Hot...........

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted.....hadn't planned on being so lazy, but it's so hot (42 C yesterday) & another warm one today.

Have a look at the locals who came by for some food & looking for a drink....they are so close to the house - I took this from inside.  Thats dad & the youngster, mum had gone off looking for some water in our hot water service overflow bucket...

No craft pics - I've been working on 2 quilts, have finished the cotton cardi & crocheted some baby bootees in 3 ply.  Will organise some pics & post next time.....

Thanks for stopping by....

`Karen `

What a start to the new year.......

Flood help package

The floods have certainly devastated large areas of the country, in several states.  I just cannot imagine losing everything, without warning. 

Gum Tree Designers are asking for help for the Queensland flood victims. 

If you can help, they are looking for:

sewing caddy

needlecase & pincushion

6 skeins stranded cotton

fat quarter

scissors & fob

and a drawstring bag to put it all in (if possible)

I just have the pincushion left to make.  Items need to be posted by early February, but check the blog & email them if you can help.

What a way to start 2011....being flooded...

Family Tree progress

an update on the family tree.....slow progress, but I've discovered a mistake in the border, which I will have to go back & correct. 
At present I'm working on finishing the last item for the flood help, then will get back to the family tree & finish a crochet cardigan off, then there's the quilt to pin up.....so why I am still sitting here you ask.....beats me.....

thanks for stopping by

Karen

2nd post for the year.....

How's this for a moth?  Thought we should add the ruler so we can prove how big this thing is. You almost need to pick up each of its legs to get it off the door....

10cm moth

 The quilt below is a WIP for a cousin.  It's currently 72 inches across, and  I'm adding a 3 inch border in the same fabric as the binding to finish it off.  Not my colours, but I could see it in blue.............

WIP quilt

 Finally, my Hydrangea.  I 'prune' this each year at the appropriate time (don't really have a clue, but I do it anyway) and this year it looks stunning.  Whatever I'm doing, I need to keep doing it.  The picture doesn't do the flowers any favours - they look so perfect.

No WIP on the family tree....I've spent some time on the quilt (666 individual pieces in that top), but the cross stitch is coming along slowly.  I did a big house clean on the weekend.....including a load of dusting & changing all the doilys, which then meant they needed washing & ironing - but a job I'm happy with as everything now looks fresh.....

Thanks for stopping by......

Karen

Happy New Year.....



First Temari



Hope your Christmas & New Year was lots of fun.  One of my presents was the Temari book above, so when I got home I followed the directions & made my first Temari.  Some of my lines are a bit off, but I understand how they work now.  I've been wanting to try one for ages, so the book helped, even making my own Mari. The thread wrapping needs work, but next one will hopefully be better.





WIP - Family tree





Above is the latest progress on my family tree cross stitch.  Haven't done much in the last week or so, but want to get some progress made.  The big green lump is the bottom right corner of the 'tree'.  (See a previous post for the original picture). 

I've spent some time on a cardigan for a friend & am now getting stuck into a quilt for a cousin.  This quilt has 666 pieces, mainly small squares, rectangles & triangles.  I'm now ready to start constructing the blocks, but hope to have a WIP picture by the end of the week.

Thanks for stopping by......

Karen

Almost.....

No pictures today, it's not that I haven't been doing much, but I've been working on a crochet piece to do in the car and don't have much more progress on the family tree sampler.  I stopped to do a couple of decorations, but forgot to take pics.

Drive safely wherever you may be and hope the weather lets you get there safely.

Merry Christmas......

Karen

Getting closer....

I've not done very much on the sampler.  I was a square out, which meant a whole nights work down the drain, but back on track now. (fingers crossed).

However, in the last couple of weeks, I've re-arranged my sewing space.  It's not a big room and there was a bed here, but it's gone into the shed.  The TV cabinet fits in a treat & is very handy.  The little fabric boxes fit perfectly at the bottom with space for bigger items above.  The little sewing machine (much used & loved) was mine as a child as is about 45 years old, but not in perfect condition.  The drawers were in a bedroom, but are more suited to my fabric stash (at last a better place to store it).  Finally, I've inherited some other fabrics & baby wool from my late MIL, as well as some wonderful buttons.  They will all  be treasured & then put to good use.

And the heading, well we're 10 sleeps away from Christmas.  We're off on the road this year, so if you like us are driving do take care on the roads.  Don't stress about what you can't control, just leave a bit earlier to get there.

Thanks for stopping by....

Karen

WIP......



Family Tree X-stitch from the World of Cross Stitching issues 127 & 128

 It's been a week since I was last on here, so thought it's about time for an update.  Here is the chart I'm using for my Family Tree Cross Stitch.   I must admit I don't have much done so far.  I'm using 32 count linen with DMC threads.  I was one square out & had to unpick the 'love' part - so frustrating, but it all matches now (thank goodness).


Here's where I'm up to



Cushion creation

The above cushion was created as a gift for someone who likes red & yellow (obviously).  The back is the same fabric as the outside border & I put in a zip to make washing etc easier.  Finished it last night, so it's off in the post today - almost forgot to take a photo before it went.  I hope they like it - wpn't know that until the 25th.

Wow - it's only 18 more sleeps to the jolly red man arrives.  This year has gone by so quickly, that I sometimes don't think I achieved a lot - although when I look at my completed list, I must have....

Our weather is somewhat sticky, & not a lot of rain unlike other parts of Australia.  My sympathy to those who can't go home, have lost stock, crops & a livelihood - I hope your lot improves.

On a brighter note....enjoy your festive season planning and drive safely wherever you are.

Thanks for stopping by.....

Karen