Clickerty Click go the Knitting Needles

 Let's look back on how I've got on with knitting projects this year.  I'm not a fast knitter, by any means, and tend to do my knitting in the evenings.

In March  I completed three knitted blankets for the SPCA, for cats and kittens in their care.  The nice thing is that each cat and kitten receives their very own little blanket to take it home once they are adopted to help with the transition.  This was organised by the Knit World shops, and each year they choose a new  charity to support, with their customers only too happy to help.  The shop was selling the selected yarn at a very reasonable price, so I decided to buy three balls.

Three blankets for the SPCA

Then in April I decided to knit one for Gemma, using up two balls of cotton yarn I had.  I made it to go into the cat tower, she likes to snooze in the middle section, it's hard to see her when she is tucked nice and cozy in her tower.  

Pink Blanket for Gemma

I had a knitting finish in July, a cream toddler's jumper which had been started by my friend Eileen many years ago.  She was happy to pass it on to me to finish, and to be donated to a good cause.  This is a nice pattern, and I think I'll knit it again sometime soon.

Toddler jumper, donated to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

In September I completed another  little baby's jumper, using acrylic yarn I had purchased from the Op Shop, very pretty yarn at a good price too.  I love how it turned out.

Jumper for a baby girl

Plus I knitted five pairs of socks as well, including this pair which was part of my daughter Nicky's Christmas gift.  She had requested pale blue socks knitted in 4ply.

Socks for Nicky

So all in all, I'm pleased with my completed knitting projects this year.  And I've got three more projects already cast on, which will continue over to 2026.  That should keep me busy, I think.

Some More Finishes for 2025

 Last week I looked back through the blogs to find my Rainbow Scrap Challenge finishes for the year.  But there were other finishes  too, to celebrate.  So let's see what else I got up to in 2025.  I took part in the Chookshed Challenge, and in January completed my Wheels on the Bus quilt.  This boy's quilt was made from a recycled duvet cover, has been donated, and was fun and easy to make.

Wheels on the Bus donation quilt

Two  Chookshed Challenges completed in March.  Some pencil pouches, which should have been finished in February,  and a pink and grey cot quilt, nice and cozy with a flannel backing.

Pink and grey cot quilt

April was a busy month too,  and I finished a memory quilt for my great nephew Adam's 30th birthday, using shirts I had received from his late grandfather.  Just a simple four patch, I decided, framed in red and black.

30th Birthday quilt for Adam

And after 32 years I finally finished my clam shell quilt in shades of purple.  Big stitch hand quilting, I decided, was the way to go, and I used a variegated pastel thread.  I don't do a lot of hand quilting, but really enjoyed working on this quilt, but I think I would like to add more hand quilting to the clam shells sometime.

Purple Haze

And just before the end of April, I completed the Chookshed Challenge for the month, a little cot quilt featuring houses.  I was rather pleased how this one turned out.

Cot quilt, donated to The Nest Collective

And in June I completed that month's Chookshed Challenge to get my Christmas wall hanging completed.  All the little blocks had been embroidered and put aside, now was the time to get it assembled.  I really enjoyed stitching these little beauties.

Finally completed, and now hanging on the wall this Christmas

And I managed to complete the Chookshed Challenge in July with just a day to spare.  This was a zoo panel, donated to me from my elderly neighbour's stash when she went into a rest home.  There was no piecing involved with using this panel, so it was just a matter of smoothing the layers out,  pinning them together, quilting and binding.  This one went to The Nest Collective, an organisation offering help and support to new mothers.

Zoo panel cot quilt

In September I finally finished my daughter's 60th Birthday quilt, I had been working on this off and on for quite some time.  Nicky had requested 9 patch blocks in pink and green, and I added an applique border.  This was beautifully custom quilted by Jacki, who worked so hard to get it completed in time.  I had spare blocks, so added two matching cushions too.

Nicky's 60th birthday quilt

In November I completed three teddy bear cushions from small panels I had been hand quilting.  Very cute I thought, and maybe good for little girls to cuddle.  I donated these to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in time for them to be passed on as Christmas gifts to the children.

Teddy Bear Cushions

And my final finish for the year was my memory tablecloth, stitch to commemorate the coach trip I did in October to the Far North.  It is made with fabric featuring New Zealand flora and fauna, both batiks and prints,  and is a wonderful memory of my trip away.

Memory tablecloth

I've still got plenty of projects to keep me busy in 2026, some need quilting, some are block sets, and some are just a bunch of fabrics gathered together with an idea  of what to make.  Another year of happy stitching time to look forward to.

Christmas Day

 It was an early morning start with the alarm going off, and into the shower.   But.... there was a nasty intruder waiting for me in the shower, a horrible black cockcroach was on the glass shower wall and was waving his antennae at me!  What to do?  Whatever the answer was, I had to do it by myself.  So I crept into the shower, quickly placed a drinking glass over the insect, and a piece of card underneath to keep him inside the glass, rushed outside and threw him on the lawn, yuk. I didn't need that upset to start the day.   

Showered, dressed, a quick cup of of tea, put the bag of wrapped gifts in the car and I was away at 6.45am.  The roads very extremely quiet and I arrived at Kiwitea at 8.00am.  Just in time for the traditional family breakfast of hot croissants with ham, cheese and tomato. And a welcome cup of plunger coffee.  

Robert is a farrier, amongst other skills, and made this lovely Christmas tree, one for each of his daughters,  from horse shoes a few years ago, this is Emmas.    I think they are  very special indeed.

Tree made from horse shoes

Then it was time to open the presents, always a big occasion with this family.

Gifts for all

Granddaughter Emma was the Christmas elf handing out the gifts, and we waited to see what was inside each one.

 Granddaughter Emma is excited

Granddaughter Megan, partner Michael and their two corgies, Gracie and George

My favourite (only, as I tell him) son-in-law Robert and daughter Nicky

Family dog Noodle at my feet.  He was exhausted from his favourite Christmas Day pastime, demolishing a squeaky toy!  Each year he can hardly wait to be given his parcel, rips the wrapping paper off, and gets to work, dealing with that squeaky toy, till it squeaks no more.  Then he ignores it.

Noodle is worn out now

All that's left of the pink pig, Noodle did a great job

I had a look around outside, stopping to admire some of Emma's cactus collection.  Then I was invited to go and check out her baby pumpkins, she was really excited about them.  

Cacti galore

Then I met Thor, a beautiful blue roan bred by Robert,  he certainly is a big boy.  And not at all worried about that strange lady talking to him.  Mind you, I think the carrots helped.

Robert and Thor

Then it was time to get the BBQ going and cook the Christmas favourite, chicken breasts wrapped in bacon.  They smelt to nice.  We had Christmas Lunch on the deck, BBQ chicken and assorted salads, the sun was shining so it certainly was a lovely time.  Glasses of champers were filled, not for me as I was was driving, but I enjoyed some grape juice instead.

Robert cooking up the chicken rolls

After that hearty meal it was time to relax again, and have another cup of coffee.  The time rolled around, it was getting later so I said my goodbyes, and thank yous, and jumped in my little car to head home.  Such a lovely day indeed.  There was no need for a meal that night, after all that lovely food, but I did manage a hot drink and a piece of Emma's Christmas Cake.  Then I settled down to watch the news on TV, King Charles's message, and the Royal Special, Together at Christmas.

I received some lovely gifts, including an Air Fryer cookbook from Emma, (*you may remember that both girls bought me an air fryer or my 80th birthday) and a wonderful photo of me and Robin from Megan, printed on a wood block.  I knew the photo was taken on our 2023 South Island adventure, but had to check the blog to find out exactly where -  it was on the Swing Bridge across Hokitika Gorge.

From Emma

From Megan

There were plenty of other exciting things from the three girls as well.  Inside the gift bags was a bottle of elderflower cordial, preserves, a crocheted dishcloth, a painted rock, bags of homemade shortbread gingerbread men, and a bag of "crack" which I had read about but wasn't quite sure what it was.  Plus chocolate!  

Lots of tasty treats in these gift bags

So I had a wonderful Christmas Day (except for that dastardly cockcroach).  I'm so proud of my Kiwitea family, and it was so nice to chat on the phone to my son Michael  as well.  I do hope all your Christmases went well too.

Busy Days

It's the lead up to Christmas and the days are still so busy.  On Monday the first thing on my list was a visit to the library, as I had found out that the local library would be closed for two weeks over the holiday period.  Oh dear, what if I run out of books to read!  So I called in and collected three more, just in case.   The library was nicely decorated and had quite a Christmas vibe, very nice indeed.

Letters for Santa go in the red box

I think that arm chair is for Santa

With enough reading material to last me for a while, I then headed off to my Monday craft group.  This was to be the last get together for the year and we were all taking something for a shared lunch.  I decided to make some fresh fruit kebabs with strawberries, grapes and marshmallows.

Easy to make and so yummy indeed

There were all sorts of goodies to share, sandwhiches, quiche, cheese and crackers, Christmas fruit mince tarts, strawberries galore with dipping chocolate, plenty for everyone.

Lunch is served

After our delicious lunch, we all settled back into our projects.  There was knitting, diamond art, drawing, plus a small cuddly brown teddy was being assembled, all ready to meet an expected grandchild who was arriving very soon.  It was nice to wander around the tables and see what everyone was working on.  I took along knitting and hand quilting to work on.  Carolyn had made us all a little Christmas angel and we got to choose which one took our fancy from the box.  I decided on a pretty white sparkly angel with silver legs.  That was so kind of her, and mine is now safely home with me and hanging up, spreading her Christmas angel wishes around my home.

I chose a sparkly white and silver angel

Today, Tuesday, dawned very wet indeed.  What happened to Summer?  I had one more social occasion on the calendar, to celebrate a belated birthday lunch with my friend Dot.  Her birthday was several weeks ago, and it took us all this time to find a date which suited us both.  As I mentioned, it was a wet and miserable day indeed, and the cafe had Seafood Chowder on the menu, a mutual favourite, so that is what we ordered.  

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I'm staying home, there is no need for me to brave the Christmas shopping crowds again.  I have a little baking to do, some gifts to wrap, then I will be all ready for Christmas Day.  

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, have a wonderful day, and if you are traveling, stay safe on the roads.  I do feel a bit nostalgic seeing all those caravans and motorhomes taking off for the summer holidays.  

What's on the Table

 Christmas is almost here so I need to put something festive on the dining table.  Sometimes I use a quilt, but this year I decided on my Christmas tablecloth.  Just a simple one really, made by yours truly.  Somewhere or other I had purchased a pretty piece of Christmas fabric, featuring small panels of Christmas trees and  wreaths, and some musical notes scattered though some of the designs.  Wonder is it is "real" music, Christmas carols perhaps?   Much too pretty to cut up, I decided, so I simply hemmed around the edges and soon turned it into a tablecloth.  Don't ask me when I made it - I've searched the blog but couldn't see any mention of it.

Tis the season of Christmas

We're in countdown mode now, Christmas will be here in just a few more days.

RSC Finishes

 I know we are not quite at the end of the year just yet, but close I thought to show my Rainbow Scrap Challenge finishes for the year. There are not too many completed projects, but that's the way it goes sometimes.  First was my challenge to get rid of my small bag of selvedges which had been hanging about forever.  I used to collect selvedges years ago, and have made all sorts of small items from them, bags, oven mitts, place mats, an apron, and have even  knitted some into small mats.  So this year, 2025, I decided to use up the remaining selvedges and stitched up double handed oven mitts,  according to the colour chosen each month.  I never did find my missing black and brown selvedges, maybe I decided I'd had enough of stitching these and tossed them out!  But I'm so pleased with the ones I made, in all their various colours.  Some will be used for gifts, I can replace my ratty ones, and any remaining will be tucked away for future presents.

Double handed selvedge oven mitts

Another finish was an  easy design in black and white, adding colours each month.  Nice and simple to stitch, and I stitched up four blocks each month.  I thought this might be suitable for an older boy's donation quilt.  This was finished in August, with a burgundy binding, and hasn't been donated yet.

  Black and white boy's donation quilt

When it was orange month for RSC I remembered I had a UFO with a touch of orange, so concentrated on getting it finished during the month.  Using some string pieced blocks and a child's blue feature fabric with touches of orange, I got to work.  This is another donation quilt, for a young boy, and has a nice cuddly grey fleece on the back.

A touch of orange

And when green was the colour of the month, I worked on my  long forgotten green Coin UFO.  I'm so pleased that I managed to complete the top, and then quilt it.  Seems that I need a nudge sometimes to get things across the finish line.  

Green coin quilt, donated to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

I've worked on various RSC block sets during the year, and after my wardrobe malfunction earlier in the year, these have been tidied up, put in bags, and into a crate, so I know where to find them.  I really need to concentrate of working on these next year.  Will I start any new RSC projects in 2026?  I shouldn't,  but who knows what might take my fancy.

These are all RSC block sets from previous years

And there are several more RSC quilt tops now residing on the spare chair in front of the wardrobe.  A couple are pinned up, ready to quilt, others have the backing folded up with them, and I had planned ahead and  made the bindings for several of these quilt tops too.  

Ready for quilting

As I used to tell Robin, I'll never run out of things to do.  This lot should keep me busy for a while, I think.  

Service of Remembrance and Sew Wots

 Several nights ago I went along to the Service of Remembrance put on by Harvey Bowler Funeral Services to remember those who had passed away during the previous year.  This was held at the Uniting Church and I really didn't know what to expect at all.   As it turned out, I knew several ladies also attending who had lost their husbands recently too.  I found seeing Robin's name up on the Scroll of Remembrance quite hard to cope with.  Rev Sandra took the service, and we were invited up to light a candle for our loved one, and to write their name on a tag and hang it on the memorial Christmas Tree.  The whole service was nice and gentle, and very well done, I thought.

After the service light refreshments were served, and I had the chance to talk to the staff member who helped me so much with Robin's arrangements.  He remembered me, and commented on the quilt I had made and requested for Robin to be wrapped in, inside his casket.

The church was also hosting the annual Avenue of Trees, each decorated by a community group.  We all  had the chance to wander around and check them out at the conclusion of the Service of Remembrance.  This event was opening to the public over the next few nights, and collects donations for the local foodbanks to help those in need.  Such a good cause, and everyone gets to vote for their favourite tree.

Just a few of the entries

I walked up and down admiring all the trees.  There were entries  from businesses, schools, rest homes, and clubs.  And I finally found the tree from our Sew Wots group decorated by Helen, featuring sewing paraphernalia - how fun is that!

Sew Wots Tree

It certainly was a night of reflection and remembrance, plus there were a few tears shed, which was not unexpected.  I was pleased I attended and lit a candle in Robin's name.  And we all got to have a preview of the Avenue of Trees before it was opened to the public.  

Final Quilt Club Meeting of the Year

 I had to make sure I took everything required for our final quilt club meeting of the year.  Into my bag went a wrapped fat quarter, batik blocks stitched for the block draw, an item for the food bank, and something for show and tell.  I hoped I had remembered everything.  We were welcomed to the hall with a glass of bubbly grape juice, that was a nice touch.  There was a basket for the fat quarters, and a box for donations for the food bank.  Raffle tickets were purchased, and our batik blocks were handed over and hung on the wall.  They looked stunning, all pinned up.  Mmm, I'd rather like to win them, I thought to myself.

Batik blocks made by club members

It certainly was a fun night and we started off with a couple of games of Skittles.  Plastic bottles were arranged and we used Jelly Rolls as the ball.  One through each, to see who could knock the most over.  Mine missed completely, as did several others.  You could tell which ladies had down serious bowling , their concentration and arm action certainly got results.  Kay was the best dressed elf and she was running around rearranging the bottles, with Sandra's help, after each throw.   Don't you just love her stripy stockings!

Who's a cute little elf, then!

Then we were all put into a circle, with a fat quarter in hand and listened to a story being read out.  Whenever the words left or right were used, and they were used very quickly as the story progressed, those fat quarters changed hands very rapidly.  At the story's end, we kept the parcel we had in our hand.  That was a lot of fun.

The raffles were drawn, no, nothing for me, but my name was called out as the winner of the batik quilt blocks, all 74 of them!  How wonderful.

There was some show and tell, I took along my recently completed memory tablecloth from my Far North trip, and then supper.  And what a wonderful supper it was.  Home made meringues, strawberries and cream.  A delicious home baked Christmas cake, and fruit mince pies - a delightful Christmas supper indeed.  It was a very special night, and thanks to the committee for their hard work in putting it all together.  

Socks and a little Slow Stitching

 My latest pair of socks are now finished.  These ones have been knitted in some lovely cream hand spun wool gifted to me by my late friend Merilyn.  I've only got enough of this precious yarn left for one more pair of socks.  I added some left over 4ply sock yarn to make my favourite warm and cozy 12ply winter socks, just for me.  Knitting the heels always seem quite magical to me, and I often wonder who worked out how to do heels, way back in the mists of time.  I don't know about other sock knitters, but when doing heels I need to sit quietly with my notebook and mark off each row.

Up to the heels

When I got to this stage I wondered about putting the socks aside till next winter - it's just turned to Summer here in New Zealand.  No, I told myself, that's a silly idea, just keep knitting and you will soon get them finished.  So I did, although I ran out of the pinky/purple yarn as I was almost at the toes. Luckily I had some thin reinforcing yarn I could add to make the thickness the same in the toes.   Never mind, they still look OK, I think.

All ready for next winter

Without having a slow stitching project in the works for a while, I was pleased to find "Land and Sea" panel a wee while ago at a quilt show.  Featuring New Zealand birds and sea life, it will be a pleasure to work on it.  I plan to do big stitch quilting using Perle #5 thread and so far have only just started.  Luckily I've got most of the colours I need, but I'm having trouble finding some of the shades.  

I'm looking forward to stitching this