Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Lily Rose makes a friend, and the August Challenge...

Lily Rose is almost 6 months old now. 
Every wash day she sits under the clothesline while I hang the washing...
...she sees herself as my guardian. 
Usually she won't leave my feet until all the washing is hung but today she was really torn about whether to stay with me or wander the 20 feet to the fence and chat with her friend Belle...
She's such a sweetie that I gave permission and off she went for her chat. 
Sometimes they race each other along the fence line, but Lily always wins so Belle didn't want to do that today. She was happy just to shoot the breeze - probably about the new nests being built in our trees and all the noise the birds are making while they work. 
Belle wandered off and Lily Rose came back to chew her stick while I continued with the washing.
~~~~~
Yesterday Mr Elefantz and I drove into Townsville so he could look over some motorbikes...

...and while he drove, I stitched. 
That's the great thing about living 135 klms from town - you get more than two hours stitching done going there and back!  The trip's a bit bumpy so I have to stitch slower than usual, and it's easier to stitch with one colour, so I started work on Helen Stubbing's "Life Is Beautiful" quilt blocks...
I'm using some French General fabrics because they work so well with redwork.
~~~~~
It's only 36 hours till my operation. The surgeon gave me this pamphlet to help me understand what he's going to do...
Looks gross, but I will be so grateful to have full movement of my finger and hand again. I'm not sure how long I'll be out of action, but the stitches will be in for 11 days. In the meantime I'll be reading a lot, watching 61 episodes of Agatha Christie's POIROT, and generally accepting all the help my family offer.
I hope that help comes with the occasional chocolate and a nice fluffy cappucino. :-)
~~~~~~
I haven't forgotten about the August Challenge, I just couldn't decide between two ideas! 
Finally I decided on this one for August and the other for September.
August Re-invention Challenge:
Find one piece of clothing that you no longer wear, (or it can be a good op shop find!), and give it a new purpose in life.
I chose an old linen/cotton mix shirt, cut it into pieces, and saved the buttons because they match perfectly.
If all goes well with my hand I'll have this shirt sewn into something wonderful before August 31st. 
What about you? Have you got something you can re-invent? Perhaps you could make a few things from  it like Janice does - she is the queen of making a piece of clothing go a looooong way. Scroll through her blog HERE and prepare to be inspired. :-)
~~~~~
Lastly, let me show you something that inspired me with it's simplicity and beauty. 
Michelle from Raspberry Rabbits made it. Don't you love it!? I'm going to make one for myself as soon as I have my hand back to normal. Michelle also has a lovely BOM, A Sentimental Journey Through The Months - it's not your ordinary BOM as all the blocks are separate projects, but it's just gorgeous. You can visit her blog HERE.
~~~~~
Enough from me tonight. I'll be sharing the 5th Friday Show and Tell tomorrow, a day early so you don't miss out. :-)
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

22 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

I'm very happy Lily Rose has a friend. Perhaps that'll distract her from tearing your yard apart. :o) She sure is beautiful. Hmmm...now you've got me wanting to dig through closets.

Penny said...

Looks like I've gotta look deep into my closet to find something!
Here's wishing you a speedy recovery from your coming operation. Take care :)
Hugs, Penny

Robin in New Jersey said...

Jenny, Praying here that the surgery goes well and you get the use of your finger back again. Much, much love!

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Lily Rose is a darling. Good luck with your surgery.

Maggey and Jim said...

Hello Jenny,
I have been out of commision for weeks now but feel like I am back.Sorry to hear bout the surgery, no one wants that but it must really be bad? The down time will be hard but all will be for the best. Love the general fabric..Lily has really grown..
Hugs,
Maggey

Alice said...

Look how big Lily Rose is getting. What a sweet face. It is good that she has a friend. Sadly I have lots of things that I have, shall we say "grown out of" that I can cut up. Much easier than dieting.
I will be praying for your surgery to go well and that you are a fast healer.
L,A-

edyB said...

Sending good thoughts your way that all goes well with the surgery and for a speedy recovery.

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

gee first Vicki's hand , now yours, who's going to be left stitching down under....! Heal fast we all love your ideas! Now this re-hashing an article of clothing challenge looks fun, but I need to finish the Daisy-Do #2 tonight, was to busy helping daughter can over the last few days and then Dawn distracted me yesterday with her new BOW and I couldn't resist stitching it up last night. Didn't want to get behind since hers are weekly and yours is monthly. I am having so much fun stitching the daisy do blocks!!

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

I hope all goes well with your surgery and that your recovery is speedy. I like your challenge. It's fun to think outside the box and come up with something wonderful!

Marie-Claude said...

Hi Jenny:

I had surgery for two trigger fingers in my right hand five years ago : the middle finger and the ring finger. I was very anxious because I'm right handed and I worried it would take a long time until I was able to stitch again.

The good news is I was able to start stitching a little 2 days after the surgery!

I hope your recovery is easy and that, like me, you're able to get back to stitching in no time. I'll be sending good vibes your way.

Marie-Claude in Quebec City, Canada

Amanda said...

Lovely pictures of Lily Rose, what a big softie she is. August just has to be my catch up month; I really must finish a couple of quilts that I've got on the go, and a couple of things witting there waiting to be finished, so I might not be able to join in with the challenge this month. Lots of luck with your surgery; you're going to be so frustrated not being able to be independent I'm sure, but try and enjoy being looked after. It's your turn.

Allie said...

Wow she's big, Jenny - my dog does that too, with the dog next door! But Abby is a Weimaraner and the dog next door is a dachsund. Totally mis-matched.
Mr. Elefantz looks mighty comfortable on that bike! I love your Life Is Beautiful blocks, that fabric is perfect. That picture of the hand made me cringe....I'm STILL cringing....oh girl. Boy am I praying.

Love Janice's blog - thanks for the link!

Rumi said...

Lily Rose is a gem!
Wishing you a speedy recovery from your surgery.

KaHolly said...

Lily Rose is a big puppy!! I've been spending the day preparing lots of little handwork projects to take on a long drive and a week away. I just hope I planned enough because I hate having idle hands! Your project traveling project looks fun. We are on the same wavelength. First thing this morning, I finished a Field Guide Tote Bag for myself to use made from a wonderful old LLBean shirt that The Ranger was tossing out. It was a nice, heavy brushed cotton and a pleasure to work with. I wish you a quick recovery, which I know you'll have, because you are determined!! ~karen

Janice said...

Wow, hasn't Lily Rose grown! It sounds like she has a lovely nature. Is Mark looking at making a purchase, or is he like Mick and just likes to see what is about? I'll be thinking of your on Friday. Hopefully you have a really speedy recovery. I'll have to put on my thinking cap as to what I can make for your challenge. I have a couple of ideas.

jugglingpaynes said...

Good luck with the surgery. That was more information than I would have wanted the surgeon to give me! I hope you will be able to get back to stitching quickly.

Lily is adorable! What a sweetheart!

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Jenny,
Wow, Glad to see Lily is getting along with a Bluey!

My dear Blue heeler doesn't like any other dog. Actually he was kicked out of Puppy school and told to come along for private lessons. lol. Very unlike his friendly family!

OK, did Mr Elefantz buy a new toy?

Good luck with your finger operation!
Happy creating,
Hugs,
Anna

MissesStitches said...

Best of luck with your surgery, Jenny! Prayers and wishes are going out!

Janet said...

I'm glad Lily Rose leaves your wash on the line. I had a friend who had a terrible time with her dog taking the wash off the line.

I can never stitch in the vehicle. Our roads are just too bumpy for me.

Good luck with the surgery! You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Lily Rose is so sweet... and big! LOL!

Oh how I wish I could stitch (or read) in the car. Living rurally, we have lots of opportunity to do something in the car as *everywhere* we go calls for a long drive but sadly, I struggle with travel sickness. Blah!

I just LOVE Helen's "Life is Beautiful" quilt. It is on my "to do" list. ;o) Yours will look stunning in those fabrics.

Love your challenge for this month. A re-invention really suits my budget at the moment. LOL!

My very best wishes to you with your impending surgery.

God Bless!

Phyllis said...

Hi Jenny,

Lilly Rose is so cute...I love brindle dogs :) She seems like a really sweet dog and I'm so glad you and hubby saved her.

I'm glad you're having your surgery so you won't be hindered by that finger any longer!

Joy McD said...

Lily Rose looks like quite a sweetie :)
All the best with your op and enjoy resting afterwards! I'm sure you'll be stitching again soon :)
lv,
Joy