Success By Two

 After yesterday's post, I searched once more for a pattern for my ABC Wall Hanger and success!  It helped that I had also found a slip of paper with the shop name.  "Little Letters" Wall Hanger by Temecula Quilt Co. Luckily for me they keep a Journal (Blog) and I was able to search back for the instructions.

Success #1 ~ My FNSI was spent cutting out the pieces of fabric for each letter ... now packed ready to take Monday to our Patchwork day.

Success #2 ~  Quilt top finished for Grandson J's birthday in June.  When he saw the panel he asked very politely if it could be a quilt for him ... his family breed brahmans.

A One Block Wonder Panel Quilt has been high on my 'to do' list for a while. When 'Kadina Craft & Sewing Centre' was having an online clearance sale, opportunity knocked. Now you need 7 panels but I could only get 4 of the Brahman Bull panels so I made them work by pairing 2 sets of triangles for each hexagon. I'm really pleased with how it turned out and even hubby was impressed ... now on with the quilting.

Have a lovely weekend 🌺

All Hands On Deck - Phew!

Although we never got the rain that was forecast, it still delayed our start to mustering.  Our son and 2 grandsons finally made it Tuesday ready for an early start the next morning. Choice of work boot for working cattle in the yards was gumboots after a heavy downpour the previous night. Early mornings, mud, sweat and cranky cows ... we're all worn out and ready for a rest.

When we get time mainly in the evenings, card games are a favourite for the boys. Master 6 loves to use my card holder so Thursday night I whipped up 2 card holders for them to take home with them. Now I need to make to more for the other two grandsons.

Master 11 went to the freezer for an ice block after dinner last night and came back to tell us everything was warm ... what!!!!! ... yep, freezer died and everything defrosted throughout the hot day. I'll be cooking a couple of roasts quickly and the dogs got a really good feed this morning ... I guess they earnt it, they've all been working hard too this week ... the rest went to the tip.

With the boys here my decluttering has taken a back seat ... I didn't realize it goes for 3 weeks so I will have some catching up to do but I'm not going to panic ... step by step.

Declutter Day 13 - Notions

I'm pretty happy with notions day. I have the small storage containers I showed last post and another set of 4 draws where I store all those bits and bobs like elastic, clasps, press studs, laces etc. Sharing space in a guest bedroom helps and I know it could be better but for now I'll call Day 13 - done.

Declutter Day 14 - Catchup/Rest

Declutter Day 15 - Kits and Precuts

Thanks to the Chookshed Challenge I'm hoping to start/finish a few of those kits this year and I have them all in one place. Day 15 - done.

Declutter Day 16 - UFO's

Well this one is a never ending story but I did finish off a couple of UFO's last year once again thanks to the Chookshed Challenge.

Declutter Day 17 - Scrap Stash

Last year I managed a few projects using scraps and hope to make some more this year. Last month I purchased the book "Quilter's Scrap Pantry" and am planning to put the ideas in this book to good use with my scrap stash. I would like to cut more scraps into useful sizes so that's my goal.

FNSI last night was a fizzer for me ... too tired!  It's all hands on deck here with the cattle work and then someone (yours truly) has to feed them and keep them in clean clothes. Bless them they do like to help prepare the meals and clean up afterwards. Also I try to have easy meals and Master 11 loves to be on breakfast duty ... bacon, eggs and toast.

The humidity today has been horrendous ... thankfully there's a nice breeze kicking up now so I'm off to find a cool spot with a cold drink.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Striving to thrive

The Race Was On and FNSI

 Happy National Jelly Roll Day!  

On Thursday while carrying out a thorough search in my craft areas, I found a jellyroll from a workshop years back. We started 2 jelly roll quilts, the first I finished (photo below) and the second I joined 3 strips, cross cut into triangles and that's as far as it got.

When Chooky announced a possible zoom session for today ... I realized my finding that jelly roll was meant to be. And so the race was on. Initially I was getting Ocean vibes but now it's together, I'm wondering Sky and Mountains?

I was surprised how fast the top came together after the initial loooonngg seam. Not only a jelly roll race, but a race against my phone going flat .... I had to shift and plug in to charge. Also a race against mother nature ... as the clouds came in heavier, my internet became less reliable and my connection kept dropping out, freezing everyone on my end.

In the nick of time the race was won and I bid goodbye to everyone. Thankyou ladies for another lovely morning of catching up and sewing.

Since the weather has warmed up and my last crochet rug is stored away, it was time for some Sashiko.

Thankyou Wendy for getting us all together again ... so last night I continued on with my next small panel after finishing the first. 

Time for a cuppa and some more "tidying up" in the craft areas.

FNSI January Wrap

 Yesterday I got a bit of a head start on FNSI by completing the first block for MMQ. Then I moved onto cutting some more Quilt Candy from scraps ... I have several containers of candy ranging from 12.5"sq down to 1.5"sq and then 1.5" strips in various lengths.  Here are a few of the smaller containers.

Last night I finally got to sit down with my Temperature Tree and finished the January branch before adding 2 leaves.  Add in that I also hung out washing and a couple other little jobs that needed attention...so this morning I was able to add more leaves up to the 16th.

2nd week saw a few HOT days. I'm going to really enjoy this project!

One more week of school holidays here and I have 2 more grandsons coming for sleepovers so I'm off to the craftavan to make more candy while it's quiet.

FNSI With A Saturday Zoom

What started off on Friday night in lovely company, grew and grew yesterday while zooming with more lovely company.

Thank you Wendy for hosting ... only a couple of rows Friday night as I was feeling exhausted after another hectic week at work. We seem to be running from one task to the next these days with little time to catch our breath.

I really needed a rest day Saturday ... no better way than just sitting, chatting and enjoying great company. So as soon as I could I joined in with Chooky and blogging friends in a Zoom. It really is just like being at my local patchwork group of gals ... sharing, inspiring, light banter and good friendship. Big Big Thank You xx

And I made some good progress on my crochet rug.  Using up wool kits from BHG one hook at a time.

FNSI Sign Up

Time once more to visit Wendy HERE and sign up for tonight!  My crochet hook is at the ready.

I have neglected to post a pic of the completed first half of my knitted knee rug so .....

And this toothy fellow is my July block for the MMQ ... oh those teeth!

FNSI and Finishes

 This is my little corner of the lounge room at present ... I finished the hand stitching on the last little fabric pouch, then moved onto some knitting. It's a bit hard to photograph on the round needles but it is growing ... this will be one half.

Here is a photoshoot this morning of the 4 pouches in action ... lighting indoors isn't great so I went outdoors in the lovely sunshine as well.

Thank you Wendy for bringing us together. The wind is howling outside so I'm off to the craftavan where it's snug and warm for some EPP.

FNSI

Don't you just LOVE the sound of rain on the roof?  ... it's pitter pattering as I type ... a lovely Friday night for some knit or crochet with friends.

FNSI Crochet

After a busy weekend I'm here to report progress on my crochet rug. A few more rows and so it grows ... this is my main focus for evenings in front of the TV.

Previously ... MMQ block is complete and tucked away with the others ... a  fun fishy block.

This next project has been on my to do list for 6 years. The pattern and materials waiting patiently untill now so last Monday I got busy sewing and cutting.

Thank you Wendy for bringing everyone together and I look forward to June FNSI. I'll be blog hopping this week to visit and checkout what others have to share.

FNSI

 This Friday night I'm getting together with Wendy and friends for an extra special Friday night. Click on my FNSI button on the right to find out why and sign up.

FNSI Wrapped Up

 Tonight was the night for a sew in hosted by Wendy HERE. I signed up last minute and managed to make this vine block for A Merry Christmas Garden.

Busy day tomorrow mustering so I'm off to find my pillow. Hope to pop back tomorrow evening and see who else has been sewing.

April Catch Up

Ok, so I lost track of April but that's alright...lots of good happened even in this crazy time of social distancing.

FNSI, 1XMAS and WOOFA ... Way back on the night of FNSI I made some good progress on 'A Merry Christmas Garden'.

Mid April our Daughter, Son-in-Law and Grandsons (one 3 year old and one 5 month old) came to live while SIL awaits a knee reconstruction. As my sewing is spread between the 2 spare bedrooms, I've had to pack, store and tidy and have small projects out.

A little crafting and cooking for Anzac Day as we remembered those who served and continue to serve.

I did finish Little Flynn's Farm and was lucky enough that when I took it to a quilter yesterday, the lady had a free spot, loaded it on the frame and I was able to bring it back home yesterday afternoon. Now to get the binding machined on 1 side so I can sit and hand stitch the binding down.

Then on with 'Mother Goose Nursery' for grandson no. 4 between living in a busy household and going to work 3 days a week ... never a dull moment.

Ooops!  I've also forgotten to share pics of March blocks for my Murder Mystery Quilt

and April blocks which was adding onto March blocks.

Friday Night Sew In With Friends

I've been slack and not made it back here after our 2nd FNWF to share my big finish.  So to use "2 for the price of 1" ... after last Friday Night ... and Saturday ... and Sunday ... I put the final stitch to 'Little Maccas Farm'  aka  'Little Flynn's Farm'

Thank you Cheryll for hosting our 2nd night with friends, was just the motivation I needed.

Now it's time to get ready for a FNSI with Wendy and I've been busy prepping on block 4 of  'A Merry Christmas Garden' ... which just also happens to tie in with WOOFA and 1XMAS.

Staying home ... staying safe ... and enjoying sewing with wonderful friends.

FNSI Plans

Busy busy week so I've been planning what I can work on this afternoon and tonight. I have 12 animals needing eyes appliqued and stems needing needle turn. Wendy's planning an Irish get together so lucky I'm working on some greenery :)

Goodness to share from a much needed lovely outing last weekend but that will need to wait ... the farm is calling.

FNSI Result

Sequence and bead play ... Santa's now have there hats adorned ... thanks Wendy and friends.

September Stitchings and FNSI

Once again goals have been met and this month a little early ... not sure how I managed that but I've been pushing through each evening. Days are filled with off-farm work or the never ending farm work made ever more urgent thanks to Mother Nature and her drought, dust and dry winds.

To change things up a little, I've decided to work a little on each of the 3 remaining Santa Cutlery Keeps, each month. For September my merry band of 3 have had their fronts stitched together.

'Romancing the Road Trip' is coming along nicely with 4 postcards for this month stitched and the blocks sewn.  Only 4 postcards to go for October and I will have a finished top ... woohoo!

Some clothing sewing happened ... another maternity top for DD. Visiting with them next week (school holidays) to help get the house organised as bub's arrival date nears.

Looking back I don't think I shared a sewing machine cover I whipped up in the June/July school holidays.

Still haven't even made a start on baby quilts but I have almost sorted the fabrics required ... anyhow must dash ... lots on today's "to do" list.  Oh just realised, tonight is FNSI ... so in the middle of typing, I've jumped over to HERE and signed up.

FNSI Results

A quick check in as Grandson J is visiting and it's  go go go here.

I did find some quiet time to make a start on my first postcard for Romancing the Road Trip with the No fuss Stitch-A-Long group.

Got to go ... I'm being summoned 😊