Bula!

"Bula" is hello in Fijian, but was repeated enthusiastically all day as a happy welcoming greeting, which sums up the lovely friendly nature of the people and island paradise of Fiji.

Playing on the beach was compulsory.

We left walking on hot rocks in a fire to the expert locals.

I tried out some upper body exercises.

And reserved my right to no exercise, apart from admiring the view.

 Our oldest son won a sandcastle building competition, but this gorgeous crocodile was made by the staff that entertained the kids.

The same staff entertained the adults and kids alike each evening with their drumming, blowing the shell "horn" as the sun set, and then lead a parade of children along the beach to light the flares.  Fiona this is a bit of eye candy especially for you, I think it sure beats watching rugby!

Happy quilting, Sue SA.

Bound and ready to deliver

Because all the male species in our house were sitting and watching the AFL Grand Final last weekend,  I was free to trim and machine sew on the bindings on two quilts. 

 My finger still has the groove from the last mammoth binding session.  This time I pinned the binding with applique pins as I stitched, thus reducing the strain on my left hand from holding the binding down.  This queen size quilt (Indigo Crossing Twister) is for my BIL and his wife.  Although it looks good on our bed! 

Chevron is so much easier to type, as spell checker doesn't pick it up all the time, hence this cot quilt shall be named Mint Green Cherry Chevrons.  All of the pinks were in my stash and I don't have a reason to keep lots of pink being the mother of two son's.  Hence the cherry fabric, which I have a small collection of and the pink Eiffel tower fabric had to be included.  I love this pattern and now its finished I am eying off the remaining fabrics (plus an extra hot pink I brought) and considering a larger version with a white background.  This quilt is ear marked for a special friend having her first baby in the new year....luckily she has confirmed its a girl!

The Maisy cot quilt finally got a label, enabling me to finish sewing the binding down in the last corner.  I have been back to the quilt shop several times and not found that bolt of groovy colourful stripes, much to my disappointment.  This cot quilt has been a favourite with my 5 year old son since I brought the panel home and so will go to the baby sister of one of his school friends...she is due to make a grand entrance any day now, so lucky I finally finished it!

After all these finishes I really want to start a new project, but I have to be good and sew the QAYG blocks that I helped the Grade 1 children make together.  THEN I am starting something new!
Happy quilting Sue SA.