What's in this Bag?

It's time to move on with whatever is in this bag.  You may remember that when my great wardrobe malfunction happened some time ago, I discovered all sorts of long forgotten projects, including this bag.  And I promised myself that once my serious secret sewing was completed (5 quilts in total) I would work on this bag.  It contains two projects, string pieced blocks, and some chickens.  I'll tackle those string blocks first, I decided.

Two projects tucked away.

I wonder when I stitched these string blocks, can't remember so it was quite some time ago I guess.  I used up some tracing vilene for the base, I don't like to use paper.  Some of the blocks already had dark red and blue sashing strips attached, these strips were left over pieces from a long ago finished quilt.   Use what you have, we are told.

Blocks already made, time to add the rest of the sashings

So that's what I've been working on this week.  Sewing the strips into rows, then pressing.  Up and down, but that's good for my back between stitching sessions, so I'm not complaining.

Stitching rows together

Still stitching

Almost done, the top just needs a border - will I get it finished today?  Yes I can, in between some household chores.  There, a finished top, hanging sideways because the ground is wet.

All sorts of memories in here

It's Winter here, so time to take down my seasonal Autumn wall-hanging.  And replace it with Welcome to Winter.  I think this design, featuring a church in the snow, is for a Northern Hemisphere snowy Christmas, but I use it as my mid year Winter wall-hanging.

Welcome to Winter

Although we don't have snow on the ground in my part of the country, we have experienced quite bad weather over the last few days.  Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall over parts of the South Island.  Winds fierce enough to cancel flights, and more winds and heavy swells causing the Inter Island Ferry to be cancelled.  There's been flooding in my old home town in the Hutt Valley, and more flooding in the Wairarapa with a bridge washed away. Winter has arrived with a vengeance.  

Wet and miserable day

But tucked up at home nice and warm, knowing I don't have to go anywhere the next couple of days, and with sewing and knitting to do, I'm quite comfy, thanks.