It Was a Bit Fresh This Morning

The weather forecasters have been telling us that this morning was to be the coldest for the year so far. It was minus 4 degrees C when I went to bed at 10 o'clock last night, so I thought they may be on the right track. We even decided to add an extra quilt on the bed for good measure.

When I poked my nose out from under the covers at 7 o'clock this morning it was minus 6.4 degrees C.  Brrrrr.   I turned the heater on and, being Sunday, hopped back under the quilts.

When I finally emerged at half past eight I briefly stuck my nose out the door to see what it was like.

No wonder it was cold.  Normally you can see Mount Panorama.  Not today, just a wall of white. 

A bit after ten the fog had lifted a little so I went out to have a better look.

You can always tell when we have had a really cold morning by the frost in the willow tree down the road.  This morning it was especially beautiful.  Still no sign of Mount Panorama.

Our street tree was looking rather sparkly as the sun started to peek through.

Look at the thickness of the frost on its branches.  

One thing you do know when you get a morning like this is that you will end up with a glorious day when the fog finally clears.  It is now nearly noon and just look at that.  Mount Panorama has revealed herself.  The temperature has now warmed to a balmy 5 degrees C.  I may even get the washing dry.

Splendid Sampler II - Point Taken

Another fun block this week.  I got stuck straight in and selected fabric and then decided to make it tonight as well.  The points of the star are meant to be missing, hence the name of the block "Point Taken".

It is fun using the 30s fabrics. I've been wanting to sneak in the orange and this block seemed perfect.

I can't get to my cutting table just at the moment, so this was a good small project to prepare on the dining table.

I'm linking up over here.  Pop across and check out all the very different versions.

Splendid Samper II - Balance

I'm happy to report that I have already completed this week's block, even though it was only released last night.



It was a fairly quick one compared with last week's.  I had to have a bit of a scout around for a grey fabric that would work well with the 30s theme.    I think the pink stripes add to the circus feel.  When I went to do the applique I noticed that the stripes were showing through the grey so I added some stabiliser to the back.  It still shows a little, but I can live with it.

This week I reverted back to my favourite blanket stitch on the machine.  Much easier and neater for me.



Here are the first four blocks together.  I think they look good. Already plenty of variety.  I'm looking forward to seeing this grow.

I've linked up over here if you want to see some other versions.  There are some beauties and so much variety.

One Monthly Goal for July - Lynette Anderson Table Topper

It is time to once again set my goal for the month.

I mentioned this project last month.  It is a table topper we started at our Nundle weekend a few years ago.  I keep hoping to have it finished by a deadline, - the following Nundle retreat, the Bathurst Blog Meet, Scrub Stitchin - and none have happened.

I WILL have it finished this month.  I have finished the stitcheries as much as I'm going to.  They are a little simplified from the original, but they will do. I have already basted the stitcheries to hexy papers. I need to join all the hexies, make and join the red outer part hexies, quilt and bind.  That should keep me busy for a little while.

In the background I have my RSC blocks to make.  This month's colours are red and maroon and now I have started Splendid Sampler II, so there is a bit to keep me amused.  

I think I need to get cracking.

I'm linking up at Elm Street Quilts, who is providing me the inspiration to get these UFOs completed.

Splendid Sampler II - Clam Shells

This week's block was designed by Helen Stubbings from Tasmania.  It is rather cute.



I enjoyed this block as back in 2012 at Nundle Sue Daley was our tutor and our project was clam shells.  Therefore, I had some papers and a template.

The clam shells were perfect for fussy cutting - just a few so as not to be too twee.

It was fun matching threads to the fabrics.  It ended up a very pretty block.

I'm inking up over here.

The Splendid Sampler II - Milk and Cookies

Two weeks, two blocks.

This week's block is "Milk & Cookies" by Rebecca Bryan.

Needle turn applique isn't my forte, so there was a bit of fiddling to get nice curves.  In the end I'm happy with how it turned out.  Some of the ladies shared some tips on the block which were very helpful.

I added a few fabrics to my little stash last week, including the three circle fabrics.  I think I have a nice range now.

I wonder what we will receive next week?

I'm linking up over The Splendid Sampler II.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The weather man forecast that this weekend would be a tad wintry - with a nasty cold front with snow travelling from Tasmania, through Victoria and New South Wales and even into Queensland in a couple of days time.  They were right!

As we had nothing planned for the day, after lunch we rugged up and hopped in the car to see if we could see some snow.  We decided to head towards Oberon, one of the highest towns in the area at 1100 metres above sea level.

We caught our first glimpse of the snow at the top of Oberon Mount, near Mayfield Gardens that we visited recently.  Doesn't it look bleak.

We were surprised at the number of cars coming from the direction of Oberon.  We like getting off the beaten track, so we turned onto a small dirt road "Faugha Ballaugha Road".  Don't you just love that name.  I've been told by a good source that it is pronounced "Fogga Bogga Road".  Anyway, we haven't been up there for several years so today was a good excuse.

As the road got higher the snow got thicker, especially in the scrub.

Brrrr!

We enjoyed coming across these old relics of times gone by.  Imagine trying to keep warm in that little house.  It is built of pise (compacted earth and straw).  The walls wouldn't have been too bad, but so much heat would have gone out through the roof (yes, even when it had a complete roof).  Mind you the kitchen, around the fire would have been rather snug.

Another relic.

It was drizzling most of the time as we drove along, (which explains the spots on many of the photos) so there would have been much more snow to see earlier in the day.

We travelled a couple of little roads and by the time we reached Oberon we were ready to have a nice hot cup of coffee and some cake.  Well, it appeared that we weren't the only ones with that idea.  You were battling to find a parking spot in the main street!  I think everyone within coo-ee must have decided to go for a drive to see the snow.  All the coffee shops and cafes were packed out.  Not to worry, we would have a coffee and cake when we got home.  But, which way to go home?  Why not through the Dog Rocks Forest.

This route would take us through the village of Black Springs, which is the highest in the area.  It wasn't long before the snow cover increased.

Many years ago I worked with a girl who lived in this house.  She travelled all the way to Bathurst each day.  I didn't envy her in the winter time.  Yes, she had the occasional snow day when she couldn't make it to work.

Black Springs. Yep, that's high at 1210 metres above sea level. Time to get out and have a little play.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.

Imagine how much snow would have been here earlier in the day.

How lovely.

Now, Mick is the first to tell you how he hates the snow, having grown up on a property in the snowy hills around Bathurst.  It meant being out in horrible weather looking after stock.

Who was it that decided to build a little snowman?

Poor dear, he looks a little cold.

We had to have a selfie with Mick's snowman.

He is just a baby snowman.

We came across quite a few snowmen in Black Springs, as it had by far the best coverage.  If you look closely, this is definitely a snow man.  Cheeky beggars.  We had a chuckle, as in the late 80s there was a really big snow fall.  We had a new 4WD car so with one of my workmates we came for a drive out here and went up into the forest.  We made a snow woman on that occasion.

There were quite a few people playing in the snow in the camping area. 

Ned was keeping an eye on proceedings.

After Black Springs we headed through the Dog Rocks Forest.  The pines looked lovely in the snow.

It wasn't long before the snow cover started to lessen.

Before we knew it we were back below the snow line.

All the time we drove along I was hoping that we would actually see some snow falling.  Just after Black Springs there was a tiny bit in the sleet, but that was all.  It was drizzly rain pretty much all of the rest of the time.  I wouldn't be surprised if they get more snow tonight.  So, what was the temperature?  Right in Oberon it was 2 degrees C. Most of time we were in the snow area it was 1 degrees C.  Back home in Bathurst it was a balmy 5 degrees C.

It is fun to go and see the snow, but saying that we were mostly in the nice warm car, just ducking out occasionally.  I'd probably have the same opinion as Mick if we lived on a property and had to be working out in it.

Stitching Update - Working on a UFO and a New Project

Now that winter has arrived it is time to hunker down and spend some time stitching.  This weekend we had nothing planned and the weather is somewhat bleak.  Snow is forecast for the surrounding hills tonight and tomorrow.

After I finished my June OMG nice and early I thought I'd better get out another UFO and make some progress on it.  After all, I do want to put a big hole in that pile this year.

This was our project at Nundle two years ago.  It is a design by Lynette Anderson.  I had hoped to have it finished by Easter last year......then Easter this year..... As you can see, I didn't do very well with either of those goals.  

There is just a tiny bit of stitching to go on the three bunnies.  I have simplified the design a bit, but am happy with that.  The stitcheries have done many miles with me.  I will do a tiny bit  every now and then, but I just don't seem to get that last little bit done.  Well, I made a start in my lunch break yesterday.  I will want a portable project next week, so I'd better get them finished and basted to their hexies.  Then I can start stitching them all together.  I'd like to have the project finished next month, well before next Easter.

Now, onto my start....

I have really enjoyed doing the RSC  blocks each month.  I also really enjoyed the Half Square Triangle Sampler a couple of years ago.  Can you see where this is going?  There are so many BOMs online that I never feel that I can commit to.  This month there have been two new ones start.  However, they both have a block released every week, not fortnight or month, as the others I have done. 

Splendid Sampler 2 and Moda Blockheads 2.  I like the look of both of them.   Splendid Sampler 2 has a 6 inch block released each week for 20 weeks.  There are actually 100 blocks and you have to buy the book to receive the balance of the blocks.  

Moda Blockheads 2 has 52 blocks - one released each week.  They range in size from 6 inches to 18 inches.  The variation of sizes appeals to me.

I want to do them both.  I also want to just use my stash if possible.

I have started Splendid Sampler 2.  As the blocks are small I have finally decided to use my little 1930s stash.  Its been sitting there for a few years waiting for the right project to come along.  I bought most of the fabrics at Braidwood a few years ago.  They were very reasonably priced.  Some of the other smaller pieces came from a scrap bag I bought at some markets once.  I think I may have to buy a few more fabrics to round out the variety of colours.  I'm keeping every tiny scrap, as I dare say they will come in handy for some of the blocks.

Considering the blocks finish at 6 inches, there was quite a bit of fabric for the first block.

Getting closer.

Ta da!  Block 1 done and dusted.  I'm rather happy with it.  Lots of little pieces of fabric in this block and lots of off cuts that have gone into the little scrap bag.  

I just hope I can maintain the momentum to keep up with this stitchalong, but I'm going to give it a red hot go.

Now for Blockheads 2.  Do I or don't I?  I have two piles of fabric that I could use.  I just need to have a bit more of a think before I jump in.  Mind you, what is the worst that could happen?  I would have some sampler blocks that I could build on at a later date.  We'll see tomorrow.