Almost a finish!

At our local embroidery guild we have been lucky enough to have some classes. Lee Castle came to teach us a new project! There was a choice of two - a Whitework Tudor Rose or a Waratah. I of course fell in love with the rich reds and pinks of the Waratah. I’m not going to show you all what it looks like yet…. Here is my progress though…. 

These are all the bracts ready to go. Some are single needlelace, some are double needlelace and some are Elizabethan corded needlelace. All are finished off with a buttonhole stitch around the edges. These are wired and read to form one of the 3D features of the Waratah. 

I have no idea what this part of the flower is called but all I know is that it felt like it was a billion bullions! There’s a few crazy ones in there but hopefully that just adds to the individuality of my project! 

Now I just have 2 leaves to finish on this gorgeous delustered black satin and it’ll be ready to assemble! 

I have added it as an exhibit for our Carnival of Flowers guild exhibition - I just have to have it finished and framed!! No excuses! I’ll be sure to drop in an show off the finished product!! 

Today I had an on and off all day zoom with some old and new crafty friends from all over the world…. I decided I should get out an old project. I haven’t given my Elizabethan Casket Box much attention as of late so I got cracking on my satin stitch for my ‘M’ monogram for the box. I’m not sure why I put it off for so long! Another couple of hours and I should be finished the satin stitch! 

Anyways, it’s well past my bedtime. Even though some idiots up the road have decided to have a raging party…. I should try and get some sleep! Happy stitching and I’ll be back with progress in the near future! 

Maree. 

A finish!

I didn't expect to have a finish this early in 2020 but here we are! My crafty friends that know me well are SHOCKED! I've also never signed my work before and this is something I've wanted to do for a while (except have had no finishes!!) so I've added my initials and the year finished down the bottom as well. The motivation to finish this is that my #2 child is turning 13 in four weeks and I thought this verse summed her up really well. I had originally started it a couple of years ago for my niece's 21st birthday but ended up buying her something else as I didn't get it finished in time. This is why I have so many ufo's around the place, I usually start them for a gift, miss the deadline and then give up! 

This week I'll need to wash and block this and then head down to the framers to get some matt cut and then a premade frame (I wish I could afford to get everything professionally framed!) and learn how to frame!! 

I'm pretty excited to see how many things I can finished (without starting too many new projects!) in 2020!! 

Running a bit late to start the year!

It's that time of the year! A new year! Hello 2020! I know I am a little late to the party! We headed away to visit with friends and family over New Years and even though I didn't want to go (only because I couldn't be bothered packing for everyone!), I really had the most amazing time away. It was exhausting and refreshing all in one. The kids had the most amazing time catching up with cousins and friends - they lived in the pool most of the time! 

So now that 2020 is here and we are back home again enjoying our school holidays it has given me time to think about what I want out of 2020. We are unpacking and getting settled into our home and we have really been trying hard to cull lots of things we have been hanging onto "just in case" we ever might need them! Time to pass on things that are no longer useful to us. I am a part of an "unconsumers group" in my local town and it is amazing to be able to list the things we no longer need and have someone come and collect them and put them to use immediately. 

So for me, 2020 brings new opportunities with my work (contract teacher aide) being a little uncertain, I know I'll have plenty of relief work should my school not have the extra funding needed for me to keep my position there. I will be able to get more sewing done! That excites me! I did suggest to my husband that I could be a stay at home mum again.... (I have only been back in the workforce for 2 years since leaving to start a family in 2005) and that I could concentrate on the house, cooking, cleaning and the kids. He smirked (and I have to agree with him!) and said that we both knew that wouldn't happen, but I'd get lots of sewing and stitching done!! 

Another goal for me in 2020 is to being (again) to take care of myself physically and then hopefully this will help with my anxiety and depression also. I've signed up to a lifetime of support though The Healthy Mummy and am keen to get a great portfolio of recipes together that my family love. My eldest daughter loves cooking and I think these style of recipes will work well for her. We should all encourage our kids to cook, eventually we might get a night or two off a week from cooking!! 😁 

The last thing I'd like to organise is while I'm unpacking my sewing supplies I want to have a list of all the projects I have that I've started or that I've got all the supplies for. I think this may help me to see the magnitude of projects I have on the go and may (I can't promise anything!) stop me from starting too many more!! 

What's your 2020 goals?

Sweet Sunday Quilt - New House Project

 I have an amazing core group of friends - the four of us always know that we can go to each other with ANYTHING..... ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING. I'm really blessed to have these ladies in my life. They very generously gave me a voucher for my last birthday to my favourite local quilting shop. For a while I had been eyeing off the pattern and template set for this quilt "Sweet Sunday Quilt" designed by Treehouse Textiles (photo credit to them for the above photo). 

I have been hoarding vintage sheets, handkerchiefs and doileys for years now for that perfect quilt. I just hadn't really seen until now a pattern that I thought would perfectly suit what I wanted.

Maybe this will serve as motivation so I can get everything organised to move and then unpack.... then I can sew!! 

Has one else made any Treehouse Textiles patterns? I'd love to see some!

Head in the sand...

Life is a journey. 

Bumps, detours, crazy rides, joyful scenery and beautiful sunsets.

We are almost the owners of this amazing home. Our first home! We feel so lucky to have come across this beauty. She was built in the late 1800's. I'm excited to be able to find out more about when this home was built and maybe even who lived here all those years ago. 

The biggest issue about moving is......

PACKING!

Yes, you all have been there before. It's never fun but the payoff at the end will be so worth it. This is hopefully our forever home! 

I am so lucky to have a sewing studio out the back that I've had to fight the kids for! I guess since I'm the adult I get to say who sleeps where and an outside studio space isn't really suitable for children.... now or ever! Haha! 

The good thing is that I've only really unpacked about half of my sewing stuff since the last time we moved almost 2 years ago. While I've not be able to find what I need, at least it means I have less to pack up. Fingers crossed the rest of the purchasing process is as seamless as it's been so far and we'll be all moved in, chairs on the veranda with beers and wines in hand celebrating our newest turn in the road!! 

Stitching is good for my soul

Sometimes (okay, who's kidding who?!)...... all the time I see amazing works of art and I wonder if it's something I can do. I occasionally stop and think and really try to decide if I have the skills required to complete a specific project. Most of the time I buy the project and then think about the skills needed later! 

This project (photo above) is one that I really loved and it didn't matter if I couldn't do all of the stitches straight away, I knew I NEEDED this project in my life.

It's a long term project and it's definitely something that will be treasured for my lifetime and hopefully those that come after me. 

A friend and I have attended one class so far and have two more coming up this year. Each panel is a class to attend and it's amazing to have someone showing us their craft and encouraging us to join in and achieve the completion of an amazing heirloom piece!! 

Please tell me I'm not the only one with grand plans!?

The Grateful Stitcher

I am a grateful stitcher. 

Life has taken over for the last few years. 

4 children.

Life is busy. 

I have been trying to make more time lately for even just 30 minutes a day of stitching. I try to see the silver lining in every situation. So my silver lining last week was having sick kids. This meant I wasn't able to go to work for two days. I could have cleaned. I could have washed. I could have done many things, I'm sure.

I STITCHED!

I sat, watched tv while my kids rested, I stitched.

My heart was full. 

It has taken me a long time to really see that doing things for myself isn't selfish. It's actually so beneficial to my family and to my relationships. Don't get me wrong, I haven't done away with all of my usual responsibilities. But I have made some changes to allow me to be able to make my heart full so I can be a better mum. 

I have so many projects on the go - don't we all? Don't comment and tell me you finish every project before starting a new one. You people are unicorns. 

Maybe next time I'll have a photo of something I'm working on. 

I have three projects on the couch beside me this week - a glorious bible verse in gorgeous script for one of my children's super amazing teachers, Cloud Factory's Kings and Queens of the UK cross stitch - this one brings so much happiness to me - and I just saw the Downton Abbey movie last night..... I love the UK, third one is panels from an Elizabethan sewing box that will be a lifelong project I think!! 

What are you grateful for?

(image from Dimensions)