I can’t do without sewing, even for 10 days.
So I’ve been casting about for a project to take with me. I considered some very simple crochet (which is all I’m capable of), making more dishcloths and face washers, and I may still take some cotton yarn and a hook with me, but I wanted something a bit more, well, creative. I debated taking Anemone, but I need more space for hand quilting than the interior of the caravan allows. My Dahlia tapestry? Nah, not in the mood… Plus I don’t have the right kind of chair in the caravan to work comfortably with the frame.
Where I left it in March…
So, it’s time to pick up where I left off in March. I’ll be taking the Days Gone By hexie quilt I’m make for Days for Girls. It’s a decent size now, so I’ll make big sections to add to the main one once I’ve done some laying out to make sure there’s no visual clashing. A few photos on my phone will keep things on track, and when I go back to the Saturday sewing sessions on my return, I’ll have some respectable progress to show. It would be nice to have another couple of rows done, at least.
The handy thing is that everything I need fits into a small work basket, so it’ll stow away neatly in the caravan. It’ll be good to get back to hand sewing again. Even after the months of work on the Anemone quilt, I miss the peaceful rhythm of hand stitching.
I won’t even mind if it rains while we’re away…
talltalesfromchiconia 
happy hexie stitching and have a lovely holiday. Stay safe
I think it’s going to be busy on the road; Queensland just opened its borders to other states and all the grey nomads are rushing north for some winter sunshine! However, we’ve been booked for months, so at least our camping slot is safe 🙂
Safe travels. I hope the weather is fine, and you have the best of all worlds, sewing, sightseeing and r&r.
You know, even if the weather isn’t that great, we’ll have fun. Mouse may object to walkies in the rain on personal grooming grounds, but he’ll have to suck it up 😉 Looking forward to the gourmet visits, though, especially the cheese!
I hope you have a peaceful, fully enjoyable trip with lots of relaxation. ❤
Thank you! We’re both really looking forward to leaving our immediate surroundings for the first time in months 🙂
Happy holidays and keep us updated on the travels. Wish we could meet up like the last time … especially as I love Cairns so much. I’ll live vicariously through you 😍 Hopefully this restrictions lift soon … another 5 weeks to go !!! Fingers crossed 🤞 it levels or there will be further restrictions 😓
Mouse will be posting every few days, starting with his visit to his old friends at GAP Qld to say hello to Miss Nikki and the other adoption ladies. Not sure what the weather’s going to be doing, but either way, we’ll be warm and snug in Miz Lizzie.
Miss Lizzie is the best and yes very cosy … I remember very fondly 🥰
We’ll see you both in February, all being well.
Yes …. I’m waiting patiently
hand-stitching hexies is the perfect portable project when while you’re on Holiday. Hope you have fun and that the Mouse also enjoys his travels.
I agree! I hope Mouse will allow some sewing time; I quite often get demands for strokies when I’m paying too much attention to other things.
Lovely plan. I also need something for hands to do to complete the heart’s desire to be making something. I usually bring mindless sock-knitting.
I find it hard to sit with idle hands… And it will be nice to have the time to make decent progress with the hexies.
Such a beautiful quilt! Will be excited to see what you’ve made while on holiday. You’ve inspired me to do a little hand-stitching to make some more facemasks (still trying to find a pattern that works for my big ol’ head 🤣).
Hope you have a fabulous holiday and that Mouse is a verygoodboi during your travels.
I also have a big head, and have found that the man-size mask I linked to in an earlier post fits snugly around my moon-face! Mouse is looking forward to the trip. He travels well, sleeping most of the way, and loves his caravan bed and the new smells and sights at each caravan park.
Have a very lovely holiday!
We shall! Mouse is getting exciting, jumping about when he sees me putting stuff into the caravan!
YAY
Relaxing stitching and a relaxing holiday. What more could a girl want. Have fun.
You’ve hit the nail on the head! Good weather would be nice, plus a not-too-crowded campsite 🙂
Scrubbies are easy to crochet, but not as gorgeous as your quilt.
https://www.joann.com/red-heart-scrubby-yarn/zprd_14147623a.html is the yarn I use though, in case you’re ever interested. Great little gifts too. Enjoy your trip!
I generally make simple 7 or 8 inch squares of 100% cotton yarn, bordered with a contrasting colour. I can use them either as facecloths or dishcloths, and they stand up really well to laundering. It’s the kind of thing you can do without thinking while you talk or listen.
Same with these. Just made with different yarn. Can be machine washed and have accidentally dried on occasion. If I crochet, I only do very basic stuff so it’s a relaxing endeavour. I like both scrubbies and the wash/dish cloths. Was making afghans in winter and donating to hospice, shelters, etc., but covid ended that. I have a pile now and will have to find somewhere else to donate.
I hope you find a destination for all your lovely warm blankets. Not sure I understand why you can’t donate any more; the virus doesn’t stick to textile/fabric surfaces for more than a couple of days and not at all after laundering.
I know. I think I need to research more. I was donating to hospice, but they closed the residential part of our local one, which was a travesty. Gorgeous building built with donations, they became part of a regional one, and three or so years later are closed. Similar to local hospitals – they all became part of big organizations, which closed many services in the name of efficiency. You can’t have a baby in my county any more, unless you do so at home, and good luck getting any kind of midwife or medical professional there! Then, you pay dearly for the service even with insurance.
Sorry. That was a bit of a rant.
Sounds like the rant is fully, fully justified. I loath the way that healthcare has become big business, instead of a federal government responsibility towards its citizens.
Enjoy your holiday, and happy stitching!
Looking forward to it; can’t wait to see a wider landscape after all these months.
Perfect choice, Kate. (I am very envious that you can take to the open road. I will be with you in spirit!)
I’ll do my best to take you all with me; Mouse may have other priorities in his reporting… 😉
Hoping you have lovely weather and good company and don’t need your crafts- but by the same token look forward to seeing more of the hexies.
I can sew even if the weather is good; we’ve promised ourselves at least one day when we don’t pile into the car and go somewhere, a real rest. Mouse will wonder what’s going on, but so long as I give him plenty of walkies we’ll be fine. I hope to come back with both hexie progress AND some great memories.
Happy Hexie Holiday!
Thank you! I’d love to show lots of new work when I come back, but it’s going to depend on the Husband and His Majesty!
Happy holidays 🙂
Thank you, we’re going to really enjoy the break.
Enjoy your holiday 🙂
We will, all three of us. Mouse is endearingly excited about travel and caravan life, the tail goes like a propellor when he sees the car hitched up!
We shall look forward to hearing from Mouse – he has been rather quiet of late. It must feel great to be able to go away for a while and taking your own home with you is perfect at the moment. Enjoy your trip, the new foods and your gentle hand sewing.
He will have things to report; the Husband and I are old hands at the Cairns trip, but Mouse has never been north with us before. First stop will be Townsville, and visiting his old friends at the Greyhound Adoption Program there…
Lucky boy! Roo and Orchid are looking forward to hearing about his adventures as am I.
We’re off this morning. Just walkies and some last minute packing to go…!
Have a lovely time away. It’s nice stitching place memories into things.
It is. I can look at certain parts of my other hexie quilt and remember when and where I was when they came to life. It will be the same with this one.
Enjoy your holiday ! Love those hexie colors !
Yes, so nice and bright!
adding my good thoughts for you and family having a relaxing time away…
Thank you! It’s going to be fun; we’re returning to places familiar to us, but which Mouse hasn’t yet encountered. I’m looking forward to seeing what he thinks!
Remember not to mislay this one 🙂
Don’t worry, it’s not going anywhere except inside or just outside the caravan!