Farewell 2014

It's hard to believe another year is coming to an end already. Like everyone, I have had my share of highs and lows in 2014. Although life seems mostly rosy on my blog, this year has certainly been something of a personal roller coaster.

Fortunately life goes on, and I am more than ready to welcome 2015. Lots of challenges ahead I'm sure, but lots of stitching, friendships and good times as well.

Thank you for your friendship and encouragement throughout the year. It's been wonderful to share another year of creativity with you all.

Wishing you a peaceful, fulfilling and creative 2015.

Susan x

Sent for SSCS

After much deliberation, I decided to make a clamshell zipper pouch for Karol-Ann. I'm getting better at keeping my clamshells straight!

A fussy cut K hiding amongst the clamshells.

So much pleasure in making and sending this gift.

Susan x

SSCS

It just wouldn't be Christmas without the SSCS. My gift this year was from Berit in Norway. A beautiful Christmas table runner. Lovely stitching and attention to detail, the reindeer are very sweet. It's a little bit wrinkly in the photos.........but who irons on Christmas Day?!

Heading home today so I am looking forward to finding a home for my new runner. Christmas may have to last a little bit longer this year. Thank you Berit and dear Chooky for organising SSCS again.

We have stopped overnight at Mittagong. Very sad to see this store closed for Christmas :(

I hope Santa found you.
Susan x

Christmas sewing

Between kayaking, fishing, walking, reading, swimming (too cold for me though) and eating, I've had a little bit of sewing time. Last week was so busy I didn't have a lot of time to plan my holiday sewing.
I started with this runner unfinished from last year. Not terribly happy with the circles, tiny ones are hard to keep neat. Hopefully it won't take another year to finish off the ends and backing.

My red cross stitch sampler came with me, but due to a miscalculation I have undone every stitch I have sewn since I got here! So no progress to show there.
This is the decoration I sent to Karol-Ann for Chooky's SSCS. I'm getting very excited about opening my gift from Berit tomorrow.

Yesterday I took my MIL for a manicure as her Christmas present. It was only her first time and my second. It was a lot of fun, but I chipped the nail polish within ten minutes. I'm far too practical for painted finger nails I think.

Being away from home is making our Christmas preparations very relaxed and low key. I hope your plans are coming together, that you can find time for a sneaky sew, and that Santa leaves you something special under the tree.

Happy Christmas
Susan x

Thank you

Thank you for all your lovely, caring comments on my last post. I was in two minds about it, but it's something I needed to share with my friends. I really felt your love and support so thank you. We had a wonderful celebration of Dad's life, and will now focus on all the happy memories.

It was a welcome break to have lunch with the Cassilis Quilters last week. I had made some little gifts for Christmas a while ago. Yes, more zipper pouches.

Lea made each of us a gorgeous tape measure cover in felt, with individual colours and designs. Of course mine is the red one. They are so incredibly cute.

School and work have finished for another year. We are on the South Coast for Christmas, a welcome opportunity to relax and recharge.

Susan x

Goodbye My Dad

My Dad passed away this week. Eighty three years old, fifty six years married, four children and twelve grandchildren. He was a kind and loving father, renowned for his sweet tooth (which he passed on to me). It's a sad time for us, but a relief for him after thirty years of Parkinson's disease.

I took this photo late last year........I don't usually do selfies, but love this last one of us together.

Love you Dad.
X

A finish

I finished quilting my nieces quilt at Middlebrook, but now it's properly finished with binding and label, ready to send for her 18th. It's not quilt weather at all, but it might keep her warm at Uni in Canberra next year.

I've been working on my cross stitch and a few zipper pouches for Christmas. Not nearly as much sewing time lately as I would like.

Happy weekend,
Susan x