A new month has arrived

 And I am catching up again!

David has been to see the oncologist, much was explained and advice was given and David has decided to not have chemo. Big sigh of relief from me! The information we were given was that chemo causes Parkinson's like symptoms so could cause David more damage than help and they didn't want to do that to him. So now he has blood tests every 6 months and a CT once a year to keep a check on him. David is away this weekend on a boys weekend, guys he has known since high school and Uni, I haven't heard anything but I am sure they are having a wonderful time!

I had a quiet weekend planned, was even influenced by a squirrel that popped over from Janice's place. Today was to be a day of cutting fabric as I already have the foundation paper sheets

But life had other ideas and I have had a busy day doing other things.

We are getting a lift installed to make it easier for David in the future and so we can stay in this house.

The builder has been here since Thursday, has not long left ( 5pm Saturday) and will be back tomorrow to do a little more so the lift fitters can come Monday as scheduled. I  wonder about the scheduling as their is no time allowed for the unforseen and there was lots of unforseen in this house!

We have a flat roof, no man hole, and it makes it a challenge doing anything electrical.

Yesterday afternoon upstairs floor

Upstairs ceiling ( the ceiling was too low to fit the lift so a bulkhead had to be created, lots more work that expected)

End of work today, floor, the area covered with tools will have the floor vinyl that was cut out, glued on to it, so it looks more floor like  😊

Underneath looking up.

It looks strange at present but will be much better by Tuesday. 🤞

Today I had to drive to Torquay (an hour away) to change the sim card I got for the lift - the lift has an emergency phone inside. The info from the lift company says to get a normal sim card not a pre paid. That was going to cost $50 a month. Mark the builder said NO!! Swap it for a yearly sim card that costs $76 for 12 months, much better. So he rang a contact at the Torquay shop and she said come on over and I will help. So I did and she did and she also sorted issues I was having with my phone, not a problem with my phone just something that was not explained to me ( yes I was the problem 😁)

Well worth the drive over. While there I finished at Adventure Lab in the howling wind and spitting rain

I had to sit the phone on the hand rail to keep it steady in the wind.

I found a lovely bookshop in Torquay and bought two new books, Twice by Mitch Albom ( I have enjoyed other books by him) and Nobody's Girl by Virginia Giuffre.

I also went to he Information centre and found two badges for my Aussie Travel map

Not the best photo but I got the VW Great Ocean Road badge and the 12 Apostles - of which there are only 8 left I think.

During the week I have quilted 3 quilts for Christine and Judy

Peas in a Pod

all scrappy quilts using up peoples scraps

I have started my own Peas in a Pod quilt, using jelly rolls I got on special from Spotlight

I was given a large bag of African themed scraps, so they have been cut up and are being sewn into a kind of post and rail design - I have a few large pieces that will stay large and be fitted in where ever possible. I was also given some Australian themed fabric so that will be worked in too. 

 So much for not starting anything new this year!!! Blinking squirrels!!!

A little more progress has slowly been made on the Temperature Tree, fitting in the October leaves.

I have sewn together the first few rows of the hexie quilt, I am waiting until the lift is finished as there is plaster dust through the house and my design floor is gritty!!

That is me up to date for now, off to sew a few more post and rail bits and Peas in a Pod bits, Tomorrow I will cut the edging fabric for the peas.

Hope I have not put you to sleep with a long post!!

Happy stitching.

 

# 1 challenge progress

 I have seen sewing away with the many squares and fabric pieces

I still have this mess, but it is organised mess!!

all of the four and a half squares are sewn together, I used rectangle pieces I found in the box to add the border.

the fake hexie quilt is now quilted, just more endy bits to sew in and then the binding,

the last bag of squares from KOGO are sewn together and the crochet edge is done, the 4 blankets have gone for delivery to KOGO.

a little progress has been made on the mosaic, I have run out of glass pieces so a trip to Bunnings has to be made today

Earlier in the week we visited Finn and family, he had fun giving Tira pieces of wood to chew.

We had the dogs for the weekend so long walks were in order so they would sleep at night!!

one of the mosaic pieces made by one of the ladies already in place in the garden, love the frog on the top

another piece in place.

Right I am off to get ready to go to Bunnings before the day is over!

Happy stitching.

Sunday today

I had to have a look at the phone to make sure I had the right day!!

Friday I started trimming the One Block Wednesday blocks, some are not straight and need to be fudged but we will see how we go!

Ingrid made me this beautiful hummingbird wall hanging, she made it them misplaced it, found it and posted it! Phew! I love it.

Yesterday I fired up and got these bird feeder cups into the garden, I don't know why I took so long to get it done!! Julie makes these and kindly sent me the washer and bolt arrangement that her hubby welds together to go on the bottom of this cup

and Julie kindly sent me this cup she put together. They make wonderful bird feeders

Now they have seed

Just waiting for the birds, who are very happy in the fig tree, to find them!!

Every time I go near the fig tree I see flashes of colour

I think I was being watched!

Last night I started quilting the Caroline Challenge.

This morning I had a walk around the garden, there are hundreds of white butterflies, they are everywhere,I am thankful we don't have veges in the garden, they would be gone by now.

The galahs are busy having their morning clean up over the road.

The hexie quilt is sewn onto the borders, now it needs backing and wadding. ( And ironing!)

I have been stitching away now and then on the sew a little happiness every day project that is over on instagram. There is so much inspiration and beautiful stitching with this project. I decided on a little kiwi touch, the buzzy bee , a NZ icon.

And a kea, the cheeky NZ parrot

Link to you tube

I am of to sew some happiness,

Happy stitching.

Squirrel brain

has struck again today, it is a beautiful calm sunny day, it is so tempting to just go and sit outside in the sun and read a book! But I am being strong and am pinning one of the hexie quilt tops I was given to some borders, that have come from left over backing.

Pinning the border to the hexies

I did several laps of the garden this morning, David had left both the side gates open so I did complete laps of the property, made for a little change. Exciting person aren't I!!

I was chatting to Fiona via email and she suggested using some figs to make fig paste, to have with cheese. I liked the sound of that so did some research and found a recipe that uses the crock pot, so first step is to wash and dry the figs, then put the sugar over them and put them in the fridge over night. Tomorrow they will go into the crock pot. I hope I have timed this right as Ingrid is sending me jars and fingers crossed, they will arrive tomorrow.

The last lot of jam I made didn't set so back it went into the post this morning for a bit more sugar and another brew up

and back into the jars, hopefully this time it will be ok.

Yesterday I finished this jigsaw...and yes one piece was missing, but it didn't impact that much.

Yesterday I also put the binding on this lovely quilt made by a Guild member and quilted by Joan, this is now ready for delivery to the oncology ward once we are allowed out and about again.

I am off now to finish pinning the hexie quilt, I might even go and sit outside with some hand stitching, best to enjoy the lovely weather while we can.

Happy stitching.

Saturday at Guild

Yesterday was Guild day and it was good to catch up with lots of people. Show and tell was wonderful, the theme was childrens quilts, but also recently made quilts as well.

Lovely golly quilt

Quilt top that will be a play mat

My two quilts, binding finished. Several ladies are interested in making quilt tops for the oncology ward, so I am very happy with that.

Tumbling blocks quilt, Xmas swap quilt and future raffle quilt from the Bellarine Quilters members

beautiful hexie quilt

and this was the first big quilt for a grand daughter, Where is the Astronaut?? That would keep a little one busy for ages.

I had better head off and do something, it is a beautiful sunny breezy day here, the washing is flying around on the outside line.

Happy sewing.