a few more....

yes, a few more finishes.

first, another of my Ahhh Hexies. I thought I had another one finished but I can't find it in my tin, perhaps it's mixed in with the others and I didn't notice. I quite like this one, though normally I wouldn't put these colours together. They came in a charm pack so I figured they are supposed to match and I think they do.


Now... onto a few more of my Nursery Rhyme stitcheries, I have finished the Hare & the Tortoise.

and Rapunzel,



and the Three Little Pigs.
Still a few to go.

And I have finished another crochet throw rug. Well, I haven't actually done the edging round it yet, but am undecided whether I will do an edging or not, depends what I decide to do with it I think.

Now of course, I have lots of left over wool, so I must start another one! It is like the Never ending Story, use the left overs, buy more, have more left overs, start again.

Beautiful weather here again today, and an extra hour of daylight - or is that an hour less? I am not a fan of daylight saving, so I like it "back to normal".

Till next time.

nursery rhymes...

I have a new project that I have been working on at my Thursday quilting group. Most of us just like to take hand sewing unless we are doing something special on machines.

So I have started this Nursery Rhyme quilt, simple because I like it and it has lots of hand stitching. So far I have finished....

The Three Bears

the Frog Prince

and Puss in Boots. (he reminds me of the cat in Shrek)

I have almost finished The Three Little Pigs, and then still have another 5 or 6 to go. I am doing it exactly to the pattern, something I don't usually do, but I was really taken with the brown and green that it is done in.

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I am also still working away on my Aaaaah hexies and have just added 3 more to our flicker group. Not sure if I'll do this weeks yet, it's a bit different and I'm not sure I like it. I have almost decided to only do the ones I really like, as I don't want to get sick of doing them. You know how it is......you do one you don't enjoy doing and it puts you off all the rest.

I is a beautiful day here today, not too hot/cold - just right (sounds like the 3 bears porridge doesn't it!) I have the afternoon to do as I like which is always nice and I haven't decided what to do yet.

Be back soon.

It's those owls again....

Yes, I am back working on my Owl quilt,

it has been put in the too hard basket for too long.

When I started to put it together I realised immediately that I had

cut the outer blocks the wrong length.

This was very easy to fix, but required maths so it got put aside.

I have been thinking about it for a couple of days and this

morning decided 'today is the day'.

I am pretty happy with it so far, I don't think anyone else will notice

where I have altered it (except me of course who will see it every time I look

at it - funny how your eyes are drawn straight to a spot you know

is not quite right).

Anyway, I now have to decide what to do next, because of the size difference I have

stopped following the pattern exactly and am just making it up as I go.

I like to have things different to the pattern , so this suits me fine.

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We have had our share of the rain here, but not floods thank goodness, we

had enough of that last year and I really feel for all who are amongst

the floods now. Seeing all the people filling sand bags etc. on the news

each night brings it all back. I guess our part of the river will rise a

lot but hopefully not flood.

Today has actually been a very pleasant day, and it was nice to get some

machine sewing done, it is some time since I have done any.

Our local Patchwork shop = Miss Sampsons Drapery has closed and will be sadly missed,

Sue has actually relocated out to Waitchie and will set up her stock

in the old church there, it is almost an hours drive so we won't be popping

out there for a reel of thread! If any of you have been to her shop in

the past you will know how much it will be missed.

Till next time.....

this morning.....

.... I cooked, some was eaten for lunch, the rest in the freezer for later.

I'm back

Well, really I haven't been anywhere but here I am back at my blog which has been neglected.
I have been working away at my hexies, catching up as I had gotten a week behind. I have been working on the decluttering. Actually the decluttering is going very well, I have progressed past the one thing a day stage and have found that now that the house is much more tidy I am finding it easy to keep it that way, just put things away or throw out as required. I think that the fact that I have retired from work has helped a lot as I have more time. I am still working on the cupboards though, just have a look here and there and try to get rid of something not being used or wanted.

below are my last two hexies, and I have the next one almost done. I am still enjoying doing these - am not saying that I won't get sick of them mind you, but at present it is fun.



How do you like my new wall decoration? I just love these owls, bought at the local market last week and we had plenty of outdoor wall to choose from to display it, I am very happy with it.



I am off to have morning tea tomorrow with a friend who has just returned from a Patchwork Cruise of the Pacific, I helped her out with her bookings etc and she is very eager to tell me all about it. It sounded fabulous in the brochures etc. and I know she had a wonderful time, so I will hear all about it in the morning.

Bye, till next time.

camera returned safely

The next of my Ahhh Hexies. I am not too happy with this one, see the middle? It is the hardest one we've had so far, with the centre pieces so narrow they were hard to manage. It sort of looks like a pinwheel doesn't it! Anyway I may or may not make another of these. I have almost finished the next one too, then I will be all up to date and waiting till next Thursday for the next one. See here if you would like to join in.



here is a little pencil case/pouch I made this morning, it was very easy to make (well, I must to confess to a little un picking) very quick, and with a few pencils or something in it will be a gift for someone. I am actually making a start on my next Christmas Advent swap gifts so this will be one of those. I am determined to make at least half of them this year, so will be looking out for little things like these. If you would like to make a little pencil case the tutorial is here. It is very easy to follow with very clear pictures and good instructions.

My quilt group started back again Thursday, we had a Christmas break as the place we use closes for the holidays. There was plenty of talking as we had to catch up with all the news, great to see everyone again and see what they had been doing and start the new year with fresh ideas.

Still clearing out.

No photos this week as someone else is using the camera.
I am still getting on with my decluttering, today was 5 egg cartons, I nearly put them in the bin then thought of someone who could use them.
Yesterday I put a few things in the bin as it was bin day, it was all just rubbish, why on earth do we keep things? Why would I keep an empty coffee mug box?
I think I will start culling my craft magazines - I've been going to do it for ages, the pile is really overwhelming. I keep thinking I will go through and tear out what I want and get rid of the rest, I guess I just need to make a start. At least I haven't bought any new ones for a long time. I also need to get a box or bag to put things in that I can then take to the op.shop. I really don't think I will keep this up for the whole 366 days, but any amount is good.

get rid of it!!

I have decided to join Garden of Daisies in her bid to de clutter. Sounds like a great idea to just get rid of something each day rather than have a huge clean up job.
I have started already and am keeping a list. Yesterday all it was was a bottle of nail polish (new and I will never use it) gave it to my granddaughter. Yesterday a book, good story, but so old, yellowed and even smelt not right - it went in the bin.
Also some old bath mats, the towel kind with no non slip backs and dangerous on our tiles. They went into the shed to use for rags - does that count? well at least they are out of the house.
Why don't you give some thought to joining in too.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This is what I received from Noleen as my 'no. 25' in the advent swap. Isn't it just too cute? It is actually very tiny - I doubt if you could fit a lipstick in it - so goodness knows what I shall do with it, except look/touch/feel and admire it.


Just before Christmas I had a lovely surprise from the postman, he brought me a little parcel from overseas and just look what I got! A cute little pouch with an owl on it, some lovely threads and a crochet cupcake. I can look at that when I feel like cake! Thank you so much Katrin.




and lastly here are my next 2 AAAhh Hexie blocks, I am quite happy with them both and looking forward to the next ones as we have taken a break over Christmas.

We had a lovely Christmas and New Year here, actually stayed up to see the New Year in, went to see the fireworks which were fantastic, we had a great vantage point, just felt like you could reach up and touch them.
I do hope 2012 is a wonderful year for everyone. I am looking forward to it.

Above are the next two (well I've obviously made more than 2) Aaaahhh Hexies. They are a lot of fun to do, and the waiting for the next one each Thursday is hard. If you think you would like to join in making them hop over to Hillbilly Handiworks and have a look. (Button top right on here)



These are the next of my Christmas Advents gifts, I am getting some very useful goodies.
Not long now till the big day, I am hoping to get all my wrapping done this afternoon or tomorrow - that way I can see if I've forgotten anything and have plenty of time to remedy the situation.
Have a nice weekend.

goody...goody

these are what I have received in the Advent Swap so far.....



It is great fun opening a lettle packet each morning and so far they have all been something useful.....Christmas decorations, bath soap and hand soap, thread, a leather covered note book, paper doileys (a lifetime supply I think!!)and a cute little cross stitch.



I am just back from my Quilt group Christmas lunch party, a lot of fun, lots of food, lots of laughs. I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.

floral friday

Two beautiful flowers. The yellow one is in our garden and the white magnolia is from a friends garden. They are both beautiful but very short lived so I only get to enjoy them for a short time. I see the magnolia is browning around the edges already and it only just started to open. Luckily we have lots of the yellow lillies.

Did you notice all those christmas pressies around the vase? They are my gifts in an advent swap, one for each day till 25th, such fun.