2nd week of August

Last weekend we had a game to watch.... it was cold and we were lucky to find a parking spot with a great view (though I thought the Hubz could have got out and cleaned the windscreen for me!) (Widget is Number 4)  They won the game ....

Trail Mix is a finish!!! I do love it ....

I did a flange binding... which means it is all done by machine so quicker than hand sewing it down...

The backing is very bright..... but there are some bright blue blocks in the quilt so I'm  happy with it.  Here you can see my hook swirly quilting....

Company at appointment meant I made a start on my shawl/scarf.  I do need a bit of concentration at the moment whilst I get the hang of the pattern...

World Embroidery Day was enjoyed and Embroider Guild made up little packages for us members...

They were so nicely presented....

and inside a little kit to make up a needlecase....  the base is already sewn and the picture drawn - all the rest provided.  I thought it was such a nice touch ...

My evenings are focussing on the Christmas stitcheries..... loving doing them ...

The owls are on the quilting frame.  Each owl will be different ....

... and the background wiggly texture.  I just love the background fabric and wish I had more in different shades....   I bought it ages ago....

.. and since I had a finish I decided to start a new project..... these are Tilda fabrics...

... and this is the quilt I am making.  (Tilda provide loads of free patterns on their web page and this one came with their recent range "Something Blue"....

May take a while!!!  

Righto, Gotto Go... the owls are hooting.....

Have a great weekend....x

4th week of July

It has been a busy week with one thing and another but of course I still find time to play in my sewing room ....

The last two of the 'panels' have been done.... there is two identical pooh bear quilts.  These look like they are patched but it is the fabric.  I used a doona cover for the backings - nice and bright and can be reversible now.

Oh what fun with my Parliament of Owls..... once the curve sewing, pressing and trimming is done it is easy and fun making up owls.

I now have 10 small owls to make.....   I looooove them!

... and I have a gorgeous finish

 

Wings and Pretty Things was designed by bestie Michelle (see hers HERE) and we sewed it sortof together with Lin(see hers HERE)

I did do custom quilting....

I love the detail Michelle included (even if I am not a giant fan of EPP)

I loooooove it.....

I did purchase a pretty skein of yarn at the Jazz and Jumpers festival.  I have to say this is the most expensive ball of wool I have bought but it is hand dyed Marino wool and I will make a Simple Variations Shawl as made by Janice.... (thanks for the link)  I looooove it ... (see one Janice recently made HERE)

and woohoo I completed this final corner of my Table runner..... I am now going around the edge in a chain stitch as seen in the bottom of this.....  I loooove it....

Just one more picture ..... it's worth it....

So a lot to love this week......

Righto, Gotto Go.... cooler weather has arrived and the fire needs stoking and the soup needs heating....

Have a lovely rest of the weekend.....x

Back home

A few intensive weeks in Brisbane.  I discovered the surgery my daughter had has a nickname of MOAS (Mother Of All Surgeries) and I can see why.  It is brutal and tough, I was told it was the largest of the surgeries they do at the hospital.   A few days in ICU and then a couple of weeks on the ward and at the weekend took her home.  Recovery is always better at home isn't it?   Time will tell how effective the HIPEC (chemo) was (and what next for that) ...... as with all cancers regular scans and tests for the next 10 years at least.

I never even opened my box of projects! but I did do a few rows of crochet in the evenings at the unit, and I did alter a couple of her nighties so she could wear them over the PICC lines.... the sleeve needed to be able to open so I cut across the top and applied some velcro - worked a treat.

Before we left to Brisbane I did finish quilting "Wings and Pretty Things" (designed by friend Michelle)

Hard to see the quilting but curls in the background and outlining the applique ....

Straight lines through the EPP pieces.....

Just waiting for the binding to go on now.....

I just wanted a couple of days quietly at home and the best way for me to rest is to sew.....

These two items were already cut and partly sewn...  you will see they are both the same fabric - because there was plenty!

A favourite top of mine.... Bondi top

The back has a pleat ....

And a wrap around dress ......

Now that it is cooling down I'm not sure I will really have a chance to wear them until it warms up again...

The evenings were spent finishing off the blue beanie.... so now these can be posted to the grandieboy brothers in Victoria.

Oh, and I thought I deserved a treat so got the kit of Anni Downs new fabric range

The girls at The Quilters angel have added a coordinating fabric for binding and included a preprint linen for the embroideries....

... and of course the pattern book

I'm holding off starting this as I still have lots of other handwork projects on the go  - it's so tempting especially with the preprints!!!

Righto, Gotto Go..... a quilt is set up on the frame, scrappy blocks are all over the sewing space and yarn is bubbling out the bucket next to my chair!  xx

Middle of April

This week another 5 blocks to Wensleydale/Tuesleydale were done....

And finally after 11 years Sylvia's Bridal Sampler has been bound....

It has a fun backing too as I had used left over fabrics to make up blocks

With pieced front and back it is quite a heavy quilt

Made from this book - I do love a sampler quilt

Jack's beanie is completed, and now I have started another for younger brother....

I joined one block of curved blocks - I think it's going to work!

Crochet blanket has a few more rows and I will keep working at it, and some other handwork over the next few weeks whilst we stay in Brisbane to support my daughter through her surgery.

A few people have asked so just a short update, google will help if you do want more info....it's certainly been a time of learning for me.

She has Jelly Belly/Appendix Cancer or Pseudomyxoma Peritonei and will by having it removed, scraped and take out any non vital organs, HIPEC chemotherapy and a long recovery.  We have decided to stay in the city and be close by for the first few weeks then of course assist at home as much as we can.

As such there'll be a bit of a blog break since I'm not likely to have much to show but I will be having my morning blog reading as often as possible.  

Keep crafting, keep happy and keep blogging..... xx

2nd week of April

Grandson Jack requested a beanie for upcoming winter...

I knitted a beanie with chunky wool - it is too big even for a big headed person!

I will try threading some shirring elastic through and see if that works

Sewing with friends on Wednesday yielded another 5 blocks .....

I'm rather chuffed how well my bold dark stripes lined up so well!

A good start has been made on the crochet blanket.  I am using Lucy's (Attic 24) Coast Ripple Blanket pattern but with my own set of colours.

A little bit of embroidery has been done for the next section of the Table runner

... and the next attempt at a beanie has been started using 8 play yarn this time... it is a nice chocolate brown and khaki green... not the colours shown in the picture at all!

Righto, Gotto Go.... I'd like to set up a quilt on the frame for quilting..... Wings and Pretty Things that I did ages ago (2020) , designed by Michelle... but first I need to sew together the backing as regular fabric is not wide enough.

Have a lovely weekend.....xx