Last day of winter

Today is the last day of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and I must say it has ended beautifully for me! A very rainy and overcast day off work, with not a lot of housework needing to be done. I love miserable wintery weather! Today, I've spent the afternoon knitting, and sewing a few hexagons together, and thinking about getting back to my hand quilting. 

 

The sock you can see here is number two of the Petty Harbour sock, and I am very keen to have it finished so I can wear them. The pattern makes these socks even cosier. I am more than a little sock obsessed at the moment.

 

I did a check on some works in progress over the weekend. The bunny hexagons are coming along nicely, nearly time to start sewing I think. 

 

Even the foxes came out to play. I have all the remaining fox pieces cut and ready to sew, they've been like that for over a year...........I just dread sitting at the machine for so long. I just need to make a date and get on with it (don't I Hilda?). 

 

And to finish off, a photo of our sweet girl..........still going strong twelve months after a grim diagnosis from the vet (and yes, she does have four legs hidden in that bean bag). 

 

Happy Spring (or Autumn) for tomorrow.

Susan x

Melbourne and Giveaway winner

I had an amazing time in Victoria. The quilt exhibition Making the Australian Quilt was exceptional, such beautiful quilts made without the tools and conveniences we take for granted. Of course my favourite was Prudence Jeffrey's hexagon quilt nd Auntie Greens. It was exciting to finally visit Lucellos after the exhibition, a little treasure chest of goodies.

 

It was wonderful to catch up with Elyte and Marina on Saturday. We have been meeting every two years as my niece and nephews turned 21, not sure what next event will bring me to Melbourne but I'm sure I'll be back again. We went to Woolarium for sock wool, GJ's and The Cutting Cloth, and had a lovely lunch afterwards. The girls spoiled me with some rabbit themed gifts including fabrics for my bunny quilt, and a bunny spoon. My sister gave me the book from the exhibition.

 

On Sunday we left Melbourne, perfectly timed to visit Threadbear at Castlemaine. I think I have found my spiritual home. I could have bought some of every single fabric in the store! I was so overwhelmed that I almost couldn't make a selection, but it passed. I stocked up on some great fabrics and backgrounds. Almost bought the starter pack for Celebrating Mary Brown but decided to think about it for a while. 

 

After two days wandering around Daylesford we headed back to Melbourne via Millrose......another overwhelmingly beautiful store. Then on to the plane home and back to work. I'm hoping to spend the weekend finally playing with my goodies!

 

I have finished another pair of socks for my niece, and one sock of the self striping variety bought on holidays. It's quite amazing to see the pattern come out.

 

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments for my blog birthday, I've been a bit slack with my replies. I used my highly technical random number selector (hi honey, please choose a number between 1 and 42) and the winner is number 33, Helen. Email your address and this little package will be on its way.

 

Happy weekend everyone.

Susan x

Melbourne and a giveaway

I am very excited to be heading off on a little solo adventure to Melbourne on Friday. Of course I'm going see the quilts at the NGV! My sister has created a wonderful itinerary of quilt shops, cake and coffee...... On Saturday I'm meeting up with my Melbourne sewing buddies Marina and Elyte, between them all I will be crossing off a lot of dream destination patchwork shops. I just hope my budget can hold up.

I mentioned in my previous post that my blog turns five this month. What a wonderful, creative world blogging is. So many great friends and happy memories made. To celebrate I'm having a little giveaway. I've made a double sided hexagon pin cushion in my favourite red and cream fabrics, and I'm sure I can find a little something extra to add while I'm away. 

 

Just leave a comment on this post and I'll make the draw on Friday 19th August.

Happy sewing!

Susan x