A DAY LATE!!!!!!

This was supposed to be a post about the 1st August.  The day got away from me and I was tired last night, so just watched mindless TV and crocheted.

First, I would like THANK all who commented on my previous post, but time wasn't on my side and I didn't reply.  Sorry.
We'll now pretend.  HAPPY YORKSHIRE DAY to all my family and friends in that gorgeous county.  Happy Birthday also, to horses here in the Southern Hemisphere and there was to be another, until I realised that in 1992 the "powers that be", changed Wattle Day from the 1st August to the 1st September, even though there are clouds of yellow brightening roadsides and bushland now.

The above is an applique which I've shown before, but it was in the WIP box which I've been sorting through and I'm now thinking about how to use it.  I thought it appropriate for this post.
And, the photos I chose from our trips in 2009, 2011 and 2014, which are some of my favourite places, I wasn't going to label them, but I'll be good and then everyone knows what they are.

Brimham Rocks

Fountains Abbey

Whitby Abbey

Saltaire Mill with the allotments in the foreground.

Malham Cove.

Roundhay Park with one the show gardens from Chelsea reconstructed in the grounds.

A gentle giant.  These beautiful shire horses would have to be my favourites.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The above photos are in no particular order and only part of what I could have chosen.  Although late, I do hope the weather was kind and being a Saturday, that most of you could get out and about to enjoy your wonderful countryside.
During the week I hope to post again (trying to keep to a bit more news), but this afternoon we are off visiting and also getting some "horse poo" for my veg bed.  Hmmm!!  Best go and turn out the chocolate cake we are taking with us, before it gets too cold.
Have a great weekend all and take care.
Susan.

REMEMBERING MARY ELLEN HOPKINS

Just saw about the heatwaves the Northern Hemisphere is having and can't quite believe it.  Even the UK has been on the news.  I must admit that we've just experienced our warmest July day here near Melbourne.  We've also had more frosts than we've had for a few years, so I'm thinking the weather all over is rather crazy.

This is my first A is for Applique block that I'm doing along with Lucie the Happy Quilter.  Hope to get started on my next block soon and do some more on my Christmas QAL.

Today I need to clean the oven, (spilt something yukky in there) catch up on washing all the linen and more vacuuming and mopping.

Again my photos are placing themselves and they now don't want to move, so I hope you can follow this post OK.  I will post again tomorrow with our day out with the grandchildren, although I've only a few photos, because my battery went flat at the start of the day.  Very disappointing.

I've just learned that Mary Ellen Hopkins passed away on the 10th July, this year.
I remember Mary Ellen's workshop that I attended in 2000 was so much fun.  I have many of her books and had them all signed, along with many other participants.  I also shared my birthday with her, though she was born many years before me.  She had so many amusing tales to tell, that I'm sure she lived a full and interesting life.  Below is a photo of me taken with Mary Ellen in 2000.  It is not a good one, as I had to take a photo of the photo.  My picture is a shocker and I seem to have blurred it a bit while trying to snap it.

Not a good photo, but at least it brings back memories of a wonderful weekend.

The little quilt below is one we all started called Bricks and Mortar and I am using it to cover my legs on cold nights.  Some made theirs a lot larger.

Bricks and Mortar Quilt.



The quilt below has blocks made by other participants as an exchange after we all went home.  There were supposed to be 14 exchanges, but I added a few of more of my own as a couple didn't end up sending anything.  They were a bears paw block design given to us by Mary Ellen.  My setting was an idea from one Sharyn Craig's books called  "Setting Solutions".

Friendship Bear's Paw.

First daffodils and wattle in the studio.

The little wall quilt that is hanging in the hall this month, was started during this workshop. (posted at beginning of July).

Best go and catch up on the housework as mentioned above and hopefully have a little more time tomorrow to get on top of my blog, others and some emails I must reply to.

Thanks for any comments I haven't replied to and have a great weekend.
Susan.