A catchup on my life so far this year

More than half of 2011 year has gone already and as usual life has been busy with day to day things, special events and for me there is now a new man in my life.
March
My fourth beautiful great niece was born on the 12th February 2011 to my niece Ruth and her husband Josh.

I went to Canberra Jessica's dedication in March. It was lovely staying with Ruth, Josh, Sarah, Hannah, Olivia and Jessica. While there I also spent some time with my nephew Jonathon and his family, Melanie, Lachlan and Lucas.
April

I finished Jake's quilt just in time for his birthday on the 7th April. A few late nights getting it finished but it was worth it.

Easter 2011 is one I will never forget. On Friday (Good Friday) 22nd April at 3.25pm I received an email from a man. That email was the first of a few which were followed by phone calls and then meeting and having the most wonderful days together firstly at Healesville Sanctuary then Marysville. Lunch at Mary's cafe was followed by wonderful lunch at CloudeHill on the Friday.

I never thought than an email would have led to this wonderful man becoming part of my life..... life's so good.

June

Well... June 12th I turned 50! I decided that I wanted to celebrate my birthday this year as I had so much to be thankful for - being alive when really I should not have survived after my asthma attacks and the subarchnoid hemorrhage. I'd completed my Advanced Diploma after over 10 years of study, I have a wonderful circle of family and friends, a wonderful church & craft group and more recently I met my wonderful man.

My niece made me the most beautiful cake with a patchwork design which everyone loved and people are still talking about!
I had a party with 40 friends in the coffee shop at TLC.

It is a beautiful rustic place built of mud brick with wonderful hand made wooden tables and chairs. It was lovely being able to celebrate my birthday and my life with my family and friends together and seeing everyone chat and enjoying each other was really nice.

Butterflies

With friends having babies I decided to make them a butterfly each.

I used a pattern called 'Blossom' by Melly & Me. I love their bright and colorful patterns and most are very easy to sew.
The hardest part of making the butterflies was turning the antennas inside out and then stuffing them.
These are my very bright colorful creatures.

The best part of making gifts like this is seeing them with the baby.

Here's baby Imogen with her butterfly.

Quilting lessons

This year I have started quilting lessons for the first time since I was 16 years old. Through a 'Bear & Craft' Sewing group that I go to I've had the opportunity to have lessons which I attend once a month on a Saturday.
We are making a quilt simply called a 'Sample Quilt'. Each time we make a block using different methods. I am enjoying the classes and have learnt so much. Even sewing quilts on a machine doesn't scare me as much as it used to.

Block 1. Pinwheel Block.
This is a four-patch block that introduces the use of templates and accurate hand piecing.

Block 2. Double Monkey Wrench

This block included half square triangles and machine piecing (scary as!!)

Block 3. Attic Windows

This is a hand-pieced block teaching mitred corners and raw edge applique

Block 4. Log Cabin Block

This block showed us a classic and versatile machine pieced block.

Charlie thought it was time to give his approval of my block.

More Post Cards from Paris blocks

Over the past few months I have been remiss in updating my blog but I have been working away on my Postcards from Paris blocks.
Here are the latest three blocks that I have completed.