Roses & Candlewicking



Lorraine Lee Climbing Rose




This rose was picked last night.  The first one that's come out on my new climbing rose, but there are another 6 buds.  The weather hasn't been the nicest, so thought I'd bring it in for my desk.  The stem is very short, so had to find a very tiny vase.  It has a very slight perfume, but very pretty.  My Chocolate Mint is also growing quite well (I managed to kill the last plant & copped some flack and a disbelieving "how could that happen") as is the Thyme.  I don't really have any green fingers, but more hope the plant can get itself established & then survive.









Candlewicking cushion with quilted borders



The cushion above was an experiment in candlewicking.  In might have looked better in just one colour, but it's functional.  A couple of months ago when I was assembling the cushion with its zip, I somehow put the needle through my finger.  I bought a new machine about a year ago & haven't quite got to grips with the zipper foot (and I may never now).  Luckily the needle bounced off the nail & just went through the fleshy side of the finger by the nail.  On the plus side, I did some free motion quilting in a multi coloured thread (before I hurt myself)  on the borders and ecru thread around the stitching.  At least a practice piece now has some sort of purpose.  I don't like leaving them in a drawer, might as well put them to good use.

Time to go and do some work :)

Tired......

Weather is improving, but still a bit too cool & windy.  No pictures today, but getting closer on finishing the Boronia & Fringed Violets - can't wait now to get to the crocheted edge.
As the title says - Tired, but at least I'm happy.  I caught a nice Australian Salmon yesterday, which went down well for tea, so unfortunately no pictures.  Caught the fish by accident, as I wasn't even concentrating - but such a fight to bring in a medium size fish on tiny hooks with a light rod.
I've also been weeding in and around our large garden - now to get some mulch before the hot weather hits.
Cheers for now.....

Spring

I think Spring is finally here - these 2 greeted me this morning as I had breakfast.  Winter has been so cold, we hadn't seen many animals for a while.  Of course, I took this from the safety of the dining room so they didn't hop away.

Here is the final end of the Boronia and Fringed Violets.  Just the Violets & stems to go, then the edge to crochet.

and here is the entire piece, which should look much nicer when it's finished, washed & pressed.

Until next time.....

Busy, busy, busy

Purple runner

Blue runner



How I'd like more time to create, but at last I'm getting the Christmas gifts done.  Finished the table runners & now for the embroidered doilies.  The table runners from a pattern called Jacobs Jazz, were fun to make.



Blue Willow runner



The Willow Pattern from Semco, done in Anchor threads is finally finished too leaving the Boronia & Fringed Violets by DMC to do.

Off to it...









Hello!





A3 Monochrome Quilt Challenge

  

Lots of people share their craft and are very creative, generating their own patterns and designs.  Unfortunately, that's not me - well not just yet anyway.

I do want to share a quilt challenge, where the idea and layout are my own work, but using some published material for elements.  The book 'Cross Stitch Alphabets' was used for the lettering.
The challenge given to us, was to create an A3 quilt using just one colour, but various shades.  I'm a big fan of anything blue, so that one was a no-brainer.
We'll see what the show judges think in a few weeks!