Happy Birthday 4 year old

Happy Birthday my big girl! Are you really 4 years old? You've grown so tall and so mature. You are a wonderful big sister. We love you my darling Sophia!

The best laid plans..

We headed off yesterday on our much anticipated trip to Newcastle to visit Auntie Dianne (my best friend for nearly 30yrs), Uncle Scott and the boys. We have been excitedly planning this trip since November, it being our first big road trip with our beautiful girls, and, their first meeting with Auntie Di's 'big boys'. Sophia has been packing & repacking her little pink case daily, with precious things to show Auntie Di. I also have been looking forward to it after a fairly shocking month including my second bout of bronchitis for the year, and, a spell in hospital with Gastro.

After much planning we decided (after a sleepless night) to head off two hours early. All seemed well with quiet roads and one sleepy Wallaby avoided in the middle of the road. After leaving the country roads a good two hours from home, and entering the Hume Highway, I decided to have a sleep before taking over my driving shift. Mistake one and two.
I awoke a couple of hours later to an almighty bang and our car veering of the road at an frightening pace!

If I was a good blogger I would have shared with you a photo of my Husbands' 9 month old Honda Jazz in purplish blue..."SophieCar"....chosen by our little girl..... sitting on the back of the tow truck with it's right front ripped off. Or, the four of us sitting on the side of the road, the girls in their p.j.s with all our possessions, waiting for someone to help us with a Hire car on Good Friday. But, I could not do that to my mortified husband. He, with the thoughts of what easily might have been.

We are all, Very Thankfully well, and returned home safely, unlike many others at this time of the year. We are thankful every day for our precious girls, and especially this morning as we awoke, entwined in each others arms, those beautiful girls sleeping between us.

And so my wonderful holiday photos, Sophia's first ice skating adventure with the boys, all these things will wait until we are ready to venture forth again........possibly by airplane.

Happy Birthday 2 Year Old

Guess who is two today? Happy Birthday my beautiful girl! How you have grown. You are so much like your Mummy, you like babies and dollies and kisses and cuddles. We love you so much Tessa.

Winter Quilt received

Oh my! Look what I received in the mail from the U.S.A.. I LOVE IT! Thankyou Jeanne.

I knew as soon as I saw this quilt on the flickr site, that it was for me.

1930's fabrics...applique.....gorgeous. Apparently Jeanne had something else in mind for me, but I couldn't have asked for more, she has paid great attention and detail to my likes.

The little bird on the snowman is a cardinal, which frequents her area.

Winter Quilt. Four Seasons Quilt Swap

Well it is just about finished, only the binding and label to go, then it is off to it's new owner.

Excuse the poor quality photograph, but it is taken on my mobile phone while I await the return of my camera.

Winter was a real quandary as we could also use Christmas as our theme, there are so many options. I was going to go with the snowflake/snowman type theme, and then I thought "well this isn't really winter to me". Christmas seemed a better theme and with two little ones, I could imagine that light in the window being left on, watching for Santa.

I decided to name my Quilt 'HOPE' as this is what Christmas brings, and Winter brings the hope of regeneration in the Spring. I think you will see the star which brings,or brought hope, and the doves with their olive branches, bring the hope of peace and new life. Hope is what I have for the future and for our family.

Hair Ribbons

Does anyone have a good idea or way of storing little girls hair ribbons (1/2 mtr lengths)and hair ties?

What I'm working on!

Well, I still haven't got my camera fixed.....so no photo's yet.

I have been busy since Xmas fulfilling swaps for the end of January.

Firstly I have completed 5 'grandmothers Fans' for a Sampler quilt swap in my patch'nquilt group. We all had to use Moda fabric 'Allspice tapestry' by Figtree Quilters, so it will be a very pretty quilt.

Secondly, one of my appliqued butterfly blocks for Elizabeth in my monthly block swap group. She is also a lover of 1930's fabrics. Fingers crossed she likes it!

Next, will be 12 churn dash blocks in 1930's fabrics to be sent off for another swap in the U.S.A.

And finally Winter in the 'Four Seasons quilt swap. I have gone through 4 different ideas/themes, but, am close to starting. I'm going to applique this one, which should be a lot easier and more enjoyable with the 2 little helpers. Hopefully, time permitting, I can also practise my hand quilting skills.

Whilst one big girl is at the beach with Nana, the other has fallen asleep in my arms, so I will sign off until next time