Spring is on its way..

What a glorious day it is today here in South-east Queensland. I was tempted to wander in my yard, trying to ignore how neglected it looks and pretending it is just as fabulous as the gardens featured in this month's Country Style magazine (swoon).

Photo courtesy Country Style

Sadly, my imagination is not that good, but I was cheered up by the sight of my jasmine flowering its little heart out and smelling just divine.

I was also cheered up by the thought that someone is coming this week to tame the wilderness for me. Maybe then I will be able to focus on making improvements, rather than maintaining the status quo. One lives in hope!

Garden bounty

I've been a bit quiet on the blog front in recent weeks because I am enjoying a short stint of full time work. Although I'm not enjoying getting up early to the frosty mornings we have had lately, I do like the work I'm doing.

My garden is very neglected as a result but these beauties have looked after themselves. There is still lots of fruit ripening and I have some pulp in the freezer to turn into more passion-fruit butter when I have time. I have also given some away.
Lucky I love passionfruit!

Lovely quilts..

... in Bundaberg. Travelling north for the weekend I stayed in Bundaberg on Friday night. Up town Saturday morning noticed a sign for the Bundaberg Quilt Show. It is held biennially and I have been before but hadn't realised it was on last weekend. Only half an hour to spare before heading to Gladstone for a function, but my sister and I made every minute count.

The stand out for me was the number of beautiful applique/Baltimore style quilts. I do so admire anyone who takes the time to complete one of these.

I was also rather taken with this one. I'm rather partial to the snail trail block and this colour combination is stunning,

Nice little bit of applique there too. A very talented bunch of quilters in Bundaberg!

Tuesday Treasures

My treasure today isn't exactly mine. I have been (selfishly) keeping it in trust for my daughter, as it belonged to her grandmother (not my mum) who passed away when Selina was only ten years old. I decided that it's really time should hand it over but first I wanted to share it here.

I'm sure you all understand my reluctance to part with it. Perhaps I can hang on to it a bit longer with the excuse that I want to have it restored properly? No?
I want one!!!
Don't forget to pop over and visit Melody to see who else is sharing today.

Tuesday treasures

I was hoping to join in earlier today but I was unexpectedly called in to work. A bit of a surprise on day 2 of the school term, but... anyway, that's how it goes sometimes.

My treasures today are fairly recent acquisitions, but special nonetheless. This lovely plate was a gift from my sister.. just because! She saw it on  a white elephant stall at a church fete and immediately thought of me. aren't I lucky to have a sister who knows me so well. The tray-cloth and salad servers were picked up in a local vintage shop.

I have a small collection of vintage kitchenalia which includes a few rolling pins and have been on the lookout for a glass one. Any I found were always more than I was willing to pay, so I was thrilled to receive this beauty from my beautiful daughter. Apparently it was a very good price (she's thrifty too), so that makes it special too.
Don't forget to pop over to visit Melody and see who else is sharing today.

Warm and cosy

The weather has been totally foul this week, just the kind that makes you want to snuggle and be warm. Unfortunately, our homes in South-east Queensland are more suited for hot weather, so it is necessary to rug up well when we do have a cold snap.

I have been knitting a bit lately and produced the ruffled scarf in time to get some use from it. The mohair one is for my daughter, but I'm not sure if it will get any use this winter. I'd forgotten that mohair can be a bit tricky if you need to go back to fix a mistake and sadly, this lacy pattern has meant a bit of frogging. Grr... It's just not growing as quickly as I wanted. And, of course, now the weather is improving!!!

A very pretty lady

Last time I posted about my weekend in Bundaberg. On the Saturday, there was an open day at the school, with lots of displays and stalls. One lady was selling beautiful handmade dolls and bears and giving the proceeds to the school. Her work was gorgeous and I couldn't resist this pretty lady.

I have named her Grace. I had to get cross with her maker though; she wasn't charging enough for all the work and materials put into her dolls.