Things Here Lately

Wow - it's been an age since I last updated my poor neglected blog.  I've sewn lots, hiked, read and cooked, so I'll do a round up post in the simplest form possible.

Quilting: Recently I finished the flimsy of my Kismet Kiss Quilt - I've made it bigger by adding borders and have plans to hand quilt it.  I've also started another of my "make it up as I go" sampler type quilts, that I'm enjoying using beautiful colours and fabrics on.

Eating: Cold nights call for decadent saucy desserts - this was enjoyed by all my family 

- Rum, Raisin and Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding.

Planning: Somewhat anxiously, a bathroom renovation, perhaps I should say facelift, each quote I get, changes the plans somewhat.

Sewing:  I'm still making clothes, but have slowed down a little. I have to admit I do so much prefer making and planning a summer wardrobe, although I am contemplating a new winter jacket/coat.

Walking: I'm trying to be good and walk at least 5 days a week, most are before work at 6am, so it's dark but quiet.  The other day I had a late start at work so was able to walk as the sun was rising.  So worth  the slow walk to watch it.

Hiking:  About a month ago The Scout and I attempted to hike to Bog Inn Hut in the Pureora forest, we actually ended up turning back due to track conditions.  Some ancient old trees, lots of interesting fungi and the beautiful Waihora Lagoon made it and interesting hike.

Reading:  Currently I'm enjoying All the Days of Summer by Nancy Thayer.  I have also been reading and enjoying the Verity Kent crime series (set in the early 1920s) by Anna Lee Huber.

I'm sure I've done lots more over the past six months, it's hard to actually get back into blogging after such a long break, fingers crossed I can at least manage one post a month from now on.

Things Here Lately

Second attempts 

Third and final attempt - not perfect, but definitely not needing unpicking.

Another Bellbird top has been made, same fabric just a different colour.  I love wearing it, unfortunately  both versions  will  probably be put away till spring now, far to cold in winter in the library I work in, not to wear all the winter woollies.

A surplus of limes from other peoples gardens, and empty baking tins, seemed like a great opportunity to try out a new recipe.  Easy Coconut and Lime cake - I doubled it, and got a very large cake and a loaf size. Very yummy, kept well, stayed moist.

More great reads.  Tapestry was slightly reminiscent of the Outlander series, with time slipping back to Jacobite Scotland,  still a good read though, and it introduced me to a new author, who has written quite a few historical novels.

I finally got brave and tackled the spiral trellis stitch on Block 4 of my Solstice Dream hanging.  I have been putting this stitch off since January!!  After a few unsuccessful attempts, lots of stitches were harmed in the making of these, I have three that I am happy with.

Wishing you all a fabulous week ahead.

Here & Now

Loving // My new arrivals from the library - both fiction and non fiction, entertainment, inspiration, and information,

Eating // Fresh cherry tomatoes from my garden - and all from the one plant

Drinking // lots of water

Feeling //Hot and bothered, I love summer but am not really a fan of the humidity, and the library I work in, doesn't have aircon in every room.

Making // Another block for my Solstice Dream Quilt, I've changed the stitch required on the yellow petal from crested chain stitch (sometimes my head does not like complicated stitches) to oyster stitch, still lots more to do on this.

Thinking //About what to make for dinner tonight, it's a neverending chore some weeks.

Dreaming // Of cooler nights which would let me sleep well.

Linking up with Here & Now at Say Little Hen

Scenes from my Week

I had a couple of days leave which added to my rostered days off and an upcoming long weekend  have given me a nice break.  I haven't done anything majorly exciting though.  Lots of running kids around getting ready for school next week, and painting the deck. 

A few little things giving me pleasure this week are:

• Solstice Dream -  It's quite normal isn't it, to start a new block when you don't like the stitch you have to do next, or don't have the correct coloured threads, hence three more started and none finished.

• In the garden - my tamarillo tree has flowers and baby fruit for the first time in it's life.  Having never grown watermelon before, we are quite delighted to see that  my son's watermelon plant is also fruiting, goodness this plant would take over the garden if I let it though.  My cosmos are flowering and this beautiful bloom is from a small unknown plant I got from my sister in law's garden last summer.  I have since discovered it is  a Brazilian Plume Tree.

• Currently reading and being inspired by the the author and homeowner of this beautiful property in Australia.

• Also being inspired by the lovely Liberty Kantha projects I am seeing here - I keep thinking I need to start one, but I have a lot of other wips I need to finish (especially the sampler quilt).  We'll see how long that good intention lasts.

Have a fabulous weekend.

Scenes from my Week

Between work and long lazy summer days, there is a lot of nothing really substantial happening.

• My last sewing finish of 2018.   My mandolin epp block from @talesofcloth  was turned into a pillow.  I hand appliqued it to a lovely deep blue shot cotton background, hand quilted it, and then found the perfect fringing to finish it off.  I made a simple envelope enclosure for the back. I just love how this has turned out.

• I have made a start on Solstice Dream, the new wool felt applique and embroidery project my sister and I are doing this year.    This is block one, it looks awfully bright at present, but I think once I get all the thread embellishments done, it will tone down slightly.  

• Determined to get the Sea Glass Sampler quilt finished this year, I have installed a temporary design wall, to help me visualise where this quilt is going.  I am finding it hard to work with a limited colour palette, rather than my usual brights.

• My book pile is diminishing very slowly, but I am currently reading Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende and the most charming little book, Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster. Originally published in 1912, and written in letter form, it's the correspondence of a foundling to her mysterious benefactor.  If you can find it on e-book or your library, I'd recommend it.

• I've been doing a lot of walking again after work, or on my days off,  trying to get my fitness levels improved and just making the most of the glorious summer weather New Zealand has been experiencing.  This view is from the reserve in my suburb. As I write this, the rain (which is very much needed) has  been falling all day, the temperature has dropped slightly and the wind is howling around.  A big summer storm has hit New Zealand.

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe weekend ahead, wherever you are.

Weekending

• It's starting to look like Christmas and finally feel like Summer!   Decorations made by my sister and me. Patterns from mmmcrafts.  I love this corner of my house.

• My strawberry plants are probably used as ground cover plants more than fruiting plants, cos they don't get much sun, but I found a few wee sweet treats on them.

• Reading

• My star jasmine is a mass of flowers, the scent is just divine.

• Baking - I just about have to fight Miss B off, to get a turn baking these days.  She was out, so I made Black Velvet Zucchini Cake.  Can we say it's sort of healthy with a vegetable and wholemeal flour in it?  I want to make these too, however need to find some rosewater first.

• A few more ice cream soda blocks, only 24 to go now.

Hoping you have all had a fabulous weekend too.

Weekending

Loving

• This  velvety berry toned pelagonium I am trying to grow from a cutting,
• this quilt at Houston Quilt Market

Reading

• Fiction and non fiction.  The Words in my Hand was a lovely read, set in mid 17th century, Netherlands.  It is a fictionalised account of French philosopher and mathematician, Descartes and his relationship with a young woman.  Beautifully written, you can almost imagine yourself there.  Code Girls is about the unknown American women who were code breakers during the wars.  A really interesting read so far.

• Inspiration and Instruction, Kaffe, Liberty and embroidery

Baking

• Lemon Squeezy Slice - recipe here.  I made mine in an 18cm x 30 cm tin, not the 20cm x 20cm tin recommended - I think the icing to base ratio was just perfect this way.

Sewing

• I know I said I wasn't going to work on my AMH quilt, but I had a brainwave for the backing while trying to sleep the other night, so the fabrics have come out again, and cutting has commenced.

Happy weekending to you all.

** *Also, due to a lot of spam comments I have been receiving, I have had to enable comment verification on my blog, I hope this doesn't stop you from commenting.***