Here's a few things that I have been up to apart from all the usual mundane things like washing, ironing, cleaning, supervising children, and going mad!
The first photos is still a WIP but I have only few more blocks to quilt. I am really loving this quilt, the colours are so lovely and fresh. The blocks are really quite big too which shows the fabric off really well. This is one for my latest nephew who was born in November, so I think I am doing pretty well getting it done before he is 6 months old. I will be really sad to see this quilt go, as I am really am attached to it.
A couple of weeks ago we held a dinner party at our house (not my idea) and as usual if I have an idea in my mind about the food or table decoration or whatever, I have to go through with it.
You might recall at the Living Creatively stand at the Stitches & Craft Show in Melbourne, Jenny and Fi made gorgeous fabric flowers from Liberty fabric. I just loved them, so I thought it would be really nice if I made some for the female guests to take home as a memento of the evening. There were a couple from the States and another couple visiting from interstate. So I made about 8 of them and I turned them into a brooch for them. I used them to make up the floral centrepiece for the table.
Jenny taught me a really easy way how to make them and so did Fi. I stuck a swarovski crystal in the middle of them just to add a bit of a sparkle from the candle light.
Then of course, I thought, maybe we should have something for the guys, so I made a batch of nougat - NOTE: please don't ever try making this without a Kitchenaid or Kenwood. So I made that (which is quite temperamental) and wrapped it up in 
cellophane and ribbons and they became the place card settings.
So here are some photos of the result. I spent so much time planning all of this, I really didn't have much time to think about the menu, but it did all come together - my husband is a wonderful cook and a fantastic cleaner upperer in the kitchen. He did a fantastic job. I think we make a really good team together. I didn't here any complaints from the guests.
National Ag Day...........
5 days ago
30 comments:
I LOVE your quilt. The fabric combination is simply stunning. I love your hand quilting too! Simply fabulous!
Your quilt is beautiful!
Love the table settings, so many wonderful ideas! Making dinner for family and/or friends is not only about the food. I guess you and your husband are a really good team giving dinnerparties indeed!
Boy, you've been a busy girl Cathy. The quilt is just adorable -- I'll bet you WILL miss it -- it's too cute. And beautiful job on the tablescape -- I'll bet everyone loved their favors!
wow it all looks so pretty and the quilt is lovely.......I would come for dinner just to sit there who cares about the food.......lol
what a gorgeous quilt.....lucky boy!
Your quilt is so effective - the bright colours just jump out at you - will make a terrific quilt for a little guy! Your fabric flowers are gorgeous too - you have been busy!
The quilt is gorgeous, the colours are so fresh. Wow, your dinner party looks fantabulous - your guests were definately in for a treat!!
oh Cathy everything looks amazing!can i come to the next one?!? that quilt is fantastic, the blue and green and your very neat perle stitches, your a star!!
Hmmmmm...I trying to decide if I'd rather be one of your special friends that was invited to your beautiful dinner party, or if I'd rather be one of your nephews on the receiving end of one of your divine quilts (I loooooooooooove your latest quilt...I can see why you're finding it hard to part with!!!). And I'm like you...once I get an idea in my head, I have to see it through, regardless of how much pressure I put myself under...crazy, huh!!!
I love your quilt too. You dinner party sounds and looks fantastic.
those flowers sound divine, especially the crystal in the middle!
Is there a tutorial anywhere?
I'd be getting attached to that quilt, too. I love the colours and the fabrics you used.
I remember well those gorgeous flowers!
You spoil your guests. All mine ever get to take home is food poisoning.
The quilting is looking really good Cathy. Your table looked beautiful and the nougat was delicious - thanks for the sample! B and I work well as a team at dinner parties - love a man that can cook!
The quilt is gorgeous, I am still planning the Aunt becs 9 patch... Where do I find instructions for the flowers...I saw them at stitches too!!!!!!! Nice dinner party..We used to do that before we had kids..Somehow the mcdonalds boxes might clash with the crystal..
The quilt looks great... I love the brightness of all of the fabrics together...
Wow, you sure do go all out for a diner party... I'd love to come over to be spoilt by you and the DH... The brooches look gorgeous and I bet the boys just loved their little nougar surprise...
Jodie :)
That quilt really is gorgeous! The colours are so fresh and you've chosen some really nice patterns too!
Oooh, the quilt! I love the colours!
Hey there you are! Worth the wait though ... that quilt looks so lovely! And you are as bad as me when it comes to entertaining ... the table looks lovely (should have put an old bone on a plate though in the middle of the table... it would have just topped things off nicely!!!! :) )
love
love
loveeee that quilt!
beautiful fresh and bright colours
perfect for a little boy! I'm actually a bit jalous....
I love an elegant place setting - yours look so divine.... and the quilt is truly lovely: blue and green should definitely "be seen"...
ohhhh what a beautiful post full of lovely photos...I loooooove the liberty flowers and want some now!
it all looks gorgeous and I love the quilt too!
Corrie:)
I agree the colours are very fresh.. nice and summery. I just love nougat mmm
Lisa x
That quilt is gorgeous - the pattern as well as the fabrics. Hmmm...food for thought!
And I think nougat is definitely more fun to eat than make!
Cathy,
I am new to your blog and found you through Erna of Blij als Mij...Oh my, those table settings and gifts are absolutely gorgeous (especially for a dinner party that was not your idea!).
And your quilts are colorful inspirations...thank you. I especially love the photo of the one hanging on the clothesline.
Iris
ooh-ahhh! What a gorgeous post!! Loved the stitch detail on the quilt, and as I scrolled the pics just got more and MORE lush.
Someone once used the term "the alchemy of food" and I thought it was a perfect phrase to describe a good dinner-party. Looks like you created gold at this one.
how gorgeous your quilt is, the colours are amazing and the hand quilting looks so fab!! The table is also amazing, your are a legend giving dinner parties!! I can't remember when we last did that, except family dos of course (usually a bbq) Teddy's quilt is devine!
I am just in awe over all the beauty I find here. What a delightfully pretty table you have set. It is magical and your guests must have felt so welcomed and appreciated.
And the quilt in progress os just so lovely!
I am so glad you left me a note on my blog awhile back so that I could pay you a visit! I will be back again!!!
-Emily in Norway
I love that quilt!! It is sooooo yummy and I cant wiat to see the finished result! Good on you for hand quilting - I am still so scared of that. And the flowers and table setting are so lovely! I wish I was more of an entertainer!
that quilt is amazing!!! i just commented how my son LOVES elephants on your newest post, and it's so funny he has also been asking me to put his elephants (the japanese import ones in green, like yours) on a quilt for him. Yours is so inspiring and beautiful. Wonderfully done!
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