My oomph is lurking...

Progress is being made here...trying to find that balance with all of the competing pressures in our current lives...slowly but surely I feel that my oomph is coming back. Renovating, moving, changing jobs and trying to find "my place" in a city I left a quarter of a century ago...gradually that sense of belonging and a "oneness" within our new space is happening...some special friends who understand that my sense of disconnection will pass and I will wake and know that this is truly my home now. Time heals so they say, and i can see the positive signs. Whew!


So, firstly I will share my octagons...started a lifetime ago (not really...just being grandiose!) which were dragged out on Monday to take to the sewing group near my home. Some were cut from fabrics purchased in New York, so they are very special. The need to create is strong...and I need to nurture it and hope it returns healthy and demanding attention!


And some house stuff too. The mirror and shower screen were installed today, so, once the window architrave is painted and the power connected to the towel rail, the main bathroom will be complete.


Some semblance of "us" is now noticeable as I gradually add more of our possessions to our space.


And, finally, our dear Molly has returned from an extended stay with our very dear friends...they loved her as their own and walked her to the beach every day....I think that she will miss their daily walks and find me quite boring! But I am loving having her here...I love seeing her face watching me through the glass....


And helping in the decision process!


Cardygirl xx


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Location:My oomph is lurking...

hacking a blog.............

what should I write should I be naughty or nice.......ok i'll be nice..........thanks for the bed Cardy...............

Just like those sands thru the hourglass!

Days have blurred into one another, and I was surprised to see how many days have passed since my last post. The brief version is blah, blah....working full time...blah, blah....more work on the house....blah, blah....not enough time to stitch or blog. Enough of that, so I will share some snaps of what has happened in my pocket of the world...


A kitchen almost complete...just waiting for a splash back. Friends have shared a meal to celebrate the passing of another year...


With delicious cake (super yummy red velvet)...


The new island bench has been used to create...but a fabric concoction not a food one! Trying different ways to achieve a lovely appliqué circle...


But returned to my perennial favourite...needle turn, to play with centres for the vintage Dresden.


I have procrastinated over the centres...they are quite big and most fabrics auditioned dominated the block....oh, what to do, what to do! I ended up at a local shop, Pot Pourri Cottage, finally I found some fabrics and devised a plan.


Each Dresden will have two fabrics for their centres, and I think I will have different combinations for each of the four blocks. It will be interesting to see how it progresses.


Lastly, a pic of me. Like most of us, I prefer not to post pics of myself, but I thought an update was in order. So here we go!


Hope all is well wherever you are!
Cardygirl xx
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Location:Just like those sands thru the hourglass!

A little stitch here and there...

Rain, rain and more rain! That is what our long weekend has been. Dorothea McKellar certainly had it right when she penned her famous poem...droughts and flooding rains...following the recent fires, Australia has certainly had its share of nature in all of its glory. The inclement weather has forced me inside, and made me feel a little less guilty about grabbing some stitching time.


Some stitching on The Yule Sampler by The Primitive Needle on 40ct linen.


One vintage Dresden almost appliquéd in place...still auditioning centres. This project has been fun. It is odd finishing someone else's work...our techniques and styles differ somewhat, but I hope that she knows that her UFO is being finished with love.


And a start...just because! I have had this Adam & Eve cross stitch, "And all was for an appil" by the Scarlet Letter on 40ct Vintage Light Examplar. I think sometimes a start gets you motivated....what do you think?
The kitchen should be almost complete this week, bench tops should be installed tomorrow. Then I can wash up in a kitchen, rather than here.


I am hoping that it will soon be more settled, and there will be a break from work on the house. The past week has been hectic, mum needing an operation in the middle of it all. Another job interview has led to more work, so I will be working full time for a period...doesn't give me much time to stitch, but the work will be interesting and will help me to feel settled.


I hope all those affected by the flooding are safe and dry tonight.
Cardygirl xx


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The progress so far...

Just a quick post to share the progress of the kitchen. Here was how we started the morning...


And how we finished the day...


I am happy with it....


very neutral so I am able to add/change colour as I wish. They will finish the cupboards on Thursday and the benchtops should be installed next week.
It is coming together....and I might just be relaxing a smidge...like my very relaxed site foreman!


I promise I will post some stitching soon.
Cardygirl xx


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One more sleep....

And hopefully that long awaited kitchen might start to appear. It was supposed to be here last week...but now it is this week and the laundry has been delayed now too...so I am putting on my happy face and reassuring myself that "it won't happen overnight...but it will happen"... Optimism is my friend?
Here is the space cleared tonight ready for something to appear in the morning.


I have not joined in Chookyblue's SAL (something about a UFO I need to finish first), but I have been watching everyone make these cute little thread catchers...here is my version. They are cute!


Not a lot of stitching happening still...lots of changes on the work front...I am getting good at interviews...and finding a niche!


A sweet friend gave me these gorgeous flowers on his first visit to our new home... I love flowers and enjoyed seeing them every day. Lucky me!
Cardygirl xx


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Renovating: the fabric edition

Well, the renovating continues, BUT this time it is a fabric version just for a bit of variety.


Whilst in Houston, Loz and I found some vintage Dresden plates in need of some love and care. They had apparently been made by a quilter 60+ years ago, but with only 20 wedges when in fact they needed to be composed of 26 wedges in order for them to sit flat...oops! In frustration (we have all been there!) they were tossed in the back of a cupboard.


So Loz and I decided to rescue some, renovate and then give them a new home. Buying a couple of extras, I have been able to make four complete Dresden's and am now ready to appliqué them onto this check. I decided to re-stitch the seams by machine, keeping the original stitching.


Still toying with centres at present. Just need to keep removing an interested fluff ball!


Cardygirl xx

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A new beginning.

I have read with interest posts on what was achieved by so many clever stitchers in 2013. So many lovely and inspiring projects which I have admired...and have actually inspired me to think about stitching...woohoo! Not that I have, but the mind is ticking over and I am hopeful that there may be a few stitches done tonight.
Some stitching was achieved last year, but the year was consumed by study, renovations and relocation! A most challenging year that I am happy to wave goodbye to....far too much stress and pressure has left us exhausted physically and emotionally. But as we unpack and begin to feel like we belong here, I feel sure that in six months we will know that it was all worth it. Once I settle with work and the unpacking is complete, it will feel more like home.
So here are some snaps of our big project for 2012....from the entry...


Looking through to the rear...


When the kitchen finally arrives in two weeks, I will dance with delight....here is what I am working with at present...a bit challenging, boy, will I appreciate that new kitchen!


A chance to set up my sewing machine...


And here I am( looking a tad pale!) with my DH on our new rear deck...


we have had our moments of late, but have found we are better just working together!
Cardygirl xx

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OMG....the year is ending!

It is hard to believe it is New Years Eve...this year has flown, and quite frankly I am glad that it is over. So much change in our lives, lots of stresses, but, whilst it has been a year of challenges, I hope that the changes we have made in our lives will be worthwhile.


We are in the new home, it is lovely, but will be better when the kitchen goes in in three weeks (mutter something about kitchen designers going into liquidation with your deposit), and we have the main bathroom and laundry tiled in February ( mutter something about builders forgetting to book tilers in the busy per Christmas season). But overall we are glad we have made the move and plan to be here for a very loooong time!


So, if I will leave you with some snaps of an antique pickle dish quilt I purchased whilst in Houston,


And this divine thirties quilt. One inch squares, all hand sewn....just love the happiness of this one. I treasure them both!


May you all have a happy and prosperous 2013.
Cardygirl xxx


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Waiting for a BIG delivery...

Missing in action for far too long...little time to blog or even lurk! Busy with the house and work, the time has flown by!


Just some quick pics while I was waiting for our belongings to arrive from storage...


Now there are boxes everywhere...unpacking is top of my list!


Cardygirl xx
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