This and that

Day 14 of my August blogpost a day challenge 

It feels like there is nothing much to report today - I haven't had a chance to think about a blogpost!! Fridays are my busy day, when I work off the farm at the quilt shop.

That involves getting all my wee beasties fed and happy first thing and then racing home afterwards to do it all over again.

Happily for me today, there were no new calves to teach to feed, and I'd done a bit of mob amalgamation yesterday which streamlined my feeding and made the job a bit easier.

ED and her two kiddoes popped into work after school to collect some eggs. They live near to the shop so I often see them there. Cat-mad Lily swarmed in on a pattern that had not long arrived, teamed it with some fabric and subsequently put in a Christmas request!

It was another wet day so I spent most of the day hoping that my older outside calves were looking after themselves. It was very warm so they were well and happy and none the worse for wear —

but ready for their dinner —

I tried to entice them into the dry shed but only a few were interested (including someone with high spirits!) —

After an easy dinner it was time to settle into some stitching —

— and entertainment from McGeorgeous who thought it might be time for daylight saving to start?!

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn

More LeMoyne Stars

Day 13 of my blogpost a day August challenge.

I have finished the last two stars for the Plains and Pine One Block Five Ways sewalong.

To recap, five different techniques were shared to make the LeMoyne star; each by a different designer.

(My first post about these was *here*.)

Needleturn applique was the fourth technique —

While I've done a lot of needleturn in the past, I didn't enjoy this as much as the previous ones - all 8 points of the star were cut separately and sewed back together again....haha...sounds just like patchwork doesn't it?

 If I'd used different coloured fabrics, it might have been a little more interesting!

And the final technique was - apparently - English Paper Piecing - but using special printed stickers and machine sewing so I was a bit intrigued as to how it was done.

Because I didn't have access to the stick-on templates, I used the suggested Freezer Paper. My freezer paper was recycled (that was all I had) and didn't stick very well (!!). I ended up drawing lines on the fabric instead of using my falling off freezer paper. It was a little like the Y-seam technique in the end.

It sewed together ok though and here it is.

It was interesting to explore the different techniques and I'm pleased with all the blocks. I think I enjoyed the first three stars the best - Y-seams, FPP and Curved Piecing, but all the techniques had their place.

Of course, 5 blocks don't make a quilt, so I will be making a few more LeMoyne stars at some stage to complete the set!

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn

Running in the Rain

Day 12 of my blogpost a day August challenge

Every year about this time the local primary schools kids take part in the Taniwha Challenge. This combined schools cross-country event is hosted by one of the country schools further west from here, (Te Horo at Pipiwai) and kids from at least 8 of the nearby rural schools attend. 

It's a great community event where locals gather and catch up.

And cheer the kids on of course!

We had five grandies running so it was a full on family affair.

To save time and hopefully beat the rain, the girls and boys races were combined.

Blonde Kaliah and Saydee neck in neck the whole way until Kaliah had an extra burst of speed at the end!

George in the green and red — 

— and Xavier, blonde in the blue, were in the same race, and not too far apart —

Odie, running his first race, ran in the pouring rain, but had a good run too.

We were so proud of them all, not because they all finished within the top 8 (!) but because they all tried so hard, and ran their very best.

Being winter/early spring it's usually wet for this event and today was no exception! Not cold though.

With the exception of 2 grandies (one in Hawaii so a good excuse) and YD at work, our whole family was there - running or supporting. So in spite of the rain and the mud, it was a fun day (we were home by 1pm).

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Raewyn