RSC - Blue for February, and Out to Lunch

 In Rainbow Scrap Challenge land, a new month means a new colour.  And blue it is.  I looked through my small bag of 2.5in squares and selected some with blue tones to make more framed four patch blocks.  That bag doesn't seem to be going down at all, but it must be, ever so slowly.  I know I've said it before, but I really don't like working with 2.5in squares, they just seem so small to me.  And yes, I know, some bloggers delight in working with even tinier 1.5in squares, how do they do it, I wonder?  I found enough squares to make seven small blocks, so I'm pleased with that.  The idea is to use up the squares I have, and not cut any new ones.  Last year I stitched quite a few hollow nine patches from this bag, with plenty still left to start this new project of framed four patches.

Blue framed four patches

And perhaps I could quietly add another RSC project too.  I had a piece of black and white fabric which I decided to use as a boys project, adding colours each month.  I didn't want to use pink, so substituted burgundies instead, then  made the blue blocks.  Nice and simple to stitch, and I have previously used this block when I made a tablecloth using New Zealand fabrics, but that's another story.

Quilt for a boy

Last week my daughter Nicky drove down to take us out on a lunch date.  I was keen to try the newly opened Tatum Park Cafe.  This is a brand new building, large and airy, and the staff were very friendly and attentive.  Nicky had chicken and I enjoyed a plate of dumplings.  After lunch we went to check out the original homestead, ground floor only, which has been renovated and caters for overnight guests.  I sat in one of the large roomy chairs, pretending I was someone very important.

Who do you think you are?

Looking out from the back deck we could see where wedding ceremonies took place.  The grounds here are gorgeous.

A lovely place for a wedding

Tatum Homestead

Built in 1912, Tatum House was the home of Major and Lady Tatum.  Having no children of their own, the property was a bequest to the Scouting Association in the 1940s, eventually becoming the organisation's National Training centre.  As time went on, maintaining the buildings and grounds became too much of a financial burden for the Scouting Association.  By 2012 the trust terms were renegotiated allowing the property to be sold.  New owners, Wayne Bishop Group purchased the property in 2024 and have developed it into a wedding venue with accommodation and a restaurant.

Our caravan club had many weekend caravan rallies at Tatum in the early years.  Lovely grounds, but the facilities were rather basic and in need of an upgrade even back then.  The only camping these days is "glamping" we were told, no doubt in rather posh tents.