More to tell

Gosh all this blogging so early in the year is a bit of a worry  hope I don't run out of steam..... never mind I'll just keep going while the iron is hot so to speak.

On the "Stitch-a-long" blog this is the nect project we will be starting soon "Tis the Season" quilt by Natalie Bird, I have the book and  fabrics all ready to go.... I purchased the kit from "Homespun and Beautiful " love the colours.

We are still working on the "Gardener's Journal" heaps of lovely quilts to see in all different colourways..... lovely...... here my finsihed quilt top now to get on with the quilting.

This is a great little pattern "Flossie" by Blue Willow Designs its an easy pattern to follow and that makes the job a lot easier thats for sure. I've made these for friends and 1 for me, I know christmas is over but its always nice to get a little surprise at any time, hope they like them.

This is the last block for our BOM in "Friends in Stitching" online group, now to decide how to put the blocks together, borders... sashing .... and  quilting..... before we get started on this years projects. 

Check it out

Such a great giveaway from the girls of Gum Tree Designs pop on over and check it out but if you do that I might not win.....nah just kidding... go have a look.

Good luck.

Off to a good start.

I have got off to a flying start this year but it will be very interesting to see how long it lasts.

This tablerunner I was going to have ready for last christmas but alas that didin't happen, did all the hand work but time got the better of me and the quilting/binding had to wait but I am early for this year I guess. This is a pattern from "Faeries in My Garden" called "Sugar Plum" christmas tablerunner as part of the "Gift on the Month" club, I need to get a move on as it won't be long before this years projects start to roll in and I'm already behind so wish me luck that I am able to catch up with last years projects ...... and the year before projects..... oops shouldn't admit that really.

Such beautiful fabric and very unusual colours for christmas but I love them.

This can be my first OPAM too, woohooooo.

I've also caught up with the Lynette Anderson  BOM "My Garden" its a great little project, not too many to go now.

I'm still working on my embroidery BOM from..... yes you guessed it..... "Faeries in My Garden" called "Blossom Lane" this is block 5 so only 4 more to go. This block has to have beading and lace added yet as do the other blocks I've done but I thought I'd do it when all blocks are embroidered. I'm really looking forward to finishing this quilt, once I've passed halfway with a project I tend to get excited that the end is near so I'm off now to prepare the next one. Don't know what happened but this photo seems and odd colour, looks better in real life.

Final post for 2010

Firstly a couple of last minute OPAMs, they have been put together for a while now just waiting for quilting and binding.  This one is just a small tablerunner I needed  for our table between our lounge chairs, love this fabric.

I made these 2 at the Evans Head retreat in November and also only needed finishing off.

I've had a lot of fun this year in joining the OPAM and also the Stitch-a-long, meeting new friends with common interests, it all helps with motivation to get projects done.

Its also been a sad year for me with my Mum passing away and I missed her this christmas but its very good to remember the good times.

We enjoyed christmas with all the family together and of course ate too much so it will be back on the treadmill for me next year.

I hope you all had a very happy christmas with family and friends.

I would like to wish you all a   HAPPY NEW YEAR  and may it bring you health and happiness.

See you in 2011.

Naughty naughty girl ......

Our little "Pippa" was a lucky girl this christmas when our g/daughter Corinne bought her a cute pressie.... a tiger.... well look what she did with it on christmas day would you believe..... looks innocent doesn't she ?

Looks like it is snowing at our house thanks to Pippa.

I'm sure Corinne will get a giggle out of these photos, theres not much left of the tiger now.

Lots of news today

These gifts are from our online Friends in Stitching group and where made for me by Vicki, the bag is so good wonderful fabrics and cute stitcheries, you have done a terrific job Vicki and I love them..... Thanks very much.

Isn't this a great gift..... thank you Tereasa love it and I can't wait to get started on it.

Then there is this cute beat "Chloe" Teresa made her for me and she is just adorable, thank you. She is sitting on a lovely doiley also from Teresa and this will be her dress... very soon I promise.

Last but not least .... these goodies I made  for Peg for our secret santa presents from Friends in Stitching, I hope she likes them, I was a bit worried about the mug but the postal service got it to her in 1 piece so that was great.

Christmas party and gifts.

Last Tuesday we had our christmas party for our little craft group,I  forgot to take a piccie of the girls and only just remembered to get one of the half eaten food but you get the idea I'm sure.

 I am such a lucky girl, Tereasa gave me this great kit and I can't wait to get started on this project.

This is" Chloe" Teresa made her for me, she is so clever and makes terrific bears.

Thanks very much girls for another terrific year together and I hope you have the best christmas ever.

I will pop back later to show a few photos of our cruise, I promise not to bore you all too much..... only a little bit.

HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE NEW YEAR.

Last minute OPAM

I've made this fold away wallet size shopping bag to take on our holiday and of course I hope to fill it when ever I can.  Shhhhh don't tell Gavan ... lol

It certainly makes a good size bag when open, I used Teresa's idea of turning the pocket upside down and it works a treat.

Our Heather in the Police Academy.

At last our daughter ... Heather... has her dream come true, she has been waiting for a call up for the police academy and 3 weeks ago it happened for her. She is now in her 3rd week and in uniform, she is really enjoying the challenge, we are so happy for her and proud too, there is still many months to go in training so hopefully it all goes well and we will then be able to see her graduate.

Its a bit like her first day at school all over again, Mum and Dad taking piccies of her in uniform and that only seems like yesterday to us.....

Good luck Heather.

Busy... busy

Well I'm a bit late with this block but better late than never I guess, I still have to put 2 hearts on but will do that a bit later. I have just drawn the last of the blocks to take on our holiday just in case I get a bit of stitching time. Its great to see all the blocks of this quilt "Gardeners Journal" coming together in the "Stitch-a-long" group.

These 2 ornies are  part of the "Gift of the Month" I'm in from "Faeries in My Garden" called Sugar Plum decorations they have been a real delight to make. I'm slowly getting the projects done but like all of you ladies say " there just isn't enough hours in the day" so we need to make the most of the hours we have.
 

Here is another "Faeries in My Garden" pattern "Uptown Chic" mini shopper, its made in linen and it was so quick and easy to make. This bag is going on the cruise with me and I hope I can fill it with some great little gifts.

Woohoooo finished at last.

Its great to be finished this project, our little Tuesday group have been busy for sometime doing this together which is a lot more fun than on your own. Teresa has hers on her blog already if you would like to pop over to have a look , its just beautiful. This is a "Faeries in My Garden" pattern and as usual a delight to make, its part of " Gift of the Month" and of course I have signed up for next year.

See the pin cushion in the roof.

Its called "Needlewoman's Cottage" as you can see its useful as well as beautiful. Now I'm off to finish my  christmas swap gift for "Friends in Stitching" online group, I need to be finished early as we are going on a cruise on the 27th November to New Zealand for 14 days and christmas is not far away so I'll need to have it ready for posting to my partner. Ooooo yes I also need to get a bit of stitching ready for my trip...... can't go without some stitching.

Another great retreat

A great weekend with friends at Evans Head, NSW...... pity we can't go on a retreat every weekend ... hehehehe. We all had the best time... yummy food and good company with just a bit of sewing thrown in all adds up to a terrific time.

Here is Tereasa busy at work.

Teresa also busy making her project.

A very busy work room, 39 ladies altogether so it did get noisy at times.

The theme for the retreat was Christmas and we all had to make a placemat so I chose a christmas pudding, the napkin holder was a cute little gift for everyone.

Saturday night was christmas dinner with the full baked meal followed by........

christmas pudding of course.... it tasted as good as it looks.

and we had the best Santa visit us with little gifts for all of us ..... great fun.

This tree was one of the projects that we could do .... this is mine.... it was good to take a finished project home. The other project was a table runner I haven't finished mine yet  but if you go to Teresa's blog you can see a photo of our runners..... I will post a photo when I have done the layering and quilting, soon I hope. I'm really getting into these retreats... I think they are addictive.

Ooooops nearly forgot I won 2nd prize in the raffle which was a terrific bag but I still haven't got a piccie of it yet, I'm getting a bit of a reputation and my friends are calling me the "raffle queen" as I do seem to be very lucky with these raffles.

Oh goodo I have another OPAM now too.

Happy sewing everyone.