Ma comes to visit

It has been lovely to see Ma here in Canberra over the last week and a half. We went to Sydney to pick her up and she stayed at Janelle's house. We so enjoyed seeing her and so did the great grandchildren!

On Tuesday Janelle came over and we had an adventure. We went for a drive and checked out a few of Canberra's sights and then headed to Kingston Foreshore and had lunch out!!! We haven't been out like that for so many weeks. Mind you we did have takeaway from one of the local cafes.

Janelle also posted some lovely Autumn foliage. The leaves have been beautiful this year.

Janelle and Ma went out to the Cotter Dam too.

May is here

Time seems to fly by even when you are not going out anywhere. We have been seeing the grandchildren again and doing a little helping out. I have continued stitching away but several books have filled up too much good stitching time. I loved Where the Crawdads sing and am almost finished The Dutch House. Both are good reads! I have been stitching a couple of little zippered pouches. The first two are a great pattern by Jane from BeBe Bold. One is a birthday gift for Fiona. Hers is the lowest one with the zipper inserted correctly! I was definitely having problems sewing in these zippers.

 I have also made up two more of the stitcheries from the Love and Hugs from Australia Stitchalong. Haven't made them into anything yet.

 I have also wanted to have a go at Boro stitching. It was fun and I made my practise piece into another pouch.

 The houses are still multiplying though at a bit of a slower pace. I was trying to make one a day but that isn't happening but it doesn't matter, does it?

 Again, I was tempted to start or continue this lovely Peaceful Day Case by Anni Downs. It is in her new book and I just love the colours.

Life goes on quietly

We are certainly living in strange times. Hope you are all well and safe. I seem to have so much spare time and should be tidying or cleaning cupboards but seem to be able to waft away the day! I am missing the kids though we do see them occasionally with a distance between us but it does seem very odd! We delivered Easter goodies and visited for just a moment at each house. Only managed to get pictures of the boys.

 I have been enjoying stitching the Love and Hugs free stitcheries. This is Gail Pan's design and the one below is Anni Downs'.

 The other job I had on my list was blocking these scarves. The first one is the Tendril shawl by Annie Design Crochet. It was a lovely project and the blocking worked so well.

This is another one of her designs and I crocheted it in 2ply wool. 

 This one is an old one but blocking it made it so much flatter and larger too.

My biggest achievement was finally sewing together this Stitching Circle basket by Lynette Anderson. I started this last September at the Stitch the Day away in Queensland. It was a big effort but I did do it slowly and paced myself. I am happy with the result.

I have managed to waste another morning really doing nothing much! Best go and sew a few houses!

Stitching away

I have been stitching but on many random projects. I must get on with some of my UFOs but I suppose it doesn't really matter, does it? I have continued to make a little scrappy house every day.

 I am making some embroidered circles with Sue Spargo but won't be doing 90!

 I finished knitting Alice's cardi and blocked it so it is ready for the cooler weather.

 The free patterns on the Facebook page, Love and Hugs from Australia, are just lovely. I really enjoyed stitching this one from Natalie Bird.

 And...I finally blocked my crocheted shawl. I am very pleased with the result.

Unusual birthday...

It was my birthday on Saturday and the celebration was very unusual! We had a Zoom gathering with the family! Thankfully the cupcakes were real and not virtual! Here are some pictures from the crazy family fun.

They are not really good pictures but it was a lot of fun! I also received some lovely cards. I do love a homemade card.

New starts...

Oh dear. I keep starting things. Sue Spargo has started a stitchalong on Instagram and Facebook. Just had to start! It is good fun. Some of the stitches are very tricky but interesting to work out. Luckily Sue does videos of them.

 I have made some more houses! I am using scraps so hope they look OK in the end.

There is also a new group called Love and Hugs from Australia, where our designers are giving stitcheries and appliques away each day. Can't wait for 2pm when the first one comes online! It is from Natalie Bird. I really need something else to stitch!

Hi from isolation

Hasn't it been a crazy week? I always like staying home but this is ridiculous! I am so missing my social events. Thankfully we have social media to keep us in touch. We have even had church online with Zoom! We do live in amazing times. I have found it hard to get motivated and seem to take so long to get going on these days of plenty of time! I have been working on some of my projects. The top border of Fairy Kisses is done and I have started the bottom one.

 This stitchery label came with the BOM and it is ready for when the quilt is finished. Note the start date of 2004!

 I have been meaning to crochet another dishcloth. Here it is.

 I have also started a sleeveless jacket for Miss Alice. This is the In Threes pattern, which I have made several times before.

 Couldn't resist this free Moda Village pattern. I am planning to do it with only scraps if possible.

 My hexi flowers have all been hand pieced. I placed them roughly on the sewing room floor to see how they look. I have some aqua fabric to use in between the flowers, which I hope will look OK.

Hope you are all enjoying some quality stitching time in these difficult times. We are not even seeing the grandchildren now which is hard!