First trip up and into the African Bush.

 I received a request to post some pictures of the African Bush.  These are snapshots from one of my siblings and their soulmate.  This is a first adventure in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

 The rivers have crocodiles, alligators and lots of other wild animals, which live close to the water.

A  Hippo taking a stroll.

 Relics of an era long gone.  Hunting is frowned upon today.  Shoot with a camera, not a gun!

Tourism is the lifeblood of many communities in rural Africa, hence the large river/house boats.

Conservation has become a way of life.

Leave only your footprints behind......

African Sunsets.

There is nothing like a sunset under the African skies.  The colours are intense and the sense of peace and calm which surrounds one,  fill one with awe, is one of the most amazing experiences one can experience.
It changes from light to dark in a heart beat, then the magic begins.  A midnight velvet sky, lit up by millions of stars.  Winter in the Southern Africa is very different, to North America.  Most days got up to 25 C.  Going for a swim everyday is also on the cards! 

Part of my trip, included packing up a two bedroom townhouse and preparing it for the next owner.  Having moved as many times as we've had to over the years, one just get on with the job.  It took six days, which was great. When all the packing was done, I got to spend some time with special quilting friends.  Popping into a few Quilt and  Fabric shops, one is the size of a very large supermarket. 

 I had to go upstairs and take the photos from the next level.

 Anything you wish to make, they have the fabric here, including ready made household items.

 This shop, was my stop, if the traffic was very bad.  My daily commute used to be four and a half hours.

 Touching and feeling the fabrics, had a calming effect. Not too mention all the colours.

 Fabric is bought by the cart loads.  This is a one stop shop. To get the prices in Canadian Dollars divide it by ten.

 Wanting to make a prom or wedding dress, the embroidered and beaded fabrics are stunning.

 Looking for trims, the variety and selection is just amazing. You can see more here.

Spending five extra days with my siblings, priceless!

On an adventure in the Rainbow Nation.

August, this year was always going to be a busy month, filled with surprises, celebration, adventure and so much more.  Seeing loved ones, whom I have not seen for more than eighteen years.  It was very precious to spend time reconnecting and seeing how we all stood the test of time.  Nephews and nieces all grown up, getting married, becoming parents for the first time.  Dad, turning eighty!  He still behaves and do things, as if he is a much younger person.  You only realise you are old if you look in a mirror, so try avoid this past time as much as possible, it is a good way to stay young at heart!

Dad has always loved fishing, so the cake was the easy part.  Keeping the celebration a secret and planning it over the course of a year, not so easy!  One of the nieces, was getting married in August, so that shifted the focus to her wedding instead.  Perfect for us, as we all live all over the world.  Trying to get such a large family together, far more complicated.  Up until we placed the cake on the table, got dad to sit at the head of the table and us all singing Happy Birthday, it stayed a surprise until then.  He will celebrate his official birthday in September.  We made him promise to aim for ninety, so that we can get together again!

                                                                  Happy Birthday!

What do you get an eighty year old for their birthday?  This had us all debating for months on end.
A Tablet, the largest one we could find.  He now has his own email, one of the grandsons set it up, part of his email adress is 007.  We all got excited, for now we could send photos and write on the email, except the games on the tablet, he is having far more fun with that.  So when the email pops up, he is minimizing it!  We have gifted the task of email to the grandchildren, they are going to teach him that part.  We will continue to call him,  as we always do....

Tools of the Trade.

The tools and equipment we use on a daily basis has to be robust enough, to stand the test of time.  It they are well made, they will make the job so much smoother and make your life so much easier.  Recently I had issues with can openers, not only, do I hardly use them, they tend to break after less than seven times in use.  So knowing this was the case, on purpose I went shopping with a different mindset.  It must be robust, not just looking like it is up to the job.  Found one with a three year warranty.

Sewing tools, do not give me this kind of problem.  They make them to last, what happened to the way they use to make things?  Love these Clover clips for sewing on binding! (Thank you Kate for introducing me to them.)

I was very privilege to receive a gift, a few years ago, from Jamie.  He made me a Light Box.  It is awesome, as it is large enough to accomodate all my needs and it makes transferring any design onto fabric or paper a breeze.  This is what it looks like, what a treasure.  He builds his own Guitar Amp's and his workmanship is amazing, with attention to detail, which is second to none.
365 Challenge:

This is the last of the light blocks for now, the small dark blocks is next.

Love Entwined:

 

 

Splendid Sampler: