A bit of culture

Boy, I sure have missed a few days! As the saying goes.. 'life is what happens when you are planning something else'. I spent most of last week feeling very off colour with a nasty tummy bug. So.. the craft room deadline is looming with not much progress to show.
On a brighter note, I spent part of today in Brisbane at the Art Gallery for this exhibition.

 I remembered yesterday that it is almost ready to close and, since I very much doubt I'll ever get to Madrid, I decided I'd better make the most of the opportunity.
A late lunch at the new (to me as I haven't visited for a while) Museum Cafe and the company of my son... very nice.

 It was also nice to see some rain clouds looming over the city. It's been so dry.

Blogtoberfest 2012 - Day 19

One of the things I love most about this time of year. The Jacarandas are in bloom!

This one is right next door, so I can enjoy it every time I step outside. Beautiful!

Blogtoberfest - Day 13

I'm not doing so well with the posting this Blogtober. As I am in de-cluttering and sorting mode at the moment, there is not much happening to blog about. I have been fairly good about getting rid of rather than acquiring stuff but...
The other day when I was at Lifeline, depositing stuff in the bin (being good), I just couldn't resist going into the actual store (being naughty) and of course I found something that just had to come home with me.

I have a few vintage evening bags and just couldn't resist this little peach satin one. Hopeless case aren't I?

Blogtoberfest - Day 9 - Tuesday treasures

One of the things I most treasure is time with my family. Last week my daughter, grand daughter and I had a lovely 'girls' day out' at Mt Tambourine.

Yummy morning tea, visit to the glow worm cave and a fossick through a vintage shop. What more could you wish for!

Don't forget to pop over to Melody's blog to see who else is sharing today.

Blogtoberfest 2012 - Day 8

My niece's birthday party in Bundaberg yesterday was a most elegant occasion. High tea at the croquet club with food provided by my my sister who is a talented chef. Macarons, cupcakes, lamingtons, pinwheel and ribbon sandwiches just a few of the delectable offerings as well as pink champagne and cranberry punch. Oh... and a chance to play croquet too!

Blogtoberfest 2012 - #1

Well, here we are, October 1st already, and the beginning of Blogtoberfest. My aim this month is to blog more as an incentive to craft more, but I realised that my craft room needs its makeover first.

No, I'm not going to share pictures of the shameful state of the room at present, but I will share pictures of inspirational ones I found here.

Image found here

I love the cosy chair and the eclectic mix of crafts in this one. I looks like it has lovely light coming in as well.

Image found here

So pretty but somehow looks like it's more for show. 

Image found here

Oh to have this much space to play around with. My room is only three metres square and a bit cramped. I am looking for shelving that is attractive yet practical and a way to have all my bits and bobs handy when the urge to craft hits. 

But don't we all?

Blogtoberfest 2012

Joining again this year in the the hope that committing to more blogging = having to have more to blog about = having to do more stuff to blog about = more crafting. Impeccable logic wouldn't you say? Let's see how it pans out. Last year I did blog every day in October... just can't remember whether there was more crafting.

Blogtoberfest - the end

Ha! bet you thought it would never come and you'd forever be reading things that weren't interesting just so I could keep up the post a day!. Well today's post isn't very interesting either, just me rejoicing that the end (of Blogtober) has come. Stubbornness can be a pain in the....
I meant to have a give-away and everything, but let me tell you folks- posting every day sucks the creativity right out of you (me anyway). Maybe I'll save my give-away for my 100th post.. coming soon.

Thanks for putting up with my sometimes witless ramblings... things should return to normal soon!
PS the rose photo has nothing to do with anything.. it is pretty though.

Day 30 - Blogtoberfest

One of my favourite things to bake is scones and I have a great recipe I make using buttermilk. Lots of people rave about Lemonade scones, so I finally got around to trying a recipe. I was pretty happy with the result, they are dead easy to make. I found several recipes on the internet but this is the one I used.

During the month I have managed to visit some of the other people who signed up for Blogtoberfest.
Check out the the blogs from here, here and here.
Only one more post!!!!.

Day 29 - Blogtoberfest

Today I went back to the 60's.. sort of. I attended an open day to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the High School I went to in 1961-2. I was in the first group to start at the school. This is the uniform we wore then! Very glam!!!

Here is my class. That's me on the right in the row of three.

And this is me today (on the left) with two of my besties from way back when. We haven't seen each other for over 20 years!

Day 28 - Blogtoberfest

I was in Brisbane today to have my hair done (yes, they do have hairdressers here in Ipswich, but...) and hoping to lunch with a friend who lives in the suburb of Bulimba. Unfortunately, she got a last minute call to work, so I was on my own. I had hoped to lunch here at my favourite bookshop/teahouse, but sadly the deck was full.

After lunch elsewhere, I wandered down Oxford Street to check out a couple of shops including this one, Just Plain Gorgeous.

The owner, Simone, stocks a beautiful range of decorator items as well as jewellry and hand-made soaps.

You can check out her blog here.

I just had to buy some of this delicious oilcloth.

Day 27 - Blogtoberfest

The humble banana

Bananas have been a bit scarce here in Queensland following the floods and cyclones in January. A bit expensive too. Unless you happen to have some of these in your back yard...

I cut down a bunch the other day which ripened all at once so today I made banana chutney. 

Here is the recipe,(although if you don't have them in your yard you might have to wait until the price comes down).

Banana Chutney

12 bananas

2 1/2 cups malt vinegar

1 cup stoned dates, halved

1 cup raisins

1 tblspn salt

1 cup sugar

1 tblspn cinnamon

1 tspn nutmeg

2 tspns turmeric

1. Peel and slice the bananas, put into a saucepan with half the vinegar, bring to boiling point, then simmer, stirring all the time, for 5 minutes. Add rest of vinegar and stir for another 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and continue simmering, stirring occasionally, for about an hour. Turn into warm, sterilised jars and seal airtight.

Enjoy!

Day 26 - Blogtoberfest

More quilts. Yes, I know what you're thinking... doesn't she have anything more interesting to blog about?
The answer is NO.. not today, sorry. I am so close to making it to the end of Blogtober, only five more posts! I'm exhausted but determined.
Anyway more quilts from last Saturday.

Below is a close-up of the one above. I love how the trees are different.

Maybe tomorrow will bring inspiration.

Day 25 - Blogtoberfest - Tuesday Treasures

After a busy day today teaching a rather lively group of Year One children, I decided that my treasure today is TIME (and energy!!!). Time to sit on my verandah enjoying the view; time for craft; time for family. There just isn't enough!

Don't forget to pop over to Melody's to see who else is sharing today.

Day 24 - Blogtoberfest

As promised, some more quilts. These two are my kind of quilts because of the stories attached. The women who made them are part of a quilt study group run by Queensland Quilters.

The arcs of this Double Wedding Ring quilt were bought in the US. They are genuine depression-era  fabrics and have been finally put into a quilt by the maker.

The hexagon quilt has a similar story, although in its case, the top had been completed and just needed backing and quilting. Apparently there was some minor repair needed.

Both women have hand quilted their quilts. I think their stories make these rather special.

Day 23 - Blogtoberfest

Just a couple of the quilts from the show yesterday that my sister and I liked. More tomorrow. More hexagons you'll notice!

Day 22 - Blogtoberfest

My sister and I went to the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Show today, so I'm posting a little late. I didn't buy much in the way of fabric or notions but I did buy this lamp. It is the latest model and they were doing a very good deal for show visitors. I have wanted one for ages but was always put off by the price, skinflint that I am.
I will share photos of quilts tomorrow... there were some really lovely ones this year.

Day 21 - Blogtoberfest

Image from here

In Brisbane today helping out at National Trust  Head Office. Preparation for the Annual Conference meant lots of envelope stuffing to get the news out to members. This year's conference is being held in Toowoomba at the City Hall, with lots of visits to historic places on the Sunday. Looking forward to going as Toowoomba is less than an hour's drive from my place. I will be posting more about it after the visit in a couple of weeks time.

Day 20 - Blogtoberfest

Help!!! I've been browsing through all my Christmas related craft books, trying to get ideas for our Christmas craft fair at Wolston. I want to make things that aren't too difficult and that people will want to buy. All I've managed to do is confuse myself. 

I hate making decisions!

Day 19 - Blogtoberfest

On Monday I posted about my latest acquisition- Rachel Ashwell's most recent book. I have been drooling over its romantic photos and was particularly taken by the section featuring an artist who lives in the Catskill Mountains in New York state. Her little studio is probably the most romantic thing I have ever seen and she has a blog!

Photo found here

 Here is the link to 'My shabby streamside studio'. The artist is Sandra Foster.
I have 'borrowed' some pictures to share with you.

Photo found here

Photo by Trevor Tondro

Swoon! But rather impractical probably.