Phoenix Blanket crochet-along.

Two months ago I started a Crochet a-long blanket by 'Hooked on Sunshine'. I'm now halfway through part 7 but here it is at the end of week/part 6. The pattern for this can be found on the Ravelry website. At the moment each part is free but at the end of the CAL it will need to be purchased.

Caturday

Caturday

Almost an antique!

One of my friends was going through her cupboards and found this little tapestry (it's approximately 12in x  7in). Her sister started it when she was about 8 years old - she has now just turned 70. L. wanted to frame it and give it to her sister as a surprise but she can't do cross stitch.

I was more than happy to stitch it for her but the first problem was some of the Semco threads were missing, the main problem being with the cream path. None of the DMC or Anchor threads was a close match and it seemed such a shame to have a mismatch. 

This is where the wonder of the Needlework Tapestry Guild came in again. I took it along to a sewing afternoon and sure enough one of my friends had a collection of Semco threads, some having belonged to her mother. R. brought them along the following week and she had the exact match, plus a close match for the yellow flowers that had yet to be stitched. I managed to eke out the pale green with a bit of "tweaking". 

I'd love to be present when the picture is returned, finished and framed, to the lady who started it 68 years ago.

The colours of autumn

Absolutely stunning!

Caturday

Hey Mum, look where I am!

...now how do I get down?

Caturday

Ollie - I killed the mouse mum!

Road Trip

On Fri S and I set off on our "road trip" to Carrum Downs. Somehow it doesn't seem so far away when I have company! Destiny? Embroidery Essentials. 

S wanted fabric and threads for two wedding samplers she is going to stitch. I wanted some threads to add interest to my tapestry. I had also decided, that as my current projects are going to take a long time to complete, I wanted a quick project on the go as well. I needed fabric and threads for the welcome bell pull I want to hang in my entrance hall. 

The pattern uses Weeks Dye Works thread, which I just don't like as the colour runs if the project needs to be washed. I substituted Cottage Garden threads which are colour fast and hand dyed in Australia.

We finished our expedition in a nearby cafe, clearly popular with the locals, and had a delicious lunch before heading back home. 

Today I am catching up on some recorded TV programs and working on the first leaf. 

Caturday

I know I'm not supposed to sleep on the black lamb skin...

but it's so very comfortable and cosy!

My New Project

Last Saturday I went to the Guild's stitching afternoon and this tapestry, plus all the wool, was donated to whomever wanted to do it. 

I fell in love with it. What isn't there to to like? A Japanese garden, a swan, a serene figure? Well there's tent stitch of course! I'd be bored to tears before I finished the sky. Then I was persuaded it could be done in textured needlepoint stitch. Ooh, that could be fun. So I've started with the sunrise using twill and encroaching gobelin. So far it looks good. I think I best do some work on the bamboo on the left before I go much further and I'm not sure what stitch to use. Think I need some advice from my friends at the guild. 

My Christmas present

Yes, I know, Christmas has come and gone! But I was given a gift voucher for Tom Thumbs Miniature Emporium and today was the day I went off to spend it. Thank you friend who gave it to me. 

My newest treasures are:

A rocking horse to go in the attic.

Hat boxes to go on top of the wardrobe cupboard.

Groceries for the pantry shelves.

What!

Are you packing me up too?

I'm spending the long weekend "decluttering". In came the boxes and the unwanted books began to be packed. Of course both Ollie and Em had to "help".

Four book cases have now been sorted and the contents have been culled by about half. The buffet has been reorganised. The wardrobes have had a massive clearance. 

One more trip to the op shop and the book recycling shop. 

Next the linen closet. I bought 2 of the space saver bags so I'm hoping they really do work when I pack them with the winter linen... but first... a cup of coffee!

Precious baby has arrived.

Baby boy A. arrived on Fiday morning. Welcome to the world little one. You have two wonderful loving parents.

What to do in 40+ degree heat...

... not a lot!

The lounge room is cool so I've started a jigsaw.



Then Oliver decided to help!

The love of friends

"Friends will strengthen you with their prayers, bless you with their love, and encourage you with their hope."

Caturday

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Thought for the day

It says it all, sadly.

It's finished!

Yes, building has come to an end at the doll house. Now I have many months / years to add to it! Yesterday I went to Tom Thumbs and bought the peacock chair and potted fuschia to go on the verandah. 

I've added some of the lights. Ooh, superglue should be sold with solvent! Even with gloves I managed to get glue on my fingers as I attached the magnets that hold the lights. 

This photo shows the correct colour; I did not paint a pink doll house as in the previous pictures!

Today is White Ribbon Day

A reminder to stand against violence towards  women. To never "commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women."

Click on link:

No bystanders where violence is perpetuated.

It's nearly finished!

Last night I glued in the windows and the shutters. It sounds like an easy task. Squeeze on some glue, position the pieces on to the house and tape until the glue is dry.  Hah! Liquid nails is horrible stuff. It doesn't flow easily and it goes stringy. The next problem was that the inside windows don't sit flush with the facade. They have to be fused to the front ones, without glueing the window panes.

Patience, lots of it, was required. Gritted teeth helped too! I had to keep checking the shutters were facing down and that I had the window panes the right way around. The balustrades on the verandah are meant to be screwed on to the base. Why? Neither I nor my friends thought that was necessary so they were glued in place with liquid nails too. The gle dried overnight and this morning everything is secure.

All that needs to be done now are to add the dormer windows to the roof and put in the awnings above the windows. Of course they don't fit so I'll need to sand them carefully until they do.