I hope 2014 brings you creativity and adventures, and the time to enjoy them.

I absolutely love Chookyblue's SSCS. Its so exciting to think of all those handmade gifts being sent around the world My partner was Laila from Norway. I really wanted to make a gift that Laila could use all year. I had a lot of trouble deciding until I noticed that she had bought some fabric from the Everlastings range, and I just happened to have a charm pack. So I made Anni's sewing bag......and sent some other little goodies to open in the lead up to Christmas.
It's such a cute little bag and so easy to adapt for different fabrics and people. Thank you Chooky and Googy for making it all happen again, and for spreading Christmas cheer all round the world.
I treated myself to a Bordeaux Berries runner kit for Christmas, so I have been indulging in some needleturn appliqué since Christmas.
Are you stitching your way through the holidays?
Susan x
After a very early start we have had a wonderful Christmas Day, made even more special by the cool weather and rain.
I just love my SSCS gift from Anne Lise, a set of beautiful Christmas placemats. Thank you so much, they looked fantastic on my red tablecloth.
Anne Lise also sent a kit for this reindeer cross stitch. A sweet little project for the lazy few days before New Years.
Thank you Chookyblue and Googy Girl for making the SSCS happen again this year.
Hope you've had a great Christmas Day......time to relax!
Susan x
I've been thinking about my Christmas shopping list today. It's going ok so far but I needed something extra for my 14 year old niece, maybe a cute little bag or purse. Had a quick look around the shops, but couldn't find anything I liked at a price I liked. Home to Google free patterns......dig through the stash......and tada!
The print is actually a nice bright purple. There's two pockets inside, and I added the wrist strap and magnetic closure (very shocked to find these in Mudgee).
The really amazing part is that I started cutting this out at 4.30pm, helped with a school assignment, cooked tea, and finished the purse by 7.30pm! It measures about 7.5" x 5", and the pattern was a free tutorial at Positively Splendid.
There is something wonderful about random surges of unplanned creativity. Maybe now I can move on from zipper pouches!
Susan x