Victoria's Worst day

Firstly I would like to acknowledge all the unfortunate people in Victoria who yesterday suffered in the worst day in this state's history. With temperatures exceeding 46 degrees Celsius, bushfires ravaged the state. The news this morning has told of 25 confirmed deaths, but this figure will likely reach over 40. My heartfelt compassion is sent to those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes, their livelihoods, their pets and livestock, and maybe even their motivation for life. Australians are well-known and loved for their ability to bounce back in times of trial, and to extend a helping hand to mates in need. We will do this again, and our fellow Victorians will come through this.

For me, yesterday was actually a good day. Most importantly (on a very personal level) my family is safe and well, our pets are well and my home is standing so I have nothing to complain about. Normally I would have stayed at home out of the heat, but I had a very important event to attend - I was guest speaker at the Patchwork and Quilters Guild of Victoria's meeting in Hawthorn. Their President had asked me to come and tell the members about my book, The Maria Challenge Quilt, and how it had come about. Nerves settled in during the morning as I sat and wrote out some cue cards and went over my talk. On arrival the women were extremely pleasant and welcoming, looking after me with a cold drink and introducing me to several members. My talk went very well indeed, for someone who prefers to write than to do a talk. It felt as though the room was interested, and the response was positive.

It was spooky to feel like I was acting out part of the plot of my very own book. Just as in the novel, I was a speaker at the first meeting for the guild for the year, held on the first Saturday of the month. When I wrote the book I did not intentionally copy the details of any particular existing guild. It was completely coincidental.

A big thank you to everyone at Ps and Qs for making me feel warmly welcome (pardon the pun).

I also thought you might like to see a photo of my Black Dahlia quilt, which I made over the Christmas/New Year period. The pattern is a design by Michelle Yeo and templates for it are available from her website at http://www.michelleyeoquiltdesigns.com/ and she calls it 'Giant Dahlia'. I've made a blue one and now this black one, and will be making a red one later this year.

Book Signing and Christmas

Everyone seems to agree that time travels way too fast these days, and I have to say the month of Decemeber is always one of the fastest to pass me by. Whenever I decided to sit down and add to my blog, something else needed to be done more urgently. At last I have made it to the keyboard for an update.
Since my premier blog I have had my first book signing. It was held at Michelle's Sewing Basket in Ringwood on 13 December. Michelle made me feel extremely welcome and comfortable and had everything set up nicely where I could sign books and chat with those who took the time to come and meet me. Unfortunately the day was extremely wet, with a couple of inches of rain falling. This no doubt kept a few people away, but for those who did come along, I am extremely grateful. I told them how I started writing the Maria Challenge Quilt and they asked me lots of interesting questions. I had a very pleasant time.
In the six weeks before Christmas I have sold over 100 copies of my book. Thank you to everyone who has supported me. I am now busy researching the second book in the Challenge Quilt Series and hope to have it available by next October. (I'm sure that will come around all too quickly!)
Christmas was a much looked forward to event as my family was able to get away to country Victoria for four days where we could relax and breathe in the fresh air. We also made a trip to the beach, which is not my favourite place at all, but where my daughter could take lots of beautiful photographs - her latest hobby. I was a spoiled woman, receiving many wonderful patchwork items, including tools and fabric, and I feel all inspired. There are never enough hours in the day to do what I want to do. Life is so fantastic I can't understand people who waste it by doing drugs or lazing around. There are SO many things to inspire you, whatever your interest might be - you only have to step out there and try a few things.
I'm not into New Year's Resolutions as such, but I do like to make a few plans for how I would like my year to pan out. Over the last decade I have chipped away at making life changes to develop the lifestyle I really want, and so far I am succeeding. I'm not entirely there yet, but I know I complain a lot less now about 'having to' do this or that, or whinng about my job. Follow your dreams and make them happen. Take a step at a time to achieve them and they can come true. See you in the New Year.