everyone. I hope to have some good photos from the Bunyas for my next post.
Kayly

A Finished Bag

This is a great bag to make. It is called 'Six Pack Stack Reversible Fat Quarter Tote' by Whistlepig Creek Productions. It has pockets inside and out and is very roomy. I wanted this one to be a bit subtle so I only used 2 fabrics.
I made the one below a couple of years ago using the 6 FQ as suggested in the pattern. It certainly stood out.



This is my attempt to show the inside.
Only the quilt label to go then I have finished my farewell/retirement presents for our Judy.

Take care everyone,
Kayly
PS I still haven't found those keys!!!!

Arrrrrrrrgh!!!!!

I've lost my house keys! Yes! Again! I do it often, no matter how hard I try not to. This time though, I don't have a single inkling of where they might be. :-( You can't see them from where you are, can you?
I know I had them when I opened the windows in my sewing room. I am close to having some 'show and tell' finally.
I didn't get anything done last week. I was working as the fill-in teacher's aide in the Prep (littlies) class at our local primary school. They are an active bunch, but it was fun.
I had better go look again for those darn keys.
Take care everyone.
Kayly

Weekend's Efforts

This is me getting stuck into the quilting on the quilt I'm doing as a farewell present for 'J'. Not long now before it has to be finished. I've been collecting signatures on the label and thinking of the quilt's name. I've used the 'Patience' block. It reminds me of well stacked boxes which is how our school's bookshop looks. The retiring convenor 'J' has to get a lot into a small space. She is very good at creative packing.
These 2 photos are as far as I've got on the bag for the 'em ay kay ee - make' sew-along.
I'm going to have to be organised this week if anything is to get done. I'm filling in for the Prep teacher's aide all week. That'll give me some exercise!!!
Take care everyone.
Kayly