Wacky Weather

Yesterday was chilly to say the least. A good day to be holed up with a book for most of the day. The temperature didn't make it out of single figures but at about 5pm, the sun showed itself as it set behind the hills in a what looked like a summery display.

 This morning looked completely different but surprisingly, wasn't as cold as it looked. Misty mornings are on my favourites list along with rainy mornings, sunny mornings etc.

I hope my friend likes purple because that is the colour I am featuring in a picnic blanket for her. That's tonight's project, sew up the nine fat quarters I cut up last night. I know Friday night is a popular stitching night for many so I'm hoping to catch some of those creative vibes out there and make the top tonight.
Tracy

Busy, busy

I'm not complaining about being busy. I do not work at all because I love what I do. I'm not well paid in dollars but I certainly am rich in the ways that count.

 Busy clearing the compost area of the old pumpkin vines which dominated over the summer/autumn (kikuyu too). I am now ready to make a batch of winter compost. Which may take a bit longer than the speeding summer kind but it ends up being ready when the garden needs it for spring growth.

 Busy sewing too. Actually this is shameful (not the colour even if it is shamefully bright), Hope chose this fabric about 5 or 6 years ago for a nightie. I finally sewed her a pair of pyjama pants yesterday afternoon. It took all of 20 minutes from start to finish and she was happy. I wasn't because she couldn't have her nightie. There was enough fabric for a 5 year old but not for a 10 year old. At least she got her pants I guess.

Todays photo a day topic is ART. I have absolutely nothing in my house that remotely resembles anything that would be called art. Craft yes. Art no. So with that in mind, I took some pictures of some of the things I have painted over the years. I like practical things so I generally paint something that has a purpose. Boxes, buckets etc.

Tracy

Good intentions

I had intentions of blogging on January 1st but it was not to be. The satellite that provides our internet or maybe even the computer itself would not play along until this afternoon. No internet does make for keeping other good intentions though such as getting outside and doing. The vegetable garden which really should be called a kitchen garden to be a little more accurate is benefitting greatly from no computer activity. See why it should be a kitchen garden. The vegetable garden is home to an abundance of flowers, herbs and vegetables. This peachy gladioli is just so sweet right now. I do like gladioli but mine always seem to topple over which ruins the display.

I also intend this year to get more crafty things done rather than just think about them.

On New Years Day I started and finished this bag for my sister. I had a charm pack titled "happy" from a swap and some bright purple homespun which was just right. I printed the pattern out last year and have been meaning to make it someday. It was designed by Khris and was just the right thing to start off a year of getting things done.

The weather has taken a turn with the new year too. We are finally feeling summery. It has been hot. Hot enough even for a trip to the pool for a refreshing swim and hot enough for the garden to be watered two days in a row.

Tracy

Sewing Time

The speedy pace of my 'simple' life is slowing a little for the time being. I am finally having some sewing time and the worst part is over, washing the fabric. I think reds are the worst fabric for running but they are always so stunning in Christmas creations. This afternoon I am making a start on some Christmas sewing, a corset which Grace has requested (this girl really does love "Little House on the Prairie"), some boxer shorts and last but not least, a bikini. I wish I had have had the bikini pattern years ago when I had the bikini body to wear it. Never mind, it will be fun to make anyway.

Tracy

Sew Sew

Tonight I am having a sewing bee. I have a table runner to finish up for a swap and it needs to be posted this week. I am determined to have it done and in the mail on Tuesday when I go to town to donate blood. No pictures yet but by tomorrow it will hopefully be a different story. I figure if I write it here, I will have to live up to it. Ofcourse I will be multi-tasking. Sewing while watching one of my favourite television shows, Are You Being Served. I probably shouldn't admit to that.The girls in Uralla

Not a very good image of the cross stitch I started on Thursday. I actually received the kit from my sister last September for my birthday so I feel a little guilty not having started yet. I'm looking forward to having this one on the wall so I think I will make good progress with it. I'm also still working on my tea cup cross stitch but it is in its final stages. Just the border to go. Hooray. Tracy

Pumpkin and Patch

This little table mat was made for my swap partner for Valentines Day. I'm not one for celebrating Valentine's day but a nice little parcel of five goodies devoted to friendship was something that appealed to me. It was quick to sew and could be hand pieced if desired.

The pumpkin for the Junior Landcare Pumpkin Challenge is starting to take off. It was 612 grams two weeks ago and is topping the scales at 5kg today. I don't think it will be a winner but it has been fun for my youngest to grow. The pumpkin has to have a name as part of the competition and her's is Bubba. That is also her nickname.

A slight glut of tomatoes has brought out our pickle making tendencies. I made Mustard Pickles last week and Bubba (the girl not the pumpkin) made some Chilli Jam on the weekend. She has a lot of chillies growing in her little vegetable garden bed along with a tomato bush, radish and dwarf beans. She is determined to grow as much in her 1 x 1 metre patch as she can.

Bye for now,

Tracy