Friends put a smile on our faces and a spring in our step xxx

Here's a little birthday package I put together for Susan of Thimblestitch. 

(Photo bloglifted from Susan's blog)

Susan and I are members of an online group and we all have to make a birthday pressie for another in the group and follow some simple rules like include a button, use one of three sayings then you must use their preferred colours and styles. It gets more difficult each time to make the perfect gift but I am always up for a challenge!

I chose "Nellie's bag" by Rosalie Quinlan and included a stitchery panel design by Helen Stubbings. There's a button on one side which is a laser cut timber spool covered in the same thread as the stitchery.

Our next challenge is a needlecase and then it'll be onto the christmas swap....ooh did I say Christmas! Too Soon!

Making Happy Endorphins!

The last few weeks have been full on, work has given me many challenges including stepping into an executive leadership role for a week....my boss has nothing to fear from me ever wanting his job, he can keep it. Two days of back to back meetings coupled with contractor issues and my son having minor surgery on his toes for ingrown toenails really challenged the worklife balance and my mental capacity, in other words I was mentally exhausted! So after the dinner was done I did what i do best when I'm stressed I sew! I'm sure you can all relate, it's therapy!

Remember this little tote

Well the talented designer, Pauline from Polly's Keepsakes sent me another pattern to try and I love it!

It's a project bag, full of pockets, a pincushion and, it has a scissor keep and two strawberries hanging on the outside. Easy to sew and very useful!

I feel good after completing this project, maybe I can complete a few more and really boost those happy endorphins!

Do you stitch when you are stressed?

Another year older means more cake

Yesterday seems all a blur now, I think I ate too much cake!

Members of Friends in Stitching (online group) each make a birthday pressie for one other member and the gorgeous Dawnie made mine this year. Dawnie is a beautiful stitcher and she put together this fabulous tote, 

full of pockets including ones I can see through.

We have to include one of three sayings, and this is what Dawnie chose for me

My online friends are so generous, love you all!

Thank-you Dawnie xxx

I'm happiest when I am crafting!

A few cards I've made, lovely butterfly card using Kaszazz products

And a cute little fishbowl, using Stampin Up products

Yes it's actually filled with water!

I have been stitching too, almost finished 'Happy Days'. Since this photo was taken all the embroidery is complete and the hexies all sewn on, juts need to finish the inside pockets and put it together.

I'm hoping I can finish it this weekend and start on my new project! Have you started a new project lately?

Watchya Doin?

Me, I have been winding threads on cards ready for another new project

But before I start this one I have to finish another project, still plenty of stitching to do and hexies to sew on