Handstitched and away!

I've been joining in Rachel's Handstitched Summer Camp over at Stitched in Color. I'm really loving the chance to learn new things and use old things in different ways. Last night I madly finished this cushion cover for my sister in law (not part of the course) and this morning I've madly finished putting borders on my Dogwood Blossom for a quilt (part of the class) that I wanted to match with it as a surprise. (Shhh!)
Now I'm madly off to pack to go away for 10 days! See ya!

A Winter Sewing Retreat.

My month in patchwork. New colour wheels, still in triangles, scrappy quilts ready to be quilted. Finally the sun, the sleeping baby and the camera have aligned to be able to show you some bright, happy photos.

I've given myself the challenge to eat into my scrap box. These quilts have hardly made a dent. If it wasn't for the weekly company of the lovely Naomi (Thank you!) the last month or so, I would have folded after the first. Naomi had her last day with me on Tuesday and I will brave the rest! I've got you here to cheer me on, right?!

I made this one on a sewing retreat last weekend. Yes, that's right, a whole weekend away with 14 other ladies, two scrumptious baby boys (and even more so because they weren't mine!) and my sewing machine. I just brought about a quarter of my scraps. spent the first day cutting these triangles, the second sewing them together.

We stayed in an old, labyrinthine monastery, complete with kangaroos, reading nooks and coffee machine. We rearranged the lounge room so we could all squeeze in around the fire and chat over the constant hum of sewing machines. I slept all night and woke at 9am. It was a deep, warm breath of bliss.

Cards.

We all received cards today.

Mine was all the way from Minnesota! A few months ago, around Easter, a lady bought my drawstring quilt pattern. She emailed me and asked if there was another way of paying because Paypal wasn't working for her. Unfortunately there wasn't, because I'm in Australia. But in the spirit of Easter, I emailed her the pattern and told her that if Paypal ever happened to work for her, to feel free to pay me, but otherwise to consider it a gift. I didn't hear back.
Then out of the blue, I received an email two weeks ago. This lovely lady had gone to her local bank and exchanged some money for AUS$10 and then asked for my postal address to send it. The money and this beautiful card arrived safely today. Isn't that amazing!

Then, it was Tully's birthday today! And so that Evie didn't miss out, her Pop sent her this very special card about a lyre bird. When the card opens, the beautiful lyre bird sings her lovely song. She has carried it around most of the day, opening it for the surprise call over and over. I can't tell you how much his words meant to me.

My big boy turned 4 today. What a fun age for a birthday! He's anticipated it like no other, understood, squealed, and lost sleep for the past week. As I was putting him to bed tonight, he exclaimed, "I'm the luckiest boy in the whole university!"

It occurred to me as we were chatting about the day, that in all the buzz and flurry, I didn't think to write a card for him. If I had, maybe it would go something like this:

Dear Tully,
You were the best surprise ever. Now I know that things not going to plan can be fun and adventurous. Now I know that we don't need a big house or new car (or more fabric!) to be happy and loved. I love how you love your second hand bike and handmade sword. How your presents today were such an unexpected, delightful surprise. I love that you are a thankful, thoughtful boy.
Do you know your name means peace? You are anything but quiet, but you are helping to grow in me a kind of peace I have long yearned for.
I love you!
Mum.

Stitch and stitch and stitch...

I wanted to show you this quilt, a lap size of my Woven Mini, before the torrential rain starts again, before my camera goes back to its owner for the weekend, and before my kids come back from the post office with their Dad. :) I'm nearly, nearly finished!

You can read about the original inspiration here. This larger version was a custom order. I've been hand quilting for about 3 weeks and still going. I have watched my favourite movies about 3 times over while I stitch and stitch and stitch....

And while I think she's just beautiful, I'm itching to finish her so I can get back on my machine again!