That Wasn’t Expected

On Friday I realised that I had no hand stitching to work on at my stitching morning.  That’s not technically true, but there was none that I could work on for my projects that I am currently concentrating on.

Time to have a dig into the other projects and the one that surfaced was my Slow Stitching Pouch.  This was started back in June 2025.  You can read about it here.  I completed the slow stitching part in August, while up at Baradine.  You can read about that here.

I had left it at the stage of having to have a think about how to proceed.  That seems to be the theme of why things stall with me.  Anyway, I had stitched everything down onto a very light weight pellon and felt that the pouch would need more structure. 

This project was to be completely made by hand.  No sewing machine on this one.

Last month I had made a frankenbatting to use and I had previously selected a pretty fabric for the lining.  Time to lay it all out and work out how to join the layers together, as I felt they would be a bit loose otherwise.

I decided to use invisible stitching to attach the lining to the wadding and then flip it over and do the same from the front, as I didn’t want to detract from the stitching I had already done.  Looking at the above photo, the stitching really is invisible.  I fortunately had the perfect matching thread.

The pin is pointing to a stitch.  I just took a teensy weensy stitch and then threaded the needle through the middle of the layers as far as it would go, about two inches, before taking the next stitch. They were so hard to see that I actually sewed over them at a couple of spots.  

I had the lining and half the outer stitched down while at the stitching morning.  As I was enjoying myself so much, after lunch I set myself up on the back verandah and kept going.  The weather was perfect.  The sting has now gone out of the heat.

A lot of slow stitching projects have raw edges just whip stitched or blanket stitched, but I’m not really a fan of that style for me.

I had thought to bind the two short ends in different fabrics, but looking at the size of the lining, decided to just self bind by turning it under.  It worked well on the first end, with some additional running stitch for texture.

I then trimmed the sides of the piece and the other end………flush with the top.  Sometimes I really don’t know where my brain is.  Oh well, it looks like that end would be bound with a different fabric….back to Plan A.

I used the blue fabric I had originally thought of using.

Now to actually construct the pouch.  As this was to be completely constructed by hand, initially I just whip stitched the sides together.

Then I bound them.  Time to see what was lurking in the binding scraps tub.  There was one that would work quite well and there was enough for both sides……..except for 3 inches.  That would be right.  What else is there?  I found a scrap of a green fabric that I had used in the body of the pouch that would work OK, so I just added it onto the other binding. This was then added by hand and then slip stitched down.

Before long it was completed.

It is just the right size for an iPad, not that I need a pouch for my iPad.

Having said it is completed, I may add a little more to it at a later date.  I haven’t added any closure and the inside of the flap looks a little bare.  Maybe somewhere to put some needles if using as a project bag? 

 

I’ll mull over it for a while. It is  “slow” stitching after all.

Looking Back at 2025

I always like to have a little look back at the year and see what we got up to and how I went with my little goals.  You can read about them here.

In some ways, I’m glad to move on from 2025.  There was a rather sad time in the middle of the year when Mick and I both lost our Mums within six weeks of each other and then I had surgery requiring a fairly long recovery.

However, there were also good times to be had.

So, let’s have a look at what I achieved on the stitching front.

After reading my post at the beginning of the year, I had a chuckle at my wish to “try and concentrate on one project on the machine and one by hand at a time rather than jumping all over the place like I usually do”.  Oh my, how I massively failed at that.  2025 seems to have been very much the year of jumping all over the place.  

I actually did very little on the machine.  Most of what I did was handwork that I could take to my stitching days, which I continue to enjoy.

RAINBOW SCRAP CHALLENGE

Considering I wasn’t going to take part in RSC,  I made more of the Split Nine Patch blocks and managed to get them into a quilt top. It was finally quilted and bound this week, being the very last project finished this year - ie. this afternoon.

I also manage to get both the Fishy Business quilt tops made - still to be quilted and bound,

The only other RSC project that is unfinished is the drunkard path blocks from a few years ago.

CHOOKSHED CHALLENGE

This wasn’t as successful as last year.  Some projects were completed, others not.  I ended up switching around projects nearly every month.  It didn’t really work for me.  Having said that, it did prompt me to work on some projects that would have otherwise just sat in the drawer.

Thanks must go to Deana for going to the trouble of arranging this challenge.

MY OTHER GOALS

• Complete 12 UFOs - Nope, just 5.
• Quilt 12 Quilts on Monique - a huge fail - a big fat 0! - Having said that, I have quilted three in the last week on Elly May.  Phew, at least that is better than none.
• Complete 12 Donation items - There were only a few.

There were the three quilts I have just quilted. I made the Wisteria Corner to Corner Rug for Wraps With Love and also quite a few blocks for various group donation quilts.

• Complete 25 Projects - surprisingly, I completed 22.  
• Work at some crafting for 15 minutes a day.  I achieved 281 days, which equates to 76.99%.  I’m happy with that.

I started 26 new projects this year, which is insane, and completed 17 of them.  That does mean that there are quite a few to carry over to 2026, but I reckon that none of them will be carried over to 2027. Fingers crossed…..or just a crazy pipe dream?

The year started well with the completion of the hexy flower quilt top and also making the Design Curtain that hangs over our display cabinet when needed.  A very helpful innovation.

I started a new Leader and Ender project.  It is Bonnie Lass, by Jen Kingwell.  I’m going well with it, and it should make good progress as I work on the sewing machine next year.  I have completed quite a few more blocks than shown here.

I seem to have spent more time doing knitting, crochet and hand work this last year.  As well as the Wisteria Corner to Corner Rug, I completed a “Snowy” version.  This was intended to be donated, before Mick paid claim to it.  I also knitted another two scarves, a pair of socks, a beanie as well as my linen sleeveless top.

Two bags were completed, both using stitcheries that were hanging around.  I’m really pleased with both of them.

There were several other small projects.

The finale for the year was working on the Wensleydale Quilt.  After waiting in the wings for a few years, I stumbled up on the quilt along and jumped in with both feet.  What a fun project to focus on.  I had hoped to have the top completed by the end of the year, but it is currently blocks hanging on my Design Curtain. That will be rectified very soon.  It will be quilted next year.

Of course, a highlight in December was receiving “Elly May”, my new quilting machine.  

I have already quilted three quilts on her.  They are all for donation and have been great to get the feel of her.  

The final silly little challenge I had was to see how many cotton reels I could empty and collect in my pretty jar.  I’m trying hard to use up a lot of the odds and sods that I seem to have amassed.  Not as many as I had hoped, but a few of those had a lot of thread on them.  I will now throw them out and start again for 2026.  

So, what else did we get up to?

The start of the year saw me very busy organising the display of wedding and christening gowns for the church bicentenary.  It was far more successful than I could ever have imagined.

We managed to get away with the caravan five times, which is about what we aim for each year.  

We had two trips to Queensland.  Sadly, they were both called off short, due to the passing of our Mums.

In May we headed firstly to Lightning Ridge and then to Hebel and then St George. 

In June we headed up through Bourke, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Barcaldine and Emerald.

We also had an impromptu trip to Tamworth for a few days in October. The other trips were to Baradine.  Considering all that happened during the year, I’m happy with that.

We did enjoy the time we were away.

We went to Baradine twice for quilting retreats, as well as travelling to Sydney to meet up with Janet when she was briefly visiting Australia. Of course, Zoom sessions continue to be one of my favourite times. Such a wonderful group of women to know.

It was special to have Lou and Tony visit.

We had some fun days out.  Having said that, we didn’t get to even one quilt show this year and only one weekend of open gardens.

Portland Bonfire, Nocturnal at Scenic World at Katoomba, Bathurst Winter Festival, Mr Squiggle in Canberra’s, Birdhouse mural at Lithgow and Convent and Chapel Wool shop at Rylstone are just a few.

We had a couple of day trips to play the tourist in Sydney, which is always fun…..and then nice to retreat to the other side of the mountains.

In October with friends from Queensland.

And again in December.

In addition to all of this, we have just enjoyed spending time at home.  The garden is looking good and Mick is thoroughly enjoying being a part of the Bowling Club.  He has taken on more responsibility this year and takes pride in keeping the greens and grounds looking good.

On the whole, life has been good and we are still enjoying retirement very much.

October Stitching Update

As you can maybe imagine, I didn’t get a great deal of crafting done during October, seeing as we were busy doing other things.

Here is what I did manage.

I have previously mentioned the Sashiko Bag for the Chookshed Stitchers Challenge.  I was very happy to have that done and it meant that I did at least have one finished project for the month.

I had shared the block I completed early in the month for one of Betty’s group quilts.

Well, I made another one to send down to her for another quilt that has been planned.

In addition, I made two blocks for a group quilt that my Wednesday patchwork quilt are putting together.

While making the blocks I have been adding to the pile of my Bonnie Lass leader and ender blocks.  140 down out of 396.  It is time to get cutting some more.  This is a nice slow bonus project in the background that really is making itself.

I did manage to progress the Christmas redwork stitcheries a little.  They have been good to work on at my stitching mornings.  Nice and mindless.

Finally, I have been slowly working away on my knitted top.  It would have been much quicker if I had just followed the pattern and knitted it flat, but due to the stripes, I made it hard for myself by knitting part of it in the round.  It has also been compounded by me not using the prescribed yarn.  I think (hope) it will all work out.  Anyway, the back is completed and I now just have to knit the two sides of the front v-neck and the ribbing around the armholes and neckline.  It didn’t get completed in October as I’d hoped, but realistically, it shouldn’t take too long to get done.  It doesn’t look much at the moment, but a good blocking at the end should hopefully sort that.

My stats for 15 minutes a day for the last couple of months were:

September = 30/30 (the best for the year)

October = 20/31

Year to Date = 211/273 = 77.29%  

This is way down on last year, but better than nothing.

I Made a Bag - Do Da Do Da

Not only did I make a bag, I ticked off the last month of the Chookshed Challenge.

The project this month was to make something with a Sashiko panel.  You can read about it here.  Well, I dithered about the size.  Then, I completely changed my mind and was going to use different fabric and a couple of small Sashiko panels.  Then, I came back to Plan A and told myself not to overthink it.  Just make a simple tote bag using the fabric you had bought for that purpose.

This afternoon, I finally put on my big girl panties and got stuck in and made the tote bag.

It is a fairly simple design, which showcases both the stitchery and the striking fabric well.

The dimensions are similar to another tote bag I made some years ago that is rather practical for taking projects along to my stitching mornings.  Therefore, this should get plenty of use too.

I’m happy to actually have completed a project in the designated month.  I still have several from this year that haven’t been completed, so fingers crossed I may progress something more before the end of the year.

I still have the scallop Sashiko panel as well as smaller ones with flowers and dragonflies.  Hiding in my stash was a small bag of Japanese fabric scraps I bought about 15 years ago at a market and recently I bought some yardage of another Japanese inspired fabric.  The challenge is on to make something using those before too long, but probably not this year.

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.