One Christmas Item a Month

I am joining in with Narelle from Pins and Whiskers and lots of others busily sewing Christmas (three months to go). This was my Chrissy project for this month -

A Gail Pan stitchery wallhanging. My sister had given me this lovely blue Anni Downs fabric which I had been wanting to use, so thought it was perfect to match the cottage garden thread "Cranberry" that I had used.  Look forward to seeing what every one else has been stitching. Cheryl

Mill Rosie Bloggers Get-Together

What a wonderful day we had last Saturday for our bloggers get-together at the gorgeous Mill Rose Patchwork shop in Ballan. The girls there look after us so well.  And I must say what a fantastic group of girls our blogging girls are - they are all so lovely and we have the best time, with lots of laughs, lots of eating and very little stitching lol.  I was very excited as our swap for this get-together was a Michelle Ridgway  (Rag-Tag Stitchin') design - now this was hard lol, as Michelle is one of my favorite designers and I have many of her patterns, so which one to choose. I decided on the "Sewing Notions Bag", which Rosalie was the recipient of -

And I was thoroughly spoilt with my gorgeous swap parcel, which was made by Melody -

How beautiful is this set - it looks exactly like the front cover of Homespun magazine, which is where Melody got Michelle's design from, even down to a lovely old cotton reel with matching thread. It's a beautiful set Mel - you've put so much work and thought into - I just love it.

I look forward to the next one in November. Cheryl

What I've Been Up To

The last couple of weeks have gone in a flash.  Had a lovely weekend a couple of weekends ago at a retreat in a beautiful old homestead "Glenwillan", set in a beautiful country setting. It only sleeps 12 people, and has the biggest dining table I have ever seen - obviously a large family built the homestead - but was perfect to hold the 12 of us and our machines and all the other necessary bits and pieces we need with room to spare. Now I packed a plastic tub full of projects - the girls did suggest very unfairly I thought, that most of the projects were coming for a holiday, but did manage to get quite a bit finished.

This is my Spring swap gift from my swap partner Julie, and was able to add borders and quilt it ready for hanging.

 I have shown you bits and pieces of this xmas wallhanging before - but yah the top is finished and all those small 2-1/2" border squares are sewn together and are on. It should be ready to hang for this xmas.

And finished this top - a  little coin quilt from a French General charm pack I had (the tutorial was from Fiona's blog www.bubzrugz.blogspot.com

Was also able to attend a trunk show held by Marg Low showcasing, among other things, all the beautiful things from her two new books and the amazing sampler quilt she's just finished.  Did add this cute little snowman button hanger pattern to my collection -

And ordered Anni Downs' new stocking xmas tree hangers.

Well must away - stitching to be done. Cheryl

Friends Swap Part 2

Florence, my lovely swap partner all the way from France has received the gifts I sent her as part of the Friends swap, so I can now show you what I sent to her -

F - Felt needlecase, and
R for my favorite redwork. Florence loves angels, so Michelle's angel bag (Rag-Tag Stitchin') from Country  Threads was a perfect choice.

I for Indigenous fabric, and
E for Edible (Florence was very excited about finally being able to try Tim Tams)

N for notebook, which I've used Michelle's sewing alphabet for the front cover.

D for Decoration - I added a Theodora Cleave cat button, as cats are another favorite of Florence's, and
S for Snowman goody bag, which I filled with Cadbury Roses choccies - a pattern from Bunny Hill

Thankyou for being my lovely swap partner Florence, and to Kris from Sew Prim Kris for organising this fun swap. Cheryl

Friends Swap

I participated in the "Friends" swap organised by Kris from Sew Prim Kris. My lovely partner was Florence, all the way from France. It was exciting to have an overseas swap partner, and boy was I spoilt. Look at the lovely gifts Florence sent - she had put a lot of thought into buying/making things she knew I would love -

"F" for yummy French chocolates (which don't look like this any more lol)

"R" for pretty ribbons - wish you could see the detail better - some have  beautiful embroidery on them.

"I" for Iris candle, all the way from Florence, Italy from Florence my partner - and it smells amazing.

"E" for eight skeins of lovely DMC threads - all my favorite colors. And I learnt something that I didn't know. That  DMC threads are made in France - the factory is in Mulhouse, which is the city in which Florence works.

"N" for needlebook - how sweet is this. Has red felt on this inside to hold your needles.

"D" for dotty fabric and other lovely fat quarters. How amazing is this xmas fabric.

"S" for this absolutely gorgeous, unbelievable sewing box. Florence's husband makes the boxes and Florence has covered it in fabric - you just need to see it to believe it. It is stunning. And a little pincushion to match in the right hand side compartment.The Santa fabric is gorgeous as is the beautiful print fabric which also covers the outside.

Florence my gifts are amazing - thankyou so very much, and it was so lovely to have you as my partner.

Will show you what I sent to Florence when her gifts arrive. Hopefully this week.  Cheryl

Stitching my Lovely Gift

This is what I've been stitching this week - these lovely cuties were a gift from Michelle (Rag-Tag Stitchin') when we caught up recently. A lovely new pattern which I'm sure she'll be releasing when she gets home. Looks like me, don't you think. Thankyou for spoiling me Michelle

What a difference a few days of sunshine makes -

This is the view from my kitchen window - Spring has arrived, yah.

Well I'm off on a stitching retreat weekend. Hope you enjoy your weekend also. Cheryl