Out in the country

A couple of weeks ago I had a rare Sunday free from my (self-inflicted) volunteering duties at Wolston House, so I went for a drive out to the Lockyer Valley, not all that far from where I live. I went looking for an Open Garden I had read about in my favourite magazine, but sadly I was unable to locate it.
Undaunted, I headed to Forest Hill via some back roads when I spotted this abandoned cottage along the way.

I am drawn to shabby, neglected things, although they do make me sad. There was more shabby stuff in Forest Hill, although this pub is still a going concern. I was rather taken by the green stuff growing in the gutter!

Just look at the texture of the peeling paint on this fence! 

My next stop was at Cafe 4342 for a spot of morning tea. The number is Forest Hill's postcode and the cafe and gift shop are extensions to the Post Office. My choice for morning tea was this delicious pear and blueberry cake.

My journey home took me through Marburg and Rosewood. There is a fabulous antique shop in Marburg, with some quirky items for sale. I think Superman may be looking for this!

There is a wonderful house in Rosewood which is crying out for some attention. It is hard to see from the road and I don't like to trespass, but the overgrown entry to the property is very romantic.

A very enjoyable day out!

Droughtbreaker

It seems the creating drought has broken.. all it took was a few days away at my favourite retreat - Stacey's at the Gap. The weather even cooperated by being drizzly and damp, perfect sewing weather!

My main project was a quilt for my son.. the last one I gave him is now thirteen years old. Although, when I told him I was making it he said, "But you already made me one".

I chose most of the fabrics when I visited the Australian Quilt Convention, a year or so ago, and decided simple was best (my son is very down to earth) and went with a disappearing nine patch.
This is the original block..

And here it is, sliced, diced and reassembled..

Borders still to come. I also made a start on a quilt for my son-in-law. Apparently his old one has been almost worn to tatters. This is a scrappy one from Bonnie Hunter - Strip Twist.

On my way back down the range, I stopped to have a closer look at the cairn commemorating the discovery of the Gap by Alan Cunningham in 1827. When you drive towards the range you wonder how on earth he spotted it, let alone found his way to it!

The nicest thing about the retreat (apart from finding my sewjo)... the constant sound of bell-birds, broken occasionally by the crack of whip birds... magic!