First FNSI for 2025

Happened last night but for me it was an early start yesterday afternoon as my mission was to clip, turn and pin closed the opening through which the bowl cosies were turned inside out ready to top sew.  This last step in the production line will happen at some point over the weekend.  They can then be declared a finish and delivered.  

This audio book was keeping me company while all this was happening.  

Don't forget to go here to see what others were creating last night when joining in.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Two weeks of the New Year already gone

Miss M stayed with hubs and I for the first week of 2025 and while the weather was not the best for getting out and about we did manage a trip to the beach, some shopping, lots of UNO was played as the rain fell down, cooking a chocolate cake with Miss M when she stays  has become a bit of a tradition.    I gave her some fabric to rip into what will become library bags.   Her comment on this task was "that  would be great for anger management Grandma".   Arranging some fabric squares for future small quilts when I get to sewing them up.

Now that Miss M has returned home my first job in the sewing room is to complete the bowl cosies that were ordered by my neighbour before Christmas.   Her original order was for 4 which was  subsequently increased to 6 and when she saw me a couple of days ago her daughter who was the recipient of one of the ones that my neighbour bought prior to Christmas asked if I could make her 6 as well.   So the number is now 12.    All cut out and starting to sew

One needs to keep up one's strength while sewing all those bowl cosies so a coffee break from time to time is need as well as a little sweetie

Time to head off and make a start on the day.     Breakfast, a swim, do a few domestics and then back into the sewing room for the next step in the production line of bowl cosies.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Wrapping up 2024 and looking forward into 2025

The past 12 months have just zoomed by - not sure where they have gone.    Sewing has taken up a big part of my time and I am pleased with the completed list that appears on the sidebar of my blog.    I did join in with the Chookshed Stitchers Challenge organised by Deana from Dreamworthy Quilts which was to name 10 projects that we wanted to work on  during the year.   A number from 1 to 10 was chosen each month to work on and we worked on the corresponding number on our list.    A great way to start, finish off or make progress on projects that  have been waiting patiently in ideas files,  piles behind cupboard doors, sitting on sewing tables, benches or any other hidey holes that items are stashed.   I have decided not to take part again in 2025 but look forward to seeing what others who do achieve.

Reading has always been a great pleasure of mine and continues to be.    While sewing there is always an audio book playing alongside me

But when it comes to actually reading  I always prefer to hold a book in my hand and turn the pages. There is always a pile of books waiting to be read

 Looking back on the year the war still rages on between Russia and Ukraine as well as the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine.    Another year has ended with no resolution in sight for either of these areas.  

Covid still circulates within the community and has mutated itself many times over with new strains popping up wordwide.   Something we have had to learn to live with.

Bushfires rage around the country as I type this post and our very own suburb was subject to a backburn which got out of control in September and came very close to us....just across the road. The photo below was taken from our balcony at 2.30 pm on Saturday afternoon and water bombing continued until early Monday evening.    

Regular Zoom sessions are organised from time to time by Donna from Chookyblue which are always fun catching up with other bloggers from round the world and seeing what they are creating in their sewing spaces.    

                                          

The last 2 finishes for 2024 were 2 small quilts that were waiting to be bound which happened while taking part in the last zoom session for 2024 yesterday.   I was given the Sunbonnet Sue panels and matched the borders to the colours in S/Sue's outfit in order to bring the finished quilts up to 32"  square which is the required size for the hospitals.  

Hubs and I hosted our annual VIP New Year's Eve party - him and me - along with a bottle of bubbles, some cheeses, dips,  crackers, cold meats, nuts, fruit and other nibbles. 

We have front row seats in the loungeroom to see the midnight fireworks on tv with no traffic hassles  getting home at the end of the night. 

What will 2025 bring.    

Some years ago I did join in with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and decided that it was time some of those colourful scraps were brought out from the various colour coded baskets and used up.   A good block to use those scraps in would be potato chip blocks.   Pink is the colour for January.

I do have an order to fill for a few more bowl cosies so they will be the first item on my to do list for 2025.  I will continue to make the small quilts for charity - I might even try and organise the colours for these around the Rainbow Scrap colour each month.  Once the weather cools down it will be time to pick up the knitting needles again and do more beanies.  

I also look forward to being a "daily tourist" in my own city and local area and enjoy the sights that others sometimes travel halfway around the world to see however while this very warm spell of weather that we are having is on it will be time spent in the pool cooling off.  

Over the past few years I have been the publicity officer for the local hospital auxiliary as well as serving on our monthly stalls and doing some sewing all of which I will continue to do in the new year.  I am also a member of two quilting groups - one is only small and we meet each week - and the other meets in the local community hall once a month.   Belonging to different groups is a great way to be motivated and try out new ideas as well as meet challenges set by members.   

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2025.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Unexpected order and FNSI

During the week one of my neighbours contacted me and asked if I could make her 6 bowl cosies.  Seeing that it was a very hot beginning to the week it was a good excuse to sit in my sewing room and sew away.  An early start was made yesterday when joining in for FNSI as all six needed to be top sewn and have their instructions added.   Here is the end result.

They were delivered to her last night when she then requested another 4 but does not need them until early in the New Year.  

This is the last FNSI for 2024 and thanks goes to Wendy for "getting us altogether" on the 3rd Friday night of each month.   I look forward to joining you all again in 2025 for another productive crafting year.

Wishing you all a happy and safe Christmas and enjoy whatever way you celebrate.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas

In the City.  Christmas Tree in Martin Place

Tree in Queen Victoria Building

Strand Arcade all decked out in lights and decorations

One of the shopping arcades

A wallhanging outside my front door

My Christmas shopping has been completed,  all wrapped,  bagged and under the tree

Two placemats were sewn during the week for my daughter-in-laws parents.   They are avid birdwatchers.

The 5 ordered pot holders have been finished and delivered.

This coming week sees a few Christmas lunches with friends happening and only venturing to the shops for essential items as the shopping centres are becoming extremely busy with trying to find carparking  a headache.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Hospital Auxiliary sewing and other bits and pieces

During the week two items on the "to do list before Christmas" were ticked off.    Priority was given to 3 small dresses and 6 bibs that were sewn for the December hospital stall.

This audiobook was playing alongside the sewing machine.

I had an order come in during the week for 5 pot holders.   Fabrics have been decided upon....now to sew them up.

 

I had a few spare minutes this morning and decided to give the sewing machine a Christmas clean.  Well not before time by the look of this

After 10 minutes it was looking brand new again.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Berry delicious

My favourite fruits would be strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries so it is no surprise that these items are on my weekly shopping list at the moment and top my cereal each morning along with yogurt and passionfruit.   

There has been a run of lovely warm weather this last week which has allowed me to start off each day with a swim.  

On my way back from the pool I walked past one of the "locals" lounging around

Some beanies were finished off

As were two more small quilts

And another pile of books to read my way through.

A list of items to sew for the hospital auxiliary stall next week and some Christmas gifts has been compiled and will be worked on during the coming days giving priority to the auxiliary items.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all