A little break

My poor fingers are sore from quilting so I took a little break yesterday to work on making the stitchery kit for my niece. Since Mr 13 was home with a cold, we snuggled on the couch and generally took it easy. I'm trying to make it look like a bought kit, so I made up the stitchery to photograph for the front. The finished cushion will have a red border and floral back - Nanna might have to help her with the finishing off. It will match the sewing case I made for her.

A few chores to do, and some help with a project on Government to give, and there may even be some sneaky sewing time later. Have a great weekend.

Susan x

Gemma's sewing case continued

I was so very good at Hatched & Patched yesterday. I bought some fat quarters for a swap, and two pieces of red felt. Even with Anni waving a Simple Life fabric pack at me, I remained strong. I would never be so silly to suggest that I won't buy anything new this month, but I am going to try to focus on finishing rather than shopping.

I showed you the sewing case I made for my niece Gemma. Well, I thought she needed a pincushion and needle case too.

The pincushion is from Anni's Some Kind of Wonderful, and I made the needle case using some very thick interfacing I got at Nundle.

I love that the pincushion can be used either end. I have really enjoyed using fabrics which are so different to what I usually choose. Now I just have to enlarge a simple stitchery and make up a little kit for her first project.

Happy school holidays, and have a good week.

Susan x

Getting lots done

Well I can thoroughly recommend a night at home alone - it certainly gets a lot done. I finished the top of my Chelsea Charm quilt - it just needs quilting now.

I used my "bright" fabrics, and finished the sewing case for my neice's birthday (from SKOW). I think it needs a pincushion, needlecase and a simple starter stitchery to finish it off. She will be 8 in August, so I'm well ahead of schedule with this one.

I watched "The Help" on DVD, which was really good. And "New Years Eve", which wasn't. I finished Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini. It was okay, but not her best. Hope the next book is back at Elm Creek.

I even planted five new trees along the drive (had some help digging the holes yesterday before everyone left). Lots of autumn colour to come, and five yet to plant.

Today I finished off the stitchery part of the SKOW bag, and am off to work on the bag construction now.

Back to work and reality tomorrow. Boo hoo.

Susan x

FNSI

Signing up for FNSI today. I am hoping to finish the hand quilting on In My Garden.

The lovely ladies at The Home Patch helped me with my binding yesterday. The colour is quite similar but has some tan in it which goes better with the back as well. It's actually the same binding Anni used on the original, so who am I to argue with that? Every time I go to that shop, I wish I could just move in and live there, and sew and do nothing else at all - very inspirational.

I also needed A LOT of help with some bright fabrics for my nieces sewing case. I am so out of my depth with brights (and with what 8 year old girls like) but Michelle was very gentle with me. What do you think? Pattern for the sides, blue for the gusset and handle, red inside. Michelle informed me that these aren't actually bright by many people's standards, but gee they are to me.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Susan x

Budding Artist

How clever is my boy??? While we were out for dinner last night Mr Almost 15 whipped up this little creation titled "shrooms". A quick visit to Big W today and it's now framed ready to hang.

Apologies for my photography - it really doesn't show the detail and depth of each little mushroom.

I went to The Home Patch on Thursday. Anni has restocked after Christmas and there was lots to see and inspire. I bought some woven wool for another pear and this pretty fat quarter. I'm making my niece a sewing kit, and thought I'd use the sewing case out of SKOW. But instead of little squares, use this as the feature fabric. I haven't quite made up my mind yet.

I have had been doing quite a good job resisting Lynette Anderson's In Full Bloom BOM. But when I saw the sample Anni has done all resolve went out the window (with my Nundle budget). The stitcheries are divine, so I'm looking forward to starting next month.

I will have to spend some time with the whippersnipper and mower today, but hopefully with needle and thread too. Hope you have a great day.

Susan x