Brave New World

When I first read the challenge was titled Brave New World I had no idea what I wanted to do. After mulling over the theme for a few days I started thinking of depression and how it affects us and those around us. My quilt was going to be based on the blackness of depression and the gradual lightening of spirit when one gets help to overcome the struggle and face a 'bright new world.'

All those ideas went out the window when the bush fires hit our area on February 7th and we had 5 weeks of constant alerts to the fire threat.

Driving around the area after the fires it was amazing to see how quickly some of the plants and tree ferns had started to shoot. After all the destruction these little plants were forcing their way through the ash etc to face a 'brave new world.'

I based my quilt on a photo I took at Drouin West. Most of the quilt was made with scraps left from previous projects.

The construction of the quilt:

Sketch of the photo

Transferring the background design onto freezer paper.

Quilted back ground before adding the insert of the enlarged new growth. The greenery in the small rectangle was free motion machine stitched.

The insert, is double the size of the original and the greenery is made from hand dyed scraps and vliesofixed onto the quilt then stitched, again using free motion.

The final product.

Coming & Goings

Postcard that I made to exchange with Jenni S in a 1-1 Swap

Postcard that I received from Jenni in the same 1-1 swap.

Socks that I have just finished and given to my friend as a thank you for all the nice things she does for me.

What would we do without a good friend that is always there when you need a hand or share your excitement and good news with?

In the Mail

ATWI20Qs postcards and ATC received in the mail. Tulip postcard from Marloes, ATC from Celia both representing Spring.





























Winter Blues from Lynn.

On a lighter note......

Postcard received from Simone ATWI20Q End of Year Swap

Seasons Postcard made by me in the ATWI20Q 'Seasons' Swap
Thanks Lynn for the picture.

ATWI20Q 'Seasons' Swap 'Bushfire Season' made by me.

ATC's received from Chole & Fionie ATWI20Q end of year Swap

ATWI20Q End of Year Swap postcard from Marloes

ATWI20Q End of Year Swap postcard from Linda

ATWI20Q End of Year Swap postcard fromJoy

ATWI20Q Seasons Swap postcard from Marian

Bushfires - 2

Some more pictures taken of the aftermath of the fires.

These top two were taken on the road I use to get into town.













The third one is some of the debris that were blown into our yard on the night of the 7th

Bushfires

Last Saturday night was a night from hell, I never want to experience another one like it. We were very lucky to suffer no damage or loss. My heart goes out to others who have lost their loved ones and everything they own.

It was hot, 47C plus and with the forecast of strong winds things weren't looking too good. When the wind change came through the fires from Bunyip Ridge were swept around the hills to the west of us. I have never experienced winds like these. On Sunday we went to call on neighbours to make sure everyone was safe and the number of trees down in our road was unbelievable. One neighbour had a huge gum tree fall, it just hit the corner of his verandah, missed the cars parked in the drive-way.






The sky darkened in a matter of minutes. We were covered in ash and embers. We had to be outside checking to make sure there were no spot fires.

I took the opportunity to get these pictures. It was amazing to watch the black smoke sweep across the hills behind us. It looked like a rain cloud.

The electricity went off not long after this and we
relied on candles, torches and a battery operated radio for news about what was happening. Around 10.30 pm the telephones, both the land line and mobiles went dead.

Our girls were getting frantic when they couldn't contact us until the next day.



These last 2 pictures are the fires still burning in the hills to the west of us, about 5 km from here.

They were taken on Wednesday.

All our water tanks have been contaminated with ash, everything reeks of smoke but we're here and have suffered no loss. We are very fortunate and are counting our blessings.

On a lighter note, we had an unexpected visitor Saturday night. Himself was sitting listening to the radio when he looked down and saw the pattern on the rug move ....... most unusual! Turns out is was a small tiger snake slithering along beside his foot. I have never seen him move so fast. I can tell you it's really hard to find a snake by torch & candlelight. Managed in the end after much furniture moving.

2009 - Already!! Happy New New

I can't believe that it is already the 12th of January. Belated Happy New Year greetings to everyone.

We have had a hectic start to the year with both a wedding and funeral last week. Husband's aunt passed away at the age of 96. We travelled up to Swan Hill for the funeral, it's a six hour trip from here so we stayed overnight and caught up with family the next day.



We had a picnic lunch on the river bank. I managed to get sunburned for the first time in years. I though that I was sitting in the shade all the time.I thought the flowers on this tree looked lovely but I have no idea what they are called.

The picture below is what the countryside is like away from the river.


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