Surprise (to me)

 I am back again. Deana has given us this months challenge number and it is #4.

I have swapped my #3 and #4 about as I do not remember what I had to do with Guild quilts and I can take the sashiko panel with me to Baradine.

now I need to go find a needle. 😟

This morning I went over to West Geelong to a printers over there, hopefully they are going to print last years blog for me - they wanted to look at last years book to get an idea of what was wanted.

on the way home I did and Adventure Lab at the old Federal Woolen Mills complex, these buildings had not been used for years, now it is a thriving business hub, with a pub, lots of cafes and places of business

the water tower has been beautifully painted by a local Geelong artist

the old chimney

one of the original buildings

Art work which was part of a second Adventure Lab, I only got two done before the battery went flat on my phone, all because muggins didn't turn on the power last night!!

Right, I am off too do Grandmother duties.

Happy stitching.

Lots of procrastination

 is happening here, I am supposed to be preparing for the retreat at Baradine and I am finding other things to do!! I have cut fabric for two Twelve Fat Quarter quilts (I am limiting my quilts to 12, the pattern is for 16!)

After cutting the Cat in the Hat Fabric I had the selvedge edges and other bits left over and decided I couldn't throw them out and had to make some kind of bag

I lined it with some  Tim Holtz fabric left from another project (double win, no scraps!!)

I did have to add three patches in places my sewing had missed where it should have been.

While looking for fabric to take I discovered this panel I had forgotten

it now has sand coloured borders and will be a perfect child's quilt one day. Not what I was planning to do today 😀 but happy it is done.

Yesterday I sewed the piano keys border and added it to the strip quilt

Another finished quilt top - yay!!!

I have prepped more jeans bags from the denim legs I was given at the last Gisborne retreat. Hopefully they will be done at Baradine.

I also made this bag on the weekend, again using bits of denim I was given

and lined it with left over quilt backing. I can see a couple of holes in the fabric stash, just little ones!!

Last weekend was the North Bellarine Arts Trail

 I went to have a look at the local hall and came away with some lovely cards

These were by a local lady who did the most beautiful water colours,

and these done by a local lady who draws and does water colour and gelli plate printing.

I went to visit Finn and Beth yesterday and was asked to be the barber, which was surprising as Finn does not like getting his hair cut. We went through the (pretend) process several times and he was very relaxed, he didn't mind the pretend scissors or water spray, in fact I was reminded to use the water 😁, he didn't mind the clippers either. Maybe having this as a play game puts it all in place for him. Who knows how their minds work!!

I am off to have a little walk and then it will be dinner time!

My next post will most likely be on Raewyn's and my tiki tour to Baradine starting Saturday.

Happy stitching.

Chookshed Stitchers challenge

My challenge for March is finished, not exactly the pattern but I am very happy with it.

all rolled up

opened up

part opened

the back, all ready for show and tell at Baradine.

I wonder what will be chosen for next month.

Happy stitching.

Fun day stitching

The Guild had a class in Kwandi taught by Irene Blanck today. Irene is a fun and informative teacher, we had a great day. We had to take along a backing piece with wadding onto and the edges sewn down (forgot a photo). We learned about the history of Kwandi and the people who traditionally make it. Kwandi is made by the Siddi people in India, they have an African history. They make their quilts from old clothes often with sari backings, with lots of quilting stitching. 

I don't know why this is upside down, but you get the idea!

This is where I finished for the day, lots to continue with at home, once other projects have been done.

Irene and Anne.

This is one of Irene's Kwandi quilts. I like the extra squares on some of the bigger blocks.

That is it for me for now, off for dinner

Happy stitching  🪡🧵.

Chookshed Stitchers Challenge and FNWF and life

This quilt was my January challenge and it is finally finished. The quilt is designed by Sonya Else an artist from Rochester, Vic. Sonya came and talked to the Guild on Saturday so it was good motivation for me to get the quilt finished. Nothing like a deadline!! She is an amazing creative person, she has an idea and then works out how to create it, a few photos of her works are below

I dont know if these photos are working because as I am trying to make this post I can see what I am typing but not the photos, I am getting rows of letters and numbers and symbols!! This months challenge is the Hatched and Patched project we were given at Baradine last year - again another deadline to get me moving!! I have only had a year!!!

Progress so far happened on FNWF ( I forgot to take a photo) and yesterday at Guild

I have been spending some time with Finn

At home playing with water, the serious job of attaching a baby chino and at the playground, always a beautiful view from there. Last week we celebrated our 41st anniversary and went to Jack Rabbit for lunch - the views were stunning

I have also finished a Wasgij

The challenge is what the horse can see

Today I have finished the binding on this quilt, kindly quilted by Tracee of Hummingbird Quilting in Gisborne

Love this fabric. Well that is me updated for now, I will publish and hope it works - happy stitching.

Last day

Today is my last day here in Waiuku with Jenny, tomorrow is the day to head to the airport and head home,  I am keen to get back! 

Julie very kindly drove up here to meet us for lunch, she also brought us wonderful fresh veges from her garden and some brownie 😀 

It was very special to have a catch up and a chat. We had a great lunch in the Hidden Cafe.

Some progress photos

This blanket was knitted and sewn together by Jenny, I did rhe crochet edge, it will come home with me and go to KOGO.

This blanket is KOGO squares sewn together by Jenny, crochet edge by me

This blanket was knitted and sewn together by Jenny, crochet edge by me 😁

This is my progress on the Temperature Tree - four branches to go and then I can start on the leaves. I am very happy with it considering it is my first attempt at cross stitch. 

No sewing tomorrow, probably reading and watching movies on the plane.

Happy stitching.