Life has been busy… yet slow. Days of madness mingled with days of absolutely nothing. Summer holidays, which, at the end of December, seemed so long and glorious, yet now as we approach the end of January, seem to have just flown by, in the blink of an eye.

In all honesty, I haven’t done very much sewing in the past few weeks. We’ve had a lot of visitors. Family from interstate and local friends dropping in for BBQ’s and impromptu get-togethers. And, it’s been hot. Hot and yucky and humid yet, as I write this, the weather has cooled down considerably and it’s been raining for the past two days. Welcome to summer in Australia. 40 degrees one day and 20 the next.

I made a quilt. I’ve called it Sugar Stars.

I can’t show you the whole thing just yet. It’s a commissioned quilt – due for publication around April 2014.

Flower Sugar by Lecien is possibly my all-time favourite range of fabric. I used a few scraps from the Sugar Stars quilt to make this mini quilt for my Doll Quilt Swap 14 (DQS14) partner.

I’ll share more about this doll quilt in my next post. It will be my next scrap challenge project and I’ll share the tutorial on making these teeny turnstile blocks with small scraps.

I had a birthday. My kids, FlyBoy and family spoiled me with lot’s of lovely gifts. FlyBoy went through my personal FB feed and made all of my quilting and sewing related photos into a book. Projects which I’d forgotten that I’d even made! My husband is the most thoughtful man on this planet.

I also received some lovely Marc Jacobs perfume (don’t you just love this bottle?) and an amazing new digital DSLR camera. And a tripod! I’ll have to sit down and work out how to use it all properly. I also received some cash and vouchers from Spotlight.

We have a new addition to the family. I have a new little nephew who is the most gorgeous little man. He has the best temperament. The poor little guy has been passed around the family like a football, but takes it all in his stride and doesn’t complain.

Amelia is just besotted with her new cousin and loves holding him whenever she gets the chance.

I entered some items in a couple of my local shows. And came away with a few wins and placings.

And I’ve received some happy mail… My quilt in the latest issue of Down Under Quilts.

So much more to share, but the kids are calling. We’re off to the movies to see Free Birds and they’re super excited to be getting out of the house.

Have you been to the movies lately?

Has your summer been productive?