Happy Australia Day

Hope everyone who celebrates this wonderful day has a good one.  

Congratulations to my friend Tatjana who became an Australian Citizen today, and we were privileged

to witness her taking her oath.

One chapter finishes as a new one starts

Yes, we've sold the house.

We will be beginning our new chapter on the 3rd of February when we drive our lovely new ute and caravan down the Bruce (Highway 1), towards Brisbane with all our belongings either in the van or packed in a shipping container to stay at my Brothers home.

First stop is Brisbane to settle the doggies into their new home along with Chris and Rachel. Helping them to unpack and get things organised. Then a few days later we will make our way out to Warwick to stay with my brother for a few weeks to get things sorted on the Van.  Only to pop back into Brisbane to Doggie and cat sit for a few days whilst Chris and Rachel head back to Townsville to bring my car to Brisbane for them to car sit whilst we are travelling.

So the packing, sorting, clearing out has begun.  Still got to downsize some more on what I'm taking in the van, as of the weight restriction, but I'm getting there.  To help, Michael bought me a new little mini Elna machine, she is so cute and only 2.2kg.  As i don't intend to do more than just the basic sewing whilst we're travelling.

Transferring most of beads into bags from their round containers I have saved myself over 10kg.  Who would believe there to be so much weight in those containers, thank heavens for zip-lock bags.
We've done a few mod's to the van, Michael has created my new 'Craft storage area'.

 Firstly, we removed the lounge that was there and put down some carpet and have placed my drawers on top. We can still remove the drawers to get to the compartment underneath where the House battery and electrical stuff is.  I then made a cover which Michael attached to the van to secure the drawers whilst we are moving.  It keeps it all nice and tight and secure.

 Next was the dining table. I hated it as the seats are the cafe type and have lost their sponginess. So until we can replace.



 Michael converted the big table into a much more smaller one, which still pulls out to be the big one.

So no more hitting our legs on trying to get in and out, much more leg room.  We eventually will replace these seats with two recliners.

Other than a smaller TV, mini washing machine for the ensuite and a single induction portable cook top, we will wait until we get to my Brothers home before we make any more modifications.

So let the packing begin..... hope it all goes through smoothly..... settlement I mean.....

Arlene

CQJP 2015 Crazy Quilting Journal Project - Aussie Outback Themed Quilt

Well for the fourth year running, I will be creating a new piece for the home, my travelling home in fact.
Even though 2013-14 piece is still be finished, it will be worked along side this one. The 12 days of Christmas is half way there, just got to do 7 - 12. Most of the 3D ornaments are designed and two of the blocks have their gold numbers attached.  To refresh your memory here are the first 6 blocks.

Here are the 30 blocks made for 2015's project.  I hope to do up to two blocks per month, but with travelling we will see.

I have labeled each block and for each row.  Bagged them up so to keep them free of dust and dirt as we travel. I have created a template for each block, as each block is exactly the same template.  I can design it and note lace, braid, beads and thread colours and types etc to each.

I found a great book for Aussie flower designs: Jenny Bradford's Embroidery Collection, has some wonderful motifs for me to add.

I'll be using a lot of my own drawings for the animal, bird and insect motifs, including the odd beetle, dragonfly, butterfly and grass hoppers here an there in 3D, and forever been aware that the quilt will be washed from time to time.

I now just need to sort my embellishing goodies into bags for each block, dye lace etc to suit the shades I want and I'm off and stitching.

Arlene