Busy bee!

 Down by the waters edge this morning a bee, probably in its death throes, left a beautiful pattern in the sand!

Window Shopping

The theme for our latest challenge was 'Through the Window'. Here is my interpretation. I'm sure we've all spent time peering through shop windows lusting after items beyond our budgets (although in my case it wouldn't be high heel shoes!).  I've made this little quilt using machine applique and organza for the 'window'. Some appropriate 'fashion' fabric provided the cut out mannequins.

What I love about walking on the beach is that it changes every day, depending on the weather or who is down there. A man training his trotter and a beautiful cloud formation this week.

Breathtaking

Went down to the beach at 6am yesterday to watch the moon set over the horizon.
On the way home I took photos of the cactus flower in the neighbours driveway. This cactus is growing in gravel, next to a pile of rubbish and up against a tin fence. It keeps producing the most beautiful flowers. They are quite large - about as big as my outstretched hand. Click on photo for close-up.
I am working on our next 12 x 9 challenge - the theme is 'Through the Window'.

Making tracks.....

It's busy on the beach at this time of the year. Cars, humans, dogs, all leaving tracks.
I'm making tracks on my wagga. Rows of stitching 2" apart. Nothing fancy, very utilitarian.

Beach birds and stitching.

Lots of different birds on the beach this week. Some beautiful Banded Stilts, Pacific Gulls enjoying a feast and a Black Swan!  Also doing some long straight rows of stitching on the wagga. Very meditative.

Ripples

We are finally having some hot weather after a wet and cold start to summer. 43C in the city tomorrow! Too hot for me but lovely on the beach early this morning.
I am making a wagga using suiting samples, an old pillow case cover, a woollen dressing gown and old curtains for the backing. I have used an old op shop flannelette sheet for the batting and now have to work out how to quilt it. Most waggas were stitched together very roughly or tied. Somehow the quilt seems to relate to the ripples on the beach this morning.

And just because she's the apple of my eye and makes me laugh - my granddaughter taking a photo of me taking a photo of her!!

'bits and bobs'

Here is my little 12 x 9 quilt for our challenge group. The theme this time was 'My Collection'. It was hard to decide what to interpret, I have a few collections! This is a small selection from my button box stitched onto a collection of my 'shot' cottons. Some of the buttons have been handed down from my mother and grandmother.