My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Sunday, December 11, 2016

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,

32 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful adventure and time with friends and family. Wish the weather would have provided a smoother flight, but glad you made it safely. Great post. Beautiful quilt and gbabies.

    Merry Christmas

    QuiltShopGal
    www.quiltshopgal.blogspot.com

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  2. glad you made it safely through that bad weather and how excited to surprise a friend with a quilt from a whole group of you - I bet she was speechless - what wonderful little twins you have there and so nice you were able to spend time with them.

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  3. How wonderful to be part of re making Michelle's special quilt and to be able to be part of the presentation...also catching up with your blogging friends and meeting new ones... glad you arrived safely....
    Oh your darling little grand daughters are gorgeous.. growing up sew quickly...
    Beautiful SSCS ornie and your Christmas header looks great...

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  4. I read about the Secret Squirrel quilt recreation for Michelle and her missing (stolen?) quilt on her blog. And thought what a truly wonderful thing to do for her. I bet there were tears all round too.
    And you got to spend some time with your lovely little ones - aren't they just gorgeous!

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  5. Lovely post... lots of good things happening with family and friends! I love the last pic of you with the two girls!

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  6. Just lovely Raewyn ... I read about the secret quilt over on Michelle & Sues blogs. Gosh those two grandaughters sure are growing up fast. Lovely pics of the 3 of you. And that angel decoration - just gorgeous :-)

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  7. Hi Raewyn ,so glad you had a chance to meet quite a few blogging friends,such a wonderful group being built in the blogging world.
    How lovely of Robyn to share her home with you and Sue,Michelle is such a special friend to many and the quilt looks fantastic,it was an honor to be part of stitching the blocks.
    Oh my how cute are your grandies,they sure have grown and i love there blonde curls,what a wonderful trip you had and so good to fit both things in,hope your day is a good one my friend xx

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  8. Wow - what a wonderful few days you have had. Those little grandies are sure growing up quickly.

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  9. Sounds like a wonderful visit with blogging friends, but an even better visit with the grands!
    (You ladies did a good thing to replicate the stolen quilt.)

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  10. Oh Raewyn it was so special that you could be there. Robyn is a wonderful lady and friend. I am so sorry Brisbane gave you such a rotten welcome lol! I will always treasure the kindness and generosity of you all....not to mention my beautiful quilt. Your little girls are so gorgeous Raewyn. I can see you loved your cuddles xxx

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  11. You girls were very sneaky and what a wonderful thing to do for a lovely lady
    Your grandies are very cute Hard when you live so far away xx

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  12. Perfect days with special friends... and your baby girls ....so precious 💖💖💖💖

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  13. How sweet you all made a new quilt for Michelle! And some lovely days with the twins, what sweeties they are!

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  14. It was wonderful to spend time with you again Raewyn, and so good we managed to surprise Michelle!!! It was a wonderful weekend. So food to see you had a great time with the babies. (Toddlers)!!!

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  15. Hi Raewyn... I'm glad you are home and safe ... It was a great surprise even the terrifying storm didn't stop us... It was fabulous to have and Sue here.... Miss you both .... Love your little ones it's sad you couldn't sneak them home....
    Robbie

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  16. Those "bloggy meet-ups" are THE most special ones that could ever be!!!!! I have had so many in the past few years and remain close with all of them!!!!!! Your little ones are the sweetest ever!!!! And that storm........well, it does look like what occurs here on occasion!!!!!! What a wonderful replacement for the "lost" quilt!!!! Bloggy Friends are THE BEST EVER!!!!!! Unfortunately, I hear of such happenings more frequently these days which made for some apprehensive days last week when I mailed a hugs quilt back to its owner many states away (1500 miles away!). It got there in very good time & perfect condition....very thankful. I do hesitate (don't) like the thought of bundling up a quilt (of mine) to send off to a show, though!!!! That's where way too many mishaps seem to occur!!!!!!! sigh.......

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  17. Hi Raewyn! So glad you got to visit the grand babies! Your flight sounds a bit scary but happy you made it safely. What a lovely Christmas angel ornament. Wishing you well with "The List".

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  18. What a beautiful, beautiful gesture to replace your friend's stolen quilt. It's beautiful - no wonder she was speechless. Despite your weather challenges it looks like you had wonderful visits all round. Isn't blogging great?

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  19. Oh my gosh, you did have a wonderful week! How fun to be at Michelle's presentation, and then get to spend time with your grandies. I may need to make a couple of those little angel ornaments.

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  20. There is nothing like flying through a storm, to make you appreciate stepping foot on God's green earth. I love the photo of you with the girls . . . they are precious little darlings :)

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  21. What a wonderful post Raewyn. The get together looks like so much fun...and lovely of you all to replace the stolen quilt. Your grandbabies are gorgeous. I just have the one at the moment but the second is on the way so I guess well have photos like yours soon.

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  22. It was a fabulous day. Love the ornie. Hugs,xx

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  23. Your trip to Brisbane sounds exciting and so nice to take part in the quilt giving to Michelle and so nice to spend time with your grandies . Sweet ornament from your secret santa. 😊

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  24. was so great to see you - as always I wanted longer!!! haha.... your little girls are just too sweet and I can imagine how much fun you had together...
    Hugz

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  25. So glad I wasn't caught up in that storm!!! However, you did have your time in the sun and looks like the best of times meeting up with blogger pals.

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  26. Yikes....those are black clouds! It looks like it was a fabulous trip - blogging friends and grandchildren. That quilt turned out beautifully and I am sure she was beyond thrilled.

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  27. Fun, Fun Fun!! So wonderful to hear (& see) about your trip. The best picture is of you and the babies I love it!

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  28. You have had a hectic week, but what fun in the process.
    The quilt making for Michelle was such a lovely idea. Very generous of all wo participated.
    How wonderful to spend time with your gorgeous grandies. Nothing beats being there in person. Very special to see them just before Christmas.

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  29. Thundery skies and then swimming pools!! Looks like you had a great time, but the icing on the cake would have been your twins. Oh my they have grown, and so cute.

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  30. Oh, Raewyn, what an exceptional, delightful post! Perfect in every way! Your grannies are so adorable. And Michelle's quilt came out beautiful! Good job keeping it a secret all this time. Blogging friends are THE best! XO

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  31. What an adventure and a great thing to get involved with. Merry Xmas Raewyn - will catch up in the new year!

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  32. blog friends are the best fun ...............what a great time you had on your quick trip to OZ..........

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