Morning in the Garden

Spent a little time in the vegetable garden this morning, helping with the weeding, a never ending task. Picked the first of the beetroot, some peas, lettuce and potatoes. The broad beans look like they have finished, just a few left that will be used for seed next year. The vegetable garden is my hubby's pride and joy.

This is a picture of what I picked this morning. The jars in the background contain some of the rhubard chutney that I made last week. The chutney will be given as Christmas gifts to friends.

In Memory of Ginger

Finally managed to get some photos of daughters Christmas quilt taken. They're not the best pictures, the redwork cats don't show up very well.

Ginger was a stray cat that came to live with us about six years ago. We found her living under our shed, she had been dumped wearing a collar and bell. You could see all the knobs on her spine and feel all her ribs. She was great company, very timid until our bad tempered Smokey cat died and then Ginger seemed to blossom. I miss having her around, Feral Cheryl the cat daughter number 2 left here when she moved out is too crazy to be good company.

The redwork blocks are from a swap I participated in with the SCQIS online group.

Fires

Not a lot done today on the quilting front. With high temperatures and strong winds forecast for the weekend we have spent most of the day getting the grass cut, the generator checked and the spouting etc cleaned out. It has been very smokey from the bushfires in other areas of the State.

I did manage to finish quilting and stitching the binding onto the quilt for my youngest daughter, it's called 'In Memory of Ginger' after our cat that we had to have put to sleep earlier this year. The quilt will be a Christmas gift. I will take some photos when it isn't so smokey outside. Also stitched the label onto my sister's quilt and finished the binding. Phew!! two Christmas gifts finished!!

Portrait completed

This is the finished portrait quilt, I had to re-work the nose as I wasn't happy with the original. Friends who have seen it recognised who it was straight away.

A WORK IN PROGRESS

This is my journal quilt for October, a little late I know. I had the idea in Oct but didn't do anything until today. Still have to do the binding but thought I needed a break from the machine. The facial features are stitched in free motion, the hair is made up of various shades/patterns of black then free motioned all over to hold it in place.

Stash Quilts

I've been trying really hard to use up the fabric in my stash. Easier said than done, everytime I go near my local quilt shop something always seems to come home with me!

This is the latest stash quilt that I've finished. It is made from fabrics I have'nt particularly liked and was nick-named the "Ugly Quilt" while I was making it. The name has stuck and now that it's finished I quite like it and it's one of the few quilts that I haven't given away.

This quilt was actually finished at the end of 2005 and made totally from what I had on hand, including the backing and wadding. I really like this design and plan on making another similar quilt.

Debra's Christmas Quilt

This is the quilt that I have just finished for my sister Debra. She has been collecting golly wogs and Mammy dolls for a number of years. I just hope that she likes it. Still have to do the label and the final bit of the binding. Still trying to think of what to call this quilt. The quilt is approx. 52 inches square.

Sunday Morning Out and About

Plenty of exercise was had this morning. The man of the house and I were off early to a swap meet. For those not in the know, swap meets are 'guy things' where you get to look at all sorts of car bits and other assorted junk. You can also come across more useful things like craft items and plants. I can't see the attraction myself but I have to admit that over the years he has bought me a couple of Singer Featherweights and other Singer sewing machines and attachments.

The only thing I bought today was some fresh asparagus.

On the way home we stopped at a clearing sale and bought a couple of orchids and some leather strapping.

Testing the water

There's a first time for everything and this is my first blog. Could be interesting but then again could be pretty boring to some.
Played around long enough here. Back to my sock knitting.