October House of Horrors and Missing Mojo

I have been absent for a while, maybe you have been wondering where I have got to! Well I am still here but not so much in a happy place in my happy space for the last week or so.

I have been experiencing an early halloween, a week horribilis and I certainly don't have any enemies I would wish this experience upon. 

Warning, some gross details lie ahead before I post a photo of a somewhat relevant finish. A last day in October type finish, just a small finish.....my desire to work in my studio has taken a battering!!!

You see, we live in a 130 year old church and for all or most of those 130 years I imagine, all sorts of insects, rodents, possums and birds think that even though they don't pay the mortgage they have a right to squat here! Over the 4 years we have been here we have had our fair share of invaders and most of them want to park up in the roof of my studio, a roof that is impossible to get into the cavity of. When we first moved in it was the possum, he thought he had existing occupation rights but the .22 gauge thought otherwise so he went almost straight away. Ok, I dealt with that! Then we have had loads of ants and ants on the wing on and off, they seem to have (fingers crossed) decided they needed a change of scene. Ok, they were soooo annoying but I dealt with that! The birds can be incredibly persistent and they have a keen eye for the ammunition once you've used it once but you eventually outwit them. Dealt with that too! But the rodents, the rodents suck, they  go into all sorts of places and all through these old walls scratching away. You see this old build isn't built like houses these days, it is built out of gorgeous kauri but the rodents can run straight up inside the walls, one floor to the next. The rodents, now that the possum, ants and birds have gone have decided that my studio roof is a pretty cool place to hangout permanently and this unappreciated relationship has been going on for a while. Because you cannot get into the roof cavity there is only one option to rid yourself of rodents, yep the nasty stuff that gets them from the inside. But the rodents like to draw their last breath it would appear, in their own bed!!!!!! Yep, it's happened more than once to me already, but this time , this time, it was in the ceiling right over my desk. Now no amount of scented candles can deal with that putridity and neither could I. Then, just when you think it cannot possibly get worse.....the ceiling in my room is.....tongue and groove.....yes, that means it has gaps......the repulsion just got ten times worse when the food supply started to diminish and the crawlers dropping from the ceiling began!!!!!

I have been at my total wits end with it all this time. It was unbelievably disgusting!!!! We do have plans to rip off the roof and replace it whereupon we can address this problem but we have so much else on renovation wise my husband can't do that job yet. Please, please, please don't let another rodent shuffle off this mortal coil above my head before that happens!!!!!

So the up shot of it all is that I didn't want to sit in there doing much of anything and my computer is now on the dining table. I had to move loads of stuff out of the 'drop zone' and so my room is everywhere. I have decided to take this opportunity though to reorganise my room and to finally paint the two bookshelves in there with the Annie Sloan chalk paint that I love so they match my other furniture. I was putting it off as I have to move all my craft books but now I was forced I have at least got mojo enough for that task!!!

What a mess!

And yet more mess spreading into the lounge!

My painting work today has been rather cathartic!

Paint on, two coats of wax to go...looking good!

So due to the horrific ordeal I have gone through this past week not much has been produced. My only stitching has been in the evenings in my stitching chair well away from my studio. I managed to put together my Pineberry Lane primitive that I finished stitching just a little while ago. It is quite appropriately halloween-ish and befitting this creepy crawly situation imposed on me. 

May I present to you, one very cool witch called Fancey Blackett and this pattern is called Fancey Blackett's Brooms...love it!

Love that little painted wooden snail button from Theodora Cleave

Ya'll will have noticed that I have been playing with the graphics on my blog. It's a work in progress...got stalled by other appalling events in my life. But now ya'll will know why my mojo vanished as did my blog posts. I am on the way to starting to feel like a happier camper in my what should be  a happy space.

International Inspiration and Meeting a Friend

It feels like it's been a right good while since I shared what I have been getting up to so here's where it's at....

School holidays are upon this household so lots of kid related tasks are on the menu in this house for the next two weeks. Not so happy kids at the momment though, the eldest has a cold!!!!  The weather has turned to beautiful sunny spring days and the couch is still in full use!!!! Man!!!!

Last week, before all this latest fun kicked in I spent a whole three days of me time quilting. Having the opportunity to meet and to quilt with the expert Yoko Saito was just such an awesome opportunity despite the language barrier. Yoko does not speak English, but she speaks a lot more English than I do Japanese! She was travelling with her companion Saitomi who speaks a little more English and so between us all we nutted it out. Besides the language of quilting is international!

It was fantastic to be able to see first hand all her techniques, her tools and to see how she works and there were loads of 'aha' momments over the course of the three days.

I'll let the photos do the talking....

She has such fine and dainty hands and fingers and not a single callous to be seen. She uses a heavy weight to stop the piece she is working on from slipping off the table. It works much better than trying to hold it all and stitch...I am converted when working at a table.

The reason her hands and fingers are in such pristine condition is that she always wears thimbles and lots of them. I always wondered how she kept the bigger ceramic thimble on her finger when she is quilting. Well it's because there is a rubber one underneath it...so simple and so 'aha'....

Thimbles galore! and that gold coloured needle threader was  a beauty. Much better than any available here for small needles I reckon. I have ordered one off he website The Quilt Party

She also brought along two of her quilts and several smaller pieces for us to see her work in person. The detail is just amazing and the little applique pieces get so teeny tiny. The neatness of her work both applique and quilting is breathtaking.

I also got to meet my blogging friend Raewyn on the course. So it was  a win win all round. That's Raewyn staring in amazement at the work in that quilt just like I was. Raewyn has also posted on her blog about the workshop. Scroll to the bottom of the post to check out two very happy Raewyn Anne's in red!!!

And of course I had to take the opportunity to have my book signed by such an accomplished quilting artist as Yoko.

Just look at that signature. A work of art in itself.

So glad I partook of the opportunity to attend this workshop. I did manage to get a wee bit done on my own course projects....just a bit though and plenty more to do!!!

A few other things have also had my attention over the last little while....

I finished and completed a quick little stitch into a pin keep. This is the Hannah Birdwell sampler and the hand painted box that it came  with from Liberty Hill. 

I ran out of Patchwork of the Crosses hexies and so needed to make some more 'kits' up. Here's the production line....eight blocks awaiting glue basting.

I have been really enjoying doing a little primitive cross stitch of an evening of late. It's simple and goes quick and I am rocking the primitive theme seeing all that primmy goodness on the Prim Stitchers Society. This finished piece features the coolest witch called Fancey Blackett, and is a design from Pineberry Lane. Just need to put my finishing hat on and she will be complete.

Happy Stitching

A Ladye Is Waiting

Waiting for needle work supplies that is. But that has become just the normal course of events for consumers of fine needle work products in this day and age. The recession around 2008 sucked the willingness out of suppliers to hold inventory and so every thing is ordered on a 'just in time basis'. It can be frustrating but ultimately you know the goodies will arrive on your doorstep. Thank goodness someone still designs and makes them at all I say. 

It is irksome when you just want to get on with a project and I do want to get on with one although I suspect with this particular item  the postal service is more of the 'hold up' culprit this time.

I want to move along on my Sue Spargo project. I am making the Tulip Tote. So far I have prepared the background and cut out the first applique piece, the branch. Then that's where it stops! I ordered a selection of the wool threads to applique the wool pieces and it's not here yet....hurry up....patience not such a virtue when I want it right now!

Loving working with the loud and proud vibrant colours on this project. Loving the wool for a change of scene too.

I am also patiently waiting for next week to arrive and for the Yoko Saito workshops. Can't believe the day is already nearly here. My life is flashing by! I haven't had so much trouble waiting for this date as I had prep to do. But the prep is done and I am feeling good about that. Might even complete this project 'soon' after the class. Still feeling positive about that too!

Such a contrast in shades but I love the Japanese fabrics just as much as the coloured ones. In fact, that's my trouble, I love too many things!

I have been passing my time while 'waiting' in the evenings putting some stitches into a project that is not too taxing. In fact it is very simple and properly primitive. That darn Prim Stitchers Society is so very darned addictive. They are all abuzz with chatter about the fall season and halloween. Fall just happens to be my totally favourite season too and even though we are comming into spring the weather is cool and so I just had to get involved. There are so many cool prim designers/patterns that I have been unable to resist. And so, I have started stitching Pineberry Lane's Fancey Blackett's Brooms. Fancey is a cool and very captivating witch who features in many patterns. Yes, I will be doing more as I like this whimsical and primsical style of cross stitch. I love the shades of the thread and the 'dirty' looking linen.

I even got all excited and ordered some gourd and pumpkin seeds. I'm gonna plant some this spring so I can have my own goodies for display when fall arrrives in New Zealand next. Love those rambling vines and it's not like I don't have room and they don't need much attention! Now that's my kinda plant.

I received the most cutest new book from Quiltmania this week and I just have to share a snippet. It is Reiko Katos' latest book Little Stories of Cats. It has just the cutest little applique kitties in a bunch of different settings. I can feel one comming on. I guess I was also one of the lucky first 200 to order the book as I also got the charm size pieces of Japanese fabric that was the giveaway. The stack is over 1cm thick.Bonus!

Have a great weekend and I'll post again after Yoko's been.

Raewyn Anne

The Trouble With Spring....

.... is not this....I like this....

....it's this....I don't like this....weeding arrrgh....so much more than this too....

....I would so much rather be doing this....

....weeding just reminds me that my favourite season is indeed Autumn otherwise known as Fall....I think I am having Fall envy seeing all the great harvest and halloween themed projects on facebook and arriving in the online needle work shops!

....Man I loathe weeding....that was two hours of my life today that  I will never get back....at least I am inside now....on the internet....get off girl and go stitch...lol

Raewyn Anne 

Va Va Voom Valdani

I have been gathering and using the Valdani line of thread for some of my latest projects. The hand dyed and colourfast colours are so luscious. As desirable as an ice cream on a hot summer day, or a fire inside on a cold winter's night....comforting....lovely to use....and so convenient in those cute little balls. 

My very first experience of using the 3 strand cotton floss has been while I have also been doing my very first punch needle project. That project is Manor at Strawberry Hill designed by Brenda Gervais

As is normal for me, I did not choose the simplest of designs for learning a new skill. I can't do basic, I have to go with what I love and I loved this design. But as it turns out it really doesn't matter, punch needle is easy and surprisingly satisfying....punching that needle and creating those tightly packed loops is cool! I wanna do more! It is a project that moves fairly quickly, again not something normal in my world but it makes for a nice change in pace. 

Punching right off of that ball of 3 strand is so gosh darn convenient. There are other flosses is this kit that are 6 strand lengths. After each length you have to thread that  ole punch needle again but not with the Valdani, you can just carrying on punching until you reach the end of that sweet little ball of yumminess or until you wanna change colours of course. Fabulous and thank you Valdani for making such convenient joy possible. 

Aren't those varigated colour shades just so delicious! Of course these primitive designs were just made to soak up all this Valdani goodness!

Now, I wanna mention that I am a member of the Primitive Stitcher's Society on facebook. This is a fabulous group and a wonderful source of inspiration with so many awesome prim designers and folks sharing their primitive cross stitch/punch needle accomplishments. It is a real inspiration, thank you Dixie Samplar for starting up this amazing group.

Valdani also have a facebook page and I am chuffed that snippets of my little ole blog have been shared, not once, but twice on their page. Who would have thought in this big wide world that my extoling the virtues of Valdani would get noticed. Cool!

I also made an exciting purchase at my LGS (Local Giftware Shop) in the weekend. A chance find, this primo jar with a chalkboard sticker. Now what could I use that for, I asked myself....

.... I know....this is what my mind saw when my eyes saw that jar....My Valdani Stash....of pearl cotton #8 would look grand stored in there while I get my Sue Spargo projects ready for embellishment....and there's even room for more!!!!

Now that I have some Valdani experience under my belt I would love for them to start making the 3 strand in the tweed line....wouldn't a whimsical primitive punch needle look real neat in that flecky thread....I wanna give that a go.....PLEASE Valdani....make my wish come true....

Raewyn Anne

Another Friday Night With Like Minded New Friends

Friday nights are always spent stitchin on something for me. My days of painting the town red are long gone, I sure don't miss that pressure or the hangovers! I can get up early on a Saturday and start stitching again....thanks for the company ladies .

Here's what I worked on this Friday past....

This is the preparation for the Yoko Saito class comming up at the end of September for the Floral Bouquet wall quilt in her latest book. I am starting to feel the time getting closer and needed to get this bit done. 

The last of the stems pinned into place ready for appliquing. Then it is onto the ribbons and the bow.

This is what the quilt will look like when it's further along. I understand we are to work on the detached flowers in class and the reverse applique border which is a swag type affair. Very pretty.

I have been stitching this latest applique with my new #10 tulip applique needles and aurifil thread. I love them both. 

The needle is awesome in the hand and has an eye large enough to thread by hand. You can get them here at Hancock's of Paducah .

I have read heaps about others loving the aurifil thread and I can see why now I have used it. I have been using gutermann 50wt up until now because that is the easiest to get and it always twists and knots. The aurifil did none of that, it was just lovely, I am sold, pleased also that I joined the aurifil thread club at Grandmother's Garden so I can keep collecting. The thread shown though is out of the 4 pack of Quilters Essentials by Edyta Sitar at Laundry Basket Quilts .

Well, that's what I got up to. I am closer to my goal of having the prep done in plenty of time. Now off to check up on what lovelies you guys spent your Friday night on. Thanks for having me.

Raewyn Anne

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