Sunday 4 March 2012

Sitching in Slow Motion.....

that's how it's felt to me this week.     I've worked my little hand knitted socks off but  I still seem to be getting nowhere fast.  Maybe I should change my name to Slow Mo!

I swear that this is some sort of diabolical torture.....


My fingers are red raw and bleeding (I kid you not) from stitching hexies this week.   A dozen more blooms finished and a row of white hexies attached not quite all around those I'd already stitched together.   Do you know how much you can age sewing one of these quilts!

Why do I do it?    Coz I love it.... that's why.  I only wish I could say the same about certain other jobs I've done this week.   Like last Sunday when I took to the road..... to fix it!

It all started when my  4x4 went into the body shop for repair.   The result of a slight altercation I had with some mud and the gatepost... but that's another story.   The repair centre gave me a really cute courtesy car.   A tiny Chevvy.   Boy did I feel girly and twenty years younger driving home.  Till I reached our driveway that is.  

Potholes!!  The road into here was full of them.  It's a winter thing.  Helga (my 4x4)  takes them in her stride but I just couldn't risk driving the Chevvy into one and appearing again in someones back garden in Australia.  So there was nothing for it but to fill them it.

So... I shovelled sub-base (for making roads) on and off the trailer most of the day.   It was exhausting work... but cheaper than a Gym membership!   I won't mention how stiff and sore I was come Monday... that would make me a wimp! 

OK... back to the whole point of this blog... stitching.

I stitched the little Birdie in this picture...


and finished up a few french knots and satin stitches on the flower borders.   I won't stitch the 'grass' till I've finished piecing the block.    Maybe I'll make a start on the border blocks tomorrow.... while Chris and Sally are here.

They came over last Monday too.    Sally brought her newest quilt top over to layer up.....


So... we rolled up the hearth rug and got down to business.   I helped her.....


while Chris appointed herself  'Offical Photographer'  a very dangerous profession considering how much Sally and I don't like being photographed!   All I can say is....after seeing this shot..... I'm on a diet! 

Is it just me or does creeping about on the floor hurt more the older you get?

I started this too.....


don't laugh!   I know it looks a bit swamped by the frame right now but.... I have a plan!

There is another pieced border to make for the block.  More applique bits to make for the centre too.  I think it'll work out well in the end.     Don't remind me I said that if it doesn't will you.  

I know the frame looks rectangular in the shot but I can assure you it is square.  Got it in Ikea on my way home from the Edinburgh quilt show last week.   It's really nice and not expensive... which I like even more.  I'm thinking of getting a picture mount to frame the block.   I'm wondering if it will look good under glass though.   Have any of you out there framed anything stitchy behind glass?  I'd appreciate your feedback. 

Well.... that's it for now.   I've got a hot date with the TV tonight.    I've recorded 'Meet the Sloths'.   Check out ....this clip..... I bet you can't watch the pair eating a bean without smiling.


Have a great week..... full of fun
Happy Hugs
Josie


12 comments:

Linda at LRDesignsQuilting said...

I love hand sewing hexies but I can't manage the thimble so I have permanent damage to the end of my middle finger! But I can't stop now! Have fun!

Anonymous said...

boy you have been busy,bet you have muscles now,lol.xx

Raewyn said...

Well you have been busy, even if in slow motion! Hope your driveway stays settled now for a a while and ther is no more shovelling to interrupt your sewing!! Your Vignette and hexies are gorgeous!

Wendy said...

Your hexies and Vignette look beautiful, and I love the appliqué picture, it looks like your plan will work!

marina said...

Can sympathise with the hexagon torture,I got carried away with stitching hexagon flowers yesterday. My middle finger is a mess-but I got heaps done!
Your garden looks beautiful and great progress on your vignette too.
I can't see why you dodged the potholes you could have popped in for a cuppa lol.

Kathy said...

Mmmm...Hexies can be a bit addictive - and take a terrible toll on your finger tips! Too bad you filled in the pot holes. - there's a few people here "down under" who would be thrilled to have you pop up in their backyard:)

Ellen said...

Seems to me that you got a lot done - there wasn't any slothing around at your place. I do love your hexies! Now...about the sloths...just adorable...what a life..eating, sleeping and scratching their butts!

Denise said...

I have just discovered your blog...thanks for the chuckles and for sharing your stitching with us! I am also 50+...okay closer to 60 than to 50 if truth be told and I find creeping around on the floor excruciating! My husband usually has to get a crane to help me up!

Supergoof said...

Thank you for starting my early wednesdaymoring with a smile!
:o)

Quilting Moesje said...

Ah ... I feel sorry for you ...
I hope your fingers are oke now ;o)
So lovely the projects your sooo busy with ... eh ...in slow motion (?!:o))
Thanks for your comment ...
on my post *o*
Good luck !
Simone

Grethe said...

Great post!! Your hexi-flowers look so good,so does Leanne`s little birdie,together with the mystery stitching. This will be such a lovely quilt. Good Luck:-) What a big,super quilt on the floor, brown/beige colours seem to be very popular .Have a lovely week¨:-)

Wendy said...

I love the handsewing of hexies, but it does take a lot of time to get anywhere with them. I have some made but not any put together as yet. Yours are looking really nice.