And That’s the End of July

July has been a rather strange month for me.

Firstly, arranging Mum’s funeral and then, two weeks ago, undergoing surgery. Nothing serious, but it will keep me quiet for a quite a few weeks. 

Surprisingly, I did get two projects finished, as well as my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.

I was amazed to finally embroider the small eyes on the tiddly tropical fish for my fishy quilt.  There was no way they could be appliqued.  Just some satin stitch for the black, with white chain stitch around the middle sized fish and back stitch around the tiny ones. Such a big job, not. Now, the bright fish blocks are finally finished and the next task is to cut the joining blocks and borders and piece the tops.  That will have to wait for month or so.

My slow stitching pouch panel has advanced slightly.  Before we headed on our trip in June I pinned the rest of the fabrics to the batting, ready to stitch.  I’m slowly getting there.  No rush for this one, but it will be good to take to my stitching days for the next little while. It is rather relaxing to work on, the last time while on a Chookshed Stitchers Zoom morning.

In addition to those, I have made a start on yet another project.  This year I seem to be a serial starter.  About half have been finished, which is something I suppose.

Anyway, the local Wrap With Love group hold a knitting day each year and I was able to go along for the first time this year.  They had just over 100 rugs ready to send off to be donated.  This is just a small portion of them.

While there, I started another Corner to Corner crochet rug.  The one I made in shades of grey that Mick claimed was initially to be donated to this cause.  So, now I am making one that will be donated.  Yes, I know this isn’t knitting, but that didn’t matter.

This version is in the Wisteria colour way of the Jumbo Muffin self striping yarn.  It should be pretty.  The local discount store is now stocking them again at a very good price.  There is no rush to get it finished, but I would like to have it done before the end of the year.

And that is all I have achieved.  There has been plenty of opportunity to do more, but I just couldn’t be bothered.  Hopefully, that will change soon.  However, it will all be handwork for the next little while.  No using the rotary cutter.

15 MINUTES A DAY

My stats are getting worse by the month.

July = 18/31

Year to date = 157/212  which is 74.06%.

Not that it matters. This year has been rather chaotic on several fronts and it is all a bit of fun, not a chore. 

In other happenings, I have read a few books in the last couple of months.  I didn’t do an update in June, so will include both months here.

Firstly, we like to listen to an audio book as we travel the large distances on our trips.  This time it was “Murder Most Antique”.  It is the sequel to one we listened to last year.  The narration is excellent, but at times we wanted the book to progress a little quicker.  It was a nice light hearted mystery to enjoy.

While having lunch in Nyngan, we picked up “The Busy Body” from the street library.  It didn’t take long for me to read, as it was another light hearted mystery.  It was then left at another street library.

That’s all that was read or listened to while we were away.

In July I read two books.  The first was “A Death in Cornwall”.  We have read a few books by Daniel Silva and they are always fast paced and a good read.  There are more on the shelf here for me to read.

The second one was “A Single Thread”.  It is written by the same lady as The Girl With the Pearl Earring.  I’ve had this sitting beside my chair for a few months.  I can’t remember where I picked it up from, a street library or op shop, or somewhere similar.  Anyway, it is about a lady in her mid 30s during the early 1930s.  She is one of the many that are destined to stay single after so many men were lost during World War One.  It is set in Winchester and based around the true story of the making of several hundred embroidered kneelers and cushions for the cathedral.  It has mixed reviews, but I really loved it.  I suppose having an interest in hand work makes a bit of a difference.  Also, we have visited that cathedral while visiting England one time, so I can picture the area.

I then listened to Richard Osman’s latest release “We Solve Murders”.  He is the author of the Thursday Murder Club series.  This is the first in a new series.  It seemed a little slow to start with, as you tried to work out who the characters were and how everything was going to fit together, but ended up being a very enjoyable listen.  Yes, another light hearted mystery.  I opted for the audio book for this one, as I had really enjoyed listening to Thursday Murder Club series and thought this would be of a similar vein.  It was narrated by Nicola Walker and she did a great job.  Having a good narrator makes all the difference.

Now to decide what to work on in August and what to read.