Finished.......

Final border on......

So glad this quilt is finally together.....

I will get this to the quilters after I find something to back it with.

Completed with fabric from my stash, with the borders and backing being purchased.

It was at least a three year project - maybe more.  I think I read the Chocolat range of fabrics was released in 2006 - maybe it was a four year project.

P.S. For some reason I feel as though this picture looks a little out of focus (or something)!!  If you click on the pic, you will get a bigger view, which looks a whole lot better.

A Gardeners Journal.....

The first border is on.....

I cut this border at 2 1/2 " instead of the 1 1/2" suggested in the pattern.  

More to come tomorrow......

Pesto.........

Basil from my garden........

Made into

Pesto........

I have been wanting to make some Pesto for so long. 

So long, in face that my first crop of Basil had well and truly run up to seed and was finished. 

I planted a new crop a few weeks ago and it has grown beautifully.

I've had a lovely time in the kitchen this weekend.  I helped my sister-in-law with food for a party and have stocked the cake containers here for my family.

Off to stitch some now, I think.......

Seedlings and more......

A Gardener's Journal top together......

Two borders to go.

My cousin rang me this afternoon asking whether I would like some seedlings.......

A retired lady with time to raise seeds.......

These were just a small handful of what was left after her planting out her own garden.  What a strike, I think every seed she had planted had germinated.

Sweet William, Forget-Me-Not, Queen Anne Lace, Cornflower, Stocks

I hope they all survive....  I have wanted Queen Anne Lace for ages.

I planted the Stocks into the vege patch.  I had already planned a cutting garden this year, so this was a lovely start.

A lovely way to spend a public holiday, work tomorrow and then the weekend.... yippee!!

Little Birds.......

On my sideboard tonight

Little birds glowing

I've been looking at these at Target since Christmas......$15.00

Today $5.88

At the checkout $4.11

Bargain.....

Love that.........

A Gardener's Journal........

Have you seen over at Chookyblue when she issued a challenge to finish or make the beautiful "A Gardener's Journal" by Anni Downs of Hatched and Patched?

I think that there are now at least forty people who have decided to stitch along with dear Chookyblue to make this beautiful quilt.

I didn't really "join" the group, but it was a great reminder to me that this quilt was in a little box on my desk, well and truly started. 

Well over two years ago I decided to make this quilt after a dear friend gave me a copy of the book.

I decided that I would make it completely from fabrics from within my stash at the time and have only purchased the two border fabrics required.

At the time, I remember putting all the DMC colours out and then choosing my fabrics to co-ordinate with them.

In between projects and life...... I have stitched the blocks......

Enjoying each one as I went along............

And now I have six of the eight blocks put together.

When Chookyblue issued her challenge I even had all my fabrics cut and separated into zip lock bags ready to go.  I have plugged away in just little snippets of time over the last two weekends.  Isn't it amazing what can be achieved when we put our minds to it.  I am so blessed to have my sweet sewing room where I can leave projects at the ready to grab a moment or two when I can. 

It will be so lovely to have a large project like this finished and off to the quilters. 

I might even have it back to snuggle under for the winter ahead!

P.S.  I have now officially joined the group!!  See the link on the side to pop over and see all the quilts being stitched.