A Quiet Farewell to 2017

Just me, my sewing machine and of course Millie.  Just 20 minutes to 2018 here in Queensland .... Jimmy Barnes singing on TV ...  Millie on my lap and 10 Calendar Bears sashed. The other 2 will have to wait until next year 😉 Thanks Chooky for the push 🤗

Clock is counting down ... only 14 minutes to go ...

Happy New Year 🎉

One More Tick

Another to-do ticked off for December ... this yummy block for A Holly Cottage Christmas.

Only 2 blocks to go. Now I'm stitching on Ruth's Quilt for November ... always seem to be playing catch-up 😊

Enjoying my down time so much.

Miss December

Merry Christmas from sweet Miss December.  Sorry but I can't convince her to stand up ... too much eggnog?

I have really enjoyed stitching these Calendar Bears by Michelle of Rag Tag Stitchin' ... they've been a lovely little monthly project. Looking forward now to auditioning some fabrics for sashings.

Last FNSI

Thank you Wendy for hosting our get togethers each month. I may not have always made it but when I did it was very enjoyable sewing along with everyone and I look forward to coming together again next year.

Miss December might just make it before Christmas.

Merry Christmas dear friends

Just Crusin' In and FNSI

Well then!  Looking back, all I can say is that I hope 2018 is a lot more productive in the crafty department ...

On the up side, I haven't felt like I'm hurtling head first down a steep hill about to crash into the end of the year. Hence my title ... feels more like a leaf floating down a quiet stream ... just crusin' along with the current ... nice.

We had a busy start to the school holidays, mustering and branding with our youngest musterer keeping up with the pace ...little champion.

  

Before work came play ... celebrating dad's 80th Birthday ... horseshoe mudcake by yours truely.

Then a trip to town to 'finish' the Christmas List, followed by a weekend with some stitching and prepping.  Miss November is complete with bucket and spade ...

while Miss December is traced and awaiting needle and thread to weave their magic.

I also have my AHJC block for December pieced, appliqued and ready for the final embroidery. So a little progress is happening.

Looking forward to joining in with Wendy and friends for the final FNSI for the year ... pop over, sign up and help spread some Festive Joy.

Merry Christmas

December Traditions

Once upon a time when my children were little, a tradition began. We always waited until the first weekend in December to put any Christmas decorations up ... roll the clock forward almost 3 decades and

with Christmas Carols filling the air, Grandson J and I have been busy spreading cheer throughout our home.

For each day during the month of November , DD and I decluttered an equal number of "things" ie: on the 1st, 1 item, on the 2nd, 2 items and so on all the way to 30 items on the 30th. At first it was daunting and again getting towards the biggest numbers ... but it only takes the right storage cupboard and it was easy peasy. Now must of my cupboards have been emptied and re-organized ... oh what a feeling!

Decisions have been made and steps taken to also declutter life in general so we're ready to take on whatever 2018 has in store. But let's not rush through December, I have some stitching to catch up on ... one more week of paid work ...

I did manage one finish for November.

Enjoying the sound of rain on the roof ... time for a relaxing cuppa.

Decluttering

Somehow, November has turned into a month of 'decluttering'.  Not just my home but my mind and soul.

The month started as any other month ... lots to do ... not enough time ... blah blah blah. I had borrowed a book from our local library about stress-busting and actually took some time to start reading. (and actually finished it) My daughter introduced me to an online forum which is basically bringing yourself back to you. Then together we took on a challenge to declutter X amount of 'things' each day for the month of November. Of course what does one do when you have a lot on?  Take on something else ... another online 4-week program regarding finances.

Usually by this time of year the stress level has maxed and I'm hanging out for the end of the school term and all it's crazy end of year to-do's. Not much time then to prepare for Christmas, make plans, clean the house etc. This year ... at this present time ... feeling unusually cool, calm and collected. Big decisions made ... ready to tackle those last minute whatevers. 

For now, November goals for crafty stuff have been set aside and I can accept not meeting those deadlines. Maybe they'll get done by the end of the month and maybe they won't and that's OK.

Catching a breather.

A FNSI Finish

Hot off the knitting needles this evening and ready for the kitchen sink ... a less than fine ending for a pretty cloth but someones got to do the dishes.

Loving this pattern given to me by a friend ... quick and simple enough. I had knitted half on Friday night and finished it this afternoon. Now for a blog hop to see what other friends have been creating.

FNSI After a Wet Week

Wow, what a deluge!  Here on the Queeensland coast our parched lands have been once again flooded...seems we just keep bouncing from floods to drought and back to floods. We received 8 inches of beautiful rain which has filled the dams and tanks as well as boosted the brown dry grasses back to a healthy looking green. Areas closer to the coast received over 20 inches.

Nothing like good rain to bring forth new growth.

Of course that much water has run the creeks and rivers and we're once again locked in by flooded roads ... good thing I have several projects on the go to keep me busy. In fact I have managed to finish my October list ...

So as it is FNSI time with Wendy and friends, I have dug out a ball of cotton and knitting needles ...

I'm in desperate need of a new dishcloth for myself.
Happy Friday

Sunday Stitches

September is all wrapped up ...

... now onward with October.

FNWF Results

The night always goes too quickly when spending time with friends.

Some more stitching tonight and I hope to finish these off tomorrow, then I can move on with October tasks. Thank you Cheryll and friends xx

FNWF

What's on my radar for some sewing with lovely friends tonight? Let me see ...

Still have a bit to do for September on my version of Ruth's Quilt. Then there's my October block for AHCC and a Calendar Bear for October to trace and stitch ... plenty to keep me busy. That still leaves the October stitcheries for R'sQ ... lots to choose from to make me happy. 

September Extension

September Calendar Bear is only 2 days late.

I have also made a small start on my Black/White "Ruths Quilt" stitching ... once the first 3 are done I can move on with October plans.

We've finally been able to enjoy a wet weather day with showers all day ... just over 2 inches in the rain gauge.

Back to hitting the road for work again tomorrow with school starting back. My stitching projects are prepped ready for evening relaxation. Not much crafting has happened over the last fortnight with kids and grandsons keeping me busy and entertained ... time goes too fast.

Find some time for YOU this week.

FNSI and Sunday Stitching

Thanks to all the lovely friends who join in for a Friday night of sewing, I was able to finish the embroidery on my August block for A.H.C.C.

Then last night I traced the stitchery on the September block and enjoyed a Sunday Stitch In today ... officially caught up on this Stitch-a-long, yay!

Thank you for your lovely company ... always an enjoyable evening knowing friends all over are sewing/stitching too xx

FNSI and Some Catch Up

Continuing on with getting back into the swing of sewing, I'm joining in with Wendy and friends over HERE for FNSI.

DD is visiting and brought her knitting, I'll be stitching on my August block for A Holly Jolly Christmas. I finished the machine applique for both August and September last weekend.

Leave a draw open for a moment and someone is quick to move in.

August Calendar Bear is tucked away with her friends, if only I needed my umbrella more often.

So, what do you do when sewing time becomes harder to find and you're trying to play catch up on current projects and sew-a-longs? ... Join another group of course. I couldn't help myself and when my best friend had this book sitting on her shelf

I  started thinking of some black/white fat quarters I have been collecting and asked to join with the No Fuss Stitch-a-long HERE.

Not sure if its the best colourway to go with but I'm keen to have a play and see.

Off to mop the floors and see to tonights dinner so I can stitch guilt free.

Friday Night Result

A good thing I got a head start Friday, not as much time Friday night for stitching as I would have liked.  August Bear had to wait for today to find his head.

Busy busy in the kitchen this afternoon ... roast dinner and vanilla cupcakes for dessert. Happy Fathers' Day to all the dads and father figures xx

Grrrr...photos aren't loading!  Edit:  Sorted 👔👞🎁

FNwF

Getting in early with a little bit of preparation.

Spring Into Sewing With Friends

Friday is here so it's time to Spring into action with Cheryll and Friends for a sewing good time. Click on the FNWF badge on your right to visit...there's still time.

I have a lot of August projects to catch up on as well as meet the September goals ... best get crackin'.

August All But Gone

Just like my rose garden ...

There's only so much water one can share with the livestock as once again the rain didn't "Tumble Down in July" or for that matter any other month either.  So the rose garden has been let go, rose bushes gave up, grass encroached and the edging has been removed. The part of the garden I am trying to keep going has had a long needed pruning and a drink.

The bush on the right has a pigeon nesting deep in the middle so it can wait until she raises her babies.

Anything sewing or stitching related has also gone by the wayside this month ... no progress what-so-ever to share ... so I'm going to have to double my efforts for September, aren't I?

Till Spring has sprung (next month)