FHFS and Some New Patterns

I belong to a wonderful swap group of friends "Friends Having Fun" and our first swap for the year was a hexie swap (or paper piecing).  My gift arrived last Friday from lovely Barb.  Do you want to see -

Inside was the most beautiful hexie table centre - now my friends all know how much I love snowmen and Barb always makes me beautiful snowman item in our xmas swap, so was very excited when I saw she had stitched these gorgeous snowmen for our swap this time. Will be perfect on my coffee table for winter. Love it Barb, thankyou so very much..

These cuties are on both ends of the table centre.

And this is the centre. Such pretty fabrics as well.

Barb had also included this gorgeous hexie fabric, a pretty cottage garden thread, which I love to stitch with and some very yummy Raspberry Lindt chocolate.  Loved my most beautiful gifts Barb, thankyou so very much and as always you know just the perfect thing. 

My gift hasn't arrived at it's recipient yet, so will show you what I made when it does.

At the soiree that Shez and I went to a week or two ago Lisa from FignBerry Creations had some lovely new xmas patterns "hot off the press", and of course I had to add them to my ever growing pile of projects -

Loved both these smaller projects.

Lots of stitching in this one, but it was just beautiful in the flesh.

And I had to have this teddy one as well.  Lots to keep me busy. Cheryl

More Soiree Photos and a Lovely Surprise

Shez was lucky enough to win one of Lisa's lovely books at the soiree last Saturday.  Carol in the background busy stitching away (unlike the rest of us)

Well I might have to revise that - everyone on my table looking very studious here

I love pincushions, so couldn't resist taking a photo of this collection of Leanne's lovely pincushions.

Now on my return home there was a parcel waiting for me.  As I wasn't expecting anything I tore it open and it was a surprise birthday gift from gorgeous Fiona (bubzrugz).  Wanna see -

 I had been drooling over these lovely goodies Fiona had been making on her blog.  This cute little bunny and beautiful zippered purse - I will use this to keep my pencils, pigma pens, etc in and she had also included one of her great little thread baskets - will fit perfectly in my sewing bag.

And there was more - the cutest stitched little bear that will hang in my sewing room, and a lovely wash cloth - all beautifully handmade.  Fiona I do love all my gorgeous gifts - they will all be so handy.  Thankyou so much for spoiling me.  Cheryl

A Wonderful Week Away and Stitching Soiree

Well I am back from a wonderful week at Magnetic Island with my family - yes I know life is tough sometimes.

This was the view from our front door every day.  A beautiful 31/32 degrees every day, though I must admit the humidity took a bit of getting used to.

Lovely beaches to swim at every day.

Lots of great things to do with the grandies.

And great to finally get to meet my gorgeous friend Karen from Brisbane, who was holidaying in Townsville and came over and spent the day with us, along with her wonderful grandson Parker and friend Narelle.  We had lots of fun as well as lots of talking and catching up.  Enjoyed our day immensely Karen - it was one of the highlights of our trip.

We flew home Friday, but no rest for the wicked as Saturday saw us heading off to a fun day of stitching with Lisa from FignBerry Creations and Leanne from Petals and Patches -

Some of our lovely projects from the day - sewing basket. needlebook and pincushion from Leanne and Ladybug table centre from Lisa.

This was the project I worked on on the day - a lovely sewing case designed by Lisa.

Loved this one too - and I'm sorry about the photo, but no way of laying it flat to get a better one.  This was one of Leanne's patterns for us "My Sewing Studio" wallhanging.

More of Lisa's lovely designs - patterns for which we received on the day.

Lots more photos to show you of our wonderful day - but will save them for another day.  Thankyou to my wonderful friend/driver Sandy, and lovely to have my stitching buddies Shez, Melody, Carol and Maria to spend the day with.  cheryl

Where Has the Week Gone

Well I promised to be back last week with some  more of my lovely birthday gifts - I guess we have had Easter in the middle, and I did have some of the family here for a few days, but even so the week has disappeared very quickly.  I am so lucky to have met so many gorgeous friends through sewing/swaps and blogging.  So here is some more spoiling from two more of my gorgeous friends -

From Shez this most amazing zippered bag - just perfect to hold all the bits and pieces I will need to take to our classes Shez.

And there was more - lots of gorgeousness inside too - some wonderful patterns from Michelle of Rag-Tag Stitchin and Brandy Gully and some yummy fat quarters.

Ooh can't wait to start on these.  Thankyou, thankyou dear friend for absolutely spoiling me rotten. Just love my gorgeous bag and its wonderful contents. 

And Barb, another dear friend spoiled me with this wonderful folder -

Isn't it gorgeous?  Love the fabric Barb.

It's to hold all my Cottage Garden threads. How perfect - love using these threads and until now they lived in a box.  Barb also added some yummy Cherry Ripes - I'm sure there were four. One must have fallen out before I took this photo lol.  It's just beautiful Barb - thankyou so very much for making my birthday special.

And lovely Maria - whom I met through the lovely stitching days that Shez and I go to made me this most beautiful bear.  The two on the outside is a bought piece enjoying the seesaw and Maria has made the beautiful bear that sits in the middle.  She knows that I love bears and this will be treasured.  Isn't she beautiful.  Maria also made me the most beautiful cake.

Thankyou to all my gorgeous friends for making my day so special.  Cheryl

Some Birthday Spoiling

Well as some of you may know I have had a "special" birthday this week.  I don't know about the getting older bit, but I have been overwhelmed by all the "surprises" from my gorgeous friends and family,  I have a feeling Shez may have had a hand in some of it lol.  Anyway thought you might like to see some of my gorgeous goodies - will show you in the order of opening (must admit some before my birthday - temptation got too much)

From my gorgeous friend Karen in Qld (whom I will soon get to meet yippee)

A beautiful needlecase which is perfect size to just pick up on your way out the door in case you have some sewing time, the most gorgeous stitched pincushion at the top (and sorry I've chopped off its cute leaves - it's a little strawberry), a snowman button, some beautiful glass headed pins and I see I have also chopped off the scissor keep which is the cutest little teapot.

Karen also made me this gorgeous little rabbit drawstring bag and it was filled with some delicious choccy eggs - there is still a couple in there lol

And there was more - can't believe how much she spoilt me.  The most beautiful stitched pear tea towel (there is something about pears isn't there) and a gorgeous Christmas cushion pattern and little snowman  button from Lynette Anderson Designs.

And not one but two gorgeous wallhangings.

Aren't they both beautiful  They are already hanging on my walls.  Thankyou so much dear friend. It was the most amazing special parcel.

The next one I opened was from another gorgeous friend - Michelle from Rag-Tag Stitchin' -

How special is this beautiful wallhanging.  And Michelle had also included one of her new mini pocket patterns - my favourite stitching - Christmas. 

And I could not believe my eyes when I opened the next one -

a beautiful Michelle original. How gorgeous is "Merle".  I can't believe Michelle could part with her, but think she knows that I will treasure her.

Thankyou to two of my dear friends.  Now I will leave some more til next post.  Don't want to wear you out - more gorgeous gifts from just as gorgeous friends.  Cheryl