Granny square finish....

I haven't been sitting on my hands, although my lack of posts probably looks like I have been! Not that I have to make excuses but sometimes life gets in the way and it's not really blog-able or we get busy and just miss the opportunity.
However, the quilty gods must be happy with this offering. It's my Granny Square quilt that I'm going to give away to R's school as part of a fundraiser for the music student's forthcoming trip to Ireland. Did I hear you say 'lucky'? I got a lovely email from a dear friend recently who said that the only overseas trip she ever got with the school band was to Kangaroo Island! Thank you Bev, I laughed for hours after that.I loved making this quilt from start to finish. I adore each and every block and when it all comes together with the sashing (I used Kona Snow), it's nothing short of divine. And, against this dull late Autumn sky it's like a little bit of springtime has been delivered to my clothesline. The back is a really pretty aqua with white polka dot that was recently gifted from another gorgeous friend. It's a fabric colour that I probably wouldn't have been drawn to in the past but I'm smitten with it now. It goes perfectly with the whole quilt. The back also features a band of left-over 2 1/2" squares to help join the fabric.I haven't quilted anything for ages and I don't know about you but I tend to get really nervous before quilting...in case I muck up all the hours of piecing I guess. But the size of this quilt made stippling really manageable and it went like a charm.
Finally, the binding. It's the last of my Amy Butler Martini Dot in orange. I love how it frames the whole scrappy-ness of this quilt. Sigh....it's going to be hard to give away. I'll just have to make another one for myself I think.

Autumn bounty....

We have a lovely 4 year old espaliered quince tree that over the years delivers an equally lovely bounty of quinces each May. After a bit of a rocky start, and after a bit of advice, Joe has been using some fertiliser that we bought from the grower which whilst hasn't produced too much extra fruit, has produced mega sized fruit! So in preparation for Mothers Day dessert next week, I set about picking 8 of these magnificent yellow orbs which easily filled my large Le Crueset casserole, and prepared them for poaching. I use Stephanie Alexander's recipe. After 6 hours on low in a light sugar syrup, lemon and vanilla, these beauties turn into ruby coloured gems. Not to mention the divine smell that swims around the house for hours. It amazes me that such tough old fashioned fruit turns into such delicious, highly sought after produce! Stay tuned for next week's installment!