Relish

I've moved!!!

Hi there

Thanks for stopping by. I've moved to http://relishaustralia.blogspot.com/ - come over and say hi!

xx

pillow talk swap round 3

More of what's been happening around these parts

• Pillow talk {swap} 3 - I made the cover above and sent it on its merry way across the oceans. I received this amazing pillow cover from the very talented mamamary2:

 

Squeal!!!

It's been a while...

So, tell me. What's been happening in your neck of the woods?

Here? I've

• finished the two begging for boobs quilts and handed them over to two inspiring women. A huge heartfelt thank you to those of you who sent me fabrics to include in these - you were generous beyond all comprehension.

• participated in months of swaps - check out my flickr photostream for pics of way too many blocks to count - this bee addiction really will have to end soon (perhaps, maybe, probably not!)

• learnt to free-motion quilt in a class taught by the divine Helen Godden

more tomorrow - there's been way too much action in these parts for just one post!

Begging for boobs

No, not me. I love mine just as they are. They've served me well over my lifetime and have nurtured two bonnie babes, it's not mine that are the problem here.

After nursing my mother-in-law through terminal breast cancer, watching my great-gran battle to the end and then seeing my nan and aunt successfully beat the beast, I've had my life's fill of this insidious disease.

Yet, it has struck two women who are dear to me. They are both at the beginning of their journeys to get well - both my lovely neighbour and a dear friend are about to start treatment and thankfully, both have a very good prognosis as they caught it early (have you checked your breasts lately?)

And as the Government in this Territory, the capital of our nation is severely incompetent in providing even the most basic cancer treatments, both of these women have to spend six weeks away from home in a regional town for radiation therapy.

The begging bit? I'd like to send them with some comfort. My neighbour loves green - olive, bright, pastel, aqua, federation, grass, just as long as it's green. And, I'm calling for any help with making blocks that are simply three 2.5 x 6.5 inch strips stitched together. If you are able to help by making and sending even just one block, I would be so very, very grateful.

My friend is a black and white kinda girl so the other quilt is black, red and white. I'm asking for a 2.5inch x wof strip for this one - no piecing, just a small donation of one strip would be a real help. 

If you think you can help, please leave a comment and I will contact you by email or you can email me relish[at]live[dot]com[dot]au.

I sincerely thank any of you who even consider it - now go and do that breast exam - NOW!!!

Pretty in Pink

And another bee has been added to my list. I am addicted to bees/swaps. I love the concept of communal quilt making, the collaborative nature of a bee really appeals to my sense of community and also of giving. I enjoy making other peoples blocks, sharing and contributing to their work. So, I have joined yet another bee! This time it's Pretty in Pink and I'm going to use my stash of Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably and Philip Jacobs pinks for this one. I'm thinking of a churn-dash block (theory is a traditional block with a twist). Perhaps with a charcoal or grey, maybe with green or orange... Any suggestions for blocks or colours? What is your favourite "pink and ---" combo?

Australasian Bee 2010

I just loved the first month of the 1st Wednesday Block Swap so much that I've joined another swap - this one is the Australasian Bee 2010. Organised by Jo (who is incredibly inspiring and who made me laugh from the outset with her blog name - sparkly green knickers!).

We were asked to make improvised squares with high contrast of 6-10 inches in a selection of olive, grey and white with the frogs/lilypads/turtles as the centre square, adding from our stash if we had suitable co-ordinating fabrics.

Jo's fabrics and some from my stash to add in

So I've received the fabric, made the blocks and returned them - and it all happened within a week - it's amazing to me how motivated I am to finish things for others but I can't seem to get them done for myself... that really needs to change.

Keeping the girls busy while I make blocks - this was a really fun day for me, they were so happy to be creative with their textas and paper, drawing what they saw in an art book and we had a really lovely time all working together - I treasure this photo as a reminder of how much we enjoy each others company and how wonderful my babies truly are.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet, sweet little girl!

Where did the last two years go?

Little Lulu, the smallest small, turned two yesterday! She is bright and happy, chatty and so much fun to be around - a very funny little soul. She had a lovely day, albeit with the big small stealing her thunder and blowing out the candles.

It's all about triangles

- March Instructions for the 1st Wednesday Swap -

Some examples of triangle blocks from flickr

March is the month for Liz - and here is what she would like:

"Triangles. And the block to be 10.5 inches square. I thought I'd keep it simple, so you can interpret it how you will. So wonky is great, precise is great, just one triangle or many triangles, I'm happy." And for her signature block, a triangle with your details written in sharpie pen or sewn! I think that covers everything but let me know if you have any questions.

I am really excited about this month as they are colours I love and I have a number of fabrics in the stash that I can use - now off to cut!

March Swap Fabrics!!!

Yes, I do have a somewhat obsessive sizable collection of fabric - but who can't do with some more?! So I was delighted to receive my package from Liz with gorgeous pinks and greens - AND how cute are the bicycles! Think I (perhaps, maybe) have a couple of extras to add to this one!

I'm really looking forward to next week when we find out the details... The anticipation of seeing what everyone comes up with is thrilling!

(apologies re the photo colours - 10pm is the only time I seem to find to take these and the light just doesn't cut it!)

Stars!

Here is my star block for February for Flic - it's part of our 1st Wednesday Block Swap - I feel honoured to be part of a group of such talented and creative women! Check out all the efforts at our flickr group. What amazes me is that sixteen separate people can be asked for stars and all have a different interpretation - I can't wait to see the quilts we produce over the course of the swap.

The picture above is actually take two - take one I did not like at all, in fact despised. So, I made another and will give Flic the first one just in case she wants it for a cushion or something - what do you think: