15 Minute Challenge and the Money Pit

 Lots of crochet this week.  Giving up on the CAL for a while has been good and I have finished the first block of a project I have been wanting to start for a while.  I have nearly finished the 2nd block and will continue with this in conjunction with the Sofa runner which has grown this week as well.  

The pool is proving to be a bit of a money pit at the moment.  The chlorinator was hardly working last autumn and we decided to just leave it until spring to replace the cell.  With all the rain we have had and intermittent warm weather, we ended up with a pretty green pool.  We replaced the chlorinator cell which cost quite a lot and it was just starting to clear when the pool pump started making a loud noise.  DH managed to find a pool place that was pretty sure it was just the bearing that could be replaced without replacing the whole pump for only a 3rd of the cost of replacement pump.  Fingers crossed that is all that needs doing.  

More house hunting on the weekend but nothing turned up worth a 2nd look.  Maestro was able to go with us and he was pretty quick to dismiss both the opens we went to.  We did some drive passes of a couple of places and he decided they weren't pursuing  either so I think we will be looking for a while yet.  

Head to Kathy's to see how everyone is meeting the challenge.  

15 Minute Challenge - Long Weekend to Recharge

 I pretty much hit the wall this week, haven't been feeling well and work just got a bit too much.  There was a couple of early nights because I just needed it.  I think this week was only a 3 out 7 because a few nights I just sat and stared at the TV not really taking anything in.  This week is a long weekend and apart from looking at a few houses on Saturday we have done nothing but a bit of washing and staying close to home.  

The boss and I sat in the office on Friday and just had a bit of a whinge fest.  The last couple of months have just caught up with us.  The boss has had to deal with health issues with family members and we have had to cover holidays for manager's interstate, our office internet being cut and there are also lots of legislative changes happening that mean more work for us.  

The crochet hasn't been all that successful this week.  I've decided to stop doing the CAL for a bit as I am struggling with one of the sections and I have unpicked it that many times I need to just put it down for a bit and go back to it in a couple of weeks.  The Sofa Runner has been unpicked as well but I'm back on track and have managed a couple of extra rows on last week.  I've pulled out another pattern to try tonight.  

That's me for this week.  Hoping to have a better shorter week this week.  

15 Minute Challenge - Welcome Back

 I've been busy with work and running around lately so blogging just hasn't happened.  I've managed to keep up with the 15 minute challenge most weeks last weeks there were a couple of days where I just vegged and didn't do anything.  Springtime Romance got finished and in the Show but no ribbons which is fine at least it got finished.  

I also finished the shawl I was working on and then started a new CAL this one by Janie Crowfoot it has lots of colour changes and I'm having fun.  The CAL is done in 4 pieces each piece is repeated once and then joined together.  I have also collected more yarn for some other patterns on her website. There is lot of texture in her work which I love.

Most of the increase on the sofa runner below happened on the weekend.  Up to Row 85 this is really easy to do and the colour changes are so effective.  I've found another designer that does similar mosaic designs and I can see me doing more of these types of crochet.  

I am slowly closing down my etsy shop, just letting everything expire, I'm actually enjoying not having any deadlines or commitments, I'll pick up the machine and/or needle soon but I'm enjoying crochet at the moment but I will probably stop for a break once the weather warms up.  

We are house hunting for Maestro which takes up part of the weekend and a lot of our spare time during the week as well.  Hopefully we will find something soon.  

Mo is on a break from Uni this week and then she returns for a month and that is all for her 2nd year.

Head to Kates to see how everyone is going.  

15 Minute Challenge

 There isn't much to show but I have completed Springtime Romance it is all quilted, binding is done and hanging sleeve in place.  I need to have one more look over and it and pack it up ready to drop it off at the show the same goes for Nimue. I haven't taken any photos of the finished quilt so you will have to take my word for it.  I haven't decided if we are going to the Royal Show yet.  

Work has been busy as is usual for this time of year but nothing like last year so I think we are coping well.  

The shawl which is the only other thing that I have to show is nearing the end I think I have about another 8 rows to go but of course those rows take a long time to finish.  

I am well and truly keeping up with the challenge, last week once the quilting was finished I broke the binding up across 4 nights, planning to do a side each night and then pick up my crochet.  This made the binding task not so onerous, I still didn't find it enjoyable.  

Its been a while since Kate has posted but I'll keep linking

15 Minute Challenge & Splat

 The excitement for this week is that I took the dog for a walk and managed to trip over and went splat.  Luckily apartment from being jarred there was no real damage, though today I'm pretty sore.  

I'm on the home stretch for quilting Springtime Romance one more and a bit more borders to quilt. 

More crochet progress below.  

Mo made her first Etsy sale and she has just received an email from the customer to say it arrived safely, which we have been worried about because you just don't know what is going to happen with Australia Post.  

That's it for me short and sweet today.  

15 Minute Challenge

 I'm quilting the final border on springtime romance, so it might get finished in time to go in show, if I am happy with the final quilt. 

My crochet projects are zooming along I'm on a roll and I am really happy with them.  There are plans for the next projects, I found another designer with projects that I love and can't wait to get started on.  

I'm gradually closing my etsy shop, once the patterns expire that will be it. I might find another venue or just leave it for now. 

Mo has opened her shop .  Hopefully she can make enough money to pay for supplies.  

15 Minute Challenge

 More crochet this week.  The shawl I'm working on is getting easier and I've made progress.  I am using Scheepjes whirl and the colour changes are quite subtle.  It has started a magenta red and is gradually changing to pink.  I love the fact that the colour changes can be hidden in the stitches without the need to start and finish.  The end of the ball is purple should look quite spectacular when it is done.  

The sofa runner is moving along.  I have a couple more blues to go and then it is heading to yellow, the ends I don't have to do for the shawl and made up for in runner as there are ends to weave in at every row.  

Quilting continues on Springtime Romance, I did too much on Saturday and suffered Saturday night, one day I will learn to make smaller quilts that are easier to move under the machine.  Hopefully next weekend I can start on the big borders.

I started a small cross stitch project but didn't get very far it will be a drum, just felt like doing something new, you know how it is.  

Link to Kate's