... and that was the weekend......

A hot weekend meant I spent most of my time indoors with the aircon and fans on..... My own internal heating system is nuts.... let alone with the outside elements at it too!!

Last year I made some Breast Cancer Bags and I had a bunch more cut out - Christmas rather got away with me so I worked at these.....

... whimsical applique ......

.... ready to go off to the clinic now.....

I have used curtaining for these.... this is quite effective as it is stronger to carry the drain bottles (which can get quite heavy) and with a block backing it makes them waterproof too....

This is an initiative of Jodi and Annette and they have the pattern free on their website HERE. 

They have kindly linked me to someone local so now I can just drop them off at the clinic and support local patients......

They are always looking for people to make bags.... in Australia they have linked with a number of hospitals - anywhere else you can still use the pattern and drop them off at your local hospital.

I am obsessing over finishing some stitcheries (you see there are others I want to do) - I had some of the Raggedy & Friends already pieced but needed to get on with the stitching......

Widget has helped to point out the dog....

I also had "A Sentimental Journey" drawn and half stitched!

we have had a couple of cricket games on TV this week so I had lots of time to stitch!!

It's great to finish some of those UFO blocks and they can go on the count at Joys Finishing Stitches

I have decided on a project to use some of the A Sentimental Journey

you can go HERE and see...... 

Lucky, lucky....

Lucky, lucky that Nasty Yasi did not take the large numbers of lives expected (there is news there are some people missing).  

It is hard to think that the beautiful rainforest and quaint towns that I visited in August last year blogged HERE have been ripped apart. 

....  more rebuilding of lives ....

A sign made during evacuations

.... I love the resilience and defiance people show in times of crisis ....

I know people all over the world have been thinking and praying... it is wonderful knowing there is world wide support and encouragement.

It isn't over yet... massive rainfalls, power cuts, floods, lack of water....there is still danger out there so please don't stop the thinking and praying

Lucky, lucky me ... a couple of the ladies at our local craft group are going to make this georgeous stocking...

But Rose who is going to be 'teaching' the others doesn't want one.... but she knows I love it so she is going to make it for me...... how great is that? 

The book of patterns is by Ellen Maurer-Stroh... and this is her website - she has lots of lovely designs - including freebies......

Last year I showed a cross-stitch I had done of Rainbow Lorikeets..... lots of encouragement to frame it.....

....... I'm so glad I did .....

(Sorry about the glass-glare)

Lucky, lucky find in an Op-shop. 

This is a very dainty gauze table cover with cross-stitched roses.... it is about 1.5 m square...

detail of the centre roses....

... I would love to know the story behind it.... who made it... who was it for.... why was it donated out?

My hand-work this week has been finishing off more of Shell's pretty quotes......

.... and something new I am playing with.....

My wishes to you - where-ever you are - to have a happy and safe weekend

Phew.... just in time.....

Already the end of January..... that's 1/12th of the way to next Christmas.... that's scary!!!

Some time ago Marina was offerring this pumpkin fabric free to a good home ...........  well, I was the only person who wanted it so it has been living with me.......

I have had some hessian (burlap) and this last week I have made these:

not just one bag...........

not two...............

but three grocery shopping bags..............

I am very happy with the result

One for me,

and two towards Christmas gifts

Narelle has challenged us to make one Item for Christmas each month and Allie has a linkie where you can strut your Christmas makes..

These are blocks from Shell's BOM last year....... I made one last year - and gave it away.... I had all the blocks drawn out and I have promised myself to get some UFO's done before starting too much new......

I love the quotes.......

and a Raggedy & Friends blocks which are by Kaaren as a BOM

(I am wa-a-a-ay behind - I'm supposed to be up to 9!!)

Joy hosts Finishing Stitches - 5 UFO blocks completed

That deserves a little celebration?

Safe weekends to you all.... read you in February!!!!