Quilting again ...

After a period of six months in which I didn't quilt or stitch I did both this month! A friend showed me her finished embroidered Chinese shoes and I realized I didn't stitch in ages! So I put in a couple of stitches again in my Kuangsi Slipper.

After that I decided I have to finish my second NY quilt. I already finished one, that was given to youngest DD. This one is for me. I did five blocks this month.

And of course I couldn't do without my knitting and spinning. There is progress on a Je Vole (a KAL, Flight of the Owl) and some progress on Maybachufer. Pictures next time!

I already knew how to spin on my wheel, but now I also know how to use a spindle. This lovely yarn came off the spindle this week: Mixed Blue

Summer vacation

Summer vacation started one week ago and to get the ultimate summer feeling I painted my toe nails. I really do like to walk barefoot and from the beginning of May until the end of September I try not to wear socks.

Almost all week we spent at our cottage to get away from neighbours and traffic, and we were lucky enough to have sunny days! So I took my New York quilt and sat down to quilt for some afternoons.

I am almost done now. As you can see the threads that keep the three layers together are mostly removed. Only those parts were you see them I have to quilt. I started to quilt the border also. Do you see the words New York in it? To get those letters onto the quilt I made a template first.

To prepare myself for winter I have one sock done. I don't wear them in my shoes, but when I come home from work I like to wear hand knitted socks. They are warm and comfortable. On to the second one!

Summer

Life looks easier in summer. To me, that is. Getting up early is easier, because it isn't dark. Going to work is easier, because it isn't cold. Coming home is easier, because it is still light and I can sit on my terrace for a while. Going on a trip on my day off seems easier, because life itself doesn't ask that much energy in summer. Ergo I love summer!
Last Friday was my day off and DH and I went on a trip to The Hague. As usual, I will show you some pictures at the end of this blogpost.
I also went to Amsterdam this week, work related. Travelling always makes me feel like having vacation. After doing our job, my colleague and I walked through Amsterdam to pick up the birthday present I bought for myself. A new, handmade bag, made by Handig Handwerk.

She also made a Crossbody Bag for me, with a lining with little sheep.

Yesterday we went to our family house, to spend the day at the country. Farmers were busy mowing grass and I could sit down and enjoy the smell of freshly-cut grass and quilt my NY quilt. Not finished yet!

And as promised, some pictures of The Hague. We went from the government buildings (Tweede Kamer) to The Passage (a shopping area), then a small pass through between two houses where a flower and antique shop was located. Then you see the Hofvijver (do you see the rainbow in the fountain?) and the area around Central Station.

Busy, busy!

On Sunday I take pictures of what I have been doing that last week, stitch related. This Sunday I did too, but I had some help from youngest DD. She brougth her camera, which is way better than mine.
She took some pictures of her quilt-to-be. Not finished yet, but one day it will...

Besides quilting, which I have been doing a lot this week, I have been knitting. My cowl is growing, it is something you can do while looking television. No, I don't look at the Olympic Winter Games, I am not that sportive :(

  My other shawl, New York City Found, is growing too, as you can see.

As it was Sunday today, I also have been stitching on my Randje per Week. I'll show you some pictures next week. And that's not all, there is a new project on the go, a SAL Halloween, started by the AAN Group on Facebook. Pictures next week!

First finish in 2014!

My wish for all of you is at the bottom of my last blogpost in 2013. The year 2014 had a quiet start. No accidents in my environment and in my family. I started this year with backing my New York Quilts. A dear friend helped me doing that. It made fun, we had real quality time together, just talking and sewing. Luckily we are able to multitask!

Coming home I started quilting immediately. I have a silk batting and it quilts without any effort.

Of course I have been stitching on my Call of the Raven. I reached the bottom, but still 14 pages to go!

Also there was happy news in the family. My niece is going to have a baby. And although I don't know if she likes it, I knitted a little babyhat. You can find the pattern here. I knitted it with yarn, handdyed by Loret Karman and I like the little hat. A quick knit, only a few hours work.

Speaking of work, tomorrow morning duty calls again. That means less time to sew, knit and stitch.