Agapanthus & Fabric

I ventured into the garden yesterday to pick fresh flowers for the house. I've been waiting for the Agapanthus to flower, this year they are much later than last year. The Shasta daisies have also started to bloom & provide a lovely contrast, among the blues of the Agapanthus & the deep green of the leaves of both. I usually have a display like this for Christmas, however seeing they bloomed so late, it is now the time for them to be enjoyed.

 

I find fresh flowers in the home change the ambience & certainly lift my spirits.

 

 

The Australian Tennis Open  started two days ago, which is always part of my summer ritual. It starts later here, 1pm as opposed to 11am at home. I have time to do the chores before it starts, then at the moment, pop in to watch, while doing paper & fabric sorting & eliminating. I've been working on patchwork  & searching for a special piece of

fabric I need, for one of my sleeping beauties. This particular fabric had eluded me for a couple of weeks, as I checked the stash. I'd been searching for what I thought was a folded piece of this fabric.  I've had it for many years, a Jinny Beyer, which I'm pretty sure is no longer available.  I wanted to prepare the fabric for placement on a specific block. This morning, when I was packing up the fabrics, I realised I'd been looking over what I needed. I've had the fabric prepared forever, and stored right there with all the fabrics for this quilt.

Can you imagine my delight when I found it already prepared & wound safely on a roll?

What joy! I'm very grateful, as it does take time to prepare. Another item off my to do list & a completed block in sight, after tennis watching this evening..

 

New Year UFO Project or Projects?

Cross stitch, embroidery, patchwork, quilting, painting, dress making?
Plenty to chose from with anything with hand needlework as the predominant area for selection.
This year I'm planning to start 2016 with Patchwork. I have a major piece,  needing my attention. In order to have it completed, I'll need to hand quilt it after the top is finished. This particular item has been languishing  in my "to do' collection, partially completed, for several years, so now is the time to bring it out & get it done. I'm sure there will be moments when I'll need a distraction, other than patchwork or quilting. I certainly won't be bored with all the choices life has to offer.

I've been working on this piece trying to have it completed  by the start of the year. Now moved from the "to do" list,  as the first completion for 2016, to make a total of 10 Shepherd's Bush stockings.

The photo is not good, another try  later. For now, it is very subtle in colouring, I did change some of the colour choices & I'm thrilled with how it actually looks. I've moved on to the quilt, progressing slowly, keeping enthusiastic.