Wednesday 11 April 2012

Playing Catch Up

Well....  I've been AWOL way longer than I anticipated.  Hope you haven't forgotten me.... even though I bet you've tried really hard.

The last couple of weeks I've been totally tied up with visitors, gardening, visiting my Mum,  taking care of Mac (no mean feat) and even fitting in a bit of stitching when time allowed.   I'm desperate to blog hop and catch up with all your going's on.   I'm hoping to indulge in some of that tomorrow after I've driven to my Mums to dismantle her bed and set up her new one then deliver a spare mattress to her neighbour.   What next I wonder?

OK... here's what I've been up to stitching wise.   I worked on this....


First I finished the applique then started on the borders....


I'm really chuffed that I've made the whole block from tiny scraps of Fig Tree fabrics.  It's like getting a total freebie!   You can see from the next photo I had to work in really cramped conditions too....


Reckon I'm flavour of the month with the pussies these days.  Bless em... could you have moved them?

They didn't stop me from finishing the block though.....


It's done and all ready to pop into a frame.  I've had a sneak peek of it in there and I'm really loving it.  I'll show you a photo of it in situ later when I've done the framing properly.    I like it so much I'm thinking of making another one to keep it company.

I've been trying to catch up with my Vignette  block of the month too.....


Finished stitching the bird (for the second time) and have only the 'grass' to chain stitch under the flowers and the Shoo Fly blocks to attach (I've got them ready) and block 4 is in the bag.  Still way behind but doing my best.

I've been working on my 'gusset' too.  No not the one I split in my pants this one....


the one I had to add to bridge the gap after I trimmed the stitcheries a tad too short!    Who'd have guessed my stitches were so tight they'd pull in the fabric so much.  Well... that's the price I paid for being ambitious and stitching the border for block 2 and 3 in one piece.   I'm in awe of all of you that have managed to do that without incident.  You rock girls!!

Think I might be unpicking the 'extra' flowers I slipped in there.... they just don't look 'right'.  In fact they look down right odd... don't know what I was thinking. 

That's it for the sewing part of the catch up.   Now for the best of the rest.

Tilly came to stay for a while....


The only time she looks serious is when she's Internet shopping for quilting goodies!    Of course she volunteered (!) to do a spot of gardening too.....


Her cheery wave would suggest she's actually having fun.    This is the photo I took without the zoom lens...


Yep... that dot in the distance is Tilly at the far end of 40 metres of flower bed!   Honestly she can dig like the Energiser Bunny when she has a garden fork in her hand.   The border is still a work in progress.  I have plans to create a stone barrier between us and the field.   Should mean far less weeding next spring... fingers crossed.

The small greenhouse is now clean too and work has started on weeding the lower flower bed....


Mac managed to rotorvate the veggie bed too.   I love to see it when it's freshly turned over.  If I were a veggie I'd love to snuggle in a bed like that.

In case you are getting the impression that Mac is nowhere to be seen when there is outdoor work to be done let me explain.    He's disabled and in severe pain 24/7.   He used to keep this place looking like a park back when he could manage it.   I can't even come close to doing as much as he used to.  So we've had a bit of a role reversal.... he does the laundry (no ironing) and the cooking and I attempt to do whatever else needs doing around here.

This spring I've finally caved in and booked someone to come in and do the grass cutting.   It's a case of cut grass or have time to sew..... now what would you have chosen?    Real no brainer eh!   Trouble is it started raining again the day I booked the grass cutter.... Sod's Law!

Now...take a look at Golden Boy.....


isn't he just gorgeous.  He's got the most amazing markings that definitely make him stand out in the crowd.  When the sun shines on him he's iridescent.  A real show stopper.... and he knows it.  That's a man for you!

Lastly..... I'm tempted to ask 'does my bum look big in this'?


but as the answer is glaringly obvious I won't!   This was Tilly's cruel trade off for letting me take photo's of her to post.   Still as you can see I did a good job on repairing my trouser seams!!

Note to self.... must diet (again)!

Hope you are all finding time to stitch and have some serious fun.....

See ya soon
Hugs
Josie

20 comments:

Wendy said...

You have been a busy girl! I love the block for the frame, so pretty! Don't you just love crowded work spaces!

Anonymous said...

lol,love your posts Josie,you block is looking great,well done.xx

Larissa said...

Lol! Josie, you always know how to make me laugh!!! ... You guys have done such a really good job with your garden I have half a mind to get you around our place, lol!! There always seems to be something that needs to be done gardening-wise here!! ... Doesn't help that I'm definitely NOT gardeningly inclined in the least!!
Your stitching and sewing is amazing!! The Vignette block looks fantastic ... I even like the 'added' flowers! ... Also, that bird block is gorgoeus!!! You mentioned framing it ... what? Like a photograph in a frame?! Interesting! ... Was the pattern supposed to be a single block with borders, or was it originally from a quilt pattern? Either way, it is adorable!! Your needleturn applique is SO neat!!
Lol, I better go ... don't want you to get too big a head *hehe* Have a great week!! Hugs!

Kaye R said...

I have been wandering where ou had got too, what a fantastic garden bed, shame you can't get a local school group to adopt your garden as a project you have a lot of work to do. We are the opposite in our house, I used to do the gardening and everything and then after my accident I had to allow my hubby to help........ Now as far as the tear in the pants, I would have left the hole and donned a pair of frilly bombay bloomers...... Take care......

Melody said...

Wow, so glad I found our blog... so much gorgeous stitching.

Grethe said...

Your blocks are looking beautiful, love the bird-block and gorgeous Leanne block! Yes,I can see you have been ever so busy :-)
Happy "this and that" ahead!

Diane-crewe said...

well you have not been idle!! the cats obviously know where to find you xx stitchery projects look great xx

marina said...

so much stitching and gardening being done! You girls are doing a super job.
Didn't even notice your bum in that photo...
I was too busy looking at the pheasant.

Tatkis said...

Such lovely blocks!
And your cats are so cute and sleeping cosy at the table :)

Hugs,
Tatyana

Sue said...

Hi Josie
Love your new block to go in your frame, very pretty. Your garden is looking good, can't wait to get outside in mine now the weather is improving a little.

kitty said...

great to see the garden coming on.love the block for the frame, i think the flowers on the gusset might just need a few leaves and they will blend in beautifully. nice to see you back to the log.

Aunt 'Reen said...

You've been wonderfully busy!
Such a pretty little applique' quilt and I love your stitchery progress too! Your gardens will certainly reward you for all your hard work as well! Congratulations on so many wonderful accomplishments!

barb's creations said...

Your fig tree blog is just gorgeous and no I also wouldn't have had the heart to toss out those two purring puss's.I think if you changed the floweres you want to rip out to ones that have the same green stems and flower colours as the ones next to them they might blend in better? Hope it turns out ok for you.
I love your garden,but I have to admit I'm no gardner myself so admire someone who can create one :) Barb.

Raewyn said...

Great to catch up on your news and see what you have been up to - both inside and out. Your fig tree scraps block is gorgeous - well done on being able to work around those pussies! Your garden border is huge, cant wait to see it in summer full of plants and flowers!! Clever 'patch up' job on the trousers, oops I mean the Vignette stitchery, the addition is barely noticeable. Have a great weekend!

Wendy said...

No wonder it takes such a lot of work, that is a BIG garden! It is looking fantastic though. Your block for framing is beautiful, you will have to show it once framed. Well done with your Vignette, the extra flowers fit in really well. Wendy xx

Lynda said...

Oh I wish I could do hand stitching so beautifully as you do! I love how they look but I really don't enjoy trying to do the stitches. Very frustrating for me. Your yard is so big and beautiful. My body groans just thinking of trying to keep it up. I'm hiring a couple boys in the neighborhood to clean up my yard this year....and it is so tiny!

Ellen said...

You crack me up - I think your family and friends are lucky to have you around! Your blocks look fantastic - really love the applique one.

Lynette said...

Hi Josie! Yes, Golden Boy sure is gorgeous. I really like your fix on the border piece that got too narrow. And since I haven't seen the pattern, I can't tell which flowers are the extra ones - I didn't think anything looked weird at all. :D I *love* your bird block from your Fig Tree scraps - really awesome!

Vivian said...

Love how you did the Lori Smith block in Fig Tree! I always think country colors for her stuff but this looks so wonderful.

Will you be linking up with Jo's Country Junction at the end of the month?

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

You do such beautiful work! Love everything!