Stitching Soiree

I had been counting down the days to last Saturday - a day of CHRISTMAS stitching with Lisa from FignBerry Creations and Katie from Cottage Garden Threads.  So much yummy stitching -

My lovely table of stitching buddies.

Some of the lovely projects we received patterns/kits for.

Loved this cute santa sack and will make it for one of my grandies.

This is what I worked on during the day - stitched in lovely CGT "Mistletoe". Loved the stitched stockings that hang from each end.

This project will be next on my list.  We were very spoilt to receive this CGT to stitch it in - "Harriet" is not available for individual sale, but is only available to buy in a color pack of 6 - such a lovely Christmassy color. Think I will have enough to keep me going for weeks to come. Cheryl

Santa Sack Swap & 1 Xmas Item a Month

I had a lovely day stitching yesterday with Lisa from FignBerry Creations and Katie from Cottage Garden Threads. And I promise to show you photos of our lovely day, but I was meeting up with Carol there and as she and I were partners in Cheryll's Santa Sack swap we decided to hand deliver our gifts in person rather than post them. Here is the gorgeous bag Carol gave me full of wrapped gifts. How lucky am I. I had admired this gorgeous bag over on Melody's blog and now I have one of my own. 

And this is the bag of goodies I handed over to Carol -

All can be revealed in late November/early December.

Lots of other stitching happening this month, so not a lot of progress on my two projects for 1 Xmas Item a Month. However, I did finish one more block of "Merry Mistletoe" from Michelle of Rag-Tag Stitchin -

Today I spent working on my nieces quilt as her 18th is only three weeks away, and ta da - a top

Ready to be quilted . Will share some photos of my stitching day tomorrow. Cheryl

Some New Snowies and 1 Xmas Item a Month

A friend and work colleague has just returned from four weeks cruising the Rhine. Sounds hard to take, doesn't it. But she did think of me while away. Check out my new snowmen -

The one on the left is handblown glass - a man on the boat was demonstrating both these very cute snowmen and beautiful glass xmas ornaments, and of course being a major snowman lover she knew which one to choose. The one on the right she bought in (her words) the biggest and most beautiful Christmas Shop she had ever seen while during a tour off the boat in Rothenberg, Germany. Top right is some yummy chocolate and as big a chocoholic as I am I am loathe to open it because of the most beautiful wrapper.
And while on Christmas I havn't shown you my progress on my two projects for 1 Xmas Item a Month - these were September's.

Firstly this very cute Noel block from "Merry Mistletoe" from Michelle at Rag-Tag Stitchin. Think this is no 5 block so will start and add some borders soon.

And the other bigger project I'm working on is "Angels Wishes" from FignBerry Creations.

Apart from secret sewing I have been working on a quilt for my niece"s 18th birthday. Now none of my other nieces or nephews have ever asked me for a quilt so I was a bit excited when this particular niece said that that is what she would like.  So she helped me pick some fabrics/colors.

So I've been cutting lots of colourful strips - way out of my comfort zone here lol.

I've kept it simple - post and rail - as there is photos to be added in the gap, and I didn't want it to detract from the photos. Still a long way to go, but it's coming together slowly.

Now back to secret sewing. Cheryl

Swap Gift Sewing

I have been doing a bit of secret sewing lately and can now show you what I made.

Firstly, this is what I made for Melody in the spotty swap for the Friends Having Fun Swap - a cute little wallhanging. It reminded me of some of the things that Mel loves, so of course I had to stitch it for her.

And I added lots of spotty yo yo's and vintage buttons to decorate this shopping/craft bag for Mel as well.

And in the My House, My Home swap through Mrs Martins Quilt Shop, the room we were to make something for this time around was the bedroom. Kerrie, my partner, asked for soft blues and creams for her bedroom, so I made this cushion using a Viv's Creations pattern and adapted it to a cushion.

And I also made a little wallhanging to match - a pattern by Marg Low.

Now onto Christmas swap sewing - dare I say it - my favourite. cheryl

A Day Stitching with Gail Pan and Friends

Yesterday saw us heading to Melbourne to a day of my favourite stitching - Christmas - for a Gail Pan class "Stitched in Time for Christmas" -

Gail showing us her two projects.

There was also two lovely xmas projects from Romona Hermann

Our four projects - I worked on "In A Pear Tree" wallhanging (bottom right)

And even better I got to spend the day with lovely friends - Sandy, moi, Shez, Carol, Karen and Christine. Melody had gone by the time we were taking our farewell photos. A wonderful day - gorgeous tutors, projects and friends. Cheryl

Time Away and Other Bits

I have had a few lovely days away visiting DD2, her partner and my gorgeous little grandson.

This was the view just 2 metres from the door of our accommodation. Very hard to take really. And more special because we don't often  get the opportunity to all get together. Being school hols DD1 and her two children were able to join us.  I did pack some sewing, but most of it just went for a little holiday. I did manage to get one little block sewn.

This lovely parcel was waiting for me on my return home. A swap gift from Kerrie, my partner in Mrs Martins "My House My Home" swap. This time we were to make for the bedroom. How gorgeous is this beautiful linen bag that Kerrie had made for me. Very hard to see but it has been beautifully hand quilted. It would be lovely as a sewing pouch as well.

Kerrie had also made for me these two lovely scented heart hangers and embellished with my favourite Theodora Cleave  buttons and added some very, very cute buttons. 

She always sends the most beautiful cards. This one has a beautiful piece of antique linen incorporated. Thankyou for spoiling me with such gorgeous swap gifts Kerrie. Cheryl