Snowglobes

 And just like that a top has come together!!

I am happy to see this orchid blooming again this year. There were four spikes until there was a canine accident and then there were three......

They have been brought inside now to be enjoyed and protected.

the black hellebore has bloomed again too. It is a favourite.

Short and sweet this week.

Have a good one!

Marina

new things

 In one of my earlier posts I eluded to the big changes that have happened in my world.

One of those things was changing workplace after 9 years at the same school. I have left a great bunch of work mates and I do miss them terrible but sometimes you have to be the change.

I have been gone nearly two months and although not regretting the change I am feeling the loss of the people. People that know you well, your family life and your work life, your sense of humour and your emotions.  My new workplace has a lovely team and I have felt welcomed but they don't know me. I hope they will eventually

I had an amazing send off from my work colleagues and I thought I'd share some of the festivities here too.

The theme they went with was 'so long, farewell' and I think you can guess where this is heading......

This was my work desk and the theme song for the day was the So long, farewell song from the Sound of Music. So many emotions....

 I think I make a good Maria, even if my  head is a little large lol

These are my team- don't know how I got to be the boy with the high voice in this pic?

biscuits and cakes courtesy of my work bestie.

these were a belated gift from my boss....

And of course some sewing... I am plowing through these stitcheries and enjoying them a lot. Fiona from Bubzrugs realised she has this stitchery panel and has decided to stitch hers up too. She is going with the snow globes theme also and I can't wait to see her spin on this idea.

Latest stitchery ready to get stitched down.

First row done! it's coming together fast

It's hellebore time again and earlier this year I dug mine up and put them back into pots where I could keep a better eye on them, as they were pretty miserable in the ground where I planted them and I've been rewarded with healthier plants and some lovely blooms.

Unfortunately the aphids are loving them too but I am trying to keep them at bay without chemicals as sometimes sprays damage the flowers or foliage.

I think they are such pretty flowers, for some reason they turn green once they start to fade! there you go.

thanks for making it this far....

Have a great week

Marina

 

We are free!!

 Covid Lockdown has been lifted at last and what an amazing feeling, a little bit unusual considering how long we've been lockdown but amazing nonetheless!

On Saturday a get together was arranged with the City girls who it seems like I haven't seen for an eternity.

Lots of laughing and chatting and eating as you'd expect with some sewing thrown in for good measure.  It was an absolute joy to see everybody again.

I got some photos of show and tell but forgot to get a picture of us all.  They are such an amazing bunch of girls and hopefully it won't be too long till we go on an adventure. There are so many shops we have not visited for a long time.

The next two quilts were Anne's work. I think we have nominated a new High Achiever in the group!

This was Gail's handiwork. 

This was Elyte's Tilda fabric quilt, beautifully made and hand quilted

I took my Okehampton for show and tell and my clamshells came along too.

I have also been finding joy in the garden at the moment as flowers begin to bloom. My Sister in law gave me some Iris plants and they have flowered for me beautifully. I have a few clumps in the garden but this is the first to flower. I am absolutely smitten with them.

My red rose has gone berserk this year. I had a lovely flowering last year but I think this year is going to be a record best. The plant was grown as a piece from a plant that my mum had been gifted when they first moved into their new home 50 odd years ago. My plant is over 30 years old and is one of the first plants we put in our garden. It is looking the healthiest it has ever looked and the perfume is intoxicating. They bring me lots of happiness.

Hope the flowers are blooming in your gardens 

Some sewing will make an appearance next post.

Happy days!

Marina

Midweek musings

Another wednesday in lockdown has arrived and looks like there will be a few more to come.

A little pick me up arrived today in the form of a squishy package.  I had ordered some fabric for my latest basket quilt at the start of the month but with the post the way it is at the moment, It finally arrived today. (the top and bottom fabrics)

I now have a lovely stash just waiting to be cut into... the grey spotted fabric on the bottom will be for the outer borders and the others will make up the centre basket blocks. Can't wait to cut into these... but need to finish off those little dresses first. School holidays coming up so there will be time to start then.

Here are a few more of some mini's I made to use up some of my Liberty fabric leftovers...and some backing fabric leftovers too. Win win!

Add caption

I love this pattern and have made one in reds as a gift but the liberty fabrics go quite well too. I must make myself one, one day...

There are a few more to be revealed once they arrive at their destinations.

I just wanted to share a picture of one of my orchids. I have two the same that have been resurrected after not flowering for many years. They are both yellow and the flowers are smaller than they should be but each year they are 'less yellow' and a little bigger. As far as flowering they are going great guns with at least 10 spikes on each one. Gotta be happy about that.

This is a picture of my 'co-workers' for today! As you can see they are flat out.......but not working lol

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

cheers

Marina

A day in the country...

Today I got to spend the day with two of the city girls as we headed out to the country to check out the Applique exhibition at Castlemaine.
Well what can I say but the quilts were spectacular and so inspiring! Elyte, Annie and I inspected each quilt, checking out the most amazing applique on a variety of styles of quilts. we oohed and aahed.....
would you like to also?
here are some of my favourites..

this was all needleturned... gorgeous.

Does this one look familiar? Gorgeous version of swan lake.

after looking at all these amazing quilts we had worked up an apetite (not just for fabric and patterns) and headed off to lunch.
Next stop was Threadbare!
This shop is Amazing. I have always wanted to buy one of Corliss' patterns and I think after the appliques I have done I am ready to hit the big time.
Now you will know that I am not usually an impetuous person when it comes to big projects but...
This pattern called my name and I had to answer the call..
some little pieces of fabric might also have been calling too.....

I don't know how long I can resist starting this project.......only one thing holding me back. What fabrics to use?

Might take a day or two to nut this one out.

some happy mail arrived this week... the parcel for the easter mug rug swap.... opening day 18th of March

Just want to share  a pic of these lovely flowers that my no 3 son sent to my work for me to give me a bit of a pick me up.

Don't you love it when they show you they can be thoughtful?

that's it for me. I'm off to enjoy a lovely cup of green tea and read of my new 'I'm in love with' pattern, just to make sure I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. Not that it would be the first time!

Public holiday tomorrow, winner, winner, chicken dinner!

cheers

Marina

No more steps, just jump!

After a morning out and about, this afternoon I was itching for some fabric fondling.

Yesterday afternoon I got out the backing fabric for my tribute to Lucy kemper project and cut, cut, cut!

When I bought the fabric there was less than 3 metres left on the bolt but the lovely sales assistant worked out if this would be enough and it was thankfully.

So the backgrounds were cut and next step to arrange and collect my blues from my stash...

So pretty but would I have the courage to attempt to cut them and arrange them for the first block

 Well the answer is yes! When that inspirational lightning bolt hits there is no dodging it.
Like Ben Franklin flying his kite
The photo isn't quite true to colour as the above photo is a better pic of the colours. It is also missing the stems.
I wanted to have a go at balancing out the dark, medium and light fabrics and I am pretty happy with the results. If I had had the correct bias tape it would've been stuck down and my block would be on it's way!
A trip to spotlight will be in order this week.
Would love some feedback on what you think of my shade choices as I feel a little out of my depth.

The wintery weather doesn't encourage many flowers in the garden but our trusty Camelias are putting on a great show. 

Here are some of the blooms that are adding colour to our garden at the moment.

 this flower has some blooms that are as large as a large bread and butter plate.

well that's another weekend done and dusted.....

I'm off to work on my blueberry ripple blanket as I am definitely on the home stretch.

Have a great week

Marina

all good things....

....must come to an end.
I have been trying to make the most of the last few days savouring the time to get things done, having fun in the sewing room and spending a crafty day with friends.
It has been quite a productive break and you can't complain about that.
Yesterday I spent the day with Liz (the village quilters) and Rosalie (Briar Rose). Mum came up too and we shared some laughs, stories and sewing. Liz and Rosalie brought some show and tell with them and we were gobsmacked at how beautiful their finishes were. Liz brought her (my new quilt) AAHH top that has been put together. It is amazing!! I tried to steal kidnap it but there was not much chance of that happening.
Rosalie brought her crazy quilt to show and it was breathtaking. So much detail and such beautiful stitching.
The photos do not do either of them justice but here is a peek They are absolutely stunning.

I didn't take a photo of what the girls were stitching but Rosalie and Liz were working on two gorgeous Teddlywinks quilts. Mum was appliqueing like a woman possessed. She has found her mojo and is working on a quilt for my cousins little girl. I will get pics of that soon.
I wasn't idle and pulled out a 'had to do' project that has been sitting around for too long. Not quite finished but I'll share the finished item when it's done.
I did manage to tick two big things off my holiday list.....
The boys story quilt has been completely finished. The binding went on last night. I am very happy to have this done and it can go to it's new home next week.

the back was pieced from the leftover fabrics... Quilted by Jemima's with a jigsaw design. I love the quilting. They used this design on the dr Seuss quilt I made for No 1 son.

Second tick off the list was to try to complete the top for this special quilt..
Well it's a big 'done' and I have the back to piece then it will be ready for quilting.
I ended up going for an off white background as the taupe seemed to dull the butterflies too much and I wanted it to be bright and cheery.

Well Phew if you're still here thanks for sticking with me through all my pics.
There are just a few more to share..... Our passionfruit vine is flowering and I think they are the most amazing flowers so I wanted to share a few.
this one reminds me of the plant on the Little Shop of Horrors.... Feed me Seymour.....

One last pic of my latest sweet william block..

thanks for getting through all those pics.. there are some more that can wait till next post.
Have a great weekend
Cheers
Marina