My Best Mate

My dog, Fozzie (bear), is my constant companion and spends most of the day lying under my work desk. Sometimes it can be quite awkward trying to manouver around him because he believes he has right of way. I can't believe how far he can stretch across the floor.

I can't count the amount of times I have pushed my chair back after working on the computer to find I have rolled over his fur, amazingly he always forgives me. Sometimes he just sits there, his nose poking out from under the worktable.

If I grab a sandwich or a drink he immediately wakes up and gives me that "I haven't eaten for soooo long" look. Most of the time it doesn't work but occasionally I relent.

I find he is the best listener and I can bounce my ideas of him - he rarely criticises and sometimes offers suggestions, sadly though, his colour choices are abysmal - so I rarely follow his suggestions!

Cancer Council quilt block

Once a month on a Saturday morning I am allowed out for a couple of hours to attend a 330E club (my embroidery machine). We have a project and the morning involves a lot of laughing, talking and occasionally some sewing.

This month our teacher said she was arranging people to make blocks for a Cancer Council quilt that would be raffled. Unfortunately some of the people who had volunteered to make blocks dropped out so a couple of us volunteered. It cost $15 for the kit - enough fabric, wadding, stablizer and cotton for seven (7) blocks and the embroidery design. For your money you also are entered into a raffle for a lap quilt which is made at the same time.



Anyway I finished my seven blocks and have to return them for our teacher to add to the quilts. She makes these each year for the Cancer Council after having to deal with bowel cancer.





Made me think how people who deal with life threatening illnesses often seem to come through with a sense of other people and gratefulness. I remeber reading about Prof Chris O'Brien who is dealing with a terminal brain cancer - he is trying to establish a cancer centre before he dies.

My niece has three autistic children and she has devoted her life to research and helping others with autistic kiddies. So many people touched by these terrible things turn them into such a positive and often they don't realise they do it.


I remember the reaction when I donated the quilt for the oncology dept (see January Chemo Quilt update in this blog) - to me it was just a quilt that I had used to fill in time but to the people who recieved it - it was more important. Of course my reaction when it was hung in the oncology centre was probably priceless....... mouth agape, tears streaming, etc!!

Block One

Well I have completed all the compenents for block one for my Around the World (ATW) quilt. Most of the pieces are foundation pieced and I have enjoyed making them. I like foundation piecing when you only have to make a few of each piece.

Think that's why I haven't finished my Peace Quilt by Margaret Rolfe because you have to make about 195 blocks all the same, the only difference is the fabric colours, I have made about 60 so far. I have joined those together and it is looking amazing. I make a few blocks every now and again so it will get finished, maybe even this year!

Anyway, I like the way the block for the ATW quilt has turned out. There are 16 of block one around the quilt. Unfortunately the photo doesn't do it justice the colours are more alive although the background colour is dark but the greens have a real zing to them.

BTW Ali - the finished quilt is 208cm x 208cm (82" x 82") so it will fit a king sized bed!