GOT IT!

 

I finally did it! On my 4th attempt to start the blanket I succeeded. I have no idea why I kept mucking it up as my final attempt was easy. I guess sleep deprivation had something to do with it. It is amazing how much more clear headed I am after 5 hours sleep. I am not as edgy either. So here is what I have done so far. Alas, I now have to wait for my yarn to arrive from the UK before I can continue. It usually takes 7 to 10 days but, I suspect it will be more like 7 to 10 weeks! I have no expectations and it will be a nice surprise when it comes.

I decided to start making a Christmas gift for my friend in the UK hoping it will get to her in time if I start it now. I am using 6 of Michelle's beautiful Australiana stitcheries to make into a table mat. As I rummaged through my left over Christmas fabrics I realised the scraps were not big enough and th en I discovered I had run out of the CG thread I use for Christmas projects. So, I ordered some lovely William Morris fabric and 3 CG threads from Patchworks Plus in Tassie. I have ordered from there several times over the years and my yummy parcel arrived within a week.

Preparation has begun. Three stitcheries are traced and  the pellon hexies are cut ready to go. 

The background fabric does not look as dominant in reality. The pattern on it is a lot paler so the tracing stands out much more than seen here.

Nothing much has changed here re Covid restrictions apart from being able to travel within a 10km radius instead of 5 kms. This means I can go to my usual supermarket instead of the closest one which I don't really like. Unfortunately, my last 2 vidoe chats with my daughter and grandsons were pixelated and freezing which was disappointing. I really miss them. Knowing they are only 20 minutes down the road is frustrating but a lot of people are in the same boat. It still angers me that my holiday neighbours keep coming and going weekly and chatting without masks to walkers passing by who are unaware they are from Melbourne. I really need to get over it! Ommmmm. Ommmmm.

Keep safe and keep well.

CROCHET HICCUP

While waiting for my yarn delivery from the UK I was eager to start my crocheted blanket with the yarns I already have. However, despite counting and recounting the foundation chain,  I always ended up with too many chain left in the second foundation row. This is my 4th attempt to reach row 1 and I think I have mucked it up again.

My reading rhythm has returned and I have finished another book. I heard the author's interview on the radio and ordered the book the next day. Unfortunately, although the theme drew me to the book I found it difficult to read. The chapters are devoted to individual characters written in past and present times which I found very confusing. I think I am a bit muddle headed .

 

I reluctantly had my first dose of AZ on Friday afternoon and I ended up with a humongous migraine from early yesterday morning until 2am this morning.  2 Panadeine Forte took over an hour to ease the headache but made it manageable for a couple of hours. Another 2 tablets were required around midnight and I just listened to a podcast sitting upright until the meds kicked in. Most of yesterday was spent laying on the couch listening to my binge TV shows trying to distract myself from the pain . Anyhoo, I have now joined the world wide vaccine trial. I am just annoyed that being over 60 I was not given a choice of vaccine unlike the younger people. I believe it is agesim, discrimination. 

I must get off this device now as I have a mild headache today and don't want it to get worse with screen time.

Keep safe and well.
 

MORE READING LESS STITCHING

 

Last post I had started reading another book and I finished it last night. I am amazed how many Australian authors I seem to gravitate to even when I don't know who they are until I read the blurb about them. I really enjoyed this book from the beginning and when I finished it I read the author's notes where I discovered her main character is based on a Joan Miller who worked with MI5 . Now I am seeking out her book of memoirs.

Not much stitching has been happening here and I have the urge to crochet another blanket for the couch potatoe, me. Lucy's ( Attic 24) Moreland blanket came to mind as I love the undulating wave effect. Then I saw this section of the blanket ...

I looove those colours and have used all of them from Lucy's previous CALs. I have some yarn left over but not enough so I ordered more from Wool Warehouse again. This is what I have left of the colours in my stash so I can probably start it while waiting for the delivery.

The colours don't look as good in this pic but they are exactly the same as those in the blanket segment I like.

Now all I need to do is work out how many foundation chain I need for the size I want the blanket to be.

Keep safe and well.

STITCHING AND READING

 

Despite a fibro flare up and little sleep I have found some stitching enthusiasm again. These are the 3 stitcheries for block 8 of the BOM. I still have most of the previous blocks to piece before the final block is released next month but, as usual, I dilly dally choosing what fabrics go where and find it rather tedious. 

Recently my mum was clearing out a few things and she found some of my grandmother's buttons which she has now given me.

It was quite unusual for me not to have been reading much lately but , thankfully, my reading mojo returned and I enjoyed another Victoria Purman book.

I am currently enjoying a book written by a new author which I shall share next time.

Alas, not much stitching shall be done today as I am still in a Codeine fog after finally getting to sleep around 6am this morning. Oh how I look forward to some warmer.

Keep safe and well.

SOME PIECING

 

Little sewing has been happening here, yet again. I finally ventured into my sewing room to audition fabrics, cut them and piece a block or 2 of Jennifer's BOM.  This one still needs to have some hexies added to the purple piece on the bottom left.

 

The next one is awaiting the hexie stitchery to be sewn on and an embroidery added to the grey piece bottom right.

Slow progress is the theme here. I need to trace some more stitcheries or find some crochet to do as most of my UFOs require machine sewing and I need something to do while watching or binging some shows. 

Keep safe and well.

NO STITCHING, JUST PLANTING

 

Stitching has not been happening here this past week.  On Thursday afternoon I heard on my car radio that another lockdown was being considered so I decided to go and buy some plants for my back verandah. I have been putting it off for weeks since my last lot of potted plants had come to an end . I had washed all the pots but they were looking very unhappy without anything in them. On my way home with a boot full of plants and a contented smile I heard that lockdown was definately happening at 8pm that night. Whew! I planted a few pots and did some weeding yesterday afternoon.

There are another 3 that I didn't take a pic of. Today I planted the bathtub with a mixture of pansies .

Tomorrow I plan to do 2 large pots and more weeding. I can only do a little each day due to health issues but at least I get things done this way.  A burst of colour always lifts my spirits so I am quite pleased to have finally replanted. 

Keep safe .

A LITTLE STITCHING

  Only a small amount of stitching has been achieved this past week. These are the last 2 from block 7 of Jennifer's BOM. "Small" is the word for this one which will be in the centre of a hexie.

As usual, I haven't ironed them before taking pics. Here is the other one..

       So, that is all I have done. I hope those of you in NSW and Qld are keeping safe during your lockdowns. I hope you don't need to be in lockdown for months like we were here in Vic last year. I think we crafters can fill in time quite easily and also take the opportunity to do all those things we never had time to do. 

                                      Keep safe and well.