What an honour - my first and last quilts (and some in between) have been featured on the Gen X Quilters' blog! Pop on over and have a look: http://www.genxquilters.com/ .
Choosing what quilts to include (besides the first and last ones) that represent me was so difficult. A bit like choosing one's favourite child, I would imagine. Thanks AnneMarie for featuring my quilts.
I am a quilt artist living in Australia. I'm a quilt designer and proud wife of a Vietnam Veteran.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Wounded finger and Leafs me happy blog hop schedule
I must apologise to the organiser of this blog hop as I have not been posting the links every day to the Leafs me happy other bloggers. But I do have a good excuse. In June of last year - 15 months ago - I tripped over a dog mat and broke three fingers and more bones in my right hand. Just under 3 weeks ago now I had the third operation on the most badly broken finger (third finger - the one that you use so often) and I am supposed to have that hand up in a sling 99% of the time. This operation was to release the tendons in that finger as they had contracted a lot, keeping the finger bent at a sharp angle and curling under the other fingers. I am technically left-handed but am way way way more right-handed.
It is very difficult to do things one-handed hence my lack of posting the links to the other bloggers taking part in this blog hop.
To put things into perspective though, when I broke my hand so badly, whilst this hand-healing journey has been very difficult, I still have my hand and I don't have a life-threatening illness. I happened to be reading a very interesting book at the time of my accident called "No Time for Fear" by a fellow Australian, Paul de Gelder. Paul was an Australian Navy Clearance diver who was attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour a couple of years ago, whilst on a training exercise. Some would liken Navy clearance divers to US Seals ... Paul wasn't actually supposed to be in the water at the time he was - he was helping out another diver. The shark attack caused Paul to have one of his arms and legs amputated and dramatically changed his life.
Paul is a very inspirational young man and I would recommend you read his book. It has recently been published in the US and is also available around the world. Here's a link to his website: http://pauldegelder.com/ . Paul is one tough cookie. Plus with my husband being a Vietnam Veteran and ex-service, there is that link to a fellow ex-serviceperson ...
So you see, I have nothing to really complain about (well I do tell my hand and finger that is "stupid" sometimes because it just won't do what I want it to do). Reading Paul's book put the whole accident into perspective for me. One has to be grateful for what one has. Plus I do have a very supportive husband. He doesn't do everything for me (partlly because I don't ask for much help and he is a make and a husband - vbg - and so does not see the help I need sometimes ... ) but he is there.
So here are the links to the other bloggers taking part:
It is very difficult to do things one-handed hence my lack of posting the links to the other bloggers taking part in this blog hop.
To put things into perspective though, when I broke my hand so badly, whilst this hand-healing journey has been very difficult, I still have my hand and I don't have a life-threatening illness. I happened to be reading a very interesting book at the time of my accident called "No Time for Fear" by a fellow Australian, Paul de Gelder. Paul was an Australian Navy Clearance diver who was attacked by a shark in Sydney Harbour a couple of years ago, whilst on a training exercise. Some would liken Navy clearance divers to US Seals ... Paul wasn't actually supposed to be in the water at the time he was - he was helping out another diver. The shark attack caused Paul to have one of his arms and legs amputated and dramatically changed his life.
Paul is a very inspirational young man and I would recommend you read his book. It has recently been published in the US and is also available around the world. Here's a link to his website: http://pauldegelder.com/ . Paul is one tough cookie. Plus with my husband being a Vietnam Veteran and ex-service, there is that link to a fellow ex-serviceperson ...
So you see, I have nothing to really complain about (well I do tell my hand and finger that is "stupid" sometimes because it just won't do what I want it to do). Reading Paul's book put the whole accident into perspective for me. One has to be grateful for what one has. Plus I do have a very supportive husband. He doesn't do everything for me (partlly because I don't ask for much help and he is a make and a husband - vbg - and so does not see the help I need sometimes ... ) but he is there.
So here are the links to the other bloggers taking part:
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Monday
8
Tuesday
9
Wednesday
10
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Leafs me happy blog hop
I am a little early in posting my entry quilt for this blog hop but tomorrow, October 4, DH (dear husband) and I have an early trip gathering mushroom compost of all things from the Snshine Coast,, to take to Brisbane for my father's garden!
My entry for this blog hop is a row by row exhange that I took part in with the Southern Cross Quilters Yahoo group back in 1999. I sewed the rows together to make the quilt which I then had quilted back in 2000. But the quilt still wasn't finished until 2005 when I finally finally finished the sewing the binding on! That was in the "old days" when I sewed the binding on all of my quilts by hand. I had the quilt machine-quilted by a long arm quilter and I cannot even remember who did the quilting for me!
Here's my quilt:
Sorry about the photo but the quilt is a large queen size quilt. I always tend to make my bed quilts larger than the measurements for the size bed that I am making it for as I like my quilts to hang over the size of the bed a fair way (but not to the floor either). I've been battling a migraine as well today, hence the photos have not been trimmed soyou get to see my clothesline as well as the quilt!
My row that I made is the row of maple leaf blocks which is the fifth row:
When I sent my row away, I sent it away with the feature fabric which is the fabric on the outside border of the quilt. Here's a close-up of the border fabric which I adore, especially since it has my favourite colour, purple, in it:
When I first received my rows back when everyone had added theirs, I was shocked to see the blue that other quilters had added in to their rows. I so thought then that blue was not an autumn/fall colour and I literally did, shed some tears over what I thought was an addition to my quilt that had wrecked it. However, everyone that saw my rows thought differently and I eventually realised that the blue actually lifted the quilt and made it not quite so dull, as sometimes autumn colours can be. Then, by chance, I came across the flowery fabric in the inside border of the fabric that contained autumn colours and ... blue. And to me, now, this quilt is one of my favourites!
Here's the label on the back of the quilt and the signature squares that everyone sent with their rows:
One last photo of my quilt laying on my lounge:
Here's the list of other bloggers for Thursday 4 October (I did say I was early):
Thursday
4
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Leafs Me Happy blog hop
I am taking part in the Leafs Me Happy blog hop which began yesterday (so I'm just over an hour late in posting this blogpost - Australian time ...). Thankfully, given the past few weeks (never mind months) I had already completed a quilt that fitted in with the theme of this blog hop. My due date for posting is Thursday 4 October (sadly the same day my house repayment is due ... ).
Here are the links to the bloggers taking part in Day 1 of the blog hop:
Here are the links to the bloggers taking part in Day 1 of the blog hop:
Monday
1
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Bowls with Borders quilt completed
I have just finished my Bowls with Borders quilt for the blog hop of the same name (see previous post). All I have to do now is to quilt it and sew a label on the back. I haven't as yet thought of a name for the quilt but was thinking of something along the lines of "Bowl 'Em". If anyone has any suggestions for names for the quilt, feel free to suggest them in the Comments section at the end of this post. I won't get a chance to make the label before Tuesday, since now the quilt is finished, the dreaded housework has to be done!
Here's a photo of my finished quilt, albeit taken just 30 minutes ago at 11.10pm and on my mobile (cell phone) so it's not the best!
Please forgive the darkness on the right-hand side of the photo as it is taken in my dining room and the light is not the best there. No matter how many times DH (dear husband) replaces the downlight near my sewing machine (I sew on my dining room table), it always goes out or is dim.
I haven't worked so late on a quilt in ages, mostly because I am normally relaxing in front of the television at this time of night or because of the poor light above my sewing machine in the dining room.
Now I will get back to the subject of my quilt! The story behind the quilt is that I mentioned that I was taking part in this blog to some friends. When I mentioned the bowls theme, one of them thought that it would have something to do with lawn bowls because my husband plays the game and I am Secretary of our local Social Bowls Club (I don’t play though). So I thought it would be fun to incorporate the two. The quilt is a bit quirky (and that's me all over) so I must admit to being reasonably happy with how it turned out.
I must admit that this day was easy for me to remember for my reveal, because it was my (dear departed) German grandfather's birthday, which falls exactly a week after my own. I so loved my dear German grandfather, so it is fitting that I reveal something of my creation on this day.
Here's a photo of my finished quilt, albeit taken just 30 minutes ago at 11.10pm and on my mobile (cell phone) so it's not the best!
Please forgive the darkness on the right-hand side of the photo as it is taken in my dining room and the light is not the best there. No matter how many times DH (dear husband) replaces the downlight near my sewing machine (I sew on my dining room table), it always goes out or is dim.
I haven't worked so late on a quilt in ages, mostly because I am normally relaxing in front of the television at this time of night or because of the poor light above my sewing machine in the dining room.
Now I will get back to the subject of my quilt! The story behind the quilt is that I mentioned that I was taking part in this blog to some friends. When I mentioned the bowls theme, one of them thought that it would have something to do with lawn bowls because my husband plays the game and I am Secretary of our local Social Bowls Club (I don’t play though). So I thought it would be fun to incorporate the two. The quilt is a bit quirky (and that's me all over) so I must admit to being reasonably happy with how it turned out.
It is my dear husband’s hand that is holding the lawn bowl and is about to
bowl the bowls. If you look carefully at the lawn bowl, it is one of Barry’s new set of bowls,
designed by him. They are purple (our signature colour) and of course, feature a Bundy bear (logo of
Bundaberg rum which is the only alcohol that Barry drinks and he is “famous” for
loving his Bundy. We also collect Bundaberg Rum merchandise, like mirrors, bar mats etc.
Last night I had done most of the appliqiue completed (except for the yellow bowls) and yet the quilt still looked
like it needed something, like a point of reference, so I appliqued the shelf on. I then sewed on the cupboard (I like the asymmetrical shape of it), and the shelf of course needed some still life on it, hence
the owl. The owl is actually a photo of one that I drew then appliqued on the
chair quilt that I am making for myself. I figured rather than go searching for
a photo of an owl, why not take one of this owl, so I did. I do so like my little owl who I think I will name either Ollie or Owliver.
Thnak-you so much to Carol for organising this blog hop. I wanted to take part because I liked the idea of a bowls quilt and had been thinking about making myself a kitchen quilt. I will hang this quilt on the door between the kitchen and the laundry (the laundry opens off of kitchen) so this quilt is just perfect.
I mentioned earlier that purple is the signature colour of my husband Barry and I. I have loved purple ever since having a crush on Donny Osmond when I was 11 or 12 and purple was Donny Osmond's favourite colour, so it became, and stayed, mine too! Luckily for me, DH also loves purple and we own a purple trike (3-wheeled motorcycle, in our case, a Raewaco trike) and we have owned a purple car. So that is why I chose to have purple and yellow bowls in this quilt. The purple and blue fabrics were all scraps left over from the quilt that I was working on (the one in which Ollie/Owliver features) so I thought that I would use them in this quilt.
I am so enjoying everyone's interpretations on this theme. I have chosen to make my blocks in applique as this is my preferred method to paper-piecing, although I do use that method for blocks such as New York Beauty blocks where that technique really comes in handy. Thanks to Carol and Regina who were happy for me to applique my bowls. I love brightly coloured crockery and that is all I buy, for my husband I. To me, bright colours bring happiness and life to a home.
However, once again, I digress. Here is the list of other bloggers who are joining me in the big reveal tomorrow (Australian time) on August 26:
Bowls with Borders blog hop
I am thrilled to be taking part in the Bowls with Borders blog hop, kindly hosted by Carol from Just Let Me Quilt (love the name). Here's the link to her website: http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com.au/ .
Oh and I do so love the logo for this blog hop:
I am due to reveal tomorrow, Sunday, August 26. I have finished my quilt top, now I just have to bind it. At the beginning of the week I found I had contracted pleurisy, just a mild case, thank heavens but I also came down with a migraine on Thursday, so that has held me up a bit. But all will be revealed later on!
I shall neglect the housework even more, neglect my poor husband a bit (although after several hours of fishing out near Bribie Island (Queensland, Australia) and having a boat breakdown, he has just arrived home, cleaned and gutted the fish, showered and now is watching rugby league on the television. The St Goerge Dragons are playing the New Zealand Warriors and it looks like I am in the throes of losing my third footy game this week-end (I could have more losses but I was sewing when the footy was on this afternoon, so wasn't watching it). I don't think my dear husband will notice me sewing too much. He is exhausted after doing a lot of unexpected rowing (something he has not done in years)!
Oh and I do so love the logo for this blog hop:
I am due to reveal tomorrow, Sunday, August 26. I have finished my quilt top, now I just have to bind it. At the beginning of the week I found I had contracted pleurisy, just a mild case, thank heavens but I also came down with a migraine on Thursday, so that has held me up a bit. But all will be revealed later on!
I shall neglect the housework even more, neglect my poor husband a bit (although after several hours of fishing out near Bribie Island (Queensland, Australia) and having a boat breakdown, he has just arrived home, cleaned and gutted the fish, showered and now is watching rugby league on the television. The St Goerge Dragons are playing the New Zealand Warriors and it looks like I am in the throes of losing my third footy game this week-end (I could have more losses but I was sewing when the footy was on this afternoon, so wasn't watching it). I don't think my dear husband will notice me sewing too much. He is exhausted after doing a lot of unexpected rowing (something he has not done in years)!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Port Douglas
As I mentioned in my last post, hubby and I travelled up to Port Douglas in late June. Neither of us had ever been to Port Douglas before and we fell in love with it. Beautiful winter weather - short sleeves and virtually no humidity, as against the cold temps we were having down on the Sunshine Coast, in an unusually cold winter (for the coast), plus of course, the beautiful beaches and the rainforest.
To set the scene, here is a view from the lookout above town:
And here's another beach scene:
Here's someone with the best office in the world:
Port Douglas has been a town since 1877 and has a long history. Originally the centre of timber-cutting, gold and cane-growing industries, the main industry now is tourism. The town is a charming little place and the gateway to the Daintree River. Here's a couple of great picture boards in ANZAC Park in the town centre:
To set the scene, here is a view from the lookout above town:
And here's another beach scene:
Here's someone with the best office in the world:
Port Douglas has been a town since 1877 and has a long history. Originally the centre of timber-cutting, gold and cane-growing industries, the main industry now is tourism. The town is a charming little place and the gateway to the Daintree River. Here's a couple of great picture boards in ANZAC Park in the town centre:
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Postcards from Far North Queensland
DH (Dear Husband) and I flew up to Cairns last month, enroute to Port Douglas, for the annual Returned Services League (RSL) Annual Congress, as he is our Caloundra RSL Sub-Branch President and a Delegate to the State RSL Council. Neither of us had been to Port Douglas before so we were very much looking forward to the trip as we had heard so much about the beauty of Port Douglas and it did not disappoint.
We flew from Brisbane to Cairns with our friends Barb and Greg. Barb is the alternative Delegate to State Council for the Sub-Branch. Once we got all the luggage packed in to the hire car we headed north, with plenty of time to spare as we could not check in to the Sheraton at Port Douglas until that afternoon. So we went exloring and went up to Mossman Gorge, just north of Port Douglas.
Mossman Gorge is in the southern end of the world heritage-listed Daintree National Park and is pristine rainforest. This rainforest is the largest area of tropical rainforest in Australia and spans
120 000 hectares. Daintree National Park has the last remnant of the oldest surviving rainforest in the world so it is a very special area.
We were very lucky in our timing of visiting the Gorge as the Mossman Gorge Centre had just been open a couple of days and is a lovely complex to visit. It is a new Indigenous eco tourism development It houses a visitor's centre including an art gallery and shop, national park ranger offices, educational facilitie and a cafe.
We caught a bus up to the Gorge itself for a bargain of $4 each return, driven by one of the local Kuku Yalanji guides who gave us a really interesting talk about the Gorge. Once we got to the Gorge we went on a rainforest walk up to the actual Gorge itself. If you had more time than we had, you can pay to go on a Guided Walk with one of the Kuku Yalanji guides.
Here's some photos of the Gorge, with the first one being a Welcome Sign showing some of the local wildlife residents:
Set up above the floor of the rainforest is a boardwalk, thus protecting the vegetation and wildlife:
After about 5 minutes' walk you come to a landing and look down on a small group of rocks with crystal clear water flowing over them, complete with a beautiful staghorn up in a tree (staghorns abound in the rainforest):
Once you leave that lookout, you descend down in to the actual Gorge itself. The next photo is not the best but it does reflect the size of the rocks, the clear water as well as the brilliant light that can be seen in the base of the Gorge.
I can't not include a front-on photo of DH. Here he is ascending up from the rainforest floor, along with Barb (I skipped that bit of the walk, thinking that I would have to cross a creek and not wanting to slip, not knowing ... duh ... that there would be a bridge over the creek ... ):
Lastly, here is a photo of the Visitors' Centre, taken as we were leaving. I just loved the lights in the ceiling that looked like butterflies:
We flew from Brisbane to Cairns with our friends Barb and Greg. Barb is the alternative Delegate to State Council for the Sub-Branch. Once we got all the luggage packed in to the hire car we headed north, with plenty of time to spare as we could not check in to the Sheraton at Port Douglas until that afternoon. So we went exloring and went up to Mossman Gorge, just north of Port Douglas.
Mossman Gorge is in the southern end of the world heritage-listed Daintree National Park and is pristine rainforest. This rainforest is the largest area of tropical rainforest in Australia and spans
120 000 hectares. Daintree National Park has the last remnant of the oldest surviving rainforest in the world so it is a very special area.
We were very lucky in our timing of visiting the Gorge as the Mossman Gorge Centre had just been open a couple of days and is a lovely complex to visit. It is a new Indigenous eco tourism development It houses a visitor's centre including an art gallery and shop, national park ranger offices, educational facilitie and a cafe.
We caught a bus up to the Gorge itself for a bargain of $4 each return, driven by one of the local Kuku Yalanji guides who gave us a really interesting talk about the Gorge. Once we got to the Gorge we went on a rainforest walk up to the actual Gorge itself. If you had more time than we had, you can pay to go on a Guided Walk with one of the Kuku Yalanji guides.
Here's some photos of the Gorge, with the first one being a Welcome Sign showing some of the local wildlife residents:
Set up above the floor of the rainforest is a boardwalk, thus protecting the vegetation and wildlife:
After about 5 minutes' walk you come to a landing and look down on a small group of rocks with crystal clear water flowing over them, complete with a beautiful staghorn up in a tree (staghorns abound in the rainforest):
Once you leave that lookout, you descend down in to the actual Gorge itself. The next photo is not the best but it does reflect the size of the rocks, the clear water as well as the brilliant light that can be seen in the base of the Gorge.
I can't not include a front-on photo of DH. Here he is ascending up from the rainforest floor, along with Barb (I skipped that bit of the walk, thinking that I would have to cross a creek and not wanting to slip, not knowing ... duh ... that there would be a bridge over the creek ... ):
Lastly, here is a photo of the Visitors' Centre, taken as we were leaving. I just loved the lights in the ceiling that looked like butterflies:
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Defence Families BBQ hosted by the Caloundra Returned Services League Sub-Branch
Our local Caloundra RSL Sub-Branch held a BBQ and fun afternoon for the local (and some Brisbane) families of Defence personnel who are serving overseas in Afghanistan. Troops from the 8/9 Welfare cell based at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane also helped out with the day.
A fantastic barbecue was put on with sweets provided by some of the Mums attending. The Sub-Branch provided a clown who showed the kids how to tie balloons into animal shapes, plus a jumping castle which the kids just loved.
Hubby, who is the Sub-Branch President, really loved having the Defence families at the RSL (we were down in the grounds of the Sunny Coast Sports and Recreation Club which is owned by the RSL. It's so nice to be able to show the families of the troops who are overseas, that we all appreciate the sacrifice that they are making, in having their loved ones serving our wonderful country overseas in war-torn countries or as peacekeepers.
Here's a few photos of the lunch and afternoon:
Waiting for the families to arrive at the Sports and Recreation Club (aligned with the Caloundra RSL Services Club).
Frosty the clown (that's not actually his name sorry and even Barry doesn't know the name of this fellow but he gives up his time to "clown around" in hospitals cheering up kids, which is just wonderful). Sorry but I couldn't think of a better name for a clown!
One of the Mums brought along a couple of pinatas which the children really enjoyed trying to break.
Here's a photo of a couple of bi kids, Kath from Sunshine Coast District RSL office and Geoff from Woodford RSL in front of the jumping castle. Try as I might, in between helping out and mixing with people, I just could not get a photo of actual kids on the castle!
Now a photo of one of the young Mums enjoying her day out with her little one.
And of course, the wonderful food provided by the Caloundra RSL Services Club and by the Sub-Branch.
8/9 Welfare Cell brought up a Bushmaster which many people were interested in.
A fantastic barbecue was put on with sweets provided by some of the Mums attending. The Sub-Branch provided a clown who showed the kids how to tie balloons into animal shapes, plus a jumping castle which the kids just loved.
Hubby, who is the Sub-Branch President, really loved having the Defence families at the RSL (we were down in the grounds of the Sunny Coast Sports and Recreation Club which is owned by the RSL. It's so nice to be able to show the families of the troops who are overseas, that we all appreciate the sacrifice that they are making, in having their loved ones serving our wonderful country overseas in war-torn countries or as peacekeepers.
Here's a few photos of the lunch and afternoon:
Waiting for the families to arrive at the Sports and Recreation Club (aligned with the Caloundra RSL Services Club).
Frosty the clown (that's not actually his name sorry and even Barry doesn't know the name of this fellow but he gives up his time to "clown around" in hospitals cheering up kids, which is just wonderful). Sorry but I couldn't think of a better name for a clown!
One of the Mums brought along a couple of pinatas which the children really enjoyed trying to break.
Here's a photo of a couple of bi kids, Kath from Sunshine Coast District RSL office and Geoff from Woodford RSL in front of the jumping castle. Try as I might, in between helping out and mixing with people, I just could not get a photo of actual kids on the castle!
And of course, the wonderful food provided by the Caloundra RSL Services Club and by the Sub-Branch.
8/9 Welfare Cell brought up a Bushmaster which many people were interested in.
Friday, May 25, 2012
ANZAC Day memories
I have to call this post "ANZAC Day memories" because I am posting this blogpost a month after the actual day itself! So much has happened in this past month, namely a recovery period for hubby and I after ANZAC Day as well as many other things! I refer to April as ANZAC month, because it is not just one day in that month for us, it is much more than that. Hubby (a Vietnam Veteran) is President of the Caloundra RSL Sub-Branch (which organises the local parade and services) and even though arrangements for the next year's ANZAC Day virtually start in the weeks after the current year's ANZAC Day, there are always last minute arrangements to be made in the weeks just before the day itself. For my part, I sell ANZAC Day badges and memorabilia for the RSL Women's Auxiliary and for the Partners of Veterans' Association. I love doing this because one always has some very interesting conversations with people regarding either their service in the Armed Forces or the service of family members.
For overseas readers, ANZAC Day commemorates our ANZAC troops (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War (1914-1918).
I came across this poem by Ataturk in 1934, the words of which are inscribed on a memorial at ANZAC Cove in Turkey:
Now on to some photographs of the later/second service. First here is one of the last remaining Rats of Tobruk, Maurice Buck. Our Rats of Tobruk, most of whom have passed away, are revered all over our wonderful country.
This is a little bit of information about the Rats of Tobruk (quoted from Wikipedia):
"The Rats of Tobruk was the name given to the soldiers of the garrison who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps, during the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. The siege started on 10 April 1941 and was finally relieved at the end of November."
My next photo is of a dear dear lady (and member of our Women's Auxiliary) Helen Wilson, who is herself an ex-servicewoman and something like 93 years of age:
Rarely do you ever see Helen without a smile ...
Here's a photo of 816 Naval Air Squadron who come up from Nowra in NSW each year, specifically for our ANZAC Day services:
Lastly, here's a photo of more ex-servicepeople marching with our good friend Rod Thimpson (ex Air Force) on the left:
Lest we forget those who gave the Supreme Sacrifice.
For overseas readers, ANZAC Day commemorates our ANZAC troops (Australian and New Zealand Army Corp) who landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War (1914-1918).
I came across this poem by Ataturk in 1934, the words of which are inscribed on a memorial at ANZAC Cove in Turkey:
Those heroes that shed their blood
and lost their lives;
You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
Thereore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies
and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side
here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers,
who sent their sons from far away countryes,
wipe away your tears;
your sons are now lying in our bosom
and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have
become our sons as well.
Now on to some photographs of the later/second service. First here is one of the last remaining Rats of Tobruk, Maurice Buck. Our Rats of Tobruk, most of whom have passed away, are revered all over our wonderful country.
This is a little bit of information about the Rats of Tobruk (quoted from Wikipedia):
"The Rats of Tobruk was the name given to the soldiers of the garrison who held the Libyan port of Tobruk against the Afrika Corps, during the Siege of Tobruk in World War II. The siege started on 10 April 1941 and was finally relieved at the end of November."
My next photo is of a dear dear lady (and member of our Women's Auxiliary) Helen Wilson, who is herself an ex-servicewoman and something like 93 years of age:
Rarely do you ever see Helen without a smile ...
Here's a photo of 816 Naval Air Squadron who come up from Nowra in NSW each year, specifically for our ANZAC Day services:
Lastly, here's a photo of more ex-servicepeople marching with our good friend Rod Thimpson (ex Air Force) on the left:
Lest we forget those who gave the Supreme Sacrifice.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
More on "A2 10-22" One Hell of a Huey"
Blogspot was giving me trouble before so I couldn't keep typing after inserting the photo of the finished quilt! Hence two posts from me in the one day. Here's a few more photos of the making of the quilt:
Here's my dear husband Barry dividing the bottom horizontal border for me and pinning it evenly, ready to attach to the rest of the quilt. I would not have finished the quilt in time, without his help.
This map is one from this website:
http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/battle-of-long-tan_map.php
DH (Dear Husband) wanted me to include a map of the Battle of Long Tan in the quilt. We spent a lot of time on the computer looking for a copyright free map of the battle. No luck ... so then I contacted the Australian federal government to ask for permission to use the map above. After 5 days (pretty good going actually) I did get permission to use the map in my quilt. But ... I didn't figure on the map not printing out at a size that would be able to be read without a magnifying glass, did I? The website settings disallowed copying and pasting from the website, so what to do.
I hadn't taken the name and contact details of the last government officer who gave me permission to use the map, did I? Time was running out so I decided to draw the map on fabric ... after all, I can draw a bit. Then ... no fabric pens in those colours could I find. Drive with hubby "up the road" - a good Aussie term for just a few kilometres away ... say 15 minutes' drive (we tend to think of distance in time taken here in Australia because our country is so big).
Arrived back home, had to use a magnifying glass anyay to work out the symbols. Then had to Google "topographical" features because I couldn't work out the symbol for rubber trees. Any ... way ... here's how the map turned out on the quilt:
I also drew up a key to the symbols on another block. I'm pretty pleased with how the map turned out.
Lastly here is a photo of the quilt being sandwiched. It is a large-ish quilt, 60" x 40":
This map is one from this website:
http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/battle-of-long-tan_map.php
DH (Dear Husband) wanted me to include a map of the Battle of Long Tan in the quilt. We spent a lot of time on the computer looking for a copyright free map of the battle. No luck ... so then I contacted the Australian federal government to ask for permission to use the map above. After 5 days (pretty good going actually) I did get permission to use the map in my quilt. But ... I didn't figure on the map not printing out at a size that would be able to be read without a magnifying glass, did I? The website settings disallowed copying and pasting from the website, so what to do.
I hadn't taken the name and contact details of the last government officer who gave me permission to use the map, did I? Time was running out so I decided to draw the map on fabric ... after all, I can draw a bit. Then ... no fabric pens in those colours could I find. Drive with hubby "up the road" - a good Aussie term for just a few kilometres away ... say 15 minutes' drive (we tend to think of distance in time taken here in Australia because our country is so big).
Arrived back home, had to use a magnifying glass anyay to work out the symbols. Then had to Google "topographical" features because I couldn't work out the symbol for rubber trees. Any ... way ... here's how the map turned out on the quilt:
I also drew up a key to the symbols on another block. I'm pretty pleased with how the map turned out.
Lastly here is a photo of the quilt being sandwiched. It is a large-ish quilt, 60" x 40":
The A2 10-22 quilt is finished
It's hard to believe that it is nearly a month, yes, a whole month, since I finished this quilt. Since then I have not even touched the sewing machine, let alone sewn on it. This has been because of a combination of sheer exhaustion from working so hard on the quilt, plus developing chronic sinusitis and weekly medical appointments re my hand that is recovering from finger surgery in late January.
However, I digress. I finished the quilt on the morning of March 15 one day before the helicopter Dedication. I had to wait though to get a decent photo of the finished quilt as all of my photos were a little dark or did not show the whole quilt.
Drum roll ... here's the finished quilt called "One Hell of a Huey":
However, I digress. I finished the quilt on the morning of March 15 one day before the helicopter Dedication. I had to wait though to get a decent photo of the finished quilt as all of my photos were a little dark or did not show the whole quilt.
Drum roll ... here's the finished quilt called "One Hell of a Huey":
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| Photo courtesy of Chris Phillips |
Monday, March 12, 2012
Getting closer to finishing ...
Today after a bit of a false start I got the outside vertical borders sewn on the A2 10-22 quilt which I want to finish by Wednesday at the latest. Below is a photo of the quilt thus far, with the outside horizontal borders ready to start on. I have used an old Army/Air Force green uniform as the background for the borders.
I had a helper today with the work on my quilt ... young Nelson, the miniature schnauzer who we are minding today. Sadly he was more interested in having a "sook" and laying on my lap than actually helping with the sewing!
Here's a photo of Nelson looking just so very gorgeous ...
I wonder if Nelson's parents would allow hubby and I to have week-end access to him? He is just such a lovely well-behaved funny dog and loves his pats and nurses on my lap - my kind of dog!
I had a helper today with the work on my quilt ... young Nelson, the miniature schnauzer who we are minding today. Sadly he was more interested in having a "sook" and laying on my lap than actually helping with the sewing!
Here's a photo of Nelson looking just so very gorgeous ...
I wonder if Nelson's parents would allow hubby and I to have week-end access to him? He is just such a lovely well-behaved funny dog and loves his pats and nurses on my lap - my kind of dog!
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