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
Too Much Cuteness.
Posted on October 5, 2021 | 8 Comments
I just had to finish off that koala I was knitting. But it didn’t stop with one. A bit like eating potato chips. So I ended up with three.
They are lovely to make – a little bit fiddly, but worth it. The hardest part was the faces and I am sure that they will get better the more I make.
It is a pattern by Little Cotton Rabbits and is available as a PDF. I am experimenting with yarns ( 8 and 10 ply) and needle sizes. It looks like both wool thicknesses work well as long as I use a small needle. There will definitely be more of these to go along as baby gifts.
And the cute little baskets they are sitting in are called Podlets. I saw them on Cheryll’s blog (Gone Stitchin‘) and had to try them.
These are also very addictive and I have plans for more. They are a Spencer Ogg Sewing pattern and this is the YouTube link. There is a FB page as well with lots of extras. They whip up in a very short time and are super easy. So pleased I saw them on Cheryll’s blog.
Lots of lovely things are happening in garden but I also enjoy seeing the potted plants come in to bloom. These Granny Bonnets have to be a favourite (aquilegias or columbines).
It has turned into quite a wet week here, but that is part of what to expect in Spring. Better than being dry.
Cheers, Karen
A Bit Of A Yarn.
Posted on October 1, 2021 | 7 Comments
Plenty of yarn being used in these projects. It’s a bit of a mixed bag. I have been making a few bits and pieces for gifts and have accumulated a little collection. Most will be baby gifts.
I am sure most of you have seen the octopus toy with the curly tentacles that bubs love hanging on to. I decided it was time to make a few.
These are great for using up yarn scraps and make up quickly.
It is a pattern from
crochet365knittoo.com/crochet-octopus-preemies
Then I had a go at making this fairy doll.
The original pattern is made as a flat body, but I changed it to be a stuffed body, so a few alterations were needed.
The hair is made as a wig and sewn onto the head. Then the flowers and vines are entwined in the hair.
Thankfully the facial features are kept to a minimum and are embroidered.
I made mine with 8 ply cotton.
The pattern is from mandmcrochet designs and is called a Melly Teddy Ragdoll Blossom Fairy or Snowfall Fairy.
And I am sure you can work out what this one will be.
I will add pattern details when it is finished.
Time to move away from yarn and on to my next block of my Over The Hill quilt. We are now under the sea.
I need to add a lighthouse and a whale but will have to wait until I join the next block as the pieces overlap the seam.
October has arrived in a rush. Lots happening in the garden with the lovely Spring weather. Thankfully plenty to do as we are still under lock down restrictions for a few more weeks. We even had an earthquake here as a distraction from Covid for a while – a decent one for our area – 5.9.
I hope your distractions are pleasant ones.
Cheers, Karen
Triangles Abound.
Posted on September 19, 2021 | 13 Comments
It is time for me to get a few quilts finished. Quite a few tops are done but of course they need sandwiching and quilting. I decided to start with the biggest one first.
This one ended up at 65 X 86 (inches). It is made from half square triangles made from a range of fabric packs including some batiks.
Then I had the crazy idea to quilt it myself. I usually get ones this size done by someone with a long arm machine, but lock down has limited that. So, no other choice but do it myself.
I started with straight lines each side of every seam.
And then I jumped in with lots of pebble quilting in the paler blue rounds, as well as the centre.
The backing was a fabric from a collection by Rosalie Quinlan.
The binding was a batik.
The quilt is a gift but I tried it out on one of our beds for a few photos.
I was pleased with the fabric mix in the packs and how well they worked together. Sad to say that I think these were sitting on my shelves for over ten years. Glad they have now turned into a special quilt.
Now I have to wait to see how long it will be until I can deliver it in person.
Looking forward to a good week ahead. I hope you are, too.
Cheers, Karen
A Little Crochet Project.
Posted on August 28, 2021 | 8 Comments
Sometimes it is good to have a yarn project on the go as well as stitching ones. This is a lap size crochet project that I have been working on when watch TV. I can’t seem to watch TV without having something like this on the go.
This has used the African flowers design in all the blocks and has been made using 8 ply cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills.
I like the little star pattern that occurs when the blocks are joined.
I kept the edging simple. A couple of straight rows and then a small frill.
So that’s it! I think it will live in my sewing studio on the back of an old rocker.
It is a cold day outside but there is some beautiful sunshine and we are seeing the first signs of Spring with some blossom on our apricot tree. Plenty to keep us busy. Have a lovely weekend,
Cheers, Karen
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