Stitch, stitch...............

This weekend I worked on my Stitching Around the Block , a lovely stitchery designed by Helen 

I'll be sending these off to Marina for the next round

I also finished a few more of my Ella and Skysie animal blocks - very simple stitcheries which are fun to do.....

These can be counted with Joy's Finishing Stitches.....

most of these had been started before and sat at the back of the cupboard - this has been great motivation to finish them off.

Liz reminded me about Christmas stockings and the need to keep up with grandchildren numbers....

I did these last year for the boys.....

now we have a little girl who was born in February that needs one this year.....

and next bubs will need one next year.......

I wonder how many grandparents have managed to keep up these great ideas (when there is only a few to do - only to discover there are more ahead!!)

There's also all those advent calenders I got to do...........
 and only 2 months left!!

In my garden this new Iris bloomed this weekend.......... what a lovely rich colour...

I hope you all have a lovely rich week too............

Fun at the Fair

Aaaah - don't you love it when Mr Postman brings a surprise ..........

Joy went on holiday recently and sent me a something from over the seas and far away ...............

quite unexpected.........

I've never had a ride in a London cab ...... and it had a very pretty pack on needles....

thank you so much Joy.........

Karen from Selvage Blog sent me these lovely fabrics.....

..... so delicious and they came with tea.... more delicious.......Thank you so much Karen. 

I've been stroking, and planning, and drinking tea and looking at this.....

.... my present to me from the Craft Fair ....

along with these useful bits and pieces..........

oh... and something to stroke..............

A piece of

'I have to have that even if I don't know what I will use it for'

Hubz has been making a water feature and we recently purchased some Louisiana Iris's - some of them are flowering...........

 

Such gentle prettiness..............  I hope you have lots over the weekend.....

I need to stitch my 'Stitching Around the Block'.......

and do some more of my Penny Rug for Elaine..........

Lights, Labour and Laughter

When I went off to the Tip shop a few weeks ago to find my birdcage to make THIS I also found some of those old fashioned glass light fittings - you know those ones everyone throws out when they do a bit of renovation......

Don't they make lovely tea-light protectors - we love to sit outdoors but it does get a bit windy so I needed some! I think I'll go back there and get a few more............

When we moved to our house 5 years ago EVERYTHING was pink - now I have no problem with pink - in fact I quite like pink - but not EVERYWHERE....

(Can you see those stains in the top left hand picture?)

I diligently painted all the walls and doors but neglected the skirting boards. We have finally decided to replace the flooring with floating floor and new carpets in the bedrooms - so the last couple of weeks I I have been grovelling on my knees changing these:-

 

into these:-

As you can see I haven't been too careful - those carpets are GOING, GOING.......

I need a break and some therapy so ....... I'm off with a couple of girlfriends for a 2 hour road trip to BrisVegas to go to this ............

Strict budget but I am easily led astray .......

...$$$$$$...

Tuesday Treasure & FRIENDS Swap

Thanks to Clare for challenging us to find little treasures in our homes......

I remember playing with my treasure this week at my Granny's house..... I don't have any idea where it originated but it is a lovely sturdy little basket......

and it holds BUTTONS........

I just have some big one's in at the moment as Widget is only little and this is one of the first things he goes for when he comes to visit - actually I see there are all sorts of other little clippy thingies in there...... mmmmm I wonder what else he may have hidden in there?

This year I took part in my first swap - I have to admit it was with a bit of trepidation - would my partner like what I made? would it get lost in the post?- is my work good enough to give away? etc etc

Well - Carol did like what I sent.....

F - Fat Quarter of Fabric

R - Ribbons

I - Itty Bitty Bug Pincushion

E - Elephant Mat

N - Notelets

D - Delicious things to eat and make (chocolate and pattern)

S - Soap in a Bag

And yesterday when I came home this was at the front door.....

  With not one but TWO parcels...........

  The beautiful blue daisy paper had a secret bag in it..........

which was just overflowing with all these goodies......

I wonder how Carol knew I needed a needlecase (I have been using a piece of fabric!)

- there is needlework scissors, a pincushion, needlecase, tape-measure and sewing bag - all matching in black and white with a notebook and pen, 5 fat eighths (all in colours that I just love), beautiful threads, erasors and my favourite Lindt chocs.

Just lovely

Carol put in this extra parcel for the new grandie we are expecting next year - such a sweet thought.  The parents to be are visiting us from the UK at Christmas so these will be placed in a safe place waiting for them.....

Thank you so much Carol - I love it all...

FRIENDS Swap was hosted by Khristina - what a fun idea and thanks Khris. You were so good to send us gentle reminders and encourage us with this.

Carol and I are joining Marina and Lorraine in Stitching Around the Block hosted by Helen - we all sew a bit and send it on to the next person..... this will be fun too and a great way to make new friends.  We have been given our design and I need to get on and do some stitching.....

Have a great week everyone......

Breast Cancer Bags

Jody Anderson publishes a free On-line Quilt Magazine which I subscribe to.  There is a lovely Australian Eucalyptus design given to any new subscribers!  There are always lots of tips, guest writers, patterns and ideas in it.

In the Spring Issue an appeal for Breast Cancer Bags was made.  These are for patients to be provided with something more attractive than a pillow case to hold drainage bottles in when they left hospital to go home. I made up a few - some in florals for the ladies and some checks for the blokes.....

They really aren't difficult and the instructions are clear. I found some heavier fabric (the floral is lined with plastic) and I'd like to invite other bloggers to do the same.

There is a postal address in NSW for them to be sent to, and Jodi is happy for people over seas to make them for their local breast clinics.

You can read more about it and download the pattern from this link...
http://www.quiltblockofthemonthclub.com/download.php?file=breast-cancer-bag-appeal-pattern.pdf

Bags are already being sent to different hospitals and there are pictures of bags that have been made here

http://www.quiltblockofthemonthclub.com/download.php?file=bc-bag-update-240910.pdf

I know bloggers are generous and hope some of you can get in touch with Jodi.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone........

Signatures & Stitches

I couldn't help but feel quite awed and emotional watching the Chilean miners be brought up to the top after 10 weeks - it is so good to have a good news story.....

Have you noticed my new 'signature' at the bottom of my blog posts?  Took me a while but I got it done - with help............

Jennifer from Bronze Wombat taught me.... go HERE if you'd like one too..... (you'll need to read the post before too..) and whilst you're there have a look around - there is lots of lovely things to see - I especially love all the different Wombats....

I have finished a few blocks with stitcheries this last week.....

Two blocks from an Ella and Skysie Pattern "Farmyard Animals"

My Daisy-Do block from Jenny of Elephants Block of the Month

A block from "A Sentimental Journey" by Michelle of The Raspberry Rabbits 

I'm still deciding on accessories to add on it?

  

and I'm working on the stitching for my "Penny Rug" following the electronic lessons of Elaine at Soggy Bottom Flats Quilting and Stitching 
(I want to know how Elaine came up with that name!)

Thanks to Joy from Joy's Quilts who hosts a Finishing Stitches challenge - I always function better with a goal to reach......  Go HERE if you'd like some motivation to finish off those blocks or UFO's that lurke in the back of cupboards...

Meanwhile the garden continues to grow.... this tree is only 2 years old .....

It is a Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) and the flowers smell as sweet as they look

One day this beauty is going to provide shade to block the harsh summer sun from heating my bedroom in the afternoons.....