At Least it is Still in the Same Year

The first record I have of this quilt is in January 2012.

Flickr is great because it keeps a photo journal of what I have made and also tells me when I uploaded the photos.

It has taken me 10 months to get the border on. I just couldn't decide what would be the best fabric to use. Then I couldn't get any of the fabric in Melbourne so I had to order it from overseas. I am not totally thrilled with the way it looks but I am thrilled that I don't have to think about it any more. I think the border makes it look less happy and darkens the feel of it.

The black background fabric with the daisies has been chosen for the backing and it is ready to stretch.

Parson Gray Play

In the beginning there were some blocks.

I was happy with them at the time but had run out of fabric to make more blocks that size and I really didn't know what else to do with them so they were packed away and boxed. That was in July.

When I came back from overseas I was a bit at a loss as to what I wanted to make. I had been knitting on the trip so it was hard to get my head into fabric. As well as that, the catch up on blogs was huge and my mind was all in a spin because of the new sounds and sights I had experienced during my travels.

Last week I opened the shoe box containing these Parson Gray blocks and thought they would be a simple way to start sewing again. I bought a little bit more fabric and made a few more blocks. It was just a little bit boring but I cut and patched about half an hour each day.

I had enough blocks to make something but it didn't quite feel right.

It needed some life to it. I had saved all the corners from the snowballs so I sewed a whole lot together.

And popped them in the middle of the larger blocks. Unfortunately the block ended up half an inch larger than the other blocks. I really wanted it in the quilt so to compromise and accommodate its size without trimming it, I sewed all the other blocks with an eighth inch seam and that seemed to work!

Feeling that the quilt was still missing a bit of oomph I added a border of cut offs from all the 3 inch squares. It seemed to make the whole thing feel a bit more alive.

Of course, the minute I laid it out on the grass, the neighbour's cat, Remy, came to investigate.

It's not a very large quilt but I am ready to say it's complete.

This is the scarf I made while away. I had no issues knitting on the plane. It seems the knitting needle is no longer considered a dangerous weapon.

This is a very blue post!

Travels Abroad

Living in Australia means that when you go overseas, it really means traveling far away from home. My son has been taking a gap year in Israel, living on a kibbutz and doing charity work teaching underprivileged kids. My husband and I decided to visit him and were absolutely amazed by what this tiny country has achieved in the short years of its existence.

First of all, what struck us was the vibrancy and energy of the people and cities. The place totally buzzes all day and night. People are out and places are open to all hours so there is always somewhere to go and something to do.

The whole country is steeped in ancient history.

Roaming the old city of Jerusalem was like finding yourself in a maze.

It was fascinating and exciting to weave our way through the tiny stone paved streets.

Free tours are the go, taking you to all the different quarters of the old city in Jerusalem.

Of course there were wonderful mosaics and tiled floors to be inspired by.

 These three coming from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. 

Wonderful doorways in the artist's quarters,

 Ancient suburbs in Tel Aviv, that are being restored and brought to life with designer boutiques and lively restaurants.

Arab spice shops in Akko, a town steeped in history and filled with ancient ruins.

Fresh food markets to die for!

And a rather thriving street art culture where grafitti is rather appreciated.

 Cats prowl everywhere.

Apparently they were brought in to get rid of all the mice.

Although the cats are ferral they are incredibly gentle and everyone seems to take care of them and appreciate their being all over the place. Not a mouse was to be seen.

When I mentioned that our cats have to be locked up in our homes at night they were horrified and wanted to know what we did with all our rats!

Most of the country gets to enjoy a glorious sunset every night.

 Any yes, I did buy some jewelry by Ayala Bar although not this particular piece.

My husband was very, very patient.

Done!

Two pillows finished and ready to come overseas with me.

 And a present for Esti, my co teacher who just had a baby girl she called Miri.

Notice the giftwrap. Esti loves shopping and this little baby will be very pink, if Esti is in charge.

Playing with the Dresden Template

I never really liked the Dresden style of quilt until I saw a fabulous cushion cover made by Louise from Amitie. I've linked her name to her Flickr account but unfortunately she hasn't put the cushion cover up yet. She has made some great stuff so it's worth visiting her photostream. 

Perhaps it was all the hand stitching that scared me. The little ties can be stitched on the machine but I hand stitched the whole piece onto the grey background.  Anyway I loved the concept and on the weekend I had a go. Here is the top so far. The hand work is not so bad if you only have to make one.

Besides that I've made a few pot mitts,

and some more taggies.

Pleased but not Perfect

Today was not all that productive even though I had a whole day unplanned. First I cooked tomorrow night's dinner, then there was a walk with a friend, followed by a coffee with a work colleague. She is expecting her first child today, but we made it through the coffee without any surprises. So, most of the day just seemed to run away. I think winter can make days disappear. Summer is wonderful with all the daylight. You feel like you have so much time. I guess I should be pleased that I finally threw out my old yucky oven mitts and replaced them with these. They were fiddly to make with all the layers but will be worth the effort I think. There are a few rough bits with my stitching but so long as I don't get burned, they will do. I use oven gloves all the time.
Its 5pm and the sky is darkening. I'm really over this weather!

It's Stitch and Bitch Night at my House

We stitch lots but actually don't bitch too much.

I was so lucky to be invited to join a group of people for their monthly stitching get togethers.

It is so much fun to be involved with like minded people and although these lovely people prefer the knitting and crochet stitch to the patchwork stitch, I have enjoyed their company and advice. I have been away from knitting for so long and am a little bit rusty with the purls and cables and the jumper I am making has been unwound so many times I could have made two by now.

Anyway to night it's at my house but I have no idea if anyone is coming because I hardly know these ladies. I'll just wait and see what happens.

Here is a gorgeous little dress Sue made for her granddaughter that I photographed last time we met.

I haven't been on the PC much but I have done a bit of stitching. I happily sat through lots of sessions of the Olympics and quilted a few spiderweb patterns on to this quilt.

This block had so much promise when it was just small but I don't like the way I have finished the edges. Anyway I am quilting it now and I do like the back. I ran out of fabric and didn't plan it well as to how far it should grow. No matter, it is done now and no one will really care except me.

There goes the doorbell!