Saturday, February 26, 2011

Another New Start.




Well, do you think I have been a little busy? It certainly seems so to me. I have started a new class at my Embroidery Group, which is a small Applique Baltimore Quilt. This is been taught by one of our members who is a well known Tutor of Embroidery and Patchwork. I won't mention her name as she is unaware of my blog but I hold her in high esteem for her talent and generosity in sharing her skills.  We are truly blessed to have her living and tutoring in our area. This small quilt is in Dimensional Applique and I am enjoying every stitch. I have actually made the larger version several years ago but never finished for many reasons, this is now giving me the incentive to take it to a professional quilter as my poor hands will no longer cope with the many hours of quilting it needs. Please note the teeny tiny flowers. They started life as a 1inch circle, then became a tiny little Suffolk puff before they became little flowers. I will show you when they are attached to the quilt block. I need to make over 60 of these, ouch! my sore fingers. Also the selection of fabrics that I have chosen for flowers and leaves. I found some in Newcastle last week, others I have had for some time. I was very good during this little shopping trip as I only bought three different fabrics but making a choice was difficult as the variety was wonderful.
I have also been working on The Earth Gatherers. You will notice that I am now stitching the vegetable rack which has pink carrots!  I can live with that, if the Ladies of Shepherds Bush decree pink carrots.
Also, during the past week my friend has had her daughter and family visiting. This visit included her very beautiful 4month old grandson Liam. Needless to say we managed to get some cuddles and lots of smiles from Liam. We all went out for dinner last Sunday night and had a wonderful time. Baby Liam was enthralled with the lanterns still hanging for Chinese New Year. Sadly, they are now back in the U.K. but we are hoping for another visit soon.
And before I go,
                                                            ' AOTEAROA'
                                                     God Defend New Zealand.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Another Update.

I have been absent for a while and my excuse is that I have been a little busy with this cross stitch project and the class I am involved with at my embroidery group. Please note the addition of the second Gatherer. He is so cute, dressed in DMC 926 and 927 with touches of 224, 3012 & 712 and some beads.
The class is Needle-turn Applique. I have not stitched anything yet, worthy of a picture. However, when I have, it will certainly make an appearance here. I had taken some lovely fabric to class with me and then decided to change the colour I had chosen for stems. So a trip to our local patchwork shop tomorrow. Whoohoo.
I am also going to gift myself a new Rotary Cutter as the locking mechanism has broken on my 8yr. old cutter. Is that a normal life for a Rotary Cutter? Anyway, I should buy one for the sake of safety, but which one is the question.
I am still working on The Earth Gatherers, not that I have done much tonight as my hands are a little stiff after clipping and weeding the front garden after dinner.  We have had some wonderful rain these past few day's with more predicted tonight. The left over weeds should be a little easier to remove tomorrow and then we will be able top up the mulch.
Well, I think it is time for a lovely cup of Lady Grey tea and may be a few stitches, before calling it a night.