When Raewyn is all quiet on the blogging front you know there is plenty happening on other fronts. As I hinted in my last post, calving has started and we have been busy looking after the girls and their babies. 200 cows isn't a large dairy farm by New Zealand standards but as it's just the MOML and I doing it all, it does take a bit of time.
We're happy though, the weather has been pretty fine and mild and the calves are 'hitting the ground running' (that's farmer talk for nice strong healthy calves).
You cant stop my fingers itching though so I have been squeezing in a bit of sewing and stitching in our down time.
I finally finished this cute wee cosmetic (or similar) purse... pretty happy with how it turned out. I used byAnnie's Soft and Stable as the batting - we discovered this product while at Quilt Market in May; and I love the look it gives (and yaay, it is easy to sew). It holds its shape really well. YEARS ago when we were first married and we were very poor I remember making some toilet bags as gifts; I did a nice job but towelling as the 'batting' was about all that was used and recommended at the time - they were a far cry from what we can make with the quality products available today.
I've decorated another handtowel. I love this fantail fabric, it makes a unique gift —
I've also stitched my first letter from Michelle Ridgeway's Country at Heart alphabet book.... I may do H-O-M-E for a cushion but I also would love to do the whole alphabet as I think it would make a beautiful country quilt, so we shall see what happens :-)
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| So much detail in these stitcheries. 'xcuse the lack of a press and tidy-up. |
I've become increasingly frustrated with not getting to my quilting. I started quilting the MOML's quilt a while back, but sadly my lovely machine did not come with extra hours attached! Deadlines on some projects push the -must finish it one day- projects to the back of the queue. So recently I have started the 15 minutes a day thing and I am happy with the progress I am making.
Some days it really is only 15 minutes to quilt so my progress is pretty slow. Also I am stitching in the ditch free motion style but I figured there is only one way to learn and get better at that and that is by doing it.
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| Some of these ditches look quite ok.. |
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| ...others not but I'm not sweating the small stuff :-) At last I am making progress!! |
And to get back to the farming theme, here are a couple of my favourite photos from those I've taken lately —
And this is how a stitching farmgirl looks most of the time at the moment; not particularly glamorous but that is how it is :-)
That's about it for now, thank you for visiting, I do appreciate your visits.
Happy sewing,
Now I can see why sewing has taken a backward step. Those calves look lovely and healthy. Love the cosmetic bag. I must try your recommendation for my next bag. Micelle's alphabet stitcheries look very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think the stitching farm girls looks pretty good, and I bet the cows appreciate the beauty!! You are such an industrious thing with all your sewing. I go in fits and starts with my sewing. I have my blanket coat to continue with before Winter goes! Guess there is always next year. Love your farm photos.
ReplyDeleteWow you have a large lot of calves!! And you still look pretty glamorous!! Love the bag and your stitching is lovely! I am amazed you have any time for sewing/stitching/quilting being so busy on the farm!
ReplyDeleteIt might be a lot of work, but calves are pretty cute customers. Good to see you're squeezing in my little bit of sewing, the 15 minutes works for me too. Your quilting looks good, other people aren't nearly as critical of our work as we are, so keep up the good work. Your farm looks rather idyllic.
ReplyDeleteHi Raewyn boy you sure are busy that's a lot of animals to look after,and I always love seeing your work,thankyou for sharing.xx
ReplyDeleteNeed to get back on that 15 minute wagon myself!
ReplyDeleteThe 15 minute idea sounds great, I will try it. Love the bag, and the calves, brings back lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a calf feeder like that...I've only ever seen them fed with individual bottles. That sure would save time! :0)
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing all the photos
ReplyDeleteThe farm ones bring back memories
Amazing what can be done in 15mins!
ReplyDeleteall those babies sure will keep you busy...........love the farm pics........no hills here.......oh and hope you had the lippy on for your farm day.......the calves will love it........
ReplyDeleteDear Sweet Raewyn, after tending to your heard and babies, I am surprised that you have the energy for stitching. Not to mention all the other chores that we girls have to do . . . laundry, cooking, cleaning etc. You are a "Super Woman", and a very talented one at that. Your bag is perfect and that hand towel is so pretty, love the fabric.
ReplyDeleteThis post was so much fun. It is great to see your life, other than blogging and stitching. Such a busy girl :)
Keep Smiling.
Your blogging sister, Connie :)
Hi Raewyn! All that farm work and you still get time to stitch. Lovely projects. Thanks for sharing the photos.
ReplyDeleteI feel positively lazy with all you have to do. Your babies are very sweet. Loved seeing your stitching.
ReplyDeleteIt is such a busy time and it is not exactly warm at the moment. Good to have healthy calves.
ReplyDeleteThe little zipper pouch is lovely and the stitchery is gorgeous.
Hope you do get some good quilting time, soon.
There just isn't enough time to do it all....is there? The priorities take on a whole new meaning when there are animals involved.
ReplyDeleteYour makeup bag turned out really cute and I love the embroidery too.
All those babies to feed!! It is a wonder you have time for any sewing! Very cute bag and I loved the embroidery. I will check out the alphabet book. I think your quilting looks great! I have to get stated quilting the ones I have done, I just need to decide on a design. You certainly live in a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteLovely post Raewyn -- your projects are so pretty! I love your letter stitching and that bird fabric is awesome -- do you recall the name of it ? Thanks for sharing the farming pictures too, I just LOVE to see the lush grasses and livestock. Your image with the calves is cute!! Hugs, Karen
ReplyDeleteI can certainly understand why sewing has been a little slow lately , those cute little calves are keeping you busy . Loved your post and your stitching looks wonderful .
ReplyDeleteIt does sound a busy time on the farm, I think you look pretty cute in your work clothes :) Your projects are beautiful, I like the sound of the 15 minutes a day!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see your dairy operation. Every dairy farm is different. As a very small dairy farm in northern Indiana, US, we calve/milk year round. Right now I have 7 calves on the bottle. I can't imagine what 200 calves would be like.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand the need to get some sewing time, your projects always look beautiful.
Hi Raewyn
ReplyDeleteYour blog might have been a little quieter of late but your stitching fingers sure haven't been. You have squeezed in heaps and I love your creations. Your calves look bonney and what's not to like about comfortable farm gear! You look farm glam! Glad the weather is being kind to you and the growing herd. Rae.
Cripes you've done heaps!!! You are a machine - gorgeous bits in between :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a happy, busy post! You and the MOYL must be busy tending to the needs of all those moms and babies. How do find any time top sew--even 15 minutes a day?
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice looking bag. I have never made a zippered bag, but when I see beauties like this, it is tempting to give it a try.
I am so impressed with you SITD. I am still so chicken to do mine FM. I either avoid it altogether or do it on my domestic machine. I just need to buck up and give it a go!
Lovely views of the farm, and I love seeing you in your real life environment!
Great to see your farm and all the girls! It all looks very green and lush and must be healthy work. Your machine quilting looks perfect to me and I like the 15 minute rule - I really should do that too as my machine is collecting dust! Love that little pouch :)
ReplyDeleteA fun post with all sorts in it.... a lovely little bag... I prefer doing in the ditch free motion style.. for some reason the tension is better for me... (though of course there are those little wiggles sometimes!)
ReplyDeleteHugz
Your stitching is awesome...cute calves....
ReplyDeleteGosh Raewyn, thought I had commented but must've imagined it!!! Love your stitching projects, am very tempted myself by Michelles new alphabet stitcheries & having seen yours made up, am even more tempted. I think a HOME cushion sounds gorgeous. Glad to see the calves are doing well, its hard going isnt it when its 24/7 at the moment :-) Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteHi Raewyn! Thanks for all the beautiful photo's of the "babies". They are beautiful as is your farm. I think I would spend a bunch of time outside if my scenery was as pretty as yours. I am totally amazed you get any stitching time at the moment. Well done.
ReplyDeleteVery glam indeed Raewyn!
ReplyDeleteLovely to catch up on a few of your recent blog posts & see all your lovely swaps & sewing & stitching... I'm sure your early makes of the toiletries bag were not as bad as you say!!
Hi Sweet bet you are glad your babies are inside after today's weather!They are looking awesome as is your post. Happy 15 minutes sewing hugs Kerry
ReplyDeleteWow!! You ARE a busy girl! I am the happy recipient of a beautiful bird towel just like that! Thank you so very much! Love Michelle's new alphabet. I've done very little stitching this summer because I've been hand quilting an anniversary quilt for my sister. It's difficult not to start something!!
ReplyDeleteYou surely do keep busy! Love all the little calves. I love your stitched "H" from Michelle. She has the greatest stitchery patterns. I just finished the "A" is Country at Heart Alphabet. Can't post yet, as it is for a friend. "Home" would make a great cushion/pillow. Nola
ReplyDeleteNow that's what I call a 'milk bar' :)
ReplyDeleteLove your little cosmetic bag and sweet stitchery.
I know just how busy the weeks after calving are for dairy farmers Raewyn - the company I've worked at for over 20 years manufactures and supplies shed products and animal health!
ReplyDeleteThey've got plenty of grass to keep them happy so I imagine production's going well!
Glad you can squeeze in a little bit of stitching too!
staying busy with the things you love to do.
ReplyDelete