A LATE HAPPY EASTER TO ALL.

Well it's been a funny few weeks here in our part of the world.  I'm a little slow on the posting side as hubby has been backwards and forwards to the Doctor to have a dressing renewed where he had a nasty mole removed from his lower leg.  It was nothing ghastly, but did leave quite a hole and hasn't healed as quick as they hoped.  It just meant our days had to work around his appointments, but it is now on the mend.  Wednesday was a whole day out, back to Warragul, to change our wills, as of course we moved house.  It was an enjoyable day.

Now where to start with some photos?

LAST SATURDAY.
We decided over morning tea (the day was very dreary) to go on an outing to visit a quilt shop in Cooriemungle, that I have been to once before and thought was lovely.  Off we went, sandwiches and a thermos on board and eaten in Camperdown, and arrived at the shop, only to find it closed for weekend, as she was exhibiting at the quilt show in Melbourne.  This little shop is an old corrugated iron church, painted blue and moved to the corner of a farm.  Cooriemungle is just a locality on the map, so we set off for Colac, where we could take a stroll in the gardens and by the lake and then have a cuppa for afternoon tea.  I forgot to take any photos of the "shop"!!!!

Fountain in the gardens.

The lake through the trees.

Birdlife on the lake.  (wish I had a better zoom lens.)

We made our way back home via Cressy, and found a couple of interesting things to stop for.  Below are what I snapped.

A cow in the front garden?  No, it's a garden ornament.

Beautiful carved bird from an old tree stump.

Derelict store.

These three photos were all taken within close proximity to each other and thought well worth the stop.

SUNDAY.

We decided to go for a stroll in the Botanic Gardens, (hubby was supposed to be keeping off his leg) and thought that slowly was the best.  Whilst there, the plant stand was again outside the glasshouse with reasonably priced plants and a lady walking past said that the nursery was also open with more pots inside.
As I'm finding that plants seem to be rather expensive these days, we went to take a look.  Whilst there, I also joined the Friends of the Gardens for small fee and can also do some volunteer work if I want, which sounds really good.  I spent $30 on five plants and one of these (which I'd seen elsewhere) would have cost about $25 in an ordinary nursery, so am pleased to have found this facility.

My purchases.

These plants are now in, along with some bulbs and a pieris I bought a couple of weeks ago.  Not showing the garden as yet, as after removing a lot of the short pittosporum hedging it all looks slightly bare and uninteresting.  Hopefully, I'll slowly build it up with lots of lovely things.  It's much smaller than my last garden.

WEEK JUST GONE.

I've done some sewing, quilting, gardening (as above) and baking.

An eclipse of the moon, which we could see for a short while before the clouds came across.  Taken from my front path.

Wombling On being quilted.  It is now off the machine and awaiting binding.  I quilted a design called Passionfruit from Lorien Quilitng in a Signature thread, the colour Dolphin (grey).  The other test quilt has binding on and I'm hand sewing that of an evening along with hubby"s ripple.  I'll show that once I've done a bit more.

Those blocks from the design wall are now a flimsy.  And yes, before you ask, those skates are mine, but don't fit my poor old  feet anymore.  I skated from about 11 years old till I got married at 20 and was in 2 small ice shows at our local rink.  I still love watching the skating in the Winter Olympics.

Closeup of feature fabric.  I didn't have much of this and am trying to use out of my stash at the moment.

Lemon slice and biscuits I made yesterday.

And lastly, our tea in the slow cooker for tonight.  Lemon chicken.

That was the week that was and I hope everyone out there in blogland are enjoying the Easter Break.
Here in Ballarat, it's been quite cool and cloudy with just a little rain.  This afternoon, hubby and I will go for a walk and I'll start working on a list of things that I really need to do and just don't know where to make a start.
Take care all.
Susan.

DO YOU REMEMBER?

Last year I participated in Sue from Quilt Times, Christmas Quiltalong, which was hosted by Hazel and Joanna.  We were given specific instructions on what to do, but although I stuck to most of them, I goofed on the overall measurement and just showed three blocks I'd made on the finishing date.  Well, now I can show a photo of the wall hanging which is just a tad larger than it was supposed to be.  It isn't quilted yet, but at least it's a flimsy.

Parcels with bright bows.

Another item I started last year was my Ripple Rug, and although I've been crocheting since a child had not worked in wool for many years.  In fact, I'd not done much at all except around a few doilies, so having a go at a ripple, was high on my list.  I couldn't fathom how to do it, even after looking on the web, but a friend showed me this way and I think I've become a bit "hooked". (lol).  Mine is finished and hubby wants one too, so I've started on his.  The width is OK for both of us, but his definitely needs to be longer.  At 6'3", he is just a BIT taller than me at 4'11".

My ripple.

Clever roadside junk.

The photo above was one I'd forgotten I'd taken on a day out, a week or so ago.  This is in a small town just west of Ballarat and makes you stop and have a bit of a giggle.

Just another photo, of what I have been working on this week.  It is still in the early stages, but on my little design wall partly sewn.  The pattern is from a book and hopefully all will be revealed by next week some time.

Ready for more sewing action.

Just a small post that had decided to make me work hard as the photos just wouldn't stay where they were supposed to, so looks a little jumbled.  Not sure what gets into the system at times or whether it is just me.
Take care all and have a good weekend.

PATTERN TESTING

Yes, I've been on the quiet side just lately with my blog for a number of reasons.
1.  I've been testing patterns for Sue over at Quilt Times.
2.  My back has been playing up, which makes me a tad irritable and I didn't think I should moan too much.
3.  We've been trying to sort bits of the garden out.

Now I can finally show a couple of photos of the quilts I've been testing.  The pattern she wanted testing was a design called Wimbledon Squares.  I tend to do my own take on patterns, but the instructions were easy to follow and I had no trouble doing it smaller than the large version and here they are.  Sue has allowed me to give them their own names.  They are as yet  not quilted, though the bottom one is on the machine already and will have a pattern called Falling Leaves in a brown called Spiced Tea.

Wombling On.

Autumn on Wimbledon Common.

Whilst out photographing these (I was trying to be arty), we came across these wandering down the road.

Black cows and calves.

Also we have these three photos. We drove down a road called Bo Peep Road to the back of Lake Burrumbeet and I snapped away, though I do wish I had a longer lense for some photos.

A burnt out tree stump.  It must have been a very large tree.

Looking over the lake.

And this one is for Anne (Frayed at the Edge blog).  A very large old threshing machine, originally made in Scotland and shipped to Oz in the 1890's.  Isn't it wonderful.

Last, but not least, I'm able to post a photo of the gift from my 1st blogiversary draw. Anne (Marmalade and Catmint blog) who was the winner has received it and said she has already used it, so I am chuffed.

Armchair sewing caddy.

Well, that's all folks for today and hopefully I'll try and post more often.
Take care and have a lovely week.
Susan.

SUNDAY OUTING

On Sunday, we decided we'd go to the Talbot Farmers Market, so quickly made some lunch and a thermos and set off.  Talbot is about 50kms north of Ballarat.  I was expecting something along the lines of the weekly markets in towns through the UK, but I was disappointed.  It seemed to me, more hippyish (I don't think that is a word) than a farmers market.  We'll try elsewhere over the coming months to see what is around.
While there, we noticed signs for a vintage steam rally and went to see that.  Quite small but worth the gold coin donation to enter.

A very cute tool shed.

2 shire horses and cart.

One of the larger engines.

2 Morris Minors on display.

After we left the display, we decided to head home a different way and went via..........

and no, it doesn't have a castle, canal or weekly market, but is about 50kms west of Ballarat.  Whilst there, I photgraphed this unusual church for such a small town.

Bluestone church with quite a tall spire.

These unusual gargoyles are supposed to be kangaroos.  I'm not sure I've ever seen a country church here in Oz with gargoyles.

After we left Skipton another quick detour took us to a lookout tower and I snapped away, but only 2 of the photos are any good, so will just show those.

There were 360 deg views from up the tower.

The tower and I only went to the first viewing platform, as I am not too good with heights.  I think I did well as it was extremely windy.

 And last, but not least, I did something naughty.  I picked these lovely bright pink belladonna lillies from the side of the road.  As I was getting back in the car, I noticed I was being watched by a lady on the other side of the road.  These flowers are not native to Australia and were just growing on the side of the road, so I was not doing anything illegal.  Oh dear, trust me to be watched, but don't they look lovely in my new $4 dollar bargain bottle, which I bought at a small bric a brac shop in Smythesdale, after the lookout.

Well, that was our lovely Sunday outing.  Hope you all enjoy it too.
Take care.
Susan.

WOE IS ME!!!!

It's not that bad really.  At 4.30pm today, I was sitting in the dentist's chair for about 1/2 an hour, having a  filling replaced.  Late yesterday, something didn't feel quite right, so I remarked, I thought I should make an appointment with a dentist.  This morning, whilst eating my toast, I realised there was something foreign in my mouth and lo and behold half my tooth had given way, so the dentist was a must.  My mouth is still quite numb, but I'm here blogging so all is OK.

On Saturday we spent a rather wet hour or so, in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.  They are very nice and the begonias are out at the moment, both in the glasshouse and outside .  Below are some photos of the afternoon.

The glasshouse.

I think this is a begonia, although I've not seen one like it before.

Absolutely stunning hot house varieties.

Hanging baskets.

Lovely single begonias.

One of many statues throughout the gardens.

The rotunda.

The sort of beds I would love, although we'd have to pay for the water we use to keep them looking like this.

Hardy begonias growing outside.

Can you imagine this wisteria in full bloom in spring?

Just some of the photos I took on Saturday afternoon.

Talking of today, it wasn't very bad really.  Before I went to the dentist I visited Joy, from the blog "Days filled with Joy", to get her opinion on borders for my SECRET project.  Lucky for me, she thought they would be OK and I'm so glad I've got a quilty friend to share ideas and problems with.  Good on blogging.  I can't wait to be able to post about the project.

Sunday was also a day out and I'll post about that tomorrow, as it's really past my bedtime now.
Take care all.
Susan.

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH or TURNING 66!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR HUBBY.

Today he turns 66 and what has he been up to over the last month or so.
Well, he's been sorting the garage, pruning in the garden, clearing the jungle (for the caravan), changing curtains around and fixing shelves in the shed.
On our last trip to the local tip with the green waste from clearing the side space, we were able to take some timber from the scrap pile for "free".  As long as you don't climb on the pile and then show them what you've taken, it may be free or you pay a small fee.  Ours was free and we came home with three large pieces of particle board, a broken hat rack board with very large steel coat pegs and a small bundle of fine wire (for me).

The view down the back yard I meant to post the other day.  You could hardly get to the shed or past the lemon tree.

Shrub beside door partly pruned, but still difficult to access.

As you can see, the yard is quite enclosed for both privacy and wind reduction.
We needed to open this up a bit to access the shed and the small vegie plot beyond the lemon tree. (this will be shown later as it's very unkempt at the moment.)

The free timber cut and being worked on for the shelving.

Hubby working on his saw bench in a much cleared space.

Inside the shed, with just a small bench and stuff.

Photo of cleared shrubbery and pruned tree.  I'll be planting some perenials and bulbs in the beds around the shed, not large shrubs.

Another view of shed.

Shelving in situ ready to be filled.

Must go now and get ready for the arrival of DD and SIL along with little L & M.  We will have a barbecue for lunch and probably go out somewhere during the day.  Maybe down to the glasshouses full of begonias at the moment, in the Botanical Gardens here in Ballarat.
Take care all and have a lovely weekend.
Susan.