A Red Giveaway and 1 Xmas Item a Month

I thought I would have a little giveaway - with a red theme, as I love red (among other colors) as this month marks 2 years since I started my blog. Time flies when you're having fun. And it's been a wonderful two years. I have met so many wonderful friends through blogging.

So included in the giveaway is a charm pack of the gorgeous new French General range "La Fete De Noel", some yummy red spotted linen and of course some redwork patterns - one of Gail Pan's (tablerunner) and one of Lisa's from FignBerry Creations. And of course you need some red thread to stitch these projects.  All you need to do is leave a comment and I will draw the winner on Thursday night.

And for 1 Xmas Item a Month with Narelle and the others at Pins and Whiskers, I am actually working on two projects with the hope I will have two new projects finished in time for Christmas.

This one is "Angel Wings" from FignBerry Creations. I didn't quite finish my third block this month, but will finish it during the week. 

 

And the other one I'm working on is -

 

"Merry Mistletoe", another of Michelle's lovely designs from Rag-Tag Stitchin'.   Have a good week. Cheryl 

A Little Win and Some Applique

I need to start a new project like I need a hole in the head, but I have had this pattern from Lisa of FignBerry called "Frosty's Tree" for a little while and I had bought one of Karen's (Mrs Martins Quilt Shop) lovely kits, so I had everything I needed to start. So Saturday night I set to while hubby's still away recuperating -

Everything ironed on ready to start appliqueing. Now I did have to find a new background as the lovely background in Karen's kit I pinched for another project that it was perfect for, but this linen I had was a good substitute.

Maybe this is the reason I love this project - those cute as can be snowmen.

 

I was very lucky recently to have a lovely win on Theodora Cleave's blog. I do love Barb's beautiful handpainted buttons.

 

The prize included one of her new patterns released recently "Zac the Donkey" (my granddaughters are eyeing this one off), and

these lovely gift cards. Barb told me these were released back in her Woodcutters Daughter years, so quite a keepsake.

Four designs in all. Wouldn't they make lovely stitcheries as well. Thankyou so much Barb - I was thrilled. 

Back soon with a little giveaway for - would you believe - my two year blog anniversary already. Cheryl

Xmas in July Retreat Stitching

Well life has been busy but have been working away on some of the lovely projects we received recently at the Xmas in July retreat with Lisa from FignBerry and Marg Low -

This is a cute little felt decoration from Marg. Love these and have several more cut out ready to stitch.

Another Marg project I've finished stitching is this cute little stocking. Love the cream on the red for a change (though not easy to trace). This one will be the little stocking, but Marg included some cute tags in the pattern also, so will stitch them next.

Lisa had given us some lovely stitched decorations also, so that's what I've been stitching over the weekend and hope to have them together soon to show you.

The other (big) project I'm working I just love. It is called "Deck the Halls" from Crabapple Hill and is colored in with crayons. Easy you would think, but wasn't happy with the shading with the crayons, however Kim from Quilting with Kim is stitching this one with me and said setting it with heat gives a much better affect. Thanks Kim - this worked a treat. Early days with this one and not a great photo in the evening light (and the patterned background I'm using). I know my friend Karen is working on this one too and the Snow Globes one which uses a similar technique -

And I couldn't resist adding this to the stash this week. I love stitching on linen, and how cute is this linen -

I'm thinking Christmas possibilities here. Have a great week. Cheryl

My House, My Home Swap

Had to show you the  gorgeous things Kerrie, my partner, made/sent me this month in Mrs Martins Quilt Shop swap. This month we made for the kitchen -

How lovely is this beautiful table centre?   Perfect on my dark stained timber table - and just my colors - such lovely fabrics.

 And I don't have a tea cosy, and I do love a pot of tea, so was thrilled Kerrie had made one for me.

And there was more (told you I was spoilt) -

This lovely "Bless this Home" stitchery which I will enjoy stitching and adding to these tea towels. What a wonderful swap parcel - LOVED my goodies, thankyou so much Kerrie. And now to put the thinking cap on for next month and start on some sewing for the bedroom. Cheryl

Swap Gifts

July has been a busy (but lovely) month for swap gifts. In the My House, My Home swap through Mrs Martins quilt Shop Kerrie, my partner, has received her gift so I can show you what I sent to her. This month we had to make for the kitchen -

I made Kerrie these placemats - 4 in all - for her kitchen table. It is a lovely pattern from Viv's Creations and I must make myself a set one day.

For the Christmas in July swap I have shown you my gorgeous gifts from Maria, but my partner  to send to was Noela from www.quiltybitsfromtheblueroom.blogspot.com. Firstly I made Noela this cute little mat - a Gail Pan design.

As well as a Jolly Santa wallhanging

Noela loves blue, so I made this "S for Snowman" table centre in blues and reds.  Was a lovely swap - thankyou Cheryll for organising it.

 

And my wonderful parcel from Kerrie, in the My House, My Home swap arrived today but it deserves a post all of its own. Cheryl

 

A Lovely Day Stitching

Shez and I headed off for another lovely day of stitching last Saturday. This time it was a "Christmas in July" workshop with Lisa from FignBerry Creations and Marg Low.

We received six lovely projects - this one from Lisa was a favourite with these cute little snowmen.

As was this lovely gift bag.

One of Marg's projects.

Shez and Tracee in front of a lovely display of Marg's quilts.

And this gorgeous one of Lisa's "Deck the Halls" I may or may not have bought the pattern for, you know how I love my redwork.

I'll be back to show you progress on the day's projects soon. Cheryl

Christmas in July

Opening day for our Christmas in July swap has finally arrived. I have been looking at some gorgeous looking parcels for several days with a bit of feeling and squishing going on.  I knew from the postmark on the parcel that it was from Western Australia, but you don't always know where your blogging friends live.  So it was with great delight that I discovered Maria was my "secret Santa" from maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com. And I was just blown away with the gorgeous things Maria had made for me -

The first parcel I opened was this lovely wallhanging - love it Maria. The cute little brooch in the top right-hand corner was attached to the envelope.

Maria obviously knows how much I love snowmen - he's the cutest on his felt stocking. And there was a parcel inside - a lovely angel ornament.

And how gorgeous is this wool reindeer ornament. He will look very handsome on my tree of handmade ornaments.

And yum - Maria added some yummy choccies and coffee sticks. Maria thankyou for being my secret Santa. Loved all my wonderful xmas gifts and will enjoy adding them to my xmas decorating. Cheryl