Red Rock Canyon

 Today I took a day tour out of Vegas to Red Rock Canyon. It was really interesting to see and hear about the surrounding desert and the local animals. We also saw where Native American Indians lived and how they adapted to this harsh environment.
   We also visited a home formerly owned by Howard Hughes. A tour guide took us through the home and told us about the history. It was a very pretty setting with green pastures which are fed by natural springs.
    Driving back through heavy rain and a hail storm didn't detract from the day and it was lovely to see some of Nevada out of Vegas. I have an early start in the morning when I fly to New Orleans.
Hugs, Jan Mac

The Sights of Vegas.

 This was my ride this morning when I took a tour via helicopter out to the Grand Canyon. I've never been in a stretch limo before and the day just got better. I took a helicopter flight over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead and then on to the Grand Canyon. We landed there for a champagne lunch and the scenery was fantastic. You can see the brown Colorado River flowing into Lake Mead and it felt like we should also see some cowboys rounding up cattle in the canyons. On our return we flew over The Strip and it was a wonderful experience to treasure. I'm afraid of heights and not sure I wanted to take a helicopter flight but I also like to challenge myself to take some risks on things I fear. So happy I did this as I loved it.
     Last night I had the incredible experience of seeing Elton John in concert. What a gifted musician and entertainer. It was wonderful and tonight I sawthe musical, Jersey Boys, and it was fantastic too. I had seen it in Melbourne a few years ago and loved the music so I'm really happy I decided to see it again. I was lucky enough to get a great seat, 12 rows from the front, at half price as it was at short notice.
   I'm not getting enough sleep or time for leisurely meals but that can wait as there is so much to see and do that I know I'll have to come back.
I'm off to bed to try to sleep so I'll be up in time for tomorrow's adventure.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs, Jan Mac

I'm Here!

 What a great start to my trip! I had a lovely flight in Premium a Economy with Air New Zealand. Getting through Customs was slow but I made it to my next flight from LA in time and it was a short flight to Vegas. It's quite warm here and I'm staying in a nice serviced apartment on the Strip.
    This morning I was picked up by Susan of Quilt Tours of Vegas and taken to two of the local quilt shops and a needlework shop. There were three other quilters on the tour and we had a lovely time at Quiltique, The Christmas Goose and Stitcher's Paradise.
    The photos are of the first shop, Quiltique, but they were all well worth visiting with lots to see. I'm staying next to the Bellagio, with views of the Eiffel Tower across the road at Paris Hotel. There are crowds of people and it's a shopper's paradise. I doubt that I will bother to gamble as there are so many Shows to see and stitching to do.
    I am going to an exciting Show tonight so check back to see where I've been. LOL
Hugs, Jan Mac

Application to Appliqué.

 I'm off traveling again tomorrow and will be away for 3 weeks so I've decided to apply myself and finish off some of my current appliqué projects. I have completed another block for my Chester County quilt and have 3 more ready to be back basted.
  I have also hand appliquéd a few more of these lovely 1930's blocks I bought in Houston last year. I still have 29 of the 59 left to appliqué to a background so I'm taking them with me as well. Hopefully those long plane flights will give me plenty of time to stitch.
   I'll fill you in on my destination in a few days time.
Hugs, Jan Mac

Return to Chester County.

 While I have been working on so many donation quilts I've been neglecting my own UFOs and current projects so today I spent some time catching up with my appliqué blocks. I finished the red block today and the green floral block was finished last month. I only have 7 blocks left to stitch before I can start putting the blocks together and get it quilted.
    I have so many new projects I want to start but I also really want to get some current ones finished so the pile of UFOs doesn't increase any further. This quilt was a Block of the Month by Sharon Barnes of Two Bit Patches and, although I didn't always keep up with the current block, I didn't get too far behind and I have enjoyed this hand appliqué project. I hope to start quilting the top by the end of the year. That's the plan anyway! In the meantime, I still have lots more donation quilts to finish too.
Hugs, Jan Mac

QAYG Blocks from WA.

I was away for the weekend on a camping get-together and recovering from working nights and received these beautiful QAYG blocks from Maria W from Western Australia. Maria has been away traveling as well so I was very surprised that she managed to make and donate 15 of these fabulous blocks which will help me make some more lovely quilts to donate.
    Thanks so much Maria for the lovely blocks. They will be much appreciated by the needy.
Hugs, Jan Mac

QAYG Blocks From NSW and Early Bushfires.

I received another parcel of 14 beautiful QAYG blocks from Erika Collis from NSW and they will help me make more lovely quilts to donate. Erika enclosed a note and said these are her first attempt at the blocks and as you can see she has done a fantastic job with them. Thank you so much for taking the time to make them. It is a huge help for me to get more quilts out to where they are needed.
    I have a busy month ahead with some travel but I plan on getting a jump start on finishing more quilts as soon as time allows. The need continues to be great for so many groups who help the needy and it looks like this year will be another bad one for Bushfires in the coming months. Already there have been fires across Victoria and in parts of South Australia, with some homes lost but no loss of life thankfully. The drought conditions and strong, hot winds don't bode well for those areas under threat of Bushfires so I want to get some quilts ready to donate, and there is also the need for quilts to be donated as Christmas gifts for the needy.
     If you have any time to make some QAYG blocks I would really appreciate the help and they will be very welcome by those in need.
Hugs, Jan Mac