Highlights!

Well.... what else could I call this blog post other than "highlights"!  I have been here - unfortunately no exciting overseas trip to use as an excuse..... just time slipping by and not having the motivation to sit and add to my blog.... BUT - I'm here now and my blog journal needs updating.... so.... 
A couple of weeks was spent in Sydney during September... catching up with family.  Sadly a dear family friend passed away in Sydney during that time. Last year I made her a quilt when she became unwell as she had always aspired to making one herself.....

While in Sydney my sister and I spent a few hours (!) at the The Crewel Goblin...... we both came away with some bits and pieces.... I bought a Xmas Cross-Stitch pattern with the intention of finishing it this year but am now looking at it as a project to work on over this Xmas!....

A quilt I had been working on is ready for the binding.....  has been for some weeks (!) ...even though the recipient won't be getting it till next year I'd better not leave it till the last minute! 

The October long weekend arrived and it was time for the Bodalla Embroiderers' Exhibition.... as always it didn't disappoint....there were so many beautiful - and inspirational - creations....these were some of my favourites....

I myself have not been very creative over the last couple of months but have read a few books......

...enjoyed all these books but loved "The Travelling Cat Chronicles" .... "The Chalk Man" I bought in England last year after seeing it advertised on billboards at railway stations...if you like Stephen King you'll like this one.... and Liz Byrski didn't disappoint with"Gang of Four". 

During October our dear dad celebrated his 97th birthday but due to a couple of family members having health issues (not dad!) we postponed his birthday celebration to the Xmas holidays as we will all be once again in Sydney. 

I think that about brings me up to date.... I am working on something small at the moment which needs to be finished over the next couple of weeks......the binding on the quilt hopefully will also be finished..... another book has been started....so should be back sooner rather than later!! 

Will finish off with this lovely photo of Miss Dora - basking in the morning sunshine! 

Till next time

Happy Stitching

Asta

What Happened to June!

Well, what did happen to June! The weeks have just flown by and with each passing week the weather has become colder and colder!!
I didn't get up to a lot over the past month - hence a lack of posts since my last time here.....
A few days, though, were spent in Sydney - spending time with mum & dad......
On the way up - over the June long weekend - I stopped off to see the Milton Quilters Exhibition.....a few of the many lovely quilts on display....

All hexagons 

.......a splash of colour....

....a lovely Bargello....

....and one inspired by William Morris designs

While in Sydney I popped into Cottage Quiltworks - an inspiring quilt shop with beautiful materials - never disappoints and hard to just buy what I went there for.... a few of Jenny Kingwell's latest range - "Beach Road" - also came away with a some Liberty print rolls and just 1 extra fat quarter! 

Also made my way to this embroidery shop.... Stitch......a couple of pieces of handkerchief linen, X-stitch Aida band and embroidery hoop made their way home from there! 

 And, with time to relax, a stitchery was worked on while away.....

........though now finished it will have to wait for next time I write for "show and tell" as it is a gift not yet received! 

June finished with Megan's birthday - turning 30!..... As she said such an "adult age"!! She is back working in England having "hung up her backpack for a while"... a parcel is on it's way and a birthday greeting has been sent.......

Let's see what July brings - maybe the promise of warmer weather? I think not, but the days will be getting longer - just by a minute or so......and a new stitching project will have to get started..... which one? 

Happy Stitching

Asta

A Finish and Nowra Quilt Show

I can now say that my Nature's Journey quilt is finally complete.......

 and even the label is on the back!

After some thought I decided to note it as finished in 2015 - the quilt top was completed then but it took me much longer to decide whether to hand quilt or get it machine quilted - by the time the decision was made Jenny had quite a few Xmas orders so I waited till January....then it became too hot to do a lot of hand sewing but eventually my binding was on!

During the past week I also went to the movies to see "The Lady in the Van" - a lovely movie with the lead played by Maggie Smith -  no-one else could have played the part!

Another book challenge was ticked off "A book to read in a day"

a "feel good" story read in just over 4 hours!

Then it was Saturday and time for my annual trip up to the Nowra Quilt Exhibition to catch up with a couple of "long time" friends.... this time a 4th member of our group was able to come....... it had been over 30 years since we had all been together!

(the one in pink was our "4th" friend......... the lady in the middle and her family moved to Tasmania)... we are now working on getting her here 

too!...so here we are, 4 of the 5, some 30 years later at the exhibition.....

There were some very inspirational quilts...a couple of my favourites...

this was called "Antique Sampler" the label said "Sue Daley" so I presume it must be one of her patterns..and a close up

....a stunning quilt in the Bargello design....

This year they also had a pillow exhibition (last year's was tea cosies)....this was my favourite....... 

And what show is not complete without a bit of retail therapy..........additions to my stash for "Gossip In The Garden" quilt.

Sunday morning.....some time spent at a theatre rehearsal and the day finished off with a short 5 minute walk from my house.....

down a little bush track......

to my local beach for a late afternoon dip

Autumn is very overdue so perhaps I may still get another swim in - though cooler weather would be very welcome!

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

FNWF & A Quilt Exhibition

FNWF and I was stitching again - had lost the momentum since my holiday - must have been too relaxing... more hexagons being created for "Gossip in the Garden".... I did say it would be a slow WIP!

Saturday and off to Gerringong to catch up with a couple of long-time friends and see the Gerringong Quilt Exhibition.... a snapshot of some of the quilts....

A Xmas tree made with prairie points..... 







and a beautiful quilt based on the colour wheel....



Then Sunday arrived and it was time to do some gardening - but no photos - I was too busy planting out and potting up plants purchased from the Bundanoon Garden Ramble from a couple of weeks ago.

Will try and get some stitching done during the week but Daughter No 1 and her partner have arrived back home from Canada and are staying here for a while while they ponder their next destination and with Daughter No 2 here as well till she departs for her next adventure I have a full house with lots of catching up happening!!

Happy Stitching
Asta