BLESSED SPEEDY

i don't know about you but somehow I seem to have lots and lots of projects started and not finished. This is due to various reasons - got bored with it, started on something else, ran out of what was needed to finish it, forgot I started it etc....... This is a quite normal phenomenon with crafting people so I shouldn't feel bad, but I would dearly love to not have so many laying around.  I have been making a concerted effort to finish off stuff and have been making a dent in the pile though. Here is the latest I have picked up - a stitchery which is pretty simple to work on and when finished will be made into either a cushion or a wallhanging.  I haven't decided which - I need to finish it first!

Today is mine and Gary's 7th wedding anniversary - I cant believe how the time has gone! During that 7 years a lot has happened - new dairy, drought, flood and some health issues for both of us.  Three grandchildren born and the farm growing and sometimes flourishing under our management. I feel truly blessed to be married to such a wonderful man, he is truly encouraging of all I do.  This photo was actually taken the day we got married, and he hardly looks any different at all! As for my recovery - Ive been going walking every day - now have it up to 15 minutes and a pretty good pace, and its nice I have two dogs to keep me company. Molly is full of life and runs here and there, whilst Bronte just plods along.  At the moment I feel more like Bronte but hopefully soon I will have some of Mollys energy! I've also been trying to adjust to not being quite able to do all that I usually do - and one of the things I CANT do at the moment is ...

With the weather being so hot - as can be seen by this photo that was taken two days ago in Cohuna (15 minutes drive away) at 7.30pm and of course with the cricket being on the television - thanks to my Grandpa who taught me from a very young age to really appreciate the "proper cricket" - i.e. test cricket and of course the "holy grail" of cricket - the ashes closely followed by the boxing day test, neither of which was on but still a great test game between Australia and Sri Lanka I have been working on not one but four projects at once, working on each as the mood takes me. Photo of all four is here - crocheted blanket in bendigo cotton, embroidery block from "love is" block of the month, a sock I am test knitting and chair covers for the two lounge chairs. I'm doing a bit on each in no particular order - just as the mood strikes me. But trying to do a "little bit" of each daily. Today I managed to finish the chair s...

I've finished the first three blocks of the scandinavian rose quilt I am making - Im getting it as a BOM (block of the month) so that helps me keep on track - I've got block number 4 here to do (and its a huge one bigger than any I've done yet) and two more are ready to come in the mail, so it certainly keeps you on track. While I am stitching I love listening to audio books - its sort of like doing two things at once.  I've just finished listening to the first four books of song of fire and ice series  (audible link) and have just loved it, well over 100 hours of listening but a good saga. I've now just started the first book in the wheel of time  (audible link) series by Robert Jordan and it seems pretty good so far.  I'm not 100% sold on the narrator but Im getting used to it.  A good narrator can make or break an audio book.

 Currently these are the three main things I am working on at the moment.  Firstly this quilt made of squares of Christmas fabric that I received in a swap I took part in in 2007 - refound them while I was cleaning up and having been putting it all together, it might even be ready for Christmas 2012. This knitting is what I've been working on in the evenings while watching tv - the pattern is water and stone (ravelry link)  - I started this in July and was kicking myself as its such a lot of knitting to do.  I'm using lovely madelintosh sport yarn which is a pleasure to knit with and I'm actually suprised how quickly it is going now that I have been applying myself.  And finally this stitchery block is block number two of a block of the month pattern I'm working on called Scandinavian Rose by Rosalie Quinlan.  I've finished block 1 and as you can see almost done block 2.  Using lovely cosmo threads which are a...

Well its grand final day in the afl today - hawthorn are playing sydney swans. Im not really that fussed who wins but if I have to choose Ill choose Hawthorn. And what have I been doing - apart from watching a bit of the footy as its broadcast live? Finishing off stuff - this time a pair of socks hermiones every days socks  and a table topper I've made from a "Dessert Roll" that someone gifted me years ago - its my own design, nothing flash but I quite like it! I buttonhole stitched the centre flowers after attaching them with vliseofix and pieced the background from the roll strips P.S. Swans won by 10 points

If you are a regular reader of my blog you might have noticed a bit of a theme lately.  Since I havent been well, I seem to have returned to doing stuff I haven't done touched been interested in for quite some time i.e. embroidery/quilting etc. And how good does it feel! Thankfully I prepared and thought a lot ahead - years ago - and have actually been able to be quite productive without having to spend a cent - how smart am I? Today I was sitting quilting a smallish table cloth type thing that I have made with a "dessert roll" that someone gifted me years and years ago - prepared earlier????? And I was loving it! I've also been managing to post here on this blog every second day - have you noticed?  I've been trying to alternate it with farm stuff and crafty stuff and it seems to be working. Hope you readers are enjoying it too!

I've finally made a decision after much thought and discussion - I was (a couple of months ago - before stuff happened) very keen to run for local council.  I had had many people ask me to run and offered their support and/or help which was very flattering. However events over the past little while have made me realise that now might not be the best time to take on something as time intensive as this.  So I've decided NOT to throw my hat into the ring. On the plus and finishing side - I've finished something else - this embroidery sampler that Mum gave me I dont know how long ago to do for her - I think it was a freebie in a magazine or something, I dont honestly remember as it was so long ago. Anyway its done now, and bound and ready to be given to Mum when I next visit her - btw got the border, backing and binding materials from Mum - she was so excited to go through fabric with me and choose them!

I havent been idle - but actually quite productive - its amazing what you can get done when you are "grounded" (i.e. not able allowed to drive).  I've made these 6 blocks after seeing a post on Linda's blog - granny squares I think they are called.  Im using scraps from my scrap tub that I had already cut into 2 1/2' strips so no delving etc required - and so far so good! Secondly, I've managed to finish another stitchery - this one a heart as can be seen here on the left.  I think the money for this went towards Breast Cancer research or something similar when I bought the kit.  Anyway it turned out pretty well - used the lovely cosmo embroidery threads and they are fabulous to use, they hardly ever knot etc.  Quite liking this rekindling of my love of doing stitcheries - plenty more in my stash to do!

As I've hinted in my last couple of posts - I'm really reassessing what is really important in life. The past several weeks have really made me look at things differently. This morning I watched a calf being born - only 15 minutes old and already able to walk around - pretty tough these calves are from the word go. And me- well I'm not that good at resting, BUT, I have been creating and have realised that I am blessed to be able to do this.  I've been doing some embroidery - something that I hadn't been really liking or interested in for quite some time -but I've rediscovered my love....and being able to listen to an audio book while doing it is a bonus as well.  This Christmas Wreath stitchery was started more than a year ago - but its now done, quilted and bound and ready to be hung this Christmas. I have tended to do the stitching during the day, while sitting in the sunshine.  In the evenings I've been knitting a sock (well hopefully it ...

Today I was lucky enough to have a quick visit from Sarah.  She came and cleaned, vaccummed, took me shopping and even made me lasagna for tea.  She also brought me a new cup to enjoy my cuppa in.  Was lovely to see her but she was gone too quickly! Also I've been busy working on the redwork stitchery you can see in this piccy - its a christmas wreath which I started for last Christmas but it never got far.  Maybe that is one of the good things about having to "rest" - some things might actually get finished!