WIP: Welcome Home Door Stop

I am a great fan of Anni Downs stitcheries of Hatched and Patched, so just couldn't resist this Welcome Home Door Stop kit.

In Quilters Companion #51, there is a DVD by Sarah Fielke "Learn Needleturn Applique" - so on this occasion I took her advice and purchased a couple of extra tools to make life a little easier - one was a silver gel pen, and you can see in the above pic the silver pen marks for indicating where to turn under as you sew - I found it such a great suggestion!

 Another suggestion by Sarah Fielke to make the circles was to purchase "Perfect Circles" which come in various sizes and are the best invention. As suggested by Sarah, I placed my fabric cut out plus a Perfect Circle into a small piece of foil and then finger pressed all the edges and then finally I ironed it!

For my first attempt I am fairly pleased, but of course I can see where I could improve. These circles would measure approx 1/2" and are a challenge!

I have been working on this stitchery for a few weeks now and I think my needleturn applique has come a long way, BUT I have found that on these smaller pieces (like tree trunks etc) my patience has been running rather thin.

Will keep you updated on this one . . .  Best wishes and hope you are having a great day, Suzi

In My Garden ... Chooks

Can't keep the country out of the girl!

We have had chooks for years and when we decided to move back to the city they just had to come along too. You could say we are the retirement village for well loved chooks. Some of my old girls don't lay, so they are just enjoying their twilight years in the back yard.

Recently we bought another four chickens and they are such a delight - the old girls of course pick on them relentlessly - they run around with such energy and then fall asleep in the sun, I just love watching them nod off, then up and running around again - I just wish I had so much energy!

Would love to hear your chook stories. Will keep you posted . . . cheers, Suzi

We'll be good Mum!

keep your eye on that new one!

Ms Frizzel sun baking . . .

Two new kids in the hen house!

The Palace . . .

In My Garden . . . strawberries

Well, I finally planted some strawberries in the Vegepod . . . read somewhere that I should put heaps of straw underneath leaves so what does one do on a day off, get the straw out!  And I noticed I have a few flowers coming and not to mention first sighting of fruit! I am imagining big bowl of strawberries and cream. Can you tell I am excited . . . 

I also put in three tiny tomatoes and I have tiny tiny little green toms coming.

Hope you are enjoying your day as much as I am. Until next time, cheers Suzi

Vegepod full of wonderful strawberries

First fruit sighting . . . strawberries and cream coming up!

Can you see the green tomato?

Update "Hope Love Friendship"

Just an update on this beautiful stitchery by Rosalie Quinlan.  I so enjoyed completing this project knowing that I was making it for a work colleague's wife.

The handkerchief linen was just so nice to sew and using the variegated Cosmo thread certainly gives it depth.

I finished off by adding two borders from my "stash".

Enjoy the pictures . . . until next time, Suzi

Re-covering old stools

Yeah . . . back in the sewing room at last . . .

Sorting out my fabric "stash" I came across some fabric I purchased couple of years ago from Ikea - thought at the time it will come in handy, I am sure you know those thoughts only too well.

Looking at our two old stools today I thought late this afternoon I know what fabric I will use, so got staple gun out, took off the old fabric (yuk) didn't realise how horrible it had become . . . and had fun putting on the new tops.  Of course Aleks just had to jump at the last minute during pics to say "thanks Mum".  It certainly helps a lot if you have a good stapler gun.

Just another item ticked off that big "to do list".  Hope you have had a great Sunday as I have - another year older!

Until next time, Suzi

Seasons Greetings!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It is that special time of year when we like to take time
out for one another and family.

I haven't been very productive in the sewing room for the
past month, have had many other "household" chores/gardening
keeping me busy.

Until next time, best wishes for the holiday season,

Suzi