Productive weekend!

The weekend is all but over so what have I been up to?....

Saturday morning - it was time to catch up with a friend at a local cafe - around the corner and down the street a little way.....

beautiful morning with the sun out....

Though I spent both afternoons at our local theatre stage managing their latest production I did manage to fit in some sewing time and...... have finished the June blocks for Nature's Journey!!! and it's not quite half way through the month!

The squares have been cut ready to start on the centre block.........

and even managed to start a small project - found a charm pack amongst my stash - not sure what it was bought for but decided the dining table needed a runner... 

all this creativity of course led to ironing!! 

Will probably hand quilt the runner so will be back soon - hopefully - with something completely finished for the month! ... and further progress on my NJ quilt.

Hope you all managed to fit in some creative time over the weekend!

Happy Stitching

June Long Weekend!

After a week of rather cold weather - with everyone vying for a spot in front of the heater!.....

 ...and more theatre rehearsals after work.......

On stage rehearsal

My back stage area 

 ......the June long weekend (in NSW) had arrived bringing with it slightly warmer temperatures.....even moved my sewing area to the outdoors for a while to make the most of the rather mild winter weather....

 .....time was spent reading....

 ....the garden also had some attention - but no photos as all I did was pull out plants that weren't quite in the right place and will need replacing - I think it will be a work in progress for some time!!
Sunday arrived and I thought I'd better get some grocery shopping done so headed off to the local shopping centre - came home with not just the groceries but an outfit for a wedding I'm off to at the end of June... AND a sore throat accompanied by that not so good feeling :( ..... a hit of tonic and an early night was in store.
Decided Monday was a day to take it easy - not that it needed a lot of thought ....so... more stitching and my June blocks are nearly finished!!

 Some crocheting during the evenings....

 ...some knitting - with a little help (!)- filled out a lovely relaxing weekend :) 

Hope everyone else had an enjoyable weekend......till next time....

Happy Stitiching
Asta

May Blocks Finished!

I'm off to Chookyblue's (virtual) birthday "sew-in" this weekend ......(thank you for hosting)

.....but thought I'd arrive tonight so that I could finish the last of the May blocks for the Stitch-a-Long......

Now to start the June blocks but not too sure whether I'll start them this weekend or find something else to stitch.....will think on it overnight! 

And.... over the weekend will update on what's been happening (not a lot) over the last few weeks as I noticed it's been a few weeks since I was here! 

Happy Stitching & Happy Birthday to the Chookshed! (Look forward to dropping in and seeing what everyone is up to)
Asta

Mothers Day Message from Sweden

Just had to add this photo to my Mothers' Day post......

......it did arrive on Mothers' Day - early evening - as they are about 8 hours behind us in Sweden - from where Megan sent me this message! 
Together with 2 friends she is travelling by means of a camper van for 6 weeks through Scandinavia... at this point in time they are in the very northern reaches of Finland (actually in what is called Lapland).

While I was here catching up thought I'd show you some progress on my May SAL blocks ...you can see them in amongst the bits and pieces!

Yes... only 2 little ones done, I know, but we are only just getting to the middle of May - there's still time!! 

Happy Stitching

Asta

Early Mothers Day!

I enjoyed a lovely early Mothers Day on Saturday when Hayley arrived Friday night for a whirl-wind visit before going back to Sydney and then heading north with her partner - they had arrived back from their India holiday the week before and while her partner caught up with family in Sydney she has spent this past week catching up with close friends across NSW.... finishing off with with a visit to mum :) 
There were lovely flowers from her partner and beautiful gifts from both Hayley and Megan.....

Those who follow my blog may remember Megan is now travelling in Europe after finishing the India holiday...... before leaving she left a box of presents for me covering the next 2 years! The Mothers Day present for 2015 was a lovely Pandora charm from both girls.... Hayley also bought me a beautifully scented candle.  
We then enjoyed a lovely outdoor lunch at a local cafe.......it was so pleasant spending time outdoors with the weather warm and balmy!

The day finished with Mothers Day wishes being sent from Megan - at the moment travelling with friends through Sweden in a camper van!

And... I mustn't forget to mention that my April blocks for Nature's Journey are finally finished.... Ta da......

I plan to have another relaxing day tomorrow - a Mothers Day present to myself - just reading and stitching (...those May blocks do have to be started!) 

Wishing all my readers a happy and relaxing day tomorrow..... whatever you may be doing...

Happy Stitching
Asta

OPAM & Stitch-a-long Progress

The end of another month already! This month I have actually finished something (for my One Project A Month) - last month was a bit dismal with nothing really completed apart from blocks for the Nature's Journey quilt - but they don't count ..... so here it is....

Progress on my April blocks - not quite finished - 2 more blocks to go - a committee meeting at our local theatre and 2 dinners out with friends after work this week dashed any plans I had of finishing them all by the end of April......

.... I will be optimistic and say that the missing 2 blocks will be finished over the next few days!

Happy Stitching till next time....

Asta

Catching Up

My flowers in the house for the past week have been these beautiful carnations.....

After some days of rain  and rather dismal weather - fortunately not as severe as in Sydney and the Hunter Valley - it was lovely to be welcomed by a little sunshine in the house this morning......

...and it was still shining on my way home from work.....

Have been busy stitching the Stitch a Long project but the 5 blocks here became 3 after unpicking my little bug appliques as I had sewn their wings on under their little bodies instead of on top - I guess you could say they were flying upside down! 

A little knitting of my cardigan has been happening too - but no photos and not a lot achieved - there was some unpicking with that too as I had incorrectly read the instructions! 

The postman dropped off this little purchase from The Home Patch.......

..... and I finished reading......

.......  set in China and Japan from 1903 - 1942 and following historical events of the time it tells the story of a young English woman living in China then in Japan after she leaves her daughter and husband following an affair with a Japanese soldier - quite a good read.

Off to search through my "unread books" bookshelf for my next book......

Happy stitching

Asta

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