Clams and Mermaids

I am so grateful that I have been able to spend these beautiful days with my sister and her family. We have been enjoying ourselves so much. My sister and her new baby came home a few hours after delivery and we have been recovering, re-discovering, resting, reminiscing and adjusting. Mom, Dad and baby are doing very very well, and are extremely touched by all your prayers and wishes. As of course, am I.

:)

I have enjoyed many more walks with my niece Ariel, so Mama, Papa and Baby-sister can sleep in a bit.

And I have also enjoyed plenty of cuddly/burpy time with baby Orianthi. It seems that Tia Valita has a special Burpy-touch! ('Ori~Anthi' means beautiful flowers or mountian flowers in greek, which makes her proud Greek uncle very happy!)

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Yesterday I received a beautiful gift:

Our wonderful Ria from Treasure Quilts came to see me and take me away!

It was a wonderful break and I got to see her quilts in person...

Ria's 1/2" Hexi-flower garden...

OMGoodness!

We were giggling like crazy girls, in her car, parked under some lovely trees: gasping, ooh-ing and aah-ing, talking and sharing like we have known one another all our lives!

Ria's Leeanne's House... unbelievably rich colours!

Ria's Dear Jane...

and yes we did get passerby's

to stop to admire her work!

Later we hit the high-way in a wonderful mad dash to reach to this wonderful quilt-shop called De Naaidoos, the sewing box, a transformed centuries-old farmhouse in the midst of vast Dutch Country-side.

...and yes, we did leave our hard-earned euro's behind in exchange for textile delights...

Een Dag met een Gouden Randje!

A Happy Day!

Today our first Clam-shell Club report day...

Thank you, Jossie, for the inspiration and for getting us organized.

I am so excited to be sharing this project with so many Blog-sisters.

Considering the month is has been, I did not expect to have much to report today, but with the help of my lovely assistant I was able to cut out, baste (a few), and admire my Niece Ariel's, lay-outs. I truly cherished the beautiful start to this little project and

know it will be a very special quilt :

"Clams and Mermaids"

I finger-press my clam-shell's seam-allowance over my template, and baste them. Then I mark the centres of the clams with a pin, match-up and applique. I will let you know how this works out. I really don't mind if it goes a bit wonky because I intend this one to be a dolly-quilt.

I am so happy to have had all of you come with me on this Dutch adventure. Tomorrow is my last day, and I am very excited to see my boys again on friday.

pssss....Next monday, my Beloved has planned a week-long family get-away.

I get a feeling we are up for an adventure! ...so keep those virtual suitcases packed, girls!

Love, Always,

Valentina