First injury

Anyone who knows Laurie will understand when I tell you he was the first victim of the garden redo. He was under strict instructions to leave the garden to me because of the thorns from the rose bushes I am removing. We'll of course he didn't listen. I give you exhibit A.

I dud manage to get growth removed from one section. On the advice of my gardening friends lots of mulch put on top. I couldn't resist some colour so planted just this one.

The theme while I get the garden under control is colour. I want bright and happy as a reward for my efforts.

Today's hour of sewing was on these units which will become block one in a Karen Cunningham mystery quilt.They are 2 1/2" finished and I need 16.

 

The alternate block for each month is appliqué. At the moment I am undecided about whether I will make them or just make two pieced blocks each month. Month two was much easier as it is machine pieced.

The star points are more raspberry than the picture shows.

I will get month 3 blocks on Thursday so need to get a wriggle on.

 

I'm back.

The question I have been pondering is blogging worthwhile? I love FB for its immediacy and Instagram for the pictures of things I like. What I have realised is that neither of them give me a record to look back on the way this blog has for me in the past. I write it for me and if anyone else reads it, well that's always nice.

I am not going to try and play catch up but just once again start recording the things that are important to me at the time of writing.

Sydney has just had a fortnight of rain. I am so over it. Today on the eve of spring the sun has come out of hiding. Everything seems possible again so time to get over the winter inactivity.

 

Laurie and I both love a garden but are basically lazy. Exhibit A this overgrown garden bed. Sadly there are several more in the same state.

 

My first project is to bring them all back to life and bursting with colour. My back will protest but I can achieve it if I chip away at it daily. Half an hours work this afternoon and some dirt is finally visible. I hope to spend no less than 15 minutes a day on bringing it back to life.

 

Spring project number two is playing along with Meredithe over at pomengranateandchintz. She challenged herself and anyone else who wants to play along to sew, knit or crochet for an hour a day and post pictures of what they achieve. I'll be doing this and my large array of projects will start to make appearances.

Today I started making a summer dress for Ivy. I have not sewn anything garment related in years. Tracing the pattern and cutting out the lined bodice was my achievement in an hour,

 

17/3/14

It's been a long time between posts. My mojo seemed to have taken a walk but it seems to be back now.

I do a monthly class with Sue Ross. We are not the most productive group so this year we are making a mystery quilt. Each month Sue gives us a block and we need to get it done. Here is the first block.

 

I made a start on the second block yesterday. Love my fussy cut star.

 

Everyone has made their blocks in such different colour ways. It will be interesting at the end of the year to see how different or alike they all look.

Head on over to Judy's to see what others have been up to this week.

 

10/2/14.

My design wall or really bed does not look that much different than it did last week. I did tweak the arrangement and the rows are now all sewn together.

 

Goal for this week is to get the sashing made.

 

9/2/14.

Classes started back this week so of course some new fabric was bought. The good news is I also used some stash fabric. The light fabric is one of the new purchases. It was perfect for fussy cutting I am sure you will agree.

So to the stash report:-

Fabric in. 2 1/4 metres.

Fabric out. 1/4 metre.

Net position. 16 1/2 metres in the red.

 

Rather than close on this here is a gratuitous photo of Cleo.

 

My how I love her.

 

3/2/14

We have lived in this house for just over two years and I still have not got round to putting up a design wall. Lucky for me I was able to use the spare bed tonight.

I have pulled out a UFO to finish. It is to be a gift for a friend and the blocks have been made for over 12 months. She asked for a purple and grey quilt and that is what she is getting. Purple is my least favourite colour and perhaps that is why I have struggled so much with it.

I will tweak it a bit tomorrow but should be able to start sewing as well It does get sashing in between the rows.

2/2/14

Just like that January is done. A good month.

Last week some sewing was going on and nothing came in.

Fabric used this week. 1 1/4 metres

Fabric in.  Zero

Net position. 14/5 metres in the red. 

I have decided to get back to developing my skills as a baker. I am starting with some basics. Today's recipe was an Anzac slice.  Tasted good but I think it may have been in the oven a minute or two longer than necessary. Always something to learn.