A new year.

Overwhelming to see the lists of what people want to start this year! Me? Just taking it one day at a time, working on the projects which I really want to make. Some are kitted up, some have starts others are well on their way. One will be finished early in the new year, I think... What works best for some, is just not what works for others. So be kind to yourself and follow your heart. This year will be a year of the Tortoise and the hare with a healthy dose of common sense. Also we forgot to dance, laugh and be happy. Wishing everyone a relaxing and awesome 2023!

A little something for me.

We always make for everyone else, this year I planned to make a few small things for me it just got placed on the imaginary list and dropped to the bottom. How many times this happens and we do not even realize it has happened.

So yesterday two things got done, some more bits will happen once all the details are all ironed out, so to speak. A pouch for my Ipad, this was a test piece of embroidery which never made it into a quilt. Some leftover flannel is the lining. (My friend Kate had offered to make me one a while back which was very sweet of her, she is the Queen of bag making!)

A book cover was next, this also made with leftovers.

It is for my scribble books. The notes, future ideas and stitching patterns.

Peter Rabbit arrived under the Christmas tree in the form of a thimble. Last Christmas I found Peter Rabbit Christmas theme fabrics, will make something from them next year...

An art tablet bag.

Another request from hubby was a strong protective sturdy bag for his art tablet, it is a large one, over seventeen inches long. It is inspired by a favourite laptop bag. The pattern for this was created to resemble this favourite bag, with fabrics I had already. The one thing that I did not have, was Bosal foam, this was bought a week before Christmas.

The inside of the bag has this boxed section. It also needed a soft side for the screen of the tablet, to prevent scratches. A piece of tracksuit fleece (the wrong side) was sewn onto the inside of this box. All the seams are covered with bias binding, as all the seams are raw edges on the inside of the bag. A great way to use up leftover binding.

The box shown from the inside of the finished bag.

The T-shape with the foam makes the box and is sewn to the bottom and sides of one of main bag panels, that create the bag.

Looking into the bag from the top, this is what one would see.

An additional pockets for the stand and the pen was required. This was sewn with the same fleece, using the right side. It was attached to the opposite side of the bag, on the inside. Keeping everything neat and tidy.

Both sides of the outside of the bag has pockets, one side has one with a zipper and the other with velcro and a flap for a closer.

This is how I transfer pattern pieces onto black or very dark fabrics, someone asked. So for the pouches I made for the lenses. The quilt pounce is rubbed gently over the pattern piece on the wrong side and it is the way that works for me, hope this helps to explain how to do it. Today will be a day to make something for me and going down a rabbit hole of exploration...

A white and cold Christmas.

A new Moose joined the Christmas tree. He was an unexpected gift. We spent the weekend indoors and will be going out today, it was not fun outdoors with all the gusty winds and very cold weather, mixed with blowing snow. Today the wind is expected to be much calmer and the weather still cold, warmer than what it has been. We have snow to clear and some basic supplies to stock up, which will happen much later in the day.

The tablecloth has been placed on the table and we are creating many new memories, enjoying every moment.

Made two pouches for hubby, they were made with his specific needs.

The bottom parts, sewn with leather and fake ostrich looking leather. What are they for, you might ask?

They are camera lense bags. Normally he gets bags with his lenses, these two arrive without them. He ask me to make these, then early November he joked and said he thinks I am too busy quilting to make them? Had to keep them a surprise, as they were part of his Christmas presents...

Merry Christmas.

It has been a year filled with ups and downs. Tears and Joy, but we are still here to celebrate another Christmas with loved ones. We prefer to look at the glass half full, we are blessed. We have power, many are without this season due to many reasons, including this current winter storm. We send love to those who live far away, sending good wishes and cheer to each and everyone. It is not what is under the Christmas tree, but what is in our hearts that are important. Living in harmony, peace and love.

This was what it looked like when we woke up friday morning, blowing snow and cold weather. The windchill was -30C at one stage during the day, not friendly at all. The snowplow came by after ten last night and with the windgusts of 79km per hour, he had a hard time to stop when he came down the hill. Clearing blowing snow on top of the frozen road surface. We choose to stay indoors and warm. One neighbour went out twice yesterday, in howling conditions to shovel blowing snow in the middle of a blizzard? Missed the memo about this crazy storm?

Baking happened, some rusks and ginger cookies(the tins was almost empty on thursday).

Some savoury mini quiche some with meat and others with veggies.

Hubby loves these oat and chocolate biscuits, they never last long.

The Jeopardy quilting has started up again, this bit was done earlier this week. The other sewing involve some gifts, so will only place them on the blog after they have been gifted. So today it will be a bit of sewing, as it has become a tradition for us dinner tonight will be salad with Boerewors rolls, traditional sausage from South Africa on Portugese rolls. We merge the best of traditions together to create new ones when we moved to Canada, not living in the past but in the present. Wishing each and every person a very Merry Christmas!

A fast finish.

My youngest sister's quilt is finished. It is all hand quilted, in bands about an inch apart. It will be going to her soon.

Finished sewing on the magic binding late yesterday afternoon. Used the walking foot, all sewn on by machine.

It is a queen size quilt, here it is on a king size bed here. She has seen photos of the quilt and is looking forward to receiving it soon.

Getting everything done for the festive season.

Posted all the Christmas parcels and cards.

That all happened this past week, the tree was decorated last weekend in November, we all needed the cheer.

Quilting on my youngest sister's quilt is going well. This was the progress early this week, a lot more has been done, as I broke two of my toes and it has meant that I need to relax and rest them.

A couple of batches of ginger cookies that was baked before the toe incident, is now almost all gone. The Christmas fare has been bought, just need to get the fresh veggies and fruit closer to the date. Avoiding the shops at all cost when it gets crazy.

Antique Linen embroideries.

A friend, whose Mom did hand embroidery called me last week. One of her tablecloths and eight napkins needed a new home.

It was not finished, had cutwork was almost finished and had some stains on it, would I like to receive this gift?

An honour, as I was lucky enough to receive some embroideries before. We honour those who spent countless hours working on these pieces.

Over this past summer at our local farmers market one lady was selling her stain remover sticks? I bought one and tried it on all the stains. All came out but the larger one, not bad. Still working on that stain, how much I will be able to remove time will tell.

Her hand embroidery is beautiful, tiny even stitches, edged in blanket stitches, satin stitches and so much more.

Trying to capture the whole center and all the incredible amount of work was just not possible. It is truly humbling to receive a gift if this nature. Handmade will bring me to my knees, always. The time and effort spent to make an item great or small make my heart beat with joy! ( Will be using the table cloth with a clear proctective cover for some special celebrations and meals.)

Art gloves and a Bargello.

Quilting has commenced on my sister's quilt.

The back shows what has been done so far. This morning I had to take a break to make art gloves with lycra for an art tablet.

It arrived with one glove to tight and short on the wrist.

The last time any lycra got sewn by me was in 1991.

Luckily I found a packet of stretch needles and could make these gloves. Using the original glove traced it onto paper, pinned it to the lycra, glided a quilting pounce over the paper pattern, adding some extra pins and discovered some stitches on the new machine. Then it was a case of jumping in at the deep end and sewing the gloves. The fabric helps the hand to glide over the tablet so the drawing can happen without the hand sticking to the tablet. They are finished and I am back to quilting the bargello.

BlogThis!