Country hospitality

Yummy delights

We had our quarterly regional meeting in a nearby rural town.  Each year we use the local Primary School's facilities in this little town -- to host our meeting. 
The school has 25 pupils, the Mothers Club cater for our meeting each year. Once again the food on offer was exceptional, we also received gift bags of home made shortbreads to take home. Bowls of mints and those essential pick-me-up sweet treats graced our tables - as well as that of the guest speakers.  We had guest speakers for the day from the city- they were hugely impressed with the country hospitality.
 I was busy talking at the start of lunch, so missed taking photos of the lovely cold meat platters and variety of mouth watering salads.
Instead - it was all about the priorities -- I took photos of the morning tea and dessert offerings!

Next year, we have requested to have a mid year meeting in this town again, we have requested the theme to be Christmas in July, the Mums on the catering comittee were eager to please --we can't wait to see the feast prepared for us in 2013.

 

Middle 5BN baked this last night

The middle 5BN had several days this week as a transition into secondary school, he made the apple turnovers in Food Technology , and was so keen to come home and immediately make some for the whole family- with no assistance.
He already has a keenness for the baking, and will readily make a batch of shortbread or yo yos for school lunches, I will be continuing to foster this interest.
 

Stars for a new baby

My SIL had been busy sewing for her newest grandson and has made this gorgeous quilt for baby Dustin. Many of the fabrics were purchased from this gorgeous shop.

Jig Saw Puzzle Quilting

Again, the brilliant quilting was done by the wonderful Mrs WB



Loving the detail with the quilting and the stars

Well done to my SIL Mrs WH,     baby Dustin will love kicking and rolling on this brilliant quilt.

Blush

Miss 5BN is breathing in! - to fit into this lovely smocked dress, this will be the last summer to wear this dress.  Fabric is a floral self print, 100% cotton from Spotlight - several years ago.
Mrs  LG from our sewing group, had made her daughter a gorgeous dress from the same fabric.
Imitation being a form of flattery -- I did ask Mrs LG - if she minded if I bought meterage of the same fabric--and here is the result.

Smocking pattern is  Blush
AS&E Issue 88, p 34

fabric covered buttons add detail
fabric covered piping finishes the collar, yoke and shoulder edges.

Openings and Outings

Volunteering is the lifeblood of rural communities, there would be very few families or local identities who would not volunteer their time or goods in one way or another.  Firefighting, flood recovery, catering, sporting events, working bees --the list goes on.  Volunteering certainly happens anywhere and anytime.
The volunteers also enjoy the social side that goes along with it, so the 5BN family were no exception, when we received our invitation to the opening of our flash new CFA shed;  this was an opportunity for a catch up with the locals.


very fancy invitation on A4 paper!



Note the contrast between the Old and the New CFA Shed

A pioneer in the past had a great time naming this little rural community GRASS FLAT!!
 



Mr 5BN receiving his 25
years Service Medal for volunteering as a local CFA member



Mr 5BN's 25yrs of Service Medal, as well as his father's 55 years of Service Medal - presented on the night.



Our trio and a mate inspecting Mr 5BN's Service Medal

Sunday Sewing

Our sewing group meet this afternoon, so I decided that I needed some handwork to take along. I have a new order for a smocked dress for Miss C.  Miss C  is soon to turn 2 years old, so a dress was requested for the birthday, but to be able to be worn throughout summer as well.

Star of the Show---Issue 48, p 34
Australian Smocking and Embroidery
 

Bullion Daisies

This design was a favourite of mine and also Miss 5BN, she wore it lots and lots, so I decided to make the same for Miss C.

No sahes to trip over

 

Tucked hem for a neat and quick finish.

 

Here it is in pink, with piping around the neck and sleeve bindings.

Gifted to a great niece for her Christening

Fabric pleated and blocked

Shadow play in the morning light

Blocked-- and all right to go now.


I will find some threads to match, and work on this - this afternoon.

SunnyBoy / Pyramid Purses

Colourful treats

Mr 5BN and the middle 5BN are flying interstate this weekend, to visit Mr 5BN's older sibling and his family. I decided the two preteen daughters needed to receive a small gift, along with the SIL as well.

These Pyramid Purses were deemed to be appropriate. I had purchased the pattern as a PDF download some months ago, so quickly located the pattern on the laptop.

PDF download easily managed

Nicole Mallalieu has written a splendid pattern, lots of photos, many handy hints,  this was very enjoyable to read through and follow.



Yummy refreshing Summer treats

The shape of the purse reminded me of the icy Sunnyboy treats the children enjoy.

Yum Yum

 

Fabrics were easily chosen from the Prints Charming range at Spotlight, - fresh colours and designs.

Zips to match were also chosen.

Zip being inserted

Progress being made,

More practise with the zips.

Choices, choices!

 

\

 

These pyramid purses were quick to make, used little fabric amounts, there was no unpicking required by the time I had made the fourth little purse. I had mastered the art of the zip insertion, and the little handle being sewn into the correct side of the purse!

Miss 5BN wishes to keep one for herself, the other three will go to the recipients with maybe a lipgloss / hair accessories- or small treat inside.