Good bye to my dear friend

Today is such a sad day.
It is th 4th anniversary of my son passing away. It has been extremely hard getting by and learning to cope with him not being here.

I woke to the sad news that my dear friends mum has passed away this morning. Del was such a beautiful, fun, caring lady. So sweet. I am so sorry for this loss and I know my friend is going to struggle with moving on.

Jo & Del

GOODBYE TO A BEAUTIFUL LADY. 

WE MISS YOU MY SWEET BOY.

A dinner with friends

I had a busy day doing business, catching up with lots of friends and saying goodbyes before we move. I only took the one photo of two of my friends and I together. It's been a long time since we were all together. We had such a good laugh.

Enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Kealba hotel.

SUE, DEBBIE & JO

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my dear daughter KRISTY......

This is a little late putting up photos of our cruise. Kristy has only just celebrated her 30th birthday.

I took Kristy away on a cruise to celebrate. She really deserves it. It was at a time when we both needed some time away from home and some time together.

She was so excited because she has never been out of Australia before.

So we flew to Brisbane from Melbourne, onto a ship to Vanuato, LIFO & New Caledonia....

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY KRISTY.

luv you lots

Starting our celebrations of with a drink while waiting to board the plane....

Enjoying the flight

A glorious sunset on the flight to Brisbane

A beautiful breakfast to start our day

Getting a cuddle from a kangaroo in Brisbane Town Square

Contemplating what we are going to be doing in Brisbane

First sight of our ship that will be home for the next week

There's our ship in the port of Brisbane

Soaking up some sun by the ships pool 

Relaxing in the sun

How peaceful is the water

Look at the fun I got up to with my daughter.

Kristy and I had so much fun on our cruise. The last night party was the best. The staff were wonderful and the talent was so entertaining.

Have a laugh.

Click on the title below and see a video of us having a great time on the Pacific Dawn Cruise

CLICK ----->.    THE LAST NIGHT PARTY  Then click to start video clip

Sorry the photo is not clear but watch the video. It's a laugh...

Watch video with sound...

 

 Last Night of our Cruise.
We Could Walk 500 Miles

I've been absent but I'm back

Some of you might have noticed I haven't been commenting on your blogs. You all know what has been happening in my life. Yes, like everyone, I have been busy.
My husband and I decided our daughter needed a fun holiday for her 30th birthday. She has been dealing with a lot. So we thought she would like a cruise. We planned it, booked it, paid for it and then things changed....
Our house went on the market, my husband had a stroke. Luckily he is recovering well. With all that I needed a holiday. Some people say I am selfish but you know what, maybe I am. Yes I needed a holiday. My husband was looked after and we have some good friends. My daughter and I need some time together too. So our holiday went ahead.
This was us over the past week enjoying a cruise to the South Pacific. Stopping at all stations.
NOUMEA, LIFOU NEW CALEDONIA & PORT VILA, VANUATO....

The town hall
My cultural part of the holiday...........

A GOOD START TO OUR HOLIDAY.
Kristys breakfast in beautiful sunny BRISBANE

Look at this yummy breakfast.
It was better than what was at the motel we stayed at but that's another story..

Enjoying a FLUFFY DUCK cocktail for Keryn

Kristy saying, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN .
We couldn't let the balloons go but we enjoyed them all week.

Acknowledging my son,  JOHN, what would be his 22nd birthday 

Just a little bit of fun we had.
NO WE DIDNT WIN ANYTHING 

We did relax a little.
Somewhere at sea.
Luckily we had a pedicure before we set off..

I am sure when I have settled and Kristy and I have shared photos there will be more.
NO SEWING HAPPENED. I WAS TO BUSY HAVING FUN....

A day in the City with friends.

PHOTO HEAVY

My neighbour and I try and go out for a Xmas bit of fun every year. Well this year I had a mother friend stay from interstate and she came with us.
In to the city we went. To the NGV National Gallery of Victoria.
Their display was called BLUE. Showing shades of blue textiles.... Cobalt, Indigo.  Very nice.
(Once again sorry about the unedited photos and quality)

Di and I

Description of the exhibition 

The bike display being erected in the foyer

Victoria, Jo, Di in front of a beautiful Kimono

Isn't this just gorgeous

The front of a Kimono

The back of the Kimono. The dark bands were added to ward off evil spirits.

This is a beautiful CAPE. It has a centre of waxed paper.
This was put in to help with the wind and make it water resistant.

This was a tube dress with beading on the front

A gorgeous corset and bed cloth

This is a stunning vase that only one tulip or stem goes into each hole.

Look at the stunning ceiling

The 3 of us about to start our lunch.
 In the PERSIMMON Retaurant at the NGV

Our view from the table at lunch time 

We found our way to the button shop. BUTTON MANIA.
A brilliant shop if you want that very special or unusual button.
Yes my friends both bought some buttons. That was a mission of ours for the day.

After a great trip in, tram ride, exhibition, beautiful lunch, big long  walk and some shopping it was time to go home. Arrived home exhausted but had the best day... A girls day out is always worth it....Thanks ladies...

My SSCS & my SSSS has arrived...

TEMPTATION, TEMPTATION,  TEMPTATION....


Well, I am a lucky person x 2.....

No. 1....
Here are my gifts from Sarah from. Not opened yet of course.....
http://sarahdidit.blogspot.com.au

from Sarah in the SSSS organised by Cheryll

This swap was organised by Cheryll...
http://santasackswap.blogspot.com.au
We knew who our partner was so we could talk, ask questions and follow their blog to find out their interests... We had to make a bag, stocking or Santa sack. Then make 5 gifts to be wrapped and stay there until we got the go ahead with opening day when everyone had received their parcels...
Well Sarah I love the bag and especially the cute fabric.
 I can't wait to open these. It's great I'll have a good pile of goodies to open come Xmas day.


No. 2....
My Sectret Christmas Swap parcel is here and my partner is revealed.

Gifts from Denice in the SSCS

Fabric stitched paper stars

They are from Denice. Now I just have to wait for Xmas to arrive to open the larger, soft package...

Yes I have squished it and gone through Denice's blog. I don't know what it is....

http://www.weesied.blogspot.com.au

OOPS, I didn't take a photo of the wrapped parcel I sent. You will have to wait for it to arrive and opening time before I can show my photos of what I made..

Thanks Chookyblue for taking the time to organise this swap...

http://www.chookyblue.blogspot.com.au/p/2015-sscs-swap-girls.html

November blocks / rows are done.....

I'm on top of my sewing now. I feel good that I have finished my rows for the 2 SAL's.

Here are my umbrellas all complete. Make sure you read all the directions first... It took a while to sort out... But they are done.... I also used Ric Rac for the handles.

Now for the Liberty Stars...

I added fun male pictures for the centres. It just adds a little bit more of interest...

I am ahead with this month. No more instructions until January...

There are more photos of other blocks HERE

My day with Jinny Beyer

My friend, Nikki and I went for a long drive this morning and ended up in Drouin. We attended a seminar with Jinny Beyer. There were quite a lot of ladies, none of which we knew. We sat there and listened in depth to what Jinny was saying about colour. It's all about colour. Yes it was a very interesting talk. Jinny showed us quite a few of our beautiful quilts. So inspiring.