End of January

Last year I took part in a free weekly blackwork stitchalong by Steady Thread.  A friend at embroidery guild and I did it together which was fun as we encouraged each other.  Different threads and different patterns.

I have mounted mine in the hoop that I showed I had covered with Washi Tape.  I was a bit messy and around the edges you can see where I was a bit generous with the glue!  There is felt on the back.

Hardanger this last week was these two light pink parts.  I did struggle with the fact they are on the diagonal.  

Then on Thursday June taught me the Greek Cross.  I got the hang of it while she was there to guide me...  now I need to do a section on my own.

Sew Day with a friend resulted in hand sewing the binding down for Civil War Bride.

I'm really pleased to have finally finished it... I had forgotten how much fun I had making it

The quilting took a while but it was simply going around the applique with some detail in leaves and larger areas like skirts etc.

Lucky to have had a larger piece of a suitable fabric for binding.

It has been horribly hot and humid, not like some areas.  Some storms have passed through including a microburst in our area which saw trees down and trampolines hurling around (no damage at our place)  

I sewed with the quilt on a table under a fan.

Righto, Gotto Go.  Had friends over the weekend so whilst I catch up on washing and Hubz is out at golf I will try and get some more of that hardanger done, but I expect to be distracted by the quilt on the frame, or the zippy bags ..... !!

Have a lovely rest of the week....

Last week of 2025

Christmas is all over once again ...... and I look forward to some gentle days watching the Boxing Day test match and eating left overs!  (oh and Hot Cross Buns have hit the shelves - my favourite part of end of Christmas)

We had a lovely day, relaxing and filled with love and laughter.  Thanks to technology chatting to family in other parts of the world.

This year I did a dozen Sashiko decorations to send out......

This is the Garment Bag I made for local daughter.    Over the shoulder handle and a big zipper pocket on the outside

I joked that this was made with love for about 20 minutes, from then on it was made with scowls and swearing.... It is so much easier making a quilt!!

To be fair the pattern was great and going step by step.  It is the Garment Bag from Caroline at Sew Can She.

Zipper all the way down the front and ties to hold the coat hangers in and small handles to hang or carry

I initially started this as she had a job requiring a fair bit of travel, curve ball has arrived and suddenly she is very ill but it will wait till she can make use of it.

I have finished quilting Sylvia's Bridal Sampler.  The binding is added but still hand sewing it down to be done....

Yesterday I did the last 4 flowers for my 2025 Blackwork SAL.  Each flower is different and this was a test of endurance!!! haha

I've ordered a 35cm hoop which is what I will use to finish it off.....

Righto, Gotto Go, Christmas Day was at our house, and there is still some tidying and sorting to do.... there is always so much paper and boxes to get rid of.

Have a lovely time betwix one year and the next.... We'll catch up in 2026.

Last week of November

A stormy week we have had....  not much rain in it but amazing light shows, for us no damage (a power out one evening) but many people and places have.

I am keeping myself busy with one thing or another...

I had a home day so got out the magnifying light and worked on my blackwork ......

It's easier for me to have several to do at a time so these are catch up ones.... 4 more to go but I will wait till they are all released and finish them.  Still not sure what I will do with it!

While the light was on I worked on the next bit of Hardanger... cutting threads!!!  and of course I cut one that I shouldn't have ..... 

online lesson on how to fix it.... the tension is not great but I felt I did a good job and it will be stitched over...

Then I finished all the little eyelets in this block.....  again there is a mistake but I'm not undoing it... can you find it????

I loaded up my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt this week and will slowly do a few blocks when I can....  (top was made in 2019) 

Doing a bit of hand sewing my binding down on Be My Neighbour... which I am now calling Deb's Village

I like this little gadget when I am binding.... I can thread 10 threads at a time and hold them here where they don't get all knotted up..... and then just stitch away.....

Thursday Hardanger's lesson is these tormenting looped picots!  That whole block needs to be filled with them!  I am struggling I have to admit, at the same time it completely takes over when I am doing it and I lose track of time....

I helped a friend out with a tiny thing and she gave me this sweet needleholder as a thank you.... it is nice and lightweight so a perfect addition to my Hardanger WIP kit....

Some lovely gentle rain this morning and a Christmas party to attend today.....

Righto, Gotto Go put on my glad-rags....

Have a lovely weekend....xx

Start of November

The local King Parrots have been visiting us.... this is Mr

... and this is Mrs.... there are a couple of Mrs's so not sure who is with who!!

They were coming in to the little veranda and leaving rather a few too many calling cards so we have set up a little feeding area we can watch.

They still come in and sit on the chair and shout if there is no seed there for them.

I missed a couple of my regular outings this week but caught up with my blackwork

... and Janice has shown me a rabbit hole to go down!!

I've had the pad of papers for some time with a plan to do it in Blue French Generals.  I know I can't keep up with the Stitchalong but I will start cutting as I find some time...

It's a lovely distraction

I am still knitting blocks for KOGO, but have started a little baby blanket in crochet as I do enjoy that in the evening....

Righto, Gotto Go...... time to get the evening meal cooked.... Spaghetti Bolognese with cheese on top...

Have a lovely weekend....xx

Third week of October

Hello there,

Well, it appears Spring has left early and summer is breaking October heat records!!!

My main sewing this week has been to continue with the embroidery on my linen dress using the Stick and Stitch.

I want to use the dress on Saturday for a Stitching Day ....

After a soak in water....

Detail on the back ....

It may have been easier to sew if I had thought of it before making up the dress but I'm pleased how it looks and the messy underneath won't be seen.

I couldn't start my hardanger lesson as I hadn't done the marking prep work required, so I did all that this week.  The Laguna fabric is too small for my eyes and I needed to get out the magnifying glass, while I had it out I did this last weeks blackwork flower....

Hardanger Lesson 1 will be today at club.

Too hot to think of a crochet blanket on my lap so I have started knitting 20cm blocks for KOGO.

I got this blocking frame recently and am using it to make sure my blocks are the right size so they can be easily sewn together......

Managed the 3 blocks so far.  The yarn is fun.   I have a few odd balls so I will make them up and add some plain ones to bring it all together....

A bit of charity quilting was done and general trying to sort out stuff in my sewing room.  I seem to have an awfully long list of things waiting for attention.

  Our grandson is finally in the air on the way here (last month his flight was cancelled due to a cyber attack at Heathrow)  Been a bit of delay getting his new flight organised.  He'll be with us tomorrow.

Righto, Gotto Go.... need to get the day going.... have a lovely weekend...xx

First Week of September

..... and what a fabulous start to Spring .....

Perfect to sit on the veranda listening to my audio book and catching up on my Blackwork SAL

I managed to get 4 flowers done ......

I am still behind .....

This is where I am up to now with it......

Because Jack has a new fishing quilt I wanted to give his little brother one......

I have had Boys Story by Anni Downs in my house for several years and it has been enjoyed by lots of little visitors....

Blair is our youngest grandson so  I think it will go and live with him... not too babyish ....

I just love the quirky humour, I think it is my most favourite ever......

Two labels needed to be sewn on......

They are both backed with flannel which is perfect for Victorian winters....

I got some more cream scraps so I pressed and cut these for my scrappy stars.... have a nice pile to make more stars soon....

My crochet is going slowly as it is more of a pattern and thinner wool but I like the shell look of it....  all in one colour

I hope your week has gone well....

Righto, Gotto Go.  I am usually out on a Friday but today at home so I get an extra day to play in my sewing room!!!

Happy weekend....xx