The QuiltNorfolk ladies have been at it again. They organised another very successful "Quilt Getaway" on Norfolk Island. Quilters came from both Australia and New Zealand to enjoy a variety of quilting workshops, as well as experiencing all the other delights that Norfolk Island has to offer.

 Although I was unable to take part, I was able to visit a couple of the workshop sessions out at the Parish Centre.

 On the Monday and Tuesday, there was a workshop using Jelly Rolls, with a visiting tutor from Tauranga in New Zealand.

 On the Wednesday and Friday, the same tutor guided the participants in making a "Kaleidoscope" quilt.

 There was a lot of "playing and working" going on, interspersed by the need to make important decisions about "what goes with what.."

 Everyone admired the results, and they were all so different!

 On the Thursday, there was an exhibition in Maria's Restaurant at the Hillcrest Hotel, and lots of Norfolkers took the opportunity to come and look...

 I really liked this "shabby chic" quilt below. In fact, as I stood there admiring it, a number of people came up and said that they had lots of doileys like that at home, which they never used. I thought if I stayed there long enough asking them to think of me before they discarded them, I might acquire quite a collection!!! But hopefully many were inspired enough to make use of them in a similar way!

 I really must find out more about this Cathedral Window variation!

 A lovely leafy quilt in zingy colours.

 This one was made by our local headmaster's wife......I have always loved scrap quilts using simple squares and resolved to get out my soft florals again.

 Even the menfolk enjoyed the display.

 Believe it or not, this in-progress kaleidoscope quilt started out with a print of hydrangeas.

I was often tempted when I saw the pattern for this Cat quilt advertised. It was lovely to see the finished result. It won the Viewers' Choice award.

 I hope the QuiltNorfolk committee was pleased with this year's event, and that they are busy planning the next one!



HALLOWE'EN HO - HUM

As regular followers of this blog will know, Hallowe'en has been a BIG EVENT at Devon for the past few years. I never encouraged my kids to go trick or treating when they were young, and I was a little disconcerted when Kim and Charles put out the welcome and invitation signs at our cattle stop. But I need not have worried. It was great to have the kids come, and feel welcomed. And each year, Kim and Charles and the helpers from Charles' shed put on a bigger and better entertainment for the kids. One year it was a VERY haunted house, then there was the Haunted Wood. Last year we had the incredible Haunted Maze, which took about a fortnight to erect!!!

This year, however, they decided to have a break, let others do the entertaining, and to take 4 year old William Trick or Treating.....

 Here are the two scary pirates...

 Joined by the Wicked Devil Lady!

 See - this is what we look like...are we scary enough??

 Nate is not into Hallowe'en yet, and it was decided he would stay with us.

 We expected we would still get a lot of callers, and these were the first - and, I am sorry to say, the last. I had stocked up on lots of lollies. but when I started to hand them out, one kid said "Is that all?" and most forgot to say thank you - and some of them had not even bothered to dress up, altho' those who had looked great, as you can see!!! I guess they were a bit nervous too, but I felt a little cheesed off, and Nate was tired and  crying...... Actually, I had had a long tiring day...

So I turned off the lights at the front of the house, drew the curtains and sang Nate peacefully to sleep .

I am sure we will be ready for a better Hallowe'en next year, and William did enjoy his trick or treating (even though he does not really care for lollies.)
Meanwhile Kim and Charles are planning a BIG Christmas light Show for December, and everyone will descend on Devon again, which will be nice.