Anyone there?

Hello there, I won't be surprised if you've all disappeared from visiting here, much as I have lately.  I have been very absent from both my blog and visiting and commenting on others for the last month or two.  School camp, family visiting, school holidays, winter sport getting under way and lots of busy days on the farm has meant little sewing or blogging time for me.  Hopefully things might settle down soon!

I have finished my feeble attempt at the Tis the Season wallhanging which was the April project for  the Stitch-A-Long blog.  The original has three stitchery blocks joined in a horizontal row, but I have settled for one this time.  

 The only other thing I've really worked on lately has been to finish joining the 'petals/blades' for the Dresden plates for the Sugar Dish quilt.   Time to decide on centre circle colours and how I'm going to attach them to their backgrounds......

I have the fabrics all ready to go for the bag for the May Stitch-A-Long project, and will do my best to get it done before the 31st!  Hope you're having a great weekend whatever you're up to, it is a beautifully warm, breezy day here today, though we are being warned about snow for Monday....... not looking forward to that......

Till next time(hopefully not so long next time though) ........  Nicky x

Tis the Season

I had a late night last night, putting the final stitches into the binding of my Tis the Season quilt, just in the nick of time for the September 30 deadline(finished with less than hour to spare. lol).  I'm really thrilled with the final quilt, and am so grateful for the encouragement and gentle prodding by all the girls at the Stitch-A-Long blog, where you can see lots of other versions of this quilt.  You wouldn't credit how one design can look so different in so many varying colourways.

My photos haven't come out very clearly but I hope you get the idea of the final look.

So now my rugby watching evenings will be filled with some other WIP's needing serious attention, I won't bore you with the list, there really are SO many!

Hope you're having a lovely weekend, whatever you're up to, thanks for stopping by today................Nicky

There are worse ways to spend a Friday afternoon..............

 ...................... than sitting on the deck in the sunshine stitching down the binding on my Tis the Season quilt.  It's a gorgeous day, the first one that I've needed to get out the sun umbrella, and oops I see the nose of my helper in the bottom right there. lol

This is the part I never really enjoy, but on a lovely day like today, it's pretty relaxing, especially when there's lots of other work stuff I should be doing. lol
It will be finished TODAY(I promise it will!), but it will be dark by then, so I'll get some pics tomorrow.  I'm so pleased to be meeting the Stitch-Along deadline of the end of September, and there are some wonderful finishes coming in thick and fast over at the SAL blog.  See you there tomorrow!

Happy Hens

Last week, I headed off to town to pick up some hens, to come and live in my lovely new henhouse.  I bought 6 young hens, about 20 weeks old, and was told they were just beginning to lay.  They've been shut in for about 5 days, so that they could learn where to lay, how to roost, and to settle into their new home.

Here are the girls in their new digs ............................................

Today I thought I'd let them out, as the sun has decided to come back after a very wet Monday.  And look what I found - my first egg - doesn't take much to get me excited does it?  I've left it there for the kids to find when they get home from school.  They've been running out to check the nesting boxes every day so today they'll get a surprise too!

Anyway, I opened their little door, and waited.........

....................and waited ................

...................and waited...........................................

............... and finally they ventured out. 

They're staying pretty close to the door just now, but I'm sure it won't be long and they'll be roaming around, probably getting into the vegetable garden and harassing the dog. 

TIme for some more Tis the Season progress, I've joined the blocks together, and have now chosen my border fabrics, might get them on tonight if time allows, so I'm still on target to finish it before the end of the month.

Thanks for visiting with me today ...................... till next time................happy stitching, Nicky

Tis the Season blocks

Here are the last four of my Tis the Season blocks finished up.  Now I need to join them all together and get it finished up before the end of September so as not to be the last to finish this quilt over at the Stitch-A-Long blog where we've been stitching this since March.  I am one of the few slackers slower stitchers who still haven't finished their A Gardener's Journal quilts from last year, so I don't want to be in the same boat this time around!  In the final photo I'm showing some rather wrinkly progress of the stitchery for my final AGJ block.  I've been trying to put a few stitches in here and there so I can get it finally finished.

It's been a fairly awful week of rain, hail and cold winds, not the ideal weather for lambing, but not quite as bad as last year ....... yet.  The sun is out today though, so it would be great if it hangs around for the next few weeks at least.  

Till next time ................................. happy stitching........... Nicky

Mondays Friday Night Sew In Results

I know, I know, I'm running a bit late for a FNSI update, but better late than never right!  It's been a terrible weekend of sleet and snow and hail, and so today the sun has finally come out in between snow showers for me to get some quick pics.  I should be at work today but we're stranded here with the snow and I've heard the roads right around the region are treacherous today, so I'm staying put.  Firstly what I finished up on Friday during FNSI, were my June blocks for the Tis the Season Stitchalong.  These blocks are fun to stitch, and I'm about two-thirds the way there now.

Also finished in the last few weeks were another couple of Butterfly Garden blocks.  I couldn't believe that this little 4" section of stitchery could take so long, boy was it slow going!  

I've also finished up the little quilt top in Pom Pom de Paris, not sure if the lattice look to it is quite as effective as I thought it would be, but overall I'm happy with it.  Now to decide how to quilt it??

I've also broken my pledge to myself not to start anything new, and have a little cross-stitch well underway, but I'll share that when it's done.

Well that's it from me today, I'm off to make some pumpkin soup for a late lunch, the girls are just heading out to play in the snow .................... so I'm sure they'll come in ready for something hot soon.

Have a great day ....................happy stitching .................. Nicky

SAL progress

It sure has been a while since I've posted, mostly because there hasn't been much to share. We had one of the wettest weeks ever last week, with over 5 inches of rain in four days, which is huge for us, there is surface water lying everywhere, everything is sodden, and the stock are making mud wherever they go. However, today is a stunner, so we've been making the most of it while it lasts.

It feels like I've achieved very little on the crafting front, however I intend rectifying that tomorrow! Here are my May blocks for the Tis the Season SAL, Christmas Angels and Chilly Penguins.

These are all my completed blocks so far....half way there. This is not the final layout, but I just wanted an idea of how they would look together.

I did finish Block C of A Gardeners Journal recently and shared it on the SAL blog. This block has taken a long time.....but boy is it good to have it done! 

I had a little splurge in town yesterday. I found this lovely book, thought it would be perfect for some ideas to use all those charm packs I've been hoarding collecting. The lovely ladies in the shop were unpacking yardage of the beautiful Pom Pom de Paris by French General, and I was hooked!

Thought I'd like to make this little quilt 'one day' with the Pom Pom de Paris charm pack. 

Recently Jody of Jody's Crafty Creations and Perri form Stitches in the Bush have both awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award.  I think maybe that 'versatile' might be a euphemism for 'starts far too many things and never accomplishes anything', but I am happy to accept LOL.   Thank you to both these lovely girls for thinking of me!  Jody and Perri both have beautiful blogs, so why not check them out.  Jody has recently started designing her own gorgeous softies and Perri has a wonderful store, and is the co-ordinator at the Vignette in Stitches blog too.  Busy girls!

 The Versatile Blogger Award rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post
2. Tell 7 things about yourself that others might not know about you
3. Pass along the award to 5 newly discovered bloggers
4. Contact these bloggers to let them know they’ve received the award

Now here is the cop-out!  I am quite possibly the most boring person in the world - I look at all the interesting things people share about themselves in these awards, and I can't think of anything half as exciting about me!  I received a similar award about a year ago and came up with some very uninteresting facts about myself!!  Might be time I took up a dangerous hobby to add some more excitement to my life. lol

I have discovered lots of new blogs lately, some of which are already on my blog list to the right, and many of these have already been gifted this award, so I'd invite you to have a look through and visit a few, you never know who you might meet just one blog away.   

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend ..........take care and happy stitching .............. Nicky

April???

I don't know where the first few, 10, 14 days of April have disappeared to.  I've had several attempts now at an update and am finally there now.  Life has been hectic round here, lambs and cattle off to the works, new weaner calves arriving from sales, and ewes being drenched and dipped in preparation for the mating season. We are tired of working in the woolshed and sheepyards, that is for sure!  My off-farm job has been busy too, with the end of the financial year meaning extra days at work lately too.

These are some of the steers ready to go to the paddock in the sky soon!  It pays not to get too attached to animals around here.  These boys are so quiet and friendly, but have been a bit naughty lately trying to get out of their paddocks, and lifting gates off hinges when they get the chance.

This is Miss 10 helping round up stock on her wee motorbike.  She's been a great help lately on the farm, and is desperate to get a pony.  The jury is still out on that one for now!

Anyway enough of all that, this is a stitchy kind of blog after all - not that there has been much of that happening either.  What a response to my last post on stitching tips and hints.  Thank you so much for adding lots of ideas and comments about the way you stitch too.  I learnt a lot, and realised there were lots of things I didn't mention too.  The main one is which method you use - the 'stab' method* or the 'running stitch' way of stitching.  I usually use the 'stab' method, it may be slower, but I find it difficult to get the stitch sitting right using the running stitch way and it is physically hard to do with the small hoop I use.

* By 'stab' method, I mean the needle going through to the back in one motion, then reaching behind and pushing through to the front in another movement, as opposed to going from front to back, and returning to the front all in one motion.  

Ultimately, everyone has their own way of doing things and if it works for you - go with it!

These are my April blocks from the Tis the Season Stitch-Along.  Why not head on over and check out the gorgeous blocks at the SAL blog.  Who could believe that one design could look so many different ways?!

Last night I traced off this months Little Birdie Stitches block and I'm planning a nice stitchy Friday evening tomorrow for FNSI.  You can sign up here if you'd like to join the fun. 

I'll try not to leave it so long next time, but till then, happy stitching .....................Nicky

Some stitching progress

It was so interesting looking at the comments on my last post about searches that have sent people to your blog.  Turns out there really are some strange people out there, some in a funny way, and obviously some in a scary way! 

It's been another busy week here, but here is a little progress made this past week. First up is the quilt top I finished up last weekend for my dear little niece. This is Bloom's Abracadabra pattern, using the lovely Bliss fabric I've been drooling over lately. My youngest is behind the top here helping me hold it on the line for a windy day photo.

I'm so pleased with how this has come out, now I'm just waiting on the backing fabric I've ordered and then I'll have to give this quilting lark a go!  I've had a wee play with my new walking foot, and I can't believe how much difference it makes. 

Below are my first two blocks from Tis the Season.  You can check out a whole lot more of these over at the Stitch-Along Blog.  These are fun and quick to stitch, and I've cut out all the pieces for the block borders today, so now I just need to try and keep up to date with the stitching.  (Do great intentions count? lol)

 

And finally, my March block for the Birdie Stitches BOM (link in my sidebar) - this also was a quick stitch this month.  These wee guys put a smile on my face every time, they are so sweet.

I hope you have something lovely planned for the weekend, stitching or otherwise!

Till next time, thanks for visiting me today............................. Nicky 

PS:   A couple of posts ago Annette asked if I could share some stitching tips here for neater stitching.  Thanks Annette for your kind words about my stitching.  Not sure if there is much I can suggest but I will work on a post with some thoughts over the next couple of days.

Sometimes life gets in the way..........

................. of being a regular blogger.  Thanks so much for the kind words on my last post for the people of Christchurch.  From what I've seen and heard life in Christchurch is still incredibly difficult, with ongoing aftershocks and life turned upside down for so many.  I'm still thinking of you and hoping for things to improve for you all!  Your netball girls almost did the impossible last night and came so close to beating the Waikato-BOP Magic - Go the Canterbury Tactix!(and of course Southern Steel)

Despite the lack of blogging I have acheived a little stitching, here finally is my sixth A Gardeners Journal block.........

Oops..... just noticed the top flower on the left needs a few more stitches!  I'm undecided on whether I will applique the hearts into that big green block, add something different, or even leave it blank.

Over at the Stitch-A-Long blog, the 2011 SAL has commenced, a lot of the girls have finished their GJ quilts, and are on to Tis The Season by Natalie Bird.  But you know me too well... and I've started the next one too.    LOL    Here are the fabrics I've chosen, all French General in pinks and reds, and stitching with DMC 115 thread. 



Next up is February's Birdie Stitches BOM block, these are fun, and pretty quick to stitch up too.

And finally, here is a sneak peek at what I'm making with my Bliss Layer Cake.  This is part of a little quilt for my gorgeous wee niece, using Bloom's Abracadabra pattern.  Excellent instructions, and I have enough to make a single bed size quilt for my elder daughter too.  She has been watching me piece this one and has been begging me to get some more fabric and make her one too!  If only she knew I'm already a step ahead of her!

Well, thanks for sticking with me this far, I hope you're having a fabulous week, I've been catching up with some blog reading today, so I might just 'see' you soon!

Take care and of course happy stitching......... Nicky