Flying visit

Yesterday, I had some breakfast guests. Our friends were on a 24 hour stop over on their way from Australia to Europe. I've decided to make them a "Zopf", a plaited bread, normally eaten on Sunday morning. It tuned out OK, although my "plaiting" skills still need improving. My mother is the real talent in that department. Hers turn out more like this:

I also made some cinnamon rolls, except mine are not made with cinnamon but a filling of apricot jam, ground hazelnut, lemon zest and sugar.

We had a lovely lazy day before they flew off at midnight. It was great to have them here and to catch up even though it was really rather short.

Vreni

World Expo in Shanghai

Where do you think this picture was taken? You would probably say somewhere in the alps, right?

Well, you would be wrong as it happens! I took it on the roof of the Swiss pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai last weekend. This chair lift took us up to the top. Usually one has to stand in line for hours (up to five, I've been told) but luckily we had a special pass and were able to get on directly.

The Swiss pavilion outside.....

..... and the view from inside overlooking the German building.

This is the Chinese pavilion. Unfortunately we were not able to get in as we didn't have tickets. Apparently one has to stand in line (another one) at 6 am each day when the tickets are dispensed. (Sorry for the quality of the pictures as I forgot to bring my camera and had to use my iPhone)

There were crowds everywhere. The average visitors number is around 500'000 per day. We did manage to see a few more of the pavilions. Generally we visited those with the shortest lines. All in all I must say that we liked the Swiss pavilion best, but then we might be slightly biased ;). Luckily the temperature was quite comfortable at around 25 degree C. I wouldn't want to be there at the height of summer when it often gets close to 40 degree C. Well, I have seen it now but I'm not convinced I would make the effort to go again.

Of course that was not the only reason for our trip. The more important one was to spend time with the kids. I also made a quick trip to the haberdashery street where I just had to get some of these lovely Christmas ribbons.

All in all it has been good to go back and to catch up with friends (and the kids) but the pollution was still as bad as ever and the traffic nightmarish so we were quite glad to return home.

Now it's back to "work" as I have to finish a quilt I've promised my friend in the UK for her "Open Garden" in August in favour of the Christina Noble Children's Foundation. I have been involved with fundraising for this fantastic organisation in one way or other for quite a number of years. I hope to be able to show you the finished quilt very soon.

Take care and have a lovely weekend.

Vreni

Three Little Birds

Rise up this mornin'; smiled with the risin' sun.
Three little birds pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs of melodies pure and true; saying,
"This is my message to you-ou-ou.”
Lyrics by Bob Marley



My three little birds are not sitting by my doorstep but on a flower pot of sorts. I've made this little wall hanging for "Another Little Quilt Swap 4". The pattern is very much influenced by Kellie of "Don't look know". I've used raw edge applique (I followed Kellie's tuition) and machine quilted it.

On other news: we're off to Shanghai later this week to visit the Expo as well as to see the kiddos (not necessarily in that order). By chance both our kids are in China at the moment; DD and her young man in Beijing where they are both working and DS in Shanghai where he is doing an internstip. He will go back to Boston in Autumn for his last year at Uni. It seems our timing is really off considering we only moved from Shanghai about half a year ago. Oh well, at least we are all on the same continent for once.

Have a great week ahead.

Vreni

Need a bag in a hurry?

My daughter who has recently moved to Beijing to teach has asked me to make her a bag to take to work. I've found the pattern here and it's called the Lickety Split Bag . Not only was it very easy to make (it only took a couple of hours) it is also reversible.

To make it a bit more special I've put some velvet ribbon around the top of the pockets. DD asked for muted colours but this bag would lend itself for bright and funky fabrics as well.

I've also been practicing my free motion quilting on my new machine. After a few hick ups I think I'm getting the hang of it.

Happy Stiching

Vreni

I'm a winner!

Would you believe it, I've won this fantastic bundle of Lynette Anderson's fabrics called "Snowmen make me smile". Lynette had a give away on her blog and I was the lucky one.... yay....! Now I have to think of a lovely winter project to do these beautiful fabrics justice. Thank you Lynette!!

Photo by Lynette Anderson

I needed to make a block with a tropical feel so I thought of a coconut tree. I hope it's obvious what it is meant to be! I've hand appliqued the trees using the "invisible applique" technique by Ami Simms. I've been doing it this way for a while now and I love it. No more faffing around with freezer paper.

And I finally got this quilt back. I've started it a long, long time ago but lost interest and gone off it. Last year I decided to dig it out from the bottom of my UFO stash and made new blocks to replace those I didn't like. Once I had it sewn together I sent it to Indonesia where it was hand quilted.

As you can see, the quilting is quite exquisite and it would take me several life times to get it looking like this. I'm not really cut out for hand quilting as, unfortunately, I'm much too impatient.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Vreni

I'm finally satisfied!

with my sewing/craft room that is! I've been arranging and rearranging it for the last couple of month as the room is rather small so I had to make the most of the space I have.

Look at this Chinese medicine cabinet which I bought just before we left Shanghai.

Isn't it beautiful? And it's perfect for all my "bits and bobs". It's quite astonishing how much stuff I was able to put into all the little drawers. Now I just have to remember where I put what so I don't have to open all 48 before I find what I need.

Then there is this new piece of furniture (I had it custom made in China). It's for all my papers and box making tools. It's the perfect height so I can use it as my cutting table as well.

On the rather big windowsill I have a small "exhibition" of some of the boxes I've made.

Before I go I have to show you what the postman brought this week. The Kaffe Fassett is self explanatory!


I love "The Gentle Art of Quilt Making" by Jane Brocket; the photos are gorgeous and the quilts simple yet stunning. If you like Kaffe's book, you will love this one too.

Jane Brocket has written books on other subjects but as far as I know it's her first quilting book. Check out her blog here. And here is where I've ordered it from! I can highly recommend them as the service was very speedy and they deliver free of charge WORLDWIDE!

To all mums out there

Vreni

Christmas came early this year!

Actually it was meant to be my last year's Christmas gift from my dear husband, but it doesn't really matter, as I promised I wouldn't need another birthday or Christmas present for many years to come. Good thing he has a short memory span when it comes to things like this. Anyway, last Saturday my new Bernina 820 was finally delivered, set up and explained to me. This has been my bed time reading for the last couple of evenings:

The 820 can do quite a number of new "tricks" my 440 couldn't do like automatically thread the needle, cut both threads at the push of a button (just to name a few) and of course I love the much bigger working space.

What a perfect excuse to start a new project, don't you think?

If it turns out the way I picture it in my head I will use it as my contribution for this:

Please excuse me now, I have to get back to my new toy ;). Enjoy the rest of your week.

Vreni