Empress Wu Designs with Wilma

I will be leaving tomorrow for this part of the world ... I'll be returning home in a few weeks with lots of stories and photos.

Fairy Shoes are fun to make - I made three pairs this week for a special order. While they  are very time consuming , there isn't a pair I haven't liked and am tempted to keep myself. I first saw these fantasy shoes in an English Stitch magazine, and then we made some at a Hello Dollies meeting last year. Since then, I've been hooked!   We are now busily preparing for our trip to Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos and put forward our grandson'sbirthday lunch .... everyone enjoyed a lovely day together, especially the birthday boy.    Lots of presents for a Thomas fan.   And a cake ... Aunty Nome and cousins help celebrate And of course, big brother Too much partying for some ... Happy Birthday, William...

Last Saturday, my daughter celebrated her birthday, and on Sunday, our family gathered at her place not only to wish her a happy birthday, but also to wish both her and her husband a happy wedding anniversary. A few weeks ago I was very happy when I found this Michael Miller fabric panel online, and I thoroughly enjoyed making it for my daughter whose nickname is Nome (gnome). This particular fabric gnome carries a baby in a sling on his back. Our Nome had a baby daughter last December so the gift was received with great laughter. Even baby Amy and Aunty Kellie enjoyed the joke.   On Sunday too, our Rotary Ambassadorial scholar Mayuko organised a Japanese party for our Rotary club and friends. Mayuko and friends, including fellow Ambassadorial scholar Steffen, from Germany took over my kitchen and cooked for 30 guests. We enjoyed many traditional Japanese dishes – Is that cake really green … yes of course, green tea! Then, we were privileged to be the audience of a performance of Jap