Missing posts and Happy New Years

 Okay, so I have missed quite a few posts this year.

I never got around to doing anything to do with an impromptu visit to Scrub Stitchin in April. The theme was winter in the warrumbungles . I decided to make the solar system as it is an area for star gazing.

Chooky enjoying herself

Kate working on her Kawandi project

And of course, the group photo.

There were some great outfits. Here was Chooky 

And Janice.

 

I took a lot more photos but you probably have seen many earlier in the year.

Here was Tony at a cafe on the way home.

It was a huge trip for us and we took a while to get over it but thanks Chooky for accomodating us. Thanks to everyone else for their help with Tony too. 

We look forward to 2026 Scrub Stitchin’. The theme is ‘book week’. 

Then we had a lovely visit from Betty & Kerrie before we headed off to Darwin. Thank you so much for the delicious jams and chocolates from Junee. We did enjoy them on our trip.

I’m sorry if I missed any others as it was a hectic year.

Chooky had a zoom today and it was great to see some bloggers I haven’t chatted with in a while. We did a lot of show n tell, discussed continuing Chookshed 2026 UFO challenge with Deana, lining old hinged tins, recipes, knitting, geckos, broken windows and so much more. Also what were we grateful for in 2025. The best part is we can do it all again tomorrow.

Hopefully I will make more progress on my clue 6 of BH mystery lupine & Laughter. Posts of these clue will be showing in January as will my tins.

Now I’m off to work on my 2026 UFO challenge list….

HAPPY NEW YEAR. LETS HOPE 2026 is a much better year.

Love to you all.

What we have been dealing with

 TERMITES 

After coming home from our Melbourne trip I noticed some strange markings in my sewing room.

Oh no….😟  TERMITE TRACKS

So I get in the professionals to spray but I had to do a big clean up and check my storeroom. So now that is clean after a couple of days sorting out. And the little dead termites on the floor after being treated. They are like maggots.

I have moved a lot out to my shed. The tubs I only accessed once a year. Xmas decs, costumes, woodwork, laces etc…..

Trouble was is we had a few days of 40 & 41 deg C. It was horrible. Yes, I was up at 6am moving boxes to the shed. This is where we are at now.

This is an after photo. I didn’t take a before one. But this is so much better

Our Christmas Day.

We had a lovely Christmas Day at our daughters. All of us together.

 This photo was taken at Nicks 17th birthday. 

Our gift to them. I saw a company online that converts it into a comic theme. We thought it was hilarious and laughed so hard. It was well done.

We received a light up Eiffel Tower puzzle. Tony set right to it when we got home. He was concentrating hard.

 

He is doing really well.

Only needed a little bit of help with some of the smaller pieces and the thinner

Well done. Love the colours. We have actually stood under the Eiffel Tower when the lights have been flashing. This brings back happy memories.

A Xmas visit with a special friend

 Visiting a friend for a beautiful Xmas luncheon.

She also knows I collect and donate to several charities. So every time they go to a motel she does not let her husband use the free soaps, etc. she keeps them for me.

Here is what she gave me.

I passed them on to our local church where I have been making little bags for. 

Jo is a gem.

Merry Xmas to everyone.

 Thinking of you all.

Merry Christmas to everyone.

This is a special day with family.

Knitting socks

 So I have never knitted socks before. I wanted to try. I couldn’t get anything in spotlight at this time of year. I was passing through Bendigo so decided to stop at the woollen mills. We lived an hour away for 18 years but never visited it. I bought a ball of wool and needles. 

This is a sample of the colour of the yarn.

I was told I can get a free pattern off their website.

I had bought this book from the supermarket recently as I have been interested in a while.

Lou has also advised a site to visit.

https://www.winwickmum.co.uk/how-to-knit-socks

Hope I have more luck than Lou. Time will tell.

I also bought these stitch savers in Humpty Doo, NT, when I went on our trip in August. I thought they were appropriate.

Tying teabag strings for scarves.

I received another parcel in the mail from Cindy. Thankyou so much. Wish I knew who you were. Cindy sent a whole bag of strings with tags removed.

I have been busy tying teabag strings ready to make a few more scarves.

 It takes me about a week to tie enough strings to make a ball that weighs 45grams. 

Here I have 2  balls tied and rolled.

This is enough for 2 scarves. Using 4.5mm (size 7) needles 40 sts and about 2metres (6’6” long)

This is how I store them ready for knitting. Then I gift the scarf in the washing bag.

A birthday and Xmas gift made

So I have been busy making gifts.

1st up was a project bag for a 70th birthday. It’s always tricky knowing what to make but us sewers can always use a project bag.

The back

Then to use up some selvedges made it more special. This person knows the meaning behind them and it was well received.

Making the plastic window

Next up was a quick Xmas table runner.  It was an easy one and was loved. My friend’s table theme was going to be red this year. So this matched perfectly. What a guess.

I received a few beautiful gifts too. I also handed out quite a few Xmas decorations and they were put on the trees straight away. All in all a great week seeing friends for Xmas.

This was a special gift made for me from someone I have known for 50 years. She wasn’t sure if I would use it where I lived. I loved it. I have not ever knitted a blanket for myself or been given a gift like this. So special. My friends table theme hasn’t been to this house so didn’t know my colours but it matches perfectly.

I did it. 50 placemats have been made.

While looking for  some fabric for a different project I came across these leftover blocks. These were from a previous Bonnie Hunters mystery. FROLIC.

So I laid them out to make 4 placemats

They look lovely and bright.

That’s enough of placemats. I reached my goal of 50. Our quilt group has a great pile and are trying to get to 200.

I had a few little pieces left.

Just enough to make 3 pin cushions.

 That’s 33 that I have put away for another group activity