Scatterday Challenge for November - "How I see myself" #2

- Adventurous! -

Here I am at Petra in Jordan three weeks ago, riding a camel and then a horse. Not bad for a city slicker, eh?
(Don't you just love my shameless though thinly-disguised ploy to show you my holiday snaps?)

A gorgeous giveaway!

Robyn, from Daisy Quilts, is celebrating a year of blogging and has a most delectable assortment of goodies to give away! Pop on over and take a look at her very lovely blog.

Tagged!

Being out of the country didn't stop me from being tagged by Lindi a few weeks ago (you can run, but you can't hide!). So now that I'm back I suppose I'd better join in the fun.

The rules for this game are simple:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. List 7 things about yourself. Some random, some weird.
3. Tag 3 more players and let them know they've been tagged.

So... 7 random/weird things about me, eh?

1. I have dimples in my cheeks.
2. I find it hard to go to bed at a sensible hour at night.
3. I love my acrylic nails.
4. I'm allergic to cats (but I own one!)
5. I've shaken hands with the Duke of Gloucester.
6. A former Archbishop of Canterbury owns a teddy bear I made for him (Truly!).
7. I'm a Christian.

Now, I tag Di, and anyone else who would like to participate. Just leave a comment with the address of your blog so we can all go visit you.

My Garden - November

An essay in blue and white for November in my garden, with the heady perfume of the gardenia blooms telling me Christmas can't be far away (Gulp!).

Scatterday Challenge for November - "How I see myself" #1

- Fearless! -

Here I am at the Kanchanaburi Tiger Temple, in Thailand, 2 1/2 hours by road from Bangkok, just a couple of weeks ago.

I'd like to boast how fearless I was, but in fact the tiger had enjoyed a very satisfying lunch and had no interest in devouring this female 'fattened' (over the last few weeks) on skim latte's, felafel, salad and pita bread.

Besides, there are very strict rules applied for visitors, starting with the wearing of subdued colours (black is very safe - pink is definitely not allowed). We were not allowed to approach a tiger from the front, nor to touch the tiger from the rear past its shoulder blade.

You will find many websites with definite, and controversial, views on this place, but for me it was a chance in a lifetime to actually touch and hug a wild and beautiful animal - and to pretend I'm actually fearless!

They don't come uglier than this

Seen parked outside our church this afternoon...

...a stretch Hummer!

Now, why oh why would you want such an ugly vehicle on your wedding day?

Or is that just me?

What do you think?

Relaxing flat out

I’ve enjoyed an afternoon of pampering in the spa (my birthday present from Lachy and Merry) – and I sent  B off for some indulgent treatment too.

I’ve used the fitness centre, walked along the beach in both directions, been to an early morning aerobics session (where I was a class of one!), and tried out silk painting.  I’ve photographed the amazing flowers … and plants… And used the only loo I’ve ever found situated in the middle of a lily pond! We’ve been serenaded at breakfast by these drummers… and fascinated by this lady carving intricate flowers out of common soap!   But after 3 days of cloudy skies the sun has come out and I’m off for a dip in our own private little pool!

Our beautiful resort

Away from it all

You might have guessed by the photo of my pieced Star of David that I've been on a trip to Israel.

But I'm not quite home yet. We're enjoying some R & R on the way (or trying to, in between dodging business emails sent by mistake!)

We’ve gone from this.... … to this Heavenly!

This is my new project

Just a sneak peek. I'm new to clamshells - and loving them! As you can see, it's another scrappy quilt, the more fabrics the merrier. Don't expect to see my fabric stash diminish appreciably, though :-)

Can you guess where I've been?

Thanks to the wonders of Blogger, the posts you've been reading for the past few weeks have been pre-created by me before I left for a 3 week break in foreign climes.

Being incapable of travelling without handwork, I've taken some English paper piecing this time and I like to tailor my stitching to the region where I'm holidaying (remember The Italian Job?).

Can you guess where I've been?

At last - the Italian Job (top) is finished!

Here he is, the final stitchery in The Italian Job - a wild boar! These fellows are hunted in Tuscany and feature on the menu in many a trattoria. Delicious!

Now for the quilting... but don't hold your breath 'cos I've just started another quilt!

Luggage Tags

I also made these luggage tags to co-ordinate with the backpack - roses on one side and black on the reverse. Makes luggage easy to spot on the conveyor belt!

Who says Street Directories have to be boring?

I recently had a birthday and one of my lovely gifts was this street directory cover. Don't you think it looks very reminiscent of Amy Butler's designs? I just love it!


It's by Mozi - have a peek at their online global shop.