Really...?!

I have no idea where the last month has gone and had no intention of taking a bloggy/social media break!!!

But here I am back again, ready to share my May finishes and achievements- yes there are some!!

The biggest finish of the month is shown here, being given the cat seal of approval by Nigel —

This started off as leftover blocks from Xavier's quilt. I added to the three Buggy Barn blocks intending to get it to my great-nephew last winter. Life got in the way (big time!) but I have now finished it for this winter! 
I had put it away with not too much needing doing on it - the quilting had been started so last week I got busy and finished that.
The farmyard shots of it were a bit glarey — 

...so I had to take a floor shot as well —

The quilting was fairly simple; straight lines in places, simple meandering in others, with a bit of wishbone and this and that thrown in elsewhere.

The border just got piano-key style quilting. It's so dark and busy, I decided that was all that was needed.

In my desperation I even roped in the MOML as a quilt handler...hehe check out the gumboots camouflaged against the shed!

Another quilt finish on a completely different scale is one I have called 'Lily's first quilt'.

I had two children here one day and they decided sewing would be a fun idea. We went through a range of ideas until 'we' decided a quilt for their dolls would be perfect.

Very random sized scraps of winceyette were sewn together —

And quilted —

George was the pin remover, pedal pusher and scissor snipper.

We just did a  simple zigzag around the outside edge —

George started one too but we didn't get that finished - that will be for another day.

I've also made Odie another pair of pants. This child literally grows before your very eyes and just when YD thinks she has his wardrobe sorted, he has another spurt! 

I used the Scout pattern by Twig+Tale. Although I have an overlocker, it's buried under unfinished quilts so I used the stretch stitch on my Bernina which worked well.

A modelled pic —

The final make for the month was a beanie I knitted for my sister. I made myself one a couple of years ago and always wanted to make one for her too. I finally got some yarn with possum fur in it (Outlaw Yarn; 45%Polwarth, 45% Alpaca and 10% possum) which I had been on the look out for. The possum is extra light and cosy and gives it a lovely feel.

The pattern is Everglade by Woolly Wormhead. The design on it has good texture without being too complicated to knit.

With the one I made myself back in 2020.

So, productivity-wise, not a bad month for me :-) 

It feels nice to be writing/blogging/documenting again!

'til next time,

happy stitches,

A goal and a finish for April

This time last year I was making Xavier's Tractors and Trucks Buggy Barn quilt which I gifted to him in July —

Because I used a different layout to that given in the book, and because of the method of making the blocks, I had 3 blocks left over.

I had thought that I may use them to make a quilt for my (great) nephew, but in the meantime they were stored away. He recently spent a few nights in Starship (NZ's children's hospital) and the quilt idea came to mind again.

So I've pulled the blocks out and have decided that creating a quilt from them will be my One Monthly Goal for the month. I've started having a play, using a few leftovers for a start —

I was so excited last week when I finished my March goal and wrote about it in my last post, but forgot to link up to Patty's linky list!!! When I realised, it was too late - haha oh well, maybe this month I'll do everything right!
Thank you Patty of Elm Street Quilts for this gentle encouragement to help us achieve our quilty dreams.

Back in February I made a pair of Wayfarer shoes for young Odie. At the time YD and I dreamed up an idea for the next pair. I doublechecked with her recently and yes, she does still want the next pair.

This pair started with an old oilskin —

And some scraps of polar fleece I used to make myself a jacket years ago.

A cute little finish!

Turning the shoes through at the end —

The technique used is similar to that used when making burrito style pillowcases. Which reminded me of one I'd made earlier in the year and not yet shared - an early make for next Christmas! This one will go to the same family as these two, made a couple of years ago.

If I'm going to link up to One Monthly Goal, I'd better sign off now!

'til next time,

happy stitches,

I think it was Thursday today

Tea was an easy choice tonight as we found a decent amount of mushrooms out on the farm. I don't eat mushrooms but the MOML loves them so he was very happy.

I put a column of Foxley Village together today. I didn't realise how big this quilt is going to be, I had trouble finiding somewhere to hang it for a photo!

And Yaay! The Buggy Barn quilt has become a flimsy. I have to do a hunt and see if I have enough of anything suitable for the back.

I waved it from the deck when 'the neighbours' popped over to borrow the buggy for a farm ride, and I think young Xavier approved :-)

I did another hill climb today. It was a lovely day and a nice walk —

I saw, in the bush, that the Lycopodium is nearly ready to flower. (It's also called Creeping Club Moss, I've just discovered. Lycopodium is a lot more fun to say!)

Looking back down the main race towards the sheds and the road.

Did you ever play with Sycamore tree seeds? We have a tree and it still has a few seeds left. 

This plant came from one we had on the farm while growing up. One year I remember Dad offered us 50 cents per plant to grow him a whole lot for planting out on the farm. 

Once again Emma enjoyed a nice swim. It got pretty hot while we were out walking, I wouldn't have minded hopping in with her!

Hope you're all cheery and well,

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Nearly there —

I got this far with the Buggy Barn trucks and tractors today —

All the tyres are appliqued and I'm ready to join them together.

Because each type of block is a slightly different size there is the odd gap in a couple of the rows. I decided the simplest thing to do was to add strips of matching fabrics in. I really only had strips left over but they'll work — 

I considered missing today's walk so I could spend an extra hour getting these blocks together but the walk won out in the end.
Down to the bridge to say hello to the horses —

Catching up with the MOML who was feeding out for tomorrow morning —

It's not ALL hills around here!

If you catch the centre tree at the right angle, it looks like it's dancing...

Can you see it?
Yes, I know, easily amused....

Past the cows —

I've been watching this bunch of bananas, ready to run out and pick them the minute the birds start pecking them. I've been amazed there's been yellow fruit but no birds —

But I didn't realise there was another bunch that was even more ready. A gathering of Silver-eyes gave the game away —

They do a lot of damage!

Midnight tonight marks 4 weeks of strict level 4 lockdown. We're to stay this way till next Monday when we enter level 3. Level 3 is nearly as strict but gives the opportunity for more businesses to go back to work. I'm not sure how it will work as customers are still not allowed to go into shops. I guess there will be a lot of the Click and Collect type shopping or online sales. The MOML is looking forward to getting a new chainsaw chain!

Our bubbles are mostly supposed to stay the same as they are now so socially it won't be much different to how it is at the moment. 

'til next time, 

healthy and happy stitches,