mastering mirrors

In between quilting lately I have finished the embroidery piece we were given at the workshop in Bhuj in India. I can't say I have really mastered the mirrors - I managed to vary my technique as I went along so they aren't very even. I did get extra practice as I added another four to fill the background.

I found the larger ones easier to do than smaller ones and I am in awe of the maker of this little sample I bought which is only about 25 cm long and all mirrors.
Oops - uploaded a picyure of it but can't find it. When I do I will add it.

Our prunus tree has been a picture over the last couple of weeks, and I did get a couple of nice photos. I particularly like this one with the bee -

The blossoms are blowing away in the strong winds today but the white ones on the Manchurian pear are just coming out.

I spotted a new species of flower in our neighbouhood on the weekend. I've called them vandal flowers - they only open at night!

 Amusing to see but a little worrying as to the safety around the hazard the cones were removed from.

Spent 2 days last week at The Sanctuary, Judy Simcock's lovely quilt / craft retreat cottage at Bordertown. (See what's happening there at http://newsfromjude.blogspot.com). I wasn't stitching, but learning about quilt valuation. I snapped these as I went for a walk -

Sorting things in our little garden/feed shed the other day I disturbed a small blue tong lizard. That reminded me of this larger one I saw unexpectedly at Strathalbyn recently.

it's so cold ...

Well for Adelaide it is cold. 13 or 14 degrees here with an icy wind blowing, but possible snow was forecast for Mt lofty - not sure if it happened.
I am working on my Indian embroidery and also machine quilting a quilt - a nice thing to be doing in this weather. I'm about half way, but can't quite decide what to do in between the lattice I've done so far. There is no rush for it so I guess I will wait on some inspiration and continue embroidering.

I've just been reading about Michele Hill's UK William Morris tour - all warmth and sunshine, lovely stately homes, cottages and gardens full of flowers. http://williammorrisandmichele.blogspot.com/    It would be nice to be there... Instead I recently went to Sydney for a couple of days with Rachel. We took in some sights and shows, a great (waist enhancing) chocolate tour and did a lot of walking in lovely sunshine, though it was definitely overcoat weather.
These friendly (and slightly crazy) parrots entrtained us during lunch at the Art Gallery.

Took no photos of quilts at the Quilt Exhibition - just these tiles in one of the arcades.













The Centrpoint Tower certainly is hard to miss...

 

... and the harbour was beautiful as ever.

Back at home I snapped these kangaroos feeding. You would think it is out in the bush somewhere, but it is the green belt between where we live and Noarlunga Centre - a space which will be covered
with housing before too long.

There aren't too many flowers in the garden at the moment - a few violets and snowdrops and one spray of orchids. It is really quite beautiful but it has a very strong and awful scent - it has to be admired on the patio, not inside!

There is colour to be found in the foliage.