Whoops, I'm a day late for my end of month blogpost, so this will just have to be my 'start of the month' post instead!
As seems to be my style lately, not nearly as much achieved as I would have liked.
I did complete the stitchery for this Christmas hanging —
I also managed to spend an afternoon testing a pattern for Juliet of Tartankiwi. This Basset Hound had already 'been to the testers' but some modifications had been suggested and I got to try the new version out. (Juliet specialises in foundation paper piecing designs). Lucky me. I think he looks quite neat...pattern testing gives me an opportunity to play around with fabrics and a totally new/different design for a bit and I always enjoy it.
Last month I lined myself up with the goal of finishing my next baby quilt. I even signed up with Patty D of Elm Street Quilts' One Monthly Goal to help commit myself. Sadly, I just didn't find the time to get it done :-( but happily I'm closer to getting it done than I was then :-) Who knows maybe, this will be the month for a finsh!!
Last night when I had no more armchair stitching prepared, I picked up my Zookeepers blanket. A wee while ago I had started joining the squares using this method, (shown below) quite straight forward to do but with the slightly different sized blocks (both ED and I made them) there was a bit of buckling so I decided to try something that would be more forgiving. (And I'd decided I didn't want to sew them together with a needle; using a crochet hook was more appealing).
Aside from these few things, it's still all about Calves and Kids around here. We weaned our first lot of calves this morning (yaay! 11 down, 125 to go!).
You cant get much better than mornings like this —
Nor afternoons like this —
As seems to be my style lately, not nearly as much achieved as I would have liked.
I did complete the stitchery for this Christmas hanging —
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| Jolly Santa by The Birdhouse |
I also managed to spend an afternoon testing a pattern for Juliet of Tartankiwi. This Basset Hound had already 'been to the testers' but some modifications had been suggested and I got to try the new version out. (Juliet specialises in foundation paper piecing designs). Lucky me. I think he looks quite neat...pattern testing gives me an opportunity to play around with fabrics and a totally new/different design for a bit and I always enjoy it.
Last night I experimented with this join instead. Not sure what it is called and where abouts in the world wide web I found the idea but I'm much happier with how this is looking. It separates the blocks out a bit too, creating a larger blanket which I'm not unhappy about.
You cant get much better than mornings like this —
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| Beautiful. So peaceful. |
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| I took the girls pinecone collecting. Don't tell them it's just about the wrong season for this; they had great fun exploring, it was a new experience for them. |
Until next time,
Happy stitches :-)
It’s not like you don’t have anything else to do but stitch and Sew, Sew and stitch! I’m always amazed at how much you DO accomplish! What fun having the girls nearby now.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you got quite a bit accomplished. Spring is there, and we are in autumn.
ReplyDeletelooks like a lot done - you stay so busy with the farm and sewing! love that santa
ReplyDeleteI love the basset hound! Your zookeeper afghan is amazing too. I can't wait to see a finished picture of it. I think it is going to look stunning with the way you are joining the squares. You got quiet a bit done despite being so busy with non-sewing life!
ReplyDeletelove the Santa and that basset hound is just the sweetest thing--
ReplyDeleteyour zoo blanket is coming along real nice and I too like the new way you are putting the blocks together--
and cows are always a work in progress!!!!!!
and those 2 angels are just having the time of their lives now that they are so close--
enjoy-di
Nice Santa... Mine is still in the pack. (:
ReplyDeleteTricky "Hound" block ... I'm sure you'll get Piglet finished soon.
Like the way your Zoo blocks are going together..
Lovely farm photo with your dog sitting patiently on the quad.
How sweet having the girls go pinecone hunting with you... even if they don't get any.
I love that blue dachshund, just gorgeous. My Patchwork friend Ruth would love this, she has had dachshunds for ever, including the family dogs when she was a child. And the crochet blocks are super!
ReplyDeleteI love the Dachshund block! We had one for 16 years and I miss him a lot! I love the Piglet block too! Great job!
ReplyDeleteLovely to see what you have been up to Raewyn. I love your zookeepers blanket & think it will be stunning once finished. Is that the dog sitting on the seat of the bike?? How wonderful for the wee girls to go pinecone collecting. They will be handy for next winter.
ReplyDeleteHi Raewyn wow i love your work you are amazing with your different projects,love your amazing crochet,well done my friend xx
ReplyDeletelove your Santa and foundation pieced dog... I think they are so clever. Great way to crochet the blocks together... looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteAny season is good for pine cone collecting..... they are great for Christmas....
Hugz
Having had three basset hounds in our lives, the block really calls my name. You did a great job with it.
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is also wonderful. It does sound like you have a busy life right now.
Great Santa Raewyn, the dog looks fantastic too. Good to see you have your companion when you are feeding the calves. Life is still very busy for you I see. How special to go pine cone finding with the girls! Very special memories.
ReplyDeleteHello, hello, hello!! I was so excited to see that the family is soooo close!! I know you are thrilled beyond words!! What little dolls!! The family are all living closer now right?
ReplyDeleteYour paper piecing work is fabulous!! Something I’ve not even attempted since you were here!!😳😳😳😳 I’m in awe!!
I knew you would be in the midst of calf rearing!! Looks like a wonderful calf crop!! Always fun with little hnds to help!!
I’ve really purposed to get reconnected! I’ve missed our occasionally visits!
Big hugs from Texas!
C lever solution for stitching your crochet blocks Raewyn and you're well on the way to being ready for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThat's a heck of a lot of calves you have at your place.
What a gorgeous Santa. Love your doggie...you are clever! The crochet looks great with that join. Must be lovely spending time with your little girls xx
ReplyDeleteGood to catch up Raewyn - cute little hound! xx
ReplyDeleteNice job on the Santa, and I think the beagle is adorable.
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, that is a cute piglet. :)
I do like that connecting method for your Zookeepers blanket. Adds even more visual interest, too.
Looks so beautiful out in your "neck of the woods", and that is such a sweet shot of the wee ones collecting cones. :)
Love the dachshund Block, very busy time for you, live spring.
ReplyDeleteIt must be difficult squeezing in stitching time with all those grandies around!!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing what you have been doing and I think you are on to a good idea with joining the crochet blocks.
Hope it is warming up for you.
Reading blogs is expensive...I've just added tartan kiwis book to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteI am also loving the Santa Stitches.
Never a quiet moment for you really on the farm. Love your little sausage dog!! Foraging is always fun. So nice that your family are home too.
ReplyDelete