Number 5 is the number chosen for the Chookshed Challenge for May.  But I had two problems with that.  I checked my list of 10 challenges to find that I hadn't anything listed for number 5.  My list went from 4 to 6, very strange.  Then I remembered that I had made kiwi blocks my number 5 challenge, to join in with some of the others who were making kiwis too.  However, mine are embroidered, not pieced. After sorting that little problem out, I went hunting for the elusive kiwi blocks.  They weren't in my bag with all the remaining challenges, so where were t ..read more

 May has been a difficult month for stitching, what with catching Covid and two caravan trips away.  But I've persevered and almost finished May's Challenge, which is number 9.  On my list this was a whole bunch of house blocks I has stitched up quite some time ago, and left sitting, all lonely and waiting......  These were made from 2.5in strips, using what I had to hand. Something I prepared much earlier - plenty of house blocks By the middle of the month I had stitched three rows, so that was a good start.  And today, I have finished the quilt top, so I'm pleased a ..read more

 Anzac Day unites Kiwis everywhere, both home and abroad, remembering those service men and women who fought to protect us during times of war, often paying the ultimate sacrifice.  We are on a weekend caravan club rally at Mt Lees Scenic Reserve, and four of us drove down to Sanson to attend the Anzac Day service this morning.  The first part of the service was held by the War Memorial, and the band came marching towards us. An elderly gentleman who seemed to have mobility problems stood and bravely played the Last Post - I spoke to him later and told him how wonderful it was ..read more

 After missing the previous get-together because of getting Covid, it was lovely to catch up again this Tuesday.  Sandra was our hostess today.  Everyone arrived, and we settled down, chatting away.  There were magazines to look through and take home, and plenty of Show and Tell, lots of knitting to start with.  I had taken along the blue jacket I had made for baby Jack, and Helen had knitted a lovely shaded blue and brown little vest. Baby knitting by me and Helen Sandra had knitted this pretty pink cardigan This interesting design was knitted by Heather Carol had ..read more

 There's a new baby in the extended family.  Robin's siter Kaye recently became a grandmother for the first time, when baby Jack arrived.  That was exciting news, making Jack our great nephew, I think.  I had already sent the new Mum and baby a colourful baby quilt, and then decided to knit him something.  Time was moving on, and babies grow so quickly, don't they. I decided to knit the cozy little Jessie Jacket, designed by Kiwi Stitch and Knit Co..  This is knitted in a combination of stocking stitch and garter stitch, and has a little rolled edge collar. What ..read more

 It's time for a little yellow sewing - according to the RSC rules, yellow is the colour of the month.  I'm stitching several Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects, so out came the bags.  First up were the pirate blocks.  These aren't going to be done in every colour of the rainbow.  Rather, I'm picking out several colours which are featured in  the pirate fabric, and so far have done green and red.  This month is yellow, and I have light and dark blue to go, when their turn arrives.  That was easy.   Three pirate blocks Also easy was the four patc ..read more

 It's time to see how I've  been doing on the Chookshed Challenge for April.  The number chosen this month is number 9, which in my case is my House Blocks from some years ago.  I've looked back through earlier blogs and just can't find any mention of these, probably made back in the mists of time.  These were made from 2.5 inch strips with flip and sew roofs and are my own design.    There are heaps of them of all colours, just made from strips, and they have  been hiding in a basket all this time. House blocks I also made a few pieced tree blocks, f ..read more

This month the RSC colour has changed to yellow, but I'm not quite finished with purple yet.  I decided if I didn't keep plodding away on this project, it would be put away, out of sight, and forgotten about.  I know I've mentioned my former neighbour Dorothy many times, and the fact that when she moved away to go into a rest home her daughter gave me a couple of boxes of quilting fabrics.  Tucked in the bottom of one of the boxes were a pile of nine patch blocks.  I  assembled these blocks using white sashing, left over coloured squares for the corner stones, and some ..read more

 You know what it's like when you set off on holiday - you seem to have all the time in the world and then it's all over.  We were attending our caravan club rally in Napier, with plenty of plans, people to see, things to do, plus a little shopping.  It didn't all fall nicely into place though.  On my "must do list" was a visit to Skeinz, a local company which spins their own wool.  I had found a pretty 6ply cardigan pattern for myself and was after some yarn.   Of course there were several lovely colours available, but I couldn't resist this soft blue, nice ..read more

 My Chookshed Challenge for March, number four on the list, has been completed.  Some of the participants had chosen to work on a panel for their number four, and I was happy to do this as well, as I had a couple of panels waiting for me in a bag.  I chose to work on my wild horses panel, and mid way through the month  I had added borders simple borders. The finished top The next step was pinning the layers together, and luckily I found a piece of cream calico just the right size for the backing.  I safety pinned the layers together out on the patio table, making the ..read more