The last in CHOOKSHED challenge. No.8

 Well it’s the last number in the CHOOKSHED Challenge. So my No.is 8. A Christmas themed item. I’m not sure what I will do yet but I do need to make a Xmas cushion for my local quilt group Kris Kringle.

Mmmm… I think I have something in mind. Watch this space.

FINALLY IT WORKED ......... Photos of CHOOKSHED September Challenge to no. 7

 I did it. My September challenge is done. No. 7 … a good number….

Bonnie Hunter Frolic is completed ready for it to be gifted.

I had so much trouble uploading these photos. Anyway, after getting onto the laptop it worked.

Frustrating...

Thanks, Deana, for the push to get some UFO's done.

CHOOKSHED challenge progress

 I have been very busy with work and spending a lot of hours at the hospital with my husband. There has been slow progress with him but it is better than none. He is now taking some steps with staff by his side. Small steps are progress. It will be a long road. 

I take my Boro sewing in but no photo yet but there will be soon. Boro is a technique that requires not much concentration. It can be picked up and put down at any time. Just what I need.

Anyway. This months challenge is for me to hand sew the binding down on my Bonnie Hunter Frolic 2019 quilt. I had already machine sewn it on and now I just need to hand sew it down to finish it. 

I have had it out of the cupboard for 2 weeks sitting on the couch.

So tonight while I watch mindless tv late at night I have picked it up and started sewing. One side is nearly sewn down. Progress is progress no matter how small.

Linking up with Deana

A day at a time

 Hi everyone, I just want to say a very big thank you for your support. I haven’t replied to many emails I have received but please know I thank you and appreciate every message you have sent.

Any way, a quick update. My hubby is now in the rehab ward in hospital very close to home. It makes it easier to work a few hours a day, for my sanity, and still close enough for me to visit twice a day.

I work, visit, home for a nap then back to visit. I do fit in the other necessities like work, shopping, washing and eating. 

So here is Tony saying hi. Feeling a bit tired, sick of being in bed and not eating the hospital food is causing a few problems. He will get there. Now for Rehab to start…….

I am now comfortable with some sewing at the hospital. I am working on a Boro piece. I think I will use it in a back pac I need to make.

Saturday was the first time I picked up my sewing in 3 weeks. I felt comfortable and relaxed enough to pick up my hand quilting.

No. 3 CHOOKSHED challenge for August. I have done some but not as much as I had liked. Anyway. I will continue.

Slow Stitching Sunday

CHOOKSHED challenge 2024

Not so good news

 I’ll be on a break from posting. I need some time to get back on track which could take some time. Unfortunately on the 13th of this month my husband, Tony, suffered a stroke. The ambulance staff had him to the hospital within 20 minutes of the 000 call. He had treatment and airlifted to the Royal Melbourne hospital. Was operated on, stabilised and transferred back to Mildura hospital last Thursday evening. He will be in hospital for some time. Unlimited/unknown. He lost his speech and all feeling down his right hand side. He now has his speech back, can move his right leg but not his arm/hand but has sensation back in it. He can feed himself soft foods with his left hand. It is going to take some time for him to be up and about but he will get there.

So for me, I do not know when I will be settled enough to catch up on blogging so please give me some time. I have to readjust to hospital visits and work. Spending time with therapists and helping Tony as much as possible. 

I know you will support me and some, who know, already have. I do appreciate it.

Janet teaching us Boro…

 The next day we were shown and taught how to do Boro. I have done this before but did learn some new tips. Laying out my fabrics.

I laid down some painters tape to give me some straight lines to start with but it kept lifting. It didn’t stick very well.

So I replaced it with masking tape. So much better.

This is the aim I am going for. Lots of fairly straight lines close together.

I will also add some curved lines and circles too.

Loved this bag pattern

It is a free pattern here

https://blog.noodle-head.com/2018/10/forage-bag-free-pattern.html

I also like this pattern to that Janet has made. The cross body bag.

Here I am sitting and enjoying my stitching while listening to others chat.

I have quite a few hand stitching projects going on now. These will keep me busy for a while, I mean months….

We all had a great weekend of hand stitching. Once again, Thankyou Janet

Sashiko and Boro workshop with Janet at SPF.

 One of the members from my local quilting group held a workshop for Sashiko and Boro. I love this stitching technique. She organised kits for us and had pop up shop. $5.00 for the kits was all the weekend cost us.

Starting out on my fabric. This will pack a little purse.

Janet’s pop up shop with supplies for sale and many items made by her for inspiration.

The pouches we are making.

Here are the pouches and clothes the group made on day one.

We had a fun group of ladies. Some of these are the ladies I am going to Japan with again soon

I learnt how to sew the seams in to make beautiful corners. I finished this cloth at home that night.

Thanks Janet

Pretty new glasses

 Well, after 11 years I decided to go and get my eyes tested and some new glasses. 

My eyes were starting to struggle with the old ones, they were watering all the time so the decision was made.

After a good experience of them being tested some changes were needed. I choose a smaller style but with some added colour

Can you see the pretty flowers on the arms. They came with a matching cloth. These are also transitional glasses. I like them because when I drive and go shopping I don’t have to change them when inside.

These ones are for at home. But look at the sparkling arms.

So I had my tax done and money in went straight out again. Both pairs are a lot lighter than my older ones too. Of course when you have your fitting when picking them up it feels a bit strange from the older ones so a bit of adjusting is needed. I was also given a 50% off voucher for another pair. I might consider a straight pair of sunglasses. Will have to think about it.

Relaxing time camping with my Kawandi

 We decided to go away camping with our daughter and family for a weekend. 

Of course I took my sewing. The blue Kawandi tablecloth. A little bit was sewn

It was a really cold day so we needed to be close to the fire.

This kept us a little warmer in the evening

Linking up with Slow stitching Sunday

August Challenge is no. 3 — My Blue 40th birthday quilt

 This quilt kit was a gift for my 40th birthday. I started it straight away and finished the top not so long after. I put it away for a while before getting it basted for hand quilting. I started the hand quilting and it got put away once again. This has happened a few times over the last 20 years but it’s time to get it back out and do some more. I do like hand quilting so let’s see how I get motivated this month. Thanks to Deana for spinning the wheel and selecting no. 3.

So here it is. My Blue hearts birthday quilt

This is how I had left it in my blanket box. Now that’s not really smart

I have even started sewing on the binding to protect the wadding going everywhere.

Quilting in the centre of the log cabin blocks.

The quilting on the back.

Echo quilting in the background. This wasn’t the best choice but it’s done so I will have to do the other corners the same.

Another shot of it in progress.

Now to go and find the thread I was using.

 Mmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!