A Quick March.
Posted on March 31, 2022 | 10 Comments
Everything seems to be moving along very quickly – including the month of March. I know we are trying to catch up on all we have missed during lock downs and so there are a lot of requests for social activities. But also I think we became very comfortable with the slow pace of lock downs and now we are finding it hard to return to being busy. I am surprised that I am only just sneaking this post in at the end of March.
Along with all the new projects I mentioned starting last time, there were a few extras in the knitting area. The first one was this gorgeous little Tea Room Bear.
There is an extra pattern for his jacket. But the scarf and overalls are part of the original pattern.
Even as an undressed bear he is still adorable.
This is a pattern from Mary Jane’s Tearoom. Mine is the 8in Tearoom Bear.
The next ones are From Little Cotton Rabbits. It is a pattern that can be either a bear or a rabbit. It can also be knitted as dressed or not.
The clothes are actually knitted on to the doll. These ones are getting ready to be part of the Easter activities.
And on a totally different note, a while back I mentioned growing some marble corn. I left the ears on the stem to dry out and finally picked them. They didn’t end up as colourful as the picture selling them, but still came in with some interesting results.
I am now curious to see what will happen next season when planted. Not sure if they will take on more or less colour.
I can’t believe Easter is nearly around the corner. And just this week the leaves have started to show their Autumn colours.
Enjoy the weekend. Cheers, Karen
Lots Of New Starts.
Posted on March 13, 2022 | 13 Comments
Time to work out what to make next, so I have been trying out a few patterns to see if they are what I want. So, lots of new starts.
I started with a test block using the Tula Pink pandas.
It was a bit fiddly finding the right size to cut the centre block to use the fabric without too much wastage. I stuck with the black and white theme in two of the rounds and then mixed colours in batiks in between. I was even silly enough to try to match the colour at the top of the panda block with the nearest block. I am happy with this one and will keep going.
I then started making some blocks that represent Christmas gifts. I had this range of fabric for a while that I wanted to try, so two test blocks resulted.
I was happy with the end result, so there is another project to pursue.
I blame this next one on Linda. She had been making blocks with gorgeous fabrics and I liked the look. However, I want to play with red, white and black. Couldn’t help myself.
So that makes the third project that I am taking on.
Thankfully the next one is small and way past the halfway mark.
Just a little bit of stitching to go and some red to add. Okay, the red, white and black theme happening again. It’s the Party Penguin Hoop from Bustle and Sew, bought as a PDF.
And the last project has been planned for a while. It is The Harbour Blanket from Attic 24. I received the wool before Christmas but had a few other commitments that needed work before i could consider starting this one. But I am pleased to now have time to get a start.
So, there I go. Five new projects started within a week. The biggest bonus is that all of them except for the crochet are made from my stash. That has to be a good thing.
We have been having lovely Autumn days here and yesterday I finally caught up with my mum, brother and sisters at the same time for the first time in over a year. It was a great get together.
Have a great week, Cheers, Karen
Yay! I Have A Finish!
Posted on February 19, 2022 | 14 Comments
I feel like I have been spending a lot of time preparing projects and I know this is worthwhile, but it is always good to get a finish as well.
This was an easy finish in the end. I did leave it a little while after the quilt was sandwiched, but once I started, it was a breeze.
I kept to straight line quilting through the centres of the triangles in each quarter. The picture of the backing shows that quite clearly.
And I finished it off with striped navy and white binding.
I have had the umbrella backing for a while and was glad there was enough to do this quilt.
I have managed to get all the trees together and have added a couple of borders – print fabric and a soft green. It is now waiting in the quilting queue.
That will have to wait as I need to go outside to mow. We are not used to that in February as the lawn is usually brown from the heat.
Hope all are having a lovely weekend.
Cheers, Karen
Getting Projects Moving.
Posted on February 9, 2022 | 10 Comments
Happy February. The year is moving along. I have been working on several projects and they are close to a finish. I am also spending a lot of time getting the preparation work done for a few more.
The trees for The Avenue are completed and are ready to come together. I played with several layouts and they have been sewn together. But this photo is from when the blocks were still being rearranged.
Since then I have added a couple of borders and it is waiting to be quilted.
The weather has been warm but I have continued with my crochet – in cotton. I have all the mandalas ready to be joined. I am now working out what to make to go in all the gaps. Probably a small circle.
I have spent a lot of time cutting out all the pieces for The Santa, The Tree, The Turkey and Me. Last time I did one of Anni’s patterns I cut out the pieces each time I finished a block. This time I decided to get it all done in one hit so I wasn’t constantly packing and unpacking all the fabrics and wool felts. Almost ready now for the stitching.
The garden is still keeping us busy. Lots of passionfruit are ripening and they are delicious.
We also planted lots of corn and we wanted to try a few different types. This one is called marble corn and hopefully will have kernels that are all different colours. But at this stage I am really impressed with the colour of the silk at the top.
Our weather here has been lovely and we were able to enjoy a week staying in our caravan at Beechworth. Great to be getting back to doing a few of these activities. Hubby has been given the all clear by the surgeon and we are able to start planning a few more get-aways. Yay!
And, yes, I did visit the patchwork shop there.
Cheers, Karen
Happy January 2022.
Posted on January 18, 2022 | 11 Comments
January is such a great time to be outdoors, but it does mean I forget to blog. Our weather has been mild so far with only a few really hot days, so the garden often calls. But, I have been caught up at times watching the cricket, and now the Australia Open, so some stitching has been happening.
Not a lot of work was needed so I was able to finish this one – a little Wendy Williams Travel Threads.
These are such sweet designs. I always enjoy making them.
I have also been crocheting some mandalas with 8 ply cotton. They are designed to be single items but I want to see if I can work out a simple way to join them.
They end up about the size of a bread and butter plate and I am planning to make 25 to get a good size. I have done 16 so far so am getting a good idea of how it will look. They are named Winter Mandala.
I have also been working on my trees for The Avenue. I am almost ready to add the trunks. Then I can look at how they will go together.
I hope you have had a good start to 2022.
Cheers, Karen
Bringing 2021 To A Close.
Posted on December 31, 2021 | 8 Comments
The last day of the year crept up a lot quicker than I had expected. But here it is.
So before the New Year starts I managed to finish a couple of Christmas projects.
These are part of a series of wool stockings designed by Michelle L Palmer. Michelle kindly shares these designs freely each year just before Christmas. These are the two for 2021.
I have also shown the other two from previous years. These are the ones I have completed so far.
There are a couple of other designs in the set that I have yet to make.
My first quilt project for the New Year will be completing the trees for The Avenue. I should have some quiet time ahead of me to work properly on that one.
And to finish off the year with that Summer feeling, here are some of our Summer fruits, freshly picked.
Good luck to all for the New Year. It is hard to say what lies ahead, but let’s hope we can move on safely and be able to enjoy a lot more normal things in our lives. Take care.
Happy New Year.
Cheers, Karen
A Week To Go.
Posted on December 18, 2021 | 11 Comments
One week until Christmas day. And another year nearly behind us. Wow!
Lots of Christmas sewing has been happening, but I have also managed to finish my quilt top for Over The Hill by Wendy Williams. This was the last block.
When it was joined to the others in the row, there were a few overlapping pieces to be added, then the rows were all joined to complete the top.
I am very pleased with the end result. Lots of work but very enjoyable. The original pattern has a border but I am not sure if I want one. It can stay on the design wall for a little while and I can think on it.
I did say there has been some Christmas sewing. These are a couple of designs I have used to make cushions. They are all made with wool.
They make great gifts.
I also made these delightful llamas to add to cards and parcels.
And i had to make one of these for our beach family.
There are a few more podlets to add to the gift collection.
There was a mad burst of energy at one stage and lots of cards were made.
This was a paper range from Stampin”Up.
I think that is enough for now. We have had a mad rush around here during the last couple of weeks. We found out the hubby’s foot surgery was rescheduled for last Thursday so we put in a big effort to get all our Christmas preparations out of the way. We knew we would have to isolate for a few days beforehand after having covid tests, so that was a good opportunity to get things ready around the home. The best news is that the op went really well and he is home now. Several months of recovery ahead, but the main part is over. Lots of at home time to come, but after the last two years we are used to that.
Because we are having a quiet Christmas as all family members are away in other states, I have kept my Christmas decorating to a minimum. Something different for this year.
Cheers, Karen
Nearly Missed November!
Posted on November 21, 2021 | 7 Comments
November has been a very busy time here. The weather has made sure we are very busy in the garden. The plants are enjoying the Spring rain and sunshine, and the weeds are flourishing!!! Lots of strawberries have been picked and turned into jam. And I think the grass grows behind us as soon as we mow.
The other part of being busy is that our state has opened up after lock down and we are able to catch up with family and friends. Masks are off outside and most venues are now open. So we started with family visits on different days to children and grandies, sisters and mother. So good to see people in person. Our state hits 90% fully vaxed this weekend which is wonderful.
As a result of being out and about, sewing has taken a bit of a back seat. But some bits and pieces have been done.
I kept working on these blocks. I had to join this one to its neighbour as several pieces overlapped the two blocks.
I was then able to add the lighthouse and the whale.
The next block is the final one. I have managed to get it started.
Lots of leaves completed.
I am still finding excuses to make podlets. They are a great excuse to play with fun fabrics.
Now it seems that Christmas planning is taking over with last minute gifts being made as well as Christmas cards.
That almost feels like all is normal.
Now, just for something different. We spent some time with our family helping to clear fallen branches after a severe storm came through. We didn’t notice them at first due to their camouflague, but sitting nearby on a fallen branch were this pair – parent and young Tawny Frogmouth. We made sure they were not disturbed.
Enjoy the week ahead.
Cheers, Karen
A Spring Quilt.
Posted on October 17, 2021 | 12 Comments
Spring is a busy time, especially in the garden. This quilt has a definite garden theme to it.
The breeze make it a little tricky taking the photo but I managed in the end.
The fabric is a design by Leanne Beasley called Spring Mischief.
It is a simple design using square in square blocks alternating with four patch blocks.
I had fat quarters of the full range and selected all the softer shades from the pack. I also included a white on white spot to make up the yardage I needed.
I had a fun piece of fabric for the backing.
I had enough for the length but it was not wide enough, so the easy answer was to cut some of the white fabric into five inch strips and add them to the sides and centre of the backing.
As the photos already show , I kept to straight line quilting for this one. Tram tracks on each side of the main seams and then diagonal lines.
I used two of the darker pinks for the binding as I only had them as fat quarters and needed both.
So there we are – another finish!
Big news here as the end to lock down has been announced for this coming Friday. Very exciting. Apparently we have scored the title of the city with the most days in lock down since the pandemic began. I have been lucky enough to be able to book a haircut in the first week.
There are some downsides. We cannot visit our family yet as they are in a regional area. We have to wait another two weeks for that. And hubby was notified today that his foot surgery has been cancelled as the hospitals want as many beds as possible available over the next few weeks in case they are needed. We will have to be patient.
But we welcome the changes and will embrace them with caution at the start.
Cheers, Karen
Playing Catch-Up.
Posted on October 9, 2021 | 11 Comments
It is great to see another quilt from the pile finished. I am embarrassed to admit that this one has been sandwiched and pinned for at least two years. I know that having the pins in that long is not good for the quilt. At least I don’t feel guilty anymore now that it is finished.
This one was made from a selection of fabric bits and pieces. Not a lot of planning went into it until I realised I should have thought of the layout first. I had made it a bit tricky but in the end a way was found to put the blocks together.
I think the block is the disappearing 4 patch? But I am very happy to be corrected there.
I had this scissor fabric tucked away and this seemed suitable for the backing.
There was another fabric piece with just enough length for the binding.
Quilting was meandering with loops.
So there we go. Another one done and dusted.
Two more have been sandwiched and one more is waiting for me to cut out a backing.
Progress is being made.
Cheers, Karen
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