How one thing leads to another ... and another ...

Sew-Amy left me a message recently, requesting that I show more of the embroidery in this post. I had intended to post the finished article, but since it is not likely to be finished for some time (!), here is the progress thus far:

Inspired by Janelle's gorgeous journal covers, here, here, here and here, I was keen to make one up myself. Then I happened across the Sweet Tidings blog, and this post. Which in turn led to the lovely Elsa Mora blog and a free embroidery design.

This little design had whimsy written all over it for me!

And what better title for a journal for me than 'Whimsy'?! Stitched on linen with the lovely variegated DMC colours that Natalie used for this project.

So the embroidery is done, and all that remains is to make up the cover. Who knows when that will happen!

For everything there is a season

For those of you not enjoying the beauty of spring right now, here is a stunning shot of the impending beauty of your winter, sent to me by Danetta a few months ago.

Can you see the tiny, perfect snowflake? Thank you Danetta for this wonderful image and the reminder that each season is created precious & beautiful. 

Blooms

Some more Spring bloom photos from our garden at the farm:

Betchel's Crabapple Malus ioensis 'Plena'

A very Australian bottlebrush, Callistemon 'Perth Pink'

Silver Bush Convolvulus cneorum

Chinese Snowball Tree Viburnum macrocephalum

A lovely sage, given to me by a friend. Not sure of the variety.

A cheerful, bright pink daisy Argyranthemum frutescens 'Supalight Bright Carmine'

A sweet little gladioli which I don't know the name of. Also given to me by a friend. Multiplies readily & is very pretty.

A quick little project

No time to sew? This little treasure can be whipped up in no time at all.

Pink Penguin has a great tutorial for making this cute little fabric basket here. Made from scraps from this project and this one.

Quilted with love

I posted a little while ago about the quilt my Mum was making for my Grandma who has recently moved (reluctantly) into an Aged Care home. Here is the quilt all finished.

The pattern is called 'Crazy Eights' by Bits 'n' Pieces. A very versatile, simple pattern which details how to make a lap quilt from 8 fat quarters.

My Grandma loved the quilt, but tried to convince my Mum to keep it because 'it was too good for her to use'. Mum, of course, made Grandma keep it & promise to use it, but last we heard, it was folded up neatly in a drawer! Oooh, she's naughty!

Can you name this plant? Specimen #3

I spotted this beautiful tree while taking the kids to school this morning. I have no idea what it is, but it is spectacular.

The most wonderful pink panicles, so pretty.

A small, neat tree.

Really hoping someone knows what this is because I think I NEED one!

Thank you to Gina, all the way from South Wales and Fran in Tasmania for identifying Specimen #2 as the Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum). Horicultual hero points to you both!

Just fiddling about ...

A little bit of this ...

and a little bit of that ...

a little Dear Jane ...

and a whole lot of nothing much at all!

From the archive

Fellow stitcher & rose-lover, Joy, left me a comment recently. She is the creative soul behind Joypatch, and the designer of a bag I made a couple of years ago for my Mum.

 

This design is appropriately (!) called 'Housework' and is a great pattern for charm packs.

The text is backstitched on cream sandcastle fabric & the charm pack I used is 'Anticipation' by Sandy Gervais for Moda. The cane handles were salvaged from an op shop find.

Sweetness

We were back at the farm on the weekend for a birthday camping sleepover (hmmm, more like 'talk-over'!) for my newly 13-year-old daughter. I made Princess Martha's White Chocolate & Strawberry Cheesecake as the birthday cake - oh, my! It was VERY good!!

Being back at the farm allowed me to catch with my beloved roses which are blooming profusely right now. Here are just a few of them, mostly David Austins:

The softest pink of Mary Rose

One of my favourites, called 'Othello'

'Othello' again, beautiful perfume, but the most wicked of thorns!

'Golden Celebration'

'Perfume Perfection'

'Grace'

If I could send the heavenly scent of these roses across cyberspace to you I would!

Poor neglected Dear Jane

My Dear Jane blocks have been languishing, unattended in their little box for weeks. I am far behind the group, & won't even count how many I need to do to catch up. But I will whittle away slowly at them when I can - they are always very calming & enjoyable to return to.

A10 Which Points West

Fabric is 'Look & Learn' by Sandy Klop of American Jane by Moda.

A5 Cathie's Campfire

Fabric is from an old Robyn Pandolph line, called 'Bed of Roses'.

TR3 Checkerboard

Fabric is from 'The Merrimack Collection' by Judie Rothermal for Marcus Fabrics.