Hi ho everyone, it’s Judie Bellingham popping in to say hello again. I’m a little late and I’m sure you’ll forgive me. I’ve just returned from 10 days away. My husband and I travelled to Canberra (Australia’s capital city) and my home town, for a family reunion.

We have travelled 3,000 kms (1,864 miles) in our sedan. As usual, my husband decided on the route we would take. He prides himself on the fact that he can organise the route, without us retracing our footsteps. This time he was pretty pleased with himself, we only backtracked about 100kms or so.

Australia is a pretty interesting country to travel and especially at the present time, after there’s been such great rain. The country is very green and lush and looking extremely productive.

The paddocks are planted with all manner of crops, and the cattle and sheep in abundance just about everywhere. Of course being spring, there were lots and lots of gorgeous white, frolicking lambs in the fields. These are an absolute delight to me, especially before they’ve had their tails lopped off. I try not to think of the eventual outcome for these little cuties……

My family reunion was a hoot and I was able to meet a couple of cousins I’ve never known. We played tourist in Canberra as well, as it’s been 32 years since we left. I’m not sorry we left Canberra.

We had our family here in Queensland and are very happy to consider ourselves Queenslanders through and through. The weather was kind, but it’s nice to be home in my own bed and have all my comforts around me.

I was able to pre-post the newsletter to you all last week, but unable to include any chat. I hope you enjoyed the goodies included.

Last week I posted some more poems from my stash of clippings that I’ve been collecting for many, many years. I hope you enjoy this mix of quilting poetry. Here’s the link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178125.asp

The forum that is available for comments by readers to the Quilting site has recently been changed slightly. Now after I’ve posted my articles, readers will be able to comment (similar to facebook) about the articles. I’ll be posting my next article on this Sunday, so look out for the opportunity to comments straight after the article.

So, onto my selection of browsing links for you this week. I hope you enjoy them.
http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/09/tutorial-double-hourglass-blocks-easy.html an easy double hourglass block to make into a lovely quilt

http://www.happytogethercreates.com/2010/10/playful-pumpkins.html these are cute and would lovely on your mantelpiece all year round.

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/09/09/keep-on-rollin/ a cute little crayon holder to make

http://kincavelkrosses.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/quilt-block/ a cross stitched quilt block – very special

http://knithacker.com/2012/04/17/amazing-crochet/ I want one of these trees

http://stephchows.blogspot.com.au/2009/09/easy-as-1-2-3.html an easy vest to make for yourself. A lovely scarf would make a great vest. Try it out, I did and it worked a treat!!

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com.au/2011/08/make-your-own-fabric-print-using-sun.html sun dye your fabrics

http://incolororder.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/tutorial-triangular-log-cabin.html yep, a very simple little pin cushion

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/tool-time-tuesdaymagnetic-business-card.html make a magnetic book mark for your favorite bookworm

Well my dear readers, that’s all I have for you this week. I love hearing from you, and thank you to all those that have been in touch over the past fortnight. I will get to replying to you as soon as I can. Hope this newsletter finds you all well and happy, and getting a little quilt time in your busy life.

Cheerio for now






Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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