JULY

over halfway through the year, unbelievable really. And what is more unbelievable is the weather we are having.. one day very sunny, then a cold snap, then more sun..... and NO SNOW! The local ski-fields are looking rather bare and patchy, and could do with a few good snow dumps. Our season ski passes have been used once, although we are planning on a day skiing tomorrow. Win some loose some I guess, and truth be told, I am really really looking forward to nice warm weather.
So a few finishes this month, a few Christmas pressies to tuck away for a few more months.

I managed to put this quilt together in less then a week, on a cold Friday I sat in front of the fire and pieced, then quilted, and finally the bindings went on Thursday night. This is quite a big quilt, and used a jelly roll that I have had in the stash for sometime - result of bad roads in Canada a few years ago forcing us to stop at a quilt shop!

and binding attached to this also, and it is now gracing a spare bedroom wall,

and this small wall quilt done and dusted - much prettier in real life honest!
.....and I have finished my June Block (#6)  for Imperial Blooms,

I am now lurking by the mailbox waiting patiently (NOT) for # 7. I am so loving these blocks, have I told you that, they are fabulous to work with and such fun!
I thought I had another finish, but it must be a figment of my imagination, which at times is rather vivid,
I will leave you with that thought, and go grab a much needed coffee,
Enjoy your Sunday!



just for you Miss D!!

I even took it down and hung it on the trailer outside so you could get a good piccie... enjoy your cruise!
p.s. I took this quilt outside yesterday to get a photo in good light, forgot about it and it stayed out overnight - it is now frozen solid!!! I Need to leave it in the sun today to thaw out...OOOPS!

does my bum look big in this?

when we lived in Dunedin, Rowing Man and I used to visit the gym on a very regular basis. I first started gyming just after Rowing Boy was born in 1981, he was 5 weeks old... he turned 30 the other week.
Rowing Man and I used to do a number of classes at the gym; pump, step, balance, RPM - and a personal training session each week. I am a real class girl, I just need someone else yelling instructions at me, and I will follow.I can just tune out and get a really good hard workout if someone else is directing. And then there is the motivation of the other gym enthusiasts right beside, behind and in front of you.
I really, really miss the gym! .. and whilst there is a gym here in Twizel, it is really very basic, very cold (there is something very wrong about putting a hat and gloves on to work out!)... and no classes. SOooo... my motivation levels have not been too high.. pretty much non-existent in fact - other then the very odd bike ride (3-4 in the last 2 years), and some regular walks - but even they appear to be waning, sommat to do with the cold I expect. Oh I forgot, I do go to yoga most Monday nights and have just finished a 10 week course of Tai Chi.

 so anyway, this appeared on the doorstep - delivered by courier the other day

 I just knew that Rowing Man was up to something...

 and my bike found its way inside

my rarely used but rather lovely bike, Rowing Man and I both bought new bikes in the year before we moved up here, and had all sorts of plans to be out riding here which sadly didn't really come to much despite all the lovely places that one can bike here

so Thursday, while I was at quilt group for the day, Rowing Man put my bike on a stationary block so that I can ride inside in the lounge, on my bike, in some degree of comfort ~ would you believe it!!

 maybe he thinks I have been spending too much time on my derriere, reading and stitching???

anyway, block 6 of Imperial Blooms arrived in the post Saturday, so I shall spread my gluteus maximus a little further as I sit and stitch tonight!
I know the weather most places hasn't been too great, but sure likes there has been a whole lot of stitching going on looking at your blogs, I hope you all had a great weekend..

I know someone famous!

well. a lot of us fellow bloggers do.
Our own Miss D has been profiled in the latest issue of New Zealand Quilter quarterly magazine, so if you get a copy or know of someone who does, it is a must check out! What a privilege huh..

I have managed some good finishes this month, "tis the season" sat around for several weeks, and I have finally attached the binding and added this quilt to the finished list, it is looking pretty darn good if I do say so myself..

 

  and this quilt managed to get quilted and bound as well, this one has been sitting around for a long time now, so it is great to get it finished..

 these came out of their hiding place this week, and I am currently contemplating just what I might do with them..

 I recently bought some HP tansfer paper so I would quite like to have a play with some vintage type pictures and see what happens, particularly with those very delicate and pretty looking ones that have a solid fabric centre and nice lacy edges
I finished the crazy quilt block from here, and it is ready to hang somewhere, once I find some wall space,

and I also finished the red, black and white crazy patch block,

I love the way this has a real modern funky twist, so I have cut out 2 more blocks, and plan on having a wall quilt of 4 blocks and border with some really super fabric that is sitting in the shop, and I have been eyeing up over the last week, and it gives me a bit of hand stitching at night time in front of the fire, great on these rather chilly nights,

and then I have cut out these hexagons, I coaxed a friend to join the Vignette Hexagon Quilt, and then dragged the chain myself, so finally I am getting them started, I decided to use a kiwiana jelly roll, so it will be really interesting to see what effect these have. I am, quite undecided at this stage if I will use the same set of hexies around a different central hexie, or just use them randomly, hmmm......
Can I leave you with these photos, I spent the day in Timaru on Thursday, had a coffee and catch up with a wonderful friend, and then on the way back to Twizel, I snapped these just in dusk.. rewind that thought! ...I cannot find the jolly photos, and I don't have the time anymore to muck around sorting out blogger, I am not even sure that the photos I have posted today are all going to show up and in the right places, I have played around with Picassa,, and several other ways, I know many of you are having similar issues... photos are not always showing up on others blogs either... very frustrating huh! Show you the photos another day maybe...

Happy stitching!