SUMMER ON ITS WAY

It has been very warm here lately even though it is still spring. The grass grow furiously and needs cutting every second day or so. The last few weeks have been quite eventful.

We are anticipating the arrival of a flock of buff orpington chickens which are incubating on day 21 as I type. Although there is a dozen eggs in there, I fear that there is one that will not hatch. The egg was cracked and despite being repaired with wax he/she is a lot lighter in weight than the others.

The gardens are flourishing with roses and other fragrant delights such as lilac.  Birds singing and going about their business becomes so hypnotic and the green of the fields so meditative. 

Am looking forward to heady days and nights camping by the river on the property.

Until next time, whenever that will be

Marina

SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES :D

Happy Spring Equinox!

The spring equinox is all about balance, which is natures way of reminding us we need to ensure we take time out to acknowledge that we should be doing things in equal parts. 

Wow! I didn't realise it had been so long since I posted on this blog! So much has happened in the time since my last post. 

I have moved house. We now live in a lovely old cottage on a large cattle farm close to town. We have an aim and plan to work on sustainable self sufficient living by being closer to the land.

Our veggie garden is underway. I have planted a thousand seeds LOL and more this week also. I am just waiting with great anticipation for them to germinate. 

We have been building a new large chicken coup and enclosure.  Our incubator is in the mail and I am looking forward to buying some fertilised eggs. It has been my dream for a long time to have chickens, in particular, Buff Orpingtons. This is the breed that we will be getting very soon so watch this space :D

Finally I have finished my very long epic quilt project "Mrs Billings Coverlet". It has been 5 years in the making and is now being hand quilted by me. I am taking my time but it is finished enough to show LOL. I have started a new quilt called "In Remembrance" by Nancy Rink. It is a beautiful bright coloured applique bouquet quilt. Very different from my usual style and taste in quilting. 

So goodnight and good evening from the farm for now. Note to self, continue to add to this blog over time LOL Dont be slack.

Until next time
Marina 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is that time again!! Although the day is over, the Yuletide spirit is still strong and present here in this household.  The new year is around the corner becomes a time to reflect on the year gone by and goals, dreams and aspirations.

After starting a new job recently, things are hopeful and more settled than before. A new house is in the planning stage. This is the culmination of a dream to be off the grid and self sufficient. 

The decorated tree is still up, lights are still twinkling and food has been eaten.  All is good in the world down here on little Island Tasmania.  

I hope to share the comings and goings from here including the on going epic quilt project that I have been tinkering with the last 4 years. It is almost there.

Until next time
Marina

I CANT WAIT FOR SPRING!

It has been such a long winter this year. There has been a lot of snow and frosts about. Slowly little signs from nature are showing. Spring bulbs are emerging from the ground and trees are starting to blossom.

It has been over a year since I had a proper internet connection that now that I have connected once again, its like a new learning experience.

I am happy to say that I am almost close to finishing my epic quilting project "Mrs Billings Coverlet", although its still some time away from being used. I have to finish the last border which contains thousands of hexagons. It is progressing slowly but surely. I hope to finish it by the end of the year yipeeeeee!

It was my birthday the other day. Sometimes I am not so bothered with birthdays. Although getting older and doing the job I do, I have been pondering life and age LOL oh well. Thanks to my beautiful friend "lizzie-the-quilter" who made me these gorgeous sewing things, my birthday this year was very nice.

My partner cooked my a beautiful dinner and gave me a book on baking (i think that was a hint LOL) and a beautiful card.  On an outing to the bank the other day I found a book on the Tarot and chickens. Since Im a chicken NUT I had to have this book too LOL. Its a beautiful history of chicken breeds and chickens in culture. 

Overall, I hope to get back to blogging and writing more stories about things. More photos as well LOL

Wishing you all a lovely weekend and until next time.

Marina

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

I cant believe it has been so long since I posted something here!! WOW! time flies that's for sure. So what have I been doing? I hear you ask LOL
working mostly. I have been driving taxi's for a while and then found a new job working for an engineer. 
I have also moved house and have started a new life. As for my quilts which are the main topic of this blog, I am still working on Mrs Billings coverlet. I am almost finished. heading towards the last border which has about 5500 small 1 inch hexagons. I have started cutting them out while sewing the second last border LOL
I am determined to finish it. Then it will be onwards and upwards and onto the other quilts I want to make that are floating around in my head.
Until next time. which will be more often :)
Marina ♥

ON THE BOARD

After quite some time away in the USA and then coming back to decide what to do with myself. I have been fiddling around my sewing room with the intention of making all kinds of projects to reduce my stash and to start a little quilt related business.

Today was spent in a fun frenzy cutting fabric and making a blocks with a simple design. 

Tomorrow is a new day and will see the completion of this little quickly. The fabric is really pretty florals in shades of pink blue and brown. 

Until next time

Marina ❤

AMAZING AMERICA!

I have spent the last two months traveling parts of America and have now returned home. It has been such a happy trip meeting interesting people and seeing amazing places.

Along the way I have collected so many goodies both quilting ones and otherwise.

In another post I will share some pictures of general travels but for today here are the quilty ones.

The main areas where I visited quilt related shops were in Arizona and also Lancaster county. All kinds of different things were sold in different places. In Arizona (Flagstaff and Sedona) I was able to find very nice native Indian prints and patterns. 

Some pretty patterns I collected along the way. 

These 3 pics above are of some panels I found in Arizona. 

Navajo fabric. The designs are very traditional especially the fabric at the bottom of the picture. The Navajo people use these kinds of designs in their weaving and pottery.

I love to knit and crochet so finding these pretty needles in Solvang California was really exciting LOL.

More America related posts coming soon :)

Until next time

Marina ♥