Monday 23 February 2015

Thank goodness for FNSI....

It was the perfect end to an imperfect week and boy did I enjoy myself.

Nothing went wrong on Friday.  Can you believe that.   I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.  As it hurt I obviously wasn't.... still got the bruise to show for it though.   I wasted no time picking up my needle (Black Gold Applique #10)  just in case my luck ran out.    First off I appliqued these blocks......


and enjoyed every minute of it.   My favourite is the little star flower... actually that bubbly fabric makes it look just like a starfish...... don''t you think.


 After that I prepared the applique for the rest of the blocks that make up month 1 of Natures Journey.  I'll show you those when I stitch them....

Next I tried out something new.    Stitching is nothing new for me but using a larger hoop and a lap stand is.    I ordered the stand earlier in the week and couldn't wait to give it a test stitch....


Love it... well I did once I figured out how to use it.    Where did I get the idea that you anchor the stand under a buttock!   Obviously that doesn't work unless your preferred stitching position is to have the hoop in your armpit.    After a lot of experimentation I found my comfy position with the base under my left thigh (slid in from right to left) the stand protruding between my legs and the hoop turned to face me.   All I can say is it's a good job I don't wear skirts!

So... that's it for my FNSI sewing session.   I had a brilliant time..... hope everyone else who joined in did too.

Now for what has been going on in the garden.     A tree surgeon came by.....


and spent two days operating on some trees.   Some of his work was a bit radical to say the least.  I love trees and have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that some of them just outgrow their space.    

Still.... next winter will be a warm one.   This heap was once a 30 foot tree growing at a 45 degree angle alongside the road in here....   I carried it up to the house myself.   By rights I should have biceps like Popeye but the only muscle that I seem to be able to develop is my gluteus maximus! Life is just not fair.


We've got an awful lot of logs....


Don't blame the surgeon for this odd stump.... he was reluctantly following instructions from Mac who insisted the tree will grow again.   Only time will tell.

More logs.....   I won't bore you with more photos but there are lots more photos of lots more logs...


and huge heaps of wood chippings......


which I'm going to use to hold back the field grass that is still trying to take over what passes as a garden.  When it warms up a bit..... I'm getting soft in my old age  :o)

Last week wasn't without it's difficulties.    Mac had a nasty fall on Wednesday.  He's sporting an amazing black eye... bruised cheek... cut lip... and two front teeth that are now protruding at odd angles.  He's obviously in more pain than usual but will he visit the doctor or have the doctor visit him.... no way!     Same goes for the dentist.    This is going to sound awful but I wish he had knocked himself out.  At least then I could have called an ambulance and hope that once medical professionals got their hands on him he'd get the treatment he needs.   Better go and put my horsehair vest on for saying that.....

Well that's it for now.    I'm off to make myself tea and cake which I will enjoy while visiting my blogging buddies.  Wish I had enough to give you all a slice but there is only enough cake for little old me... sorry.   Think I've just figured out why my gluteus is so  maximus!! 

Have a great week.....
Hugs
Josie  xxxx

27 comments:

Josie said...

I've not used a stand so very interested to hear about yours! Are you going to season the logs for burning on a stove?

Michelle said...

Lovely blocks and stitchery. I've recently gotten a new stand and it's taking some to get used to it, so I understand. It's great you have those wood chippings from the trees. I would have had a hard time with the trees coming down too. I'm not a tree hugger but I do love trees.

Helen said...

Love your Blocks Josie !!

Kaisievic said...

Looks like the stand was a great success and that is an awful lot of logs! Good luck with getting Mac to get some treatment.

Jeanette said...

Love your Natures Journey Blocks. I think i need one of those stands. Must look into it. I do hope Mac is ok & that you get him to medical help. Hope that the hair vest wasn't to uncomfortable. :)lol. Hugs,xx

kiwikid said...

I am still giggling from your writing!!! Hope the hair vest is back in the cupboard now and you dont have to many scratches from it!! 😯 Your applique is lovely so good to hear you got to sew with out
interruption. I am interested in your hoop too, would like one of those. I hope Mac is ok...you are right if he had knocked himself out you could have got him help, straight away. MEN!!!!! Hope his pain is easing.
I like trees around too but sometimes they have to go...you will have good firewood for next winter.
xx

audrey said...

Cake and tea sounds perfect.:) Good that you got in some of that quality stitching time!

Ondrea said...

Love those blocks and the background fabrics you are using. I have completed that stichery and another of Anni's which are on my blog both framed. I have seen those hoops used usually sitting on someone's lap or placed on the table in front of them. I know they are often used for candlewicking. You have been quite productive. I hope poor Mac is okay and that you survive all the grumpiness. Plenty of fire wood there to keep you warm.

wish2stitch said...

Such beautiful scenery in your garden. I love the shot with the tree surgeon looking down the valley to the houses in the distance. Your blocks are looking great and I do life the starfish... I mean flower block too. Hope you enjoyed your tea and cake.

Angelikas quilts and knits said...

Your blocks look great. Can´t wait to see more :-)

happy quilting

Angelika

Shirley said...

Long time no see Josie. Your stitching looks up to its usual high standard. Poor Mac. Don't feel guilty. At least you are well prepared for the cold weather. X

marina said...

well done on your blocks, they look lovely and I love your background fabrics.
that is one snazzy hoop!
Poor Mac and poor you! sounds like one stubborn cookie, Mac not you.
Hope he recovers quickly.
Nothing wrong with a gluteus that is maximus....just ask kim kardashian.lol

Susan said...

Love your appliqué blocks, and then a rich are great too. Sounds like FNSI was a welcome escape......some stitching time saves my sanity too.

Anonymous said...

Hi Josie oh I love your blocks and good you will have plenty of wood for winter,hope Mac is okay and you always give me a chuckle with your writing,hope you had a lovely weekend my friend xx

Anthea said...

now now Josie - it's not a 'big butt' it's a 'Hollywood Butt'... they're obsessed with their behinds over there in la-la land!

Lin said...

Pretty applique Josie. Having hankered after a lap stand and hoop for years my husband spotted one in a charity shop at Christmas which I snapped up - it has since been sitting in the cupboard waiting for just the right project! I love trees too - hate seeing them cut down but I know that sometimes you have to. xx

Raewyn said...

Great to read you had a good FNSI Josie! Your applique is beautiful and it sounds like fun with the stand thing for your stitching!! I hope you're not the one who will be splitting all those logs for next winter...however if it is you doing it surely you'll have a few more muscles by the time you were done! Hope that Mac recovers ok. Also that you enjoyed your cake!!!

Fiona said...

your blocks look wonderful... they are fun aren't they... poor Mac and poor you and poor tree.... life is not boring is it... in your very beautiful spot in the world.... take care...
Hugz

retdairyqueen said...

Love your applique and the rest of the post gave me a laugh
Hope he is feeling better

Maria said...

My goodness what an eventful week you had, Josie...hope Mac's injuries are healing and the bruising is fading!

Lynda said...

Gosh I hope mac recovers quickly. Men can be so stubborn! Looks like you're going to enjoy Natures Journey - your first flower block is lovely. I thought it might have been a starfish too.

Yvonne W said...

Your blocks are coming along beautifully. I must say I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall watching the antics of working out the hoop on its stand!It made me laugh.
You must have a huge yard with all those mature trees-- lots of firewood there.
I do hope Mac gets over his fall quickly.

Rosie said...

Lovely blocks and that pile of wood chips will provide the garden with well deserved cover.

Sisbabestitches said...

well done on getting so far with your blocks :) Lovely pics of some of all of your logs ;) Totally get where you are coming from with him being knocked out- no need to feel bad- it's not like you said that you wanted to knock him out ;) Hope the extra pain subsides quickly for you and him :)

Chookyblue...... said...

got those blocks finished yet?????

Rebecca in AK said...

Looks like you have a great start on your Natures's Journey quilt. I hope Mac is recovering okay! Lots of beautiful firewood there. When you have only wood for heat like I do, firewood takes on a whole new look. Tea and cake sound lovely.

Jindi's Cottage said...

Wow you got a lot accomplished...loving your SAL blocks so far...I agree the star flower does look starfishy, and the background fabric makes me see a starfish resting on seaweed (seagrass)in a clear rock pool - OK that is probably a little bit more detailed than you wanted when you asked!...glad you finally found your comfy position with the stand but you did give me a good chuckle with the mental pictures of you trying it out on the way to comfy...good luck with the stump regenerating, as if the aborist would know better, men!...