Just a little applique fix

There's not much sewing going on around here mainly because  I haven't yet settled into a routine with it being summer holidays.
This block from Beyond the Cherry Trees quilt was done as a quick fix for some applique which I've been missing lately.

I'm off to bed which I should have done hours ago since I have to get up at 5am in order to make it to the airport. My Mum turns 80 on the 29th and I couldn't miss the opportunity to be in New Zealand to share it with the rest of the family.

I'm not loving blogger at the moment, they've changed how the photos are uploaded and it took me ages to figure it out. I think it's a plot for Google to rule the internet.
Until next time, Janet

It's a good day to blog

Life has been crazy around here, we've had a some lemons thrown our way and it's been like that for more than two years now. I hope 2013 is going to be our year.

 

My mother had a mild heart attack just before Christmas but thankfully came out if it unscathed. In the early hours of the next day, we got a scary phone call from my son to say he'd had a car accident but wasn't hurt. Unfortunately, the drunk pedestrian that ran out onto the road was hurt and for a few hours, we didn't know if he'd make it. We prayed a lot and I'm glad to say he recovered enough to be released from hospital after a couple of days with a broken leg and fractured skull. Lucky man!

 

I was ready to fly off to Queensland where my son lives which is the next state up from us but we decided to wait and head up there for Christmas with him. It was great up there, the weather is consistently warm and it was good for all of us to be together.

There's been very little sewing going on but I did manage to whiz these ornaments up for a secret Santa swap. The graphics are free from The Graphics Fairy.
I dyed some muslin with coffee and some Parisian browning essence and added a bit of cinnamon for that Christmas smell. I deliberately blotched some of the dye on after wringing it out for that primitive look.
I simply ironed some freezer paper on the back of the fabric and trimmed it to size before putting it through the printer. They're stuffed and finished off with some jute for hanging and with a rusty bell and safety pin for added decoration.

I did do a little Hardanger embroidery band which was to be added to an end of year gift for our teacher.

The Victorian sewing box was beautifully put together by one of the other students.

Teacher had tears, can you blame her?

I have a couple of other non related sewing things to show but that will have to wait a bit.
I have started back on the Trailing vines quilt and need to get moving onto that pronto. On some of the cooler days I've even managed some hand quilting.
I have a lot planned for this year, maybe too much but what the heck, I'll never be a one project quilter.

Thanks so very much for all your visits over the last year, you've all been so encouraging and supportive, you are the best!  I wish you all a very happy year ahead filled with happy times and lots of stitching.