Saturday, December 30, 2017

Christmas Present Swap

For a number of years Maureen and I have made a cushion for each other for Christmas, but this year we had a change of plan and each made mini quilts.  We each have the same quilt stand so that made it easy to work out the size.
When I saw this Anni Down's design I knew that was the stitchery to use and I teamed it with this gorgeous Tilda print in blues greens and pinky purples.  It wasn't too hard to find some threads, some variegated, some plain.



Maureen made this lovely one for me - bright & cheery!


We will continue on with the mini quilts for a while now I think.


Thursday, December 28, 2017

Christmas Gifts - Sewing Groups


Just like Birthday gifts - we seem to get a bucket load of gifts at Christmas time 
from our sewing groups.
(Warning  - a long post and lots of pictures.)


First group to enjoy a Christmas end of year meeting was Loose Threads.
Early in the year we had decided on pincushions for the gift.  We do a random draw on the day to see which present we receive.  This is my cute owl  - it's quite heavy - so perfect for using near my machine - and the cat can't knock it off the table!!

This is the one I made.   Anni Downs fabrics and full of walnut shells.

We also each received a little Christmas hanging bag - (with lollies...but they disappeared before I took the photo!)

I made an angel for everyone (as I do every year and now its a tradition so I can't stop!!!)  This year I made angels in two different sizes.


The second Group - KQ Girls - met the day after.  Again we did a random draw on the day.  This year we each made a drawstring bag and added a fat quarter, buttons and a sewing surprise.

This is my lovely bag and goodies inside:

This is the one I made:  I added a fat quarter, matching buttons, a scrap bucket, a pincushion and a bookmark in the shape of a sewing machine.  I must have forgotten to photograph the extras - but here is the bag.



We also received a covered ball, a book mark with some pictures of our group and a mug rug in the shape of a leaf.

I gave everyone an angel and a coaster. - like these:


Third group - Sunday Stitchers.
For this group we draw names during the year and make for that person.  This year we could each suggest what we would like from a list of "possibles".

I received this absolutely fabulous block holder - I have wanted a flat block holder for ages and have just never got around to making one - plenty of plans - but this one is just what I need - it has plenty of space to put blocks in - and it has a hanger - perfect for hanging in the wardrobe along with the other project bags etc.
Noela made it for me and I am so happy with it.



I made a water bottle cover, scrap bucket and coaster for my recipient.




I had planned on making the bottle holder with a circle at the base - but at a recent craft event I saw a thermos holder made in strips with the joins underneath - so I copied that idea.  I feel its much easier.


This group is also quite prolific in giving small gifts - some hand made.  As we had the party to beat all parties at Sandi's house we also collected some little gifts from her throughout the day.  Here is the collection:

I gave everyone an angel and a coaster.

I also meet (usually) monthly with a small informal group - we call ourselves SIMS (from the initials of our names).  There is nothing structured here - we brought cold meat & salads for lunch to share - but we made small gifts for each other.
I received:



An accordion bag - (free pattern & video - DIY Accordion Pouch | with Jennifer Bosworth of Shabby Fabrics), a cute needle case in the shape of a cupcake and a beautiful hanging thingy...it's very pretty and perfect colours for me but I'm not sure what to call it. 

I made these tuffet pin cushions.


I also joined in the No Fuss Christmas Swap - this is the present I received very early from Anthea - I was very good and took it away with me to Townsville, so I could open it on Christmas day.



This is what was inside - a lovely needle case, a Christmassy Tea towel, 50cm pretty lace, a gorgeous bird button and a treat - the Santa Spreader - he is wearing sunglasses - very cute!

My parcel was hand delivered to Sandi.

I also received two Christmas gifts in the mail - a gorgeous decoration and card from Fiona 

and this cute tree from Maria
And finally - while in Townsville, I was able to catch up with Wendy Bertello - and she gave me a surprise present - a tea towel, a treat which had to be eaten to beat the heat up there, a pencil with the words - "Full bobbins are a girl's best friend",  a tiny quilt hanger, a decorative thimble and some very pretty notebooks.   

It was so good to see Wendy - we chatted non stop eating lunch and visiting a couple of patchwork shops.  Thanks Wendy - I had a ball - hope to see you again in March!  Sorry I forgot about FNSI!!

All in all I feel very spoilt.

I still have one more Christmas present to share, but it will wait for another post.






Saturday, December 2, 2017

Birthday Gifts - Sewing Groups

Birthdays do seem to be extended events when you are in various groups etc.

My first collection of birthday gifts was from Sunday Stitchers.
In this group we can give an indication of what we would like at the beginning of the year - so I asked for rasant threads in neutral colours, some blue/grey fat quarters or some scraps that I could cut into 2.5" squares - any fabric, any colour...


I received a great collection of threads, fabrics and heaps of scraps that will keep me in leaders and enders for a while!
What a lovely bunch of friends.


My second collection was from another group - called KQ Girls.  This year we gifted to our swap partner presents that started with the letters in the name of the group.  We had decided they didn't all need to be sewing related.
I received:

Kaffe Fassett fat quarters
Quilting pins
Glass
Interfacing
Ric rac
Lace
Sauvignon Blanc

and a very useful storage box for some crafty stuff.

This was all totally overwhelming - we don't really have a budget to stick to but I do feel very lucky to have been on the receiving end of such generous gifts..

I was also giving a birthday present - I tried for the Quirky line - to make it a little challenging.  I gave:
Key ring
Quiz Questions - a Pub Trivia game
Granny Square (for a coaster)
Indicators - Post It Notes as my recipient had been seen using shopping dockets to mark pages in magazines
Rhubarb conserve
Limmerick
Squissors - (little snippers)

And finally - my third group birthday present.  This is from my Loose Threads group and we had to give presents starting with the letters in Birthday.
I received:
Beads
Ice cream fabric - very clever that one!!!
Ric rac
Tin
Hook
Diary
Adhesive pads for my finger
Yarn

and a gorgeous tin to put more crafty stuff in.



That's my birthday covered...next comes Christmas swaps and gifts....coming soon!!!