Remake progress, a new pattern, and a freebie too...

Good afternoon everyone!

How was your weekend? Did you get into the garden, bake or cook? If you were able to sew, what did you make? Perhaps you went for a country drive, a stroll along the beach or across a mountain side? I sometimes ask this when I'm doing my own little joys at home, "I wonder what is everyone else is doing today?" Of course, there's no reply, but many ideas come to mind and I'm hopeful that whatever you're doing brings you a sense of satisfaction and delight.

It was my beloved's birthday on Saturday and after an early dinner of fish and chips by the beach we drove over to Blossom's for some wonderfully relaxed and laughter-filled time with her, Ross and the grandchildren. Relaxed birthdays, with no presents, are my husband's favourite...and we respect his preference, because after all, the day is for him. He also likes a bit of liquorice and some dark chocolate, which Blossom had waiting, so he truly was a happy man. 

Yesterday it was ghastly hot; seems we skipped spring as summer in the tropics has arrived already. Both of us were exhausted after a few garden jobs and spent the entire afternoon inside, enjoying the air conditioner. We watched an excellent sermon, then hubby had a nap whilst I wrote a very long overdue pattern, which I've been asked a lot about since the sneak peek photo last month.

Having somewhere pretty to store packets of needles is just as important as having a needlebook filled with 'in use' needles and pins, don't you think?

The fabric I used for this project is Tanya Whelan's Barefoot Roses, my favourite ever fabric line from about 2010. She recently re-released the prints and though I rarely buy new fabric anymore, I did splurge on a few half metre pieces, and I have NO buyers remorse.

The cover has a cupcake applique and hand embroidery...

...and the case closes with a pretty pink silk ribbon.

Inside there are four pockets which hold packets of needles, scissors or thread...or whatever you'd like to store in the little spaces available. 

The elegant lace trim on the pockets add that touch of femininity that I love.

I have added this new pattern to my Etsy Shop, and as with all my Etsy patterns there's detailed embroidery and sewing instructions, full material and cutting lists, photographs and full size pattern sheet for tracing the embroidery/applique design. 

Go HERE to purchase The Rosey Needle Case pattern

My other stitching and sewing of late has been re-making the blocks from Phyllis May's Kitchen BOM (the original is here) but this time I'll be sewing them into a quilt, and the project renamed Jennifer's Kitchen.

Seven blocks are complete...

I'm using a mix of Lori Holt fabrics from my stash, but wanted to include lace and pieces of doilies as well. So far I'm loving the way this is coming together...

All the patterns are in my shop (in sets of two) and though they are written for the original memory book (shown below), I also included instructions to complete each block at 10.5" square for using in  quilt layout. 

I can't wait to finish all the blocks and begin putting them together, but I'm not rushing, just doing one block every week or two, whilst I play around with other things in between.

Not sure yet if I'll add borders to separate each block...or even embroider a verse somewhere before adding a final border around the whole quilt. If you know of a lovely kitchen themed verse, scripture or quote, I'd love to hear it, and if I do decide to add one I'll simply share the extra pattern here on the blog as a freebie. 

Which version/colourway do you prefer? The original or the remake?

All the patterns for this project are HERE in my shop. I'll add the photos of my remake blocks there soon, as it helps to see different ways you can make one block. At least it always helps me! :-)

WHAT ABOUT A SURPRISE FREE PATTERN FOR YOU TODAY?!

How about a nice little stitchery just for free? Small designs are perfect for quick gifts or for embellishing an item. 

I first shared this little Make Do & Mend stitchery back in 2014, but I love it just as much today and hope you have fun with it too.

In your free pattern the stitchery comes in two sizes. I used the smaller one as the cover for a very simple needlebook, such as you can see in the photo above. Inside I placed pieces of leftover cotton quilt wadding as it's lovely and soft for holding used needles and pins.

I stitched it in place with a piece of the fabric selvedge, a Tilda favourite. Oh how I wish she still designed fabrics like this. They were so pretty and gentle back in the day...

The larger stitchery I made into a simple cushion, using more of the Tilda fabric.

You know, I just thought how sweet this stitchery would be on the pocket of an apron! And I need another apron...so guess what I'll be stitching and sewing this week? 

Use the link below to download this free stitchery pattern.

DOWNLOAD Make Do & Mend

Now that I'm sequestered inside with the air conditioner for a good portion of the day, regular blogging and stitching and homemaking will return...and that excites me. Seems so long since my blogging and sewing life have run to a lovely rhythm. 

Now I must be away as I had forgotten my bread dough was on it's second rise and I can see from my desk that's it risen a LOT! 

God bless you lovely ladies, and may He minister truth, joy, and goodness to your hearts each and every day.

hugs

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Better late than never...

 

There's something very calming and lovely about raindrops on roses, don't you think?

We had a little rain the other night, not as much as the garden required, but enough to fill my heart with delight as I walked amongst the various roses in bloom, now adorned with the clear jewels of heaven.

I'd not intended to be away this long from the blog, nor to be so very late with this month's free Books & Roses bookmark...but intention and reality occasionally do not agree. Such was the case in my life the past couple of weeks.

A confirmed diagnosis of Pes Anserine Bursitis in my right knee was given yesterday, after more than six weeks of increasing pain, and limited mobility. At first it was thought just my patellar tendon had become inflamed again (which it had) so I followed the same physio protocol as before and that soon remedied the problem, but another swelling at the side of my knee was getting worse. 

A new set of physio stretches and exercises are now being adhered to, but the doctor tells me it may take months to heal. Not the best news, but really, it's not that bad either. It could have been something more sinister, and it's not, so I am incredibly thankful for that. 

Of course the bursitis has definitely slowed me down in life, more than the intentional slow living I'd slipped into this year, but rather than being frustrated, I just do what comes next, and when one task is completed I move on to what follows. 

And that, my friends, is why the September bookmark stitchery is a week late. :-) 

So at last it is here for you. The yellow floral print is one of my all time favourites, and quite old, so I only had a small scrap left, but now I can enjoy it slipped inside a book for many years to come, God willing.

Are you adding the little pops of applique to your bookmark stitcheries each month, or stitching them without? You probably know I love tiny applique in designs. 

Use the link below to download the free pattern.

DOWNLOAD the September Books & Roses stitchery pattern

We're still gathering from the garden each day and I try to plan our main meal around what's available. I've waited ages (it seems) for the snow peas to bear fruit and this week we've enjoyed those precious green treats in stir fries and salads.

The cucumbers have come to and end, but with over fifty picked from one plant over the tropical winter growing season, there's no complaints about that. There's fermented jars of them in the fridge, and another six still to eat in salads. The only sad thing is that we grow these foods in winter, but cannot grow here in summer when we really want to eat them fresh. Ah well, as in all things, I give thanks.

Beet greens are added to the salads now, and Bok Choy to stir fries or salads. The Bok Choy has already bolted to seed as the early spring weather has brought very warm days, so I'll probably finish picking what's left by the weekend. 

I bake our bread two or three times a week, milling the whole grains to make flour. Now that the weather is so warm and humid I noticed it can become mouldy by day three stored in calico inside the bread tin, so we're back to the usual habit of storing bread in refrigerator. Oh, winter, I miss you already.

My blood pressure has crept a bit too high the past few weeks so I'm making up bottles of hibiscus tea every few days. Though I enjoy it as a hot tea, having it made up and in the fridge gives me a refreshing cold drink after tending the garden each day. I do not add sugar, just steep the loose dried hibiscus leaves in boiling water for ten minutes and then strain. Hibiscus is a naturally sweet, though tart tea...and excellent for naturally bringing down BP. 

Not at all recommended for those with low BP.

We're restricting cane sugar in our diet these days, so I've gone back to baking from some old recipes which use dates, bananas, maple syrup or raw honey for sweetener. On Sunday these little cookies were a delicious treat!

Made from almond meal, flour, almond butter, peanut butter, egg, maple syrup, cranberries and coconut oil, they were so good. We only have two a day, which is quite sufficient for a treat. 

I have a number of new designs made, but no patterns written yet...though I had hoped they'd be done by now. In future I shall remember just how busy the winter garden is, and either work on patterns earlier in the year or later. Pretty soon it will be very hot and I'll spend a fair amount of time each day cooling off inside with the air conditioner running, so time will be available for pattern writing then. After tending to the home and cooking of course. 

For those who have asked me to bring back Phyllis May's Kitchen...all the patterns are now available HERE in my Etsy Shop. They are very detailed, so you should be fine following them. To look at this project pop over HERE for all the photos. 

I'm currently re-stitching all the blocks to make a quilt (those instructions are also included in the patterns) and if I get time to photograph them later in the week I'll show you. :-)

For now though, I need to get up and walk around as sitting makes my knee worse (though swimming is wonderful for pain relief).

I'm praying for you all, as I know from the comments here on the blog, and private emails which arrive each day that we all have seasons of life which are harder than others, and praying for each other is one of the greatest gifts we can give. 

Sorry for not replying to all those who have emailed recently (and one which was sent to Blossom for me). Avoiding time at the computer, or sitting anywhere for very long, has been important. Know that I have read your sweet words and truly, you bless me. Thank you.

I "will" have the next book study chapter very soon. It's all about being feminine...

hugs

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How are you today?

 It seems a bit rude to always be writing about what's happening in my little quarter acre, and not asking what's happening in your sweet abode too, so today let me encourage you to write in the comments about your own life this almost mid-July afternoon. 

Where I am in the northern tropics of Australia, we are well into winter, and though we had a few very cold (to us) and wet days last week, it wasn't long before blue skies returned and our usual glorious warm weather returned with all it's beauty. The gardens loved those few days of rain, and my goodness it is flourishing with growth spurts, new blooms and edible treats now. 

The day after my last post about our family having Covid, all except my husband that is, that dear man tested positive and so began his own seven days of home isolation. He had it quite mild from the start, though the second day experienced chills and fatigue so he slept a bit longer that morning. Once that passed he has occupied himself with a number of chores from a dusty "to do" list left over from his holiday break in April.

The garden is lovely and warm so between our individual chores we take morning and afternoon breaks with fruit cake and tea, sitting under the Poinciana tree. 

I feel fine now. The cough is still there, but less than yesterday, and my sense of taste and smell is ever so slowly returning (yesterday I could smell the slightest hint of garlic in a heavily-garlicked loaf of bread I'd baked)...apart from that, my only discomfort is a return of the vertigo I had earlier in the year. Aah well, counting my blessings I have nothing but praise for everything the Lord has done in our lives and how He has cared for all of us.

We have a lot of calendula in full bloom around the garden now, and tomorrow I shall pick most of the flowers to dehydrate for herbal teas. When you pick the flowers, it seems only days later that the plants are full of them once more. It's such a giving plant!

Our cucumbers are almost ready to begin harvesting, one or two each day as we eat them, and we've enjoyed the big 'beefsteak' heirloom tomatoes already, along with rocket (arugula) in salads.

The pumpkin vines are doing very well, though there are no bees around (due to that very cold few days I think?) so I've been hand pollinating and it's working fine. 

I also planted out runner beans, two types of radish, strawberry spinach, beetroot, cress and nasturtiums at the end of June. So far all but the cress is doing well. 

Our guava tree is in flower with some fruit already forming, as are the lemon and lime trees.

My petunias have been in flower for a couple of months, but there was one type which simply lagged behind until last week. It's a double petunia and is glorious!!

Crochet takes up much of my time each evening, and now that Cully May's blanket is finished and ready for her birthday next month...

...I've been able to work on a UFO which was barely begun in 2019 when I packed it away because I didn't like the colours. But after the brightness of Cully May's blanket (above), the soothing coastal palette of the yarns in this almost discarded project really captured my heart and I can tell you it's already just days away from being finished! Initially I considered unravelling it, and I'm so glad I knocked that thought on the head and kept going. 

In daylight hours, between homemaking, cleaning, gardening and cooking, I'm sewing. Just in the past few days I began a new tote bag using some of my cherished stash of Cath Kidston drill fabric and a lovely pink/white spot for the lining. The idea came from a set of pink leather bag handles, rescued from an older bag which I literally wore out...together, I think these will make a  lovely new tote!

I've gotten to the stage of hand sewing on the leather handles, but have decided to give my fingers a rest first as they're very taxing on the hands. So, then I thought it was time to do a spot of mending. 

I've had this white Actil pillowcase for about a quarter of a century, and if you're in Australia you will know the quality is marvellous. But time and use will cause damage, so when I discovered a hole in it last year it was quickly put aside in the mending basket until I could think of a way to repurpose this lovely cotton pillowcase.

Yesterday I drew up a sketch of a flower and leaves, then cut out the pieces for applique from some very old Cabbages & Roses fabrics in off-white and blues. Needle-turn seemed the prettiest option for this particular makeover...

I did my best to darn the hole over with a zig zag stitch on the machine, then set to work with the hand applique. The darned hole sits behind the centre of the flower. 

So far I love how it's come together, but will add a few stamen inside the petals later today. I also discovered a side seam coming loose and stitches along the edge unravelling as well, so now my thoughts are to do a few more embellishments...but I'll think more about that and hopefully show you it all finished later in the week.

Do you remember my Block of the Month from 2019, "Phyllis May's Kitchen", which was made in honour of my Nana? If not pop over HERE to have a look. 

It's not available at the moment, but for a while now I've had a plan to remake it, not as the large memory book which was the original display, but as a quilt...and so, it begins again, but this time as Jennifer's Kitchen.

I recently bought a fat quarter bundle of Cook Book by Lori Holt, and that's what I'll use to make the quilt and the individual blocks.

If you're interested in doing this with me, I'll consider adding all the patterns into my Etsy Shop. Otherwise, I shall happily be playing with this for the rest of the year and will show you my progress along the way. 

For a while I barely cooked due to Covid and simply not being well enough, but life has gotten back to normal, a beautifully quiet and slow normal, so we're eating lots of vegetables and fruit, and enjoying plenty of fresh water and herbal teas.

Today we had a cous cous salad for lunch, loaded with freshly roasted beetroot and carrot, some cranberries and pine nuts, spring onions and coriander from the garden plus cucumber and tomatoes...served with avocado, feta cheese and cayenne pepper. The dressing was made with olive oil, lemon juice, fresh grated garlic, lemon rind, cumin powder, celtic sea salt and Moroccan seasoning. 

I also baked a Matrimony Slice with the last of the raspberry jam, and a baked rice pudding which we'll have with fresh strawberries tonight. 

Apparently we're in for some very cold nights this next week, but the days will continue to be bright and sunny. Hubby will return to work on Wednesday, and I shall have Blossom and the children come visit - life will really return to our kind of normal. 

From my home to yours, I wish you well, and pray that no matter what you are facing today, there is a God in heaven who loves you dearly and is waiting with open arms to carry you when you cannot walk alone...He is faithful, He is faithful, He is so so faithful.

Hugs and blessings,