More sun pics

 

Scary Sun

In Victoria we are experienceing alot of bushfires, which I am sure alot of people would be aware of. Melbourne is blanketed in a layer of smoke, which is becoming quite unbareable. My eyes are killing me, and the breathing is not as great as I would like it to be, but regardless, we are lot better off then many people around at the moment. My thoughts go out to the families with fires threatening their homes and livelihoods.
My wonderful man took some photos yesterday evening, of the sun, it was amasing, the smoke had made it so muted, that we could look directly at it with the naked eye. Not something that you often see. It was a very eerie orange colour, made you feel a little nervous. The bushfires are a long way from us, but should one start nearby, I am in the car and outta here. It's just a house, and it's insured. We live on a bush block, and if the fire came through, we wouldn't have much luck.
The smoke today is alot worse then yesterday, we can't even see the next hill, wow! Off to rest my sore eyes.

xxx Claudia 

Dressmaking

I have been sewing some clothes over the last couple of weeks. We are going out next Saturday night, and I have made a dress for my s/daughter to wear. It's a halter neck, and comes to the knee. She has not seen it yet and I think she will like it very much. I stitched some lace around the bottom of the bodice, and then beaded around the lace with red glass seed beads. I am making her a wine red shall to go with it.
Now I need to get on with my dress. I have cut one out, and sewn most of it, but it looks too casual. I have started another one, but didn't look at the pattern well, and I would not be able to wear a bra with it, I don't think that will work at all. I will keep going, and see if I can add a piece in the back, but not likely...........Bugger! 

Pre-occupied, or over-occupied

Hi All

Where have I been, well really, where haven't I been, not too far from home, but tooo busy. In a great way.

I have been quilting for some clients, also doing some sewing of clothes. I was never very good at this, in my opinion, though others said otherwise, but I am very happy with what I have done so far.

I bought I great pattern, which I have made out of calico, so I could work out adjustments, which are always ALOT! But funny thing, only a slight change in the side seams, and it fits! SHOCK HORROR!

I will posts pics soon, it's dark outside, and the camera is in the studio. I am not a fan of the dark, my friends.

So I will head into the city to look at fabrics for my dress, and then get sewing some more. I am very excited. The dress is for the closing night of Dusty, the musical, in two weeks.

School holidays start next week. I have lots planned, you see I am also in training, for what you ask, well wait for it, A TRIATHLON! WHAT! Yepp. My daughter has chosen that sport for school, and so I figured, I am getting quite fit now, and so I am going to do the triathlon with her, I am very excited, and looking forward to it. I went to Craig's personal trainer today, and he has set up a program for me to work on for the next eight weeks and beyond, until the first race, so lookout Melbourne. It could be very scary! I am going to set up a blog, with my daily training on it, eekkkk.

xxx

Hand sewing

I have been doing dome more hand sewing, I really enjoy it. I need to keep my hands busy all the time, and when watching tv at night, I like to be doing domething, otherwise it's wasted time. So I spent Saturday morning cutting pieces out, and then yesterday, I started together.

I like! :)


Yesterday Craig and I went for a drive to the Yarra Valley, wine country. We are very lucky, it's only about 45 minutes drive from our house, to some very beautiful countryside. We had lunch at Mt Rael Retreat, which overlooks Healsville township, from a long way up. Very stunning views. We bought lots of wine from three different wineries, and then made our way home. We lit a lovely fire, and relaxed the day away.

I have been cleaning up the entrance to our property. We are on a bush block, and it's getting a little messy with dropped branches etc. I want to plant a row of trees along the boundry, and driveway. Now to just choose the trees. Like I said, we are on a bush block, and there are lots and lots of gum tress. So I am off to the nursery later this week, to get some trees, about 60 of them. I will take some pics of before and after later.

Lexie

This is our girl Lexie, We have had her now for 11 days, and she is alot of fun, and very kind and gentle. She dances around on her back legs, which we will have to work on, but that is her only vice. We love her alot.
I took her to the beach yesterday, she loves coming for drives in the car, and looks around everywhere, she loves to be around us as much as possible, and is very social with other dogs, she is a pleasure.
She is a Kelpie, and is approx 5 years old. A great new friend. 

More Lexie

More Lexie..... 

This is my new Journal for August, under construction. I am really enjoying the applique again, and feel this will be where my work is directed, though I do have some ideas for some pieced work, which I will start after this piece is finished.
I think I have been concentrating too much on what others are doing, and not thinking about what I like to do, and where I want my work going. This is a big step for me, as I don't like change too much.
I love what I am doing at the moment, it is giving me alot of satisfaction. I hope you all enjoy the pictures.

xxx 

Journal Quilt

This is my July journal quilt for my Yahoo group. I am very pleased with the end result. It makes me think of warmer weather to come, with flowers in the garden. Now to August! :)