Something Old, something New – May edition

I sincerely hope that this is the last time I’m going to have to say that I have achieved absolutely nothing, sewing-wise, towards my goals!

I think I’ll distract you with a few photos:
My new kitchen (installed in 2010)
      
The dining area (with a couple of late-arriving birthday cards, a quote for new window coverings and an invoice from the plumber – our ensuite toilet blocked on Day 2!)

The living room (yes, there's that much space!)

The balcony deck looking back towards our bedroom (and the street)

The view from the end of the balcony deck

and this is the view from the balcony/deck outside our bedroom! (I just love that touch of colour from the bougainvillea)

Aren’t these trees magnificent? (you should see the colour in the early morning!)

Now, back to the topic of this post (tee-hee)

I attended two classes (of three) last month and finished one foundation pieced block (it is square, really!)
 
and pieced and cut out some shapes for two scrappy Drunkard’s Path blocks


So, I have worked towards my “Something New” goal which was to continue practising the new techniques of foundation piecing and curved piecing. They will continue to be my focus for May.
As for my “Something Old” project, strangely enough, it remains untouched. My excuse is obvious – and the seventy-nine unpacked boxes bear witness to the fact that I have not been idle (with some help from WM and friends).

I want the Country Houses quilt finished, so it remains my “Something Old” project for the coming month.

So, what about you?
How did you go in April? Did the Easter holiday help your plans or upset them?
And what are your plans for May?

Please enter the URL of your specific blog post so we can all drop by and cheer you on!
(PS Sorry I wasn’t very encouraging last month; no more excuses, I hope I’m back on top of it now!)

the last night

Today, three men packed most of our household goods and chattels into about 100 boxes. They did in three and a half hours what would have taken us weeks.

Soon we will go to bed for the last time in the house that has sheltered us for more than 22 years. We saw our daughter grow, start high school, leave school and get married from here. This was where we took shelter after both of our fathers died. Both our grandsons have played in the house and yard, and have swum in the pool, just as their mother did before them. There have been family dinners and barbecues, lots of Christmas and Easter celebrations. We have had many laughs and shed quite a few tears. There has been love and conflict, stress and peace.

What was once a home has become a house, now it’s a shell with boxes inside. (our bedroom, the main bathroom, the garage, the kitchen, the library and the sewing room)

The quilting frame and the piano have been sold; the cat has gone, the baby furniture has gone to a charity that works with people escaping domestic violence. Car loads of things have been given away to the local cancer support “op shop” (thrift store). About 30%-40% of our things, no longer our possessions.

My heart aches, for more reasons than I can share on this blog.

But there is also that glimmer of excitement at the prospect of a new home, a new phase of our lives. It’s time to move on, to put our faith in the One who guides our steps and know that He has great plans for our lives. The best, my friends, is yet to come.

Something Old, Something New – April edition

Well, my friends, it’s been a long time between posts.

I hope you’ll forgive me – moving house is a big job. We have been here for more than twenty-two years and have seen a lot of “mementoes” (aka junk or stuff) leave the building in the past few weeks!

Just thirteen days until moving day so there hasn’t been a lot of crafting going on – honestly, only what I could get done in class! And I’ve missed one of those in the past month too!

My “something old” project, the Country Houses quilt, has remained untouched. Alas, it will be carried over for another month. To be completely honest, I have lost my love for this quilt which was originally destined for our spare bed, then for our bed … but now, I think I’ll just get it done single (twin) size and put it aside as a spare quilt.

The picture shows the quilt as it was – on our queen sized bed and obviously too narrow and too long. I have removed two rows since then but it’s just not working for me…

My “something new” was to continue learning how to do foundation piecing! Do you know, it’s amazing how little gets done in a three hour class?

Here is what I’ve done in four weeks (excuse the photo quality, I had to take it at night, under fluorescent light, using my iPad. I completely forgot about this post – in fact, I have trouble remembering what day it is, let alone the date!)

That’s one and half 8” blocks! Sad, isn’t it? (and I didn’t even take time to press the blocks before taking the photos!)

Since moving is getting in the way of my crafting activities, tiredness is sapping my ability to think, and unpacking boxes seems to be my destiny for some time to come, I will stick to these same two projects for my April goals.

What about you?
How did you go with your March goals?
What do you have planned for April?

Link here with your blog post URL so we can all drop by and see what you’re up to.