My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Saturday, January 16, 2021

Friday Night Stitching and animals again

With my latest block of Wings and Pretty Things complete, it is time for me to get back to The Santa, The Tree, The Turkey and Me. I have a little catching up to do as this is only block three and block four is waiting for attention as well.
Santa's wardrobe is taking shape —
I'm finding it best to prep just a few pieces at a time, to make sure they stay stuck on while I stitch. 
For Friday Night Sew In, hosted by the lovely Wendy over at Sugarlane designs, I prepped his stockings and a pom-pom —
And got the stockings sewn down —
I'll prep a few more pieces tonight and hopefully will make some more progress.

I'm surprised I got any stitching done at all last night. I'd had a very tense and worrying day as our wee dog spent the day at the vets 'getting his teeth done'. I'm not sure if that is the right expression - he had 10 pulled out and it was a very long operation. Just as well I didn't know that at the time - I would have been beside myself even more fretting about him. He is 14 years old and has a bit of a heart murmur so there was a risk. However he was in pain and we felt there was no alternative but to do the operation.
Even though he is on painkillers he's doing remarkably well and appears so much more like his old self. He even leapt up to intervene in a cat chase through the house between Nigel (the chaser) and Katems (the chased).

So I celebrated this morning with another scrappy Christmas block —
This particular design uses less fabric than the other blocks I am doing which is great. Some of these I am having trouble finding the right feature fabric for the centre. This one worked, but it took me a while to find and it certainly wasn't a scrap!

Before I could get to my sewing we went out the back to sort out our calves. We needed to draft them into three mobs according to breed and gender, getting the beefies ready for sale. So rewarding to see the calves I spent all those months rearing looking great, and it was also a bonus that they were all there; no stragglers hiding amongst trees etc!
No time for photos while we were working, and definitely not when I did a spectacular gymnastic movement while trying to stop a calf running in the drafting race (I'll be sore tomorrow) but I took this one when we'd finished of one of the mobs happily grazing.

This dam was dry at the beginning of last March, it looks like it will hold out this summer.

This afternoon I 'helped' move the milking herd to a fresh paddock. (Helping was just standing there directing them into the right gate!) In the weekends we use the paddocks across the road as there is little or no traffic.
It was a chance to take some more photos.

It's been another very hot day today. We're all melting and I'm sure half the population is at a beach or near some water somewhere! All the pets are stretched out on their sides in the coolest spots they can find.
(Oh and apparently dogs have 40 teeth so Oscar shouldn't miss those ones too much!)

Til' next time,
Happy stitches,

19 comments:

  1. Good to have Santa's clothes ready...
    Another nice bauble block...
    Happy to know your wee dog came through his op..
    Hope you'er not too sore from the tumble....
    Great farm photos...

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  2. I'm sure at this time of year for you the farm keeps you very busy and not enough time for sewing - but you still accomplish something!

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  3. those are tiny little pieces for Santa's clothes.... poor little dog but glad he is already feeling better.... does this mean he gets dog soup now? no pictures of you doing gymnastics???? looks busy on the farm so it's great you find a bit of time to play in the sewing room
    Hugz

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  4. Santa's clothes are looking good I can understand propping a few at a time, those little bits could easily go missing. Your bauble is lovely. I hope you are OK after your gymnastic move with the calves!!

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  5. Your latest quilt is taking shape nicely. So much work in it. I’m glad Oscar seems to be recovering well. Your stock are looking in fine condition. Doesn’t a good season make thins so much easier.

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  6. Wow those are some tiny pieces for Santa's rig. Your calves are doing fabulous. OK have to question how do you move them? Just walking or on horseback, or perhaps an ATV?

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  7. My mouth hurts just reading about Oscar’s extractions. Glad he is feeling better. Santa’s wardrobe is darling. Love the stockings. The calves all look so healthy.

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  8. Lovely work on your Christmas projects.

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  9. The Santa garb makes me think of the animated Grinch. :)
    You definitely have far more Christmas fabric than I have, and I am loving these little ornaments.
    Such beautiful views! Hope you have recovered from your "gymnastics".

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  10. The Santa block is looking great. And I continue to enjoy your Christmas baubles. Lovely.
    Glad your dog is doing well. Especially at his age. Looks like it has been worth it.
    I can imagine sorting out the calves is very time consuming but a job that has to be done. And you do like to keep your herd on their toes with moving them around the paddocks. I wonder if the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence?

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  11. Your Santa block is lovely, especially seeing how tiny some of those pieces are, also your Christmas baubles look great. Beautiful views.

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  12. Santa will be pleased to have his suit before next Christmas. Another lovely bauble. Farm work doesnt wait whatever the weather I imagine! Poor puppy...hope he is on the mend. Xx

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  13. I love your scrappy ornament block. That's a great pattern.

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  14. Looks like lots of patience needed for those tiny applique pieces! Glad Santa has all his bits!

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  15. Santa does look a bit fiddly. Pretty ornament block. Hope your fur baby is feeling better.

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  16. Raewyn - great idea to only cut out a few pieces at a time - they have a tendency to go astray otherwise! I love the fabric in the middle of the block - gorgeous with the gold printing! I hope Oscar continues a strong recovery!

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  17. I always admire your applique' skills! Santa will be fabulous!

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  18. nice block........always love your cow pics.........so how hot was hot????
    We've had a very mild summer compared to others.......no weeks of temps floating around 40........

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