FIS paper bag swap

At last I can show these photos, I'm a member of an online group "Friends in Stitching" and we had a paper bag swap ...... we had to send our partner a paper bag with 2 fat 1/4's a stitchery, button and trim or ribbon plus a choccie, then our partner would decide what to make using these goodies then send it back.... great fun. I had to make for Teresa and she gave me quite a challenge in her choice of fabric but I forgot to take a photo of the goodies and of course I ate the choccie so you will just have to use your imagination. Here she is opening her pressies, we all open online but I was able to give Teresa her gift in person.

    

I was just overwhelmed when I opened my parcel from Sarah... who was making for me, this cushion will be treasured forever and as you can see in these photos it has pride of place on my bed. This would have to be the most thoughtful and precious gift I have ever recieved and I can't thank you enough Sarah.

The shaggy quilt on the corner of the bed I made in 2005 for Mum's birthday and its also one of my little treasures.

More goodies to show and a day out

  

This is the courtyard of the Mudgeerba shopping centre.... isn't it great such a lovely place to sit and enjoy lunch with friends.

Last Tuesday we had a day out looking for craft shops and of course we were not disappointed but first things first..... coffee and a banana, cheese and bacon melt.... then off to "Craft Haven" and "Patchwork Dreaming" both at Mudgeerba QLD and yes we did buy a few bits and bobs but I forgot to take a piccie of them. We also visited  "Laraines on Capri" which is an online shop but we were lucky enough to see her and naturally bought lots of goodies there.

Teresa and Tereasa waiting for our lunch. I'm not the best at taking piccies, nearly lost Tereasa behind the table number. We had a great day though and as usual lots of giggling and chatting.

This is the next block of the Gardeners Journal I'm doing with the "Stitch-a-long" group.

Another block finished for my "Blossom Lane" quilt from "Faeries in My Garden", I'm enjoying this very much and I have the next block ready to go.

Christmas projects

These christmas projects were a delight to make and something a bit different from the normal christmas things. They are part of the "Gift of the Month" that I joined from "Faeries in My Garden" .

I joined this monthly club in 2009 and the projects just get better each month.

                                                                            
                 Just had to show you each side of the basket, so much embroidery but I love that.

Its great to get a few things done and finished too.

and theres more ....

Its really nice to have a few finishes to show, this table quilt I made some time ago..... a long time ago actually...... I took it on the Tamborine retreat to quilt and I'm happy its finally finished, doesn't look too bad even if I say so myself.

"Simple Stars"

Here is my lovely g/daughter Corinne wearing her quilt, I had this one machine quilted and Corinne was tickled pink with it.

                                                                       " Sparkling Gemstones"

I also had this one quilted at the same time as it has come out a treat too, both quilts are from a book called "Jelly Roll Quilts".

                                                                      "Twin Stars"

Keep watching this space as I have a few more things I need to show and add to my OPAM list.

Slowly catching up with a few bits and bobs

Another block finished for the "Stitch-a-long" its a bit late as it was August's block, I've already started the block for September so hopefully I will be right for this month.

This  is coming along nicely and I'm enjoying these little stitcheries, this is the "My Garden" BOM by Lynette Anderson. If you still want to join in there might be a few places left at Homespun and Beautiful.

Then last but not least here are the piccies I promised of my fantastic raffle prize I won at the Red Hatters Retreat I went to last month. I am going to another retreat next month so I hope to put it to good use then.

                                                                           
                                                       Woohooooo wasn't I lucky ?
                                                                             

A great retreat and a much needed getaway.

I was lucky enough to go on a terrific retreat with my craft friends, it was very timely for me as I really needed the break and to have a lot of laughs with great company.  Here are all my bits and pieces that I took with me .... not sure I really needed all of this but you just never know. We all had the best time and lucky me... I won the raffle..... it is a "Sewezi " portable sewing table but we haven't put it together yet so no piccies at the moment, it was just the pick-me-up I needed so look out retreats here I come table and all.

Dress up night, the theme was red and purple.

If you pop on over to Teresa's and Tereasa's blogs you find lots more beaut piccies.

More craft to come as I've had a few finishes, its so nice to get back into some craft.

My Mum

A little trip down memory lane.

4 Generations together enjoying each others company.

  ...... my Mum with our dog, boy did we laugh over this piccie, she didn't like animals, never thought I would see this.

Christmas 2008

 1912  .......  2010

Late Opam for August

This another project from "Faeries in My Garden" Gift of the Month and as usual a pleasure to make..... its called "Victorian Needlework Pouch".

A Wake and a Celebration !!!!!

Well here it is........a happy day for Tereasa and a sad one for the rest of us as you can see in the photo below. 

Homespun and Beautiful is closing its shop front door on Friday .... but on a better note it is still an online store so all is not lost, our Tuesday girls get together will continue and that makes us all very very happy. If you pop on over to Tereasa's blog she has a great sale still going on so don't miss out on the bargains...... just tell her Helen said...... hehehehehe.

We had a bit of a party with sandwiches, yummy cakes, apple cider, coffee and lots of laughing ...... we all met through the shop about 7 years ago and will continue hopefully for many years to come.

Naturally its hard to let a bargain go so I did do a bit of last minute shopping, these are my goodies.

2 Little finishes

Mini Makeup Roll and Sun Glasses Case.

Kelly's .... a Bag sew-a-long.

These projects are really coming together now and they are great fun to make .... the  large bag and toiletries pouch I  made earlier, the mini makeup roll  and sun glasses case made today, all very useful as well. There are 2 more projects to go and the set will be complete, thanks Kelly for these terrific patterns.

A post at last.....

At last I have finished all the stitcheries for the "Girls Day Out" quilt so now its time to do borders and get this quilt top together, hopefully that will happen soon.

Me, Teresa, Tereasa , Kayly and Lynda

We had a nice surprise on Tuesday at our little craft group..... a visit from Kayly and Lynda  members of the online Stitch-a-long group so as you can imagine a bit of stitching and lots of chatter, thanks girls it was lovely to meet you both in person.

Last but not least an OPAM finish.... woohoo.... this is an Amy Butler bag and its for my g/daughter Corinne, can't go wrong with the fabric as she chose it herself. Now I'm off to stitch and hopefully another OPAM finish.

A sad quilt story.... but a happy ending !!!!!

"Sparkling Gemstones" jelly roll quilt.

This story began when I decided to make a jelly roll quilt for my 18yr old  g/daughter Corinne so I bought this lovely fresh and bright  fabric ....  chose a quick and easy quilt, all was going well..... cutting sewing.... 6 rows together but things were not looking or fitting together very well at all ...... then I realised why, I was doing several projects at the same time and not always checking on my stitch width ...... yes you guessed it I had done different sized seams .... only slightly but as we all know it doesn't take much to ruin everything.... so I unpicked every block.... 108 blocks to be exact and started again. Every  story should have a happy ending  I think and lucky for me this one does...... borders are on and its now ready for quilting hoorayyyyy, I will show a piccie when its finished and ready to go to Corinne.

The End.

A nice surprise.....

Last week I got a lovely surprise.... these beautiful roses, I wasn't feeling very well and my daughter Heather called in to see me with this lovely bunch of flowers and yes they did cheer me up.

Better to be a little late than not at all I suppose my block for the "Stitch-a-long" it really is the June block so now to get going on July block.