Home Sweet Home.....

First off last Friday evening was FNSI (click to see who joined in and what they got up to) and it couldn't have been a more fabulous sew in.

 I had a great time finishing work on the centre block of  In My Garden.........

It was lovely to finally join together the various sections of the block and stitch down that overlapping blossom.....

 I'm officially more than half way through the project and here's a photo to prove it.....

Yippee!!     Block 5 here I come!  

Kitty arrived Friday lunchtime to stay the weekend so I roped her in to FNSI too.   We got down to business early afternoon.     Kitty worked on the block of the month she started on retreat.....

She appliqued all those penny rug thingies then worked hard on some of the stitcheries.   There's a lot of embroidery on this project.   Think I mentioned I have it sitting in my 'to do' heap.    I did take more photo's but the darn camera just wasn't co operating.... they were awful.   Sorry Kitty... I'll do better next time.

Once I finished my house block I prepared all.... that's right I said ALL.... of the applique ready to stitch Month 2 of Natures Journey.   Spent a good bit of the weekend blanket stitching and sewing some of the applique ..

I'm really happy with progress.    Love that pear!

Maybe I'll stitch this one in the Bat Cave tonight......

Or maybe I'll work on my latest Stonefields block ....

I have a question!   When you applique do you have one favourite method that you stick too regardless or do you mix and match techniques?     For the large star above I'm using back basted needleturn.   The small star I've used Floriani stabiliser and glue basted the edges.  You might think I'm mad but I'll remove the Floriani when I've finished stitching!  The two circles have been prepared using templates... gathering stitches and Best Press.   So... there are three techniques in this one block.

Just wondering if I'm totally crackers or if any of you girls like a bit of variety when you are enjoying an applique session .  

OK.... I finally bucked up the courage to stitch down the last star on the 'hexed' block.....

Success!!   I've never been more relieved in all my born days.

Well... that's it for the sewing for now but before I go Mac insisted I show you his logs!  Honestly he's like a dog with two tails he has so many logs.... split ones now at that!

Here's the regular log store...

Couldn't squeeze any more in there.  So he created an over spill store.....

which is getting a bit to high for my liking.   I've only got short little legs and that heap is about as high as the garage/workshop door.  I'll need ladders to get firewood!

I feel like I'm living in Sawdust City......

Mac has a cunning plan to get rid of the sawdust though.....

He discovered there are Guinea Pigs in Sally's #1 sons family so he's bagged the sawdust for her to take home.  In net bags!!!       Sally doesn't know this yet (unless she's reading this) so she's in for a surprise tomorrow.    Hate to think of all the cussing that will accompany the cleaning out of the car,,,, there'll be sawdust from now till Christmas.     Hang on.... they are coming in Chris's car... oh heck!

Notice more logs above?       I still have to collect more tree parts from around the garden too.  Even Mac hasn't a clue where we are going to store the next lot..... I wouldn't be surprised if he suggests hoarding them under the beds!

Well.... it's time to get something to eat before TV time is upon me once again.   Hope all you girls who joined in FNSI had as great a time as I did.  

Thanks Wendy for hosting...... luv ya for it!  :o)

It might take me a few days but I will be visiting each and every one who took part on Friday so get the kettle on girls.... a bit of cake would be nice too  :o))

See ya soon
Hugs
Josie    

FNWF... In My Garden

I didn't really spend Friday night's sew in in my actual garden.  It was far too cold, wet and muddy out there to do that... not to mention dark!    

This is the Garden I'm talking about.....

In My Garden block of the month.   Bet you thought I'd banished this one to the UFO pile... no chance!      I did prepare most of the applique pieces for the house and trees a while back.  Made it the  perfect  'grab n' go" project for a relaxing evening of stitching.   That's the largest part of the block finished.

Just in case there wasn't enough applique in the above block able to keep me busy (!) earlier on Friday afternoon I prepped the fence posts and gate ready for stitching.    Back stitched the wrought ironwork on the gate too....  ever the optimist eh!

Needless to say the fence is still a work in progress.....

Stitched in the lounge with Mum till 9 pm then took my stitching outside into the Bat Cave for TV time with Mac.     The Bat Cave is not the best sewing venue in the world.... it's pitch dark in there. Still Mac must love me really because he let's me sit in his high work chair with one spotlight on to illuminate my work.   I get a little patch of sawdust strewn bench to call mine for the evening too.... aren't I the lucky girl !    

I did get him to take a photo but can't show you because it's too darned spooky... what with the bat showing up in the picture and the old witch.... hang on... that was me!!   Mum is right... I must moisturise more.  

That was it for Friday Night.   I had a great time yet again   Thanks Cheryll for another lovely sew in.  Hope Brisbane was as much fun  :o)

Thought I'd show you this before I go.....

Yet another 'Star' block for Stonefields.    I needed to make two.... this is my 5th... so far.   I swear this block is jinxed.     It's not the sewing that's the problem... it's everything else.   First one I didn't like the fabric.  Next two I changed my mind about the colours.  Number 4 was going great till I spilled a Bourbon & Coke over it.   Got it into the sink so fast I was sure I'd saved it but no such luck.  Tried to convince myself the blotchy bits gave it an 'aged' look but there is no way to talk up just plain grubby.  So... number 5 is a recreation of 4.   It's going well so far but I've probably hexed it now by saying that.   Time will tell.

Well.... I'd better get going.    Chris... Sally and me are off on a little Quilt Shop Hop tomorrow so it's an early start for me.

Hope you have something lovely planned for tomorrow......
Have fun.....
Josie...xxx

I did it!

I finished month 1 of the Natures Journey SAL on time!

In fact.... I finished and posted to SAL with two whole days to spare!  I still haven't stopped grinning and happy dancing.  No chance of me experiencing the wrath of Chookyblue......yet!!   

Here are all the large blocks for Feb......

and here are all the small ones....

I decided not to date the quilt so I made a second square applique block instead.   What a rebel eh! 

If you happened to read my post over at SAL you'll know I was so flushed with success and giddy with delight that I announced I was thinking of making a second Natures Journey using fabrics from my stash.   When will I learn to keep my big mouth shut!   Chookyblue is nipping at my heels wanting to know when I'm going to start #2.

Shhhh.... don't tell her but I've decided that one is really enough.  There's too much stuff around here needing my attention for me to go for the double..... maybe one day.   

Made a bit of progress on Stonefields this week too..... 

I really love these blocks.   Much better than my first attempt.  Hope to do more this week.

Stealing the odd minute to work on this .....

A little progress is better than not at all.   Love that bird!

On the home front...... Mac is much better after his fall.   His bruises have reached the 'yellow' stage (definitely not his colour) so they should disappear soon.    A couple of nights ago... during TV time in the bat cave....   one of his front teeth just dropped out!  The one that's been protruding since the fall.    Mac simply picked up the tooth... examined it then put it on the table.... without a word spoken.    Is that super cool or seriously weird?   I'd have been having a dicky fit if that had happened to me.

Humph.... I'd just gotten used to living with Bugs Bunny too!  

Better go and throw some logs on the stove.... did I tell you I have logs... lots of logs!   Just as well... I don't want to risk little Mimi getting chilly....    

I'm off....
Hope you all have a really productive week.... whatever you are doing.   Just don't do anything stupid like tell folks you are going to make 2 of something......;o)

Hugs
Josie   xxx