SSCS and Sydney

Look at what was waiting for me when I got home from Sydney yesterday. My SSCS from Berit in Norway. So exciting to unwrap this gorgeous decoration that will most definitely be hanging on my Christmas tree later today. Thank you so much Berit, and Chooky for organising.

We were in Sydney to attend a presentation at the University of NSW for Mr 17 and Mr 15 who both achieved high distinctions in the University's school level English exams. It was a very proud parent moment, and a little scary to think my eldest son might be heading to University in twelve months.

I didn't go to any patchwork shops this trip but I did realise one of my life's ambitions............I finally went to IKEA. What an experience. Definitely will go there again. We had so much fun, and did some shopping too of course.

Christmas decorating today, and hopefully some stitching time too.

Let the silly season begin!
Susan x

A Christmas finish

Ta dah! I finished my Christmas bauble. A wee bit of cursing at the end as one of the segment points frayed so now sporting a little button at the bottom. I added 2014 on the star panel as some of the stars were just too small. I love how it turned out. Will probably make another one but not this year.

Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike stuffing things? It was my least favourite part of this project too.

Happy Christmas stitching.
Susan x

So so hot

It has been a terribly hot weekend, we reached 41 degrees today. Not as hot as some places, but way too hot for me.

After what was a pretty ordinary week at work, some stitching therapy was in order. So today I started my Joyful Bauble. It's a very sweet pattern but there are some VERY tiny pieces involved. Three sections finished so far.

Mr 13 completed his raw edge applique project at school. All those years of watching his Mum sew must have helped!

Fingers crossed for a cooler week, and a bit of rain would be good too.
Susan x

SSCS

My swap gift for Chookyblue's SSCS will be on the sleigh tomorrow to...........

Have a great week.
Susan x

Oh dear

So much achieved on retreat last weekend, and so little done this week. Hoping to put the final stitches in my SSCS and get the binding on my nieces quilt this weekend (just have to get a pesky assignment finished out of the way first).

A little retail therapy at Hatched & Patched to cheer me up. No idea when I will sew this......hopefully before Christmas!

And a progress pic of my cross stitch which I am loving.

We are having really hot, dry weather at the moment. It's almost too hot to sew! We're having an air conditioner installed in our bedroom today so I may retreat to sew in bed later today.

Hope you have a happy weekend with lots of time for stitching.
Susan x

Middlebrook Retreat

Having a wonderful time on retreat at Middlebrook near Scone. A lovely rural outlook, lots of cows, calves, sheep and lambs in the paddocks.

Way too much yummy food and drink. Here we have Cardy, Raelee, Janette, Kristen, Julie and Lea enjoying lunch. Unfortunately Kylie couldn't make it.

After a huge day quilting, I finally finished quilting my nieces quilt just in time for a photo before sunset. Doesn't really show the true colours but you get the idea.

Lea and Julie are busy making Fancy Fox quilts. I made six blue ones last night, but not sure if I want to keep going just using blue scraps from my stash. Not great lighting again.

Another night and half day of stitching fun ahead!

Susan x

Two more sleeps

Only two more sleeps until I head off on retreat. I'm joining up with the Cassilis quilters and some Newcastle girls to stitch the weekend away at Scone, in the Hunter Valley. It's only a small group, but with lots of talent and personalities, it promises to be a fun weekend. I've only been on retreats with a tutor or classes, so I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone's working on and having a more casual format.

I know I'm taking way too much sewing, I might have to stay a week. Even my sewing machine is coming along........just in case I need to sew a fancy fox.

Susan x

Secrets on the stitching front

Thank you all for the feedback about my corners. I have decided on a similar petal shape. You can see it here with some linen I bought for my fancy fox quilt. For anyone wanting some nice linen for zipper pouches or fancy fox quilts I can recommend what I bought from Kelani Fabrics. It's 140cm wide and a lovely warm, natural colour. The service was excellent and fast too, Elissa was very helpful with my enquiry.

There has been some secret sewing happening as well. I'm very happy that I have finally made some good progress with my SSCS. Inspiration finally struck for the decoration this week, but obviously I can't show you that either!

The weather is very strange at the moment. Thirty five degrees yesterday and only 20 today. I think I should take the opportunity to do some hand quilting on my nieces quilt!

Happy stitching,
Susan x