So Long 2020, Hello 2021!

 Would just like to thank everyone for your messages this year and hopefully, we can move forward with a much better and healthier New Year.

Take care my friends,

June

Ladies Sewing Circle Christmas Party

 This is what occurred last Tuesday at my Ladies Sewing Circle Christmas Party. It began with us doing a little stitching (of our own), and placing our Secret Santa gifts in a big bucket. We then excitedly waited for morning tea which included a cuppa (of course) and some yummy treats (snack packs of crisps and individually wrapped snowballs - that's marshmallows coated with chocolate and coconut). This was done this way in consideration for Covid restrictions of sharing food.

Next came time to be given our 'secret project' kit that the committee had organized for us to begin. Was very surprised with this as this is my first year with this group and did not know what to expect. It is a sewing project folder with a kit inside for us to begin.

The kit is for a pin wheel, where you stick your pins around the edge of like a round 'sandwich' thing with embroidered top and bottom - this will be what I take with me to take on our trip to far north Queensland for Christmas. Oh I forgot to mention that there was also a little snack bag with chocolates in it too!! Got to have the chocolates!

It was then time to head off to a local tavern for a beautiful Christmas lunch of roast turkey and ham along with the roast potatoes, pumpkin and vegetables. For dessert it was an alternate drop of either pavlova and fruit or plum pudding and custard.

Once back at our sewing studio, we were treated with lots of laughter and mirth as the Secret Santa gifts were given out. This is what I contributed as my Secret Santa gift.

I did them up in one of the Santa sacks that I have made previously and seemed to be a hit.

I might also add here another Secret Santa gift I made for another group of ladies I go out with. 

It consisted of a 'pile' (of 3) lavender pillows and a spectacle case sewing repair kit which I put together.

Really happy how all my Secret Santa gifts turned out.

For now though it is time to begin getting ourselves ready to head off to spend Christmas with our family.

So ..... please continue to take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

June

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

 Well here we are, it is the beginning of Summer as well as time to start preparing for the Christmas season.

I found a container of Bailey's Truffles at the supermarket - of course I purchased it, and then had the thought of wondering if I could make some. So I had a look through google the other day and came across a recipe for Bailey's White Chocolate Tim Tam Cheesebake balls, and .... oh yummmmm!

Here is the link of where the recipe is that I used:

https://bakeplaysmile.com/baileys-tim-tam-cheesecake-balls

Mind you, mine don't look as classy as in the photo on the recipe, but they sure taste good.

Whilst doing the washing last weekend, I decided I would take down the small curtain in my craft room, it needed a freshen up, so off it went to the washing machine, however, I did not put it back up when it was dry and ironed. I decided to use 2 fat quarters to create something special for my craft room. Just couldn't help myself - here is 'Santa's Workshop!

Now as if that is not enough, I got out some of our Christmas decorations today and began to make our place a little bit 'Christmassy', so I had another play with my Lensball, and this is what I came up with.

Still got  long way to go to learn how to use it properly, but I am learning.

For now though, I must get back to my craft room and continue on with some 'Secret Santa' gifts that need completing. So ...

Take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

June

Countdown to Christmas - Novemeber

 Hmm ...... another month has flown by, and I am now at my Countdown to Christmas for November. 

I decided after having been away on our trip back in October that I needed to take some time out. Sounds strange, yes, but surprisingly being away is not all 'rest and relaxation' as you might think.

Anyway, as you are aware I began this project whilst we were away and I would now like to introduce you to (L to R) Teddy, Ed & Theodore, a combination of two patterns from Fig 'n Berry.

It has been interesting to take photos through the various stages of creating this design and bringing it to completion. First off of course is doing the stitching, then came the applique of the gifts and stars.

The original designs were stitched using only red and green thread, but I decided I wanted to really make them 'pop' and add all the colour I could.

 I have taken my time doing this project, and deciding just what I would 'do' where.

After the applique stage came the tinting stage ...

Still another stage to go before I am ready to cut them up and create the finished pieces.

I wondered what I would do to make Theodore's Santa hat - I tried several ideas including making a little knitted one, but that looked too heavy for the stitcheries, so it was back to the drawing board and I came up with stitching the outline, shading in the red and green, and completing it with a white fluffy wool to resemble a pom-pom. I also added some sequins to the Christmas tree to create the baubles.

Time now to cut them apart and finish them off with some lovely fabric I picked up whilst away on a day trip to Kingaroy, and add them to the frame that I had purchased from Hugs 'n Kisses in Hobart.

I was surprised that doing three stitcheries would take up quite a lot of time, but they are now finished and completed. I am really really pleased with how they came up. Looking forward to making more triptych designs in the future.

That is my lot for this month, but I am now in full swing in 'Santa's Workshop' beginning to create some 'Secret Santa' gifts, and next month I shall begin to gather what I need to start making new projects for 2021 - let's all hope that it will be a better year than this one has been.

For now though,

Take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

June

A Lovely Surprise Today

 Back at the end of July I posted a quilt I made for a challenge I had entered by Patchwork Therapy in Victoria. Well, it really has been a trial and finally today my quilt made it back home where it now has pride of place.

Along with receiving my quilt today, there was an envelope in with it - I had shared 3rd prize with another lady. It would appear that because the judge could not travel (due to Covid) from Melbourne, Nada (Patchwork Therapy) took photos of the finalists and sent them to ten friends around the world for them to vote. So this makes it all that more special, to think my quilt has been judged by a world wide group! I received $50 as my prize and have decided to spend it when I visit a patchwork shop on the Sunshine Coast purchasing more fabric - as you would - for another project in the pipeline.

To see photos of the other finalists, please check Patchwork Therapy's facebook page.

'Til next time,

June

Countdown to Christmas - October

 Golly gosh, hasn't the time just flown by? Here we are at the end of October and all I have to show for myself is my little Christmas project for this month. Mind you whilst away I have also been working on my November Christmas project as well. 

This month I chose to go back to one of my original crafts that I loved (and still do) however the eyesight is not all that great for doing it on the finer cross-stitch fabric.

Maybe it was just that this little Santa was actually done on the diagonal - never tried that form of cross-stitch before, and being quite small, I found it quite a challenge, but I persevered and got it done.

I chose to create another of my little hexagonal mats for this project with Santa in the centre. I am really happy with the outcome, and it will look good with another project on a stand behind it for Christmas. Sounds all secretive doesn't it? However, all will be revealed in time, but for now here is my Christmas hexagonal mat.

For now though, with having returned home from our sojourn away, I will have to go and clean up the house - how can a house get so dusty etc when no-one is at home? Plus of course there is the putting away of the bits and pieces we took with us, along with the washing! Ah well, our break away was great, and so sorely needed with having been at home for so long. Guess we have to be thankful that we were able to head away. With our borders not likely to be opened 'til Christmas, we will plan to head up north to Townsville to catch up with some of our family for Christmas.

'Til next time, take care, look after yourselves and keep safe,

June

Good Days Stitching/Bad Day Fishing

 I so enjoy our time up here at Bjelke Petersen Dam, and I get quite a lot of stitching and other crafty stuff done. I am making inroads into the Christmas project I have been working on, but sadly will have to wait 'til I get home to finish it off - please be patient, I will get to show it to you in time.

However in the meantime, we have welcomed some friends that have returned for a visit that we met up here three years ago. It has been great and they also brought some more folk that we have enjoyed meeting. 

It has meant we have been able to share happy hour etc around a campfire with lots of fun, including the making of a yummy bacon, cheese and garlic damper.

As if that was not enough, when Pete & I went to do our weekly shopping the other day, we brought back a packet of jumbo marshmallows to have over the campfire. This ended up a hilarious time, as most of us had not had them over a campfire before - what a laugh we all had.

Here is how it looked ....

As if this was not enough fun, we all joined Wendy & Col (Pete's sister & brother in law) at the Wondai RSL for dinner on Friday night. Us girls were the winners when it came to the raffles, however the prizes were claimed by our men folk.

Now I have to fill you in on Pete's bad day of fishing - first off Col rocks up with his boat very early - said he had trouble sleeping! Country folk have a habit of rising early anyway. Then off they go down to the boat ramp and launch the boat, they set off only to realise they forget to take the bait. Back they come, bait taken, and again they set off. Pete manages to get his line tangled with the anchor rope, the wind was so strong that next throw out of his line was caught around the motor. On returning to shore, just as Pete was attempting to get out of the boat, a wave created by a jet ski caught him and he fell out of the boat - oh I would have loved to have seen this!! To top the whole fishing excursion off - they caught no fish! Now I have to ask you - is this a good fishing tale or what??

I think this about where I should finish this missive off and go make a cuppa for the hapless fisherman, so for now, take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

'Til next time,

June

October Already

 As you know, we are presently up at Bjelke Petersen Dam on our fishing trip for the year. Thankfully we were able to come, and I have to say, the break away from home during these difficult times has been great. How is the serenity of this place?

To fill you in, the first week we were a little 'thin' on getting some bait to go fishing, and of course it goes with out saying - no bait = no fish! Anyway, hubby has changed the position of where he puts his bait traps and all is good - we now have bait - yay .... fish here we come. Well so we thought. It would appear that 'someone' forgot to tell the fish we were coming, and so we have not been able to catch very many, at times not even a nibble.

Here is the first fish of the trip - poor little thing, hubby let it go and told it to come back next year when it grew up a bit.

Me, of course took out my stitching, but wouldn't you know it - it began to rain. So here I was not 'singing in the rain', but 'stitching in the rain'! Thankfully we have a little canopy over the boat, so all was good. This is going to be one of my Countdown to Christmas projects when I get it finished. You can just see the raindrops on the water.

Just over on the bank from where I took this photo, there were some horses grazing - it is just so peaceful.

Yesterday was a day off and we went for a drive with some friends down to Nanango (about 1/2 hour away), had a lovely morning tea at the local bakery - they are always good, then headed off to the Pottique Lavender Farm which is sistuated between Nanango and Kingaroy. If you remember hubby took me there last, and I loved it so much, we took these friends for a visit.

They have such beautiful things there, including lavender scones for morning tea, but because we had had morning tea in Nanango, we did not indulge. I did however buy a cute little gift, sort of a stocking filler I guess, but it was 4 wooden 'dolly' pegs soaked (?) in lavender to be added to your drawers, blankets etc. And when they appear to be a bit 'light on' on perfume, just spray them with more lavender oil. Think that will be an idea that I will have to make myself.

I also managed to get a photo of the lavender fields, but I took a 'different' photo of this, it is using what is called a Lensball which gives you the rounded photo. Not too bad for one of my first efforts with it.

Well I think that brings us up to date, so I shall go pack up, and head into the local shops to get a few things required for a bbq lunch.

'Til next time, take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

June

Countdown to Christmas - September

 Time has got away with me again, and I find that it is now the 25th of the month and I need to let you see my completed Countdown to Christmas project for September and I am very happy with the finished result.

I came across a pattern from a blog that looks like it was first posted back in 2013, however I just thought it looked really lovely. 

To begin with I picked out some fabric suitable for Christmas , then set about creating my pattern, because, as is usual for me, I didn't want to make my project the size that the original design said.

Oh dear, looks like I forgot to take a photo of the fabrics I chose, or I can't find the photo - is that called a 'senior's moment', or was I just busy trying to get everything organised to head off on a trip with our caravan?

 OK, all good and away I went creating my lovely little angels that will hang on our little Christmas tree in our caravan when we go visit our family in far north Queensland later in the year.

Anyway, aren't they just the cutest little angels, and their dresses are made from circles (original size pattern used an old DVD to trace out the circle, but as I wanted everything on a smaller scale, I had to use my trusty printer/photocopier to reduce the sizing.

For now though, I must away, so .....

Take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

June

It's Spring Time

 It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted, but I have not been sitting idle. I felt the 1st of September - beginning of spring for us - was a good time to get into my sewing room and begin a spring clean/cull. And oh haven't I been busy. I have taken a couple of bags to our local op shop, I have put a couple of bags into the rubbish bin and I have given a couple of bags of scrap fabric pieces to a friend to give to her quilting ladies. As I said, only half done, but will continue on our return home.

Just had to show you (again) my mini quilt for Spring that I made some time ago .....

As mentioned we have been able to get away with our caravan, but just within our own state - woo hoo!! So of course we have headed for our favourite place to go fishing. Although the water level is still very low at the dam, it is in fact more than what it was last year.

The last week was used to get my projects ready to bring with me, and it goes without saying that my sewing gear, including machine, were the first things to be packed into the caravan.

Included in this pile of projects is my 'Countdown to Christmas' project for this month - keep a look out next week.

For now though, it is time to fossick around for a bit of chocolate. Not sure where it ended up when I packed, but I will find it!

Then after a day of setting up 'camp' it will be a fairly early night, so it is ....

Good night from me.

June

Haven't Knitted for a Long Time

Last month (July) I joined a craft group - Ladies Sewing Circle - and it seems right up my alley. I can go for the friendship, yet do 'my own thing'. On one occasion late last month one of the ladies had a lovely yellow knitted cardigan/jacket on, and although yellow is not my colour, I did like the pattern of the jacket. On the spur of the moment I asked her if I may have a copy of the pattern. The following week, I was given the pattern, so on the way home from my day out, I stopped off at one of our 'cheapie' shops and purchased the loviest colour wool that I have ever seen - it is called watermelon!

I set a goal of trying to get it made by the end of this month. I just loved the colour and the pattern - makes such a difference. It is so long since I had done any knitting, let alone made anything for myself. My supervisor (hubby) was very supportive and encouraged me to keep going, and yes, I made it. The pattern is quite an easy one with the 'ribs' up the pattern, along with cables on the armholes.

Now with just a few days to go to the end of the month, I set to and stitched up my jacket. I have to let you know though that sewing up knitting is definitely not one of my favourite tasks. However, I was determined to get it done - I wanted to wear it before the end of winter!

All done, and here is the 'great reveal' .....

I am really, really happy with my new jacket, and when I wore it to the sewing circle last week, I was met with some very positive comments on my achievement. 

Time now to begin to decide what I will attempt to create next month.

'Til then, take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

June

This Is So Appropriate

The other day I received a package from a friend in the UK, and was surprised to find a lovely scarf, but also a journal with a great cover on it - it really made my day, considering that yet again, I went off to Spotlight, our nearest store for fabric etc etc.

Hubby had, as he usually does, dropped me off at Spotlight whilst he went off to Bunnings Hardware - as another friend calls it, the men's haberdashery. So of course I was 'unsupervised' and had a lovely time picking up some lovely Christmas prints for a project I have in mind.

All but finished my latest item ready to include in this month's count with the lovely Kris from Tag Along Teddies and her OPAM group.

More in a day or so,

'Til then, 

June

Countdown to Christmas - August

The time has yet again got away from me this month, but I have managed to complete my 'Countdown to Christmas' project for this month with the help of Molly & Mama's Sew Along that I came across on the internet. 

It was a Sew Along that ran over 4 weeks and featured Lauren's 'Twas The Night Before Christmas stocking featuring hexagons and a very cute little mouse.

It would appear most people followed Lauren in choosing the Tilda fabric range or something similar. Me being me, decided to 'go out on a limb' and go bold! I also decided that I would not make it the full size - it would have been huge, so I reduced the pattern to 25% and am very happy with the outcome.

I am really happy with how my stocking ended up, although I was extremely fortunate with a mistake I had made - I forgot to turn the pattern over before creating the back of the stocking. However, I realised it before I cut out the shape of the stocking and undid the 2 squares from one side to the other so when it was cut out, they married up and all was good. Of course I also chose to create a fold down 'collar' (the white top part) instead of a binding at the top.

The came the creating of the little mouse, but, again, me being me, and an absolute lover of bears .... I chose to make a cute little bear to add to my stocking. As you know, when I make my bears, they are made with love and just a dash of mischief, well, that happened here as well.

Yep, head first into the pocket on the front.

Time to behave - no fun in that.

I am really, really happy with my effort and look forward to bringing it out come Christmas.

Now it is off to try and finish another project before the end of the month - stay tuned.

For now though, please everyone, take care, look after yourselves and keep safe - South East Queensland looks like it is heading back into lock-down  and it being strongly advisable to begin wearing masks when you are out and about if you have trouble with social distancing. 

'Til next time,

June

More Reading Comfort

Last post I showed you how I had made a pouch for my new e-reader. Whilst I am very happy with it, I decided I needed a small book rest for this little gem of an e-reader. Mind you I have a book rest, but it is for 'normal' books and rather large for the e-reader, so ....

This is what I made - a matching companion.

Just the right size .....

Really, really happy with this, and have to say, it is most comfortable for reading.

For the moment, that is all, will have some photos etc in a few days of a 'charity sewing day' that I attended with the Ladies Sewing Circle group that I joined a couple of months ago. 

More soon.

Please all take care, look after yourself and keep safe,

June

Reading Time

Oh dear, I had a bit of a situation the other week - my e-reader died! Now I don't use it all that much except when we are 'on the road' with our caravan - it comes down to the weight factor and carting along lots of books. I have to say though, that I do enjoy holding a book in my hands and reading it. 

So off I went and purchased a new e-reader (with the help of my daughter Kate - over the phone) and came home all excited. Hmm ..... could turn it on, but that was about all. Kate got me to get onto the computer and register the thing, sign up for this and that, and download the instruction book - that helps.

I thought myself very clever and downloaded a few samples of books I felt might interest me, however a new problem arose. It did not come with a cover (but then neither did my old one, made a tapestry one for it) and wanted something that made 'it mine', so, putting the e-reader down, I wandered into my craft room and dug through my stash of fabric and came up with a couple of pieces that I would be happy with. 

Back to grab the e-reader (for some measurements) and away I went. I am quite happy with the result, but wouldn't you know it, I did not have a button in my supply that suited it. So off to the closest Op shop, sifted through there button bucket, found what I was looking for (bought a few other bits and pieces whilst I was there) and came home and yes! Looks good.

Inside I put a couple of pockets to hold the cord along with the little guide (?) for how to start the e-reader up (not much use really) but I am really happy with my effort. Bring on getting back out and about with our caravan.

'Til next time,

Take care, look after yourselves and keep safe,

June

Finally Have Finished The Challenge

What have I finished? Do you remember back to the beginning of March, I mentioned I was going to enter a patchwork challenge organised by Patchwork Therapy down in Sunbury Vic. I felt quite confident that I could 'do this', so sent off $10 to register and get back a piece of fabric to begin my project.

I received the 1/2 metre of fabric from them - I had to use at least 50% of it in my project and the item we made was not to be larger than 60" x 60".  Just as a refresher, here is a photo of the fabric we were sent. Everyone who was entering the competition was sent exactly the same fabric.

Obviously you could add fabric to your piece and make whatever you wanted to, from bags to cushions to quilts etc.

These are the additional fabrics that I chose to go with my piece.

 

Sadly with the light coming through the window the colours do not come up as being quite vibrant
as they really are.

I had decided to create a knee rug, and started to cut out all the bits and pieces that were required, and start stitching them together.

First stage of the blocks taking shape.

Now for the green and orange pieces to be put together and added with the corner stones added from the original piece of fabric.

There were twelve of these made to make up my rug. The sashing and borders were added.

From here I put on my cutting table and began pinning it together with the backing etc. Now that's a job that gives you a back ache! Time to start quilting it on the sewing machine.

Of course it goes without saying that a label was added to the back of the quilt along with a 'security label' added. The original fabric was called 'Harvest Spice' so I decided to call my project 'Harvest Spice'. The hand stitching down of the binding was done on a cold day (for us) we had here and I was able to have the rug spread over my legs as I stitched - it passed the nice and cosy test.

To finish off, here is the finished knee rug.

Over the last week or so as the Covid-19 situation has worsened down south, I have been wondering if I really should be sending it or not. I received notice that the competition had been put back a month from the end of July to the end of August as some folk were having trouble getting supplies.

However, I posted it (by registered mail) off yesterday, hopefully it should arrive OK.

Now it is time to have a well earned rest, and well ..... maybe I just might do a bit of knitting.

'Til next time,

To everyone, please look after yourselves, take care and stay safe.

June