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

Who's a Lucky Girl Then?

That would be ME.  An amazing parcel arrived today from Michelle, my secret partner in our Friends Having Fun swap.  And let me tell you I have been smiling all afternoon since I opened it. The theme was spots - a favourite of many of us, and boy was I spoilt.  Michelle, I loved all my gorgeous gifts - thankyou so very, very much.

Michelle knows me too well and knows that my favourite sewing is xmas. How gorgeous is this sweet wallhanging - can you see the little snowy peeking out of that skate? 

A close-up in case you couldn't see him. Many of you would know that I am a fan of Michelle's designs (Rag-Tag Stitchin') and stitch many of them.  So very excited to have a Michelle original.

And more lovely spotty goodies - a gorgeous fat quarter, very cute notepad (love my pot of tea - did you see the spots on the teapot) and m&m's (they're round aren't they, and very yummy).

And how gorgeous is this personalised sewing pouch.

Perfect to just pick up  go. Holds all the necessities and threads.  I love it Michelle - it will get lots of use and will be packed for a few days away on the weekend.  Michelle had added some of my favourite red thread, lovely red spotty ribbon and some very cute buttons. On the right is the most beautiful handmade card - a work of art.

Yes there was more - told you I was a very lucky girl. These two gorgeous decorations. Now I love gingies as much as I love snowmen, so this little guy will take pride of place on my tree of handmade decorations this year. And how cute is this beautiful red spotty dress hanger. Already have it hanging on my door.  That absolutely gorgeous snowman fabric in the background is the back of the lovely wallhanging. 

What an amazing parcel. Loved each and every gorgeous part of it. Thankyou dear friend. Cheryl

Not Much to Show This End

I have been playing around with these pretty spots -

but I can't show you yet as it is secret sewing.

And I've been playing around with these pretty fabrics too, but it's secret sewing as well -

But I do have something I can show you -

These are Michelle's "Mini Christmas Stars" I was working on in my previous post.  Now they are meant to be needleturned onto the stars, and I will usually have a go at needleturn where it is required, but I can NEVER get circles perfectly round, so I opted to add ric rac and raw edge them instead.  Three more to go. Love my Christmas sewing. Cheryl

FNWF

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Certainly a beautiful sunny Spring weekend down here.  I did join in with Cheryll and lots of other lovely stitchers on Friday night. Now with a big xmas list, I thought I had better do something about getting some things made, so I got quite a few of Michelle's lovely little stitcheries done -

cute little puddings, Santa hats and lots more.

 They will become these cute little decorations -

 

 Michelle's pattern is called   "Mini Christmas Stars", and if you would like it, just visit www.michelleridgwaydesigns1.blogspot.com.   Have a great week. Cheryl

A Day with Libby Richardson

We were lucky to have Libby Richardson do a class on Saturday at the shop where I work.  Of course Libby is well known for her fabric painting, especially on her cute bears, so I was looking forward to having a go at this -

This sweet little bear was our first project, and is now waiting for me to stitch and turn it into a needlecase.

And the second project a "Home Sweet Home" wallhanging. Lots of flowers to embroider on this one, so will keep me busy for a while.  I found it quite addictive, so plan on painting some xmas designs as well.

 Have a great week.   Cheryl

My Red Giveaway and Some Cutiepies

Now you may remember earlier in the week I was having a little giveaway to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of my blog -

Thankyou for all your lovely comments and support - I was blown away. So I popped everyone's name into the bucket (old fashioned I know) and I am very excited to announce that MARINA from maisieandtheboys.blogspot.com is the winner. Congratulations Marina.

And just to finish with some cuteness - my three gorgeous grandies.   Cheryl