More Projects Started!

We have been having quite a few gloomy, dismal days lately - sometimes with rain which isn't so bad - but thought these lovely orange dahlias would brighten up the house ..... no, not from my garden unfortunately......bought while doing my grocery shopping yesterday.

More projects - as if I didn't have enough to do keeping up with the Stitch A Long project I decided to start some knitting and crochet!!

The knitting is a cardigan which was to be started last winter! The crochet I decided to do as I have so many random balls left over from goodness knows which project - or bought for a project never started - that I decided to use them up ......maybe make room for more (did I just say that!!).....anyway the crochet pattern is from Attic 24 and will be a blanket when finally finished.....sometime further down the track!

Meanwhile..... am still working on my April blocks for the Stitch A Long quilt........

... and yes, I know, it's nearly 1/2 way through the month and I haven't even started the blanket stitch!... but I have not long finished the March blocks and will start on these tonight.... they should be finished by the end of the month....hopefully...

Hope everyone else had a productive weekend.....

Happy Stitching

Asta

Finishes!

I have actually finished my March blocks for the Stitch A Long project! 
On my agenda for the Easter weekend I had gardening for today, but it started raining ....what a shame.... so what better way to spend the afternoon but sewing - it was a bit of a squeeze sitting on the veranda but we managed!  

Blocks all done..... except the ironing and trimming to size but that will happen before I start the April blocks......

Another finish over the weekend was this baby quilt....

...it was started at the end of last year but put on hold when I started the Natures Journey project - luckily the baby is still small enough to use it!

Till next time...

Happy Stitching!

Asta 

FNWF

Lovely to be stitching with "friends" last night - I needed the motivation to get back into my stitching after March being a rather unproductive month (too many other things happening) ....
Firstly I finished the binding on the baby quilt - a WIP for some time (!) in the background - and then brought out my my Stitch A Long project.... (March "homework" was yet to be finished!)

...getting ready to start the applique...... 

.... and this is as far as I got last night with the applique - no points on the star block :( but at least they are all the same :) ..... the plan is to get all of the March blocks finished over this Easter weekend! ......though....

the knitting needles have come out, the wool is ready and the pattern is ready..... have also bought a new Clover crotchet hook to try out - so many people making blankets the temptation is too great!!

Till next time - Happy Stitching!

Asta

A Month Slips Away!

Well, here we are catching up with the events of March - where has the last month gone!

The month started with progress on my Stitch-a-Long project.....

..... alas, this is as far as it got :( so will have some catching up to do during April!

Then it was time for my annual reunion with 2 longstanding friends at the Nowra Quilt Exhibition....that's me on the far right....

There were some lovely quilts on show...

And I loved the colours of this one which was used as a prop on one of the many stalls that were set up at the exhibition......

This year there was also an exhibition of tea cosies.....

this one being my favourite....

Also tried to get this finished.....

...but will end up being an April OPAM now.... I don't think my cat Dora minds it staying here a bit longer (it is a gift )......

And then one Sunday I became the ironing woman when my younger daughter Meg made a baby quilt for one of her friends....

As the end of the month approached the time got closer to say goodbye to both daughters who once again were on their way after spending the last few months sorting out their dad's house (those that follow my blog may remember he passed away unexpectedly last year) .... Meg had to return from her overseas trip to Europe and Hayley returned (with her partner) from Canada where they had been living.

So, here's Meg packing again......

and here are the travellers off at the end of last week to India!

After a tour of southern India Meg on the far left will fly on to Europe for an "extended" holiday (& work )- planning on being away 2-3 yrs while Hayley and her partner on their return  will be heading up to northern NSW / Qld to set up home... till the travel bug bites again! 

I then enjoyed a few days in Sydney with my parents before heading  back home (far South Coast) ...  and this surprise waiting for me - Meg had slipped back in before we drove to Sydney.....

... a box of little present for every occasion from Easter, Mother's Day, my birthday and Xmas  - all labelled - for the next 2 years! ... does that mean she will only be away for 2 yrs not 3?

Now it's nearly April - time to catch up with sewing and finishing off a few things! Maybe a quieter month than March?

Till next time - hopefully not so long between catch ups!....

Happy Stitching!

Asta

Busy Stitching!

I can't believe it has been nearly 3 weeks since I was last here!! What have I been doing you ask? Stitching, stitching and more stitching!!
During a very busy month at work I have been busy with my Stitch-a-long project - making sure my "homework" was done by the end of the month..... and I did finish my blocks on time.....

..... now to start on Part 2 for March!

I'm also a member of OPAM (One Project A Month) so thought I'd better get a project or 2 finished for February - alas the blocks above don't count as it has to be a whole finished quilt to "qualify" as a project for the month :( ..... but I did have a couple of things finished at the beginning of the month.....

......and last Sunday this.....

eventually became this......

Pattern - Anni Downs

... a kit bought in 2009! 

So that's what I have been up to over the past weeks.... this weekend March blocks will be started and I'll see what other project I've got hidden away still to be finished!

Happy Stitching

Asta

FNWF

What better way to start FNWF than a glass of bubbly and what other project would I be working on than SAL 2015!

Hope everyone else had a productive night! Will catch up with what other Friday Nighters have done tomorrow....about to head off to Canberra to pick up DD2 from the airport with some retail therapy tomorrow! :)

Happy Stitching

Asta

A Productive Sunday

Here it is February and I have had a busy day finishing a couple of (small) projects!

I have finished a Gail Pan pattern from her lovely book " Patchwork Loves Embroidery"....

... the fabrics are from my stash and the thread is a Cottage Garden one called "Bush Christmas".... I think I will be keeping this one for myself :) .... I'm sure I'll find something to put in it...














Then another.....fabric basket. This is the 5th one I have made of these and I believe all the recipients are finding them very useful... this one is a gift for my sister....

...and stitching got underway for SAL 2015.....

Not much more stitching to be done tonight - off to watch the tennis... shame I haven't got any knitting to do - that can be done while watching TV!

Hope everyone has had a productive start to the month!
Happy Stitching
Asta