Irish Sampler

My holiday cross stitch is completed and framed.

It is the Irish Sampler by Nostalgic Needle, designed by Sharon Cohen.
Stitched with DMC threads on raw linen.

I enjoyed learning some new stitches for this one, particularly the queen stitch for the large flowers under the letters.  Now to find a home for it, at the moment it's sitting on top of the piano until I decide.  I'm wondering about beside my woodland sampler in my bedroom ... what do you think?

Wishing you a beautiful weekend, Wendy xx

Summer holiday

We have just returned from our summer holiday at Papamoa beach and it was one of the best holidays ever.  The weather was perfect, the water was warm and I had a swim every day (that hasn't happened for years!)  We spent time walking, snorkeling, catching up with friends and playing games; "Rage" is our favourite.  I also had time to start stitching a new cross stitch and got lots of knitting done.  Knitting is so transportable and perfect for all the time spent travelling in the car.
The first finish is the Reminisce hat (ravelry link here).  This hat is designed by Libby at Truly Myrtle and I was able to test knit it which was pretty special for me.  I used a beautiful merino and possum yarn, made in New Zealand, which has a very soft feel. The hat was blocked on a dinnerplate which gives it the slightly slouchy beret look.  The pattern is released now and is a gorgeous design.
The sock pattern is Dancetty (ravelry link here) and is an Abbey Morris design.  I used yarn left over from the shawl I made last year.  I love these socks and especially love the stitch used on the heel which makes it feel reinforced.
I knitted the Checkerboard mitts (ravelry page here) for Josh (15 year old) as I wasn't very happy with the ones I knitted for him last year.  These feel comfy and warm and have plenty of room for my growing boy.
I love all three of these knits. It's almost enough to get me looking forward to winter (Yeah Right!) Wendy xx

Around the world blog hop

Today I'm partaking in a bit of a blog hop after being nominated to play by Julie from My Threadbear Life.  Julie's blog is one of my favourite to visit, she creates beautiful projects and has a talent for up-cycling her vintage finds.  I am spoilt having Julie living in my region and I have loved my visits to her gorgeous house and craft cottage.
The premise of the blog hop is nice and simple with just four questions to answer:

How does my writing/creative process work?
I started writing this blog in 2011 to keep track of my stitching progress. I had just rediscovered my love of quilting and part of my inspiration was all the wonderful sewing and quilting blogs so I was excited to connect with that community.  I see my blog as a way of recording not only my projects but also snippets of our life here in New Zealand, including family, pets, home, garden and baking.  I tend to jump around projects a bit; I still love quilting but there is just something so satisfying about a quick finish!!  Since last year I have also fallen in love again with knitting and clothes sewing.

Why do I create what I do?
Like most crafters, I create because I love it.  Making things is part of my normal.  I love to make things for our home, for the children and for myself!  I am also loving the process of planning and making my own wardrobe.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I could never claim that my work is special or unique in any way because there are so many talented and creative people out there making wonderful things.  And as Julie said I don't think I really belong to any genre because of the jumping around of projects that I do!

What am I working on now?

My current quilting project is the Chateau Hexagon quilt, you can see from the crease marks that I have been ignoring it lately.  I must get back to it!

I wanted to challenge myself with my knitting so I am working on my very first shawl.  Thankfully with the long trip to Napier last weekend I had plenty of knitting time so I am getting quite close to finishing.

As for my wardrobe, I am starting to think of spring and summer.  First up is a black skirt which was actually part of my winter planning that I didn't get to.  Then I have a few fabrics I bought in the beginning of the year waiting to be made up into some summer tops.  

Now, rather than passing the blog hop onto three friends, I saw a different idea at Sew Useful Designs:  I am passing it onto YOU if you'd like to participate!  I'd love to learn more about you, just answer the four questions and post about them on next Monday the 6th October.  And please let me know if you decide to participate, I would love to come and read your post. J Wendy xx

Inspired to make

Jenny from Elefantz is one of my favourite designer blogs to read.  She writes very inspiring and encouraging posts and has beautiful projects and tutorials as well.  Recently she wrote about raiding her craft room to make something, which turned out to be a beautiful quilted cushion making use of a stitchery she had completed previously, see here.  I was instantly inspired to use the gorgeous little cat stitchery I had received from Michelle last year as part of a swap.  After an evening of sewing I had a new cushion using craft supplies I had on hand.  Thanks for the inspiration Jenny.
Wendy xx

Works in progress

Paul gave me a Christmas gift voucher for my local Bernina store and I made time recently to do some fabric shopping: the green fabric will be a skirt, the blue is almost finished and will be a top, and the patterned fabric will be a wrap-around dress.  I haven't bought any clothes (apart from lingerie) for seven months which feels strangely liberating!
My knitting I pick up in the evenings sometimes, I have almost finished the first sleeve.  It is actually a lovely golden yellow but the colour doesn't show up in the photo.
I started making a Christmas ornament for February and just didn't get it done, I'm hoping it will be completed for March instead.
I have started some secret sewing on my Pay it Forward gifts (see here), I would love to get them made in the next few months.
One finish I have had was little beaded booties, there's nothing like a deadline to get a gift made quickly!  These are for a colleague who is having a baby girl next month.
And the last picture above ... yep, we got to spend a weekend recently back at Papamoa beach.  It was for church camp and we went a day early which was such a treat to visit our summer holiday spot.  And yes, I did have a swim in the ocean :) Wendy xx

Chateau hexagon and balls of yarn

I finally finished the row of flowers for my Chateau Hexagon block seven so I was able to join it to the quilt and add the row of hexies.  A poodle button goes on this block too in the gap among the flowers.  Only one more block to go for this quilt but I will put it aside for a while as I have some gifts to make.
My dear mum's wool winder came in handy this week.  I had a bit of fun turning hanks of yarn into usable balls and started on a new knitting project. I am loving the bright summery colour! And isn't my couch companion cute, Holly perches on the arm of the couch right beside me. Wendy xx

Summer holiday

Summer holidays, oh how I love them!  The teenagers are happily occupied with their friends in the camping ground and I rest and read and stitch and walk.  One of the things I appreciate most about our holiday is the complete break away from work and lists and responsibilities.  Then somewhere along the way I become ready to grab my diary and write lists of things I want to accomplish at home, things I didn't have the energy to do at the end of last year.  Once home I am refreshed and motivated to get my list done :)
My summer holiday stitching consisted of a red wool coat ornament for my January Christmas item, made from this kit, and my Chateau Hexagon quilt.  I am loving the addition of the rows of hexagons.  Now I'm up to block eight, stitching a row of pretty flowers.
Thanks again to Narelle for hosting the one Christmas item a month, this year we have a dedicated blog here.
I have lots of blog reading to catch up on, I will do my best to do that over the next few days :) Wendy xx

Friday night with friends

It feels like it's been ages since I joined in with Friday Night with Friends.  There is something special about joining in;  planning what to do and thinking of others all over the world stitching away, even though at different times.  I worked on block six of Chateau Hexagon and enjoyed it so much I finished it on Saturday then joined the six blocks together.  A big thank you to Cheryll for hosting us.

I wanted to hang Charlie's cross stitch today.  She hadn't left enough aida cloth around the cat for framing so I added a fabric border and now it is hanging in my craft corner in the bedroom.  I love how it looks.

Things will be a bit quiet around here for a bit as we go on holiday on Tuesday for ten days, our annual summer holiday at Papamoa beach.  My baking is done, my Chateau Hexagon blocks are prepped ready for lots of handstitching, now just to pack and clean house!! Wendy xx