JHi everyone, pour yourself a cuppa and let’s have quick chat.
It’s going to be pretty hot here today although Brisbane, Australia, hasn’t been suffering the heatwave conditions that a large part of the rest of the nation has been experiencing. But today it’s going to be hot and will probably continue through for a week or so before some relief.

The last two years saw a large portion of the eastern seaboard of Australia experience higher than usual rainfall and as a result, there is a lot of undergrowth in our forests, bushlands and plantations that haven’t been burnt off in the usual controlled way. So a large fuel load equals deadly conditions when the winds and temperatures reach certain levels. I’m sure it’s similar to places around the globe that suffer bushfires. Places like California, Greece, and Spain. We all have similar climates and can be at risk in the summer months.

So for those who are reading this right now, and have their wood fires burning, and huddling up to the warmth of a hot cup of cocoa – enjoy! Whoever said “the grass is always greener” got it pretty right, I’d say.
Luckily I have aircon in my sewing area and I’ve been pretty busy cutting appliqué shapes for my blue and white quilt. Not sure if I’m happy yet, but pushing on to a point where I can place the blocks in front of me and make a judgement.

A reader commented last week that she found it excruciating to hear how I put my quilts together. Sorry about that LOL, but it works for me. Thank god every quilter is different and what floats your boat is what matters. I think if I had to graph my quilt or plan my quilt on paper, I’d probably take up dominoes or (dread the thought) – clean my house!!

Anyway, I posted a great quilt poem from Jenny Riley titled thankyou and it certainly speaks for my heart as a quilter. Here’s the link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art179133.asp

I’ve got some very interesting “distractions” for you this week. I do hope you enjoy them.

http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com.au/2010/08/easy-tip-for-folding-your-fabric.html some great tips on folding your patchwork fabric

http://luannkessi.blogspot.com.au/search/label/tutorial?updated-max=2010-12-17T08:32:00-08:00&max-results=20&start=3&by-date=false I’ve had these before, but they’re so terrific, I will show them again!

http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2012/10/travel-neck-pillow-cover.html hmmm, I need one of these

http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/how-to.html this is a little cutie

http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/make-four-leaf-pillow-cover-with-piping.html just love the positive / negative feature of these cushions

http://saltypeanutstitchery.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/sewing-area-spice-rack-storage-solution.html here’s a simple storage solution and you probably have the rack at home.

http://www.feathersflights.com/2012/09/sewing-101-basic-sewing-machine.html some useful info about your sewing machine

http://funthreads.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/removing-cutting-mat-fuzz.html cutting mat care advice
http://maureencracknellhandmade.blogspot.com.au/2011
/01/is-it-february-yet.html never thought to use celery like this!

http://www.foodiggity.com/coffee-rings-as-art/ not quilting but absolutely mind boggling, I think I need caffeine fix!

Well, that’s all for today dear readers. Hope it’s comfortable at your place and that you have a chance to maybe flick through a quilt book for a little “me” time. Will be back again next week.

If you’d like to be in touch my email is: quilting@bellaonline.com

Cheerio for now
udie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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