Some SKOW fabric chosen...

I've been sorting out some fabrics to use for the Some Kind of Wonderful quilt.  Last week I went on a road trip down south with some stitching friends.  We stopped on the way for morning tea and a visit to a patchwork shop and then continued on our way.  At the end of our 2 1/2 hour drive we came to the shop we had aimed for - I have never seen so much fabric in one place before-- there were so many choices it was unbelievable!  I came away with a few pieces to add to the basket above and a few other bits and pieces- it was just as well I had gone with a list of what I wanted or who knows what might have happened!!   It will be well worth another trip in the future...with such good travelling companions it didn't seem like such a long drive.
I've been getting on with some secret sewing but have also put something else on to the lace pillow- with a little bit more to do I should have another finish for the month.  After finishing the other piece a few weeks back I have got back in the groove.. (should have tidied up the bobbins before I took the photo!)

 Yesterday we had a balmy 20 degrees here (well when the temperatures during the week have been about 13/14 degrees then 20 does seem a lot warmer)  Today is supposed to be 24 but it has been raining.. looks like it is going to fine up though.
In the garden the kowhai tree is flowering...we thought this was lost to the frosts a few years back, but it recovered..

As some of the rhododendrons finish flowering others are just coming into flower..this is one we bought as a tiny plant at the sale at the Botanic Gardens in town quite a few years ago..don't know its name though...