Monday, February 9, 2009

What An Awful Weekend

Before I start talking about my needlework, I would just like to say how sad I feel about the loss of 128 people so far in this terrible bush fire. The current number is expected to rise and there are so many people who have suffered burns or other injuries. Not only have these poor people lost their lives, but hundreds and hundreds of people have lost everything that they own. All they have is what they are standing in. There are over 700 homes lost. To go through an area after a bush fire has been through is one of the most awful experiences that you can go through. Usually all that is left of a house standing is the lone fire place and chimney. It is such a sad sight.

I have been on the edges of a few bush fires over the years and some have been quite close to us. They are one of the most scary things you can imagine. Once they get on hold on there is no stopping them. My DH and one of my DS are in the RFS (volunteer fire fighters). During the last big fire we had in the mountains in 2007 my son recorded on his phone the sound of the fire approaching. It is so scary and sounds like a freight train coming towards him. When they get called out to go to these fires I always pray that they will come home safe and sound.

A lot of these fires on the weekend have been started by arsonists and some by lightening strikes (dry storms). The fires in Victoria have been going for over a week. They have had such terrible hot weather down there over the last few weeks, over 40 degrees C. We got this really hot weather on Friday and it was so hot. It was to hot to do anything except to hope that the evening would hurry up and come along. Not only has there been fires in Victoria but NSW and now Western Australia. There is not just one or 2 fires in a State, but there are 20 or 30 of them. Plus to go to the other extreme a third of Queensland is flooded. The floods have been there for weeks.

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Well as you can see I have framed my 2 samplers. I think they came out ok. The above one with my Mum's name on it is now hanging in my bedroom. I have hung Sarah Moon in my DS's room. I decided not to put it above his bed, but on another wall. I had a couple of smaller Quakers and they are all hanging together. I think they look quite good.

I also took another photo of Elizabeth Welfare as the previous one wasn't such a good photo.

This is my current update date on my current work. It has been too hot over the last few days to do much. This part of the sampler reminds me of crewel work. There is a lot of this work to come.

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Joanie of Joanie's World kindly nominated me for the Addiction Award. I am sorry but I am not very good with posting Award pieces etc to my blog.

After seriously thinking about the 5 things that I am addicted to, this is what I came up with.

1. My family of course.

2. My needlework. I love my antique repo's and I also love doing hardanger.

3. I love reading Classic novels.
When I find an author who I enjoy reading I find that I buy all their novels.

4. I love making and designing jewellery and also collecting Pandora charms for my bracelets.

5. I love a good cup of tea.

I am supposed to nominate another 5 people for this award, but all those who I would nominate have already received this award to I nominate all those lovely ladies who give me the honour of visiting.

12 comments:

Yuko said...

Dear Sandra,
I heard and saw the news about bush fire, and I'm so sorry about it... what can I say...
I heard some part of NSW also had bush fire, though are you and your family, friends ok?
I do hope no more bush fire.
And I pray for you all in Australia.

By the way, your samplers are so stunning, as always!
I lOVE Sarah Moon, this is one of my dream to stitch her and hang on the wall like you!
It's such a beautiful design!!
All the frames are also perfect!

((hugs))

Yuko

staci said...

I'm praying for all of those affected...fire can be so deadly and unpredictable. Let's hope some much needed rain shows up soon to help the firefighters. Take care.

Lapplisor said...

Dear Sandra
Very affected I pursue also the news of the large fires in your country.
A real disaster for all humans concerned.
Your men, and the others the voluntary fire-brigade are to be admired that they step against this misery.
I hope much the fact that the situation turns completely fast and finally uses rains.
The climate is konfus….

Your embroidery inspires me Sandra.
You framed your work marvelously. They work completely greatly!

I send my heart greetings to you, and hope for the victims of the fire…
Take care
♥☼♥Barbara♥☼♥

Cindy F. said...

Sandra, we're hearing about your horrible fires here in the States. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Stay safe!
Your frames are beautiful on your gorgeous samplers!

Joanie said...

What beautiful works you've completed! I love how Lois Minshall turned out for you! Sarah looks lovely too. They are completely awe-inspiring!

I've been watching the wildfires in Australia and I wondered if the area that Jenna stayed in was in the fire zone or flooded.

I will keep all of you in my prayers! It's so sad!

Aussie Stitcher said...

Sandra, thanks so much for your concern, we are safe where we are. On Saturday night we had thick smoke and ash falling, but that is so insignificant to what so many others have gone through. Thanks again, and your framed samplers look wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I find your blog today and I do love it.

Wendy said...

Your Samplers look lovely in their frames!

I've watched the news reports about the fires and they are just devastating. My heart goes out to all those who have lost.

Crazee4books said...

Hi Sandra,

It's around 8:30 am and I've just
finished breakfast and am now doing
a bit of blogging before I decide
what to do with the rest of my day.
I may clean the living room, and
there's snow to be cleared from the
back of the house and deck from
yesterday's storm. Not a lot of snow in the grand scheme of things, but enough to require shoveling.

It's been a lovely week so far,
although many people might think
it boring. I've been catching up
on my housework in the morning
(yesterday I excavated the kitchen)
and in the afternoon I stitch.
There are so many fun things that
I want to do, but only so many days
in my holiday to do them. What a
dilemma eh??

Although My Needle's Work is rather
close to a finish I have actually
been stitching on November window
and making fair progress on that.
Right now I'm building a house.

Went to spend the day with my Mom
on Monday and took all my current
stitching projects along to show
her and her favourite was November
window. It's about 2/3rds done I
guess.

Oh my goodness!! Your newly framed samplers are simply gorgeous!!!
What wonderful treasures they are.
I think hand made things like
these are what makes a house more
cozy and homey, don't you?? That
and walls full of books. Lol!
I love all the colours you used to
stitch the motifs in Sarah Moon,
which is a nice change from the
usual monochromatic look.

The news about the fires remains
grim and we heard the other day
that the death toll stands at 200
now, but will probably rise. It
is such a horrific situation.

You mentioned in your comment on
my blog that you're having cool
temperatures that require you to
have a fire going. Is that because
of the higher altitude that you're
getting such cool temps?? It's
still summer for you isn't it??
Such extremes of weather are so
frustrating and worrisome, to say
the least.

One of our lotteries is posting a
pot of about $48 million since no
one won last nights draw. We'll
buy a few tickets for the next
draw on the weekend and perhaps
I won't have to go back to work
next week. Hey, I can dream, can't
I??

Cheers!

Margaret said...

Sandra, I hope you see this comment. I just wanted to tell you that you're the reason why I started my own Lois Minshall sampler -- thanks! Can I ask -- when you stitched your mom's name, place and date, did you stitch where your mom last lived? Or where she was born? Or what? Thanks! margaretlcny @ gmail.com

Lapplisor said...

Dear Sandra
It excuses please that I did not visit you so for a long time.
In this time our baby arrived.
we are very happy over it.
Also our friends are of their journey again well back.
They did not see fortunately so much of the terrible fires, and the flood experiences.
Inspired they told me of your country.
I could see many pictures. Your work is greatly framed.

I am enthusiastic from the special frameworks to your work.

♥☼♥Barbara♥☼♥

N E E D L E P R I N T said...

Your Sarah Moon is beautiful. Thank you for making such a wonderful work of our sampler.
Jacqueline Holdsworth (Needleprint)
I have added a link to your blog from the Needleprint blog so everyone can see your lovely work. You are an inspiration!