Final Finishes for December

Mug Rug

This was finished in November but I couldn't post it - Secret Stuff!!

This year in my "Loose Threads" sewing group - for birthday presents we each made one other person a Mug Rug and bought a mug to go with it.

I don't have a photo of the mug rug and mug together - but here is the mug rug.  My person wanted red - and she doesn't drink coffee - but I was able to find a red mug with a tea infuser and made the mug rug to match.

(Sorry - you will have to look sideways...

why does this happen when the picture is displayed 

the right way in Photo Gallery???*&(&^*%$$))

And here is mine - I asked for black & white and it goes really well with my black & white sewing stuff - and look at the gorgeous mug - it's a William Morris one!

Sashiko Christmas Tree

I started this earlier in the year - Sashiko is such an easy project - no preparation is needed - just pick it up and go!!  It wasn't finished in time for Christmas Day, but at least I can hang it next year.

Coasters

When I was making the hexagons for the GDITC 2015 table topper it seems I made two extra - so I've appliqued them to some felt to use as coasters. 

The blue is really a lot less bright. 

Back to my Holiday To-Do List!  

Merry Christmas

Just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

I wanted an Australian Christmas image - this one works for me!!

To those who have lost loved ones, or had a bad year otherwise, I wish you peace and comfort in the good memories.

Cushion Swap

Each Christmas my bestie and I swap cushions as Christmas presents. Of course there is much soul searching, internet searching to select just the right one...I often find that a challenge and most years I have made something that reflects a major project I did in that year.

Bestie likes pink, and hearts...and I remembered a foundation piecing pattern I made years ago (it's still a UFO...) of 3 rows of 3 hearts.  So I found it and made it again in pinks...and all from my stash - (guess I like pink too...)

and here is the gorgeous cushion Bestie made for me:

You can see some of cushions from earlier years behind it.
That Bestie girl is very clever.

FNSI - December

Merry Christmas to everyone

The last FNSI for 2015....
Last month I showed this:

It was a teaser of course!!   So this month I can show you what I was working on:

Firstly - the two fabrics - green & cream - a mini wall hanging for my Secret Santa present for Sunday Stitchers:

The little wooden bead, button and gold ribbon - parts of my 2015 Angel.
Every year I make a new angel for gifting to family and friends - you can see them all here:

The 2015 model is:

The beige felt - Two sewing kits for some buddies: - here is one of them

Pins - and a number bead - I made some numbered pins - Maureen (still no blog!!!)  was going to buy some at the last craft show - until she found out they were about $40.00.  These may not be as pretty but they have TLC built in!!

December's FNSI 

I've had a great day sewing with my bestie so I'm enjoying a FD&NSI.  I am back working on my Nature's Journey quilt - today I added the border of pieced squares and the top row of the applique blocks...We both spent a fair bit of time organising what blocks go where...I am not good at "scrappy" - I like a bit of "organised" chaos...but it's sorted now - two small blocks to re do to make it work for me and I can continue on with it.

I am now on leave from work - we have a company shut down period - this year from 16th December until 4th January.  We only have a small family get together for Christmas, so this period becomes a "get things ready" exercise for the coming year.  I find since I am working 4 days a week - preparation is difficult so by organising things early - I can get some sewing done during the week...especially when TV is full of tennis and other sport.

So a big thankyou to Wendy for hosting and coordinating and present giving for the year.  I may not always get a lot done because by Friday night I'm usually a bit tired....!....but often the incentive ("eek - what will I post about if I don't do anything?" problem) keeps me going to get a bit more done.

And wishing you all a very Merry Christmas - stay safe & happy - and see you back in January for an organised productive year!!

Sunday Stitchers Christmas party

A fabulous end to our sewing year...and my first Christmas party for 2015.

My swap partner was Maree and I made her a mini wall hanging.

I thought I would camouflage the label....

My Swap present came from Noreen....and wow!  Look at all my goodies....a goody goody binding kit....with binding clips, scissors, a Christmas decoration and there was also a Nikki Tervo badge....

AND
a gadget holder

All in lovely French General.  They are gorgeous - thanks so much Noreen.

Then  there were some extra personal gifts - Sandi made each of us a placemat/cutlery roll...and the cutlery is engraved with my name...just lovely and so useful on the day.

Some of the other personal gifts...a fabric bag holding some treats from Noreen, a yo-yo with a crochet edge from Marilyn, a folded star Christmas decoration from Helen, a pincushion on a jar from Teresa and a bucket of lollies and a decoration from Maree.   We were spoilt!!

And on top of all that....some gorgeous food...

We even had some reindeer visiting...(via the kitchens of Helen and De)

A lovely day - it's been a fun year - and we have fun stuff ahead for 2016 too.

And on top of that it was my Birthday weekend - so out for dinner on Friday night and Dinner cooked by DH on Saturday night (his yearly effort!!)

FNSI - November

I joined 43 other cyber lovelies - probably a lot of whom were doing secret squirrel stuff - like me..so nothing really to show but here are a few bits I was using...

Go figure!!   (All will be revealed by mid December.)
Still lots to finish off for these goodies - hopefully I will be visiting at least a few cyber friends over the weekend.

Friday NIght with Friends - November

Happy Friday Night - quick dinner - watching Better Homes & Gardens and other mindless TV - finishing the binding on this:

It's my project from GDITC 2015- Lynette Anderson - with a change (of course...) - I omitted the stitched panels and used the fabrics from the kit around the centre hexie (which is the fabric from GDITC 2014).

I hope everyone else had a fun Friday night - possibly sewing "secret stuff"...

John's 70th Quilt

I decided a while back (about 2 years) to make this quilt for DH's 70th Birthday. As I wanted it as a surprise I could only work on it outside the house - so many group days and retreat days were used to make sure I got it done on time...and of course I had to fit it between all those other projects.

Finally it is finished and handed over to John.

 

 

The pattern is Truly Aussie designed by Helen Stubbings of Hugs & Kisses.  

There are a few sayings that I don't think I have heard before but they all add to the interest.

Now onto all that Secret Stuff  . . . .

FNSI - October [sort of]

It seems the only time I post is for FNSI or FNWF - and this time I didn't even sign up - I knew there wouldn't  be much sewing time tonight...but I did go through my container of buttons - I need a LOT of buttons for something and fished these out - a restful half an hour or so.

I hope everyone else was happy & productive - thanks to Wendy again for coordinating and hopefully next month will see some "real" sewing.  I'll try to visit a few people but its a busy weekend.

Friday Night With Friends - October

October already??? - eek it will be December soon...very scary.

Over Thursday, Friday & Saturday I made these blocks - they are for some quilts being made for the victims of some recent extreme domestic violence situations in South East Queensland.  Very sad for all involved.

I saw this on Instagram @jackiegillies