Life is Hectic!

I can't believe it has been 18mths since I last posted, there are lots of reasons but in a nut shell 'life is hectic' for me at the moment but I am really wanting to fit blogging back into my week.

 

Although I have not blogged about it, I have managed some time for stitching and I do feel that I am a much calmer person once I have spent some time with needle and thread in my hand.

I finally finished my Tis the Season (by Natalie Bird) wall hanging just in time for Christmas 2015.

 

 

Plus I have also finished this Mend it Kit by Anni Downs

 

 

Until next time (hopefully not to long)

Happy Stitching

Ann

 

Sydney Quilt & Craft Show 2014

On Friday afternoon I headed to Sydney to met up with my bestie Sam @ a cupful of stitches. We spent Friday night catching up & stitching in the warmth of our motel.
 

After a late night, we were up bright & early to head into the Quilt & Craft show at Glebe Island. We arrived around 8.30am, it was a gorgeous morning & the new venue didn't disappoint. Looking across at the harbour bridge as we climbed the steps was just beautiful.
 

We wandered around taking it all in and not a single purchase was made - Wow, that is soooooo not like me!
 

We headed into the quilt show where we thought about what I was going back to buy. 

It was lovely wandering around and I could feel myself becoming excited about getting back to a few projects that I have been neglecting (it has been very quiet on the stitching front here, due to lots of other stuff going on)
 

There were some really beautiful quilts on display - not all to my own taste in colours or designs but I could see all the love that had gone into each an everyone. I'm sure that they will look amazing in the homes of the owners. 

Now that we had be inspired it was time to go and support the designers & store holders lol 

These are my purchases - shhhh don't tell my hubby. 

On Sunday we decided to head back into Darling Harbour to wander around and take in the sights before heading our separate ways.
It was a great weekend full of stitching, laughs & late nights full of catching up.
I can't wait to do it all again soon.

Until next time
Happy Stitching xox 

Japan

On Wednesday afternoon it was a mix of emotions as I waved good bye to Chicka as she embarked on the trip of a life time. She is spending the next 2 weeks on a school excursion in JAPAN!

25 students and 4 teachers - I am in awe that they would even attempt it.

 Definitely a big difference to few days I spent in Canberra when I was at school.

I love modern technology as we have been able to stay in contact with her and it almost feels like we are there. The first message I received was .......... 'Mum I brought the cutest pair of shorts!'............... that's my girl!

A great photo of them in their team shirts in front of a temple in Tokyo.

 

Yesterday they spent the day at Tokyo Disneyland ....... for a little girl who grew up loving Disney Princesses, I have no doubt this will be one of the highlights of the trip.  

Never let a chance go by - always the dancer!

 

What's a mummy to do while she waits to hear all the news?

Stitch of course!

 

I had been working on the Rosalie Quinlan Christmas Wreath for a few weeks and it's now finished. Just need to pop to the shops and get a canvas to attach it to.

Such a cute design!

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox



Shopping in Nundle

We visited Kerry's shop on Friday afternoon, its such a cute shop with so many beautiful things. I'm sure we all walked out with a small amount of shopping.

I noticed a beautiful quilt hanging on the wall and whilst speaking with Kerry and her showing how another quilter was making it to me in another colour way -I was sold. It was an original design of Kerry's and she had run out of patterns.

Hmmmm to purchase or not to purchase - that was the question........ No question really, of course I purchased the pattern and it will be on its way shortly. Can't wait for it to come.

Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the quilt. 

 Kerry also showed us a few other quilts that were sitting on the shelf. There were some really beautiful colours and designs.

One in particular looked amazing, then Kerry mentioned her own flimsy hanging near the French general range.

Well need I say any more - I just had to have it!

 

 I also purchased a few of Lynette's fabric's

On Saturday Lynette had quite a few of her quilts hanging around the hall.

I fell in love with Lynette's quilt 'Woodland Secrets' however I do think I might try it using  another of Lynette's ranges.

 

On Sunday morning as we were packing up the gorgeous Chez gave me this amazing pincushion.

Thank you so much Chez, I love it <3 

  That's all for Nundle 2014, I'm already looking forward & counting down to 2015

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox 

A little more Nundle

A huge part of the fun of GDITC is catching up with friends and making new ones.

There were two swaps that were being held over the weekend and I managed to organise something for both of them.

 

Firstly Chooky's swap on Friday night - Make it, Bake it or Fake it

I faked it and the lovely Kez got my gift.

It was the first time I had met Kez and we hit it off immediately.

 

I received this fantastic light with it's own pretty carry bag from the lovely Janice.

 

Looking around at all the lovely gifts, I was feeling so grateful to be in the company of such generous ladies.  All the gifts were beautiful and everyone had put so much thought into them.

 

Kerry also organised a swap with Lynette sharing a cute little needle case.

I was planning on making the needle case but just couldn't manage to get my act together and the instructions did say that we could turn it into anything we liked.  

So instead of missing out on the swap I turned my stitchery into this......  

I'm not sure who received my gift on the day, I hope they liked it.

 

I received this cute pincushion

  I couldn't believe it when I read the card inside and it was made by the lovely Janice. 

I received both of her swap gifts - Thank you Janice, I love them both.

 

Looking around the hall that day, there were so many beautiful in interpretations of Lynette's design. It is just so inspiring to be around such creative ladies.

 

I also purchased a few items from 'Pickles on Peisley' made by the lovely Kate.

We have tried them all and they are sooo yummy, thanks Kate.

 

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox 

GDITC 2014

I spent last weekend with my bestie in Nundle. We headed from different parts of NSW & arrived in Nundle at approximately the same time. I was excited to be catching up with Sam again but also looking forward to meeting up with fellow bloggers and friends.

 

 

 I think this sign is the most photographed thing in Nundle lol

First stop was the pub for lunch to catch up with our friends from blog land. Here we met our cabin buddies & the laughs began.

 

 

Shez & Cheryll (better know as Dory). We had lots of laughs at dinner on the Friday night - 

Hey Dory, can you tell us the one about when you met your hubby???

Love it - haven't laughed that much for a long time.   

 

Saturday arrived and the anticipation rose as we waited patiently out the front of the hall.

We found our table and these lovely blue boxes were waiting for us.

We were busting to see what was inside.

 

 

A beautiful little sewing bag using Lynette's new fabric range - sooooo cute!!

 and a new green coffee cup

 

 

I did manage to do a bit of stitching as well as socialising -

but I'm sure that is the main aim of the day, isn't it.

Stitching anything is a bonus   :)

 

Thankyou to the lovely Kerry for pre-ironing all our stitcheries, so all we had to do was start stitching!!

 

 

Sam & I were lucky to have a quick chat to Lynette at the end of the day

She is a lovely talented lady, who was happy to have a chat.  

 

 

Another fantastic GDITC

 

Thankyou Kerry, Lynette and Bloggers!

You are all amazing x

 

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox  

 

Friends, Teapots & Boarders

Last weekend saw a quick trip to Sydney to see a much loved friend of my daughters.

We had a lovely morning wandering around Broadway shops. The girls shopped til they dropped.

Manicures & Pedicures were high on the list along with trying to find dresses to wear to the upcoming Debutant Ball.

Lots of laughter throughout the day, it was so nice to see this beautiful girl smiling - she has had a very rough 6 months.

I managed to snap a few photo's of one of my favourite shops - T2

I do have a bit of a weakness for teapots lol

 

 

I was very well behaved and didn't buy anything. These were just two of the displays that caught my eye. I think I love the bottom one because it reminded me of my Nan!

I have managed to do a spot of sewing this week and am heading back to the sewing machine shortly

 

This is the cot quilt I am making for my nephew. 1 row down 2 to go!

 

 

Until next time

Happy Stitching xox

 



 

Time flies..............

I can not believe it has been 4 months since my last post.

Its amazing how quickly the weeks are flying by.

It has been very hectic in my little world but I have managed to find the odd moment to play.  

 

My Nephew was born in Jan 2013 and I was on the hunt for a quilt. It took me quite a while to make my decision, Anni Down's cot quilt from 'A Boys Story' was the winner. The decision was made however with work, study and family commitments it has taken me a lot longer than I had hoped. I have changed the layout and have decided to put his name and DOB in the middle block. I have one block to go and hope to get it off to the quilters soon - fingers crossed.  

 

 

 

 

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox

 

 

 

SAL Needle Case - Tick

 Life has been pretty hectic but I did manage to get my needle case finished a few weeks ago, but forgot to blog about it........ story of my life at the moment.

 

 

 

 I have really enjoyed being part of the SAL journey, I only had to use one pass (July hexie bag). I haven't been as active in my participation as I would have liked - study has been getting in the way. However if Chooky was to do it again next year - then please count me in!

No study for me next year - yippee!

 

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox

SKoW Quilt - Finished

I finished my SKoW quilt at the end of last year 2012. However I wanted the very talented Belinda Betts of Eucalypt Ridge Quilting to do the quilting for me. I had to wait for several moths for her to fit me into her busy schedule.

Believe me when I say the wait was well and truly worth it.

 I loved this quilt before ..............and WOW it now looks amazing!!

 



Sorry about the picture quality - it's a pretty miserable day here

 

Thankyou Belinda Betts -you are amazing!

 

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox

 

SAL - Sewing Case

 

Last weekend I spent some quality time with my sewing machine and I managed to complete my August project for the SAL.

I unfortunately wasn't able to get any template plastic here in the town where I live and by Saturday night I was sooo closed to being finished.

I often travel with my job, so whilst I was in the small town of Wellington in NSW I popped into the little fabric shop and luckily they had just what I needed.

 

 

I really enjoyed making this months project, however I did struggle putting the template plastic in.

 I just couldn't seem to get my fabric to stick to the template plastic no matter how hard I tried.

 

 

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox

SAL - June pincushion

I completed my June pincushion on the weekend but couldn't share a picture until it had arrived at my dear friend Sam's house.

 

June's project was the Natalie Bird's pincushion from the Red Book however a special friend gave me a blue one for Christmas last year, so I didn't need another one.

Instead of using my pass I decided that I would make the design that was in the Easter addition of the Homespun Magazine here in Australia. It is still very similar to the design in the Red book but with cute little bunnies and a felt bottom.

 

 

I loved making this project, however I think I need some practice stuffing!

    

Until Next Time -

Happy Stitching xox 

Where have I been??

I feel that I should explain my absence from Blogging Land and the reason for falling a little behind in my SAL projects.

 

Over the past 18 months I have had to return to studying to keep a job that I have been doing for the past 15 years (in one form or another). As much as I have been proud of my results and was quietly shocked at what I do know, it has really taken up a lot of my time!  

 

I still have 6 months to go however I have just finished a 100 hours of work placement (in a preschool setting), s that just leaves 6 assessments to go - not that I am counting!

Fingers crossed it will all go smoothly and I get that little piece of paper the government require!

 

I have a 3 week break now with no assignments due, so I am hoping to catch up on some other UFO's

 

Speaking of UFO's - I received my SKoW back from the very talented Belinda Betts almost 3 months ago but just haven't had the time to put on the binding. I am hoping that is all about to change! 

 

Here is a little peak at the exquisite quilting. I just love it and can't wait to be able to use it!

 

 

Take Care & Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox

     

SAL - May & June Complete !!

May and June are finally complete but I can't show you June's pincushion until it arrives at it's destination.

 

May's project: I had to wait until last weekend to get the fabric for the lining because nothing really appealed to me at my local patchwork shop.

I wasn't going to put the opening in the back but I am so glad I did.

I am really happy with how it I has turned out.

 

 

I have decided to give my June pincushion to a dear friend who has lost her mojo.  

I will post a picture later this week.

 

All the projects are looking fantastic - it's so inspiring to see everyone's individual twist on these patterns.

 

Until Next Time - 

Happy Stitching

Ann xox

SAL April Project

Like everyone, I have been a little time poor of late.

I managed to get the stitcheries completed early in April but time has just flown past.

Friday night I decided to put everything else aside and concentrate on finishing this project.

I decided to make mine smaller because of where I am planning on hanging it.

Now just a trip to Hatched & Patched is needed to get a hanger.

I am loving how everyone's projects are the same but different.

I'm off to cut my linen for May's Stitch-a-long project.

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox

SAL....Pincushion Complete!

I finished my pincushion for the March SAL project with a day to spare but couldn't get a good photo of it last night, so had to wait until I got home today.

 

I love seeing all the different colours - each one is very unique & beautiful.   

 

 

Congratulations to everyone who has finished & to those who haven't ........

come on girls you can do it!!

 

Until Next Time - Happy Stitching 

Ann  

Feeling Very Spoilt

Earlier this week I became another year older........ I'm not one to make a fuss but I just wanted to share with you, some of the lovely gifts I received.

 

I am part of a little family of sewer 's who send each other a Birthday gift of 2 fat quarters.

 I love them all, thankyou  "my little Ort's family" xx

 

 

The other items I received from my gorgeous family and friends  xoxo

 

I entered a completion a few weeks ago on Gail Pans blog and was one of the lucky winners!

This pattern arrived in the post and I just love the cute little reindeers!

 

 

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching xox

 

SAL - January.......... Complete!

Oppps ....... I posted this last weekend on the SAL blog but somehow missed putting it here on my own..... hmmm its been one of those weeks lol

 

Thank you to Chooky for allowing me to re-join the SAL blog even though my SKoW is still only at the top stage. It's booked into the quilters in March and with the way this year is already flying, it will be here before I know it.

 I managed to complete both of January's projects before the deadline.

My daughter saw the picture in Anni's book and suggested that I make a small change to the bag to make it more applicable to her needs. She goggled images for "Ballet Slippers" and decided on this lovely picture.

I used my little thread catcher today and it works a treat! I can why everyone has made more than one, it was sooo easy.

February's Project- Red Home Tote Bag

I am a huge Tennis fan, so while watching the men's final of the Australian Open, I started on February's project and instead of my bag being red it will be blue.   

Until Next Time,

Happy Stitching xox

FNWF

Last night I signed up for the first time for the online stitching group 'Friday Night with Friends'.

 

 

 

I continued on with stitching the panel for my Red Tote Bag which is February's project for the SAL.

 

 

 Its a lot cooler here today, so I plan on doing a little baking and hopefully finish off my stitchery.

Such a nice way to finish off a really busy week at work.

 

Until Next Time 

 Happy Stitching xox