A Little Bit Of This And A Bit Of That....And A Milestone!

I've had a splendid time this weekend just passed. I have made it into the 50+ club!!! I am here, healthy and happy doing all the things that I love. What's not to like about turning 50. I am over that hump that comes with the turning 45 and thinking OMG I am nearly 50...it is behind me!!! 

My special big number birthday pressie to myself is making me even happier, despite the age it takes to relocate all your files from the old to the new and learn how to use the new! Thank goodness for google chrome/drive for making it so much easier than it used to be. I love, love, love the crisp clear graphics...I can see my digital magazines & my needlework related items without squinting over a laptop screen...woo hoo.

Happy Birthday to Me

And so on to a little bit of this and that....

....this #1 is Mountmellick, part 4 is complete and I am just so happy with this quilt. It just keeps getting better and better. I even managed to achive my goal of completing this part before the next part is issued. I wonder what the final two parts of this mystery will bring!

Spring is in it's way down here in New Zealand....

....this #2 is my very own attempt at Hazel Blomkamp's dancing threads. I did a bit more work on this up to the point where I need to do the next set of needle lace petals and then must fess that I did put it aside to pick up another project, but it will be back soon.

The photo's don't do justice to the 3D and beaded blinginess of the piece. It is also more creamy in reality. There are a lot of layers of work in a small space with this style of crewel work but the result is real cool.

.... this #3 was my new project, one I traced up last week and another technique I have not tried before. Punch needle is a lot of fun. It is so simple and works up pretty quick. I like the loopy result and I will be doing more when I want something less intense. Of course the primitive look is something I love and Brenda Gervais has so many to choose from that are just so sweet. I took this photo only a couple of days ago and am way further along already. 

....and that #1, my supplies arrived so I can make a start on my Sue Spargo African Tulip Tote. This pattern was published in the latest Quiltmania magazine and I just love all the funky colours.

I have been gathering the gorgeous hand dyed painters threads that are produced by Tentakulum and cannot wait to give them a go on this project.

 ....this gorgeous candy jar of Valdani thread awaits my embellishing with a needle....

 ....Sue's imaginative books  to fill my head with ideas....Sue Spargo just announced her first Craftsy Class this week. How could I resist....aren't those butterflies just stunning!

.... and this latest Valdani Tweed has me sooning, can't you just see that beautiful thread texturizing a project....

But before I get onto that project I need to tend to ....that #2.... it's September already and my classes with Yoko Saito are not far away. I have some stems/bows & leaves to applique and all I have managed so far is the tracing. Better get off this new toy and pull finger....

Hope ya'all have a grand week!

Raewyn Anne