Hexagons, Prior to Placement.

Here are the lose, covered, templates, ready to be selected for a permanent spot in the quilt. I really enjoy this placement part, as I chose which one goes where, then maybe move it to another place, next to a diferent colour choice.

I've noticed that the photos of my hexagon quilt may look a tad odd, to non patchworkers. So incase you are wondering, the paper templates are still retained within each hexagon, until it is all stitched together, in this particular application. When the top is completed, I will remove each template, before adding the batting, the backing fabric, then tacking all three layers together, before I begin the hand quilting.

So some are stitched for the outer edge then, the blocks of coloured hexagons go together to connect it all together.

A Cuddly Companion While Stitching a WIP.

I decided to do a tad more work on my cross stitched, commemorative piece, this afternoon. This is the piece I am doing in memory of my very dear, late, Mother. Another languishing WIP I haven't touched since March. While I sat enjoying the view of the harbour I soaked up the sunshine protected from the blustery wind outdoors. It reached around 120klms, ph last evening although it's not so bad today, so far. My companion Holly, was not averse to joining me in the warm glow of the sun through the bay window. Since she returned from her stay at the vet hospital for 4 days, she is keeping tabs on me & has changed allegiance. DH is no longer 'numero uno,' well, for the present anyway. I can hear her yowling at the moment, LOL, she must have realised she is now alone in the other room. :).

If you look closely at the photo, you can see the shaved area of her upperarm, where she was attached to the life giving, re hydrating, drip. That, along with the expertise of our wonderful veterninarian, are things for which I remain extremely grateful this week.

Today was my turn to host stitching. Although only a small group, it is always pleasant to share times with other stitchers. Surprise, surprise! I did manage to cover more hexagons as we sat and chattered, watching the weather close in with lightening and several loud claps of thunder. The front passed over very quickly, it did drop the temperature rapidly and we are in for a nasty weekend, weather wise. Great for stitching IMHO.

Before everyone arrived, I managed to prepare a casserole for dinner, for the slow cooker. The delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen during the afternoon, making for a comforting meal, on this very cold Spring evening.

Earlier this week, we had a very sick cat. She did not respond after the first day at the vets, but seemed to be better on the following day. We brought her home and she was rather subdued & very clingy. Next morning she seemed to be worse, so back to the vet we went. The vet admitted her again and she was re hydrated & given a nausea shot to last for three days. We brought her home last night & she is back to normal, thankfully. After all the blood tests, urine analysis, kidney function and white cell count, there does not seem to be anything of concern. Even pancreatitis was eliminated. This happened two years ago at the same time of the year, so perhaps it is an allergic reaction to a spring flowering plant. The vet does not know what caused the problem, however she was very thorough.

Although not a photo of our Holly, the picture above depicts a beautiful cat, amongst the flowers. This is a wall plate given to me, because I am a cat lover, as a birthday gift some years ago.

Something Else, For Which To Be Thankful.

This is the latest progress photo on my hexagon quilt top. The RH corner is finished. Yeah!!

As it comes together, with each segment, the feeling of accomplishment is very rewarding. Everything else seems to be on hold, when I get involved in this stitching. I love the rythym of piecing it together with tiny stitches, after chosing which coloured hexagon goes where, and sorting them with the other colour strands. When I need to stitch and have no inclination for thinking methodically, covering the hexagons is also rewarding. It requirs no major effort, as I watch the collection increase. I do appreciate being able to indulge in such a pleasant pastime.

As you can see I am well past the 1/4 done, almost to the half way point for the quilt top. I hope you can share in my delight, as it grows to completeion.

Keep checking as I am sure I will construct a further segment this weekend, although the two boys are about to arrive from school, I may not get allot done until tomorrow afternoon.

First Attempt at Fabric dyeing.

With the horror of an earthquake in this country over the weekend, I did n't think about taking or posting photos. Yesterday, while playing Mah-Jong, we were interrupted after afternoon tea, with a quake of 4.1 a few kilometres off the coast. A very scary feeling for someone who is used to stable ground under foot, at home. I really feel for the folk in Christchurch, who have endured such trauma over the last four days, with constant after shakes.

I 've been dyeing cross stitching fabric this morning and as a first attempt, I am rather pleased with the result. Not quite as patterned as I had hoped, however the colour is exactly what I had envisioned. I am so enthused, I sought the popular drinking crystals, I have read about, to try their effect. I had hoped to try several colours, (flavours), to have a great selection of pretty coloured fabrics to add to my stash. Unfortunately, that particular product is not available here, so with limited variety available, I could only purchase two flavours/ colours locally. I will try those in the next few days to see what I can produce.

I have a couple of cross stitch exchanges to get together at the moment. One to post in the next couple of days & the other to put together later this month for postage. Photos of those after they have been received by my exchange partners.
I resumed covering & constructing hexagons sections last Thursday evening. They have been added to the quilt to have it completed to half way, on the RH side. It will be exciting to reach the half way point on both sides. Last week I returned to one of my stitching groups, after missing it for several weeks. We meet usually once a fortnight or, three weeks. It was great to return & enjoy all the current projects. It is my turn to host this group on Friday week, so by then, I hope to have the LH side, also completed to the half way point.