Snowmen Through The Year

I've always had a fascination with snowmen, probably because the areas in Australia that I've lived never experienced snow. Although the last area (State) was close to the snowy alpines, close enough to get the cold winds off the mountains, but not close enough to get the snow. For me it's odd to connect snow and snowmen with Christmas time. Christmas in Australia is a time for the beach, sun block and picnics and temperature's that reach in excess of 100 degrees. So of course moving from a country that's known for it's sun burnt landscape to one that is known for it's dumping of snow is like chalk and cheese, and of course the wonder of my first snowfall was like a little kid at Christmas time. I spent hours outside taking photo's and sending them back home to Australia in emails to family and friends. I'm sure I will always enjoy and be fascinated with snow until I leave this earth. There's just something about snow falling that's clean and fresh and crisp. Not always the best to be driving in, especially when the area we live in does absolutely nothing to the roads to make driving safe. Anyway I digress. I managed to get my Snowmen Through the year finished yesterday, I just need to add a label and a hanging sleeve to it today. So here it is, unfortunately after 20 or so attempts at taking a decent photo I gave up and this is the best of the worst.


So today I thought I'd continue with the Christmas theme and finish up my folded start Christmas place mats and work on the Christmas tree wall hanging.

Happy Stitching.

This post took 4 1/2 hours to load, I'm so ready to have this pc repaired.

Wip's Ufo's and a Fried PC

Yesterday I decided it was time to get over my hissie fit about all the things that weren't going right and look at what needed to be done. I pulled out my Snowmen through the year blocks and set them into a flimsie, and now have it pinned out ready (without any wrinkles) to quilt. Today's plan is to start on the machine quilting and hopefully have it finished by the end of the weekend.
I think it's time to see if I can whittle down the ufo and wip list before it becomes so big that I can't see past it. I have so many projects in different stages of completion that I need to get them done so that I can enjoy starting a new project, rather than thinking that I shouldn't start anything new.
I've been having terrible pc problems, I think the pc is fried from a blown up power surge power board. So into the pc doctor possibly next week. So if I don't comment on your blog, it's not because I don't want to, but because the pc looks more like a fried meal than a piece of electronic equipment.
Happy stitching.

One of those days

Or maybe it's been one of those weeks. I spent 7 hours today pinning out the giant red and white quilt, only to find a wrinkle right in the middle of the darn thing. So I then spent another hour un-pinning the darn thing. Decision, it's going to the quilters to be done.
After looking at the embroidery I did for my dd's birthday I've decided I'm not happy with the lettering, (it leans and looks like I'd been drinking while stitching) so I've have decided I need to stitch another one. With that , the quilt and the fact that I'm not all that happy with the table runner, I can safely say it's been a real .......... of a week.
Now add to all of that, I decided today that the sewing room needed to be rearranged. Moved all the furniture out, vacuumed, moved said furniture back in, moved from one side of the room to the other and decided that the room just isn't big enough for all the furniture, so back to the original floor plan. I think I'm ready to pull my hair out, or have a drink, only problem, I don't drink.
Think I'll just veg tomorrow, that way I can't muck something else up, and perhaps re-focus on what needs to be done.
Happy sewing.

When I Was Little

When I first saw this design, I immediately thought of Jenna (dd #2) and how it reminded me of her when she was a little girl (now 21). She used to love to hold my hand, or sit on my lap as I read her a story or played insie winsie spider, or just be close. She was my snuggly girl, if there is such a word as snuggly. Anyway back to the stitchery, when I saw it I thought I'd stitch it up for Jenna for her next birthday. I've decided to have it professionally framed as it has a few beads and slightly raised embroidery. I thought perhaps some sort of shadow box type frame, one that keeps the glass away from the work.
Had a wonderful time with dd (Hollie) on Saturday. The longer she's at this school the more I miss her, but I realize that being there has made a world of difference to her. She's growing into a wonderful soft woman, God is definitely good. We spent the day shopping, every teenagers dream come true. A time for her to choose her own birthday presents and time with us just hanging out as she would put it.
While we were shopping I did manage to get the backing fabric and the batting for the red and white quilt, fabrics washed and dried and now waiting to be pieced. I must admit I'm not looking forward to the machine quilting on this one, only because it's sooo big, but I am looking forward to getting it done and on our bed. I worked out the other day that the one that's on the bed now is at least 14 years old. I was telling DH about how nice it will be to have a new quilt on the bed and his response was, "Yes just in time for summer".....LOL...
I've found the perfect design to add the the "Country" theme. One a member from my red work group sent me, and I'm getting a real giggle stitching it up.
Thanks for the constructive ideas on my table runner dilemma. I've decided to just leave it alone and chalk it up to experience. Will probably make another one, minus the applique.

Happy Stitching.

Country Stars

Here it is #6 in the series, one more to do in the series and then on to working out what to put with them. Another lady from the Red Work group reminded me of another pattern that I had from a magazine. So I think I'll have a fiddle with that and perhaps add a few extras to bring it up to size.

I started an embroidery today for dd(Jenna's) next birthday, I hope to have that finished by Monday, and then I think I'll take it and have it professionally framed and, then I have an idea for a Christmas gift for her, have to think ahead, especially when I have to take in to account posting it overseas. See how organized I am?...LOL..... I can tend to be too organized, Kevin (dh) can attest to that.

I've decided that the pink on the butterflies is too dark, but rather than fiddle with it I'll just chalk it up to a bad decision.

I've also been thinking about the 365 Challenge, still haven't managed to get to a fabric store to stock up on neutrals. As it's supposed to have the look of a journal I think I'll add a few embellishments like beads and embroidery. Plus it will add a little colour. Also not too fond of the idea of using a black pen on all of it so I think I may just need to invest in a few other colours.

Spring Time Butterflies

I can't decide whether I like the pink in this yet. I chose the pink that was the strongest shade in the floral print but am now wondering if it's too........ pink.
Finally got into the sewing room yesterday to clean it up, there was barely a clear path to the sewing machine. Now I can see the tables and the floor, all ready for me to make another mess, which I'm sure won't be too far away.
Dh has asked me to make him a sheath for his pocket knife, so I'll get that out of the way this morning so I can get to the more serious sewing....qulting....
I've been thinking about doing a table topper as Darlene gave good directions a few days ago, but now I can't decide whether I want to do a topper or a full cloth, decissions, decissions...
A couple of ladies on my Red Work group mentioned yesterday that they will be stocking Leanne Beasley books and patterns here in the US in the next few weeks. I was so happy to hear this news. Now perhaps we might see a few more of the Australian designers patterns and books here. The cost of postage tends to put me off from ordering from AU, although it never stopped me from ordering from the US when I was living in AU.
We have a visit this weekend with dd (Hollie) up in Kansas,OK, and we still haven't decided what we'll do for the day. I suggested a visit to Rogers,Arkansas to the caves and the old Mill. Dh thought that perhaps that was too much driving, but as yet he hasn't come up with a better idea. The following month we plan on taking her to Silver Dollar City in Branson.
DD (Jenna) in Australia has decided as we won't make it back for her wedding that she's going to move it to the Whitsunday Islands, Dunk Island is looking like the destination. Now if we can get the residency done in time I'll be there with bells on, I hate the idea of missing my daughters wedding.

Friendship Grows

No stitching so far today. I just couldn't stand watching my hubby rummage through the clean washing basket in search of socks any longer, so today is house work day....boring... but something that just has to be done. Laundry's on, washings folded and put away and now to drag out the vacuum.... oh the joys of home making..LOL...

I hope to be able to share with you tomorrow the table runner that I've been appliqueing last night and hopefully later today. Almost have the Country Stars completed, which leaves one left from the series.

Today I thought I'd share the photo of this stitchery I did a number of months ago, the colour was done using water colour pencils. As yet it hasn't been turned into anything, I'm still trying to decide if I'll frame it in a picture frame or frame it with fabric....
But as I was reading comments left and doing my morning reading of blogs I thought the title of this stitchery was appropriate. Friendships certainly do grow as we jump into the lives of other stitchers and quilters as we read their blogs, whether it be to chat about what they are working on or what's happening in their lives. How wonderful to be able to connect and form new friendships with others that we normally would never have met, distance should never stop us from reaching out to others.

On another note, for those of you who love Leanne Beasley designs http://leanneshouse.typepad.com/leanneshouse/ She has started a 365 fabric journal quilt challenge and suggested that perhaps a group could be started to be able to share ideas and get inspiration. As I'm a stay at home empty nest mum and have the time to be able to do this I started the group.http://groups.yahoo.com/group/365Challenge/ So if your a lover of her work or just want to see what it's all about, go to her site have a look around and if you decide that you're going to join in on the challenge then consider joining the group, the more the merrier.
Happy stitching.

Country Homes

I just love these country homes, and once they have their little details added, bird, rooster and bee buttons, I'm sure I'll adore them even more. I'm about half way through the next one, Country Stars, then there's just one left of the series and then to decide which designs to add to make it up to an even number.

I've been working madly on the red and white quilt and thought I'd give you a sneak peek at the blocks. I have the top completed and just need to get backing fabric and batting. Then comes the job of quilting this monster. This one was made up completely from fat quarters and the only piece of fabric that I needed to buy was the plain red Kona. This pattern is one I made many years ago when I lived in Australia for my son. It's called Railroad Crossing and is so very easy to make. It looks really lovely done in scrap colours.

I've had another quilt on hold, while I waited for more fabric to arrive. Just before Christmas one of the yahoo groups I belong to had a secret Santa and my mailing partner just happened to be a friend of mine from Minnesota, who sent me a lovely quilt pattern called Lasting Friendship and the fabric to make a double sized quilt. I started to make the quilt and decided half way through that it would make a lovely quilt for our bed for the winter season as it's done in deep blue and white. Thursday the fabric arrived, so now it can be completed, but I think I might hold off a little longer so that I can make up a table runner in spring colours, and Darlene posted directions a few weeks ago for some lovely table toppers that I'd like to make, using up some of the scraps that I have. So I might have a rummage today and see what I can come up with and hopefully get the pieces cut ready to stitch.

With all the "thinking blogger" awards that have been doing the rounds, I've found it's been a wonderful opportunity to read new blogs of some very talented ladies. I've also learnt that it's "blog etiquette" to reply to a comment that's been posted, so my apologies to those whom I haven't responded to personally.

Happy sewing.

Country Friends and fuzzy mats

#3 in the Country series is complete. This reminds me of my childhood, sitting with friends in the backyard or on the beach, sharing oh so very important secrets....... I've managed to find 2 more designs that I think will work in with the others. I just need to work out if they will fit, measurement wise, before I start to trace them.
I also made some progress on the red and white quilt, got all the blocks put together into rows for the 2nd half of the quilt. Today's plan is to stitch the rows together and see how much bigger I need to make it.
Now I have a question to pose to you. I have a brand new cutting mat, self healing. I noticed this morning as I was squaring up the previous blocks that fuzz was left behind on the mat from the pellon. After looking at it, it appears to have been cut into the mat. So my question is, how do I remove it without damaging the new mat?
If you've been blog trolling in the last 24 hours, you would have noticed that many of the blog owners have been tagged with the thinking blogger award for their inspiration and wisdom. This in itself is a lovely acknowledgement for the blog owner, but it also has a bonus for those of us who read these blogs. It gives us the opportunity to visit the blogs that have been tagged as well as those who take the time to comment. There is such a wealth of extremely talented and inspirational women that are so willing to share of themselves and their knowledge. If you haven't been blog trolling this morning, may I suggest that you take a little extra time and visit some of these blogs, you will be refreshed and inspired.

Leisure Art Sale

I thought I'd share this with those of you who stop by here.
If you go over to http://www.suzyqssweettea.blogspot.com/
you can read all about the Leisure Art sale on Saturday, April 28, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m in Little Rock, Arkansas. Huge savings, shame I don't live closer. Anyway all the details are on Debra's blog.
Enjoy.

Country Angel

Here she is, Country Angel. She just needs a button on each shoulder strap, isn't she just too cute? I'm still trying to figure out how to set these blocks, especially as there's an odd number (7). I was thinking of doing smaller blocks with similar embroidery and setting them with nine patches maybe.

I've also traced off a design for a stitchery that I think I'll use for dd (Jenna's) next birthday. So I certainly can't say that I don't have enough to keep me busy.
On the quilting front, the plan for today is to get back into the sewing room and work on the red and white quilt. I have half completed and want to work on the other half and then decide if it needs to be made bigger before I stitch the two halves together. This was going to be just a lap sized quilt, but it seems to have grown into somewhere between a double and queen. I seem to have a habit of doing that. I either fall in love with the design of the quilt and think, Oh that definitely needs to be bigger, or I cut more fabric than I need, and not wanting to waste it, the quilts tend to just keep growing.
Darlene over at http://quiltingdaze.blogspot.com/ gave cutting and sewing directions for table toppers, that were quick and simple, but very pretty, and I have enough cut pieces of fabric that I think I could probably get a couple done. Plus I'd like to make some new table runners. I think it's really time to put away the snowflakes one and put something out that's more Spring like. So as you can see I have plenty of ideas running through the head, it's just a matter of trying to organise my time a little better.

Country Blooms & a Little Homesick

These blocks seem to work up quite quickly, when I actually sit still long enough. Block #2 Country Blooms is complete and I've started on the third block, Country Angel. Have ideas running through my head on setting these little babies, but still have'nt made up my mind definitely. I'm enjoying stitching these up as they don't take as much time as the Bronwyn Hayes blocks.



I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.... Unfortunately I find that holidays are somewhat difficult for me. My thoughts take me to my children in Australia. This weekend was one of those times, feeling extremely homesick and longing to see my dd Jenna. I suppose what makes it worse is the fact that she will be married in November of next year and I don't think our residency will have been finalised by then which means we can't leave the country and won't be able to be there with her. I try extremely hard to not take my thoughts in those directions but it is a struggle at times especially as we have photo's around the house. I know in a few days I'll be back to my old self and these feelings will pass for a little longer.
Well enough of my negative thoughts.
Time to get back to the sewing.

Another Project Emerges

Where did Spring go? We've gone from beautiful days of 29c a few days ago, and now down to 5c... As it's so darn cold in the sewing room (otherwise known as the freezer)I needed to decide what I could do that didn't involve going in there. Then I remembered that I'd gone through a stack of old Aussie magazines the other day trying to decide what to keep and what to throw away and in the process I discovered a series of patterns that I had marked as wanting to do. So yesterday afternoon I managed to get the 7 designs traced onto fabric and last night I got the first one stitched up. This series of designs were originally meant to be stitched up and framed, but I think I'll stitch them up and work them into a wall hanging or lap quilt. As there's only 7 designs I'll need to create at least 2 more, as trying to work out how to set them would be too much of a math brain strain.
I'm still working on the Bronwyn Hayes blocks, but I like to have more than one, well maybe more than two or three projects to work on, so that when I get tired of working on the same thing I can give it a rest and swap for another project. I just have to be careful and remember that I have plenty of projects waiting in the wings to be finished and try not to become a victim of stitchers temptation and either buy or start yet another one.
I hope you all enjoy your Easter weekend and have time to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.
Thanks for all your kind comments that you've left.
Happy stitching.

Do you ever have those days where you just can't seem to focus on what's in front of you? I had one of those days today. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was so hot last night and I didn't sleep well. Thank goodness for the cool breeze today. Or maybe it's just due to menopause.

I had an awful nagging feeling that there was something I was supposed to do, but for the life of me I just couldn't think what it was. Until I was going through my emails and the penny dropped. Randi from http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/ had written quite some time ago about her daughter going on a missions trip to Africa and how she was putting a call out for little girls skirts to be made for the girls in the orphanage. I had promised to make a skirt. So into the sewing room I went and stitched up this little skirt.


























If I had, had my head on straight I could have turned out quite a few of these little skirts, but one is all I managed to get done in time. I hope and pray that these little girls who receive these skirts will be blessed and know the love of the Lord.


I decided it was time to look and see how many more of the Bronwyn Hayes blocks I had left to stitch, rather than keep trying to guess. Only 4 more plus the one I'm currently working on.
These are the three I completed last week:

Then I'll need to lay them out, and remember to put the dog outside, and work out a layout for them. I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to get this quilt under the machine for the quilting, but I'll worry about that when I get to it. I'm hoping it will work out to be, between queen and king size. I'm sick of having a quilt on my bed that doesn't cover the blankets properly.

Thanks to everyone who drops by and leaves a comment. It's so nice to know I'm not talking to myself.... plus it's great to stop by blogs I haven't seen before and again get even more inspiration.

Spring Is Definately Here

What glorious weather we've had these past few days, so good in fact that I spent the entire weekend outdoors working in the garden. Today reached a lovely 29c, 85F. Yesterday I got rid of all the weeds and planted the parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and sun flowers. We decided that sun flowers along the front of the yard would be a good idea for privacy. Living in the US definitely has it's differences from Australia, but one of the biggest differences I've found is that there don't seem to be a lot of privacy fences. I'm so used to seeing a 5ft or 6ft fence around a home, which gives wonderful privacy. Here in Oklahoma I feel a little like a goldfish, with absolutely no privacy at all. I just love to sit on the front porch on the swing an take in the wonderful cool breezes, but I don't like being watched by everyone that passe's or being able to see what all my neighbours are doing.
Unfortunately not a lot of sewing was done over the past couple of days, except for 3 more Bronwyn Hayes blocks completed.
I did manage to do a little shopping though, nothing too exciting, just more red for the red and white quilt and a lovely Kona lemon for another embroidered quilt.
I was flicking through old Aussie stitching magazines today to decide which would be kept and which would be thrown out, and found half a dozen lovely country themed stitcheries, that were designed to be individually framed, but I thought they might be nice stitched up and worked into a quilt, probably a wall hanging.
So now I'll need to think what sort of fabric I want to stitch these onto. Decissions, decissions......
I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and were able to spend time both outdoors and time stitching.