Hand Stitching

 
This is how the morning started out.  We had a HUGE frost.  Because I slept in til 7.15 I missed out on the 'full Monty' as most of it had melted.  

 
This afternoon after I had completed the monthly newsletter for the quilt group, I sat and treated myself to some hand stitching.  In my mind there is nothing more therapeutic than picking up a needle and thread and doing some hand piecing.  The 2011 raffle quilt for Toowoomba Quilters next year is this gorgeous dresden plate scrappy quilt. 
Firstly, I love, love, love scrap quilts and secondly I have always wanted to do a Dresden Plate.  This is the second lot of petals I have put together for the quilt, and have thoroughly enjoyed doing it.  The group is yet to decide on the background fabric and the centre circle.


Now.....back to the hand quilting on the KF quilt on another chilly night.

A week flies by

This past week has flown by and not given me a chance to blog about the fabulous couple of days we had in Brisbane last Thursday and Friday.


Bec, our older daughter, along with baby Lilian  and  I, drove straight to Ikea on Thursday morning from Toowoomba.  First stop, of course, was the cafeteria where Nana had to get her cappucino hit and baby had to have her milk and snack.  It is an amazing store and we didn't spend a lot of dollars, just took in all the decorating possibilities.  We spent the evening with younger daughter, Bonnie, and her partner and partook of some yummy Thai take-away.


Friday morning we hit the Textile Art Festival at the convention centre.  We had so much fun looking at all the fibres and works by talented artisans.  A few of my friends had work at the show and it was great to see it in real life.  Here is Bec choosing some goodies to take home and play with.

We were at the "Unique Stitching" stand where we found some goodies.

We purchased a black silk scarf, some hand dyed wool tops, some angelina fibre (to give it glitz) and some lovely soft felt.  We intend doing some needle felting and embellishing (if you didn't already guess it!).  Bec was fascinated with the needle felting machines, but at this time in our lives, neither one of us has the time to justify spending the money on one.  We are going to do some by hand - another long-term project? :-)

Crazy Giveaway

Pat has a gorgeous giveaway at the moment.  If you love crazy quilting as I do, pop over to Pat's blog and be sure to get into the draw to win these crazy goodies.  Be quick, she is closing in midnight 25 June.

Caution - Mundane Post

I finally got to the sewing machine today and got the binding sewn on to my Kaffe Fassett quilt.  There is still some hand quilting to be done right up to the edge so I have chosen to put the binding on before trimming this time.  It just suit me better to do it this way this time.  Hope it works out to be straight or I am in trouble.  It is not a prize winning quilt anyway, just a quilt I have loved doing and look forward to using on our bed.


 
Speaking of our bed, I have had to put another blanket on this past week.  This is a woollen blanket I bought at a garage sale about 20 years ago.  It was in perfect condition and still is.  One of the jobs I love to do is make the bed every morning.  It gives an opportunity to let your mind wander onto what the day may bring.  A mundane task, but satisfying.
 
Now, to brighten this post up, a very happy little Lilian doing what she likes best - playing in dirt.

Butterfly Postcard

Lately I have been making a few of these postcards with a garden theme.   I am thinking of putting them on our sales table at the quilt exhibition.


I enjoy doing a little free hand embroidery on them to give added texture.  They are so much fun to make.  My machine still doesn't like satin stitching the edging though.  Will try a different tack next time - any suggestions gratefully received.

I am loving orange at the moment thanks to a stitchin fingers friend, Jennie.  It gives the pieces 'pop' I feel.  I am seeing a lot more orange in my future.

Chilly Weather and Comfort Food

We have had some very chilly south west to westerly winds here the past few days. This morning it went down to 3 deg.  In this sort of weather we seem to be constantly hunting food. 


The night before last we had one of our favourites.  Something you can't eat regularly but is nice now and again.
Smoked Cod:  As you can see I poach mine in a bit of milk with a good grinding of black pepper.
Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and a sprinkle of parsley.



Last night  it was home-baked pizza (which we shared with our neighbours).








Here are the bases ready to be 'topped'
 This is the first time I have ever done my own pizza dough, it won't be the last.  Beats the socks off any ol' bases you buy at the supermarket and is so much better than take out pizza.  If you would like to have a go, the recipe is right here.  I didn't get a photo of the finished pizzas as I cooked them at the neighbours and didn't have my camera with me.


It must be a record, but yesterday morning I did not get out of my PJ's until about 11.00am!!  It was utterly gorgeous and a real treat.

Crochet & RSI

Why do we do it?? We know we should listen to our bodies....but no... we keep on going.


Yesterday I decided to crochet a dishcloth with some cotton I got at a very fine price at the Peachester quilt show.  Just wanted to finish it in one day!  Tonight I am paying the price.  Have rubbed some ointment into my arm and now sitting with a hot pack on it.  Looks like I will be taking a rest over the next little time with the crochet and hand quilting!!     
                       

 Here is the culprit - the funkiest dishcloth ever.  A little rough around the edges but my crochet is a little rusty. 


Here is our little granddaughter with her great Papa.