Bears and some Farm Play

I had an uninterrupted sewing day yesterday and pieced together some more bear faces...these are the same (Show and Tell) pattern as the baby quilt (top) I put together last week — 

And some legs as well —

I'll put these aside until I make the small quilts these cuties hold.

Sneak peak of my progress —

Other sewing recently included making a simple purse. Cat-mad Lily happened to see a small square of cat fabric in The Palace last time they visited, and requested a purse with a zip.

I used a tutorial I had come across touted as the most simple purse pattern ever - just 6 seams and it's done!

Yes, nice and simple (and quick) but I don't like the way the zip is at the side seams so I don't think I'll be using this method again. (Sorry I didn't save the link to the tutorial so I can't share it.) I'll go back to a method with a neater finish.

But a 7 year old was happy with it so that is good - she loves anything with a cat on it!

(Warning, it gets a little photo heavy from here on in!)

School has started up again for most of the kids but Lily and George haven't yet gone back so they came to ours on Wednesday while their parents worked. Having them for a whole day at this time of the year is fun as we can get out onto the farm to play and explore.

They have a list of things they like to do —

Swing and eat fruit. Sadly this year's plum crop was a complete flop but fortunately the grapes are just starting —

Forage. The Totara trees are fruiting right now. Tiny little berries that only feed a bird, but fun to find all the same —

Go to the top of the big hill, roll down it and run back up again —

Go to the river (just a quick look this time) —

Go to the stream for a picnic and an explore —

{{As an aside; at first glance the stream doesn't look very inviting with that brown colour - but that's just because of its geological make-up. This photo shows how clear it really is — 

The stream starts as a spring in the hills somewhere above us and runs down through the bush, feeding into the afore mentioned river. It's filtered all the way down by all those stones, and supplies the farm (and our houses) with lovely water. We do UV filter it at the houses and shed but it is such a great asset.}}

Next on their list of things to do was to get the bubble machine going —

and do some sewing —

Mum (ED) came about 4 o'clock and Ganma collapsed into a heap. Haha it wasn't too exhausting but it was a pretty full on day!

'til next time,

happy stitches, 

Raewyn