Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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.

41 comments:

Oops-Lah said...

Oh no, how does the saying go; when it rains it pours???
I hope the bad luck streak has come to and end together with the end of last year.
Your Santa ornaments are fantastic; I'm sure your swap partner was thrilled with them.
I wish you a very Happy New Year!

Sharon said...

So glad to hear from you, and I hope for a better 2013 for you and your family. What a gift for your teacher, no wonder she had tears. I'm looking forward to seeing a few of your projects in 2013, and happy to hear you are pulling out your vines quilt, I'm not doing it, but I love seeing yours in progress.

Dolores said...

I hope 2013 is a healthy and productive year for you.

Janet said...

I hope you have a marvellous 2013 filled with inspiration and many projects! Your embroidery is very amazing - what a gift! I look forward to seeing more of your vines as always :0)

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

I hope 2013 is better for you, what a time you have had!
I too have lots planned for this year, probably too much as well!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy that all the bad is behind you and your family. We were all getting a bit worried. I wish you and yours the BEST in the New Year. P.S. After checking my email, my next stop is always to your lovely blog. You are an amazing needlewoman. Sincerely, Pat, a fan from Canada.

Julia said...

Lovely to see you back blogging Janet...
Hope it's a better year this year for you.
Can't wait to see what you have planned.
Julia ♥

Kaaren said...

I wish you and Mr. Quiltsalott nothing but the best in 2013, Janet.

I've missed your posts and am relieved to hear that your lemons have turned into sweet tasting lemonade.

Thanks for sharing your latest creations. Love those orines!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Here's to a much better year in 2013 full of lovely stitching. I tried putting freezer paper/cotton through my brand new printer and it got badly jammed and I thought I'd broken it. Luckily Phil fixed it but I'm not allowed to try again, though I get very tempted. Your H embroidery is beautiful and I can see why the box made the teacher cry.

Cardygirl said...

Hopefully 2013 will be a happy and prosperous year for you!

Sarah said...

Hi Janet, I'm glad to hear that your Mum and son are ok. What a Christmas! I had to take my Dad up to the ED while we were up the coast because he collapsed, but it turned out he just feinted from being dehydrated and overheated. Thank goodness!

I got Mary's kindy teacher a nice gift from The Body Shop and it didn't exactly bring tears to her eyes...Wow! Your gift is AMAZING!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sarah
kitbikquilts.blogspot.com

antique quilter said...

oh the gift came out amazing, your hand work is beautiful, Yes this is going to be your year...
been thinking about you.
Kathie

Ann-Mari said...

Looking forward to follow your creativity in 2013.

Darlene said...

I'm sorry you've had some challenges in life - ugh! Nice to see you and all your beautiful work.

FlourishingPalms said...

It's good to hear from you again, Janet. Though I am sure sorry about the challenges you've been facing. Sounds like they're rolling in nearly non-stop. We'll join you in aiming for a more calm and quilt-y sort of 2013. Blessings.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Happy New Year Janet! Glad your Mom and son are ok. Really gorgeous Father Christmas ornaments and that sewing box is a real treasure. Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and creative 2013~

Terry said...

I'm glad to hear your mom and son are both OK! Happy New Year to you! :0)

Lori said...

You've done some fun crafts! Amazing really!!
I'm glad the year closed out ok. Here's hoping 2013 is healthy and happy.

Pat said...

Wishing you all that is good in the New Year! Those sweet vintage Santas are something I need to check out - love how you finished them. Thank you for the link!

regan said...

So glad your mother recovered, as well as the man in your son's accident. So lucky!

Your projects are beautiful....love the little santa pillows.....and thanks for the link to the graphics!

Here's hoping 2013 treats you well, and you get lots of stitching in! :o)

Shirley said...

You have been constantly in my thoughts and missed. Here is to 2013 being a great year and to lots of stitching in whatever form you choose. Glad that your Mum and Son are ok. With much love to you from a boggy England.

Patty C. said...

Prayers for your family!
That sewing box is gorgeous.

Dawn said...

Best wishes to your family.
The hardanger is lovely - I was looking through my hardanger recently and would love to start up again. Thank you for the inspiration - what a blessed teacher!

Meredith said...

Happy 2013. The gift is fantastic. I would be afraid to use it being so lovely. These are the best kinds of gifts (my experience)

I keep repeating 2013 will be calm and peaceful with no wheel chair adventures.
I hope you enjoyed every min. of your blog break.

Lurline said...

How wonderful to hear from you Janet - says she with tear-filled eyes, lol! What a sook I am! let's hold hands and hope we both keep blogging through 2013. Happy stitching - hugs, Lurline.

Sue-Anne said...

I hope this year is much more peaceful with no bumps along the way. Wishing you lots of happiness for 2013.

Miriam said...

Great to see you back Janet. I do hope 2013 is a much better year for you and your family.
Glad to hear your Mum is OK.

Your hardanger is beautiful, as is the sewing box! Lucky teacher!!!

Thimbleanna said...

I'm sorry to hear about all of your challenges Janet. Hopefully 2013 will be much kinder to all of us. I LOVE those adorable Santa ornaments you've made! Happy New Year!

Dixie Howard said...

Nice to see you back! Love your ornies, and your hardanger is beautiful. I would like to get a hardanger project going this year - do you have a pattern recommendation for a beginner? Happy new year!

Susan Entwistle said...

Everything is beautiful.

Nic said...

I hope 2013 is a much better year.
Gorgeous box. Not surprised there were tears

Barb said...

Beautiful gift -
hope 2013 is a better year for you and your family.

Jane in Cumbria said...

Oh, I hope you get no more lemons this year! What a beautiful gift - Hardanger is lovely.
A very happy 2013!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Happy New Year...May 2013 be fab for you!

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jean said...

Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2013 Janet, I hope the lemons have stopped and I look forward to seeing more of your amazing work

Carrie P. said...

glad to hear you mom and son and the other guy is okay. I wish you a better year in 2013. I am looking forward to a better year too.

Cathy said...

Happy New Year to you and yours...2013 is going to be a great year for us all!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Sorry to hear all has not been too well at the Quiltsalotts! I too hope this year exceeds your expectations and life settles down a little. As always I love to see what you are creating. xo

Margaret A said...

Janet, I love the Hardanger, I do Hardanger myself and it is my first love and then quilting.
Margaret A

Robin said...

Happy New Year, Janet! Here's hoping 2013 is a good one. :)

Those ornaments are lovely!