Albany, Western Australia.

Albany is our next stop along the south west coast of Western Australia. It's quite a large town of 27,000 people and was the site of a whaling business which ceased operations in 1978. Lots of history here as the ANZACS ofe WW1 left from here on their way to Gallipoli.
    Not much internet time so the report is brief.
Hugs, Jan Mac

A Change of Scene.

 We're currently in Esperance Western Australia after an enjoyable drive across the Nullabor. We've been enjoying some bush camping and the scenery and now we have reached the coast of Western Australia we will work our way around the South West coast to Perth.

 A bush stores hut from the late 1880s.

 Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance.

The weather has been a bit overcast and a few light rain showers but otherwise pretty good, despite the storms which had been forecast. We haven't had much time or internet connection so blog writing may not be as frequent but I will post when able.
hugs, Jan Mac

For Colder Weather.

 I have been busy knitting and crocheting now that the weather is finally cooling. Another baby jacket is finished just in time and the baby was a boy so this will be perfect for him.
   I've also been crocheting again and it's surprising how quickly small amounts of time can be utilized to produce a blanket. I use 35 of the squares to make a quilt and I have 33 already. I just need to get busy on a couple more and then it can be joined together and donated.
  Hugs, Jan Mac

Another UFO Finish.

 I had this donated top which has been waiting for quilting for some time. It measured far too big for the groups I am currently supporting with quilts. I say I'm supporting groups still but I am trying to finish more of my own UFOs as well. I must get focused back on those too.
   Anyway I de-constructed this large top  of 18 blocks set on point.  It is a lovely quilt and the outer border is the fabric used to make the blocks. I took 12 of the blocks, and quilted them in a 3x4 block setting. I used the narrow gold border as the binding.
  I still have 6 of these lovely blocks and more of the green for the side triangles so I will make some more blocks using the floral border fabric and make two quilts to donate from this one large top.
Hugs, Jan Mac

A Busy Weekend.

 Saturday was my appliqué group meeting and it was fun catching up with my stitching friends again. There was some inspiring quilts shown but I can't find the card reader so I can upload the photos from my camera.
   On Sunday I drove to Melbourne to stay with our youngest DD and we went to see the stage production of Dirty Dancing. It was a great show and a great experience to spend time with my daughter as well. I stayed the night and then went to my Melbourne quilting group. It's always a lovely day of stitching and chatting with old and new friends as well as some Show and Tell. Yesterday was a quieter day of recovery and catching up on the housework. Hopefully some more time to knit or stitch very soon.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Quilts of Valour.

 I finally had time to make matching pillowcases for the two quilts I'm donating to Quilts of Valour. It was a rush to get to the Post Office and DH very kindly drove me as I am still jet lagged after working a few more nights. I'll need a couple of early nights to recover and hope to get some more time to stitch very soon.
     Hugs, Jan Mac

A UFO Saturday.

 Don't you love those quiet Saturdays when you have an hour or two to spare and the opportunity to finish another UFO. I found these heart blocks from an internet swap from 14 years ago and made some nine patch blocks to match them. The nine patches used some hand dyed red squares with some cream 3 inch squares. I'd pieced the blocks and finished the top a few weeks ago but needed more red fabric for the borders so it had to wait until I had time to shop. I seem to be using a lot of reds lately and yet I find I usually need to buy more.
    I made a backing, quilted and bound it this afternoon and it's good to have another UFO finished. Now I need to get another top finished and ready to quilt. The next project was actually two projects of blue baskets, all different types. They are from two basket swaps I did 20 years ago and I think I'll combine the blocks from both projects and get another few UFOs off my list of "Must Do".
  I hope you are also enjoying your Easter break.
Hugs, Jan Mac

It's Been a Big Week.

 This past week has been very busy with more paid work than normal, consequently there hasn't been much time for stitching. I did manage to finish two more baby jackets and I still have a couple more to finish. I'm hoping to have a few ready before the babies are born.
  We all had a lovely time at our family wedding but there's been no time to load photos here so I hope to remedy that soon.
   Hugs, Jan Mac