I celebrated a birthday and caught up with friends

 I celebrated my birthday a few times this month. I had a lovely lunch with Maxine who bought me some flowers.

 We had a good catch up.

Tony and I had a good day out meeting up with Judy, Barry, Pat and Allen.

We met half way at Murrayville. Had lunch in the little Cobb n Co cafe.

It was a great catch-up all be it very warm. BUT.

I handed over my quilt, backing and wadding for Judy to do her magic.

Maxine held a little tutorial this month.

 My quilt group has a tutorial each month held by one of our members. This month was with Maxine.

It was a cute little felt toggle/charm stitched by hand. No step by step photos.

We started with a strip of felt and rolled it up. Stitched a ribbon around. Did a decorative stitch top and bottom. 

I have it hanging on my bag.

Button on the bottom and ribbon around the sides.

Topped with seed beads.

Jude’s Cornerstone Creations 21st - Black and Bling - Celebration retreat for Breast Cancer.

 WOW, what a weekend. My friend Maxine and I headed off to Bordertown for a special retreat at Jude’s Cornerstone Creations. We were lucky enough to take up the last 2 spots for this weekend. It was a fundraiser for breast cancer. I have been a blogging and zoom friend of Jude’s for a few years now and we were finally going to meet. How exciting.

You can read all about the $ raised and the stories over at News from Jude.

All we needed to do was to take our clothes, sewing machine and accessories. Our kit was waiting for us.

On the way, just out of Ouyen we saw a funny sight over in the paddock. A dried salt lake field with a tin man running for his life as he was being chased by some tin sharks. It was a good start to the day.

Then we stopped for an early packed lunch break at Murrayville. There was even a little old quilt shop which we stopped in and spent a few $.

This was the toilet block all covered in mosaic tiles. Very pretty.

We arrived safe and well and on time too. The car was unpacked and the fun began. We played quilt bingo  to determine the winner and who got first choice of their kits.I think I was last. Doesn’t matter, there was plenty to choose from. Around 40 kits had been prepared. This was what I chose. The pieces were already all cut out too. Amazing. A stress free sewing weekend. Brilliant.

Maxine made a start on hers. Precisely sewn and ironed I might add. She did a wonderful job too.

Dinner was a beautiful cold meat and salad. So yummy and fresh.

Now for sewing time

The next morning I had a friend that was in the same town drop by to say hi and to see what I was making.

Ooohhhh she was tempted to spend but refrained.

I continued on with my sewing. My blocks were finished.

 

Then it was time to go and dress for dinner. As this was a themed dinner evening. BLACK and BLING was the way to go. We all looked lovely. 

The table was set.

And we even had a 21st birthday cake. Beautiful.

After dinner some Chris and Kathy wanted to make my zippered placemats. Well they had no trouble at all. There was no excuses as there was plenty of fabric and Judy had bags of zips. Let the fun begin.

They got it straight away. Had so much fun that they were going back to their group and teach them..

Didn’t they do a great job.

Well done to everyone and thanks for the weekend. Maxine and I stayed an extra night as we had a bit of a way to travel. I am known to be slow on the side of getting out of my p.j’s. Well I don’t think I am the only one. We had our car packed and the beautiful host Judy and the fairy, Raylene were relaxing after a busy weekend. I was dressed before them and I have proof.

A big Thankyou to Judy for her hospitality and looking after us so well. Thanks to Maxine for travelling with me once again and being my room buddy.

I did get my top finished

My shopping buys and the trip home will be next to post.

Maxine's Crazy Friendship finish

My friend Maxine was helping out her friend to get a quilt finished.

40 years ago these blocks were made by a group of friends. The plan was a friendship quilt.

14 blocks were made and then put in a bag and into the cupboard they went. 

Maxine had some similar fabric and lace and set out to make a block. (The centre one)

But too much lace..

Then we were playing with layout ideas.

We didn't want to change the original blocks as they were made from friends. 

We just had to figure out how to put them together.

Cut away some lace and it blends nicely.

Look at how it all works together.

Then we printed the label onto a doily.

The quilt wont be washed but will be treasured.

When given back to the owner she was brought to tears..

Robinswood Homestead High Tea at Robinvale.

My friends and I headed out for the day. An hours drive later and we arrived at Robinvale.
ROBINSWOOD HOMESTEAD.
A beautiful home with lovely gardens.



It was a lovely homestead. Situated on the banks of the Murray River.
We had a beautiful day out. 

Look at this yummy chicken and veggie soup that was served for lunch.

Having a day out with friends...

Look at this amazing spread. All these beautiful cakes were what were included in our entry ticket with a cup of tea/coffee.

Next stop Castlemaine, Gisborne & Sunbury

On the road again.
Just down the road is Castlemaine. This is such a beautiful old town. Threadbear quilt shop is owned by Corliss. She has the most amazing reproduction fabrics. Her hand stitching is a real piece of work.

Maxine having a shop

Threadbear  in Castlemaine

We did get to Gisborne too. A Patch n Quilt but I forgot the photos. Mary has a beautiful bright shop with pretty fabrics....


My friend Sue was lovely enough to pick me up from my drop off point and take me home for a few hours. Sue was not able to make it to the quilt in because she was spending it in Castlemaine sewing... the places we travel to thread a needle and stitch.....
It was fun catching up with Sue. We had such a good laugh. It never is long enough.

Oh what a laugh

Sue and I

Some of Sue's  pretty garden.

 I then headed off to dinner and afterwards to my daughters house to stay the night... A busy day

Out to dinner with my beautiful daughter and sweet grandsons.

My road trip headed south.

I was lucky enough to share a road trip back to my old area with a friend. We were both going to the Kilmore Quilt In. I was also catching up with a lot of friends and Maxine was seeing her family.
We set off in the car about 8 am and a coffee stop was up first thing. Then we could really get moving. We spent the day talking and getting to know a bit about each other. It was fun.
After a detour, due to floods, our first stop was Maldon for lunch and a bit of shopping.
Lunch at a local cafe was Devine. So yummy. Look at the selection.

Then The Village Patch quilt shop. Maldon has the most beautiful buildings to. A lovely old area.

Just a little bit of shopping 

Add of course, the Christmas Shop. This is just the most amazing shop. There were so many things to look at and buy.