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Sunday, December 27, 2015

Chooky's SSCS, 10 OPAM finishes for December, Sunday Stitchers...........

I finally got to open my parcel in Chookyblue's SSCS. The wait was definitely worth it as I received these beautiful gifts from Gail in the US.

The square topper is gorgeous and fits a table where the tree that displays my handmade ornaments sits each year.  How good is that.  
Gail also sent a matching mug mat along with a scissor broach, a Missouri pin, some chocolates and sweets.
Thank you so much Gail for this wonderful parcel and for being my Secret Santa for 2015.
I also received an email from Marion in Germany who has opened the parcel I sent to her.
Here is what I made.

I have made a couple of these to give-away but will have to make one for myself  one of these days.

This year has been a busy one for me and I haven't done too much posting. My Sunday Stitchers had our Christmas break-up back in November. As usual we had a Secret Santa and I pulled Teresa's name out of the hat. I was thrilled as I already had a gift I had seen and bought nearly 2 years before hoping I would get Teresa eventually in a swap. I have known Teresa for many years and I know how much she loves all things Paris and vintage so these were my gifts to her.
Inside I added a pocket using two of the dresses on it.


Fell in love with this fabric which has dresses with Paris themes on them. Made a large tote for Teresa to take shopping. Also the previously bought magnets and post-it notes, Paris themed of course.

Our Christmas table which we all added to with a plate of goodies.

My gorgeous table runner made by Allison and a little teddy bear Xmas ornament. It is so pretty, I love it. 

These were some of the extras that everyone gave me. Missing is the beautiful roll made by Sandi which opened out into a place mat with cutlery engraved with our name. I will post a photo next time. 

 I was lucky to also have my birthday in December and I received all these fat quarters of gorgeous materials from the girls. How lucky was I. Blue was my colour for this year.

Well we are having a big storm at the moment so had better close and see if this will post.
I'll record my OPAM finishes. Not had a lot of completed items this year so hope 2016 is a better one for me.
Till next time Happy Stitching...............



Thursday, December 24, 2015

Santa Sack Swap : My gifts to Wen........ Merry Christmas.......

These are the gifts I sent to Wen for Cheryll's Santa Sack Swap.
Wen decided she would like a tote so I made one for her to use all year round.


A felt pouch & sweets 
A snowman ornament. Have made lots of these as I love stitching them. 



A scrap bin, matching pin cushion and scissors.


An initial sewing mat/ mug rug.

A wall hanging made with my favourite Nancy Halvorsen fabrics.
Wen tells me she had help from her daughters in opening them. So glad you liked them Wen.
Thanks to Cheryll for another wonderful Christmas Swap.

Well must go and spend some time with my hubby.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. Hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Friday Night Sew In

For FNSI I didn't end up getting much done except for finally putting together the block below. One of my quilting friends who goes to the Tamborine Quilting Retreat I attend, is having a big '0' birthday and has asked me to make a block to go in a special birthday quilt she is making.
Sue provided three fabrics and I could add up to three more but I decided to just add one. The design of the block could be anything as long as the cream fabric was the background and the block ten and a half inches in size. I chose a block called The Greek Cross Quilt Block.

The fabric I added was the dark blue.  Happy with how it turned out and it is exactly the right size.
Thanks WENDY for hosting our final FNSI for 2015.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the girls who have participated in our Friday night gatherings over the year.

Look forward to catching up with you again in 2016.

Hugs and Happy Stitching till then............






Santa Sack Swap 2015 .....

This year for Cheryll's SANTA SACK SWAP I was paired with Wen. We have got to know each other over the few months and even with a house move Wen has managed to make me some very beautiful gifts. Thank you for each and every one Wen, I love them all.
My parcels unwrapped.

Folder with notebook, pen, needles & threads kit, zip purse with initial & tissue pouch, 6 crochet coasters and some Lavender bath seeds & cooling and relaxing gel patches.

My Christmas stocking, a beautiful apron and hanging bird ornament.
THANK YOU to Cheryll for again running this fantastic swap and another very big THANK YOU to my wonderful swap partner Wen. Opening these gifts certainly made my day.

Now I'm off to check out the linky to see what others have made and received.
Hugs till next time...........

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

SSCS 2015,

This week I received my parcel from Gail in the USA. I've opened my ornament  and here it is a lovely hexagon wreath. Thank you so much Gail it is beautiful and will look lovely on my tree. Gail also sent a booklet about the city that she lives in. We have been to the USA several times but never to Missouri. It was very interesting reading so thanks for including it in the parcel.


I also sent off my parcel and just checked to see if it had arrived and it has so thanks to Australia Post for prompt delivery. Here are the wrapped parcels that I sent to Marion in Germany.

Marion has opened her ornament so here is a photo of what I made.
I incorporated a Theodora Cleeve Santa button with some embroidery.
Well that is all for me tonight. Be back soon.
Till then....... Happy Stitching..........


Sunday, November 22, 2015

FNSI results, 40th birthday......

I managed to get some quilting done on a wall hanging and I also completed another gift too for a  Xmas swap I am in.
This is a photo of the half finished back. and below blanket stitch complete and buttons attached to another little gift. 

All will be revealed when the parcels are opened in December.

I have also completed my swap gifts for Chookyblue's SSCS too. Will post a photo of the wrapped gifts before I pop the parcel in the post this week. Yeah!! Finished on time with a few days to spare........
Yesterday, my family and I headed up to Caloundra to help my niece Angela celebrate her 40th Birthday. We met at the restaurant 'Tides Waterfront Dining' for lunch. We spent a few hours there enjoying a wonderful meal and good company.
My niece Angela and daughter Kym

View from the restaurant. The water looked beautiful.      
Well must go, thanks and big hugs to my friend WENDY for hosting another successful Friday Night Sew In.






  

Friday, November 20, 2015

FNSI, Renovations

Tonight is Friday Night with Friends so even though our place is a bit like a bomb has gone off outside and I can't get into my sewing room in the shed due to work happening in front of it, I decided to join in and lose myself in some hand stitching.
Thank you to Wendy for again hosting.

The reason for the above is that we are having some much needed improvements done to solve a water problem between the house and the pool.
We have become a construction site according to the sign on our front fence. I am really looking forward to the job being finished and the sign being taken down so I can try to remove the layer of dust that seems to cover every surface in the house even though windows and doors were shut. I think Ruby who is locked behind a temporary fence will be pleased too although she may have to wait till the new grass grows but haven't let her know that yet.
Sorry for the photo overload ,just want to keep a record of the progress for me.


Paving removed by us.

Patio roof off and 6 truck loads of soil & rubbish removed.


Boxing up started. 



Mesh laid, ready for cement on Monday.
If you are still here, see you tonight.
Hugs..............

Saturday, November 7, 2015

FNWF, Ruby photos.

Last night I joined a group of lovely ladies and did some sewing. As I have some Xmas swaps on the go, I can't show you much of what I did but can give a sneak peek of a couple of things without giving too much away. Working with a bit of felt, some Ric Rac and adding some Christmas borders to a  stitchery.


I completed a couple of Xmas tree ornaments as well so in all not a bad night's stitching.
Today we attempted to give Ruby a bath, she was clean for a couple of hours then we had a storm with a little hail thrown in for good measure so after romping around in the mud, she is now as dirty as she was before her bath.


She loves the water and her pool which she has almost outgrown. With the hot weather she's been losing her thick undercoat so brushing every day has been a necessity
It's hard to believe she has her 1st BIRTHDAY next week.
Well must go. Will check out some blogs tomorrow and see what all of you got up to. Thanks for hosting Chez. Hope you are having a great holiday...........

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Busy Month : Quick Update........

I am still working on my Natures Journey, very slow progress I'm afraid. I've changed the diamonds around the border for red ric rac. I must admit I tried lots of other things but decided I liked this option the best. Here is a photo (not the best one) of the center, what do you think?

I have put this on the back-burner for a little while as I have to concentrate on the Xmas swaps I am in this year and the postage dates are fast coming around. Everything has been planned and started with a few finishes and a few to do. Can't really show much as it is all secret but will be back soon with a few sneak peeks.
Hugs for now..............


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Sunday Stitchers, My Natures Journey Quilt, Chookyblue's Xmas Swap 2015.

My Sunday Stitchers group met on Sunday at a new venue at Coomera. I got lost on the way there so was a bit late arriving but had a lovely time catching up with all the girls once I did. I worked on a Christmas stitchery by Natalie Bird while there. A lot of talking with not much stitching I'm afraid.

I also took along my Natures Journey centre block for show and tell. The satin stitch stems took many hours to do but I'm very happy with the result so well worth the time spent on it.
I started to add the pink border after I got home.

Chris, my hubby, is on long service leave for a few weeks and we've been trying to catch up on some jobs around the house that have needed doing for a while. I'm pleased to say we have been able to cross a few off our list, so today we took a well deserved break and went for a long drive in this :


I've had my old car since 2000 so it was time for an upgrade. This is our new one, a Mazda CX5. I've always driven a manual but we opted for an auto this time. It's so easy to drive and luckily I only went to change the gears twice, oops!! The car has so many new features including a key-less start so will have to get used to pushing a button instead of turning a key to start it. I can see the car manual being used quite a bit in the next couple of weeks.


I've also joined Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap so am looking forward to finishing lots of goodies in the next few weeks to fulfil  my Christmas commitments for 2015.

Well must go and do a bit more on my stitchery. Till next time, happy stitching everyone.....