Stash enhancement & general catch up

Firstly, thanks for everyone's comments. There has been some progress on the health front for my daughter, but it does seem slow some days, and we are still working out the best plan of attack.

Just a quick catchup post today so that I get back into the habit of blogging.  I picked up a couple of fat quarter bundles the other day from Spotlight-Sarah Fielke's new range called 'On the Pond'. I don't have specific plans yet for them, but I coincidentally received a few more of the same range from a swap so I may grab a couple more so I can make a good sized quilt.

We had some cooler weather a few weeks ago (I think one morning I even put the heater on-in February!-in Adelaide!) and consequently got my hand-quilting out, and am almost done. I don't have any pictures at this stage, but will try and finish it up on the next cool day, and then take one. Then it will be the binding, and finished-hooray!

I'm at various stages with my stitch-a-longs so I'll wait until I finish February's progress before I post pictures of those.

And to finish, here's another picture of the new kitten, Archie.

Is that a pulse?

Yes-the blog is alive (barely), but they say that if there's life, there's hope ;)

It has been an eventful 6-7 months since my last post. Without going into lots of detail, I've re-entered the paid workforce after an absence of 16-17 years (customer service officer at my local library/council), and we have also been dealing with our youngest child's onset of depression and anxiety. This hasn't left me with time and/or inclination to blog over the last half of 2012.

I've decided that I need to try craft more (and blog) this year as it's a great for de-stressing, as well as something I can have control over and can see progress, when other things seem to be way out of my control.

I did  refrain from joining all the stitch-a-longs, knit-a-longs, quilt-a-longs and craft-a-longs that were around at the beginning of 2013. I did sign up for one Stitch-a-Long that uses books I already own to make a small item each month. I finished the first item (thread catcher) in January as required so a good start.

I also signed up for a Facebook stitch-a-long with a group of Australian stitchers. The design we are stitching this year is here. We plan to stitch one small square each month, and the centre design as we go.  I stitched my first section in January on a Stitches and Spice fabric with DMC 4240.

I've signed up for the HAED BB stitch-a-long but haven't made a start on it yet. Another thing I could have started this month, but will leave until later in the year is Sew School.

I also have some WIPs I want to finish, and of course new projects, but I'm not making any specific plans for any of those at the moment.

I should be back soon with some more updates but here's picture of our newest family member-Archimedes-usually known as Archie.

I finish something, and a weather report

 

I finished something! I need to start using my sewing machine on a regular basis, as I need the practice to improve my skills. This pattern is called 'Little Wallet' by Valori Wells Designs (I bought it from Ballarat Patchwork) and it turned out well-even for a novice like me. I used fabric from my stash and even used some vintage snaps I picked up somewhere. The pictures aren't the best, but winter really isn't the best for taking photos, and I invariably decide to take pictures when it's dark! I have other small patterns stashed away, as well as ones earmarked on the Internet, and I plan to start trying them out on a regular basis.

Today was strange weather, with the temperature up here getting to over 20C, before thunderstorms, rain and hail moved in. I managed to get into the garden before the weather changed (and the temperature dropped 10C).

A 'helper' in the garden

The change moving in

I have other WIPs on the go, but I'll update those another day when I can get better photos-and maybe have another finish to report. I'm enjoying watching the Tour de France, although I usually watch a lot of it the next day when I watch my recording. We've had a fairly quiet school holidays-only a few days to go, and Caitlin and I are planning to head to the city tomorrow. 

Late April Wipocalypse Update

Well, March seems to have slipped by... We have had a busy time, including Luke's 16th(!) birthday (he's going to take his driving learners permit test tomorrow), our Tasmania trip, our 20th wedding anniversary, and our long weekend trip away for Easter. It's currently school holidays and just the perfect Autumn weather-mild, sunny days and cool, crisp evenings with the wood fire. I'll do some other posts with holiday pictures another day, but for now will just do some craft updating.

Here's the socks I finished earlier in the year-finally a photo! The pattern I used is a free one from Ravelry called Charade, using a self striping yarn from Spotlight, I think.

I took The Bramble and the Rose with me to Tasmania, and did work on it a little as well as when I got home.

 I've also made a little bit of progress on the Wiehenburg Mystery Quaker Sampler:

 Here's my few hexie flowers-I do have lots of hexagons ready to sew though so I hope to get more done on those soon too.

I also got some (not many) into my Chatelaine's Medieval Town Mandala-I really need to get stuck into these leaves and gates so I can get to the next, less fiddly part!

I have also started a pair of socks for Luke-they were ideal car/plane knitting while we've been travelling. I've finished the leg and heel flap on the first sock so far-no pictures though.

I've got a new start planned-it's Lizzie*Kate's Less=More sampler and as it comes out in parts it's a kind of monthly stitch-a-long.  I'm using Butter Creme 32ct Lugana from Stitches and Spice and Naomi will send me new patterns each month. Here's the fabric, first pattern, and most of the threads (a couple are on backorder).

I think I'm going to have to come up with some kind of rotation or plan as I seem to flail around deciding what to work on instead of having more progress. The cooler weather is also giving me the urge to knit more, and I want to get some quilting done too... I think a craft room sort out is on the cards too! School holidays should be the perfect time to get organised, right? ;)

Time Marches On

It's been another hectic couple of months. Our trip to the South-East went very well. The weather was perfect and it was great to catch up with some family members; some of whom I haven't seen for a long time. We also had time to make a trip down to Mt Gambier to visit my Nanna-she can't travel any more so it was good to be able to see her. The rest of January was filled with preparations for the new school year. We also made it to the Adelaide Oval on Australia Day to see Australia and India play test cricket. Caitlin has settled into high school quite well. It's been a big challenge for her as it is very different to primary school, and only one other kid from her school started there this year, and he is in a different class. Luke has started year 11 well-he is doing IB and seems to have himself well organised.

Ron and I are coming up to our 20th wedding anniversary in March, and are going to have a 'second honeymoon' in Tasmania in a few weeks time. We have managed to book into a few of the colonial/cottage accommodation that we stayed in 20 years ago.  We will be away for a week, and the kids will be staying with Ron's parents. It will be lovely to go back, and spend time doing things that might be considered 'boring' by the younger members of our family ;)

Now, to craft. Even though there's been no Wipocalypse updates from me (oops, sorry), I have made a bit of progress, but today I'm going to post a few pictures I took late January so when I do an update (in about a week I think) we can see the progress (or lack of progress...).

The Bramble and the Rose-Ink Circles

2008 Wiehenburg Quaker Mystery Sampler

Fred & Albert (HAED)

I finished knitting the socks for Caitlin but don't have a picture, so I'll have to take one for the next post. I have more hexagon flowers made, and a new HAED start as well. I should be back in a few days with more pictures and my Wipocalypse progress report.

Happy New Year!

Well, December seems to have come and gone without a post, but as it tends to be for many of us a hectic time of the year, I'll let myself off the hook ;) 

Some of the highlights since I last posted include the end of the school year including the end of primary school for Caitlin and our official association with the school, and Christmas day which included all of Ron's family here in the evening (I think the count is currently 32!).  We had a quiet new year, and next weekend we are off to the South East (of South Australia) for a family get-together with my side of the family.  Luckily the weather looks like it will be kind to us-we had a nasty heat wave last week with temperatures peaking around 42C (108F). 

Looking at my craft goals in my last post-I did actually work on a few of the things on the list.  I restarted the cross stitch, worked a bit more on the sock, and I did piece the jelly roll quilt top.  I got as far as trying to quilt it, but my basting wasn't up to scratch, so that's on the to-do list.  The 'Favourite Things' quilt has been put on the back burner-I've pulled out of the quilt-a-long, but I did try needleturn applique and was quite happy with it.

I know that many people make resolutions at the beginning of the year, but I prefer to make goals and plans ;)  To help me with my crafting, I'm joining the 2012 Wipocalypse.  I'll be working on some older WIPs and I'm sure there'll be new starts as well.  I'm still working on balancing stitching, knitting and now quilting but some of that will happen naturally as I'm not going to be knitting on big garments in summer, even with airconditioning! 

For the moment (i.e. until I change my mind) the three stitching projects I'll be focussing on will be Fred & Albert (HAED), The Bramble and the Rose (Ink Circles), and 2008 Wiehenburg Quaker Mystery Sampler.  I have quite a few other WIPs and I'd like to get back to working on one (or more) of my Chatelaine WIPs and perhaps to add some Christmas ornaments along the way as well.

At the moment for quilting I want to work on my Tis The Season quilt, the hexagon quilt, and to finish the quilting and binding of the jellyroll quilt.  I don't plan to do a lot of knitting during the summer, but the socks I'm working on at the moment are my travel project, and when they are done I may start another pair.  When the weather cools down, I'll come up with a list I want to work on.

Just to liven up all this writing, and because I need to take some photos of my WIPs, here's a picture from a recent beach visit.

Stash Enhancement and November Goals

Well, the craft fair is over for another year!  I had a great time working there, as well as shopping there ;)  I also loved the quilt exhibition-no photos were allowed but I got lots of inspiration from seeing the quilts.  Here's a picture of some of my stash enhancement efforts:

I picked up a couple of other things (thimble, hexagon papers, small couple of kits) on some of the other days, but no cross stitch or knitting as I have more than enough stash in those crafts!  Some of these purchases I have plans for, and some are waiting for inspiration.

I mentioned in October that I wanted to set myself some goals for November, and even though it's over a week into the month, I'm still going to set some, just for some focus.  I have an exam on the 22nd, so that will be a priority, but I will still be making time for some craft.

November Craft Goals

1. Finish stitcheries for my 'Tis The Season' quilt
2. (Re)start this cross stitch 
3. Finish knitting second sock of pair for Caitlin
4. Start my Favourite Things blocks (maybe 2?)
5. Dig out some finished cross stitch Christmas ornaments & make them up as ornaments
6. Sew/piece quilt top using jelly roll from craft fair
7. Sew up one of the small kits/patterns from craft fair   

Also a few family updates-Ron is participating in 'Movember'-I'll upload some pictures soon. I think he's going for something like this ;) (this is actually pretty close to what he's started-not sure it'll be quite as bushy....)
 

After enrolling Caitlin in the same high school as Luke for next year (it was her second choice), she was offered a place yesterday in her first choice.  We thought it might cause a bit of a dilemma as it is the school a lot of her friends will attend, but she has stuck with the same school as Luke as she feels it will be better for her academically.  We're proud of her mature decision making, and relieved it didn't cause too much anguish!