Monday, September 27, 2021

A bit of this and a bit of that

Is what has been happening around here.   We have been having Spring weather....a promise of summer one day and back to winter the next.     On the lovely summery days hubs and I have been heading to the local beach for a change during this never ending lockdown.    These guys were lined up on the boat ramp waiting for the boats to come back in with the hope of some fish being thrown their way.  

Another batch of blueberry muffins in the oven.  They have risen beautifully - just need browning off.  


Next book in the pile to read.  It is written by the same author as "The Land Girls" which I really enjoyed so looking forward to starting this one.  


For me lunch is the worst meal of the day as I am not a big bread eater so I am often looking for quick and healthy ideas to serve.   While do some googling the other day a recipe was found for a veggie, cheese and rice slice.   An hour after purchasing the necessary ingredients on my weekly shopping expedition  lunch was served.  The recipe made enough for both of us to enjoy for a couple of days.
    

Saturday was a big "social day" - via the screen of course.    Chooky had organised another  Zoom session - a fun start to the day.   Some of the other bloggers on the screen


During that time I managed to get 36   5 /12" blocks sewn together for another baby capsule/pram cover


After signing off from that screen it was time for a quick lunch before heading back to the screen to join in with my regular quilt group meeting.   Our numbers were greatly reduced today but it was a fun sewing time together .    Those that are sitting in exotic locations were dreaming of far away places to go when we are set free.  


We are hoping to meet up in person by November.   As I was "conducting" the meet up I spent the time  knitting the next beanie instead of using my machine.   


That about wraps up the last few days.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all    

Saturday, September 25, 2021

September OMG

Was to complete my quilt group challenge by using the Christmas fabrics that were sent to us

A fourth piece of fabric was needed to be added in order to make a Christmas tree trivet.  

I have made a couple of these in the past and they are ideal to place around at Christmas time with a bowl of goodies placed on top of them.

You can head on over to Patty's blog to see more OMG finishes.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Thursday, September 23, 2021

I am Falling for You

Another fun blog hop has been organised this time by Calico Joan titled "I am Falling for You" and today it is my turn to share my project.    I found this cute idea on another blog during the last blog hop and knew that I had to make one.   After doing some "googling" I found the necessary instructions and some fabric in the scrap basket that fits in with the fall theme.    Here is my first podlet. 

But having made my first one I had to make a couple of others so perhaps the theme could also mean "I am in love" and so the next two podlets appeared.   I did make a  design change in that I cut the lining fabric longer so that it could be turned over to end up looking like a binding finish.  Working with a directional fabric was a bit of a fiddle but it was worked out.     These now live with Miss M.   She loves pink and cats.   


If you would like to create your own podlets you can find all the necessary information here.  Now head on over to those blogs listed below to see some cute creations.  


  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Saturday, September 18, 2021

A finish, some starts and FNSI

Over the course of the past few days a finish was achieved.... the long hot mat that was being made for when several dishes are laid out on the kitchen bench.


 I did do quite a bit of fmq on this one even though it cannot be seen but it was done for my own satisfaction of saying that it was attempted.    The skill still needs a lot of practice but it is improving and doing it in small areas felt far more comfortable than over a large quilt.

A start was made also on the capsule/pram covers.   I decided to go with 5 1/2"  squares which meant that 36 squares were cut in order to have a 30" x 30" finish.  Progress so far on the first one


When joining  in with  for FNSI the blocks for the second cover were cut.

After putting the machine to bed I wandered out to watch Midsomer Murders and finished off the shaping of the crown on the purple/lilac beanie that was started last week.


Thank you Wendy for organising us again.    Don't forget to go over here to catch up with what else was happening in other sewing spaces last night.  

Linking with Table Scraps

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

And the hail arrived

So the obvious thing to do was to stay inside and bake a batch of blueberry muffins.

Once hubs and I sampled one each the rest were frozen for future enjoyment with a coffee.

Time then to head into the sewing room and do some fabric pulling from the stash.  



The plan is to make a couple of baby capsule/pram covers for the hospital stall.   I am thinking 30" x 30" would be a good size and only doing two layers ie a patchwork front and use flannelette for a soft backing.    

During the week I finished reading  "The Land Girls" which was an excellent book.    The next book is started and shaping up to be a very enjoyable read as well.    


I also finished sewing up the two beanies from last week and adding the pom poms to them.


Back soon and in the meantime

                                Happy sewing all

Thursday, September 9, 2021

This Week in and out of the Sewing Room

It is time to head on outdoors to enjoy the summer like warmth and sunshine.    Over the course of this last week my walks have taken me around the gardens where I have seen  orchids - one growing out of a rock with no soil in sight.   



A riot of colour in garden beds


Passing the local school I could not go by without taking a photo of their version of "Spoonville"


A walk along the headland to see shimmering seas


Time to start the next book in the reading pile


And back in the sewing room a start has been made on outlining and free motion quilting some of the shapes in the panel that I am working on.


Two more beanies have been knitted but need to be sewn up and pom poms added.


And another started


I think that we have had 12 weeks in lockdown with another 5 to go at least - all depending on the rate of vaccination.    Time will tell.    The goal posts keep getting moved back.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Saturday, September 4, 2021

New glasses case

My old glasses case was in need of replacing as one of the metal strips had split and a sharp bit was sticking out of the fabric.      I had a piece of teal fabric in the scrap basket which was the perfect size for a new case and teamed with some plain purple fabric they were transformed into this when I joined Cheryll and the others for FNwF.     

When  making the case this time I added the pull tabs to the front and back of the case so that I am not pushing on the metal tabs everytime I open the case - which seems to be hundreds of times everyday. 

Which way do you insert the metal tape - curve side to the inside or outside?

I prefer to place the curved side - plain side - to the inside of the pouch/bag as I feel it is a more secure top and things do not manage to wriggle out but I did make a bag with the metal tape reversed and  discovered that it makes a great container to hold wool while knitting.   It stops the wool from rolling around on the floor and yet it allows it to slip through the top easily.   

And it is the right size to put the knitting needles and wool back into when finished for the day.

During the week an email from Chooky arrived letting me know that she had organised another fun Zoom session for this morning.    Good timing for me as today is my actual birthday and many birthday wishes from the other zoomers were received while I sipped on a glass of bubbles.  


 A start was made on quilting around some of the shapes in the panel while chatting via the screen.


 Another beanie added to the finished pile.

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Friday, September 3, 2021

A Triple Celebration

Hubs birthday, my birthday and Fathers Day are all very close together and seeing that we cannot meet anyone to celebrate such occasions Miss M's mummy and daddy spoilt us both with this lovely platter of cheeses, meats, crackers, dried fruits, stuffed olives and other goodies along with a bottle of bubbles to enjoy which was delivered to our front door.    That was lunch sorted yesterday and we still have enough for lunch again today.   

I was given a panel and co-ordinating fabric a few years ago and was waiting for the right project to use it.    I have been thinking that I need a long hot mat for my kitchen bench so now was the time to bring out that fabric from the stash and put it to good use.    So far it  has borders sewn on,  sandwiched and pinned for quilting.    The plan is to quilt along the outside of the squares and then around some of the shapes.  

Time in the kitchen saw a batch of scones  baked.     I do confess that my scones are a bit rustic looking as I do not use a  dough cutter - just spoon them onto a baking tray and pop that straight into the oven.   

25 mins later you have fresh baked scones.    A delicious morning/afternoon tea with a cup of coffee.

Don't forget that it is FNwF and you can join in the fun over here.   

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

September OMG

Being as the situation is my quilt group meets via the screen and to keep things moving along and members motivated each of us was sent a package in the mail


Which contained  our mission - to make something out of the 3 pieces of  enclosed Christmas fabric - as well as a teabag to enjoy while sitting contemplating what to make.    More fabric can be added if deemed necessary.   I deem it necessary to add in to an extra piece.

This will be my OMG for September.  

Spring is here and Mother Nature certainly turned on a beautiful day for us so much so that I did my first walk for the season along the shoreline today.   


Ever heard the saying "flat out like a lizard" well I saw one today.   Normally they are very much on guard with their heads held erect but this one was flat out enjoying the lovely sunshine.  Cannot say I blame it.   


Don't forget to hop on over to Elm Street quilts and see what others hope to achieve this month.  

Back soon and in the meantime

Happy sewing all