VICTORIAN BUSH FIRE APPEAL -Raffle

The tragic loss of life and property caused by Victorian Bush-Fire of 7 February 2009 will be long felt by the people in the state of Victoria, and in Australia generally.

Much has been written about the fire-storm that swept across tinder-dry hills (which months before were verdant green) as the temperature reached a staggering 46.5C (116F).

Hard on the heels of this devastation was a mighty rush to render support in every imaginable form. It categorised the inherent caring nature of a people born to a harsh environment.

I felt it was incumbent of me as a migrant from Sri Lanka as an act of gratitude for all the opportunities this land had given me to 'do my bit'. Consequently I put in motion a 'Raffle' which one of my very special Quilts was The Prize. Tickets were sold through a wide network of friends and relatives.

We raised $1790-00, and, had previously ear-marked the entire proceeds to go to a Major Relief Organisation operating in those districts. Robyn Nelson , was the very lucky winner, and as luck would have it she was in attendance. In appreciation of their support Devonshire Tea was provided to the many who attended the Draw on that sunny Sunday afternoon.

Feel free to visit the Flickr Link for Photographs of the event.

The 'Treasures-in-Threads' 2008 Year-End Function

 
The end of another year, and, another great ‘Break-up Party’. On the first Saturday of December, twenty Lovely Ladies gathered to show, chat, eat and be merry; catching up with friends they meet every Wednesday or Thursday during a term.

Tony, my dear husband, does all the grocery shopping in our household, but, for the ‘Break-up Party’ I like to shop and cook everything myself. But, without exception every year I forget to present two or three food items, which I have preciously made and stored in convenient places. The 2008 affair ran true to form. Chocolate fudge (still edible) and Quick Fruit Slice (grey fuss, good for the chickens) were discovered a week after the event. ‘List the items, and, the storage points next time’– I recall telling myself at the end of the year.

It was an especially warm, early summer day, in our part of Victoria, Australia, which led to the Folks gravitating to our backyard where the fruit trees provided my guests with comfortable shade.

Being outside meant being in close proximity to our extended family of Bantams -Sushi(Dark Brahma Bantam), Piper(Light Brahma Standard), Chloe and Emily

(Buff Pikin Bantams), who are the recipient's of a few choice 'tit-bits.They are not great Layers, but then my heart's desire was for 'pretty little chickens with feathers on their feet'

Back to the 'Break-up Party' - everyone looks forward to

the 'Show and Tell Time' - It's Lights, Cameras! and lots of "oohs" and "aahhs" as they all get to see what the Ladies in the other Groups have completed. Although much has been made, and given away as gifts, what makes an appearance is quite impressive and we are reminded afresh of Projects completed earlier in the year. I'm sure the Lovely Ladies wouldn't mind the photos of their 'Show and Tell' items appearing here, but I will get their permission first- Term Two starts on 22 April - before including it in a Slide-Show on this Blog.

ps...press here for link to more photos

  

My Husband penned these in-between Constructing this Site

THE CONSUMMATE COLLECTOR

Someone once asked me(Rita) for a Circular-Lip of a Press-Stud. I was overjoyed, over-the-moon. Someone saw me for what I really was. 'Joy! Joy! Joy! With Joy my heart is ringiiiinnnnnggggg'

I was in the midst of hanging up a precious iconoclast 'S.Dali' I had recently acquired in Paree, France, from a shockingly suave Moroccan hanging outside Aussie Baz Luhrman's very own Ze Moulin Rouge, -by rights its got to be his what with all that Movie exposure-and I was just about ready to bang that wretched nail in the right spot, when a voice yelled!...like YEEELLLLEEED!

'Reeeetaaa! can I borrow the Circular Lip of a Press-Stud?'

'Yes, Betty! Most certainly! (thinks Rita) I know just what she wants. The one, Toots exchanged for my top-of-the-range Fat-Quarter"

Without a thought to the fact that I was standing 'tippy-toes' on a canvas folding-chair(with a hole in the middle), and, to that manly task at hand, I turned, I tripped from my stool, I pirouetted, I sent my head first through the $450,000 Dali! But, by billy-ho, I reached out and my stumpy fingers found, in a crevice of 50 scattered Quilting Arts Magazines, just what she wanted.... the last remaining Circular Lip of a Press-Stud.

How chuffed I was... I was Numero Uno CC (Number One Consummate Collector)

By the way, the Dali sure looks a lot better with the hole in the middle.You reckon I can palm it off as a 'jeni-yuan' item to one displaced billionaire standing on the corner of 34th and Broadway, Manhattan that is. Better keep an eye on the burly Traffic Officer directing traffic.

See yer lyhdees!