CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT

I am not putting up a big Christmas tree anymore, and since my daughter in Florida she said she would like this tree skirt, it is getting mailed to her today.

I made this at the first quilting class I ever took.

For years I had tied quilts, or made quillows.  And, I was sewing clothes since I was in Elementary School.  But, all of that was different.  So, when this class was available at a local sewing machine store, I decided to take it.  I signed up with Carol Logue, now a good friend, and picked up a supply list.  It gave yardage amounts and general supplies.  So off I went to find fabrics (the best part, right?).  I wanted an all gold and white tree skirt.  So, I picked up a variety of gold and white fabrics:  satins through cottons. 

Thank goodness Carol did not laugh at me as I came in with my weird variety of "quilting" fabrics.  And, I did get it done.  Even Trudy likes it.  Thanks Carol for being my first quilt teacher.

 

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

SUNDAY SNAPS (Part 3)

Here is the last of the Sunday Snaps from Australia.

We took a backstage tour of the Opera House.  We saw almost a sea of “Red”. I’m not used to seeing theatres empty and seeing it this way was great fun.  Jolene even got to conduct for a minute.



At Mt. Alford, where the quilt retreat was held, there was an enormous chess game as part of the landscape.  Here are some of the chess pieces as “Something up Close”.

Most of my friends know that my absolute favorite comfort food is Fish and Chips.  And that is exactly what was “On the Table” when we had lunch with Diana in Bargara, or was it Bundaberg?  No matter, it was about as good as it can get.

 

And for “Landscape” here are a few of my favorite picks.

                                               Maleny

 

                                       Mt. Alford

                                           Bargara

We stopped off at Queen’s Park in Toowoomba.  What a gorgeous spot.  When I look at these two photos it “Makes Me Laugh”. 

 

Look at the way they planted these flowers.  Do you see a quilt pattern?

Speaking of quilts, for the last of the “Part 3” pictures I want to show a little about the quilt retreat itself.   The photo challenge word is supposed to be “Shadow” and try as I might, I cannot fit it in.  But, seriously. . . .

Linda’s gorgeous flimsy.

 Another gorgeous "Little Twister" flimsy of Anita’s.

I took hand quilting and enjoyed making some progress.

 We did go for a quilt retreat after all.  And, so much more.

 

 Hope you had a good week.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

SUNDAY SNAPS (Part 2)

Still trying to make that photo challenge work.

“Angle”, I think these pictures work for angles.

We thoroughly enjoyed the “QVB” (Queen Victoria Building).  We ate our breakfast each morning there and the shopping was great fun.  Just look at all the color. The woman in the red dress is singing opera.  Love it!

 

 

 

And then of course the wonderful “angles” of the Sydney Opera House with the bridge in the background is almost unbeatable.

 

Several of us took a road trip to the beautiful seaside town of Bargara to visit one of our C-R-A-F-T friends, Diana.  On the way we made a pit stop at Ettamogah Pub. “What I Read” just about says it all don’t you think?

 

Here is a picture of “Where I Stood” with the ladies in Bargara in Queensland, Australia.

 At “Lunchtime” Diana took us to the most amazing spot for a great, fresh fish lunch. 

  

Just look at the early morning “Light” in Bargara.  This view was from our room.  Khristina, C-R-A-F-T list Mum, did such an excellent job in finding perfect places to stay.  Not only beautiful countryside, but, enough room for all of us together and still feel comfortable.

 
“This Happened Today” :  An Aussie Road Hazard.  You know, one of those nice men with one of those funny guns that clocks speed?  They must be everywhere.

 

“I’m Thankful For”, so very thankful for being able to meet all these wonderful women and the journey itself.  Here we are having lunch in Toowoomba.

 

Part 3 - Tomorrow

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

SUNDAY SNAPS (part 1)

I’m back from fishing.  Actually, I’m back from a fabulous trip with my daughter all the way “Down Under”.  What a fabulous experience.  I belong to a wonderful Yahoo Group “C-R-A-F-T” and each year they hold a quilt retreat in Australia.  So, this year I was lucky enough to join them and also have a great trip with my daughter, Jolene.  I am going to try and make my photo challenges fit with the trip.  Now that is a challenge and a bit of a stretch. 

 The first challenge picture is “Three Things”.  I made one of these little selvage bags for each of the retreaters and a few extra:  sixteen in all.  Then Jolene and I stuffed some “American” things inside.

 

The “Frame” photo is of my Tablet charging.  It was used for internet connection, and proved pretty darn successful most times. 

 

Australia felt so “Near” by the time we got to the airport.  We left on a late night flight, which was perfect for sleeping.  There’s Jolene guarding our easy-to-spot luggage.

 

It was “A Good Thing”, no, a perfect thing that we took a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House AND saw the opera, Madame Butterfly.  I can’t tell you how wonderful the Opera House is to see up close and personal.

 

 Another “Me Then” picture was a challenge photo.  So, here you go….the two of us with the Opera House behind us. 

 

We were on a mission, or “Errand”, to see a Kangaroo during our travels.  Our first spotting was of all places, on a golf course (Sorry I cannot remember if we were in Ipswich or Brisbane). 

 

 

 

Aren’t they amazing?  Part 2 - tomorrow.

 

Hope you had a good week.

 
Quilt happy,

Marilyn

BACK DOOR ART

Most of my friends visit me via my back door.  When I knew my granddaughter and her BFF would be visiting, I thought it would be a great opportunity to update the tired, and now worn “rug” I had painted twelve years ago.  It became quite a process.  An original design was scrapped for a more tropical theme.

The Artists

 Covering the old paint

Setting the back drop (a little scary)

Getting to the fun stuff

 Trudy peeking from behind a tree

Gracie looking happy

Thank you Maddie and Ashley.  It puts a smile on my face every time I
walk up to the back door.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

VISITORS & QUILTING THERAPY

My granddaughter and her friend spent their spring break from college with me this week.  It is always fun to pick something new to do with company.   On Monday evening, we took in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting in Pasadena.   Of course all of us forgot to pull out our cameras.  It was a great event and we left with some uncommon “California” gifts for them to take home.

They did the usual trips to the beach (even though it wasn’t all that warm) and shopping at the shore.  They even drove themselves into Hollywood to walk along the “Walk of Fame”.  Yesterday we spent time in Downtown Long Beach to see the Queen Mary and Shoreline Village.

Then on to my favorite haunt for dinner.

Isn’t it pretty with all the fairy lights?

This morning they took off early dark early because they have a long drive ahead of them.  I already miss them.  And since my therapy is quilting, today I am getting out that half-quilted quilt, and just maybe I’ll get it finished.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

LETTER TO SANTA

My 8-year old grandson, Kalani, wrote this letter to Santa for Christmas Eve.  I just had to share.

Merry Christmas to all.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

WHAT A CHRISTMAS GIFT

My cousin sent me these pictures of Lauren Annalise Rudy's room.  How fortunate that the quilt fits in so well.

Saved the best picture for last. The Rudys best Christmas gift.

Lauren Annalise Rudy, December 12, 2011.  So precious.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn