FNSI, The Splendid Sampler, C is for Christmas.....

I am running really late with my post about FNSI hosted by Wendy. Thank you Wendy for hosting & encouraging me and others to get sewing.
I had intended to get into my sewing room early on Friday night but best laid plans were changed when my son asked if his two boys could spend the day with me as he had to work. We had a lovely time, it was very hot so we spent most of the time in the pool. Of course like most kids of today the rest of the afternoon was spent playing games on their computers and asking me what else I had to eat that was yummy. By the time their Dad picked them up, my good intentions were slowly disappearing but I needed to make some decisions on fabric, so out to my room I went.
I have decided to join in 'The Splendid Sampler' hosted by Pat Sloan & Jane Davidson. It is starting on the 14th of February, there will be 100 blocks, 6" finished, 2 blocks per week Sunday  & Thursday and 87 designers sharing a block with those who joined up.
So my first job for the night was to go through my stash and pick the fabrics I was going to use. I may have to buy some background fabric but will wait and see as we progress through a few blocks.

This took me forever to choose but I finally decided to go with a Sweetwater fabric range called Reunion. I have a fat eighth pack, some yardage, a layer cake, jelly roll and a charm pack so think this should be enough. Fingers crossed. I am so happy to be part of this group.

The other thing I worked on was some stitching on this table runner. Got the hand stitching done on some of the hexagons, but need to complete a few more before I can join them together and have a finish. This is a Michelle Ridgway design which I have been working on for a long while.

Well I have a few more things to tell you but I will leave them for another day. Last year had lots of things happening in my life and I lost my way a bit, hoping this year will be much better.
Happy Stitching until next time..... Hugs..........      

Friday Night Sew In

For FNSI I didn't end up getting much done except for finally putting together the block below. One of my quilting friends who goes to the Tamborine Quilting Retreat I attend, is having a big '0' birthday and has asked me to make a block to go in a special birthday quilt she is making.
Sue provided three fabrics and I could add up to three more but I decided to just add one. The design of the block could be anything as long as the cream fabric was the background and the block ten and a half inches in size. I chose a block called The Greek Cross Quilt Block.

The fabric I added was the dark blue.  Happy with how it turned out and it is exactly the right size.
Thanks WENDY for hosting our final FNSI for 2015.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the girls who have participated in our Friday night gatherings over the year.

Look forward to catching up with you again in 2016.

Hugs and Happy Stitching till then............

FNSI, Renovations

Tonight is Friday Night with Friends so even though our place is a bit like a bomb has gone off outside and I can't get into my sewing room in the shed due to work happening in front of it, I decided to join in and lose myself in some hand stitching.
Thank you to Wendy for again hosting.

The reason for the above is that we are having some much needed improvements done to solve a water problem between the house and the pool.
We have become a construction site according to the sign on our front fence. I am really looking forward to the job being finished and the sign being taken down so I can try to remove the layer of dust that seems to cover every surface in the house even though windows and doors were shut. I think Ruby who is locked behind a temporary fence will be pleased too although she may have to wait till the new grass grows but haven't let her know that yet.
Sorry for the photo overload ,just want to keep a record of the progress for me.

Paving removed by us.

Patio roof off and 6 truck loads of soil & rubbish removed.

Boxing up started. 

Mesh laid, ready for cement on Monday.

If you are still here, see you tonight.
Hugs..............

Friday Night results.......

My apologies for not getting a post up over the weekend. It has been really busy, my hubby started four weeks of long service on Saturday and as we have lots to do and fix up around the house, we got straight into trimming the trees in the front yard, only one side done with the other marked down for today.

Then on Sunday, I accompanied my son, Scott, on a trip to the north coast, so Jake could spend the school holidays with his Mum whilst,Tom, my other grandson came home with us to spend time with his Dad. We spent most of the day in the car so was glad to get home just before dark.

So back to Friday night. I am still stitching the centre block of Natures Journey. Down to the last couple of satin stitch stems now. I don't think I would have done them in satin stitch if I'd realized just how long I was going to take. I am slow at stitching and if I'm not happy with the result, tend to pull out and start again, though I think I may have got myself out of that habit after this marathon.

I also finished off the last of the flowers and leaves so the end is in sight. I can't wait to add the borders which are all cut out and almost ready to put on. Hope they all fit together nicely. A big THANK YOU to Wendy for again hosting.

Well must go as the tree trimming awaits........

It's that time again.

I've signed up with other like minded quilters to join Wendy at Sugar Lane Quilts for a spot of Friday night sewing tonight. Go here to sign up and join us.............
Look forward to seeing you there........

FNSI, Ruby update.....

Friday night I joined Wendy of Sugarlane Quilts and friends for a night of sewing. THANK YOU to Wendy for hosting this enjoyable night. Knowing that you are stitching along with so many other ladies is a great encouragement which I am in need of at the moment.
I worked on my Natures Journey June blocks, so far so good as I am keeping up with the schedule.
I have all the pieces cut out and ready to go. Just working on stitching the circles on the three big blocks before adding the applique to them. The small blocks are almost complete then just the two 1 1/2" pieced circles to go.

Well, must go and work on finishing those blocks but thought I would add a photo of Ruby, now 7 months old before I go.

Nearly as tall as me, Ruby has had a growth spurt.  

A bit of work to do on this friendship. Oscar isn't so keen on Ruby's attention. 

Well must go and work on those blocks. Thanks for stopping by........
Happy Stitching till next time..........

Stitching with Friends.

Last night I joined in with Wendy from Sugarlane Quilts for Friday Night Sew In. You can go over and check out what everyone got up to by clicking on the link above. It is always a fun night knowing that lots of other people are stitching at the same time as you. Thank you Wendy for running FNSI,  encouraging us to finish off our projects or start new ones and catch up with some of our blogging friends as well.
I worked on my SAL blocks and continued to add the applique pieces to the April blocks. I'm always amazed just how long it takes me to choose such small pieces of fabric. In the end I'm usually happy with my choices but I guess all will be revealed when the blocks are put together at the end.

Oh dear, maybe a bit too much red here. Note to self, add more blue/brown to the other blocks.
I then decided to start my tracing for the In My Garden quilt by Natalie Bird. Now I am pleased to say I just have a few small stitcheries left to trace so felt I did well here.

These are the fabrics I am going to use so will need to sort out different threads to the list given by Natalie. May need to purchase one or two of the blue colour. As the above is a charm pack, have ordered some yardage from Patchwork Plus who fortunately had some of the range in stock. The fabric is called Rambling Rose by Sandi Gervais.
Well that's about it from me, had wanted to do more today but woke up a little sick, maybe tomorrow I'll manage to get the prep finished so I can make a start on the stitching.
Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend.
Happy Stitching till next time...............

FNSI, Santa Sack Swap.......

Friday night I joined Wendy of Sugarlane Quilts and many other ladies for Friday Night Sew In. I didn't get started until about seven pm so decided I would stay inside and stitch instead of going to my sewing room in the garage. I still have lots of Xmas things prepared so decided to finish off a couple of Michelle Ridgway's Xmas ornaments which were about half done.
Once they were complete, I began stitching a Bronwyn Hayes one, which is a free download from her blog. Unfortunately I didn't get very far with this as I fell asleep in my chair and woke up about 11.30 pm with the needle still in my hand.

Christmas by Bronwyn Hayes and Reindeer and Snowman by Michelle Ridgway

Thank you Wendy for hosting our last FNSI for the year. I have really enjoyed being part of them this year.

Also this week I got to open my Santa Sack Swap parcel from my partner, Lyn (no blog) hosted by Cheryll from Gone Stitchin. THANK YOU Cheryll for another great swap.

Lyn and I decided to meet in person to exchange our gifts as we didn't live too far from each other. I'm so glad we did as it was lovely to share a cup of tea while learning a bit about each other, our families and where we are in our quilting journey.
On Thursday night, I got to open my parcel from Lyn. I was very spoilt with all my beautiful gifts.
Thank you so much Lyn, I love all of them. Below are some photos of what I received.

My beautiful tote which contained the parcels below.

They contained a Xmas apron, an ornament mug rug and gorgeous mug, a Rudolph stitchery in a frame, a beautifully stitched wall hanging, a Christmas Goose bag complete with handle and filled with chocolates. 

2 bird tree ornaments and a stitched and painted star Santa.

I have one small parcel left to open(the one with the purple ribbon on it) which I will do on the 25th. The wrapping said do not open until Christmas. Now I wonder what is in it, one more surprise.
A big THANK YOU to Lyn. You have made me very very happy as these gifts are so me.
Lyn has opened my parcel also and here is what I sent to her.

Lyn wanted a stocking so here is Santa beside some parcels.

The stocking had a couple of small parcels inside (above and below this photo)

A Gail Pan wall hanging.

Scrap bin, pin cushion and a scissor holder with small scissors.

Xmas ornaments and a 2014 cushion to remember our swap year.

A Jenny of Elefantz table runner

A small bag & post it notes

Some nibblies.

Sorry for the photo overload and if you have stayed with me till now, that is great.
Some of my family can't be here on Wednesday so today we are getting together for our first Xmas Day. Then we will celebrate our second Christmas Day on the 25th so as well as that, Chris and I can celebrate our birthdays twice too. Only adding 1 year to our age though.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. 

Santa Sack Swap, FNSI.....

Last week by partner Lyn, in Cheryll's Santa Sack Swap, and I met to exchange our gifts. It was lovely to meet in person, have a cuppa and a chat to learn a bit more about each other.
We swapped the gifts below. Mine are sitting under my tree waiting to be opened. Have been advised by Cheryll today that Thursday the 18th is the day to open them. I will be at Movie World with my son and grandsons that day so will have to wait until I get home to see what is inside.
My parcel from Lyn (no blog).....

My parcel to Lyn .........

Also sign-ups on are on for Wendy's FNSI

It is the last for the year so why don't you go over and sign in, it should be a great night.
Well that's all for me tonight, till next time..........Happy Stitching.........