You May Not Want to Read this Post -

as it will remind you how close Christmas is getting.  But we had a hive of activity at my place on the weekend, bought about by three things really. Firstly, my two granddaughters were visiting, and my 6 y.o. grandie reminded me that it was hers and my tradition to put out the village and all the xmas pieces that lit up, so we set to -

The second thing that contributed to this hive of activity was a parcel in the mail from a dear friend Keryn, who some of you may know has a wonderful new blog selling her original Christmas pieces www.christmascreationsbykeryn.blogspot.com.  Now Keryn and I go back quite a few years - I was trying to work out how long, and I would hazard a guess at early 2000s, and it was our mutual love of Christmas that bought us together.  Many of her creations grace my home, ooh and I have some new ones to join them -

Isn't he the cutest?

These will hang on my favorite tree - the one with the handmade decorations on it from special friends and blogging buddies. Now there were two reindeer - both were meant as a xmas gift for a "reindeer mad" friend, but decided I needed one of them lol.  Make sure you go and say hi to Keryn and check out her gorgeous creations.

And the final reason for all this activity -

I happened to pull out one of the several tubs under my bed that house my santas - now with all those eyes looking up at you, how could you possibly not get them out and hang them up after all those months tucked away? 

So you can see a busy weekend, and yah Christmas is coming. Cheryl

1 Xmas Item a Month

I am linking up with Narelle from www.pinsandwhiskers.blogspot.com for  -

I know the 25th of the month has past, but I had a good excuse. Had my two gorgeous daughters, one partner and two gorgeous granddaughters for the weekend, who love nothing better than when nan has the computer on cos nan is too soft and they can push buttons.  Has been known to have detrimental effects, so easier not to have it on while they are visiting.

Anyway lots of xmas sewing happening here, but the item I have finished and can show is is this one from Gail Pan -

There is some cute little prairie points on the bottom.  Have used a CGT "Mistletoe".

Just a quick post tonight. Will be back soon to show you what the eldest granddaughter and I got up to on the weekend. Cheryl

A Couple of Lovely Wins

Wow - how lucky have I been this week? I entered a competition on The Christmas Beetle blog, and I couldn't believe it when Michele emailled me to say I was the lucky winner - over $100 of gorgeous Christmas goodies -

Dangly leg Mrs Claus - and she smells divine - filled with lavender

A Christmas apron - how great - I didn't have one, and some cute little gingerbread house salt and pepper shakers

And this little fella is a collectable, limited edition piece - bit hard to see but his costume is like a bunch of grapes.  Michele I was so thrilled, so thankyou for your very generous giveaway.

And to top it off I won one of the lucky number prizes at the stitching soiree I went to on Saturday -

 A lovely tablerunner pattern, some very cute snowman fabric which I will put to good use very soon, a tape measure and some DMC thread.

What a great week. And talking of the soiree Mrs Martins Quilt Shop had her shop there, so what's a girl to do -

but bring home some new bits and pieces - "O Christmas Tree" wallhanging pattern, and a kit to make it on the left, a charm pack of Snowman Gatherings and half metre of a very pretty green fabric.

Back soon. Cheryl

Another Lovely Class

I seem to have a bit of a run of lovely class days I have booked in for at the moment. I do love them - great to have a day stitching with others, and lots of hints and help from some great tutors. Saturday was a stitching soiree in Melbourne with Lisa from FignBerry Creations and Kerry Gillespie from My Favourite Things. AND the best part - the theme was Christmas - my favorite!  Hopeless, arn't I?  But we were spoilt with 6 AMAZING patterns - loved every project, and will make each one with time.

These are the three projects from Kerry. We had as kit in our goodie bags for the lovely stitched  Family Christmas bauble to work on during the day. The little santas would be great with the grandies names stitched on them and small enough to hang on the tree.

Not sure what happened with this photo, but had to include it as this was the project from Lisa that we received the kit for to work on during the day also. Loved it.

And loved this cute felt candle/table mat.

Can't wait to make these little free standing stockings. Loved the little stitched reindeer tops on them. Would be lovely for a gift with some choccies or fabric for a sewing friend in them.

Weren't we spoilt -we received this amazing wallhanging pattern as well.

Our goodie bags.

Well must away - after the weekend, lots of stitching to be done. Enjoy your week. Cheryl

A Day of Stitching

Phew it has been a busy week, so am a bit late in showing you photos from my lovely day of stitching last Saturday at Quilters Harvest in Warracknabeal.  The theme was Spring, and I was looking forward to a day of stitching with three well-known tutors - Gail Pan, Helen Stubbings and Jennifer Knol.

These were Gail's projects - a lovely birdie bag, drawstring bag and sewing pouch.

And Jennifer's - two pincushions using felt cut-out shapes, and a wreath table centre using the same little felt designs.

And a cute little bag to match.

I worked on two projects during the day - this pin cushion - love those birdies, and

and the stitchery for the little sewing pocket.

Now I apologise but my photos of Helen's projects somehow ended up very blurry, but her three projects included a lovely little zippered purse with half inch hexagons, using her new water soluable papers - brilliant - they are left in there after stitching and will wash out if desired.

A wonderful day stitching. Have a great weekend. Cheryl

Some Secret Sewing

Not a lot of sewing to show you this week, but I have several secret sewing swap projects on the go.  Thought I might show you some little sneaky peaks -

 I did finish my project as part of Chooky's SAL - the lucky last - which is a cute needlecase from Anni Downs book "Some Kind of Wonderful -

And I did succumb and add this book to my collection this week -

Looks like my cup of tea doesn't i?. And I got something else in the mail this week. Yes I love block of the months, and if it's a  Christmas one, that's even better -

"A Woodland Christmas" is a new one from Bunny Hill. And that red fabric is some new yummy red linen - am thinking Christmas and cream thread.. 

Had a lovely day stitching on Saturday with some great tutors, so back soon to show you what I worked on. Have a great week. Cheryl