Catching up

Catching Up is becoming a regular post heading on my blog. I've been working more than usual which leaves less time for sewing, but it's interesting and challenging work, so not a bad thing. I did however make time for a sewing day in Muswellbrook with the Cassilis quilters. No photos of the girls or our projects, but an absolutely delightful setting in the garden. Thank you Lea.

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I have started my annual knit, another cowl in the same pattern as last year. It's actually a very pretty light blue but the lighting isn't playing along today.   I am learning to give in to my knitting instinct at the beginning of each winter, although it has gotten out of control this year. I bought some sock wool at the weekend to try knitting socks.......like I need another slow project to work on!

 

I thought this would be my first Mother's Day without my eldest son, but my wonderful husband secretly organised for Mr 19 to catch the train and meet us in the Blue Mountains for lunch. What a great day out with my favourite people.

 

Hope you find some spare moments to sew today.

Susan x

Catching up

I have had some wonderful contributions to my bunny stash, bloggers are so generous and always ready to share some of their stash. Thank you Cathy, Pat, Carla and Susan. I will soon have enough to start sewing my bunny hexies together.

Last weekend was our 22nd wedding anniversary. We celebrated with a behind the scenes overnight trip to Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo. It was a stunning experience, how often do you get to feed a carrot to a giraffe or hear a lion roar just metres away? I would highly recommend it if you get the chance to go.

I've also had a win from Dzintra for her 500th post. Some patterns and bunny fabric are a lovely treat, thank you.

And some progress on the next round of my quilt. Just checking how my hexie diamonds will look.

Wishing you all a happy and stitchy weekend, especially all my friends at Girls Day In the Country, Nundle. 

Susan x

A little crazy

I'm back at my 1/4" hexies again. Working on this lovely inspired by one seen at last years Sydney Quilt Show. I need the papers out for another project! Not sure if those little spaces on the right should be red or something else.

It's slow going but I've finally turned the corner with Sacrlett Ribands. I am so excited about finishing this one day and hanging it above my bed.

School is back for two of my boys.....seems odd that one of them didn't go (he leaves for Uni in three weeks). I just have to share Mr 14's holiday creation. It's a folding pocket knife made from an old pallet. To be honest I didn't think it would work when he showed me the design, but to his credit and with a small amount of help from Dad he's done it. Kept him occupied for quite a while. 

Happy Saturday!

Susan x

Catch up

It's been a busy start to the year. In Sydney to see the Sydney Kings play basketball last weekend, and Newcastle for a 50th this weekend just gone. Add returning to work, and not much sewing has happened!

I was lucky enough to visit Post Office Patchwork for five minutes on the way to Sydney, with 30% off too. And a little online retail therapy at Cherry Pie Designs as well.

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I'm thinking about my next big project, and dabbling with a design of my own, and that's what the supplies are for. Think I need some more green and wish I had a whole quilt shop at my disposal, or at least a good one in town!

On a boring housework note, I upgraded my vacuum cleaner to a Dyson Animal Barrel yesterday. It should also be called the thread catcher! All those pesky threads don't stick to the carpet anymore! How exciting and blog worthy is that!

Stop the press...........just went to check on my own personal blackberry bush and it's harvest time! I'll apologise in advance to the farmers reading this, but I am a very responsible blackberry grower. My DH is very handy with the poison, but keeps one little patch for me. Blackberry pie coming up.....my favourite!

Susan x

What a week

I won't bore you with the details, we all have those weeks we'd rather forget! No sewing done at all, but no housework done either, so I guess that's an upside!

I've been having a little play with selvedges, which will soon become Christmas gifts. Many of them are just too cute to throw away.

The week improved on Friday night when my eldest son and his girlfriend had their Year 12 formal. Despite the 40 degree heat,  it was a great night.

Nice to get a dressed up photo with Mr Thimblestitch too..........the pink is very bright for my usual taste.

And my SSCS gifts will be on the sleigh tomorrow to who knows where! I love being part of Chookyblue's international swap, it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Happy stitching,

Susan x

Irish Circles and celebrations

Another busy week, the year is just flying by. I took heed of everyone's advice and have been very dedicated with my quilting this week. I have finished quilting the centre blocks of Irish Circles. 

I decided that the corner blocks were a bit plain and needed some cross hatching. I haven't done it before but I'm happy with how it filled the white space. So now I have to go back and finish the other three corners.

Tomorrow is my eldest sons last day at high school before the exams start in October. Amidst the celebrations we received the very exciting news that he has been offered a place in his preferred course at Macquarie University for next year. We are so proud of him. It's a crazy time, I'm laughing and crying, and feeling rather emotional (not easy in a house full of males!). Gee I'm going to need a really BIG project when he leaves home next February.

I'm off to race through a bit of housework so I can get some stitching therapy happening.

Susan x

21 Again

Well not quite........but it is was our 21st wedding anniversary today. I've had a lovely day with my gorgeous hubby, and we went out for dinner tonight. Not quite as fresh faced as in 1994, but still very happy.

And some DJ love.....

Happy stitching,
Susan x

Birthdays

This week has been a busy week for birthdays, and not so much sewing. Mr 17 turned 18 and Mr 15 turned 16. I am wondering where on earth all those years have gone. I am so proud of the wonderful young men they are becoming. That's Mr almost 14 on the left, and my dear Mr Thimblestitch on the right.

It's the first day of autumn, but the weather is still summery. Too hot for quilting, so working on my baby clamshells and some cross stitch.

Susan x

Thank you

Thank you for all your lovely, caring comments on my last post. I was in two minds about it, but it's something I needed to share with my friends. I really felt your love and support so thank you. We had a wonderful celebration of Dad's life, and will now focus on all the happy memories.

It was a welcome break to have lunch with the Cassilis Quilters last week. I had made some little gifts for Christmas a while ago. Yes, more zipper pouches.

Lea made each of us a gorgeous tape measure cover in felt, with individual colours and designs. Of course mine is the red one. They are so incredibly cute.

School and work have finished for another year. We are on the South Coast for Christmas, a welcome opportunity to relax and recharge.

Susan x

Goodbye My Dad

My Dad passed away this week. Eighty three years old, fifty six years married, four children and twelve grandchildren. He was a kind and loving father, renowned for his sweet tooth (which he passed on to me). It's a sad time for us, but a relief for him after thirty years of Parkinson's disease.

I took this photo late last year........I don't usually do selfies, but love this last one of us together.

Love you Dad.
X

SSCS and Sydney

Look at what was waiting for me when I got home from Sydney yesterday. My SSCS from Berit in Norway. So exciting to unwrap this gorgeous decoration that will most definitely be hanging on my Christmas tree later today. Thank you so much Berit, and Chooky for organising.

We were in Sydney to attend a presentation at the University of NSW for Mr 17 and Mr 15 who both achieved high distinctions in the University's school level English exams. It was a very proud parent moment, and a little scary to think my eldest son might be heading to University in twelve months.

I didn't go to any patchwork shops this trip but I did realise one of my life's ambitions............I finally went to IKEA. What an experience. Definitely will go there again. We had so much fun, and did some shopping too of course.

Christmas decorating today, and hopefully some stitching time too.

Let the silly season begin!
Susan x

New projects

Whilst my hubby is away on his annual pilgrimage to the Moto GP at Phillip Island, I have been sewing up a storm. Lots of sashing added to DJ blocks, and more applique for IC border, only one and a half borders to go. And quilting my nieces quilt.

You may recall that I put myself on a fabric/project diet earlier in the year. Well I have been very good, but fell off the wagon this week. A new project has arrived from the Crewel Gobelin......a cross stitch sampler of all things!

And then in a moment of weakness I downloaded the Fancy Fox quilt pattern. Check out Sharon's. I am in love with this little fox. Instant download is so instantly gratifying, if only I could do the same thing with fabric! It didn't take very long to whip this block up this morning. I wish, wish, wish I had enough linen in my cupboard to keep sewing these blocks TODAY. I think I might make one from my stash only using blues and teals, with one red fox!

And if there was ever any question about my sanity...........there is a baby fox too! Please don't judge him by his odd ear.

If only there were more sewing hours in the day! Hope you're having a lovely sunny, stitchy weekend.

Susan x

A Stitching Sunday

Three of my menfolk headed off to the Bathurst 1000 car races today, and one went to work. So after a few chores and restocking the cupboards I got to stitch all day! I totally understand the atmosphere of actually being at the races, but it's pretty comfy watching it from the couch.

Some more DJ, border prep for Irish Circles, and a little secret sewing.

Yesterday we went to Sculptures in the Garden at a local winery. There was some amazing talent on show, we loved the chickens and wire animals.

Chocolate and cake for lunch makes for a pretty good day. Hope you had a good weekend too.
Susan x

Happiness is.........

...........the beginning of six months long service leave! DH is taking six months leave for some long overdue R&R. I'm hoping that his days will include a little bit of cooking and cleaning, because I will still be at work. Maybe he will take up patchwork???

I have had a lovely day stitching in the garden at Cassilis with Raelee and Kylie. A small group today, but still so relaxing. Kylie worked on her B&C hexies, Raelee was finishing off some cross stitching and I finished a DJ block.

Happy Friday.

Susan x

Spoiled

It's not hard to stay on a fabric diet with blogging friends. I received a lovely variety of red and text fat quarters from my birthday fat quarter swap group this week. The girls outdid themselves with their selections......thank you!

And some more from others who know me well........how gorgeous is the basket that Lea made for me?

My most precious gift came from Mr 13. A tiny clay glazed rabbit made at school. He measures about 1 1/2" long and is a lovely addition to my collection.

We had another lovely stitching day at Cassilis today. Scrumptious food and wonderful company again.......and photos forgotten. Raelee had her Toes in the Sand top finished. You will have to take my word for how good it was, great blues and teals.

Kylie from Red Raspberry Quilts was there too, she is a fine saleswoman and sent out a well timed email this week with the new Kathy Schmitz range of reds.........since it was my birthday I think it's technically a birthday gift to myself not a broken fabric diet.

And I finished binding The Simple Life.

So it's been a happy and busy week here.........I'm hoping to spend some time tidying my sewing room and finding a place for my new treasures over the weekend.
Happy stitching.
Susan x