Sunny Darwin

Recently hubby and I and our good friends went to visit my

brother in Darwin

The weather was gorgeous and a great escape from

the bitter cold of Melbourne

Darwin Harbour

We had a fabulous time looking around Darwin

and the many attractions. Three Years ago this harbour

development was a dirt bowl so we certainly have noticed a big change.

Now with the new Wave Pool and Convention centre it certainly

has become a busy place.

Wave Pool and Convention Centre

Florence Falls

Next we headed to Litchfield Park and visited the many waterfalls

and billabongs, we had a swim at Wangi Fall which was very refreshing.

Termite Mound on my brothers property

Jumping Crocodiles

We also visited the Jumping Crocodiles at Adelaide River, which is a must

when visiting Darwin. It was amazing to see these

wild animals in their natural habitat and surprising at how

high these animals can jump, when a bit of food is offered. This is

one boat you do not want to fall off, of, as you would certainly be

somebody's dinner.

We also visited Mindle Market, Cullen Bay and Fannie Bay, its such a pretty place 

with some fabulous restaurants, hence the reason that I now

need to do some serious excercise.

If you get the chance Darwin is a great place to visit and the weather is fabulous, I certainly

could get use to it.

Cheers!!

Mandy

The Craft Fair was on here in Melbourne over the weekend

and I met up with a few blogger ladies.

(I didn't get any photos.......sorry)

Vicki - The Pickledish Patch

Jo - Lily Pily

Fee - Designs by Fee

Kez - Willow Grove Quilting

Miriam - Yellow Roses

Christine - McDonalds Patch

 It was nice to meet you ladies and have a chat and no doubt I will see
you all in blogland.

Now the other reason for attending
the show was for this (below). I have been eyeing one of these off

for a long time and finally I have my own.

So I have been busy playing with my new toy, haven't done any 

sewing yet just cutting, but boy this is addictive and sooo

fast  !!

Also I have been seeing everyones blocks for the Farmers Wife Sampler

Quilt and decided to join in the fun, don't think I will be able to keep up so will 

dawdle along at my own pace. So any tips from those who have already started
would be much appreciated

Not sure which fabrics I will make it in yet.

Anyhow
Have a great day !

Mandy

Hip Hip Horray!!!

Well today is a special day, my baby is 21, Happy Birthday

Simone

 

Who would of belived that this cute little baby would grow and mature to become

 

this beautiful woman.

I say this because when Simone was 15 she had an abcess

on her brain and had to have emergency surgery which involved

a month in hospital and copious amounts of antibiotics. She also lost her

beautiful hair that was down to her waist, which at 15 was a major

thing.

But she has developed into a beautiful, talented, woman and hopefully now can put

her health issues behind her.

So  have a fantastic day and I love you heaps my gorgeous girl.

Luv

Mum 

XXOO

A little bit of Australiana

Recently we went for a visit to Balranald, New South Wales and 

from Melbourne its about a 5 hour trip there and back.

We had a great weekend with awesome company and hospitality.

We were taken around Balranald and enjoyed the picturesque countryside

Yanga Sheep Station 1916

The Sheep Shearing Season in Balranald occurred generally from August to

September. it coincided with a high river so the paddles steamers could navigate the 

Murrumbidgee River. The wool could then be transported to market

shortly after shearing occurred.

The station has been closed now for three years but you

could still smell the sheep who had previously passed through.

About 90,000 sheep were shawn each season.

One of the caretakers cottages.

Yanga Homestead

On the way we passed through Taradale and this beautiful bridge

is still in operation today.

As you can see I had fun with the sepia in Photoshop just to give

you more sense of the time.

m

Shearers quarters

The weather was glorious and we were getting around in Tshirts in the middle of winter.

Maybe I should consider Balranald for retirement.

 

All in all it was a great weekend.

Seeya

Mandy

Kym's Quilt

I have been on a roll lately and getting some finishes done.

Kym's Quilt

A little while ago my daughter was bored and asked could

she make a quilt, so I had a spare jelly roll lying 

around and to keep it simple, being she's new to quilting, we

came up with this.

Not difficult, but none the less good for a beginner, this quilt has been on my pile

of  to do's for quite a while, ok, ok, a long time, as my daughter has since moved out of home

brought a house and become engaged.

This quilt was going to go nicely with my decor but as DD has

a home of her own now, she has claimed it and is always nagging

me about getting it finished.

I cannot quite remember the name of the fabric, so if anyone can

let me know it would be much appreciated.

I just did a pantograph all over, nice and easy

So DD your quilt is complete and you can now relax

on the couch and admire your work I mean your

 clever, talented, fantastic, best mother in the worlds, work he he!!!
 

Click on the Fabric Tuesday Button on the side bar for more yummy goodness.

Seeya  !!

Mandy

A Gardeners Journal - Finish

A finish !!!....Yes.... but its not mine.

Lynda (AussieNeedleNut) and dear friend asked me to quilt her quilt and I have just finished,

she has given me permission to post about it, even though she hasn't seen it

 yet, as Hubby and I are off to the Country to deliver her quilt

and enjoy a weekend with Lynda and her hubby. Excited!!!!......

I know that she will be sneak peaking so Hi Lynda, hope you 

like my work.

I have meandered inbetween her stitcheries with a free motion

stitching which I call Hodge Podge its just a mixture of, leaves flowers,

feathers and loops and curves.

I  have feathered the borders starting from the middle

working out towards the ends

So I hope you love your quilt Lynda ...crossing fingers.... and we

will see you soon. Roll on weekend as I am excited about

our little getaway....whoo hoo!!

Soon I will be posting my finish of the same quilt, just a little lot behind in the

stitch a long, no worries

I will get there in the end.

Happy Quilting!

Mandy

Wordless Wednesday