February Wrap Up

It seems only yesterday that it was the start of the month and I had ages to complete everything that I wanted to.  In some ways, I achieved much more than I expected at the start of the month, as we were supposed to be in New Zealand.  On the other hand, when that fell through, I had grand plans in the back of my mind.  Some were achieved, others will be carried over to the future.

So what did I get done?

ONE MONTHLY GOAL

My goal was just to have my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks made.  A minimal goal, as we were were supposed to be travelling. That was completed in the first couple of days.

I’ll link up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts.  Pop over to see what the other ladies got up to.

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

See above.

HAND STITCHING

I had hoped to make a small start on the second EPP borders on the Blue Quilt.  

I far exceeded expectations on this front, completing the second borders and being over half way done on the Dresden sections.  That was definitely a win for the month.

However, I didn't spend any time with my cross stitch kitten in February.  I'm not too worried.  There is no deadline and I have to be in the right mood for this one.  It will happen, all in good time.

15 MINUTES A DAY

I am really happy with how this is going too.  I missed just one day in the month, so my figures to date are:

15 minutes day/February = 27/28

15 minutes days in 2023 = 57/59

Success rate = 96.61%

I am very happy with that.

Pop over to Kate at Life in Pieces to see how the other ladies went.

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS

Not so much stitching during the evening, but a couple of hours in the morning made up for it.

Thanks to Cheryll for making this possible.

I have some other regular goals that weren't mentioned at the start of February, but I did try to work on.  I seem to have so many goals each month, which probably accounts for me flitting from one project to another all the time.  At least I can't get bored with anything.

UFO/WIP

This is where the Twister Quilt comes in.  Borders added.

Also, the bibs have been completed.

As well, I finished off some little butterfly magnets that have been hanging around for quite some time.

DONATION PROJECT

The little premmie baby quilt fits this bill, as do the  bibs.

LEADER AND ENDER PROJECT

I did fall down on this one.  Not much was done.  I need to get more fabric prepped.

KNITTING OR CROCHET

A little crochet happened, but has stalled at this stage.

I'm off and running again on my scarf, which is very enjoyable.  It is so lovely and soft and light.

ONE FINISH A MONTH

Exceeded, although they are all small projects.  The premmie baby quilt, bibs and butterflies.  Still, better than nothing.

USE MONIQUE.

A big fat fail.  Next month.

STOP PRESS

After initially preparing this post I went into the sewing room and put another baby quilt together.  It is rather cute.  Now I have something to practise quilting on.

Now on to the non stitching goals, which weren't mentioned at the start of the month.

READ A BOOK

Yes, I did read two.

TRY A NEW RECIPE

That only took place today.  We made another batch of tomato sauce.  I've only ever made Grandma's recipe and it is really dark, made with brown sugar, malt vinegar and lots of spices.  It has quite a bite to it.  We wanted to try to make a more traditional red tomato sauce.  We found a recipe in the Trunkey Creek School cookbook.  The ladies out in that small village are known for their excellent country cooking.  The recipe uses white vinegar, white sugar and only has cloves and cayenne pepper for the spices.  The taste is quite different - less spicy and sweeter - and it is red.  It will be nice to have the different varieties to use.

They look quite different, don't they.

HAVE A FUN DAY OUT

We ticked that box several times.  February sees the start of so many community events, as the weather is generally stable and will now start to cool down a bit.

12 Hour Car Races

The Oberon Show

100 Years of the Archies

Motorcycle Show

Sofala Show

Oh, and yesterday we went out to a mate’s place and picked some blackberries.  We had hoped to get enough for jam, but they weren’t all that good.  Despite all the rain we received at the start of the year, February has been rather dry and therefore the berries were rather small.  We did get enough to have a few with pancakes or in a breakfast parfait.  Just a nice taste.

There was also the little market I went to and fishing at Oberon Dam.

We were out and about quite a bit.  Such fun.

MOTORCYCLE RIDE

No, not as such.  Just Mick taking the bikes into the show.  It is too hot for pleasant riding at this time of the year.

USE THE CARAVAN

No, and we didn't expect to.

WALK

I've eased up on this.  Slack!  I need to ramp it up again.

So, that wraps up February.  A month that ended up being very different to what we originally expected, but enjoyable just the same.

The Start of February

What a difference a week makes……

I had mentioned that my goals for this month were minimal, as we would be travelling.  Well……. that has now all changed.  Mick’s back has given him grief recently, and it is not recovered sufficiently for him to feel confident to travel overseas.  Therefore, at the last minute, we have cancelled our trip to New Zealand.  We are sad about it, but both know it was the right decision.

So now, I have more time to sew.  Yay!

Anyway, back to the last week.

I did make my pink Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.  I’m happy to tick that off my list.

On Wednesday I once again headed off to my new patchwork group.  This time I remembered to take a photo of the venue.  It is an old convent.  We are actually in a more modern wing.  The building was originally the family home of one of the pioneering families of Bathurst.  As the number of nuns has really dwindled, the property has been put up for sale, so we don’t know how long we will be able to use this venue for our stitching. It was called “St Josephs Mount”, but since the nuns left it has reverted to its original name of “Logan Brae”.

Not only have I joined the new patchwork group in town, I have joined a second stitching group.  This one isn’t specifically patchwork.  You can take whatever craft along that you like.  

I attending my first session of the second group on Friday morning.  Both groups are very friendly and welcoming.  It is so nice to be able to attend these groups mid week.

So what else did I stitch last week?

I did keep up with my 15 minutes each day. So that still works out that I have only missed one day this year.

Mostly, I just fiddle faddled with not a great deal to show. (Maybe I was preparing for a trip, rather than sewing.)

I have my first column of EPP for the Blue Quilt put together.  A good project to take to stitching.

I also finished off some more little butterfly magnets.

I’ve had some little scrap 30s fabric half inch hexies on their papers for a while, so stitched them into a flower.  I’ve no idea what I will do with it, but it will get added to something at some stage.  It’s cute anyway.

And today, I started fiddling with some crochet.  I have no crochet or knitting on the go at the moment and my plan was to get some nice wool in NZ. Now that has changed I dived into the stash.  I have some wool I want to make a rug from and am thinking of making lots of these long grannies from various colours and then playing with a layout.  Basically, making it up as I go along.  That way I don’t have to work out all my colours at this point.  I’ll think it over before I go too far with it.

Friday was Friday Night With Friends, hosted by Cheryll. I must say I didn’t do much on Friday night, but  I did stitch butterflies and EPP in the morning.  I think that will count.

The next thing to do is to start making some more stitching plans for the month, as it is a bit of a blank canvas at the moment.

We had a fun day out yesterday.

This weekend has seen the Mount Panorama racing circuit in Bathurst host the 12 Hour Endurance Race.  The race attracts some of the best international drivers. For the first time, we decided to go up and have a look, while they were doing their practice and qualifying.  The weather was perfect to be out and about.  Not too hot.

There were two major draw cards this year.  One was Valentino Rossi, who after being a world leading motorcycle racer, has now changed to racing GT motor cars.

The other was a Formula 1 race car doing some demonstration laps.  As a result there were record breaking crowds attending the event.  We’re glad we went along.

The race was on today.  We had the television on, to pop in every now and then to see how the race was going, and after twelve hours, it was a very exciting finish, with only a few seconds between the leading few cars.

Finally, today I attended some markets.

A couple of months ago some new “Makers and Growers Markets” have started up in the grounds of Logan Brae, where we have our patchwork days.  Our group was invited, at short notice, to have a stall.  Once again, the weather was perfect and the setting was pleasant.  They are still rather small, but there were some lovely stalls and a nice little crowd of visitors.

A few of us went along with a few bits and pieces to sell.  The primary reason was to promote the group and attract some additional members.  As a result we may have a few new ladies join in and we were also able to sell a few items.  I have a basket at home where random items I have made, just for the fun of it, have resided.  A couple have now moved on to new homes, which was nice.  We may go along next month as well and a few more ladies may contribute.  

I’m linking up with:

Life in Pieces

So Scrappy

Gone Stitchin’

My Goals for February

Unlike January, my goals for this month are rather minimilist, as we will once again be travelling for most of the month.

ONE MONTHLY GOAL

My very simple goal this month is to make my Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks. 

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

I will be making  the blocks for the black and white quilt as well as the split nine patch blocks.

The fabrics have been pulled ready to go.

HAND STITCHING

I have prepped some more of my EPP for the Blue Quilt.  The joining squares are ready to go.

They are all in order ready to start.  I don't think I'll get much done, but every little bit helps.

15 MINUTES A DAY

This is not going to happen this month, but I plan on keeping up while I am at home and who knows, I may get something done while travelling.  I will take some little project and do what I can.

FRIDAY NIGHT WITH FRIENDS

Friday is Cheryll's get together for a night of stitching.  I should be able to join in this week.

And that's it.

In the meantime, I will enjoy playing the tourist.

I'm linking up over at Elm Street Quilts.  Pop over and see what the others plan for the month.