Stitching Around the Block

It's only taken me 3 years to turn my Stitching Around the Block flimsy into something. I decided I needed a cushion for my chair so this afternoon I made one.

Stitching around the block was a project run by Hugs n Kisses. You can still find the instructions here.

My team included Kez, Dawnie and Bec. Sadly Dawnie's block went missing, lost in Australia Post somewhere. 

Doctoring a Bag!

After lots of procrastinating I finally put the finishing stitches into this bag. 

 I loved the gorgeous bag that Lynda had made and Lynda was so generous she sent me enough fabric and a bag frame to make my very own.

You can purchase the pattern called "Doctor's Bag" from Joy Patch and surprisingly it's so easy to make although getting the frame in is a bit fiddly but worth the effort.

Thank-you so much Lynda, I've now got a great, funky bag to take to the Craft Show this weekend!

A Finish

Finished Sew, Laugh, Love!

I didn't have enough of the border fabrics to make sure a square cut to the print. If it annoys me too much I'll replace it with something else but for now it's done!

Sewing Kits for Tassie

The online group I belong to "Friends in Stitching" have put together kits to be distributed to fellow stitchers affected by the recent fires on the Tasmanian Peninsula. The sad part about this post is that more fires started up yesterday so it's not over yet.

Here's my kit, I've also added scissors and needles since taking this photo.

The stitcheries for each of the 27 kits were kindly donated by Helen Stubbings of Hugs 'n Kisses.

Helen has been rewarded for her generous nature by being named Barnardos Mother of the Week. The nomination, prepared by her eldest daughter, highlights Helen's passion for helping others. Helen is a great role model and a lovely friend. Congratulations Helen, I'm so proud of you and your gorgeous Miss M!

Sew, Laugh, Love

Going to finish Sew, Laugh Love today, all the embroidery is done just need to add the applique, buttons and border then I shall mount it on a canvas! Lovely design by Leanne Beasley.

Sewing Tote

This is the sewing tote I made for Kylie for the Friends in Stitching (Online Group) Christmas Swap, it's one of my favourite patterns! I won the fabrics some time ago, don't you think they were perfect for this project.

I haven't been into my craftroom since I tidied it, the last two days have been spent helping hubby with renovation work and putting up cornice...still more work to be done yet :-(

Everyone loves a hand me down

I made this quilt for a dear friend for the birth of her 1st baby eight years ago, it is now being used by her 2nd little cherub. I wonder how long this quilt will last. Will it be handed onto future generations? Do you ever wonder what will become of quilts you have made.

Pinwheeling it!

24 pinwheels, ready for the next border! 

I still love the Bliss range of fabrics 

ATC, TAG AND FLOWERS

I haven't dissappeared yet, Uni has been taking most of my craft time but it's nearly all behind me now. The last lecture is complete and only 2 assignments to go and I am done...Yippee!

I have squeezed in a little papercraft and even a bit of stitching but I can't show you the ATC and tag I made as my camera has been taken away to the west coast gggrr. I did however get some snaps of what I received....

Life is always beautiful.....

....when you can find some time over the weekend for a little stitching.

A dresden plate using Helen's gorgeous new fabrics. I'm working on something now for the centre and then I'll decide what to make with it.

Well Hello There!

I'm so sorry for not posting for almost 1 month but work, life, renovations, uni and exams took over the month of June. When I reflect on the last few months, it's been rather hectic, uni has been great and I've received top marks for all my assignments, just waiting for the exam results and fingers crossed I've done well there too. Then to top it all off I got a promotion at work, I'm now part of management, not sure if that's a good or a bad thing, could mean lots more work but I'll tackle it head on like I do most things.

My stitching mojo is a bit slow recovering however I have managed to complete my first block for Carpe Dieum...it's my first attempt at raw edge machine applique.

I bought the kit from Esmes, it's very bright and cheery!

Something else that has distracted me lately is this trilogy

Everyone I know including myself have loved this series, it's not your typical mills and boon type novel, it's much hotter! I was a bit sad when I finished the last book, now I have to find something just as good...any suggestions?

Squeezing in a little stitchin'

Life is busy for me at the moment, in between work, family and uni I'm still managing to squeeze in a little bit of sewing.

I finished the cute hexagon thread catcher that Vicki showed everyone how to make at "Let's Get Stiitched", it's so simple to make and the end result is very cute.

I started working on the pillow that Dawn provided a pattern for and showed us all how easy it was to cut the shapes out using a GoCutter.

Aren't those flowers sweet!

I've also been working on a swap for Friends in Stitching (online group), I can't so you any photos of that just yet but it's looking rather cute.

The first few workshops at Uni have been great, my first assignment has been completed and marked....

8.5 out of 10, not too bad considering I'm not the best writer.

Next assignment is 750 words, we're working up to 3000 words for the third. 

I hope to show you photos next week of my new craft room, still a little bit of stuff to sort through but it's looking lovely.

Paper and Fabric

Fee has asked me to do a workshop at the "Let's Get Stitched in Tassie" retreat coming up in March and requested something to do with Papercraft. The last few weeks I've had ideas buzzing around my head and today I put the finishing touches on my little project. Here's a wee sneak peek...

As you can see it's not all about paper but we'll be having a bit of fun making fabric embellishments too.

It's going to be a hoot, hope to see you there!

Mail and More Mojo

Look at this lovely that arrived in my mail!

This beautiful wall hanging was designed and stitched by Shell of The Rasberry Rabbits and I was extremely lucky to win in in her 800th follower giveaway.

This picture doesn't show it any justice as Shell's stitching is so fine, far superior to anything I've stitched. Inside the stitcheries is all hand coloured...stunning!

Thank-you so much Shell!

If you'd like to make this head on over to Shell's to puchase a pattern.

As promised I did finish the Angel Sewing Tote, it was so easy to put together and the zip was a sinch

Inside is a little zipper pouch and another pouch with a scissor keep. It's a decent size too and perfect for taking away on a retreat.

This little bag is most likely destined for a future swap partner, not sure who might get it but I'm sure it will be a hit!

PS Chooky, don't ask about the GJ, no progress today!

Stitching has resumed

I'm so pleased to say my mojo has returned.

Last night I was inspired by a recent pattern purchase from Patchworks Plus (great service by the way!) and got stuck into the applique. I'm loving this little tote bag which is a pattern by Natalie Bird. I also won the Mollie Makes Magazine from Sew Happy House, this is a good read and very inspirational too, thank-you Kathy!

So tonight I'll complete the embroidery and over the weekend I'll assemble the bag.

I hope you have something lovely to stitch this weekend.

Xmas in July

Our Friends in Stitching group held a Xmas in July swap and we had to make a stocking for our partner. I received the most gorgeous package from Peg, this beautifully stitched stocking with wee rusty bells...

and inside was full of lovely goodies, 2 pretty fat quarters, notebook, key fob and a bookmark (it's hiding in the photo somewhere) and a tube of chockie balls with a wobbly head santa on the top!

Thank-you so much Peg, I feel very spoilt and lucky to have had you for a partner.

Now the stocking I made went to Lynda, here's what I made but you'll have to visit Lynda's blog soon to see what else was inside!

This was my own design with yo-yo's and little gold bells, such fun to make!

Great swap ladies!!

Lots to see here!

You might have been thinking I haven't been stitching much lately but you'd be wrong, as well as secret squirrelling and making a swap pressie or two I've done a little iphone pouch...

(one day I might actually own a smart phone!)

...and I stitched the borders on my Tis the Season quilt

It's my evening embroidery mojo that has gone on a wee holiday, it'll be back soon but it came back briefly this week to do Helen's Stitched Sunday project (forget to take a photo). Even though I know these stitches, I thought I might join in and see if there's something I don't know.

I also caught a cooking bug yesterday (very unlike me) after reading Kerryanne's post about Sticky Date Pudding, guess what I made for desert last night...

...it was easy and so delicious too!

I took part in Trashy's "Where I Live Swap" and a parcel was at my door last night from Jennyflower and look at the beautiful contents....

a gorgeous bag made by her Mum, using recycled fabrics and embellished beautifully....

...and just look what was inside the bag, all these wonderful goodies, except for the chockies, they were gobbled up by my family before I could go snap!

Jenny's theme was based on England and all things british like old cottage gardens, tea and cakes!

It smelt beautiful when I opened the package!!

Thank-you Jenny I love all the gifts, you've put so much thought into them.

My swap package for Clara must still be flying across the ocean but I'll let you know when it's reached it's destination.

Canvas Art

Last night I did a fun workshop at my local scrapbooking store, Scrappers Heaven. The Canvas Art Class was so much fun, modge podging, painting, stamping, stencilling and paper piecing made me feel like I was at Kindergarden. This was my end result....

It's no Monet but I love it!

I can see many of these being made at my desk!

While the boys are away, Mumma will stitch!

Some of my bloggy friends know that my boys have been away on an adventure for the past two weeks. Hubby and son headed off to the mainland to visit the Gem and Mineral Show in Bathurst, they also drove to Broken Hill and almost made it as far "Corner Country" (where the New South Wales, Queensland and South Australian state borders meet). They returned home Friday night, just in time to see Kate and William kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Wasn't the wedding beautiful, they make such a lovely couple.

So while my boys were away I made the most of my "ME" time and enjoyed plenty of time stitching. Here's some of the things I have to show you

Block one of Butterfly Garden, ready for embroidery

I'm using layer cakes of Strawberry Fields for this, it's so soft and pretty.

I've completed the Leanne Beasely needlecase from The Quilted Crow's Gathering

and made a start on my hexies for the Vignette Hexagon Quilt Stitchalong

  

(Fee and I plan on having one Monday a month to dedicate to hexie stitching, I'll call it "Fee and Me" time!!)

I helped Helen with some or her preparations for her trip to Salt Lake City, I'm afraid I'm heavier than her luggage so I couldn't squeeze into her suitcases, one day I'm going to go with her!! If you're going to the trade show in Salt Lake City be sure to pop by her stand "Pattern Press" and check out all the wonderful aussie patterns she has.

The last two weeks flew by really quickly and I didn't get as much done as I would have liked but that doesn't matter, I don't need to put that kind of pressure on myself.

Anyway I still have this afternnon to myself and then back to my regular routine tomorrow.

Cheers and Happy Stitching

Jo

xxx

Tis The Season!

Here's what I've been working on for the last three weeks. I've been stitching these blocks every night and enjoying stitching with one colour, needs very little brain activity, backstitch, running stitch, occassional french knot and wee bit of satin stitching. It's so relaxing. Yesterday was my rostered day off and in between some secret squirrel stuff I put the borders on and joined it together...

Now I'm hoping with this out of the way I'll be able to refocus back onto Gardener's Journal and get it finished once and for all!!

P.S. Visit my friend Fee's blog for a fabulous giveaway!