Design Wall Monday

It was back to work for me today. Although I only had a few days off I was determined to get a quilt finished and ready for quilting. Fortunately this one only needed borders, backing and binding made.

I posted it today and look forward to seeing what the girls do with it.

No Xmas block again this week but I have started on a quilt for Queensland. Just cutting squares from my Flower Sugar fabric to make something bright and happy.

Using the stash and this and that

No mucking about this week. Straight to the stash report and it's bad!

Fabric used                  4 1/4  metres
Fabric bought               18 metres

Total fabric used           8 metres
Total fabric bought       36 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. Not looking good is it. I have bought more fabric in January than I used in 2010. February was going to be a quiet month on the purchase front but Jenny has just emailed me that they  now have Greenfield Park in stock and I have to have some of it - don't I. Perhaps no one should answer that question.

We are having a true summer this year and I for one am loving it. Ally also loves summer. Means heaps of bugs at night for her to play with. She hasn't been  home in three nights as she is having too much fun playing. She did spend some time with me in the backyard yesterday.

The other thing I did yesterday was visit a podiatrist. The toe I crushed last year is growing back with an ingrown toenail. After lots of cutting and abrading this is what it looks like now. Apparently quite good but I will need several more appointments to get it growing correctly.

School Prawns and Cleo

If I ever had to pick a last meal I would probably pick a plate or school prawns and some lovely fresh bread to go with them. While they were plentiful when I was growing up I seldom see them these days. Yesterday we were planning on having fish for dinner but then out of the corner of my eye I spied you guessed it school prawns. I wish I could show you how great they looked but unfortunately eating was more important than photography!

Cleo has a thing for all things seafood. She's playing nice here when she thinks she may get some more.

Not so happy when she realises they're done.

Don't feel sorry for her. We lost count how many she ate but it was more than 20.

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day and I have spent a lovely day enjoying the heat. It has been our warmest Australia Day in 20 years and I'm loving it. Just chilling at the moment and enjoying a cold drink and the last rays of sunshine.

On the first afternoon of my mini break what did I do. Went fabric shopping if course! Loving these reds.

Design Wall Monday - late again

I didn't get to post last night as I was at work until 9:00pm and then fell in a heap when I got home. The good news is I'm now not back at work until Monday.

I should have a Xmas block to show you but I haven't made one in two weeks. I must get back to it so it doesn't become another UFO.

So what have I been doing. Playing with the Pips. I love this fabric and will definitely be buying more when the yardage is available.

I just plonked them up on the design wall to have a quick look. They will not finish up in this layout - sashing to come but I wanted to see them all together. Bizarrely I haven't used the blue fabrics yet - but I will.

Using the stash, work and the gym

There hasn't been as much sewing as I would have liked going on here this week. It's because I have been spending too much time here

I know things are getting bad when I spend 4 hours here on a Sunday just trying to catch up. I made progress but will have to work late again tomorrow night. On the upside from lunch on Tuesday I will not work again till the following Monday. Will probably mean more catching up then but I need a break.

To the stash report then:-

Fabric used                  1 metre
Fabric bought               5 metres

Total fabric used           3 3/4 metres
Total fabric bought       18 3/4 metres

Goal for 2011 to use 10% less than I buy. 4 of the in this week was the backing for the Night before Xmas BOM so it will be a while before it is used.

I seem to be alternating at the moment between the gym and walking. I'm still moving which is the important thing. Friday night was my weekly session with Tamera and it's always exciting to be able to do three sets of an exercise at a higher weight. Mind you the last couple of repetitions in each set were not great but they were completed.

I pushed myself on the treadmill today doing a level I haven't attempted in a while. Only 30 minutes and I travelled 2.85kms. On the plus side I burnt as many calories as I have been when exercising for 35 minutes.

Something in the post and the gym

Received a lovely parcel in the post today. It's the first installment in the Night before Xmas block of the month by Bunny Hill Designs.

 I have to say it's just delightful. The presentation of the patterns is superb.

It also includes gorgeous French General fabrics.

I'm not sure I'm gong to be able to resist yardage of this. This was going to be the year of economic restraint and so far I'm not doing too well.

Exercise continues. The last couple of weeks have mainly been out of the gym.  Back in the gym yesterday for a session with Dave and again this morning for 35 minutes on the treadmill to travel 3.22 kms. I'm exhausted but glad to be back to harder exercise.