Odds and ends

Before patchwork I used to do a lot of cross stitch. I've been thinking about trying some more for a while now and thanks to a post by Mel I was tipped over the edge this week. I followed her link to Marijke's blog to find some very sweet free patterns. I didn't have any linen so just used what I had on hand and these are the results.

And now I've got that out of my system I can get back to what I was doing! I'm too lazy for counted cross stitch these days.
It has actually been cool enough this week to do some quilting. I thought I had finished my Floral Beauty but it really needs a bit more quilting on the triangle border to keep it all together.

We had a rather bad day on Wednesday when our poor little dog was attacked by a couple of Staffy's when we were walking at the river. None of the dogs were on leads, so I have learned my lesson......no more freedom for Myf! She had to spend the night at the vets and is still limping around, but should make a full recovery. It was a very scary experience for us all.

Hope you're having a great Australia Day long weekend. We celebrated with yummy lamington cakes.

Susan x

Whole cloth quilt

It occurred to me last night that this dry weather would be perfect for a special washing project that I have been putting off for about four years!

I don't think I have blogged about my whole cloth quilt before. I started it in 2007 and hand quilted it (on and off) over the next three years. It came preprinted with blue wash out ink. I've used it on my bed a few times, but never got around to rinsing off the blue markings, I was too scared. So today is the day.

The design is "Queen Anne's Star", and it's a very large queen size. It got very boring at times, I found this quilt a real test of my resolve to be a "finisher", but I do love the end result. Here it is drying on the trampoline, and nothing terrible happened with the blue ink. And yes, I did have a happy volunteer to stand on the roof to take the photo.

If you're looking for a dose of fabulous reproduction work, check out this post at Every Stitch. I'm feeling very inspired and wishing I had a good reproduction patchwork store nearby.

Susan x

Dunn's Swamp

We just had to get out of the house today, so we headed off to Dunn's Swamp in Wollemi National Park. It's really a lot nicer than the name suggests. We hired kayaks.....the water was so nice that we just leapt right in for a swim.....even me!

It's 40 degrees in our outdoor area, so now that I'm home I'm wishing I could jump back in the water. Bring on the cool change please!

This is the first little test block for my orange peel mini. No large pieces of fabric will be harmed on this project.

Happy stitching.

Susan x

Bits and Pieces

We have been laying low in the hot weather. It hasn't been as bad as many areas, but it has still been hot....and so horribly dry. Some days it feels like it will never rain again......our tanks are getting so low.

So we have been out and active in the mornings and in the aircon in the afternoons. I have been working on a few different things. A little set of Kathy Schmitz stitcheries.

Some more blocks for Irish Circles. I am still having trouble getting into a rhythm with this project.....but soldiering on.

Working on a UFO mini. This is a free pattern from Kathleen Tracy. I cut the pieces from my scrap tin ages ago. It just needs the borders and finishing off. In the background is a sketch for my next mini. I love the orange peel design, just not sure how small I can go.

Keep cool, or warm, depending on where you are in the world.

Susan x

Back to sewing

Time to blog about some sewing! I really loved the mini hexie quilt I made for Dawnie in the FIS Christmas swap. Since I had been playing with 1/4" hexies at the same time, I had some other lonely little flowers needing a home. It didn't take long to appliqué them onto the background squares, and do a little hand quilting.

This little sweetie is destined for my own wall of mini's. It's 8" square, and was so much fun to make. Definitely a good portable project on these hot summer days. I'm definitely hooked on mini's now.

Happy stitching.

Susan x

Bread update

It worked! Very easy too. Was lovely with a casserole for dinner and would be great with soup.

Have a great weekend.

Susan x

As if the years aren't rolling by fast enough! Yesterday my eldest son bought his first car. He has another month or so on his learners before he can hit the road on his own. I'm so proud of him for his determined saving.

I think I need some medicinal stitching time today, to come to terms with this new stage of life!

On a culinary note I am trying out this bread recipe on my inlaws tonight. This is how it looks after 10 hours.........

Have a great day.

Susan x

First finish for 2014

Today I finished the Bordeaux Berries table runner that I gave myself for Christmas. It was lovely working on the linen, and a great project for these hot, lazy days.

The pattern includes a slightly different version in blue which I think I'll have to try as well. I have some linen in blue and will find the rest in my stash.

I've also been working on my hexie mini, it just needs the quilting now.

Happy stitching,
Susan x