Well it's been too hot for anything other that sitting under a fan over the last few days. Once all the necessary chores are done, that's where you'll find me and my water bottle.
Of course that means it's a perfect excuse for a bit of sewing :-)
But I don't have a huge amount to show you!!
This time of the year is always a busy one for us at The Country Yard as we busy ourselves with new samples and projects for our annual New Year's Launch, coming up in February.
I can give you a bit of an idea of what I've been up to —
In the evenings I've continued on with my first Foxley Village block and completed the applique for it —
And completed the stitching for my first mystery stitchery block —
My OMG for January was to sew the vertical strips for Ruth's Quilt, last year's project with the nofussswappers blog. This was a major fail.
It was to be my leader-ender sewing but this took precedence....
Aha, what is this? you ask..., I haven't seen this here before?
TeresaDownUnder of SewnUp blog is running a bloghop to promote her newly published book, Turnabout patchwork. This is a fun way to sew blocks and I've been lucky to have the opportunity to take part by sewing up one of the options/quilts from the book. The bloghop started yesterday (January 30th) - here are the details;
My turn to blog about my block/quilt is on the 1st February so do remember to pop back for a look and a chance to win your own copy of Teresa's book.
Of course that means it's a perfect excuse for a bit of sewing :-)
But I don't have a huge amount to show you!!
This time of the year is always a busy one for us at The Country Yard as we busy ourselves with new samples and projects for our annual New Year's Launch, coming up in February.
I can give you a bit of an idea of what I've been up to —
 |
| A bit of this.... |
 |
| A bit of that... |
 |
| And maybe even a bit of this too.... |
 |
| (Excuse the funny angle of the photo, I was trying to avoid shadowing in the sun!) |
 |
| You can see I tried and made a bit of a start but nearly three strips sewn up is all that I managed |
Aha, what is this? you ask..., I haven't seen this here before?
TeresaDownUnder of SewnUp blog is running a bloghop to promote her newly published book, Turnabout patchwork. This is a fun way to sew blocks and I've been lucky to have the opportunity to take part by sewing up one of the options/quilts from the book. The bloghop started yesterday (January 30th) - here are the details;
| Visit Teresa's blog for details |
The older grandie-girls came to stay over the weekend. It was lovely to have them, and not just because they cooked every meal we had while they were here :-)
I took them and the dogs (including a grandie-dog we were also looking after) down to the river to cool off. We've found a wee stretch that is perfect for swimming - it has a 'beach' and some nice deeper spots for actual swimming and mermaid like activities.
It has a very overgrown route to get to but is very worthwhile.
When the MOML and I were there the other day, the light was perfect for some reflection photos. I loved this one of farmdog Emma —
I end the month with nothing to share for OPAM, nothing for the One Christmas Item a Month, an unmet OMG but forever the optimist, I'll try again next month!
Positively, I did sign up for Praire Moon Quilts' 350 block challenge and am happy to say that I have started the year with 33 blocks to go towards my tally (most of those are secret blocks so you'll just have to believe me!). For someone who does a lot of sewing but not always a lot of finishing, I thought this would be a fun challenge to take part in.
Till next time,
happy stitches,
Your days are full, Raewyn, even just trying to cool off is serious business when the heat is soaring. But you appear to me to have accomplished many things with needle and thread--and toss in that you have 33 blocks in hiding. You top my total for sure!!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have your own private swimming hole!
wading in the river on a hot day is something people do here too! I envy you the warm weather as we are in the midst of winter here - at we do not have it as cold as the people in the north do. Love your projects
ReplyDeleteDespite the heat you have been busy! The Christmas item?..the mouse of course!!
ReplyDeleteLooks a lovely cooling off pool.
Lots of pretty stitching and family time.
ReplyDeleteOh the count blocks looks fun and I so resonate with a lot of sewing and not much finishing. BUT last year I donated a lot of quilt blocks/ quilt tops and fabric that I knew I'd never use/finish and I'm loving the ladies sharing with me photos of them finished for charity. It's been hot down here too.
ReplyDeleteIt's been hot indeed, even down here it little old Levin it's been over 30 degrees, unheard of! Lovely to have grandies visiting, especially as they are doing the cooking!
ReplyDeleteLots of wonderful mysteries happening at your house Raewyn. Love the Foxley Village block. Wonderful to have the girls staying and enjoying the beach 😊 that is fantastic they are doing the cooking!! Love the photo fo Emma.
ReplyDeletethat's a lot of new mystery work happening there.... so NZ is also getting the horrible hots - the river swims sound just perfect.
ReplyDeleteFoxley is looking great....
Hugz
Looks like plenty going on in your patch.......fabulous to have budding cooks in the house, their offerings look tasty! Nice to have a swimming spot so close. Winter IS coming....?
ReplyDeletefor only having a little bit of this and that--
ReplyDeleteit added up to alot by the looks of things--
love that basket block--
and some neat family photos too--
luv, di
Hard to believe it's HOt there--our wind chills are below zero; snowing and very cold here brrrr
ReplyDeleteLove little basket hugs, Julierose
You've made some wonderful projects. What fun with the grands. We've had terrible cold here for 3 days. We're so thankful we haven't had any frozen water pipes. We've got diesel tractors plugged in and ready to go in case the electric goes off to run the generator but hopefully that won't happen. Soak up some extra rays for me, it's going to be months before I can take off my long underwear!
ReplyDeleteBut there are lots of little bits of some things that will grow. I love Foxley Village. The river looks a lovely spot to cool off...hot here too!
ReplyDeleteLots of secretary sewing going on...
ReplyDeletepretty fabrics for Foxley Village..
A dip in the river with the girls is a fun way to keep cool.
Great photo of Emma.
The heat really does make it hard to keep up with stitching but I think you have managed really well with all your lovely projects. So pleased you found some ways to cool off.
ReplyDeleteYou have been busy, even if there are no finishes. Your swimming spot looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I am envious of your hot weather since yesterday when I was out it was -35 with the windchill. But as you know the animals must be tended to. I can relate to lots of starts, but my finishes are sketchy. Great pics of the swimming hole, and the reflection of the dog is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe water looks so very inviting!!! Today is a little cooler down here in Auckland but still not good for sitting quilting, You still have plenty of projects to keep you busy when the weather cools a little.
ReplyDeleteWow! You were busy, busy! I liked looking at all of it. The applique is my favorite!
ReplyDelete