Slowly moving on....

to my new projects.
I've been working away slowly on the centre blocks of my latest project- "Anna" designed by Karen Cunningham.  I didn't get stressed at all whilst away at summer school, thinking that I had to get great amounts of sewing done in 4 days.  We had 2 projects to start, so I just took it easy and in "Summer Speed", stitched my way along into the 2 projects at a leisurely pace. 

 I just need to make some more 1/2" hexagons to join these 9 blocks, then I can applique them to my centre fabric.  Feels very therapeutic, just sitting quietly sewing hexagons.
I love summer holidays.  The kids are home, no rushing, no activities.  Well except for the weather.  We've just started having seriously hot summer weather.  I think yesterday reached 40 deg C, and today was slated for high 30's.  I've been hibernating inside with the air conditioning.  The rest of the week is looking like mid to high 30's too,  I'm not complaining- it is summer after all, but school is about to start this week, a nice warm welcome back for the kids!
Besides the obligatory dentist visit and hair cut appointment before they go back, I've also been having fun today covering school books.  Oh dear- it takes so long, and if I get myself stuck to a book again I'm going to have a quiet drink in the corner. LOL.

Two boxes full,but no good novels for me!  But I do love the smell of new books and stationary.

A busy time...

has been happening around here lately.
It's summer school holidays, but unfortunately the weather isn't really co-operating.  The DD's are enjoying sleeping in, in the mornings and so am I.
It's the time of year when the fruit trees go into production.
I have a young apricot tree that loves to produce lots of beautiful fruit.  Apricots usually ripen all together although this year with the milder weather the fruit has ripened over a longer period.  However, I have managed to make 7.5 kg of apricots into jam in the last few days.

A taste of summer all through the year.
I recently went to the annual Summer School in Wodonga run by Patchwork on Stonleigh.  Although the actual classes ran from January 7 to 16, I attended from 13 to 16th January.
This is the third year that I've been, and I'm very sorry to say that it will be my last.  The local shop which runs the school-"Patchwork on Stonleigh"- is closing shortly.  A fantastic little store run by very friendly and knowledgeable ladies, their closing will leave a huge hole in the availability of soft reproduction fabrics and a perfectly eclectic mix  of others.
I chose to take part in a class with Karen Cunningham from Sydney.  A lovely teacher who designs reproduction English style quilts.

Those little hexagons are 1/2", sooo tiny.  This quilt is throw size so I'm hoping it will actually get finished this year. 

I also took part in a class with Susan Smith.  A lovely teacher who is so giving with her knowledge and expertise.

This is so sweet in the flesh, so to speak.  Soft colours.

The top block, minus its centre, took nearly 5 hours to cut out each piece then hand piece it together!         The square in a square block needs another round of triangles, but was so quick to cut out and sew in comparison.    I also picked up a pattern of another quilt that I've loved for quite a time.  No pics of that yet, but soon.  A little bit of handwork to keep me busy!