What a week!

Once again I marvel at the wonderful world of blogging and quilting I am a part of - this time last week I was having a wonderful time with friends I have met through blogging and quilting.

Last Saturday I flew to Brisbane ...you could say the flight was pretty 'exciting' as thunder storms meant we had to divert to Sydney for a bit...not after first trying to fly though this —

(Taken from my son's place, I think he was looking towards the airport!)
(and thinking about his Mum flying through that!)

 — it was very bumpy, to say the least!!! My conveniently timed flight plans all went out the window at that point, however I did finally get there and Robyn, my hostess, even had a nice cuppa waiting for me at close to midnight :-)

Here I am the next day cooling off in the hot Brisbane sun with Sue and Robyn (no blog-yet!). Robyn kindly opened up her home for us out-of- towners so that we could be part of a special quilt presentation.
A year or more ago, Michelle's beautiful Holly Cottage Christmas quilt was stolen.
A whole bunch of friends, from near and far - Australia and beyond - got together (www style) (and in top secret of course) and replicated the quilt. We were led by the amazing Robyn, who put a huge amount of time and energy into this project.
Finally the day arrived; how excited we were to gather in Michelle's favourite art class spot and have a game of pass the parcel —

"Hmmmm... I smell a rat"

Can you believe it, Michelle was speechless ♥

Two special ladies with the new quilt.
Michelle and Robyn, the Master Secret Squirrel.

It was a great chance to meet, in person, people I have met through blogging...putting faces to names...although I'm still a little muddled! —

And renewing prevous friendships —

Myself, Fiona, Sue, Michelle.

How happy I was to be a small part of this beautiful quilt and event. And to have made such treasured friendships through blogging.

Both Michelle and Sue have great blogposts and lots more photos *here* and *here*.

After all that excitement it was time for me to visit my son and dil's (also near Brisbane) and have a nice few days with them and the little grandies ♥

Still in my party clothes, I was thrilled they weren't too shy right from the start!

Great excitement when the rubbish truck comes!

Very hard to get photos of two busy toddlers at once :-)

Hot days - it was mid-high 30s when I was there!

So much fun up-ending everything!

My last night - oh, whoops, need a photo of Ganma with the girls...bit too
close to bedtime...we just want our mummy!

So precious ♥

And while I am waxing lyrical about the wonders of blogland, look what has arrived in my mailbox! As I have for the last few years, I once again took part in Chooky's SSCS (Secret Santa Christmas Swap). How exciting that my parcel has arrived and I was able to unwrap the decoration —
I'm not sure who my secret Santa was but oh wow, what a lovely decoration she has sent me!

The photo below shows how dimensional it is! Just lovely - thank you "J" - I love her!!

(Do you like my trick of photographing small Christmas decorations on the December page of my calendar?!)

So, as the days towards the Magic Event keep ticking by, I must sign off here, and continue my way though my list!

Happy Days everyone,

Hugs,