A Gentle Retreat Into Autumn.

While the Scrub Stitchin’ ladies were gathering from Wednesday through Sunday, my own little retreat ran on a slightly different schedule. I had the weekend off work, then Monday and Tuesday as well, so while everyone else was travelling home, I was still happily tucked into my stay‑at‑home version.

Monday, however, was mostly claimed by chores and kitchen duties. I popped a huge piece of corned silverside into the slow cooker, made a batch of cheese scones.

Apple crumbles

And a tray of hot cross buns.

— all keto, of course.

I did sit down for a while with the intention of stitching, but I made the mistake of putting on a movie before deciding what to sew… and naturally, the needle never made it into my hand. Never mind.

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Today I was back at my quilting frame, and what a beautiful autumn day it was. There was snow in the mountains last night, making it feel pretty cold this morning. My frame sits in the sunniest room in the house, which also made it the warmest room in the house. A good place to be.

I took a moment to look out through those big windows.

The wedding cake tree like Old Man Tree at the front, is starting to look autumnal.

There aren’t nearly as many leaves as there were — most of them are now on the footpath waiting to be swept up.

Looking out the other side,

the cherry trees are changing too, taking on those beautiful golden and red tones. The lawn is looking lovely; with luck it’ll dry out enough for Tony to get the mower out soon. It was lovely to see the blue sky, though the breeze was from the South, so very cold.

Enough of the weather— on to the quilting.

I had pulled out a quilt that has been waiting in the “to be quilted” pile since February last year. It uses some of the scrappy triangles I made in 2024, along with three Sunbonnet Sues I’d stashed away… who knows when. I chose a pantograph called Flutterbys by Urban Elementz, and it really didn’t take long to quilt.

Even with a break for a walk and some lunch.

I did have one frustrating moment when I lost at bobbin chicken

So frustratingly close to the end of the row. 

I had already set the binding fabric aside with the top, so I got on with preparing it right away and sewed it on. No concerns about running out this time — I knew that I had plenty.

I had the binding closed by the time Tony got home, so we dashed outside in the last of the daylight for a quick photo. The sun had gone behind the neighbour's house and it was cold!

We didn't want to linger but while I was out there, I couldn’t resist popping it into the tree for a shot.

and grabbing a picture of my pretty pansies while I was at it.

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As the trees outside shift into their autumn colours, my own little retreat comes to an end. A few days of making and doing, of a warm kitchen and a sunny quilting room, have been a lovely pause before the routine starts again. Back to work tomorrow, but with a hand stitched label, three Christmas ornaments, two finished quilts and a quieter mind.

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