The Last Month.....

Here we are into August already....life as we know it has still not changed and so I go between work and home.... we did have a scare of the virus here a couple of weeks ago but thankfully has now passed and this week  am looking forward to my small embroidery group getting together again .........but, to catch up since last posting.....
There have been a couple of birthdays over the last few weeks....firstly Megan's in England and as always I sent her a "virtual" birthday cake.....

.....then a few weeks later is was my mum's 91st birthday.... plans to head to Sydney were cancelled so thought it a nice idea to also send her a "virtual" birthday cake together with a cup of tea and flowers.......

 A couple more books have been read..... thoroughly enjoyed "Becoming Michelle Obama"  they were an amazing couple and very interesting reading about living in the White House! This was followed by an all time classic.... "The Hound of the Baskervilles" - bought in England in 2018 (!) 

And..... (drumroll happening here)..... I finally finished Hayley's quilt - started some time ago (!)  and has been waiting for the binding to be done since last year....

Unfortunately the true colours don't really show up as there was no white - it was all blacks, greys and beiges with a touch of "wine". I posted it to Queensland and was very pleased knowing it had arrived when she sent me a lovely thank you message! 

Also out of the basket with further progress being made is my crochet blanket started 3 Winters ago.... perhaps this year I'll get it finished?? 

While Megan was in "lock down" in England she took up embroidery and has done some beautiful work.....  here is my Mothers' Day present she sent....I think I have forgotten to "show it off" in any previous post..... 

And will finish off with photo of a double rainbow I came across on my way home from work a few weeks ago....... 

Off to find another stitching project and book to read!! 

Happy Stitching

Asta

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

Mum's 90th Birthday

A couple of weeks ago (end July!) we celebrated a special family birthday - Mum's 90th! 

We all enjoyed ourselves over lunch at a great Chinese Restaurant followed by a birthday cake back at home! 

Must add a few photos from Hayley & Megan's 2 week holiday together in Turkey with plenty of adventures.... including hot air ballooning and paragliding

...and on a beautiful sunset evening they sat together and remembered their dad who had passed away 5 years earlier.....before a planned holiday to Turkey together with Megan was to become a reality.

Turkey photos courtesy of Hayley & Megan

Meanwhile, after having to re-cast off the kneck edge (originally so tight I couldn't get it over my head!) my jumper was finally finished and with some very cold days has been worn!....... 

Decided it was time for a change of pace after reading 3 crime novels in a row....a period drama set in late 1930's.....

Today (2 weeks into August!) my sewing machine re-surfaced (last used in April!) as I have decided to make a quilt ......from working out re-sizing of the quilt..... a bit (!!) of time spent deciding which piece should go where..... I went from this....

.....to this.....

....and hopefully it will be sewn together soon!! 

To finish off.... here is a photo of bulbs blooming in the middle of Winter.... these don't usually appear till Spring! 

Till next time

Happy Stitching!

Asta

Very quickly.....

Just have to pop by and say this quilt has been finished and received by the new owner - who was very pleased to have received it.... a dear friend in Sydney not doing so well, healthwise.....

That's all for now....no time to chat as I have to be somewhere....special!!

Happy Stitching

Asta

Nowra Quilt Show

The Nowra Quilt show was on this weekend so time to head up the highway and enjoy another wonderful show and catch up with friends..... The show didn't disappoint with some outstanding quilts on show..... 

But this one was amazing......

.........1000's of 1/4" hexagons!! 

A few shops had been set up so a couple of purchases were acquired......

...... not too much as I'm currently re-organising my sewing room and well.... need I say more!

For years I've been attending this show with my dear friend, Alison, from Nowra..... over time Deb and Vicki (both from Sydney) have joined us for our "day out" and this year Fran came up from Tasmania.... though only 2 of us actually quilt (Alison and myself) the connection is that we all met working for the Sydney Waterboard (I think it's now called Sydney Water) in 1972!! Over time we went our own ways - mainly due to re-locating through marriage but have always kept in touch one way or another - though the 5 of us have not all been together for quite some time...... a photo taken at one of our earlier reunions in 1982......

....and one taken on Saturday (note sitting in the same position) .......

We all had a great time - reminiscing, catching up with family news....... and at the end of the day headed home with promises to get together more often! 

Back on the home front another snake has been spied in the garden by Miss Dora and myself - slithering away into the neighbour's yard.... some years ago I had a BIG python which was removed by the "snake catcher" this time it's a black snake - they do tend to keep away if you make noise which I'm hoping is the case....but... Miss Dora is a more indoor cat than usual at the moment not venturing much further than the front doorstep! 

Not a lot of creativity happening at the moment - socks from my last post are progressing but that's about all....... till next time....

Happy Stitching

Asta