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Wednesday 3 June 2015

....and I'm back

After being in Switzerland for almost three month now, we are starting to find our feet again. It was rather strange at the beginning and somehow I couldn't quite believe that we were here to stay. We unpacked two containers and most boxes are empty, although not everything has found its place yet. It was truly a mammoth job!  At the moment I'm in the process of "fine tuning"  my sewing room and once again I'm overwhelmed with all the fabrics I have collected over the years. I have almost sleepless nights wondering what to do with my stash, especially those fabrics I've fallen "out of love" with. Luckily I just heard that a group at church get together to make quilts for charity and I have now sorted out two big basket to give to them. I'm so happy to have made room in my cupboards but also in my head, if you know what I mean.


I miss Singapore and ''my old life" but what I miss most are my friends and my quilting groups.  Of course we miss our lovely view from our old home too, although our new view isn't to be sniffed at either, especially on a beautiful Spring day like this: 



So many things to readjust to. After many years of having helpers in the house I struggle to keep on top of my chores. I don't mind cooking, but cleaning floors and bathroom, not to mention ironing!! Blimey, how do people do it??  I find it a real challenge, so getting a cleaning lady was of the highest priority. Otherwise how would I ever find time to quilt???

Talking about quilting, I have hardly touched any sewing since we arrived as frankly, I neither had the time nor was I in the mood for it.  But I jumped  at the chance to do a two day workshop with Sue Spargo a few weeks ago. The class had been booked out a year in advance but somehow there was suddenly a space available



We learned how to appliqué with wool and how to embellish with different embroidery stitches and I really enjoyed Sue's class but also the company of local quilters. This is the sewing kit we worked on; the finished one is Sue's and on the right is the beginning of mine.


 And some close ups of my first embroidery attempts:

 Now I just have to remember all the different stitches so I can finish it. In any case, I bought Sue's great little book "Creative Stitching" with lots of diagrams and photos of 50 different stitches.



Of course I also had to buy a few pieces of wool and some wool thread so I can practice some more. Aren't these colours just glowing? The wool fabrics are hand dyed by Sue and her family. 


I'll be back soon with hopefully some news of actual sewing.

Enjoy the rest of this week.

Vreni xx

20 comments:

Flickenstichlerin said...

Dear Vreni,
good to hear from you, it takes time to settle in a new place.
Your class looks very interesting, lots of fun stitching and happy colors to see. I love the way you stitched down the wool pieces, wonderful.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Julierose said...

Glad you are back Vreni--have missed your postings. I love sue Spargo's stuff; I've never worked with wool--I am still trying to pare down my cotton stash! Hugs nice block and pretty colors...hugs, Julierose

Geckoboxes said...

Good to see you are slowly getting back into the handicraft mode! Hopefully the group you did the Sue Spargo workshop with, will meet again!? Good luck with settling in!!!

Marg said...

Happy to hear you are settling in Vreni. Wasn't that great that a space became available in Sue's class. Your piece is looking lovely. I'd love to do one of Sue's classes. I know what you mean about housework. I had a hard time when I left Singapore. I still hate housework all these years later and cleaning ladies are as scarce as hens teeth here!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Glad you are settling in. I'd love a maid, but, then I couldn't afford to shop for fabrics (and vintage machines). Oh the choices we make. Have fun getting back to stitching.

Chookyblue...... said...

good to see you back..........and to hear your mostly unpacked......I change things around fairly often here......probably due for a change actually..........oh I dream of a cleaning lady..........just not possible where I live......

Rosemary B❤️ said...

Vreni, have fun living in Swizzzzerland. Der Schweiz
I have an aunt and uncle deRoo that live in ummmm Untervaz.
I hope you enjoy your new house and doing chores and cleaning endlessly, and always cleanning all day.
It is what I do.... so you are not alone hahaha
Love, always, Rosemary

HeathersSewingRoom said...

Such a relaxing view from your window, and that amazing blue sky! I am pleased you found somewhere useful for your fabric to go as that seems to help with the 'clear out'. I am a little envious that you got into the workshop but fabulous timing for you.

Susan said...

I'm so glad you've settled into your new home. It always takes some time to adjust. The workshop was meant to be.....and a good opportunity to meet some local stitchers. I could do with a good cleaning lady myself!

Julimond said...

Hallo Vreni
Das kann ich mir denken, daß du dein altes Leben vermisst. Soviele Jahre warst du nur zu Besuch in der Schweiz und dein Lebensmittelpunkt war immer woanders.
Du wirst sicher Helferlein für den Haushalt finden und dann hast du die Ruhe zum nähen und quilten.
Vielleicht gründest du einfach selber eine Patchworkgruppe und/oder gibst Kurse. Deine wundervollen Schachteln sind doch sicher auch in der Schweiz sehr begeehrt.

Ich wünsche dir alles Liebe und hoffentlich ein baldiges "AngekommenseinGefühl"

liebe Grüße
Iris

SusaKay's Quilts said...

Glad to know you're "back in the saddle" -- every move is a big adjustment & takes time, as you well know. Nice you met some local quilters/sewing peeps -- could be the start of something for you.

Lynda said...

I'm the color green..........with envy. What a wonderful view!! You do pick beautiful places to live. Good idea to take a class and meet the local quilters. I'm sure you'll be stitching away soon. Glad you are recovering from the move.

pandchintz said...

Glad to hear you're starting to settle in, Vreni. It will take time to adjust. Great view!! It's good to clear some fabric and head space with a donation of fabrics. I did that same class with Sue Spargo in Melbourne a few years ago - my first introduction to Sue's work - and loved it. Watch out though.....it's addictive!

Katharina said...

Liebe Vreni,
ich freute mich sehr, deinen ersten längeren Eintrag aus der neuen "Heimat" zu lesen - ich wünsche es dir von Herzen, bald am neuen Ort so richtig DAHEIM zu sein und wiederum Zeit für all die schönen Handarbeiten zu finden.Ich hoffe sehr, dass du eine tüchtige Reinigungsfachfrau gefunden hast.
Es war toll, dich beim Kurs von Sue Spargo erstmals persönlich zu treffen!
Eine kurze Frage: wohin konntest du deine für dich nicht mehr passenden Stoffe bringen? Bei mir hat sich im Laufe der letzten zwanzig Jahre auch einiges angesammelt, das ich nur allzu gerne weitergeben möchte.
Ich wünsche dir ganz viel Positives für die nächste Zeit und viel Freude im Alltag.
Liebe Grüsse
Katharina

Ailsa (Cape Pincushion) said...

It is great to hear from you and I love your new view!

Thimbleanna said...

Oh how fun! we saw Sue's booth at quilt market and she does such beautiful work. You'll have new quilt friends in no time. And I've never been to Singapore, but I can't imagine that I could possibly love it more than Switzerland -- you Lucky, Lucky Girl!!!

Gisele said...

Good to see you blogging again Vreni, your view in Switzerland looks beautiful & you've managed to fit in a workshop with Sue Spargo, wow! Am I jealous or what! I loved working on one of her BOM's & learnt quite a few new embroidery stitches along the way too, love the project you're working on, enjoy the journey :)

Sherry said...

I hope that you adjust to your new home quickly and find a new group of quilters to spend time with. Your view from your home is lovely. I enjoy working with wool and would love to attend a workshop like the one you attended. It seems a struggle to balance work at home and quilting, I never find enough time to suit me. Thanks again for the lovely box of fabrics you sent when I won your giveaway.

Astrid said...

Good to hear that you have settled in Switzerland! The view from your home is lovely. A good sign is that you are slowly getting back on quilting! Applique with wool looks fun, something I have yet to try.

Radka said...

Hello,
I have just found your blog via your comment on Esther's blog.
I look forward to reading more about how you are settling in Switzerland:-)
xx