Some pictures of this week's sewing

Firstly there was the cushion we made using the Create-a-tilt ruler from Sewing Revolution.  It was lots of fun to do.  We're going on to make a lap quilt for our next project using the same ruler.

Then there was the book cover.  We used fabric folding to complete this.  Still have some beading to do at the bottom as I didn't quite centre the "smocking" in the middle.  

It looks a little wonky as the book wasn't in it.  When I get the beading done, I'll take another photo.

First two blocks with borders for my second and green version of 'Tis the Season.  I'm trying to decide whether I stay with these two borders or try to add others.  Haven't had a chance to put some other greens next to them to trial.

Now it's off to Sound of Music Rehearsals for this afternoon.  4th son turned 12 on Friday - had a successful party in the park for him.  A bit nerve racking as we agreed on 6 friends being invited and that number grew and when we actually got to the park I wasn't sure how many to expect.  It all worked out!  

Yesterday was the last game of rugby for our boys for this season.  Not the best of seasons through injury and never really enough players, but they came together as a team and they were playing much better rugby by the last game.  See what happens next year.  

I'll get some more photos up later.

Cheers

Two days of Sewing

I have been lucky enough this week to have spent 2 days sewing - well the school part of the day, anyway.  I happened to have two days together working on some on-going projects with our local sewing teacher, Wendy of Sewing with Wendy.

On Wednesday, we worked on a project from Sewing Revolution using the Create-a-tilt ruler.  Made a very pretty cushion cover.  Today we worked on a fabric folding project and made a book cover.  It was lots of fun.  I used silk for the book cover and really enjoyed working with it.

I'm writing this after scouts - we're having an ice-cream at Maccas on the way home.

Been another busy week.  I've managed to trace out all the blocks of 'Home Sweet HOme' - up to W.  I've traced all the samplers from Stitched Sundays.  I've even managed a little stitching.  Borders have been sewn on to two blocks of my green version of 'Tis the Season.

Next week my daughter has her tap and jazz exams and she is going to be "the pupil" for two of our trainee dance teachers who are doing their exams to become qualified teachers.  So I'll be doing some waiting.  Have lots of hand stitching to take with me.

My oldest son was having a get together with mates at Southbank on the weekend.  I came home last night to hear the news that it had been cancelled.  He was disappointed.  I was excited.  A whole day at home.  May even get to the sewing machine for an hour or two!

Second son's Rock Eisteddfod performance is next week.  Hope to get some photos at the final dress rehearsal on Wednesday.  Should be lots of fun.  So colourful.

We're about to start making the costumes for Sound of Music.  Not sure what I'm going to be doing there - but the costume director is asking us to take on a set of costumes - as in 14 of one costume for all children in the cast.  Hoping to have some fun and not too much stress.

Fifth son's birthday tomorrow - he'll be 12.  We planned a quiet play in the park with a group of friends - they're all into Nerf guns.  Still shake my head in horror!  It's turned into a bit of a marathon as anyone in his class who asked, had the invitation extended to them to join him.  So 6 has become closer to 20.  Oh, well, you're only 12 once.  And as he tells me, it's not his fault, he just has lots of friends.

I started some paid work this week.  First time in some years.  I've been asked to become Minute Secretary for a Welfare Organisation in our community.  It's challenging getting my head around all their terminology and getting context right, but hope I'll succeed at it.  About 6 or so hours a month, but good to get the brain working.

Last game of Rugby for two sons this weekend.  It's been a difficult season with lots of injuries and struggling to get the numbers for the team, but they've had fun and I think they've learnt things on the way.  Glad to get Saturday mornings back - but I think they'll be taken over by dancing as the end of year concert approaches.

Busy as always.........

Cheers

PS  Some photos of my current projects will appear on the weekend.

Tuesday's Treasures

I've pondered throughout the day today about what I would put as my treasure on this particular Tuesday in July.  I've decided that living in Australia is my treasure.  I know that we can't guarantee that terrorism will never come to us as it has in other countries, but we are the lucky country.  We have elections and we may not always like the result - but we have them without violence.  We accept the umpire's decision.  Mostly we can travel through this country and not expect violence.  Being involved in child protection, I'm fully aware that there is an ugly side to our country, but overall, we are lucky.  Lucky to have been born here - lucky that, in most cases, our ancestors made the decision to flee their homes and come to a country that has turned out so well.  When my great grandfather boarded the ship in London all those years ago I don't know that he really cared where he went, he just wanted to get away from the horror that was his home country of Ireland.  I thank him for getting that boat - and my other ancestors who all made the same decision.  I hope that the treasure of a country that we enjoy today will continue to provide my descendants the same promise.

And we do have the cutest animals anywhere in the world!!

Cheers

Friday Night Sew In - photos

Here are the blocks I worked on Friday night.

I've finished 9 blocks of the 12 for my next 'Tis the Season Quilt.  Didn't finish them all on Friday night -but this is my progress on the quilt.  I worked a little further on the centre block for the Gardener's Journal Quilt.

These are the finished blocks for 'Tis the Season.  Have to work out border colours for them.

These are my works in progress for the Gardener's Journal Quilt.  

This is the block I was working on Friday night - it's the centre block for The Gardener's Journal.

This is a close up of the fabric from 'Tis the Season.  It's from Homespun and Beautiful.  I love the way it adds interest to the blocks.

Cheers

Friday Night Sew In

Friday night sew in was not as productive as I would have liked.  But I got some sewing done.  So I'll work with the positives!  I was cooking cup cakes for our canteen at Rugby which was on the next morning, so couldn't quite lose myself in sewing.

I worked on my second quilt top for 'Tis the Season.  I'm doing this one in variegated greens.  Unfortunately, I ran out of thread.  Then there was some more work on my Gardener's Journal Quilt.

Photos will have to be on my list for tomorrow as they aren't going to work tonight.  It was still a nice night to spend some time sewing.  Haven't had one of those for awhile now.

Weekend - lots of excitement

What a busy weekend.  Started Friday night - getting kids to sport and eldest son to his abseiling camp.  Saturday morning we were off to rugby - second last game of the season.  They played hard - scored two tries, but didn't win.  It's been a hard season with so many injuries - and most not on the field, but either totally away from rugby or playing around at training!!

Here are some photos:

Then we went home to a party with 4th son's siblings.  They live with another carer and we try very hard to get them together as often as possible.

Eldest daughter was dancing at our parish fete.  I missed this - but hope to get some photos from a friend soon.

Today I woke with a migraine - not the worst I've ever had, but not nice.  Started vomiting - but luckily, the medication kicked in as I really wanted to be able to go to the Mt Gravatt Show and share the day with my eldest daughter and her friends who were modelling the outfits they had made in sewing class.  Lovely day and lots of success.  My daughter won first prize for her outfit.  Her friends won first and second and in the modelling contest my daughter's friend won third.  Here are some of the photos from the show:

This was the dress Esther made and modelled.  

They look like winners, don't they?

Winners are grinners!!  We're already planning next year's outfit.

Then there were the rides!  They were just $2 each - haven't seen rides this cheap in I'm not sure how long!!

Then it was up to Samford and picking up the eldest son from abseiling camp.  Back home to pick up the other kids and get organised for school tomorrow.  

Driving the dodgems can be serious work, can't it?

And to make the day just that little bit more special, I visited the quilt display and found two quilts by Helen.  As always, just beautiful quilts.  One I had seen at Homespun and Beautiful when she was deciding how to quilt it.  Her stitching is so stunning.  I voted for her for People's Choice.  Can't wait to hear if she won.  Certainly won prizes from the judges.  Congratulations Helen.  

I did get some sewing done for Friday Night Sew In.  I'll blog separately about that.  Next weekend is not going to be quite as busy - whew!!

A busy time of year and Friday Night Sew In

This year has been so busy.  We're in Week 2 of the term and the holidays feel like they were about 6 months ago.  We have our parish fete on this Saturday, as well as birthday party for one of our foster son's siblings who live with another carer.  There's the normal rugby game and it's our team's day to cater and run the club BBQ.  My daughter is preparing for her jazz and tap and exams and is performing at the fete.  Rehearsals have started for "Sound of Music" and we are in the final weeks of rehearsals for the Rock Eisteddfod (dress rehearsal tomorrow night).  My daughter has made a dress and entered it into a show.  On Sunday she has to model it as part of the competition.

And, of course, No 1 Son has his on-going social life.  Mostly with Venturer Scouts - but it does keep him busy.  He's heading off on the weekend for the next part of his abseiling course.  That's a 2 hour drive from here and a pick up on Sunday.  

In the midst of all of this, we've had parent/teacher interviews at the High School and meetings at school regarding some of the children.

So, there has been little time for sewing.  I've managed a few blocks of my new Tis the Season quilt.  I'm doing this one using a variegated green thread and will probably use greens for sashing.  Haven't thought that far ahead.  It's just nice to have something to take with me and stitch away.  I've also had a couple of chances to play with my embroidery machine, so have some Sue Box designs sewn for a Christmas Quilt.  She has some beautiful designs and I think they're a lot of fun to do for a change of pace.  I'm going to do some sewing tomorrow with our local sewing teacher, not even sure what I'm going to try to do - possible an applique quilt I've been working on.  I've signed up for Friday Night Sew in for this week.  Hoping to be able to ignore everything and sew away.  Will know how successful that has been on Saturday.

Hoping August won't be quite as busy as July, but we have lots of costume sewing coming up for "Sound of Music" so it may be just as busy.

Happy Sewing everyone!!  Will endeavour to get some photos of my latest 'Tis the Season stitcheries.

Sound of Music

Just got the exciting news today that our son snd daughter have been successful in auditioning for Sound of Music. Playing Gretyl and Friedrich. It will be such a fantastic opportunity for them both. We're just settling down now to a night of Edelweiss and Do Re Me! The hills are alive......