This time last week, we’d hit the road to venture up to Mary’s lovely shop and have a day stitching with friends – SUCH a great thing to do!!
Patch n Quilt was looking – and proved – very tempting, and we all participated in some retail therapy (so good for the soul!)
We had lunch at Canteena just up the road from the shop, but I’m so out of practice I’d forgotten my camera and totally forget that I could use my phone for photos – duh!
Did remember after lunch to take pics of what we were working on (and the shop pics)……
I was binding a new quilt
Helen worked on her pinwheels
Karen had been to my Double Wedding Class last year and had cut heaps ready to stitch on the day
and she’d finished the quilt top for her youngest grand daughter
Irene has a new pattern for these delightful needlecases “Nova Needlecases” (contact the shop on the link above if you’d like one)
and she was working on a new applique project – which will become a pattern
and Veronique was also working on a new applique
It was a fabulous day and we’re hoping to get together again in a couple of months.
I was up early to bake a sponge to welcome Linda and Sue S back after a six month absence (due to a variety of not really nice reasons). It was SO lovely to have them both back at class – they’ve been sorely missed.
Here’s just snippet of Sue S’s quilt – more to be seen once it’s back from quilting
and in class Sue S was prepping more “Fossick” blocks (from my range of templates)
and Linda was sewing rows together
Jo and Sue E cut triangles to go between their stars; here are Jo’s
and Sue E’s
and Carole was in attendance too but she claimed her borders were getting camera shy!
Afternoon
Lesley brought in some more beautiful doyley’s, this time crocheted ones from grand- and great- grandmothers so getting on for 100 years old she thinks (I’ve added close ups too for those who are interested)
Cheryl found her “Chook” quilt and we cut borders for it
and the strips for the final round of her Diamond TAW
Louise stayed all day and completed the first of her 4 cot quilt tops (for her hope chest)
Jennifer had finished the binding on her quilt (the colours are much stronger than the photo – the backing is a deep mustard)
and in class she learnt a little more about hand piecing, using the block book she made in class a couple of weeks ago
Jo had her borders pieced together, so we pinned two of them in place ready for her to sew at home and add the other sides
and for the rest of class she was making stars
Sue E has made lots of stars too, and we started a layout so she can sew them together
Carole has just one more border to complete
and Cathie pieced and stitched one of her side borders in place
Afternoon
Cheryl brought in some really delicious mini macaroons to celebrate my birthday – so lovely, thanks Cheryl! And with that sweet start to the afternoon……
Lesley had finished sewing her hexie blocks together and has machine appliqued them to a border
Lesley has been fortunate to inherit LOTS of d’oyleys from mothers, grandmothers and aunts and we had a discussion on what sort of quilt(s!) she could make using them
This small selection is housed in this gorgeous d’oyley container
and in class Lesley was sewing down a binding for a triangle quilt
Cheryl and I started her cutting adventure with this kit
and Frances sewed together quite a few of her blocks while I played with sets for her
Thought I’d better get this done before February becomes a distant memory!
It’s been a very rude awakening to the alarm clock for the majority of mornings this month as classes get back into full swing. I must admit to sleeping through a couple and having to abandon or shorten my walk. But it’s been such fun being back teaching my lovely students.
Mum and I have had coffee out quite a few times, either at our favourite cafe or down at the golf club sitting out under the covered area and observing the happenings (no photos but I’ll try and remember next time). The Golfer and I have had a few meals out during the month
I’ve been walking, weather permitting, and have noticed lots and LOTS of branches on the footpaths and nature strips. Looking up it was easy to see the culprits
Although you can only see 3 in the photo, there were about a dozen Corellas in this one tree. A very destructive bird!
My poor old wheelbarrow is on its last legs; the wooden struts have rotted through and it’s now on a tilt but I don’t want to do anything with it until these flowers are finished. Can’t remember what they’re called but their colours are fabulous.
and a little closer
On the sewing front I’ve been obsessed with these curved 9-patch blocks (one of my template sets)
and with the blocks made I’m now cutting into the background to join them together
Some of you may remember The Great Coffee Disaster (last year? the one before?? – just looked it up and it was 2020 eek!) where I knocked my coffee all over my next border pieces for Judy Newman’s BOM Vermont Summer Medallion. The background strips were ruined beyond repair, several of the star jump blocks were damaged and it was all put aside until I’d calmed down. Inadvertently I put the centre and instructions “somewhere” and the box of fabrics looked at me accusingly every time I sat in my sewing chair. As is always the way, looking for something else I came across the missing items – yahoo!
I’ve decided to do the next border a bit differently (sorry Judy), and after repairing the coffee stained blocks
cut and attached new borders and have started appliqueing the star jumps
and my favourite pears could be making another appearance in yet another project….
Stitching last week was at Maree’s home; we love this blanket that she made from old jumpers with added embroidery
and her beautiful cushions
It was a very hot, humid, muggy day, so we sat and chatted and ate delicious strawberry cakes (some of which were eaten before I remembered a photo…aHem!)
and not a stitch was undertaken. Little Miss-Nearly-Two woke up from her nap and we played with her instead.
So entertaining!!
Apart from showing us how clever she is with these blocks, she loved playing with the blue fabric scraps I’d brought over for Maree – it’s never too early to start indoctrination!
Just as we were leaving a gentle rain heralded a cool change and once home we could open up our houses to cool off.
Last weekend The Golfer and I headed down to Red Hill for a drive and we dropped into the Red Hill Brewery for some lunch.
It was a beautiful day so we chose to sit outside
We placed our order and enjoyed the view while we waited for our lunch to arrive. It wasn’t crowded, great music was playing, little children ventured into the green space in the above pic and played, a gentle breeze occasionally wafted the leaves on the trees; all so very relaxing. We were seated next to a flowering gum; this was above my head
and this was above The Golfer’s head!
Not only did we sample their food, we also sampled their beer (for The Golfer) and cider (for me) and everything was delicious and much appreciated.
As we went to leave we noticed a lone cloud drifting in the blue sky (sounds like the start of a poem!!)
Such a lovely, soul refreshing day. How was your weekend?
We’ve been a bit slow to start our regular Friday stitching this year, but we finally made it last Friday. On a stinkin’ hot day we made our way to Karen’s and she, thankfully, had her air conditioning running full bore!
Delicious, refreshing afternoon tea
Helen has been experimenting with Kaffe scraps and hopes to made a bag with the rainbow zip!
Karen is making a new quilt for a grand daughter
and I was cutting out blocks
There was lots of catching up to do and some of us didn’t pick up a needle! Then by the time we left, late afternoon, a cool breeze was starting to blow making the trip home much more bearable.
The Golfer:: My loving husband of some 20 years (yes, I was a child bride!), who likes nothing better than flogging a little white ball around the green fairways (and hopefully not getting into the rough) of his local golf course.
Ma & Pa Kettles:: My parents who live in the country, fondly known as The Kettles. Sadly my gorgeous Dad died in 2015, so it’s just Mum now.
MyDearFIL & MIL:: The Golfer’s Dad & Mum who have now both passed away.
LittleBigBrother:: My brother who is younger than me, but at 6 foot, definitely bigger than me!!
DocSisterInLaw:: LittleBigBrother’s wife (who has a Doctorate!)
Poppet:: My beautiful niece, and daughter of LittleBigBrother and DocSisterInLaw
Bliss
(blis) n. 1. perfect happiness; serene joy
Obviously the collective noun for a group of stitchers!!
Currently……
Reading: “Divided House” by J M Dalgliesh
Listening to: the cool jazz of Trudy at Nuno Nuno on her Spotify account – check it out!
Watching: The Golfer has just hooked us up to SBS On Demand and there’s lots to watch!
Going to: try and stay cool, calm and collected as we all “lockdown”!