tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5368505677315531112024-02-07T13:34:30.977+10:00Spoilt Dog QuiltsI am a quilt artist living in Australia. I'm a quilt designer and proud wife of a Vietnam Veteran. Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-40023590447690994172018-11-26T10:06:00.001+10:002018-11-26T10:06:36.010+10:00Finally back to blogging! The past five years for my husband and I have been so full. More about that later.<br />
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I’m now a radio operator with the Caloundra Volunteer Coast Guard after joining this emergency service two years ago and qualifying in May 2017.<br />
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Whilst on radio duty recently, doing a shift on a Tuesday instead of my normal rostered day (due to having to have ear surgery), I took in some scraps to cut out in to more useable shapes and sizes. I managed to get quite a bit done and was very impressed with what I got done in a few hours.<br />
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I cut out 2” squares, 1 1/2” strips and 2” strips. Marking the ruler with masking tape so I could easily see the 2” square line really speeded up the cutting.<br />
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I hadn’t ironed the fabrics before putting them in my Coast Guard bag (along with rulers, rotary cutter and a small A4 sized cutting mat) so I used the defibrillator in the Radio Room to help flatten the fabrics out. That worked a trear!<br />
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My aim is to eventually make quilts for Quilts of Valour to give to Veterans and sometimes their family members, as a thank-you for their service. I found a great website with heaps of scrappy quilt patterns that will be great for such quilts.<br />
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I’ve been honoured to present Quilts of Valour now to Veterans for 2 years so I’m looking forward to actually being able to make a quilt for them, not just be the presenter of the quilts.<br />
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<a href="https://www.quiltedtwins.com/free-patterns-layout-2/">https://www.quiltedtwins.com/free-patterns-layout-2/</a><br />
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Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-32541546134360210592013-01-25T00:03:00.002+10:002013-01-25T00:03:43.554+10:00No longer an Aussie Hero quilt "virgin"This post is way way overdue. I blame all the business of November - Remembrance Day and poppy selling for our local Returned Services League (RSL) then the madness of December and Christmas parties galore. <br />
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Here finally is my very first Aussie Hero Quilt, made for a sailor on the HMAS ANZAC. I can't reveal his name, for obvious reasons, but I do hope that he enjoyed the quilt I made for him, below. The Aussie Hero Quilt Friends make quilts and laundry bags to send to our wonderful troops overseas as well as to Wounded Warriors. With my husband a Vietnam Veteran, I just had to make a quilt. Now that I have my first Aussie Hero quilt "under my belt" I am no long an AH "virgin". I had been hoping to make another quilt by the end of this month but fate has intervened. I'm now planning on making some blocks to be sent south to be made up in to more Aussie Hero quilts, rather than attempting another one by myself, at least for the next month or two. Here's the Aussie Hero quilt blog address if anyone wants to pop over and have a look: <a href="http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au/">http://aussieheroquilts.blogspot.com.au/</a> . <br />
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The pieced blocks are actually orphan blocks from a quilt that I made for my dear mother-in-law Iris. She loved the Australian food fabric in the centre of the log cabin blocks and so I made a quilt for her many years ago. I had intended to make an apron or some such thing with the leftover blocks but when was tidying my sewing room (something that doesn't often happen, sad to say) I came across these leftover blocks and thought that "my" allotted sailor would appreciate the blocks even more than I would like an apron made with them. <br />
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Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-33174087976364625482013-01-24T13:28:00.002+10:002013-01-24T16:07:40.100+10:00Dare to Dresden blg hop<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank-you so much to Christine and Madame Samm for hosting this blog hop at <a href="http://www.quiltmonstercloset.com/2013/01/dare-to-dresden-schedule.html">http://www.quiltmonstercloset.com/2013/01/dare-to-dresden-schedule.html</a> and at <a href="http://www.sewwequilt.com/">http://www.sewwequilt.com/</a>.
As soon as I heard about, I was “in like Flynn”! Here is my quilt, aptly titled
“I really really don’t like Dresdens!”. Of course, there is a story behind
that! Oh and that’s my gorgeous husband poking out from behind the quilt in the
photo below. The quilt was made in 1998 or 1999. Back then I didn’t even know
to date my quilts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had been quilting for about 6 years before I took a
sampler class series of classes. When I took my very first quilt class, it was
1992 and I did a log cabin class when I was on school holidays down in Brisbane
(our capital city, about 1 000km east of the small country town where my DH
(dear husband) and I were living. Living in remote Outback country towns as we
were then, there weren’t any stores other than a small general store, never
mind a fabric store (the closest fabric store was something like 1 200 km away
(745 miles) so I had no access to classes whatsoever. I learned more about
patchwork and quilting then by what I call osmosis – meaning that I read all
the patchwork magazines that I could subscribe to and by teaching myself. There
was no Internet back then, not in small isolated country towns at least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband and I moved east closer to the coast and then we
were finally close enough to where I could access patchwork classes whilst still
living in small rural country towns albeit not so isolated as Wyandra and
Birdsville (on the edge of the Simpson Desert). Having not really learned the
very basics of patchwork and quilting, I decided to go along to a Sampler quilt
series of classes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One block that I really didn’t like, to the point of hating
it, was the Dresden Plate block. I have no idea why I disliked it so strongly
but I tried every excuse “in the book” to get out of going to that particular
lesson. Being a teacher, I kept telling myself that wasn’t the attitude to have
but I still didn’t want to go. What made me finally give in was DH – he really
liked this block, so of course I went along. I really didn’t have much choice
to make that block for my sampler quilt as this quilt became our (belated)
wedding quilt. The sampler quilt echoed<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the colours of my wedding bouquet which were purple, yellow and white. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once
I made this block though, I fell in love with the Dresden Plate block and so, a
couple of months after making my Wedding Quilt I made the quilt above. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-no-proof: yes;">As
for our <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wedding Quilt, I have included a
photo of it below. </span>By the time I made the sampler quilt, we had been
married for 7 years but I had not long before that heard about wedding quilts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-no-proof: yes;">My
favourite colour is purple<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- who would
have guessed? As a teenager I had a crush on Donny Osmond and his favourite
colour was purple. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also am reknowned
for my love of bright colours hence the vivacity of the colours in this quilt
and many of my other quilts. Luckily for me, DH also loves purple and bright
colours. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Here's the schedule for the blog hop. Do stop in and have a look at the other bloggers:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><span style="color: blue;">Thimble Mouse & Spouse* </span><i>Moving to 1/28.<span style="color: blue;">.</span></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;">January
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<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;">January
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<span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;">January
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<span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent2;"><span style="color: blue;">Nancy W @ </span><a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">“that Other Blog”</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;">January
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Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com83tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-23120594414575253572012-11-02T15:38:00.003+10:002012-11-02T15:38:42.159+10:00My quilts on the Gen X Quilters' blogWhat 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: <a href="http://www.genxquilters.com/">http://www.genxquilters.com/</a> .<br />
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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. Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-42420946969339169092012-10-06T11:03:00.000+10:002012-10-06T11:03:44.335+10:00Wounded finger and Leafs me happy blog hop scheduleI 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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: <a href="http://pauldegelder.com/">http://pauldegelder.com/</a> . 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 ... <br />
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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. <br />
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So here are the links to the other bloggers taking part:<br />
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<span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><strong>Monday
1</strong></span></span> </div>
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<a href="http://thefuzzyhatquilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Fuzzy Hat Quilter</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://lesleythecuddlequilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">The Cuddle Quilter</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://quiltsmyway.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Quilts My Way</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://countrycabinthoughtsandcrafts.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Country Cabin Thoughts and Crafts</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://dreamquiltcreate.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Dream quilt create</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://why-knot-kwilt.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Why-Knot-Kwilt</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://needledmom.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Needled
Mom</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://quilterinmotion.net/"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Quilter in
Motion</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.sunshinegirlnicola.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Sunshine Girl</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://meadowbrook-kristen.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Meadowbrook</span></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tuesday
2</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://mrspicklesgarden.blogspot.ca/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Mrs.Pickles Garden</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://gingersnapsfabricsandquilts.blogspot.com/?m=1"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Gingersnaps Quilts</span></span></a><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://blog.petitdesignco.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Petit Design Co</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.apassionforapplique.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">A Passion For Applique</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.spartanbabe.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Annie Oak Designs</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://mychellem.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Michelle's Romantic Tangle</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://cmyprims.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">CherrysPrairiePrimitives</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://krislovesfabric.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Krislovesfabric</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://scrapbook-chickadoodle.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Scrapbook-ChickADoodle</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wednesday
3</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.plumandjune.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Plum and June</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.therecipebunny.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">The Recipe Bunny</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">VroomansQuilts</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://kiki-itssewkiki.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">It's Sew Kiki</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pigtalesandquilts.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">PigTales and Quilts</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.quiltingfiesta.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Quilting fiesta</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://grammieq.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">GrammieQ's</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Nancy</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Just Let Me Quilt</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://selinaquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Selina
Quilts</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://jeannegwin.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">The Learning
Curve~Quilts and Such</span></a></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thursday
4</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Debby Kratovil Quilts</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Patchouli Moon Studio</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://conniekresin.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Freemotion by the River</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Quilt Doodle Designs</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://appleavenuequilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Apple Avenue Quilts</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://janesquilting.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Jane’s Quilting</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://spoiltdogquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Spoilt Dog Quilts</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Ramblings of a Quilter</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Deborah</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gracieoliverarts.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Gracie Oliver Arts</span></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Friday
5</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://jocrazymama.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Insanity Defense</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.theraspberryrabbits.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Michelle May and the Bunnies</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://ssparrowinflight.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Sparrow In Flight</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://quilteddelights.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Quilted Delights</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://quiltingwithamarmaladecat.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Quilting With a Marmalade Cat</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://travelingquilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Traveling Quilter</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://ncweekendquilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">A Stitch in Time</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.cherryblossomsquiltingstudio.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Cherry Blossoms</span></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://teatimecreations.blogspot.ca/"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_473020282"></span><span style="color: #444444;">Tea Time
Creations</span></span><span id="goog_473020283"></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Moose Stash Quilting</span></span></a></div>
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Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-4461545862031162032012-10-03T23:48:00.003+10:002012-10-06T11:04:09.773+10:00Leafs me happy blog hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfPiZWpUNZkv9mgS2eCJ3zmamKaSdLZOmvaEquAS5aP6NS72PbpAvq7ZYGZ8K4a8H20CFkk0PZR1juOKe9Mv7rq2giv1kX4iFSl64ffQUHXRShv32hKnM-nJBCJhzVfmYErdwaeKZY3Y/s1600/Leafsbutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfPiZWpUNZkv9mgS2eCJ3zmamKaSdLZOmvaEquAS5aP6NS72PbpAvq7ZYGZ8K4a8H20CFkk0PZR1juOKe9Mv7rq2giv1kX4iFSl64ffQUHXRShv32hKnM-nJBCJhzVfmYErdwaeKZY3Y/s320/Leafsbutton.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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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! <br />
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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! <br />
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Here's my quilt:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGob-Yf108iu2nGJXjB4j5CvRcAUbZ12mOxxu2lq1JQBgk8-RHWyRfrYy0smUVo6YVfjkqFM5ubivQRlNvWZqqw4owjYbsZ7cvLQpm7IjtWJQ-zcD_2u4qAawXGN0Fvc3j5-d1wfl8OIA/s1600/Various+3+October+654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGob-Yf108iu2nGJXjB4j5CvRcAUbZ12mOxxu2lq1JQBgk8-RHWyRfrYy0smUVo6YVfjkqFM5ubivQRlNvWZqqw4owjYbsZ7cvLQpm7IjtWJQ-zcD_2u4qAawXGN0Fvc3j5-d1wfl8OIA/s400/Various+3+October+654.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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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!<br />
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My row that I made is the row of maple leaf blocks which is the fifth row:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt49Tdd2VCYB5za-9deeo0MwYSVKp3SZydLr8CZ3FKUE07fypIKTrPrDa6WY1b0hs_L8CXSU9KqjJtXaz4YuX8noLwo8lij7e7ZfhwZwlbGqwFuK2EW12TUtsHN4AWMH4a6u_nvvX4dE/s1600/Various+3+October+648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKt49Tdd2VCYB5za-9deeo0MwYSVKp3SZydLr8CZ3FKUE07fypIKTrPrDa6WY1b0hs_L8CXSU9KqjJtXaz4YuX8noLwo8lij7e7ZfhwZwlbGqwFuK2EW12TUtsHN4AWMH4a6u_nvvX4dE/s320/Various+3+October+648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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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:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7VBzIG6qWz3K8RHAcAPbDzOQU3VMuVo2QALZYR8p2ldLgK3ItZEQYlNs7NPNoP8_IZVemta1QVPCYwrsThmy7qZr5F3jjcX8z17bumbtLgJh3J7QX9M_KVuJ390nfNVe6RQZ8DMu1l4/s1600/Various+3+October+668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7VBzIG6qWz3K8RHAcAPbDzOQU3VMuVo2QALZYR8p2ldLgK3ItZEQYlNs7NPNoP8_IZVemta1QVPCYwrsThmy7qZr5F3jjcX8z17bumbtLgJh3J7QX9M_KVuJ390nfNVe6RQZ8DMu1l4/s400/Various+3+October+668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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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!<br />
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Here's the label on the back of the quilt and the signature squares that everyone sent with their rows:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0RcHmJfdYu5gPYZYeQNboFz3jDOQE35JiCIXVBl3XuPko5K8-MggaSZ8CkLqe-eWttwQzrLUKe5keQ46gHnbBSjCueYGJceNKKbdtm04VLJH8PudCANjz7MpDFu_R_IP3H1psAbt96U/s1600/Various+3+October+658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0RcHmJfdYu5gPYZYeQNboFz3jDOQE35JiCIXVBl3XuPko5K8-MggaSZ8CkLqe-eWttwQzrLUKe5keQ46gHnbBSjCueYGJceNKKbdtm04VLJH8PudCANjz7MpDFu_R_IP3H1psAbt96U/s320/Various+3+October+658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo1pBvV52w6RF-EPFly_hhyphenhyphenrzQtK9bMEdViW4pn4XAz73cWRhN3wWH7naXN5Lof6S8NsWyct6QbS93OKy-H7CmeZw9F_Pu_KbuaRehPy63CdYa8YpNbLC8gEvCa9-x_-BwmXbZg32lvI/s1600/Various+3+October+665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqo1pBvV52w6RF-EPFly_hhyphenhyphenrzQtK9bMEdViW4pn4XAz73cWRhN3wWH7naXN5Lof6S8NsWyct6QbS93OKy-H7CmeZw9F_Pu_KbuaRehPy63CdYa8YpNbLC8gEvCa9-x_-BwmXbZg32lvI/s320/Various+3+October+665.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One last photo of my quilt laying on my lounge:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGCm12vRPKIxVvHNsXzZwagUcDV6w70ODIztqH4tJJYoAAalrUme0SkdshsbBrdaUZ-YqHu0-kr3CK9pCvr5SopbI_gzNoC9JJ6ofDb0CmK3Jn400HAUE9NZEg5s9hiADZ2yN7qWo08Q/s1600/Various+3+October+649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGCm12vRPKIxVvHNsXzZwagUcDV6w70ODIztqH4tJJYoAAalrUme0SkdshsbBrdaUZ-YqHu0-kr3CK9pCvr5SopbI_gzNoC9JJ6ofDb0CmK3Jn400HAUE9NZEg5s9hiADZ2yN7qWo08Q/s400/Various+3+October+649.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the list of other bloggers for Thursday 4 October (I did say I was early):<br />
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<b><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Thursday
4</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://debbykratovilquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #444444;">Debby Kratovil
Quilts</span></a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.patchouli-moon-studio.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Patchouli Moon
Studio</span></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://conniekresin.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Freemotion
by the River</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Quilt
Doodle Designs</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://appleavenuequilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Apple
Avenue Quilts</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://janesquilting.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Jane’s
Quilting</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://spoiltdogquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Spoilt
Dog Quilts</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://tricia-ramblingsofaquilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Ramblings
of a Quilter</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Deborah</span></span></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.gracieoliverarts.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #444444;">Gracie
Oliver Arts</span></span></a></div>
Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-12559055836897319002012-10-02T00:40:00.001+10:002012-10-06T11:04:33.869+10:00Leafs Me Happy blog hopI 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 ... ). <br />
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Here are the links to the bloggers taking part in Day 1 of the blog hop:<br />
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<b><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: small;">Monday
1</span></span></b></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://thefuzzyhatquilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fuzzy Hat
Quilter</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://lesleythecuddlequilter.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Cuddle
Quilter</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://quiltsmyway.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Quilts My
Way</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://countrycabinthoughtsandcrafts.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Country Cabin Thoughts and
Crafts</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://dreamquiltcreate.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dream quilt
create</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://why-knot-kwilt.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Why-Knot-Kwilt</a></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://needledmom.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Needled
Mom</a></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://quilterinmotion.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Quilter in
Motion</span></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://www.sunshinegirlnicola.blogspot.co.uk/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sunshine
Girl</span></a><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 23px;">
<a href="wlmailhtml:{3B0BCD5E-3F7B-49A4-A20C-2646FDA8FCC0}mid://00000393/!x-usc:http://meadowbrook-kristen.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: black;">Meadowbrook</span></span></a></div>
Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-52661467198045522352012-08-25T23:47:00.001+10:002012-10-06T11:05:32.981+10:00Bowls with Borders quilt completedI 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!<br />
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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!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRCRLFVBMRJAXsrhEDeCW-zmpk-8SZYbwJr5_sypwQKbglGOegIkWPl14g1mjtcMqG0LdXJSdJdq72JMpmm3GibDw1YZt4QL9y-yZVwq_FldUsS1OTIWWRebWFfuO4I_ClVQj0ChPNWU/s1600/WP_001572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRCRLFVBMRJAXsrhEDeCW-zmpk-8SZYbwJr5_sypwQKbglGOegIkWPl14g1mjtcMqG0LdXJSdJdq72JMpmm3GibDw1YZt4QL9y-yZVwq_FldUsS1OTIWWRebWFfuO4I_ClVQj0ChPNWU/s640/WP_001572.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhVzDbb5D9rIraDT5cVCoEAOKl8GyyMjmVJ3XxlxZgi7EZ25zHuJsfs8ihZZ4wL_YuXCH0QesIDzv0kPS2njlrMmfsGrAKfcH5Th9u-FM3phNxUR0dDfvZiL-ADeCATgaOPhtt37tiQM/s1600/WP_001570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhVzDbb5D9rIraDT5cVCoEAOKl8GyyMjmVJ3XxlxZgi7EZ25zHuJsfs8ihZZ4wL_YuXCH0QesIDzv0kPS2njlrMmfsGrAKfcH5Th9u-FM3phNxUR0dDfvZiL-ADeCATgaOPhtt37tiQM/s400/WP_001570.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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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. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo3Sdkd0q32XgJuWTCySmsvuGG9asKI0pFyBh2G4rs2YgJPvwe1RGdbP39GSYtFDrZpflIQieUjRHppcsEcVkdBbCw2yuVF77u9uezWWmVTFuviOrhyphenhyphen3QLaMgFVLqGVnmGV-HO7HVcts/s1600/WP_001571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifo3Sdkd0q32XgJuWTCySmsvuGG9asKI0pFyBh2G4rs2YgJPvwe1RGdbP39GSYtFDrZpflIQieUjRHppcsEcVkdBbCw2yuVF77u9uezWWmVTFuviOrhyphenhyphen3QLaMgFVLqGVnmGV-HO7HVcts/s400/WP_001571.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div>
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.</div>
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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. </div>
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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. </div>
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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. </div>
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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:</div>
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<div align="center">
<div align="center">
<a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/julies-bowls.html"><span style="color: black;">Julie S.</span></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/angelas-bowls.html"><span style="color: black;">Angela D.</span></a></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/kims-bowls.html"><span style="color: black;">Kim O.</span></a><br />
<a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/2012/08/martines-bowls.html"><span style="color: black;">Martine</span></a></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://dquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Quilts and Pieces</span></a><br />
<a href="http://spoiltdogquilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Spoilt
Dog Quilts</span></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.quiltenvilt.blogspot.nl/"><span style="color: black;">Quiltenvilt</span></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://travelingquilter.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Traveling Quilter</span></a><br />
<a href="http://gabi-koeln.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Gabi
Koeln</span></a><br />
<a href="http://sewsewlittletime.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">Sew Sew Little Time</span></a></div>
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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. <br />
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<br />Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-55793584603672797982012-08-25T18:56:00.000+10:002012-08-26T00:13:12.217+10:00Bowls with Borders blog hopI 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: <a href="http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com.au/">http://justletmequilt.blogspot.com.au/</a> . <br />
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Oh and I do so love the logo for this blog hop:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5RPClV2SyxLS5ef0Hg3eUGPPuM9iaNp7s6ytZUt066bD-9eS2cTmDB8QEFQjM-yUI5Nh4Z7bVgxMmlUaFiq3v0pvSTgrlClXhU32slbmwul5dwpMTejje1bgnYRvzPAdfp9kY2Qtn4U/s1600/buttonbowex.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5RPClV2SyxLS5ef0Hg3eUGPPuM9iaNp7s6ytZUt066bD-9eS2cTmDB8QEFQjM-yUI5Nh4Z7bVgxMmlUaFiq3v0pvSTgrlClXhU32slbmwul5dwpMTejje1bgnYRvzPAdfp9kY2Qtn4U/s1600/buttonbowex.png" /></a></div>
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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!<br />
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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)!<br />
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<br />Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-71778215897023234512012-08-02T18:26:00.000+10:002012-08-02T18:28:19.899+10:00Port DouglasAs 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. <br />
<br />To set the scene, here is a view from the lookout above town:<br />
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And here's another beach scene:<br />
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Here's someone with the best office in the world:<br />
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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:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQkzmRbwzQTeCx-Bg2Qrfbg_as9tYUXBpeijouYEVr_YO1sIXz5P3FwDPu_pXfFBBDgSsdTj2XNSHgDzOkZANGoZSvknQoz73q5qHA6bNDysoBdFykFUE49i91kTh4B5H1n0zWGyaqxI/s1600/WP_001220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQkzmRbwzQTeCx-Bg2Qrfbg_as9tYUXBpeijouYEVr_YO1sIXz5P3FwDPu_pXfFBBDgSsdTj2XNSHgDzOkZANGoZSvknQoz73q5qHA6bNDysoBdFykFUE49i91kTh4B5H1n0zWGyaqxI/s400/WP_001220.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-20025160370810853502012-07-29T11:44:00.001+10:002012-07-29T11:48:50.498+10:00Postcards from Far North QueenslandDH (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. <br />
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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.<br />
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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 <br />
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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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Here's some photos of the Gorge, with the first one being a Welcome Sign showing some of the local wildlife residents:<br />
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Set up above the floor of the rainforest is a boardwalk, thus protecting the vegetation and wildlife:<br />
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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):<br />
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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.<br />
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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 ... ):<br />
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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:<br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Here's a few photos of the lunch and afternoon:<br />
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Waiting for the families to arrive at the Sports and Recreation Club (aligned with the Caloundra RSL Services Club).<br />
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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!<br />
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One of the Mums brought along a couple of pinatas which the children really enjoyed trying to break.<br />
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<br />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!</div>
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Now a photo of one of the young Mums enjoying her day out with her little one.<br />
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And of course, the wonderful food provided by the Caloundra RSL Services Club and by the Sub-Branch.<br />
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<br />8/9 Welfare Cell brought up a Bushmaster which many people were interested in.<br />
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<br />Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-56415454547165616822012-05-25T13:43:00.004+10:002012-05-25T13:43:55.853+10:00ANZAC Day memoriesI 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.<br />
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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). <br />
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I came across this poem by Ataturk in 1934, the words of which are inscribed on a memorial at ANZAC Cove in Turkey:<br />
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Those heroes that shed their blood </div>
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and lost their lives;</div>
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You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.</div>
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Thereore rest in peace.</div>
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There is no difference between the Johnnies</div>
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and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side</div>
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here in this country of ours. </div>
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You, the mothers,</div>
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who sent their sons from far away countryes,</div>
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wipe away your tears;</div>
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your sons are now lying in our bosom</div>
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and are in peace.</div>
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After having lost their lives on this land they have</div>
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become our sons as well. </div>
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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. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0k5OivpZ1Pcv_Y0kCg0SwXoVpstJRE12J445V-rJzPXWtxtdUGFUGDr8vK_3Jdvn3Z22-ekhmlqXE_hWKSrLj8BjH_wF2iAszwQGG9AAhfR3sc_zY-maGcZULvyiRsLHWkDhrNpIWao/s1600/WP_000865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0k5OivpZ1Pcv_Y0kCg0SwXoVpstJRE12J445V-rJzPXWtxtdUGFUGDr8vK_3Jdvn3Z22-ekhmlqXE_hWKSrLj8BjH_wF2iAszwQGG9AAhfR3sc_zY-maGcZULvyiRsLHWkDhrNpIWao/s400/WP_000865.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is a little bit of information about the Rats of Tobruk (quoted from Wikipedia): <br />
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"The <b>Rats of Tobruk</b> was the name given to the soldiers of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrison" title="Garrison">garrison</a> who held the Libyan port of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobruk" title="Tobruk">Tobruk</a> against the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsches_Afrikakorps" title="Deutsches Afrikakorps">Afrika Corps</a>, during the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Tobruk" title="Siege of Tobruk">Siege of Tobruk</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II">World War II</a>. The siege started on 10 April 1941 and was finally relieved at the end of November."<br />
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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:<br />
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Rarely do you ever see Helen without a smile ... <br />
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Here's a photo of 816 Naval Air Squadron who come up from Nowra in NSW each year, specifically for our ANZAC Day services:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauBNlgu_UVpvzBYsJc2JB-gXPpaTw4g9c-tzvcOwmtYbBrf1zCYBrUXDdSDELZeM1gxB4rd6tqOOqm5qe14hXAV5EIyIuGHRBA2AAmZJHtl3iPMP5cCloQzFeJgacOos5jVWhudAk2Ao/s1600/WP_000833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauBNlgu_UVpvzBYsJc2JB-gXPpaTw4g9c-tzvcOwmtYbBrf1zCYBrUXDdSDELZeM1gxB4rd6tqOOqm5qe14hXAV5EIyIuGHRBA2AAmZJHtl3iPMP5cCloQzFeJgacOos5jVWhudAk2Ao/s400/WP_000833.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Lastly, here's a photo of more ex-servicepeople marching with our good friend Rod Thimpson (ex Air Force) on the left:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNshaNLO8aoWPFbNVQeKM_FAn0bAHwDZm6uQsTzXDXWLdMrEzL7tPSmZvNUDyiG5Qj8wLfzJRxxvFj_q5KHG3RxQ22fCgBdYlL3mZQrE5gWmZAGPl9F7K5Rrbiury5exAIhyphenhyphenms8imiV8/s1600/WP_000845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNshaNLO8aoWPFbNVQeKM_FAn0bAHwDZm6uQsTzXDXWLdMrEzL7tPSmZvNUDyiG5Qj8wLfzJRxxvFj_q5KHG3RxQ22fCgBdYlL3mZQrE5gWmZAGPl9F7K5Rrbiury5exAIhyphenhyphenms8imiV8/s320/WP_000845.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Lest we forget those who gave the Supreme Sacrifice.Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-89567090815176806192012-04-07T17:00:00.000+10:002012-04-07T17:00:37.337+10:00More 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:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzLrhs0OrchFij45oL6AVRryT0-fU7aKkse4S3XSjptRq4-l9dMQMepawzxAHRnhJcQ1DpeUHlVV1P5z08URatmQv0avBcQPb678BU57U3pc0xsW97S2ELgz9YZAI4xRYX4M4iGGO1D0/s1600/A2+10-22+quilt+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzLrhs0OrchFij45oL6AVRryT0-fU7aKkse4S3XSjptRq4-l9dMQMepawzxAHRnhJcQ1DpeUHlVV1P5z08URatmQv0avBcQPb678BU57U3pc0xsW97S2ELgz9YZAI4xRYX4M4iGGO1D0/s320/A2+10-22+quilt+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>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.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9Y6PUKFIKG8RbOolEppD6MXUpL8I9Q7H224P9Hx2If_9uBlbOQx-ARML87DQbdE5XLCbP4Zk_mwR6EvBxxLkKe1TSDTrDQroHIoYnDiPESt4ykvWPpw7N3BS6DYs9HSqBJCB4DBeY-8/s1600/2-2-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9Y6PUKFIKG8RbOolEppD6MXUpL8I9Q7H224P9Hx2If_9uBlbOQx-ARML87DQbdE5XLCbP4Zk_mwR6EvBxxLkKe1TSDTrDQroHIoYnDiPESt4ykvWPpw7N3BS6DYs9HSqBJCB4DBeY-8/s1600/2-2-0.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This map is one from this website:<br />
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<a href="http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/battle-of-long-tan_map.php">http://vietnam-war.commemoration.gov.au/combat/battle-of-long-tan_map.php</a><br />
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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.<br />
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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). <br />
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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:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-F7c5UT3o08Vn8CZzOT992y91T-CZnPsPZf_jKtQ4C5RpLD1shE_4GDFQVcd90u2mbPsyGHnwDASxZqAQMnKHWXq9LoA3_6SDE2zC30eci7WkTIRA84bZzZoz1yenpAwjfOzBXVd5OM/s1600/WP_000717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-F7c5UT3o08Vn8CZzOT992y91T-CZnPsPZf_jKtQ4C5RpLD1shE_4GDFQVcd90u2mbPsyGHnwDASxZqAQMnKHWXq9LoA3_6SDE2zC30eci7WkTIRA84bZzZoz1yenpAwjfOzBXVd5OM/s400/WP_000717.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I also drew up a key to the symbols on another block. I'm pretty pleased with how the map turned out. <br />
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Lastly here is a photo of the quilt being sandwiched. It is a large-ish quilt, 60" x 40":<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKZ8TSlYoo5lqh74wHFIRA9hDetCcg2FLj66pUOJTL4aPw_fq3rbEN-M3asn4ScS8y_jOUbLpWo2JQfKywZjMK13-u8D3aYJHnzUmDIyNIUdiobBRZ_HjiAHXuge-pGk1-laS61GjL0c/s1600/A2+10-22+quilt+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKZ8TSlYoo5lqh74wHFIRA9hDetCcg2FLj66pUOJTL4aPw_fq3rbEN-M3asn4ScS8y_jOUbLpWo2JQfKywZjMK13-u8D3aYJHnzUmDIyNIUdiobBRZ_HjiAHXuge-pGk1-laS61GjL0c/s400/A2+10-22+quilt+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-72934745072564773072012-04-07T16:15:00.001+10:002012-04-07T16:17:41.698+10:00The A2 10-22 quilt is finishedIt'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.<br />
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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. <br />
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Drum roll ... here's the finished quilt called "One Hell of a Huey":<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; height: 353px; width: 456px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglojqJGLst4XQ95cbGsaMZ1bWcOwaxeen8-k7C5m25yqcfFCtHsk69CCgslXEf9awBBKRktLZzAO2irzy40Luf0Z9rKm0kIqI7vqrpNA4V9KH3gh5CdHL_9aMcqx4EaMCBlWMdPMiONHE/s1600/Dedication-119-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglojqJGLst4XQ95cbGsaMZ1bWcOwaxeen8-k7C5m25yqcfFCtHsk69CCgslXEf9awBBKRktLZzAO2irzy40Luf0Z9rKm0kIqI7vqrpNA4V9KH3gh5CdHL_9aMcqx4EaMCBlWMdPMiONHE/s400/Dedication-119-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Chris Phillips<br />
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</tbody></table>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-46487721747902848642012-03-12T18:47:00.001+10:002012-03-12T18:48:37.959+10:00Getting 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. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpatPQ8zMVWEm34yiFpifmHpLd1-8sSajnNWg5GefXjuaUT7ZqgPeC1Kw2w56gGyrDq80n-heOYDtXRxY2aiBHQz9sb6n2dXgK_Jo1ULboPOeFBYS51JNVwVPDbDFY2l9OOepOexo-n0/s1600/A2+10-22+quilt+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUpatPQ8zMVWEm34yiFpifmHpLd1-8sSajnNWg5GefXjuaUT7ZqgPeC1Kw2w56gGyrDq80n-heOYDtXRxY2aiBHQz9sb6n2dXgK_Jo1ULboPOeFBYS51JNVwVPDbDFY2l9OOepOexo-n0/s400/A2+10-22+quilt+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxsEyF0nQ3UQLlhVzSx9gY7RTSWAIUe0lVUmKYpc0VWJtdnPNGQsuo9k1RTB1K_Igk7LH_kMPt4TmvTUYfZfmpWQgYDPaAIyASmDEJwoqH9MVzpkRFnMZ_JeJ4TI1B7vRyVcgXcHpHwc/s1600/WP_000710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxsEyF0nQ3UQLlhVzSx9gY7RTSWAIUe0lVUmKYpc0VWJtdnPNGQsuo9k1RTB1K_Igk7LH_kMPt4TmvTUYfZfmpWQgYDPaAIyASmDEJwoqH9MVzpkRFnMZ_JeJ4TI1B7vRyVcgXcHpHwc/s400/WP_000710.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Here's a photo of Nelson looking just so very gorgeous ...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa7Zamy3-RGsXrIB_Pcce9wt4soesMDydgStnKTSr_kvrNyNOdIfWsk7p_qt1eDTnvkAWpufjzY1OgMXW1uO6ED_xmGsHr94mTL4vUdlwJadStP-HcBQ2QuyIuLW7lY12Aq4RZ6R-pvA/s1600/WP_000669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNa7Zamy3-RGsXrIB_Pcce9wt4soesMDydgStnKTSr_kvrNyNOdIfWsk7p_qt1eDTnvkAWpufjzY1OgMXW1uO6ED_xmGsHr94mTL4vUdlwJadStP-HcBQ2QuyIuLW7lY12Aq4RZ6R-pvA/s400/WP_000669.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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!Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-66328276956168169122012-03-08T09:36:00.000+10:002012-03-08T09:36:50.052+10:00Progress on the A2 10-22 quiltFinally, finally the inside borders are on the A2 10-22 commemorative quilt! Progress has been slow due to me having to re-size the photos and also because I tend to muck up the unfinished measurement of the photo blocks with the finished measurement! Grrr !!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxiHmlWsOvv4QN8H2-yhUyNK2fwhwq8BY-yO85pHwtZN8UlSaNrl44gPCW4yeIxAc_VsscJDyZAMCTGcJjmKCaHQrym-ZslPF1Hx7ohY5ERlzT9qkoSqgUgQeeNGJJc4_cnxvBeCf3-Q/s1600/A2+10-22+quilt+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxiHmlWsOvv4QN8H2-yhUyNK2fwhwq8BY-yO85pHwtZN8UlSaNrl44gPCW4yeIxAc_VsscJDyZAMCTGcJjmKCaHQrym-ZslPF1Hx7ohY5ERlzT9qkoSqgUgQeeNGJJc4_cnxvBeCf3-Q/s400/A2+10-22+quilt+003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Inside border completed!<br />
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Now to work on the outisde borders which will comprise photos from the Long Tan plantation on the day or soon after the actual battle on August 18. 1966, plus unit badges for 9 Squadron (who flew the chopper to re-supply ammunition and 6RAR who were the artillery unit battling the Viet Cong). I also am adding the Sub-Branch logo, the Australian flag and a few other bits and pieces. <br />
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Unfortunately I won't be able to finish the outside borders until Saturday as a local embroidery company is taking a bit longer than I had expected to do some embroidery of these things Still I can get the corner blocks printed out and also the vertical outisde borders done. I am using actual army and air force green uniforms for the fabric for the outside borders which the Caloundra RSL's Military Museum gave me. It does help that my husband is the Sub-Branch President, sometimes (except when I need him to do things for me at home and he is at the office)! <br />
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I am thinking about including some pieced Flying Geese blocks in the outside border to add a traditional touch to the quilt. It all depends on time especially as I still have the quilting to do and that will involve quilting in the ditch and also quilting around the outside of the photos. Hmmm ... looks like a busy week-end ahead!Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-62213078314905096692012-03-01T21:50:00.002+10:002012-03-01T22:20:15.918+10:00Update on A2 10-22 Iriquois commemorative quilt<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Most of yesterday for an hour or so on and off, I spent ringing Barry (my husband, who was on his way to Kilcoy) checking one detail after another, because once something is printed out it has to be accurate. I was working on making up a timeline (which did not exist) of the Restoration Project and on typing up, then re-writing/ updating a bit of the history of the A2 10-22 helicopter (the original of which had been supplied to me). Plus at $4-$5 a sheet, the photo printing fabric is not cheap. So far I have used about $50 worth of these sheets.</span> </span> <br />
<div><span style="color: blue;"></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMm3K3xdYjwzuU28v2jPpPzNtet506OKNEg1QebsCH_-f3faT1f-i1fnG2wEKS4GGxR3AvzX79oUsJZb8-HUijH227e8PLM38iY2Dke2zScjoKiOpgzyj04l9rYKzXjGaG4PM9pexUf0/s1600/GEDC0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMm3K3xdYjwzuU28v2jPpPzNtet506OKNEg1QebsCH_-f3faT1f-i1fnG2wEKS4GGxR3AvzX79oUsJZb8-HUijH227e8PLM38iY2Dke2zScjoKiOpgzyj04l9rYKzXjGaG4PM9pexUf0/s400/GEDC0304.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Original layout of the photos surrounding the Iriquois helicopters on the tarmac at Nui Dat, Vietnam 1966 <br />
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<span style="color: black;">Today was spent sewing additional frames to the top and bottom of the central photo of the Hueys (Iriquois) to extend the vertical side length of the picture (so that all of the photos and text sections would fit down those sides). Then I was measuring, re-measuring and measuring again the photos to go around the central picture. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">I have decided that quiltmaking is not just about the designing of the quilt and the sewing but so much more than I had expected about the maths and making sure I am accurate (the area where I tend to make the most mistakes ... vbg ... ).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8CIGg8GHn7riTjI26phNu92kvBinKOX51V1X_Pc3wWg9XlRmU4heWn5uc1H67-FnyBt5IlduTogSv2ElJFNL_ckea6H-daK3rI8lT5gwhU2laEjdG8ZKwRn8tpvGY2fhqnVXywwo0qE/s1600/GEDC0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8CIGg8GHn7riTjI26phNu92kvBinKOX51V1X_Pc3wWg9XlRmU4heWn5uc1H67-FnyBt5IlduTogSv2ElJFNL_ckea6H-daK3rI8lT5gwhU2laEjdG8ZKwRn8tpvGY2fhqnVXywwo0qE/s400/GEDC0316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="color: blue;"></span> </div><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Today I will sew the one finished right-hand side (see photo above ) on to the central picture then work on sewing together the left-hand side. More measuring and trimming of photos.</span> </span><br />
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<div><span style="color: blue;"></span> </div>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-40066203276523701122012-02-24T18:23:00.002+10:002012-02-26T12:50:43.594+10:00The start of the A2 10-22 Iriquois Commemorative quilt (from the Battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam WarA week ago today, my husband Barry asked me to make a commemorative quilt for the Caloundra RSL Sub-Branch's newly acquired Iriquois helicopter which will be put on display in the Sub-Branch's Memorial Garden. This quilt will be raffled to raise funds for the continued maintenance of this aircraft.<br />
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We have quite a few 9 Squadron and 6RAR former members in our Sub-Branch and on the Sunshine Coast, hence the wish to acquire this Huey. <br />
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A2 10-22 which is the name of the chopper was gifted by the Royal Australian Air Force to the town of Nyngan in NSW after the helicopter was used in flood relief in the town and area years ago. Someone from our Sub-Branch heard of this chopper being located down in Nyngan and which has HUGE significance to Vietnam Veterans. This chopper was used to provide artillery support to Australian troops, specifically D Company 6RAR on August 18, 1966 in the Battle of Long Tan, which for Australians, was one of the biggest battles of the Vietnam War (or Conflict as it technically is). <br />
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To cut a long story short Bogan Council (the local government area where Nyngan is part of) agreed to give our Sub-Branch A2 10-22 if we could supply an exchange Iriquois. This project started way back in 2009 and has meant that the Sub-Branch has had to acquire a replacement chopper, restore that, transport it down to Nyngan (about a 12 hour drive south of Caloundra), then transport the actual A2 10-22 back here, fiannly restoring it to its former glory. Oh ... and that has all cost the Sub-Branch in the vacinity of $50 000. Hence the need for fundraising ... <br />
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So now, having chased all over the place for Air Force and Army uniforms, photos of the restoration project and photos from Long Tan during the Vietnam War, gathering unit badges etc, I am ready to start. <br />
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First place ... unpicking the uniforms so I can use the fabric, insignia and cuffs, collars etc as part of the front of the quilt, whilst I wait for photos to come in to me, via E-mail etc so that I can start printing these off tomorrow morning.<br />
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Did I mention I have a deadline of March 12, which is now just 2 weeks away? The dedication ceremony is on March 16 and several hundred people are expected to arrive in town for this. <br />
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Here's a link to our RSL front page which features the Dedication Ceremony date: <br />
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<a href="http://www.caloundrarsl.com.au/social/">http://www.caloundrarsl.com.au/social/</a><br />
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Army and Air Force uniforms, badges, fabric etc<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSz3SIJEar4Fw24CxQxOHCY7hpPWns1nJviTcjhfjGq_cPz8hrEAnU_8GXxJ-9k4NT1hOLV8nCOdIavDXZ_h55tqYiVOnJbpAtCmb7dNbvPAEkvSXsV95reh6QBE_1VNccG93ex_hQho/s1600/GEDC0296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSz3SIJEar4Fw24CxQxOHCY7hpPWns1nJviTcjhfjGq_cPz8hrEAnU_8GXxJ-9k4NT1hOLV8nCOdIavDXZ_h55tqYiVOnJbpAtCmb7dNbvPAEkvSXsV95reh6QBE_1VNccG93ex_hQho/s320/GEDC0296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A2 10-22 on the tarmac at Nui Dat which was the closest Australian military base to Long Tan plantation where the Battle of Long Tan occurred on August 18 (which is now commemorated as Vietnam Veterans' Day here in Australia)<br />
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Information can be found on these websites about the Battle of Long Tan. Both websites are worth looking at especially the 6RAR one. <br />
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<a href="http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/vietnam/longtan.html">http://www.anzacday.org.au/history/vietnam/longtan.html</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.6rarassociation.com/battlelongtan.htm">http://www.6rarassociation.com/battlelongtan.htm</a>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-13960977250997527372012-01-26T16:18:00.002+10:002012-01-27T12:19:30.363+10:00Happy Australia Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNPwe5NowNV0Tn8yfDAWXl2ggtI3b5SnqWIRZoTCaSPiGfSEBMPECSyWfNmAtX5FaeRtkrVX0NF7GDweVTDQOuykXWugr9NQ44Q-T4bc7_O9UQj4jWKur6lisTbZ6oXNjQnjp5GQyi-8/s1600/Aussie+map+%2526+flag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNPwe5NowNV0Tn8yfDAWXl2ggtI3b5SnqWIRZoTCaSPiGfSEBMPECSyWfNmAtX5FaeRtkrVX0NF7GDweVTDQOuykXWugr9NQ44Q-T4bc7_O9UQj4jWKur6lisTbZ6oXNjQnjp5GQyi-8/s1600/Aussie+map+%2526+flag.png" /></a></div><br />
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Hubby and I have just come back from lunch with other Veterans and their wives up at the Caloundra RSL. Normally we have our Australia Day celebrations down at Bells Creek (which flows into Pumicestone Passage) but the parks down there are waterlogged after all the rainfall that we have had in the past few days, hence the change in venue. Sadly our annual thong-throwing competition was unable to be held this year. That's the footwear thong, not the underwear thong! There has been lots of conversation on one of my online quilting groups about Aussies getting strange looks when visiting the US when they mention thong-throwing over there!<br />
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We are so very lucky to be living in Australia. Even though there are many things that I would change about the country were I Prime Minister, there are so many positives about our country that far outweigh the negatives so I still believe that we are still "the Lucky Country". <br />
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Here's some photos of our very beautiful country taken on various trips around Australia:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN0pNDCPMnmnwCFwozfh_FPmXCt4uIKvehpqZMuyrHJxzCb9sAQH6LmGxs5C3u9YUOIa5TS4dup-FgV4Qonl4IzXoADjqhRevWwhq6kQu35UZ2N6tgs9l1qEtJ-Me8g0BgmIlUVT5Jes/s1600/Trinity+Bay+trip+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCN0pNDCPMnmnwCFwozfh_FPmXCt4uIKvehpqZMuyrHJxzCb9sAQH6LmGxs5C3u9YUOIa5TS4dup-FgV4Qonl4IzXoADjqhRevWwhq6kQu35UZ2N6tgs9l1qEtJ-Me8g0BgmIlUVT5Jes/s320/Trinity+Bay+trip+097.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Hubby and I up near Cape York several years ago<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TxdFC8vEXDhBGNYRep8s808NCYlNneRv7Zu3eWYR54Varly9SVbMCnWTCcecwmL1I0-VGBVyy4ouodJ0ZoCvuPzW4H66mkn35k2tf0L3vMYg6fteWwo48rDGbMc6yEpR0uuH2iMWPAw/s1600/Trinity+Bay+trip+238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TxdFC8vEXDhBGNYRep8s808NCYlNneRv7Zu3eWYR54Varly9SVbMCnWTCcecwmL1I0-VGBVyy4ouodJ0ZoCvuPzW4H66mkn35k2tf0L3vMYg6fteWwo48rDGbMc6yEpR0uuH2iMWPAw/s320/Trinity+Bay+trip+238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Flying over the northern coast of Queensland<br />
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Magnetic Island, off the coast at Tonwsville, Queensland<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3PdTbYKQTEMaWFmXw-DJ2EB-4coXeq5ZvKJAM7Jz8nvz2JK2iGqUP_5AMMYy9fX2AAflWtTNVn-y3OoQbZcnGO7RwT4_28cPTCPBxZQD1FbPgP_joiwFDe9ScwR7Qazm1kLaKl64snA/s1600/Magnetic+Island+PVA+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3PdTbYKQTEMaWFmXw-DJ2EB-4coXeq5ZvKJAM7Jz8nvz2JK2iGqUP_5AMMYy9fX2AAflWtTNVn-y3OoQbZcnGO7RwT4_28cPTCPBxZQD1FbPgP_joiwFDe9ScwR7Qazm1kLaKl64snA/s320/Magnetic+Island+PVA+096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
A friendly little rock wallaby on Magnetic Island<br />
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</div>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-7169965459037025352012-01-24T14:27:00.002+10:002012-01-26T15:55:59.829+10:00I know a place in Africa: in memory of Karen Blixen - my first UFO finished for 2012This quilt which I started many years ago now (10+) is finally finished, all bar the quilt label. My good friend Dolly quilted it for me on her Happy Jack quilting machine. Here's a photo of it on my bed. Unfortunately it is not the best photo as our bedroom is not very big and the quilt is a large queen-sized quilt.<br />
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</div>I started off with the following blocks but had to take some out, to keep the colour balance right and then I had to make some extra blocks to make the queen sized quilt that I wanted to make. Most of the blocks that did not make the front of the quilt were added into the backing of the quilt. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd332dYpCfzFFd82oAU-ayPWlPcVdALV-S-bMfNKdHvlncw20irFIhwsrvxJfpoxkzgQtgpYVccIyLKBVpKReFgFc1428xDD_0RPW_kRFgCsHG4jn-D7XFvkp9g42Y4f-rqpK-m2668PQ/s1600/Various+16+August+091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd332dYpCfzFFd82oAU-ayPWlPcVdALV-S-bMfNKdHvlncw20irFIhwsrvxJfpoxkzgQtgpYVccIyLKBVpKReFgFc1428xDD_0RPW_kRFgCsHG4jn-D7XFvkp9g42Y4f-rqpK-m2668PQ/s320/Various+16+August+091.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Here's my original bock which I sent out in the block round robin:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXafI4Q27NqGU6jSpg10_TYtoLhYh_Rhice9P_DEF5k1vIvmuLEdimJg06210fUe3UsMoElVL8P-38IcNdLbzRLqzdDAIQjoXSYjN9KB6z4ZCB1jo0mOnXbk2KBqSSmdbQe9cypE31m9A/s1600/Various+16+August+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXafI4Q27NqGU6jSpg10_TYtoLhYh_Rhice9P_DEF5k1vIvmuLEdimJg06210fUe3UsMoElVL8P-38IcNdLbzRLqzdDAIQjoXSYjN9KB6z4ZCB1jo0mOnXbk2KBqSSmdbQe9cypE31m9A/s320/Various+16+August+093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I just love circular blocks of any sort and adore the sunburst block which I have made many times. It is just such a spectacular looking block and one that looks difficult but isn't. This was the original block that I sent on its way in this swap and I am sure some of the swappers were not used to such bright colours. I tired to incorporate other fabrics from the fat quarters that I sent along with my block, so that it would "unite" the other blocks, which for the most part, did happen. I absolutely loved the feature fabric in this block with it sun or eye. <br />
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I bought the original African fabrics from a shop in the U.S. called Unique Spool, over ten years ago. Here's their website: <a href="http://uniquespool.com/">http://uniquespool.com/</a> . I had six or so fat quarters sent to me each month for about a year, selected by the store staff and I still have plenty to make another quilt with. <br />
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To make the quilt into a queen size quilt I added in some extra blocks that I made up, as well as some other African-themed fabrics and some batiks which had prints (like the red and green pineapple block print fabric) which suited the African theme of the quilt.<br />
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I named the quilt in honour of Karen Blixen, author of the "Out of Africa" book which I read many years ago after seeing the wonderful film of the same name starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. I also have a great love of lions, being a Leo and also of elephants and I do collect elephant staues, although not in a huge way - they have to "speak" to me in order for me to take one home with me!<br />
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Here's another couple of lovely blocks and fabrics from the quilt. I do so love the colours and the designs!<br />
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I just love the words in this fabric ...<br />
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Dolly's quilting looks fantastic on my quilt! Thanks Dolly ...Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-19483954245667315322012-01-24T14:09:00.001+10:002012-01-24T14:11:37.257+10:00Happy New Year and first finish!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGnJJpbQBpWUTX40Wpnc_Xl1Wi-SxJ2JMbBND8XaqibYvzBG83xI_bfm8jFuWOqsKq7sne_0xdzk5-O0F8njyZP8EL2lTqQs7_yGRvpYT7Qd9I4yYBo-cFez6G5xjRCuFbtj3WxCPCv4/s1600/january-12-owl__52-nocal-1280x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGnJJpbQBpWUTX40Wpnc_Xl1Wi-SxJ2JMbBND8XaqibYvzBG83xI_bfm8jFuWOqsKq7sne_0xdzk5-O0F8njyZP8EL2lTqQs7_yGRvpYT7Qd9I4yYBo-cFez6G5xjRCuFbtj3WxCPCv4/s320/january-12-owl__52-nocal-1280x800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Happy New Year everyone! Let's hope everyone has a great year this year. Last year was one tinged with sadness for hubby and I. We bid farewell to two good friends - both entering the next life due to that devil of an illness - cancer. RIP Joy and Geoffrey ...<br />
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I have completed my first finish of the year! I have finally finished the second of the two mug mats which I made for a swap in the MA online group of friends which I am part of. Actually I finshed it over nearly two weeks ago now (just have not had much time to blog ... ) and it (hopefully) should have arrived at Bonnie Jo's home by now (although poor Bonnie Jo is not well at the moment).<br />
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This is a photo of the completed mug mat: <br />
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This is only the second mug mat that I have made. I used the tutorial featured on this website:<br />
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<a href="http://www.stitchesandscissors.com/2011/03/wonky-starburst-mug-rug-tutorial.html">http://www.stitchesandscissors.com/2011/03/wonky-starburst-mug-rug-tutorial.html</a><br />
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I do so love anything circular so the starburst design really suited me. I used an old facewasher (flannel I think Americans call them) as my batting as I thought that would be more absorbent. I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Bonnie had asked for bright colours which suits me down to the ground since I just love bright, happy colours.<br />
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I actually made two mug mats for Bonnie and I was certain that I had taken photos of the first one, but now that I need it to post on this blog, alas I cannot find it. I shall have to ask Bonnie to E-mail me a photo of that mat when she is better. For that first mat I simply used to very bright orphan blocks, which were tilted squares.Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-74051049052660632012011-10-09T09:42:00.002+10:002011-10-09T09:47:41.717+10:00The "spoilt dog" in Spoilt Dog QuiltsThere wasn't enough room in my profile to explain the spoilt dog in the name of my blog. The spoilt dog refers to my (dear departed) silky terrier, Minnie. Min has been in doggie heaven now for almost four years but I miss her every day. DH and I could not have children together so Min became my surrogate child. <br />
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We were livng in Wyandra, 100 km south of Charleville (about 1 000km west of Brisbane) in 1993 and I was transferred out to Birdsville in far far SW Queensland. Our previous dog Max, a Smithfield cattle dog, had met an untimely end and we were offered the choice of our neighbours silky terrier pups. I went next door and chose Minnie and she was the most fantastic dog one could ever have.<br />
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Min was very loyal and lots of fun. Barry was in and out of a wheelchair for the five years following when we were given Minnie and Minnie stayed by his side all the time. Considering that we were living in the Outback where social services are non-existent, Min looked after Barry during the long hours when I would be at school. <br />
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Min loved sitting on my quilts when I was trying to sew them and the first two quilts that I made, both log cabins, were claimed by her. The photo above shows Minnie laying in a basket of quilting fabric waiting to be folded. <br />
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The photo above shows Minnie laying on some rows of a row by row that I was working on and hopefully I shall finish that UFO in the next couple of months!<br />
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Here's another photo of Minnie, looking very stressed out - not! And yes, that is more quilt fabric that she is laying on, with a dresden plate quilt in the background.<br />
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</div>Okay, here is yet another photo of Minnie laying on a teddy bear quilt made for a friend's daughter:<br />
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Minnie died of end stage kidney disease, poor little thing. She was one of those dogs with a huge personality and everyone who met her just loved her. I could not do a blog about quilting without including Min, hence the name of the blog. I originally was going to call the blog Killerdog Quilts because an old Aboriginal bloke out in Birdsville nicknamed Minnie Killerdog but someone said to me that that didn't sound like a good name for a quilt design company (which is what I hope to eventually start up), hence the name of my blog now. Old Albert called Minnie Killerdog because she used to bark ferociously at him when he walked past the schoolhouse (where we were living in Birdsville on his way to the pub). Albert's thongs/flip flops used to make a loud noise when he walked past our house so hence Min would bark at him. As she was only small (about 5kg and not even a foot high) she could only bite you up to your ankles, so the name was a bit of a joke. RIP my little hund (German for dog), Killerdog, mutt, four-legged human ... we called her all sorts of names, most of which she answered to!Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-56767748994526276542011-09-11T21:44:00.003+10:002011-09-11T21:56:42.186+10:00Out of Africa quilt challenge finished to the quilting stage<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Yesterday my good friend Dolly helped me finish the border of my Out of Africa quilt challenging for my online challenge group, Challenging Ourselves. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The blocks are mostly from a swap I did about ten years ago with my online Southern Cross Quilters group (Scquilters for short). I sent out feature fabric that I had bought in bundles from the Unique Spool quilt shop in the US. These are what I call African tribal fabrics, made in Africa with African themes and bright colours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My own block that I sent out with the African tribal fabrics is the yellow sunburst block, which is the third block from the left in the second row from the bottom of the quilt. I just love making the sunburst blocks and they are dead easy using paper piecing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The challenge for me was to "edit" the blocks that I received back in the swap, even though some I wanted to keep in. Unfortunately the blocks with turquoise in them just did not fit, as gorgeous as they were. I then made up a series of square in a square, friendship stars and nin patch to make up for the blocks that I had to take out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I interspersed the pieced blocks with the African tribal prints and some suitable batiks and I am quite happy with how the quilt has turned out. I will say that I got lots of exercise running around the bed in the guest bedroom, constantly swapping the blocks over to make the colour balance work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Dolly has now taken the quilt top up to her home to quilt for me as she has a lovely Happy Jack quilting frame/machine. I just have to piece the backing, which will consist of the spare blocks from the front, scraps from the front and also some bright fabric and African-themed print fabric, to make the quilt back. I learned from Adina Sullivan many years ago to try to make my backs match my fronts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am going to name the quilt " I know a place in Africa: in memory of Karen Blixen (author of the book Out of Africa)" since I loved the book and the film and more importantly Karen's spirit. The book was written in Karen's pseudonym of Isak Dinesen but I preferred to use her real name in the title of the quilt. </span>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-536850567731553111.post-6646331978364696792011-09-11T21:25:00.000+10:002011-09-11T21:25:14.601+10:009/11 10th anniversary<div><span style="font-family: Berlin Sans FB Demi; font-size: large;">R.I.P. all those who lost their lives in, and as a result of 9/11. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost family and friends as a result of this horrendous act and with those who survived the many attacks of that day.</span></div>Bernhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04138869022449931488noreply@blogger.com0