Sunday 5 February 2023

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:

17 comments:

Gretchen Weaver said...

Sorry you couldn't travel to NZ but as you said, now you have time for sewing! The craft groups sound like fun, happy stitching!

Maria said...

Sad you had to change plans. Hope back feels much better soon.
How nice to have joined two new groups and make friends.
The stall looked lovely.
Enjoy working on your projects.

Ivani said...

Beautiful pink blocks for RSC-23, Janice. All your other projects look also so pretty. Sorry to hear you canceled the trip. Hope your husband feels better soon.

Kate said...

Sorry you had to cancel your trip to NZ. Hopefully your Guy's back gets better soon so you can reschedule. Those butterfly magnets are really cute. You definitely got right back into the groove on the stitching front. Happy stitching this week and thank you for linking up with 15 minutes to stitch.

Jennifer said...

Love your butterfly magnets - they are so pretty. The place where you meet for your stitching group is lovely - hope you'll be able to keep meeting there.

Raewyn said...

It's a shame that you weren't able to travel, but, as you say, yaay, more stitching time! How cool that you are now able to attend several stitching groups - the setting for your meetings is lovely. Love all the bits and pieces of stitching you have been doing. Really love that first block photo you shared - that will be a lovely RSC project. Your EPP and butterfly magnets are gorgeous!

loulee said...

So disappointed that you guys are not able to make your trip to NZ, but you have to look after Micks back and made the right call. I know how a bad back can interfere with life in general never mind trying to travel. There will be many more opportunities to hop over the water. Hope Micks back starts to feel looser soon.
You made good progress on your monthly goals, yes, you might need a few now. LOL Have fun with them.

Jenny said...

Oh dear, such a shame that you had to cancel, or maybe postpone? your trip to New Zealand. I do hope that Mick's back improves soon, I certainly know what a bad back is like and the limits it places on mobility. We are going home a couple of weeks early from our South Island trip because Robin is having problems with his leg, not knee related, two lots of antibiotics now, so I'm getting rather concerned.

Fiona said...

Oh I do hope Mick recovers quickly and you can reschedule your holiday..... meanwhile there is lots to keep you busy... love the venue buildings. I really love my regular sewing groups...
Hugz

Jeanna said...

You had a super busy week and weekend. Your butterflies are so adorable!

kiwikid said...

Pity you can't travel but better to be safe than sorry. Your new groups sound great Janice. It is an amazing building where you meet. Your blocks are lovely and the butterflies really cute. Good you could go see some of the car racing. Hope Mick is better soon.

Tracy said...

Wow, you have been productive Janice. I hope Mick's back is feeling better soon and you can have your NZ trip.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Sorry you had to change your holiday plans. Hope Mick recovers quickly. Lots of lovely sewing and your patchwork venue is just lovely....hope you all get to say. Congrats 9n a successful stall x

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Awesome post though sorry to hear about Mick's bad back. So much beautiful handiwork, Janice. I love those pinks too. Meanwhile, I am envious of you having two stitching groups to meet up with. Fellowship and stitching go together.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Lovely start on your PINK scrap sewing for the RSC and congrats on selling some items at the market!

Karen's Korner said...

Best of retirement is that you can persue your hobbies midweek. Well done on being able to join in two groups. Your group stall looks very inviting. Pretty butterflies......I have googled how to make them but none look at lovely as yours. I cannot see any stitching on them.

Chookyblue...... said...

Oh wow how good.....two groups.....the building is beautiful.......where is it located at???