A late weekend finish

Amidst the comings and goings of family life, I finally found time to finish my SKOW bag tonight. It only needed the button and loop (yucky simple little job) and ta-da, it's finished.

The back is quite plain, but I think two sides of stitchery would be too much.

It's quite a nice sized bag, so I may make it again, but in a feature fabric.

I went to Bathurst on Friday to see Dad, and again today with the whole family. He is doing okay, but it is an exhausting and emotional experience for us all. After our visit today we went to see Avengers in 3D - it was pretty good (especially for hubby and three boys).

I am working on my Hexagon Star quilt again. I figure if I get the big star done it will be easier to choose a background. I'm just sick of it hanging around. And now that it's getting colder, I want to get back to hand quilting my Stars Quilt. Look at the poor thing shoved under my desk in a washing basket - I'm aiming to finish it before the end of winter.

Hope you find a quiet moment to stitch this week.

Susan x

Yay. Housework done. Shopping done. Back to my stitching!

SKOW bag is coming along. It's construction method is a bit different for me, but I think it will be okay.

Had a dreadful experience on Monday. Waiting in town for Mr 10, hmmmm, how about a bit of stitching. Fabric, thread, scissors, needle - NO NEEDLE. How on earth could there not be a needle in my car?? Normally I can cover how badly impatient I am by sewing or reading - but I had neither - it was the longest half hour I've had for some time. But I made up for it when I got home, and have started the Birdhouse block for IFB.

I have planted 7 new trees now. My hole diggers have abandoned me. It's probably quite funny watching me swing a mattock out in the paddock. Three more to go. It's nice to get beyond the house yard and plant some trees that will (hopefully) grow really big. I loved the trees in NZ, so maybe I'm trying to re-create a little of that here. Some pine trees will be next on my list (oh how I wish I could grow a giant NZ hedge).

 

Off to Bathurst to visit Dad tomorrow. I really can't justify going to The Home Patch again - maybe I'll just pop into the other fabric shop - just for a little look.

Susan x

Getting lots done

Well I can thoroughly recommend a night at home alone - it certainly gets a lot done. I finished the top of my Chelsea Charm quilt - it just needs quilting now.

I used my "bright" fabrics, and finished the sewing case for my neice's birthday (from SKOW). I think it needs a pincushion, needlecase and a simple starter stitchery to finish it off. She will be 8 in August, so I'm well ahead of schedule with this one.

I watched "The Help" on DVD, which was really good. And "New Years Eve", which wasn't. I finished Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini. It was okay, but not her best. Hope the next book is back at Elm Creek.

I even planted five new trees along the drive (had some help digging the holes yesterday before everyone left). Lots of autumn colour to come, and five yet to plant.

Today I finished off the stitchery part of the SKOW bag, and am off to work on the bag construction now.

Back to work and reality tomorrow. Boo hoo.

Susan x

A little retail therapy.......

It is such a happy coincidence that my parents live in Bathurst, because that's where the Home Patch is. I'm sure they wonder if I'm there to to visit them or Anni - but I think some questions are better left unanswered.

Anyway, I did have a lovely day visiting yesterday. My Dad is about to go into respite care for the first time, so it's a new stage of life for everyone. Mum is taking a holiday so I will be doing a lot of the visiting while she is away.

I did go to the Home Patch (like there was ever any question). I chose the lining for my SKOW bag.

I thought about using this spot, but I think I'll stick with the paisley.

I have been resisting this Japanese fabric for quite some time now.... and yesterday I just gave in. When I was at Nundle, I felt a little bit lacking in the bag department, so I think this fabric is destined to be a bag. I just love the birds. The wavy pattern is my camera not the fabric.

This weekend will be quite a milestone for me. I will be at home by myself overnight - no children - no hubby - just me and the dog - it hasn't happened in over 15 years!!!! We were all supposed to be going to Newcastle for a 40th, but Mr 15 starts his first ever part-time job at the local bakery tomorrow (I'm so proud) and then will be at a friends house overnight, so I'm staying home to play chaffeur.

I'm kinda really excited about it - DVD's hired, chocolate bought, projects ready, fire set, new vegetarian recipe for tea (no men means no meat - yay). But I will really miss them (won't I?) Of course I will.

Anyway, if I get too lonely I'll blog all night. Have a great weekend.

Susan x

Happy Easter

Happy Easter. I hope everyone has enjoyed a day of family, friends and chocolate.

We have spent the morning finalising our packing for our New Zealand holiday tomorrow. Nanna and Pop have kindly arrived to house-sit, and we are so organised it's scary.

I'm taking a couple of stitcheries - just in case - and even managed to sneak in an early start on one of them today. It's the bag from Some Kind of Wonderful. Not sure about the dark thread, but we'll see when it's finished.

The laptop is staying at home - and the family is wondering how I'll cope for two weeks. But I am travelling with a teenager, so I'm sure we will find the occasional internet cafe.

See you in two weeks.

Susan x