Farewell 2012

I am always in two minds regarding New Years Eve. Happy to look back on the successes and events of the past year, sad that another year has passed so quickly, but always optimistic that the new year ahead will bring more opportunities for my family and friends to realise their dreams, big or small.

I am ending the year by starting a new project. This is my first Floral Beauty block, and I hope that by the end of 2013 it will be finished, and my needleturn will have improved!

Thank you for sharing 2012 with me, especially for all your kind and positive comments, which have added so much to my blogging experience. I hope 2013 brings you peace, contentment and lots of stitching time!

Susan x

Floral Beauty

What was I thinking?? Late last night I decided was a good time to dig out my stash and think about what fabrics to use for Floral Beauty. As much as I love red and cream, I want to include other colours in this quilt. I feel really uncertain about all the fabric choices for this quilt, so I'm just preparing a couple of blocks at a time to see how they go.

I have just started stitching the first block, and all these needle turn points will either kill me, or make me a pro. This is not going to be a fast project!

For relaxation (?????) I have started sewing the little hexies together for my bag. They just don't want to lie flat yet.

We had a very exciting trip to Bathurst on Thursday. We have been looking for new dining furniture and a coffee table for some time and found it on sale this week when we weren't really even looking. What's more, they delivered it on Friday. So the past two days have seen a BIG clean out in the kitchen/dining area.......where does all the junk come from?
It has definitely created a need for some table runners.........and perhaps some art work on the bare wall where the old hutch was.

Time to sit quietly and sew for a while I think!

Susan x

SSCS sent

I really love being part of Chookyblue's SSCS, but I do find it a little nerve racking deciding what to make. So not only was I happy that my parcel arrived safely in the Netherlands, but very relieved that Anita was happy with what I had chosen. I enjoyed making it too.

It's an incredible feeling to share Christmas and gift making with someone on the other side of the world. Thank you Chookyblue for organising the swap, and if we all say pretty please, will you do it again?

Susan x

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. We have had a wonderful day........lots of presents, far too much food, and a glorious inch of rain (hopefully more to come).

It was especially exciting to open my SSCS from Anne-Heidi. Look at the gorgeous bag she has made for me.

I love the way it stands by itself. Gorgeous fabrics, and so many inside pockets. Even hubby commented on how good he thought it was! Thank you so much for being my partner Anne-Heidi.

Lovely fabric on the inside too.

So depending on where you are in the world, I hope you have either had a peaceful and happy Christmas day, or are about to enjoy one. Merry Christmas.

Susan x

Just in time for Christmas

I wasn't sure if I would finish Rosalie Quinlan's Christmas wreath for this Christmas or next. A Friday night watching movies was the perfect opportunity to finish the stitching, and out came the staple gun today.

It was a beautiful pattern to work on, and I love the look of DMC 221 on off white linen.

Only three sleeps until Christmas.......everyone is starting to get a bit excited here.

I hope you all have a happy, peaceful and safe Christmas.

Susan x

Blue Home

I love red, but my friend Ann-Marie loves blue. So a while back I made her a Blue Home pincushion for Christmas. I love this project from Natalie Bird's book..........small pieces of all the things I love.

First day of holidays today. Just need to turn the temperature down and it will be perfect!

Susan x

What I wore Wednesday

Inspired by Wendy I feel brave enough to show myself wearing my new dress. Last day of work today and out for lunch.

Have a great day.

Susan x

Christmas Goodies

Some of the best gifts come from sewing buddies. Ann-Marie of Lavender Blue Stitches gave me a bundle of my favourite French General fabrics, and this gorgeous reindeer ornament. I have three little reindeers now..........I think I am a reindeer collector!

I also got some happy mail from Quiltsmith.......the pattern for my next quilt. Floral Beauty by Irene Blanck. Not a great photo, try this link

Off to finish hemming my dress.......I may reveal it tomorrow.

Susan x

A change of pace

I used to make lots of clothes for myself and the boys but haven't for years..........too busy stitching and patch working.

But I'm tired of clothes that don't fit, that are too long or too short ............So today I have dragged out a pattern and some fabric for a summer dress, which I bought quite a while ago. It helps that Nanna is visiting, and she has helped me make it fit.

It's coming back to me, but the zip is not as easy as zipper bags! I'm on a mission to finish today before Nanna leaves tomorrow.

My husbands workplace had a family day yesterday. Check out the wheels!

School is almost finished, and only nine sleeps til Christmas. Have a great week everyone.

Susan x

Favourite decorations

These small cushions are some of my favourite Christmas decorations, painstakingly hand stitched by my boys when they were younger (and I could still convince them that sewing was fun). They were about 6 or 7 when they did them.

Hope you have a lovely day.

Susan x

Merry Reindeer

Finished my little Gail Pan runner. It's a little smaller than most runners, but I have the perfect bare spot for it. I ended up quilting some simple stars in variegated red DMC. It is such a good match that you can hardly see them......not sure if that is good or bad.

I went to Penrith yesterday with Mr 13, for a five minute dental appointment (it's a 7 hour return drive). My reward was a quick visit to Post Office Patchwork, where i bought some fabric for my nine patch swap. They were enjoying a champagne lunch to celebrate their last class for the year, I so wanted to just stay there with them surrounded by all that beautiful fabric.

Today is my last day at home by myself with no kids before the holidays........and I haven't sewn a stitch! Better go and do something about that.

Susan x

Celebrating

We are celebrating tonight because Mr 11 has been elected vice captain for 2013, and he came first in his class at Presentation Day today. Very proud and happy parents.

Must go, fizzy drink and lollies await.

Susan x

FNWF

I started out last night feeling a bit flat, but I soon got going. Everyone's plans for FNWF were so inspiring. So what did I do? Well I know I said no more zipper bags, but this one was a special commission for Pop, who needs a new toiletry bag. I had actually sewn most of it during the week and just finished off last night. It has waterproof lining, which is actually a cheap blue raincoat cut up. I hope I never have to sew with PVC again. It's the same tutorial but the large size.

Earlier in the year I won a giveaway on Gail Pan's blog. I had done the two stitcheries for this small table runner, but that's as far as I got. The red background was a gift from Elyte when we met in Melbourne. It's ready for a little bit of quilting and some striped binding.

And some more stitches on my Christmas wreath whilst watching the Santa Clause with Mr 11. It's one of my favourite Christmas movies.

I'm going out for dinner tonight to celebrate a friends half century. Hope you have a happy weekend too.

Susan x

FNWF

I'm not sure if i'll get much done, but i'm here in spirit!

 

 

Working on my Christmas wreath stitchery..........hope you have a productive night.

 

Susan x

Christmas Wreath

I do love a good Christmas stitchery, and working on Rosalie Quinlan's Christmas Treasures wreath certainly makes me feel festive. It's a gorgeous pattern.

My SSCS partner has received her package. This is the decoration I sent.

A quiet day at home with Mr 11 today. And maybe a little stitching........

Susan x

Happy December

My "car" stitching has been this cute stitchery by Marg Low called Stitched Blessings, done in my new favourite thread Running Postman. I reduced the pattern so the finished stocking is 11".

If you are decorating for Christmas today have fun.

Susan x