Friday, March 15, 2024

This past month ...

Whew! I didn't mean to let almost a whole month pass by before I posted here, but that's what happened! The first two weeks are easily explainable, my parents and I travelled to New Zealand on a RC cruise. It was just lovely, and I'll share some pictures:

We flew to Sydney the day before, so we were able to explore. There was a ship in port, but it wasn't our ride, this one was pretty fancy:


We always stay in The Rocks, so on the day we simply have to drag our bags across the road to the overseas passenger terminal. This means that there's always lots to see, and the view from the roof of our hotel is pretty spectacular:




On Wednesday 21st, was our day to board, and this is our chariot. Though this picture was taken in NZ (I think Wellington) as I forgot to take one on boarding day.

We've travelled on the Ovation before, and always love it <3

This was my room, a balcony cabin on deck 8, my parents had the room next door, so we had the balcony opened up between them, and also the adjoining door unlocked, it always makes it feel more spacious.


Day two at sea and a lovely lunch at Jamie Oliver's Italian - a tradition now, we always enjoy it so much!


I'll share a sprinkling of my many many photos, and try to recall where I took them ...


Our first stop - Picton NZ. So pretty, and I may or may not have bought a long necklace of the most lovely pearls from a darling jewellery store here. Can't prove anything ;-)


Two days later in Wellington NZ, we jumped on the gorgeous vintage hop-on hop-off tram and toured around the CBD.


The driver narrated as we travelled around, and we learned all about rebuilding efforts in the city, I have so many picutres if you're interested. And I was fascinated also by the beautiful interior of the tram, which we learned was about 100 years old.


The next day in Dunedin, also such a beautiful place. This is the train station - stunning in person. While in Dunedin, we stumbled across the most darling vintage store - Two Squirrels Vintage. I could have purchased every single thing in the store, but settled on this beautiful vintage apron and sweet little set of beads:


On our way home we travelled through Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound, all simply stunning!



And on the last sea day while heading home, we did a fascinating tour of the kitchens and a yummy brunch. We definitely never went hungry.

Before we knew it, it was time to start heading home - it was a long day travelling and I was really glad to finally be able to sink into bed. The next morning I didn't feel right, and took 'that' test, and sure enough was positive. First time ever for me. Next minute I received a message from Mum having had the same result.

The past two weeks have been spent largely resting, and with very little energy, I'm just now starting to feel like I'm getting back to some normality. In moments with energy, I've been baking - Pantry Mama's Sourdough Discard Loaves, one with rye, and one white:


I've been painting heads for my Etsy store, this is the second lot I painted for orders after I got home:

And for the last picture of the day, a little fabric delivery that arrived while I was away:

Darling fabrics that I'll be able to use in my Morrell quilt when I get back to it. And speaking of quilts, this past month I've done virtually no stitching - the only thing I've really had energy to work on since I've been home is a little hand quilting. I hope to remedy that soon, as I'd love to get a quilt made for the new grandbaby that will be here before we know it!

Well, that's been my month, apologies for the radio silence, here's hoping I have the energy to get back to my posting schedule going forward! Chatter soon xox

Friday, February 16, 2024

Such a week!

Oh my, this has been such a busy week! I'm sure I never mentioned it, but last year I decided on a whim to apply for some part time study, never believing that I would be accepted. Well, as it turns out, I was accepted, and that started this past week. It's super fun so far, and I seem to be doing well. Not sure where I thought I'd find the time, but here we are. 

Additionally, my Etsy store has been going absolutely nuts, specifically with the painted bead heads that people are using with the mmmCrafts felt ornaments. I sent this many out in the mail yesterday:

And I've worked on even more today, and they'll go in the mail on Monday. I posted on Instagram that my two week break from painting beads is imminent, and I think my lovely customers did some panic buying? Of course I'm absolutely thrilled to help people out, I am very blessed.

So, my stitching time has been limited this week, I've only put two blocks together for the OpaSampler project, and they were super fun:

Block 15 - Dutch Windmill

I loved making this block, I used the freezer paper piecing technique, it's so great for holding those bias edges stable.

Block 3 - Loaded Logs

For this block I challenged myself to only use pieces from my tub of 1.5" strips, so I didn't really have the variety that was in the original block. But there are some super oldies in there. Some absolute favourites too. It's amazing how long scraps can hang around in your stash long after the original yardage is gone. 

And because I want to paint some more beads before I head to bed tonight, I'm going to keep this short - I have one last photo to share:


Here's our big boy Rowley, it was his 1st birthday yesterday. He's been in our life for just over nine months, I can't believe how fast it's gone. He has such a big personality, and it's hard to remember life without him.

I'm going to sign off here - I'm not sure if I'll be able to post next week, but I will make every effort to, hopefully I'll have something newsworthy to share. Chatter soon xox

Friday, February 09, 2024

Hand Quilting

Not much going on in Sewing Machine World this past week, but I have been visiting Hand Quilting world late at night, so Lily Rosenberry has some brand new quilting stitches. I believe I may have moved the hoop twice!


I'm out to the border in several areas, so I'm getting there, but there are many stitches still in my future. And because it's such a relaxing pastime, I'm just fine with that.

Chatter soon xox

Friday, February 02, 2024

Just a couple of things ...

It's getting late, and I still have a few things to do tonight, so I'll just quickly share a couple of things.

First up, during the week I got one more block from the OpaSampler project made. I joined the sew-along late, and I haven't made many of the first blocks, so why not tackle a few from the beginning:

Block 1 - Colliding Geese

This block was an easy one to freezer paper piece. And because I'd done the big sort out of my fat quarters, I was able to put my hands on a super oldie. The tan fabric was from a lovely pack I purchased on my first trip to the USA in 2000. I met my darling friend Linda for the first time, and we visited amongst other places the Piecemakers Country Store. Ohhh it was wonderful!


And I've also made an additional ten blocks for the Tiny Nine Patch project. This time I introduced a little variety. Just a little though :-)


The fabric I used in these blocks were trimmed from my 2" scrap tub. I have enough in there to make this quilt several times, but hopefully I'll at least make a dent. And my Singer 20 came out to play, it's a darling little machine - I have no idea if it works, but it's a sweet thing to have.

That's it from me for today, I have 30 mins or so before Friday ceases to be - let's see what I can get done in that time! xox

Saturday, January 27, 2024

A few more things checked off the ever long list ...

The holidays are drawing to a close, so I only have a few more days to check so many things off the list I drew up for myself. TBH, I don't think I'm going to get there, but there won't be any consequences - I know I've been a busy bee and worked hard :-)

Tonight after our visitors went home, while I watched the last of the tennis I put together the mini nine patches for next week. They're always super fun, and at 1.5" finished, they really don't take too long:

I keep saying I'm going to make them more scrappy, and then I don't. Let's see what happens going forward ... I have an abundance of scraps, I'm sure I can work more variety in if I choose.

Also this week, I finished up the Placemat Medley pattern for my Etsy store. It was something I hadn't put on my to do list, but it was a fun undertaking. I'd love it if you'd go check out my Etsy store, maybe you'll see something you'll like, and that'll make me super happy.

And there were a few of the OPA Sampler blocks too:

Block 28 - Steps to Justice

Block 43 - Flying Doves

Both these blocks were so very easy, and all made from scraps. Block 28 from scraps that were literally on my cutting table, I hadn't even sorted things away after finishing up with the placemats. 

It's my hope that I'll be able to spend some extra time in the sewing room this weekend, I'm sure I'll have some free time, and lots of things I'd like to complete. 

And last of all for today, a big thank you to the Chookshed Stitchers ladies for being so welcoming when I joined in on my first Zoom chat with them today. They've been so kind to invite me many times, and I had a lovely (albeit brief) time with them today. I'll be sure to visit with them all again xoxox

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Whew!

I made it back to my blog after a busy weekend, I'm relieved! Last week was also busy, but inbetween all my commitments I did manage to get some stitching done, thank goodness!



I've made a further two placemats, and I'm just loving this 'new to me' serpentile style quilting. I'm aiming to put together a placemat pattern medley for my Etsy store, I hope to have it done this coming week - I'm almost there.

And with some of the leftovers from the pink and brown placemat, I put together a further ten blocks for the tiny nine patch challenge. This challenge is so much fun!


A little fabric came into my life this week:


Elm Grove Patchwork is having a sale on their Di Ford Hall fabrics, so I indulged a little. The border print on the left is something I only ever had a small amount of, and I just love it. The fabric on the right is the one with the lovely peacock as well as some lovely flowers for broderie perse. I'll use it in my Morrell quilt when I get back to it.


And these cute fabrics will be put into use making a quilt which will be for our new grand baby arriving in May. Colour me excited!

I've also put a few more stitches into Lily Rosenberry when I've had the chance:


Last picture for the day, we had a dinner party last night, which was just so lovely - I managed to get a picture of the table after I set it, but didn't manage to take another single picture of the night. Something I do too often!


It was a super late night, and I was feeling pretty tired this morning - I did get myself moving pretty quickly though as I had a cafe lunch to go to with some of my lovely tennis friends.
 
I'm hoping to get more sewing time this week, as I don't really feel like I've managed to get through enough of the tasks I set myself for the holidays. I did manage to get the bathroom area painted that I wanted to - but the blocks and the quilts, I haven't done enough of those. I'll get close hopefully - let's see what this week brings! Chatter soon :-)

Friday, January 19, 2024

Weary ...

No big post from me tonight, I'm just so very weary after a super busy week. So I'll share one of my favourite piecing projects from the week:

I've made a start on Taryn from Repro Quilt Lover's tiny nine patch challenge. These are 1.5" finished blocks, so very sweet and tiny. Our lovely quilting friends are posting all kinds of beautiful images over on Insta if you spend any time there. Check out the hashtag #tinyninepatchchallenge and see what all the fuss is about.

I'll check back in on Sunday evening. as tomorrow promises to be a busy one again - chatter soon! xox

Friday, January 12, 2024

OPA Sampler Blocks

Whew! I was tapping away on my laptop earlier today and suddenly realised that it's Friday already! When I'm on holidays the days do seem to blur together, but they fly by too. So, I had to have a think about what I've been doing this week ...

I made several OPA Sampler blocks:

Block 26 - Virginia Reel

I dug the tan and the brown fabric from my newly organised fat quarter drawers. I'm amazed by how much lovely fabric I had hidden in the depths of my stash, it will be so much easier to use it now.


For this block I used the freezer paper piecing method, I just love how stable it keeps all the pieces, and this one had plenty of bias edges to tame.

Block 27 - Conundrum

Whew, this block is heavy. With half inch finished strips, so it's all seam allowance on the back too. There were a couple of options for this one, and I chose to make the Chinese Coins version. Additionally, I chose to leave off the super narrow strips that were to be put on the sides, and instead made the two outer coin stacks a quarter inch wider. They won't look quite so obviously difference once the seam allowance is used up. Had I planned further ahead, I probably should have made each coin stack an eighth of an inch wider and made it more even. Oh well!

And this is the final block I made this week:

Block 48 - Cactus Basket

Another block perfect for freezer paper piecing. The fabric I used for the basket is a super oldie - it's from the tub of fabric that lovely Pam Holland gifted me. I took a photo of the selvedge, as it really shows the age of the fabric. Super basic, and before web addresses etc ...


I've been working on other things too, but they either don't seem newsworthy or I haven't been able to take pictures just yet. For example, I've had some lovely William Morris roller blinds made for our bathroom areas, and one is installed in our ensuite (but who wants to see bathroom pictures), and I'm getting the main bathroom ready before the other one can go in. Today I steamed off the wallpaper border in the w/c before I can paint in there (hopefully tomorrow). This job is one of the things I really wanted to achieve in the holidays, so I'm super glad it's getting done.

Also, I've been putting together a few placemats - I'm working toward a placemat medley pattern for my Etsy store. I'm really getting there, and only have one left to do.

So, that has been my week so far. I hope you've been having a great week ... what have you been working on?

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