Tag Archives: sewing

Winding up the year

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 Before Christmas we had a few days away visiting DS and helping him get some new blinds installed. It’s so nice to visit now and not having to rush back in time for work. We can take 3-4 days, relax, unwind and just enjoy the time together. I’m looking forward to visiting more often in 2023 as we make plans to update the kitchen and bathroom in his unit.

In the evenings I worked on my embroidery and I have only the bees left to do. 

I’ve already picked out my next embroidery project, a lovely Val Laird wallhanging which also uses quilt blocks. I just love her patterns and have a few more lined up in my wishlist.
Since we got back we’ve been busy with the decluttering, with a few more trips to the tip and I have more to go to the op-shop soon. We are going to move my sewing room into DS’s old room. I have just the wardrobe left in DS’s room left to move and then (fingers crossed) I can get DH to paint it – (he hates painting) before I move in. Once thats done we’re going to expand DD’s room to include my old sewing room. It’s exciting to start seeing new spaces appear now that a lot of ‘stuff’ is gone.
So with my sewing, I’ve mostly been cutting down scraps and sorting out all my old, unfinished projects. This drawer sits on my sewing table and as I sew I add any scraps to it. I’ve already emptied it once and then refilled it with bags of scraps from years ago. I just work on it each day for 10 – 15 mins at a time.

I cut my scraps into strips and keep them in clear shoe boxes in the different sizes. Anything smaller than 1.5″ or an odd shape that I think I might use for applique or collages I toss in the basket.

I’ve also been making lists and deciding on which projects I want to do in 2023. I have found lots of great 3 yard quilt patterns which are just the right size for donation quilts. I really need to use up some of my fabric stash so I plan on using the 3 yard pattens to make lap quilts for Comfort Quilts against Cancer as they accept tops and are looking for volunteers.  I used to be an oncology nurse so its a cause I can really get behind. At the moment I’m making the blocks for a Jacobs Ladder lap quilt in between the decluttering.

I’m excited about 2023. I remember this time last year. I was just so exhausted and knew I only had three months until retirement. This year feels so different and I feel so much happier and healthier with time to just enjoy myself. My plan is to actually finish some sewing projects in 2023 lol!
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Comments – I am still having problems commenting on many of the blogs I read regularly which is disappointing but it seems many others have the same problem and there isn’t a solution that works. So unfortunately I just can’t comment on a lot of your blogs anymore, those that I can I will. 

– Sluggy, Kim I have read your blogs every day for many years and I can’t comment on either- I was so shocked and saddened to read about Joel, my condolences to you both and big hugs & prayers Kim xx

Busy Busy Busy!

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 We’ve had a very busy few weeks since I last posted. 

A family get together for a 65th wedding anniversary, our 40th wedding anniversary and DD & I’s birthdays. It’s been lovely to catch up with extended family, some we hadn’t seen since before Covid. I also had the Share the Dignity collections and drop offs to do which are all completed now.

DH and I have also been very busy at home with lots of decluttering going on, and trips to the op shop and the tip each week.  We have also replaced all the blinds on the windows at the front of the house and down one side. I was able to get the double blinds at 40% off at Spotlight which was a good saving. They didn’t have enough in stock to do the whole house so I will get more when they are on sale again. We also bought a new lounge which is SO comfortable to nap on!

When I last posted my plan had been to get ready to do Bonnies Mystery Quilt, but I  got sidetracked by deciding to cut down years of scraps while waiting for the first clue to come out. Well I was enjoying cutting them so much – its quite relaxing -and I have way more scraps than I ever realised, so I decided to skip the mystery this year and cut all scraps instead. I’m hoping to get them all done before the end of the year.  In between scraps and decluttering I have been making my 5″ scraps into lap quilt tops
to donate. 


Today we are putting up our Christmas decorations and next week we will visit DS for a few days to help organise a bathroom and kitchen renovation for his unit. 

It feels good to have the time and energy to get so much done.

I’m still having difficulties commenting, but now have a few ideas so will try and sort that out this week.

Blue scrappy flimsy finished. Share the Dignity drive.

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I’m determined to chip away at the scrap stash after my recent clean up in the sewing room.  I finished this quilt top this morning made of blue 5″ squares. I also used up a light blue scrap to break up the rows as without that it was just too busy and a little small. I’m pleased with the way it turned out and I’ve added it to the ‘waiting to be quilted pile. 

It will be a donation quilt when finished as there is going to be a real need for quilts following all these flooding events we’ve been having. I was able to buy $440 worth of quilt batting for only $80 with my $40 spotlight vouchers – I was sent four this time so I will use the others up in the next few days. I’ve got plenty of batting now in my stockpile!

On Wednesday night there was a request for linen & other items to be donated to flooded residents in Eugowra where houses where literally just washed away on Monday. So I cleaned out the linen cupboard of sheets, one quilt and some blankets. I also had my box of extras (pads, tampons, toiletries) for topping up Share the Dignity bags so I sent those off as well. 

Share the Dignity collections start today and run to the 27th November at every Bunnings store. You can drop off a handbag backpack filled with items (list is here) or you can donate toiletries, pads or bags as well and they will get made up for donation.  The bags are given to women & girls in need.

This year I made three Mum & Bub bags and three teen bags. I made a crotchet rug and a bunny rug for each of the Mum & Bub bags.

In the US & Canada there is are similar charities:  One Purse,  My Change Purses, Lend a Hand.

I kept on with the decluttering in the spare room ( junk room!) and this morning we made a trip to the op shop and then a trip to the dump. I have so much more space! Still lots to do but we’re making progress. Today I want to get my fabrics chosen ready for the start of Bonnies Mystery Quilt tomorrow and cut down some scraps from my current scrap bin.

Blogger comments problem! Is anyone else having difficulty commenting on blogs including replying on your own blog? At the moment I can’t comment on this blog and on most of the other blogs – any advice?