Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Australia Day and beyond.....


It doesn't matter how many times you organise an event (the Australia Day breakfast)  there is always that nagging feeling as you go to bed the night before (and again at 3am!) that you have forgotten some element of the event......so it was on Friday night as I went through everything in my head.....caterers - check - awards to be given - check - tickets all taken - check - recipients of awards and citizenships notified (and responses received) - check.....so....there would be breakfasts to eat, people to eat said breakfasts, awards to give out and people to give them to, new citizens to receive citizenship certificates.....the hall was set up to receive the 1,000 or so people attending so I should stop worrying! But I never do that until the event is over and I realise that everything went without a hitch....which it did this time...phew.....so the bunting can be put away for another year.....planning starts for 2014 in August / September so a few months respite!


Saturday was a busy day....first the breakfast and the clean up followed by a bbq lunch with work mates......then home to host dinner (another barbie!) for Danny and Patrick who were back in Adelaide for the weekend so drove up to see me....and yes....they cooked!


I got to spend quite a bit of time in the sewing room over the long weekend and finished off this sewing kit which will be donated through my online stitching group Friends in Stitching to those affected by the recent bushfires in Tasmania......the bag contains some practical items....needles, scissors, stitchery and threads etc........along with the needlecase, thread catcher and pin cushion.


It is nice to have my sewing mojo back...it usually has a much longer holiday over Christmas and New Year.....

I finally got a copy of Natalie Bird's Red Home book ....and made the thread catcher for the sewing kit.....no doubt you have also seen countless pics of these on blogs...and yes...it was as easy to make as everyone has been saying.......lots of other fun projects in there as well......


I have had the Feathered Star quilt I bought in the US on my bed for a few weeks and yesterday changed it for the Pickle Dish quilt......I am so pleased I bought these quilts....just love them!!!



Yesterday Rose and I ventured out for a walk along the walking/bike track from Angaston to Nuriootpa......it's a favourite spot for both of us.....Rose always finds some interesting things to sniff.....


Here are some pics taken along the way........






Along with everyone else I have been following the news of the fires in New South Wales and Victoria and the floods in Queensland and New South Wales......and along with the feeling of devastation at such losses comes a feeling of being helpless to offer much in the way of assistance to those who have lost so much...........it really puts things in perspective and makes me count my blessings......for even the smallest things in life that we sometimes take for granted.

'Til next time.....................Lorraine

19 comments:

Fairy Floss Stitches said...

Glad Australia Day breckie went well....(of course it did!.. with you organising it!)... I love your sewing kit too..such a nice thing to do...Im sure it will be appreciated. Xx Lea

Roseanne said...

Love your sewing kit it is so nice. I don't even like to turn on the TV devastation every were I fill for all of them even if I don't no them to lose so much.

Anonymous said...

i agree Loz with your last comment and how nice of you to make that lovely set,i am sure it will be treasured.xx

Lenora said...

I too love your sewing kit, great choice of fabric. Your closing words are so true, I am feeling the same way too.

Kris said...

So many disasters at the same time and from opposite ends of the spectrum. Australia really is a place of extremes. Now if we could just get that rain shared around a little more we could nix the floods and the fires at once!

Love your stitching! It's always so pretty!

Susan said...

Organising for 1000 does sound rather nerve racking, glad it went well. Your new old quilt is a beautiful reminder of your trip. I'm sure your lovely set will be appreciated, and yes, the current disasters do remind us of our blessings.

Chookyblue...... said...

glad your plans for the day went off well.........the quilt looks great on your bed........

Daisy Jayne said...

Glad the Aussie day breakfast went well.... I know where you are coming from... our local breakfast went off with only a few hic cups .. I love the sewing kit. Good old mother nature sure knows how to show her feelings ... both good and bad... wow love your USA quilt

Lynda said...

Pickledish is beautiful on your bed. So happy Saturday went well for you. The sewing set is beautiful - lovely stitcheries.

AnnieO said...

Your planning made it great, I'm sure! Glad you're spending your free time doing what you love best--stitching, being with your family and pets, and keeping your hands busy! The fires are just everywhere, and now flooding in QLD, none of which are unusual but just awful. Hope some respite appears soon!

Cheryl said...

So glad Australia Day went smoothly....I know how hard you work on it. Happy for you that your MOJO is back...mine is still vacationing somewhere!!! My thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the fires...it's just so hard to even comprehend. I love your post and your closing thoughts are so very true.

Sue SA said...

Gorgous needlework kit for Tassie bushfire appeal. I too have been hankering for a thread catcher like seen on others blogs, but resorted to a freebie of the web, still not as sturdy as your pattern though, look forward to seeing yours finished!

Chocolate Cat said...

Phew glad that is over for another year! Love the kit you made, such a nice thing to do. Where is the photo of your thread catcher?? So glad you are having so much enjoyment from your quilts.

Leanne said...

Australia is a very extreme country, I think we are lucky to live down here in SA. Nice walking pics always nice to see the vines so green. Lovely stitcheries as always.

FlourishingPalms said...

I always enjoy seeing pictures of the area where you live. It's so wildly natural, even with the vineyards. So glad you can walk through and appreciate such loveliness. I'm sorry to hear about fires and flooding in Australia. They seem to follow on the heels of one another. Congrats on your great planning skills! I am impressed that you can coordinate such a big event each year. Good on you!

DAWNIE said...

Oh too many nice things. Love the stitching you did for the online group too.

DAWNIE said...

Oh too many nice things. Love the stitching you did for the online group too.

Jen said...

Lorraine You always have a great Australia Day Brekkie ,you shouldn't worry. Someone is going to cherish that sewing kit and will bring a little joy back into their life.Your new quilts are beautiful.

Cathy said...

I enjoyed reading your post, lots of interesting and fun news. The bunting and pine cone pictures are very artistic!! Weel done on a succesful breakfast!