Looking Back at 2023

It’s always interesting looking back over the last year to see what has been achieved – or not.  So how did I do?  I finished six children’s quilts, all for  donation.  Let’s have a look, shall we.  First up was the second Flag quilt I made, nice easy blocks using up bits and pieces.  Each block in   the green froggy quilt were made the same cute fabric, but framed in different colours, and finished with a lime green border.  I’m keeping this one for a while, as there is a new arrival coming soon in the extended family..

Flag quilt and Froggy quilt

I finished the red, cream and blue Transportation quilt, using fabric donated to me from my elderly neighbour Dorothy’s stash, after she moved into a Rest Home.  The blue fabrics feature helicopters and tractors.

Boy’s Transportation quilt

Next was a four patch variation and a boy’s Happy Block quilt, both for donation.  I like to make a few boy’s quilts too as I feel they are often overlooked with all the pretty girly fabric around.  This boy’s quilt is backed with cozy fleece.

Four Patches and Happy Blocks

And the last quilt completed was made from Unicorn panels donated by Sew Wot friend Helen.  I’m really pleased with how this one turned out, and will probably keep it for a while.  Who knows, I may get a great grandchild from one of my horse mad granddaughters one day, she says hopefully

Unicorn panel quilt

I’d done quite a bit of knitting too.  Two little jumpers, two woolly hats and a Bunny Blanket Buddy for donation.  And five pair of socks, including Robin’s first ever pair.  Maybe his last pair too!

Robin’s birthday socks

We've had quite a busy year, spending ten weeks at the beginning of the year on our South Island caravan holiday.  We had a marvellous trip, exploring new places, revisiting old favourites, catching up with family and friends.  We got caught up with the Cook Strait ferry cancelation problems on both our trips there and back, these problems seemed to go on and on for months and put the holiday plans of so many people into disarray.  Transport of freight between the two islands was quite disrupted too.

Once we got back, we attended monthly caravan club rallies, went to various club meetings, and out to lunch with friends.  I kept busy with my quilting life, and met up with the Sew Wot ladies very fortnight. 

Robin had his second knee replacement  in August which kept us close to home and away from caravanning for a couple of months as he slowly recovered and got on with his rehab.  Luckily he was able to drive and tow the caravan again in time for our 40th Wedding Anniversary trip to Rotorua in November.  Highlights of this trip was High Tea at a posh hotel, a marvellous anniversary dinner at the restaurant at the top of the cable car and the Redwoods Tree Walk.

Redwoods Tree Top Walk

We've had a good year in 2023, and looking forward to another good year in 2024.  Thanks to all readers and fellow bloggers who take an interest in the happenings of my life, it’s great to have you here.