Monday 21 September 2015

Flipp'in Fabulous FNSI !

Did I have a great time at FNSI or what!

Nothing went wrong!     Bet you can't believe that.  But it's as true as I'm sitting here in my wee goonie and baffies (nightdress and slippers) poking toast crumbs out of my keyboard.

Last week I did the grocery run on Thursday to leave the whole of Friday free for FNSI.  Maybe I should call it FDSI  because I really did sew the whole day.  Started stitching along with all you Southern Hemisphere gals..... picked up the European lasses at tea time then made a valiant attempt to stay up late enough to say 'Hi' to Canada and the US of A!    Wow... what a day!

Started out with some therapeutic slicing and dicing......


Cut the 200 blue squares needed for the next border of Natures Journey.  While the blade was in my hand I prepped the outer border too... optimistic eh.

Next... some chain piecing....


I don't often chain piece but I managed to make it work for me this time.    Before you all start telling me that chaining is super efficient and fast... I know all that and I agree (in principle).   My problem is brain saturation.   My little grey cells fill up very quickly and once that happens all bets are off.  I loose track of what I'm stitching to what and chaos quickly ensues.  That usually means a lot of unpicking.

No chaining the next step.  I needed to keep control and my cool for this bit....


Things went swimmingly well and pretty soon a miracle happened......


Ta Da!!    Another round of Natures Journey done and dusted.   I don't mind saying I love it to bits.  Plan is to work on joining the applique block borders today.   The girls are coming over so as long as I don't talk too much (as if) I stand a good chance of getting that bit closer to the finish line.

That was my FNSI now how about yours?    When the girls leave I'll be showing up on all your doorsteps to see what you got up to on Friday.....  provided you joined in of course.  

Thanks Wendy for hosting us all again and for the yummy cake recipe.  It's a keeper.  Click HERE to visit Wendy and all the other girls from around the world who stitched on Friday night.

HOT OFF THE PRESS.....


I did it!   I pieced and attached the applique borders this afternoon.   Am I on a roll or what!  Just two more easy peasy borders to do..... getting excited now.    

It's nice to be sewing again.  I've been working through a bit of a stitching slump the past couple of weeks.    Outdoor chores ate up lots of my time.   Jobs like.....


collecting rocks from the field next door... and hurling them over the garden wall.  Great Scottish pass time.  Shame it isn't an Olympic sport I reckon I could make the team.


My rock tossing did have a purpose......


Mac started work on some steps from the drive to the upper part of the garden.   Can't wait to cut the ribbon at the grand opening.    No more risking life and limb slithering up and down the slippery slope to short cut the route from top garden to drive.   Lost count of how many times I've slid down there on my bum!

Been doing a bit of garden work too (weather permitting).   I'm trying to clear the undergrowth around that path with a view to laying some membrane and bark.   I'm getting too old and cranky to have to dig out the darned path every year.    Won't tell you what Mimi is up to but she seemed to think my digging was for her convenience!


A lot of death defying lopping of tree branches and the removal of an old bush from the middle of the lawn has opened up a new view from the kitchen window.....


Nice to see 'the girls' enjoying a paddle in the river.   Wonder what those two were talking about.

Maisie might know....


but she's not saying.  

Well.... that's it for now.    I'm sewing again tomorrow.   I need to finish Natures Journey before Friday..... when the girls and I head off on retreat again.    Want to come?

I'm going now,   I've a lot of lovely blog visiting to catch up on and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.   See you soon....

Have a happy time stitching....
Hugs
Josie   xxxx