I decided to draft some patterns for Aline skirts to sell at Northampton this year. I make them for myself and am always receiving comments on them. They sit on the hip and are knee length with a yoga waistband – so a better fit. I have finished skirts in various sizes and fabrics on my facebook site http://www.facebook.com/daffy.designs
It is such a classic cut made with modern and vintage fabrics.

I must admit I haven’t been very active with my blog in recent times!  I have been back to southern Africa, visiting the beautiful Namibia’s north and South Africa’s Kruger Park in May this year. I didn’t see my sponsor girl due to school holidays but left her some Australian gifts in Windhoek for her. On my return, the quilts have all been finished by the lovely volunteer quilt team and my responsibility was to get them to Thailand. They were driven down to Perth in September, expressed overseas (don’t ask the cost!) and they reached the destination safely to the organisation’s manager. I was stung again by corrupt customs officials (again don’t ask the cost) – the risks in an unstable country but at least they arrived safely after so much work by the ladies. Lorel will give them out to the most needy when she is over there next as it is warm weather at the moment. The foundation had just taken in some more abandoned children from over the Myanmar border so she was thinking of them for the quilts. Borderless Friendships WA is a great non-profit organisation where the money does actually go to making a real difference. Their website can be found at http://www.borderlessfriendship.org/ and Lorel is a legend with all she does for this community.

At the end of our 2014 trip to Namibia, we had a great stay with Naan Kuse Lodge and Foundation.  We recommend anyone going over there to have at least one night there.  We met Dina, who we sponsor for schooling, ran into a young Geraldton lass who was working there (yes small world) and a lovely guide called Solomon let us walk their lovely cheetah Kiki out in the bush.  We also went to the little school there and could see what a wonderful place this was to keep the San bushmen safe and retain their culture.  Solomon was very keen on getting the kids to play soccer so when we returned to Australia we organised 14 soccer shirts to go over to them.  They got lost for a while in customs but eventually arrived in March 2015 (sent in September 2014) and Solomon received the shirts for the kids.  We were so pleased to see them smiling and playing soccer in them.  Sometimes something simple can make a huge difference.  Never underestimate the difference you can make in the lives of others, even with soccer shirts!

Some custom made cushions

And some patchwork totes – one I gave away, one to keep.

The “Sew Good” ladies group presented Dr Lorel Mayberry (Borderless Friendship WA) with 35 quilts for the Hill tribe children in Northern Thailand.  It has taken these ladies 14 months with many sewing days and working from home to get them finished.  Good job ladies!  The kids will love them, I am sure….

I have made some cushions, tote bags and then some more cushions with this fabulous fabric.

Three more kids quilts finished for the Sew Good Group (Geraldton) – to go to Hill Tribe kids in Northern Thailand for BFWA.

Only about 6 to go and then we have to get them there!

Here are some more retro bags – I found some cute meerkat fabric on Spoonflower, this one is custom made for Christmas but will make more (and probably one for myself!).

I also found the gorgeous owls in the fabric stash, this one isn’t sold.  All bags are $40 please message me on my Facebook page if in you would like one.

I had a stall at the Christmas Bonanza at the QEII Centre, Geraldton on the 30th November.  I had my helper “little elf” Tarnamah helping me again looking after the stall and pack up.  Although rather quiet day for me it was enjoyable to chat to shoppers and I did score a roll of backing from a kind lady so we can finish our Sew Good quilts for our orphanage in Thailand.  So thank you for your generosity.

I donated a patchwork bag for the raffles, last one I have of this type, so will have to make some more…..