The Last Days of Winter

Finally, winter is coming to an end, though not without making me suffer one more cold. The sun is shining today, the birds are all twittering (and they start way too early in the morning). I've been out snapping photos of all the little things bursting to life.

Buds are waiting to burst open

The blossoms are out

The nectarine will soon be in bloom

The quince is getting ready

And we have a gorgeous bunch of poppies blooming in the lounge room.

Just So You Know...

...I haven't diasappeared into thin air; I got my teaching placement and started on Thursday. The school is a 45km trip from home, so there is a fair bit of travel involved. And I'm up to my arm-pits in Year 10 and 11 biology textbooks (it looks like a biology library exploded in my bedroom) as I start preparing classes for the coming week.

3 1/2 weeks to go, then regular programming will resume, as I imagine I won't have a lot of spare time for sewing in the coming weeks. I am still checking out everyones blogs though.

A Work in Progress

Finally a break in the weather allowed me to spread A La Mode out on the front lawn. I bought batting today so I'm hoping to get it basted up this arvo then get on to quilting it. I'm using the pink paisley print for the backing.

It might be cold and overcast, but you can tell spring is just around the corner. I came home to find four lovely pink gallahs grazing in front of my house. They weren't at all worried that I was there.

Finally Friday

I've survived the first four weeks of uni; the early starts, the late finishes, long classes and assignments. We are all meant to be spending the next four weeks in secondary schools, but unfortunately they haven't found a place for me yet...

In the midst of a very busy day, I finally got around to assembling the blocks of A La Mode. Bella provided a few unwanted distractions by scattering the blocks when I wasn't looking, but now the centre is safely stitched up.

I also finished up another pin cushion, using left over pinwheel squares from the quilt. I'm loving how these are turning out.

And...I booked another trip to the USA today! I've been thinking about it ever since I got home in December, so in August next year I'll be heading across for 4 1/2 weeks.

Lastly, just to show how much Bella is my own personal detructo-cat; this is what's left of our tea-bag chook that lived next to the kettle....

All Starred Out

After a couple of intense days at the sewing machine, all the stars for A La Mode are done, and not before time! Making the same block over and over for several days is a bit tiring after a while.

As a side distraction, I made up a couple of cute pincushions from the bits of left-over layer cake.

I also received the latest Thimble Blossoms patterns today; I'm in love with Marmalade, and it'll be first on my list once Bliss arrives. I'm also a bit sweet on the Bliss version of Wild Thing...

Star-Struck

After a morning spent slaving over assignments, I rewarded myself this afternoon with some sewing time. I've started piecing the blocks for A La Mode, after getting the pinwheels done earlier in the week. There are a few pinwheel points that are a little off but I'm not too worried; overall the blocks are pretty cute.

And how yummy does this fabric look! Fandango arrived right on cue this morning; haven't had a chance to pull all the bolts out of the boxes yet, but what I've seen looks fantastic.

Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda

For my regular readers, I promise I won't do this too often, but this is worth sharing.

Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda is due to arrive any day now!

I have a couple of pre-cuts, as well as a selection of 20 fabrics from the range coming.

All are now available in my online store for pre-order.