Aargh!!

Can you see where I started the new skein of thread? I rinsed this stitchery last night, to find it like this today. Not happy. Weeks Dye Works 1331 Brick, in the BIN. I think I will just stay with DMC thread in future.

On a brighter note, we had this delicious Tiramisu for dessert last night courtesy of Mr 11. It's from the Junior Masterchef cookbook, and is probably his all time favourite recipe. It has no coffee or liquer, and uses orange to make it a rather tasty alternative that everyone can enjoy.

I feel like eating some more now, to make up for my thread malfunction.

Rain, glorious rain again today. Not so good for the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days, but excellent for lazy Mums enjoying the last of the school holidays. Have a great day.

Susan x

Home again

Well so much for shopping in Sydney. We didn't make it past Charlestown Square, Newcastle on Monday. With the whole family in tow it was easier to go to a shopping centre we were familiar with. I am thrilled to have bought not one, but TWO dresses - and no denim in sight. One is for a special dinner next month, and the other for my nieces 21st. And a beautiful pair of black velvet heels. And no patchwork fabric or supplies of any kind - very unusual behaviour for me.

I had a small procedure on my eye yesterday so it was quite an ordinary day. Thankfully a lot of the day was spent in the car on the way home. Eye patches make it very difficult to sew or read or watch tv. Feeling much better today though, so the needles will be out later!

I did finish another Bluebird of Happiness purse before I went away. This one is heading off to Melbourne with a scarf for my beautiful big sister.

And some little squares sewn together for Anni's project bag.

It's a beautiful rainy morning outside, 34mm last night and more to come. Not so good for washing, but excellent for a lazy day of sewing. Happy stitching.
Susan x

Enjoying the sunshine

Not a lot of sewing going on at the moment. We are visiting family in Newcastle for the weekend. Frontline Hobbies has become an essential destination in Newcastle for the modellers in the family. The range of models and supplies is amazing. And the best supply of Lego.

Followed up by THE best fish and chips for lunch, and a long walk along the foreshore and breakwater. It was a beautiful day to be out together in the sunshine.

Off to Sydney tomorrow, and hopefully a little shopping along the way.

Susan x

What I've been working on.....

The problem with working on a big quilt, or hand quilting, is that there isn't really much to show. My giant quilt is getting close to finished, if you call having 69 more stars to go being close. I'm slowly working my way around the hexagon border......

....... it's a long way around. 130 inches.

I'm feeling really pleased with myself because I didn't buy a fabric pack for Anni's project bag. Last weekend I went through my stash and found everything I needed - all chosen by me. I don't have many bright fabrics in my stash, but I think what I have chosen will turn out ok.

So, apart from a little bit of stitching here and there that's about it. Mostly loving being at home with the kids for the holidays, although I'm sure they eat more when they're home all day.

Susan x

Gemma's sewing case continued

I was so very good at Hatched & Patched yesterday. I bought some fat quarters for a swap, and two pieces of red felt. Even with Anni waving a Simple Life fabric pack at me, I remained strong. I would never be so silly to suggest that I won't buy anything new this month, but I am going to try to focus on finishing rather than shopping.

I showed you the sewing case I made for my niece Gemma. Well, I thought she needed a pincushion and needle case too.

The pincushion is from Anni's Some Kind of Wonderful, and I made the needle case using some very thick interfacing I got at Nundle.

I love that the pincushion can be used either end. I have really enjoyed using fabrics which are so different to what I usually choose. Now I just have to enlarge a simple stitchery and make up a little kit for her first project.

Happy school holidays, and have a good week.

Susan x