Now it is Spring.

Now it is Spring and the caravan has been put away for 5 weeks till the weather is warmer and we can go and stay on the beach for a couple of weeks. This I like as when we stay in the one spot I usually get a lot of sewing done in the sunshine.
Winter was when I started my blog. When the bush across from my front door comes alive with beautiful golden wattle which brightened my winter days now has finished flowering and the birds and their bird songs are in abundance ,the pretty red tipped gum trees and bottle brush .It is all coming alive in the bush for Spring .I can't say I enjoy the spiders and their big webs or the odd snake,but it is forever changing with the seasons.
A Confession : During the winter in July  I had an unfinished project ,A quilt only needing the binding finished and it is still not done !!!
This weekend is a long weekend and my husband will be sailing in the races Saturday and Sunday sooo I plan to have a couple of uninterupted days to myself sewing, before 2 of my Grandchildren arrive on Monday.
I will share some of the fabric I found while traveling the countryside.
 Looking foreward to some projects from the Bronwyn Hayes book Cotton Country Quilt.

I love this fun fabric and think I will make an apron from it.

Fabric panel, not sure what to do with this panel as yet.

How could I resist this lovely soft Alpaca wool to add to my wool stash.

My projects I started while travelling . A Clickity Clack embroidery for the front of a knitting bag I have to make.
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A cardigan in Sirdar mohair wool, only have the sleeves and band to do

Here is a photo of a quilt I haven't put up before. I use it as a throw over my lounge.

I'm thinking I might sew that binding on my quilt while I watch the Grand Final of the NRL football on the television this weekend. Good idea !!
Have a happy sewing weekend,
Jen .

Back into routine.

Let me begin by saying its great to be home and desiginate some time to my Janome.
While away on our travels I just had to take a photo of the Craft  shop I searched out in Merimbula on the N.S.W. Sapphire coast .  Called Mandeni Needlecraft situated in the Mandeni Resort
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A very spacious shop surrounded by the native bush and Gum trees with birdlife and lizards all around.
Very tranquill place flooded with daylight and just nestled in the bush down a bush track.
We nearly thought driving in we had gone the wrong way.An amazing spot for Crafting.

                                         Mandeni Needlecraft,
where I purchased a Bronwyn Hayes book " Cotton Country Quilt" a collection of stitcheries and projects designed by Bronwyn Hayes.

Since I have been travelling in the caravan reminds me to share my very first quilt I made which I keep on the bed in the van.

While on firsts.
Another first for me was a memory quilt I designed as I went along with the help from my sewing teacher.  I made this for my dear friends who are avid travellers .

                                                                                                                        

It is in three sections top blue being the sky. The middle being the land. The bottom rocks, water and snow
 Something of interest.  A photo of Australia's vital Royal Flying Doctor Service we visited which looks after 80% of Australia an area the size of Western Europe. The scope of the service is huge.

                            

The other countries that fit into Australia.

Enough posting !! I think I am getting over excited as I haven't been able to get on  here for a while
Also a big storm is coming with thunder and lighting.
Happy quilting ,
Jen x

Escaping the Hustle and Bustle.

Checking in to say Hello!!
We are still on our travels 2-1/2 weeks now, exploring Australia's legendary Murray River and wandering through the little country towns with all their history and museums and Art Galleries which take you back in time.
Cruising down the Murray listening to the Captains commentary while relaxing  on the old Paddle Steamer boat  maintained from years ago, passing the beautiful huge River Red Gums along the banks of the river.

The old Paddle Steamer.

My adorable husband and the interior  of the Paddle Steamer top floor.

I am hand sewing and knitting along the way and haven't a finished project from these at the present  to photo.
So I thought I would put a small quilting gallery of what I have finished.

I think this Bargello quilt was the most challenging. I was glad when I finished it.

I keep popping in and looking at what project every one is doing and there is plenty on the go these last weeks, everyone is very productive!!  I miss my sewing machine as I didn't pack it in the caravan this time as we are on the move.
Stay happy and well . Jen x

Our trip out west into outback Australia

Hello everyone,
I haven't made a post for a while although I have been calling in on you to view what interesting projects everyone is showing during our trip out west.
I have with me some hand sewing projects which I hope I can complete while I am travelling.Some knitting while in the car and some embroidery when stopped.
Here is some views along the road.

There is an abundance of many flowering plants. Our Australian native plants coming out for our first day of spring.

My favourite being the Sturt Desert pea.

The most abundant spring native Australian is our beautiful golden Wattle above.

More Australian native plants.

While driving our highways the view across our wide open plains.

Highway to the West.
 Wonderful expansive views across the outback plains, driving over the burr of cattle grids on our 6 week journey from the east coast to the west is like a different world out here.

Coming across these tranquil settings.

Enough photos for now , I look foreward to seeing your projects along my way.
Happy Quilting ,
Jen x