how much more.........

I was thinking how much more can this corner of the world cope with?  Fires, Floods, Cyclones and now Earthquake across the Tasman.  Thoughts for all as you get your lives back together.

We had about 66mm rain in 24 hours on Friday - a welcome gift when you live on rainwater tanks.  Farmers may not be happy, but we have no control over what the weather and nature dishes out to us.

Today is our 31st Wedding Anniversay - a milestone where divorce is commonplace.  I'm happy to be married to someone who tolerates fabric, wool & threads so well about the house (and it's just as well coz there's so much of it)

Enjoy your day

~Karen~

Hexagons.....

Bella Baby 'Sugar' 4 ply

 Here's the jacket I did after finishing the 7th pair of bootees.  I bought the wool (and it is wool) on sale at Spotlight, and have a small amount of the 3 50g balls left over.  Another item to put aside......I've now moved onto making a new winter cardi for me.  However, it isn't going to look a lot like the picture as I've already altered it.

I love these hexagons (boy have I gone a bit loopy), so I bought the blue bear fabric to add to these hexagons and try & make a cot quilt or something from the completed panels.  I've cut 24 blue shapes, so there will be 9 panels in all, so 3 x 3 with a bit of a border should make something useful.  The blank stack of carboard shapes is just half of the total, so at least that bit is done.  When my current lot of sewing is done, I'll probably start on sewing these things together & see what I can make.

We had so much rain last week, that the ground is still soft.  Not that I'm complaining, asit's watered my trees & shrubs in nicely & I can see grass slowly coming up (and probably the weeds too).  Such wierd weather we seem to be having.......

Enjoy your week....

`Karen`

Another week.......

It's amazing how tidying away anothers life has an impact on your own.  We're clearing late MIL's unit and I found some more fabric yesterday.  I've never really wanted to try hand patchwork, but I've found so many hexagons, that I will finish them off.  I've also resolved to be very tidy & keep like stuff together.

Final count in 3 ply - top row in wool, bottom row in nylon/acrylic

Not much sewing happened here, but some gardening instead.  I have to get back to the quilts - so they can go to their rightful owners.  And I've finished another pair of 3 ply bootees - in red & white.  There's enough red to do a jacket, so while I'm on a roll, I think I'll keep going.

Glorious sunset

 We've had a couple of these lately as the sun is setting - the photo never does justice, but I like the way the tree fits in.

I'm looking forward to a great week, hope you are too!

~Karen~

3 Ply.....

I've had a painful few days - tooth needing a root canal, but nothing compared to the floods, fires, blizzards etc around the world - just feeling sorry for me.

8ply cotton jacket (cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills)

 Finally finished this jacket.  It's not for me, but a friend (hope she enjoys wearing it).  Was fun to crochet, but I always like to see things go to their new home.

Baby bootees in 3ply

I ended up with the baby yarn from my late mother in law.  This lot is in 3 ply, as there's mainly just odd balls, probably enough for 1 to 2 pairs of bootees, then I'll need to do colour matching.  I did try to get some more 3 ply in Spotlight, but noticed they had almost none, (lots of 4 ply), so I grabbed some.

Why am I making bootees?  Am starting a bit of a stash for daughters & their friends - thought it would save some time when I get asked again & then I have assorted colours depending on gender etc.  The top row is in wool and the bototm row is in Nylon - I much prefer the wool - so soft & really nice to work with - & should wash well too.

The big quilt I'm working on keeps running low on sewing cotton & I have to wait for more to come in - so pictures will be a week or so (at least) away.

That's it for now - thoughts to those in any part of the world affected by crazy weather.

Bye for Now

` Karen `

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