I'm Here & Stitching!

Hi all, I disappeared for awhile but now I am back. At this time of year I think I get computer overload getting ready for audit time at work so my blogging tends to suffer. I have certainly been missing my bloggy friends and reading what you have all been up to & creating. I have been stitching but most were for swaps or birthdays so it was sneaky sewing. 

Here's a look at some of the crafting I have done recently....

I have made a short scarf with some NZ merino wool my cousin sent me for my birthday in July. The pattern is a nice easy lace. Next I want to do a matching slouch hat. The wool is so soft, pity there isn't enough to make myself a big fluffy onesie! Now there is an image to leave you with....

We have had so much rain in Perth it's surprising I haven't floated away. Instead I have lost one fence with about 10 sheets of super six fencing blow down and my kitchen ceiling started leaking again. It ended up the ceiling fixer who replaced the ceiling in 2010 used indoor filler around the skylight instead of waterproof sealer so it started breaking down again pretty much straight away. Now the ceiling has been replaced again, skylight sealed properly & all the ceiling painted again. My biggest worry was how much of my sewing corner I needed to pack up so they could get into the corners. It's not the most accessible place in the house, I have very important supplies in boxes & piles & boxes & piles..... you know what I mean. The job is done now so all good & no more worries that the sky is falling in on us.

I did the third & fourth blocks in the Girls Own Stitching Club quilt BOM freeby by Red Brolly. These are so cute and number five is now available to start. The background fabrics are the same, but I took the first pic at night, not the best.

Anthea of Hibiscus Stitches and I had a lovely day out together at the beginning of August at one of the local craft fairs. It was all sorts of crafts & a Wood Show as well so we had plenty to look at and a few bargains to pick up. My beautiful teddy bear bag that Sheryl gave me for my birthday a few weeks earlier had a great outing and the ladies from the local teddy & quilt shop The Teddy Tree tried to confiscate it and take it away from me as they thought it was just the best. Here it is again with a few of my purchases.... I love the hand made wooden spoons & used one this morning to mix up some red velvet cupcakes to take for a Fathers Day get together.

I have to admit my favourite thing at the show (beside the wooden surfboards which I would have no use for but they were so pretty) was a very expensive & very powerful fire wood splitter. I didn't know these existed but wow, I want one now, maybe the baby model compared to this big daddy. I was mesmerised by all that power & it was nothing to do with the big boys operating it!

 I was also lucky enough to win a layer cake of Kate Spain's Serenade from QuiltJane's Want It, Need It, Quilt blog. How lucky, it's gorgeous!

Next I will be able to show you my latest swap present for Glenys in the Mrs Martin's Swap, my birthday present for Leanne from Lizzie the Quilter (which is today) and then my present for Shez from Enjoying Life who is celebrating her birthday on Thursday.

HB helped with some of the present sewing too, supervising my late night machine sewing escapades and checking the results were up to standard. He is very paws on & likes a close up view of each and every stitch.

Till next time, Happy Stitching!

Tracee xxx HB (purr purr purr)

Girls Own Stitching Club

Hi all, well winter had almost come to Perth - well our version of winter anyway. Last night the low  Sunday night was forecast to be 8 degrees & all highs for the next few days around 18-19. Today they are saying 22-24 highs for the next week and 8-11 lows. Winter just does not want to come to Perth, not bone jarring, lots of layers, teeth chattering winter anyway.

 

In celebration of it almost being winter here, the last two days I have worn a scarf to work anyway. I think I am hoping to entice Jack Frost to make a visit to our big sandy state. I knitted a new scarf in March (wishful thinking) but didn't share it so here it is. The close up pic is better for actual colour.

Have you seen the new Girls Own Stitching Club that Bronwyn Hayes from Red Brolly is hosting on her blog? I love Bronwyn's designs and along side patterns from mags or that I buy, I do many of the freebies she generously gives out so am ín like Flynn' with this one too.

I like the old world charm of the flower design and the thought of learning a few new stitches along the way. It helps to pick up hints & tips from one of the best stitchers in the business.

Here's my version of the first design;

The nice muted colours are really tickling my fancy as was the chance to use this background fabric. It is a gorgeous subtle floral in a soft kakhi green hue.

 

The club only started on 25th April with this design & there is 8 more to go so plenty of time to join in now. At the end we will have a lovely stitchery quilt to show for our lessons also. To check it out and download the free pattern, go to the Red Brolly blog post.

 

 

It's thanks to mum for the above phrases like ín like Flynn' and 'tickled my fancy'. I find this year as Mothers Day approaches I am really missing my mum & my Aunty, both of my strong maternal figures (& Brutus of course, he always gave the best Mothers Day gifts - thanks again to mum for buying them for him to give!). I've even been dreaming about them - yes Brutus too but he was with mum so where he needs to be now.

On a brighter note - Happy Mothers Day to all my dear friends out there who are mums, and/or are celebrating with your mums and deserve a good spoiling! Big smooch from me. xx

 

 

 

I'm off now to get my hair cut. Cooler weather & twice a week in the pool means shorter hair so easier to dry & less dribbles down my neck as I drive home wrapped in a towel & wearing sheepskin slippers at 7.45pm. It's a sight to behold! Maybe I'll have a chat to Hun-bun and ask him if he has any pocket money left & should I pick up a Mothers Day gift for me while I'm at the shops...

Happy stitching
Tracee xx