Patchwork Update #3

I had a very productive day with the sewing machine today...

I sewed together all the strips I cut at my craft day last week which means I'm ⅔ through the red doona cover. I also sewed more blue strips which means I'm ⅔ of the way through that one as well. And I finished off the quilting stitching on the Christmas tablecloth so that is ready to have the red binding stitched around the edges, but I have to wait until I catch up with my friend Judith again so I can get a lesson on how to do it properly. I am super excited about it and can't wait for Christmas 2017 so I can use it! I've decided I'm going to make placemats out of the other Christmas fabric sets I purchased at the same time so Christmas 2017 will look great at our place!

Here are some closeups of the blue and red doona covers so far. I would have loved to do the blue one with a plain blue fabric, but there just wasn't one in the right shade of blue when we purchased them at the wholesale show (much cheaper that way!) so we decided to use the beige of the book pages instead and it looks fine. The final book fabric (not yet pictured) will also use the beige plain fabric.

Last day of holidays for me tomorrow, so I'm planning to enjoy it with the sewing machine again. I've set my alarm for 6.30am so I can get practice at waking up on time (then I'll roll over and go back to sleep one more time!). I'm going to struggle to stay awake at work given I've been having naps morning and afternoon on the couch!

I had a long list of jobs I wanted to do over the holiday break, and I haven't done even half of them - I'm not worried though, they'll still be there next holidays. I might try to get some more of them done tomorrow so I don't feel guilty about wasting enjoying my holiday time.

I have been re-reading the Lee Child Jack Reacher series - my favourite author and character. I'm almost half way through with 7.5 read and 10.5 to go (I am missing 2 of the series). Since I haven't read them for a number of years, they are like reading them for the first time again as I have only been able to remember a few little things about each story. I like them just as much the second time around...

Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Patchwork Update

Hi Everyone,

I hope your New Years was a good one - we spent it doggy-sitting Clarence with loud gentile music playing and thankfully, he wasn't distracted or upset by the fireworks at all. And even better, the neighbours, who usually have small fireworks and let them off down the street, didn't have any after midnight, so once we put Clarence to bed, we didn't have to worry about him any more. It was one of the most relaxing NYE's we've had for a long time.
[For those who don't know, Clarence is our 15yr old Golden Retriever - he's not a fan of fireworks, like most dogs].

I haven't done much on the Provence Market for a while. I've been busy with my patch working project - 6 single bed doona covers. I've done the tops of 2 and started on my third today. Now that I know what I'm doing, they are getting quicker to do. I'm super pleased with the results and can't wait to meet up with my friend, Judith, on Friday to sew the backs on. We'll be having a craft day so I'm sure there will be lots of progress on both our various projects.

The book pattern fabric I'm using is from Spoonflower and is called: Spellbooks. There are 4 colour variations, plus another that is called Bookstorm. I've got all 5 fabrics with a matching plain fabric and since I need to make 6 doona covers, the 6th one will be a mix'n'match of all the fabrics. The patchwork pattern I'm using is a simple brick pattern.

I'll post more pics when I've done some more blocks in each colour. I chose the book pattern because I am a librarian and I thought it was a nice tie-in to what I do and what I like to do. I've got plans for my second and third patchworking projects, but I'm finishing these doona covers before I get too far with those just yet. My new sewing machine is a dream to use and now that the needle position has been sorted, all the blocks are square and everything is fitting together very easily. It has been a joy to do so far and I can see myself getting more and more into patchwork in the future.
Back to the machine and more squares...
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Don't Look Back #6

Lots of progress since my last update. It was a great weekend for stitching! Whilst at Aireys Inlet, we went for a lovely walk along the beach, made baked donuts (which were amazing) and gave Clarence (our dog) a bath as he was getting stinky. It was a great weekend.

Now just one more week before our big holiday to Canada, Alaska, San Francisco & Los Angeles. I've got my suitcase down and will start putting everything on the spare bed into it this week. I am getting excited!!

Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Life is About #19

Got some sunshine done and finished the back-stitching around the border last night - just a bicycle to go now...

Very excited today as the schedule and registration for the ATLA  (American Theological Library Association) conference being held in Los Angeles is now available. I am all registered and signed up to go! It was difficult picking out which sessions I wanted to go to as they all sounded pretty good, but I think I'm happy now with my choices. Hopefully I will come away with some new information, and new contacts and friends in the theological library world.

So that was the last thing we were waiting for with our trip - everything is now booked in and paid for... just have to wait 54 days and counting...
On Saturday, I'm gong out with my crafting buddy Judith to get some backing material for the 2 Christmas stockings I've stitched for friends, and to check out a craft store that is closing down to see if they have any bargains left. Should be a nice day on Saturday that I'm looking forward to very much. Hopefully the weather plays along.
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Life is About #17

I'm very happy with my progress over the long Easter weekend.

We had a great time with my 2 nephews on Friday night - but it was tiring and we both needed a nap on Saturday afternoon. I hope they enjoyed themselves and want to come back next holidays.

Sunday, we had a good time at the footy as our team (Western Bulldogs) won and then we went to Ross Noble on Sunday night. He was good, I liked the encore bit of his performance best. I'm sure we'll go and see him again.

Yesterday, we didn't do a lot - mowed the lawns, some baking, more sleeping! I started packing for our next trip - I know, there's still over 50 days to go before we leave, but I can't help it - preparing is half the fun! For those who may not know, in May, we're going to Canada & Alaska on one of those APT tours then we have 4 days in San Francisco and 5 days in Los Angeles. This trip came about because I'm going to the ATLA (American Theological Library Assoc) conference in LA and we couldn't just fly there and back, so we tacked on this trip before it as well. And my parents are coming too so it should be a wonderful time. I am SO looking forward to it.
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Santa's Journey #26

I've started to fill in the greenery of the Christmas tree. There's no big blocks of colour so it's a bit fiddly but will look good when done.

Tuesday is my last day of holidays which is a bit depressing. And Wednesday is supposed to be 41C so I've asked my boss if I can take Clarence (our 14yr old Golden Retriever) to work [there's a shaded secure area that would be perfect for him]. Hopefully I'm given the OK and I can put ice blocks in his water throughout the day and wet him down with the watering can. At home, his only relief from the heat is the release valve on the hot water system. And if I put an ice block in his water, it would only keep it cool for a short amount of time. He sleeps most of the day anyway so I don't think it will be a problem - hopefully!

I've just about done all the jobs I had on my list to be done over the holidays. Today I cleaned my shower with a product I bought when we rebuilt our house. I've finally finished it off, and although it was expensive (over $100), it's lasted and done the job for 4.5 years and I'd recommend it, which I don't often do. It's called 'EnduroShield' and is well worth the money. I hope the hardware store still sells it. It has allowed me to clean my shower only 4 times in 4 years! I know that sounds gross, but after each shower we squiggy it to take off water drops and streaks, but it doesn't need a full clean with chemicals etc. Once a year you use the supplied cleaner and redo the shield stuff and it keeps it clean for a year! It's great. At $25 per year to have a clean shower that still looks new, it has been great value.
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Mini Christmas Ornaments #3

My parcel with the new kits hasn't arrived yet so I was looking for something quick to do last night. I thought I'd do another small Christmas Ornament and this one was very quick to do - all finished in 1 night. When completed, it will be the shape of a little stocking.

Very excited today as we're going to book our next holiday. It's another big holiday too - Canada and Alaska with some time in San Francisco and LA (where I have a work conference to attend). Very exciting... something to look forward to for next year.
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Holiday Update #1

So I have decided I will take some stitching with me on our big trip and I got it together on the weekend. I'm going to take (you guessed it!) an alphabet design - nautical in theme - that I will stitch on dark blue Aida. I wanted to use pale blue, but the craft store didn't have any so I had to go with dark blue. The bright colours should still pop on the dark background, so that is OK. 

I packed my bag on the weekend and I still have a fair bit of room which is good. I think we're just about ready to go with all our arrangements in place. Less than 1 week to go now...

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Enchanted Ornament #14

Well, only 1.5 days of holidays left... all we've done is sleep, watch cricket and eat - it's been great! But it's not all bad news - I've only got 1 week of work and then I fly to Perth (on the other side of the country) for a week. Yes, it's for work, but work always seems different when you're in a different city. I might even take my next holiday house project with me and get that started...

I haven't done nearly as much stitching as I'd thought I would over the holidays, but that's OK. Here's where I'm up to with the Enchanted Ornament Stocking. I'm pretty much finished the top right side now, except maybe for a few missed stitches. I've started on the back-stitching which defines everything so well. It's a bit hard to see in the picture, but the chain has actual metallic gold threads which sparkle and look great.

Tonight, we've got my nephews (8 and 5 yrs old) staying for a sleep over. That should be fun, I think!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Holiday Update

Hi Everyone,
I haven't done any stitching for a couple of days so no updates on the Enchanted Ornament Stocking for now. It was very hot here again today, so all we've done is stay inside and watch the cricket - who doesn't love Summer! And I've still been napping every day in the afternoon, I just can't help it.
Maybe I'll get some stitching done tonight and if I do, I'll post tomorrow.
Have a great day/night,

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

No Walk This Way Today

Hi Everyone,
No stitching was done last night as I was a little distracted. My husband and I are planning to take some long service leave next year and travel to New York in Sep-Oct. Yesterday, the flight and accommodation quotes from the travel agent arrived and I was going over them all night - so exciting! I'm hoping to visit them today to pay deposits etc.

We're planning to stay in New York for 10 days and then take a 10 day cruise from New York up to Quebec. We so enjoyed the cruise we did a couple of years ago that we can't wait to go on another. There is so much to do and see in New York that even 10 days probably won't be enough. But we'll do our best to see as much as possible.

I've tried having a look for cross-stitch shops/places but haven't come up with much. Can anyone recommend any good cross-stitch shops to visit in the following places?
- New York
- Boston
- Rockland, Maine
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Charlottetown, Prince Edward
- Saquenay, Canada
- Quebec, Canada
Any hot spot suggestions to visit in these places (cross-stitch related or otherwise) would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

I'm Back...

We had a fantastic time in NZ over the weekend. Our flights were good (my husband gets access to the Air NZ lounge so that was ace!), and our accommodation was perfect and in a great location right in the centre of town.

Despite the early starts for the tours (we got picked up before 7am each day), we enjoyed them thoroughly. And the weather was great for both of the tours which was lucky. Hobbiton was beautiful - the countryside is so picturesque, and green!

It rained on the way there, and on the way home, but during the tour itself, we had bright sunshine. We had an ale at the Green Dragon Inn and a yummy lunch before heading home. I'm not a big Lord of the Rings fan like my husband, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

The second tour was to the Bay of Islands, about a 4hr bus ride north of Auckland. Again, we passed through rain but when we got there, it was a beautiful sunny day.

We took a ferry ride across the bay to Russell and went on a short bus tour around there as well. The scenery was really lovely. Being so far away, we did get back to Auckland quite late, but we could sleep in on Monday so that was OK.

On Monday, we did a ferry ride across to Devonport which is the historical side of Auckland and did a quick bus tour around there. It is just beautiful with old houses all in wonderful condition - it is apparently a highly-sought after address in Auckland now and very expensive to buy anything there. Below is a view of Auckland from the ferry from Devonport. The weather wasn't great on Monday as you can see.

 

When we came back across the harbour, we went up the SkyTower which freaked me out! The lift had a glass panel in the floor, so I stood next to the doors away from that - what I didn't realise was that the doors were glass as well, and as we went up, you could see out over Auckland - my legs turned to jelly and I went all sweaty and pale. Once we got to the top, I couldn't move out far from the centre, whereas my husband was right out on the edge. Below is a view of the port and a small part of the centre of Auckland with Devonport across the harbour from 50 floors up...

When it was time to come home, we were delayed at the airport for an hour so we didn't get home until after 11.30pm but overall, we had a wonderful time. I should have taken Tuesday off work to recover, but it's all good... Last night I collected Clarence from his holiday buddy where he stayed the weekend. And then, I found a wallet, presumably stolen, thrown over our fence with some bankcards etc in it so we took that to the police station - hopefully they find who it belongs to and can return it.

So, still no stitching - that will start again tonight (I hope!).

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie 

New Zealand Here We Come!

So excited to be heading off very early tomorrow morning for a long weekend in Auckland, New Zealand to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We've got day trips to the Bay of Islands and Hobbiton from the Lord of the Rings movies organised and then on Monday we'll sleep in and try to recover before getting back to Melbourne rather late! I am hoping to get a chance to pick up some NZ cross-stitch stuff but we'll see how we go for time.

Still haven't done any stitching, or even decided what to do next yet, so I'll leave that until we return early next week. 

Hope you all have a great weekend with lots of stitching!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Thanks to the Lord #7

Well, this is really should be update #11 or 12, not 7 but since I haven't posted for a week, here it is - all finished!

   

Here is a closeup of the stitching with beading...

I'm really pleased with the result and definitely vote this one as my favourite from the Heartfelt series. Now only 2 more to go.

I'm not sure if I'll start the next one, or pick something different... This coming weekend, we're off to New Zealand to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Just a quick trip over the weekend but we are both really looking forward to the break. I might have a little break from stitching and start something when we return next week... I'll see how long that lasts!

Happy Stitching,

Kerrie

Weekend Away

Sorry, no cross-stitching news in this update. But we did have a wonderful long weekend in Queensland with my sister and her family. She has 3 kids - 2 girls, aged 7 and 5 and a boy aged 2. They were all so great and it was super to spend some time with them.
Tonight I have to pick up Clarence (our Golden Retriever) from his weekend sleepover location so I'll be home late. Hopefully I will get some stitching done.