The Final January Finish - Blossie Basket

I have been seeing some rather cute Blossie Baskets popping up here and there.  It is a design by Nic of Craftapalooza, a West Australian designer.

She announced that she was having a stitch along, so I decided to join in.  Why not?  It is a quick and easy project.

The hardest decision is the fabric choice.  There are so many versions out there in so many different styles.  In the end I decided to raid my 1930s fabrics.  Initially, I was going to use a variety of colours, but in the end just used a selection of pretty blues.  Then to choose the contrast fabric or fabrics.  The winner ended up being a micro dot with red and green dots.  It is actually a Christmas print, but works well here.

The next fun part was making all the hexies.  They were the ideal project to work on at my Wednesday stitching group last week.  The pattern suggested hand quilting each hexy, but I like the finish of machine sewn…….and I’m lazy.

Today, I joined them into the little lidded basket.  So sweet.

Inside, the bottom hexy is reversed.  The pattern calls for a felt needle keep under the lid.  I was also too lazy to make that, but wanted a neat finish to the elastic closure.  The mini hexy finishes it off nicely.

This is my first project that was started and finished in 2026.  Happy dance.

September Goals and Stitching Update for the Week

Before I resume my travel stories, I will do a quick post on my stitching.

Firstly, it is time to set my goals for the month of September, which take a little bit of thinking, as I am not at home.  Let’s see how I go.

ONE MONTHLY GOAL

This is a bit tricky.  I need to keep pushing myself to work on things, while still keeping it achievable.

I think I will make my goal to be the stitching down of the EPP strips to the background of Border #4 on my Blue Quilt and have the border attached to the quilt.  It is glue basted, ready to go.

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

The colour for September is aqua.  I’ll play with that once I get home.

15 MINUTES A DAY

I want to keep up with this, as I’m really enjoying achieving a little each day.

KNITTING OR CROCHET PROJECT

I’m working on one now.  More on that later in the post.

HAND STITCHING

I’ve already done some.  Once again, more on that later in the post.  The Blue Quilt also counts.

WORK ON A DONATION PROJECT

I’m not sure if that will happen.  Bonus points if it does.

USE MONIQUE

Probably not.

LEADER AND ENDER

Probably not.  

WIP/UFO

The Blue Quilt counts, but my other main WIP at the moment is the Laundry Basket Mystery Quilt.  I doubt if I will get to it in September.

FINISH SOMETHING

I jolly well hope so….see later in the post.

Now to the non-stitching goals….

READ A BOOK

One down already.  The second  book I picked up in the Cornwall mysteries.  I doubt if I will find the other five, but I’ve enjoyed these.  They are kind of a mix between a modern Miss Marple and Midsomer Murders.

Hopefully, I will read something else as well before the end of the month.

TRY A NEW RECIPE

We’ll see what we can do once we get home.

GET AWAY WITH THE CARAVAN

We’ve smashed that one.

GET/KEEP MY BLOGS UP TO DATE

That will be a challenge.  I have so much to share about this wonderful trip.

Now to get to this week’s stitching update.

I started a second Christmas redwork stitchery, expecting it to take quite a few days.

On Saturday, Mick had a boy’s own adventure and I was staying back at the van.  I was delighted when Chooky advised she would be having a Zoom morning.  Perfect!

As the weather was nice, I moved from the van to a picnic table outside.  How is this for a nice spot to sit, chat and stitch?  

I managed to finish the little stitchery.  It needs a press.

What now?  I found some white 8 ply yarn and also some more of the eyelet lace for next to nothing in an op shop, so I may as well start another coat hanger.  I’d brought another wooden hanger and batting scraps with me, so did the padding and then started on the knitting.  The knitting needles even match the mauve lace. This is the project that should definitely be finished this month.

I’d better update my 15 minutes a day while I’m at it, although it is early in the month.

15 minutes day/week = 7/7

15 minutes day/September = 3/3

15 minutes day/2023 = 231/245

Success rate = 94.29%

I’m linking up at Elm Street Quilts and Life in Pieces.

August Goals Wrap Up and Stitching Progress

I just had a little read of my August goals to see how I went.

My One Monthly Goal was smashed, which I was really pleased about.

My Rainbow Scrap Challenge was also achieved early in the month.

I mentioned that I had some hand stitching option and needed to start some knitting or crochet.  Nothing else was set as a goal, seeing as we would be travelling.  I prepped quite a few things to take away with me.  There would be nothing worse than running out of projects while travelling…….as if.

Well, I have done better than I expected.

Firstly, I made a knitted eyelet lace covered coat hanger. How this came about, was that I was looking for some plastic tubing to cover coathanger hooks, which is getting hard to find and I came across some in the little craft shop in Coolah.  However, in the bag of bits and bobs was also quite a bit of the eyelet lace.  I’ve never tried knitting with the lace, so why not give it a try.  This was a very low cost project, as the wool was in Mum’s stash, I have oodles of timber coat hangers from when Mum use to make fabric covered coat hangers for a craft shop in the past and I have no shortage of batting off cuts to pad them.

What next?

I had seen that several ladies had added one more hexy flower to the centre of their Laundry Basket Quilts Mystery Quilt, so I thought I would too.  It didn’t take too long while sitting in our camp site at Mundi Mundi.

Next…. The Sashiko would be fairly simple to work on.  However, I wasn’t really enjoying it as the needle wasn’t working smoothly.  I had bought some special sashiko needles and when I ran my finger over the tip there was a burr.  Blast!  I got another out of the packet.  Every single one of them had a burr on the tip!  Not happy!  Fortunately, I had a chenille needle with me that was a suitable size.  Problem solved.  Now it was easy to stitch.

On the Thursday, when we sat down at the concert I noticed a young girl a few seat up from us working on a crochet giant granny square and another lady a few rows in front knitting a rug, so I went and got mum Sashiko.  A rather pleasant way to watch the concert.

I was going so well that I actually completed the panel that evening, once we were back at the van.  I’ve no idea what I will do with it, but I really enjoyed working on it.  Now, I’m itching to start the other panels I have at home.  What a pity I didn’t bring them with me.

Friday, being so cold, made me think of beanies.  I had the pattern and making for a beanie in my crafting basket.

I made a start while sitting in the queue, waiting for the gates to the concert area to open.  Yes, it really was freezing.

I didn’t get much done that day, it was just too cold.  More was done after the concert, back in the warmth of the van.

Saturday, saw me working madly on it.  I wanted to get to the crown shaping.

I didn’t get it finished that day, but it was all done and dusted on Sunday.

Mick has declared he likes the colour and it is nice and soft, so it is now his.  It is probably a bit too big on me.  I do like the way the crown decreases work.

I’m glad I didn’t have to pay him to be my model, seeing he is so cheeky.

I hadn’t expected to achieve nearly this much, but not having internet connection is rather good for productivity.

Now what?  I was starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel, or craft basket as the case may be.

I had popped in a couple of redwork Christmas stitcheries that were already traced.  That would do.  I must say I did slow down, as it took me several days to complete.  I miss having my really good LED light with me.

Now I was really struggling to find inspiration.  

I had popped in some sock wool and a started sock that I found in Mum’s stash, so have done a tension swatch, while sitting by the sea, ready to knit some socks…….and that is as far as I have got with them.  I’m not really enthused at the moment, so have packed them away for another day.

I’ve done nothing for the past three days.  This evening I have started another redwork Christmas stitchery, after I remembered that I had indeed packed my small LED lamp.  I’ll plug away slowly at it.

How am I going with my 15 minutes a day?

15 minutes a day/week = 4/7

15 minutes a day/August = 28/31

15 minutes a day/2023 = 228/242

Success rate = 94.42%. Down a bit, but still not too bad.

On the non stitching front, I have read 2 books and listened to an audio book.

I found this in a street library yesterday and read it yesterday.  A cozy crime story.  I also picked up another in the series and look forward to reading it too.

I found this 1931 book in a street library and absolutely loved it, especially as it was set in the area we were travelling in.  I will read it again, slowly, when we return home.  It’s a keeper.

I mentioned the audio book earlier and, as I said, it was a bit gruesome at the start.  We started to listen to the next in the series and I turned it off.  Too gruesome for me, although Mick likes them.

And that is a wrap for August. Now to plan for September, which will take a bit of thinking about.

I’ll just also mention another lady I met at the Mundi Mundi concert doing some crafting.  Isn’t it beautiful.  I wouldn’t be game to try and concentrate on such detailed colour work while sitting at a concert.  She even kindly gave me the pattern.  

October's Stitching

Reading my most recent posts you would think that I have turned into a travel blogger and not been doing any stitching.  One thing about being able to be out and about is that my stitching time is reduced.  However, I have still been getting some done.

I was a bit frustrated by my Janome sewing machine needing a service.  Finally, once lockdown had been lifted I was able to take it and Mick's Mum's Elna in to the shop that arranges services.  I hadn't used this person before.  I was delighted to have them back in just a few days and my Janome is running like a dream again.  It was fine using my Mum's Elna, but I do appreciate needle up and needle down, as well as the knee lift.

Let's see how  my goals for the month went.

1.    ONE MONTHLY GOAL    

Firstly, I was lucky enough to be one of the winners in last month's draw, being the recipient of a $25 voucher to the Fat Quarter Shop.  Thanks Patty for drawing out my name.

My goal this month was to fill a post pack with Santa Sacks to send down to Jan Mac in Melbourne for children in need.

I managed to make fifteen, which I am happy about.

2.     WOOFA CHALLENGE

This month I planned to work on another donation quilt.  

I had hoped to have this totally completed, but all these days out have eaten into my time.  I did get the top together on Sunday, so I should at least get it finished next month.  Its a nice and cheerful quilt.

3.    CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

I didn't make any progress on a project with my redwork stitcheries - still procrastinating.  I did start a secret project but no pic - it's secret.

4.    MAKE A DONATION PROJECT

The first two projects are for donations, which is nice.

5.    FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS

It was fun to join in.

6.    ONE PROJECT A MONTH

I think fifteen Santa sacks will count.

7.    ZOOM SEWING    

This didn't end up happening, but there is always next time.

8.    MY LAUNDRY BASKET MYSTERY QUILT

 I wasn't sure how far I would get with this quilt.  I managed to add the borders and have it to my quilting fairy fairly early in the month.  I think the borders ended up suiting it really well.

She worked her magic and had it back to me last week.  Slack me has not prepared the binding as yet.  I need to get on to that and get it finished.  I'm looking forward to having it on our bed for a while.  I love swapping out the quilts, as a different quilt gives the room a whole new look.  Something else I would like to have finished next month.

I like to thank the girls who arrange the challenges I join in.  They make stitching such fun.

The month isn't over yet, so I may get to sneak in a little more, but there are other plans afoots, so we'll see how we go.

Zooming Along, a WOOFA Challenge Finish and Other Stitching

During September I have been fortunate enough to join in on a few Zoom stitching get togethers.  The first was right at the start of the month which I posted about back here.

The second time was a get together of the girls who were supposed to be attending the Bathurst Blog Meet on the second weekend of the month.  Sadly, that didn't proceed for the second year in a row.  There was on line stitching during Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I joined in on Friday and tried to join in on Saturday, but wasn't able to connect.  It was nice to catch up with a different lot of girls on line.

I did get the final block of my redwork completed.  I wasn't able to get any of the same thread, so used a blend of two DMC threads.  As it is the label I don't think that it matters that it is slightly different.

The next Zoom get together was last Saturday, organised by Chookyblue.  There was a good roll up and I was quite productive.

Firstly, as my quilt had been returned from my quilting fairy, it was a good opportunity to hand stitch down the binding.

Ta da!  One complete quilt.  

It just fits on a single bed nicely.

The quilting design is Briar Rose in Winter and I think it suits it perfectly.

And the back, created from the left over fabric. Thank goodness for the extra metre of the floral from Vinnies.  There was just enough.  Now I don't have to add any to stash and it didn't matter that I couldn't get to the shops.

I now just have to add a label before gifting it to Mum for her birthday.  A nice summery quilt for her bed.  The best bit is that today it was announced that from 11 October, if you have had both of your vaccinations, you will be able to visit nursing homes.  Happy dance, as Mum's birthday is the following week.

This ticked two boxes - a finish for One Project a Month, as well a a finish for the WOOFA Challenge.

Now, back to Zooming.........

Once I had finished stitching down the binding it was time to start another project.  Hand stitching is the ideal thing to work on, so I bit the bullet and started the Scrub Stitchin' project from this year.

Some of the girls nearly fell off their chairs when I brought out some EPP.  

It is a lovely cushion designed by Sandy from Shiralee Stitches.  I had prepared and basted the EPP pieces while up there, as we had access to the templates for cutting, but that is as far I had progressed.

It didn't take all that long to have the ring stitched together.  I can't say I enjoyed the curved piecing, and it isn't the flashest on the back, but then no one is going to see it, and it looks just fine from the front.

I'll  applique it down during the next Zoom get together.  I'm not sure if I will include the broderie perse centre or not.  I'll make that decision when I get to that stage.

Once the cushion has been completed I will have to find another project.  I have one in mind that will take quite some time, so I do hope Chooky keeps these sewing days happening so I can get it done.

A couple of weeks ago, there was a beautiful day and I felt like sitting outside and doing some stitching, but what, as I had just completed the redwork blocks?

I decided that it was time to pull out a little cross stitch project......maybe a bookmark kit, as I have a few of those.

Like everyone else, I used to do a lot of cross stitch in the late 80s and early 90s.  Mainly small projects that I either gifted or sold in a local craft shop.  Sadly, I don't really have any projects here to show for it.  There are several kits from that time in my tub that I would like to do, and I do have one half done, which it would be nice to finish.  No hurry, it's waited 30 years, what's a little more time.

The last cross stitch I did was back in 2007, when I bought a book mark kit in Scotland, with a Celtic design, and stitched it while were were on the Isle of Man.

The first kit that I saw in the box of many kits was this little daffodil card.  Rather appropriate for the season, so that is what I decided to work on. I've no idea where it has come from.  I'm guessing I found it on the white elephant stall or an op shop.

I had forgotten how time consuming it is to do a small area.  This is only just over two inches square and took several hours.  Mind you, there are five different greens and five different yellows, so not just nice simple blocks of colour.

I'm pleased to have the stitching completed and not end up as another cross stitch UFO.  However, I don't know what I will do with it.  I don't necessarily want it to be a card.  It may be framed to add to my little spring display, or maybe form part of a spring mini quilt.  Who knows.  I'd better do something with it or it will end up being a UFO.

After dipping my toe in the water, so to speak, I'll have to decide which cross stitch project I will work on next. Not something to do while zooming though, as I would need to concentrate.