Christmas Break 2014

I've been on Annual Leave since 19th December - sounds like ages ago !!!
Christmas is always a small family thing for us, since all the relatives are outside the immediate area, so its a good break and allows time for me to organise sewing things and actually get some sewing done.

So I started (late November) with a To Do list - not all sewing - and it wasn't everything I hoped to do.
As is the way with lists - things got changed - some got done - some didn't.

This is the list now:

Its an on-going thing so I'll keep it for a bit.

One thing that is nearly finished is my Christmas Wishes - a free project on Anni Down;'s blog and the starter project for the 2015 Stitch-a-Long. 

I am still deliberating over the dangly bits on the original pattern - maybe some beads or maybe nothing.  It will become a small wall hanging with some pink Anni Christmas fabric around it.  (Soon)

The main project for the SAL is Nature's Journey by Anni.  I think Chookyblue chose this so that no-one who wanted to play along would have ready started - the pattern has only just been released... I hope I have my copy by next weekend (preferably Thursday as I have a free day)....I'm itching to cut!  and sew!!

I also made a lot of progress on my North Pole Quilt - all the house blocks are now assembled, so night times can be some stitching.  Normally during the  week its 8.30 or so before I can get into my sewing and it gets too late to be selecting fabrics and messing around.
And I have almost finished my Mouse Pin Cushion . . more on that later.

Hoping everyone has had a good start to 2015, that your mojo stays where it should, and the year is full of happy things for everyone . . .

The Excitement Builds

I really wanted to use fabrics I already had for my SAL.  I could easily repeat the types of colours I used for SKOW, but wanted something different.

I started with 3 fat quarters of Vintage Modern - but that wasn't enough and I would have to check out what else would go with it (probably Miss Kate...)
Then I found some blue & yellow fabric (Deco Dreams based on Clarice Cleft work - love it but no more of that available...)
Then I remembered two fabrics I had bought with the idea of making a table cloth...so after a trip to a shop yesterday- combined with a sewing day - I now have this collection - half stash - half bought.  I will probably add more - I need to go through the stash again but this is my starting point.  And I have a collection of squares that I have received over the years as part of club memberships  . . that will take a while - the pile is over 10" high.
I have no idea yet how much the pattern says but I'm sure this will get me through . . .

Now I just need to wait for the postie . .

Bag for Work

I needed a big bag for work.  I need to be able to fit my laptop. lunch and other bits & pieces, so I made it 16" x 12" and 6" deep!!

I was lucky to have some large pieces of the black & gold fabric - they came from a  very generous scrap bag - so only needed to add the sides.  It was very quick to put together once I'd decided the measurements.

First Project for the year!!

Much excitement .

That pesky Chookyblue girl has been teasing us all with the promise of new SAL.  For those who have been involved before, there has been a lot of eagerness, as there was no SAL for 2014....and although we all have more than enough on "The List" ...most of us would fit in a SAL project or projects just because its so much fun. 

So finally she has spilt the beans and our curiosity has been satisfied.
We will be working on:

"Natures Journey" by Anni Downs

But we can't start today - we have to wait for the release of the book - so plenty of time to get on with "The List" - or the optional start up project she gave us:

Free Christmas Stitchery

In the meantime - as I am on Annual Leave until 12th January - I am working through my Christmas "To Do List" - it ended up with 18 items...mainly sewing ...as well as some de-cluttering etc...so far I'm going OK - I've crossed off 5 things, deferred one thing and am almost finished one more...and still 1 week to go!!
Maybe some photos later on.

If you want  join in the SAL fun - pop over here and sign up - there is a limit of spots available, and you must have a BLOG and commit.  (so, read what your commitment is first!

Happy New Year

To all my friends:

I wish you a wonderful year ahead!  Hopefully full of good things - or at least nothing so bad that you can't deal with it.

I don't live in Sydney (anymore) but really - the harbour is the BEST backdrop for fireworks...

Take Care 
See a lot of you in 2015.

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas - I hope you are sharing it with special people.

Thanks for being part of my cyber world.

I've strung these little decorations up in my sewing room - mostly gifts from this year but a few older ones as well.   Not too sure I will want to take them down.....

at least they are relatively safe from the cat!!

My friend Maureen & I swap a cushion each year for a Christmas present..

Here is #1 - 2012

#2 - 2013

and here is #3 - 2014 - I love it!

all of them together.

I don't have pictures of the two I have given her - but this is #3 for this year - in celebration of our trip to Nundle in March.

Cheers everyone!

FNSI

I was determined to make a good showing tonight - no falling asleep on the lounge!!
Thursday gave me a bit of time to cut the strips I needed to make some hashtag blocks to send to Molli_Sparkles for quilts for the victims of the Sydney Siege.  So tonight I was able to get some of them finished - in between playing taxi driver for DD2,

It's been a great year sewing along with everybody and enjoying the treats Wendy offers us.  A huge thanks to Wendy for hosting and awarding prizes and thanks to all the other stitchers who join in to keep everyone motivated.

Merry Christmas to the FNSI visitors - unbelievably this time next week it will be mostly all over!!!  (I know sometimes Christmas drags on - like Birthdays!)

A sad day in Australia's History

You will have heard about the Lindt Cafe Siege - so tragic - no words can convey how shocked and saddened we all are.

But as quilters we can show we care.

Go over here - read about what's happening and join if you can.

So Much Has Been Happening

Thursday - a small & quiet sewing get together...and some presents for me!!

Friday - out for dinner - and some presents for me!!

Saturday - a Sewing get together - and some presents for me!! (and others)

Sunday - a Sewing get together - and some presents for me (and others)

Well, it was my Birthday - and early Christmas swaps etc...

Here is some of what I got from Thursday./ Saturday

Sunday was Sunday Stitchers

a few "extra" little gifts were shared...

These little surprise gifts are always special - especially since they are unexpected and made with a lot of love.
I've decided I really need a "tree" this year.....I haven't worried lately as my girls are all grown up and there are no littlies around - and we have a cat who is just going to love to try to climb it...but this year I going to try to find a big branch or similar just so I can hang all these special decorations.

..and my gorgeous table runner from Noela - my swap partner.

(its going to look great on the dining table) 

...and a decoration

...and a cute reindeer container - it did have chocolates in it - but I think DH & DD2 have had a share...not many left now.....

It was also time for me to receive birthday fat quarters from everyone - Wow!  what a great collection 

Then it was time for us to reveal our Row-a-longs:
too many for one shot - De, Marilyn & Noela

and me, Maree & Debbie

a close up of mine....(just because....)

Most of us still have some work to do on them..Maree finished hers - even quilted but the rest of us seem to have other things to do...so it's on my Christmas To Do list   (I do need a 6 month break to catch up but...maybe not...)

Phew - what a weekend...at least there is a bit of a break until the next Christmas party.

November FNSI

OMGosh it's a month since I posted . . . .Work / Life has been busy...
A late night at work again - thought all that was behind me - so not a lot of sewing done and it's all secret stuff anyway, so I can't show a lot.

I love the incentive of sewing along with everyone . . . .and I enjoy having a look at everyone's posts and progress.  Looking is easy - performing- not so easy!!!
Pop over here and have a look at the others who signed up.
Thanks Wendy for hosting and providing tasty recipes!!!


Oh well not too long til Christmas and holiday time!