Interesting start to the year!

Its a lovely day here all nice and cool. I am working here at my daughters office. She needed some holiday and as its not busy at this time of the year, l don't have to worry about doing her work, just have to answer the phone and handle inquiries.

Its a bit boring as I am itching to get Matthews quilt done as there is not much more quilting to do.
Also have to get back into a nice routine with my stitching that I have not been able to do with the move and also fixing up the house. I still have a few projects to do but will start that when the finances allow me to get the materials I need.

I love to do cross stitching early morning when my eyes are fresh and need to keep quiet while hubby still sleeps late. Then move onto my morning of tidying the house and then settle in to do some quilting while listening to a nice audio book. I have just recently discovered audio books and just love it. I can stitch and listen to nice stories. Quilting and books are my favourite hobbies. So l get to listen to some oldies like the Jane Austin books and then the quilting stories are a favourite too. Then early evening l love to crochet or knit so that way I get to do lots of different projects.
Sometimes I work outside too as we have lovely patio now and  one does work better in daylight.

I started a embroidery group last year and will start next month. I hope to share lots of my embroidery knowledge to them, I am not a teacher but luckily for me they understand it We have lots of fun because I am left handed and when demonstrating its always my way and then them helping me to show them how to their way. lots and lots of laughs along the way. Which is great as its the way l want the group to be, not just sitting around and chatting about every day things.

Well l don't have any pics today as I am typing this on office computer.
Take care and happy stitching!

Starting 2019!

May you all have a blessed creative 2019.
Started with early morning walk with the dogs.
My bunk beds quilts are very old and need new ones. Love the turquiose fabric from Da Gama, 1st top completed.
Big stitch quilting continues on Matthews quilt.
My Kitty Heaven cross stitch got a few stitches added today!

Ending the old year!!!!!

Well all I have to just show the projects I am working on at the end of this year.

I am slowly hand quilting away on Matthews quilt and am now 3\4 complete.

 This is my latest cross stitch project l am also working on, but have not had much time lately.
But planning on getting it done with year with some other ufo's!!!!

A few finishes and then Christmas time!!!

Finished this mandala from a new book by Di van Niekerk and Hazel Blomkamp. Added the mirrors.

Finished this very old table cloth received from an old friend. Added a nice border too.

This is a basket that I got from my Mother many years ago and had to 

decorate it in her favorite color and flowers.

Tonic has now forgiven me for taking her to the vet to get the cancer sore on her nose

treated. The sore is now healing very nicely. Thank goodness.

Our small tree decorated by Neil.

Put up some lights.

My dwarfs also put their lights up!!

The geranuims are looking great. Need to get some bigger pots.

Need new quilts for my bunk beds,

Started this quilt a few days ago. A nine disappearing patch.

Beading Sunflower busy!!!

I have had this, finished sunflower embroidery, completed a long time ago. But have always wanted to add something more instead of the usual frame. Well got the inspiration going and also all the beading. After starting on a different path, this sunflower told me that I need to do something else and now the sunflower is very happy with what I have done so far. This took me all day today, every bead is sewn on one by one, and I think it looks great. Will show when totally completed.

  

Finishing up!!!!

This is the different stage of the renovations of our home here in Port Alfred.
First is what the place looked like the day we moved in- nothing interesting!

 This was after we had the place painted.

 Now we have a nice verandah in front instead of that big awful pimple as my hubby called it. It was also decided because of the wind which mostly blows from the back of the house we can now have a place to sit and enjoy our morning without wind and also the roof is light and no harsh sun rays come thru!
We decided to use a pergola with the house because the windows have small panes and it goes with the pergola. Now just need to add the creepers and some pots on top of the cut off pillars and then decide what color are we going to the verandah floor because that awful red paint has to go.

Life is fun!!!

Had a lovely dinner at Tasha's Craft Bar here in Port Alfred and the Kowie River flowing around the Restuarant

Here is when the sun sets!

Just had to have this new book by Di van Niekerk and Hazel Blomkamp!!!

Its a great book and worth the money!!!!

  

  This is what my first mandala embroidery looks like.

                                                                    It was great fun!

Big stitch quilting!!!

I am having fun with all my quilts lately.

I have found that l just love big stitch quilting by hand and it is such fun to see what the quilts tell me what they want to look like when quilted. I also use crochet cotton nr 5 and in lovely bright colors. love the contrast of this green on the black. Also will be using the thicker batting in all my quilts in future. The thin compressed batting does not add to the cuddly feeling that I want my quilts to have. 

So great that I have now after many years of quilting have now found my favorite quilting.

Now to get this lovely quilt done!!!!!

Some stitching done!

I am busy stitching this printed tablecloth. Its very old, it used to be very popular in the older days! Finished this quilt top. Color chosen by matthew. Da Gama Textiles are the best quality cotton and colors.

Quilt done!

Quilt completed and on the bed with new Sri Lanka cats that was stitched about 2 years ago. Now need something colorful for a wallhanging and a new cloth for the side table!

Sophie Throw!

Completed Sophie (designed by Dierdre Uys in 2015) today! Learned a lot of new techniques with basic stitches! Even changing the pattern. I am left handed!