Tidbits.

There is nothing more relaxing than spending time outdoors in nature, especially when the weather is just perfect and the bugs behave themselves. We spent some time out west in September, it was amazing.  Walking along the river, surrounded by tall trees and mountains. (The river on our last walk before we came home.  They had lots of rain and the river turned into a cloudy body of water.)

One morning a bald eagle decided to have a bath in a shallow pool in the river.  He took his time and we were treated to a rare treat. He flew off, came back and decided he had missed a few spots and started all over again.  He did this about three times and was not put out by the fact that we were watching this spectacle from the banks of the river. 

We did a blue heron count on our walks, at home we normally do a bunny count. (Blue Heron sleeping on a branch, next to the tall tree.)

The salmon was swimming up stream and one could watch them come past you in the water, a few fishermen caught some. They were mainly "springs". Big fish, nothing smaller than 40cm came past us while we watched them swim up river, to go and spawn.

Found some of the same batiks that I got last year for Simple Gifts.

It is for the leaves, the fabric had quite a bit of shrinkage in it.  Once it went through the wash, it was not enough to do the leaves.  Very glad to find the exact ones from last year, except one.

Took this block with, a few more leaves to needleturn applique and then the first block will be done.

Charm quilt almost have another two rows done. English paper piecing with freezer paper.

Found these fabrics, baby quilts ?

 Baby blanket coming along.  Some baby yarn for a sweater?

Two adult beanie hats to make.

 Started one of the Christmas cross-stitch gifts.

Jack Frost Part Two started, this will be turned into an ornament.

Have a few of these mini charm square packs.  Now know how they will be used, to complete another quilt from 2016.

Last but least, found the floss for this project.

On my bucket list for a while now, to dip my toes in the Pacific ocean.  We wanted to get to the Island, life happened.  Instead we got to fly over the ocean. The view was spectacular!

Get well soon, Glenda!

Short and sweet.

Summer is racing to the finishing line, but we are not ready for it to end just yet.  The humidity is now a thing of the past and the days are cooler with sunshine and comfortable temperatures, which make spending longer outdoors, a treat.

This smock dress is almost complete, it just needs a snap at the back where the placket is.

All I had was white or silver ones.  Stopped at The Sewing Cafe and Anna had some black one's.  So glad she had some.

It is the first time I tried this pattern, what is really great about this one, it has room for the arms, so it can easily be worn over a long sleeve top and leggings. Perfect for winter too.

 This little dress has no smocking, another pattern which is new.

 Scalloped collar is something which is a first attempt.

Sleeveless.  When I saw the fabric, I knew this was the pattern for it. The Horse Quilt Shoppe has it.

It has one button on the back.

Diane is stitching up a storm, Jane Bannister is almost finished.

Have a wonderful long weekend.

Smocking and stitching.

 

 It is funny how some girls just will not wear pink.  They wear colours that suit them and they look beautiful.  In a household filled with guys, smocking is the one area to enjoy being a girl. When we moved more than five years ago, all the smocking was packed up in a rubbermaid and left waiting.

This past week it was opened up and the smocking came out to play. 

 Each dress is unique.  The smocking plates differ, so do elements that create each one.

 This dress needed more growth bands, as this little one is on the short side.

 Instead of a matching collar, this one has a white one, with covered buttons. It also has a bow tie at the back.

Puffed sleeves with smocking and lace on the edge of the sleeves.

 Sleeves with a binding edge.

 A sleeveless dress.

Sleeves with smocking but no lace detail.

Plain sleeves, with a small hem.

Using decorative buttons on the back, this dress has waist bands.  The buttons can be moved, as the child grows.  This dress was one, where I played with different ideas.  It will be going to my nieces new baby daughter.

Future smock dresses?  Went to the store to get thread, these caught my eye and followed me home. (The dresses will eventually arrive on my Etsy store).

Diane did some more stitching on Jane Bannister.  It will be finished soon.

An unexpected parcel arrived in the mail today.  It is from Judy, a fellow retreat buddy! She reads the blog and noticed the baby quilts this year, so she sent me these beautiful stitched pieces to make a baby quilt.

Bunnies with a frog catching a free ride.

Squirrels play hide and seek.

A lamb frolicking with the butterflies in the meadows.

A bear enjoying honey.

It arrived with this lovely card, Thank you Judy.  It will be used to create a one of a kind baby quilt.

Enjoy the rest of summer, it is my favourite season of the year.

Summer time.

We are enjoying all the days of summer.  All the warm days, beautiful sunshine, nature and all the good food.  Corn on the cob cooked on the barbeque.  Eating watermelon and getting all sticky in the process. Embracing each day with joy.

A first quilt, what an experience! This young lady had two more quilts cut out and they were waiting in the wings to be sewn as well.  She just jumped right into quilting.

 This is The Hertfortshire Quilt.  It has been packed away since last year.  Pulled it out to start working on the next round.

 Since then, have added these three  lines from Brenda Riddle to the collection of fabric for this quilt.

 Nine patches have been started and the triangle squares.

 This is a closeup in the book of what the next round will look like.

The Aussies arrived safely back home.