A very long post.......

Boonah Retreat :
Had a lovely time at my retreat a couple of weekends ago despite my disappointment at not finishing my chenille bag.The pattern needed a bit more explanation as to the direction of the fabric as the vases were lying across the fabric and not up as I expected they would and I didn't like it that way. My friend Jan's was the same so after spending most of the day on it, we packed them up to look at another time.

Other things I worked on was another Xmas ornament for the Xmas box and the start of a Xmas topper.

I still have to cut this out with my Twister ruler and hopefully, it will look like a Xmas Wreath when I finish putting it back together.
I also worked on some hexies for a mystery row along quilt I am doing with 7 other ladies from my Sunday Stitches group but can't show any photos of this until the quilts are revealed in a few months time.
Here are a couple of candid photos from the weekend.

Relaxing over a bit of lunch.

Jan and I working on her other bag . At least success with this one.

Lorraine almost finished her grandsons Car Quilt.

Now these girls were suppose to be sewing but Candy Crush got the better of them.

Of course it was lovely to see our usual friends were still there.

Christmas in July Swap hosted by Cheryll :

These are the parcels I received in the post yesterday from my Secret Santa.

 And these are the parcels I sent to my swap recipient last week. Hopefully they have arrived as well.

Not long to go now until we can open them. Have been good, with no touching happening until the 25th.

Sunday Stitchers :
Last Sunday, it was time to catch up with all my blog friends at our monthly get together. We always have a great time, lots of food, fun and laughter was the order of the day. I was lucky enough to win the lucky door prize, a lovely bag pattern by Rosalie Quinlan supplied by Maree. A big thank you  from me to you Maree.

Alison with her  Pillow Shams.

Susan with her Quilt Diva Wall hanging. If you look closely you can see her collection of badges and buttons.

Inca with her butterfly quilt.

I didn't get a photo of our Gossip in the Garden quilt but will borrow one from one of the other girls when they post about it. I didn't get much done on mine this month as I was waiting for the Dresden papers Maree had kindly offered to order for me. No excuses now to cut out and stitch those 64 Dresden blades into 4 blocks.
Will be back soon to post about my grand-daughter Kiah who had a showing of her first clothing collection along with 12 other girls last Friday night at the Royal Pines on the Gold Coast. They have all just finished their 18 month design course.
Until then.......Happy stitching.............

Boonah Retreat.

Today I am heading to my quilting groups weekend retreat at Boonah. We are going much later this year and the last few days have been very cold. I've packed lots of winter woollies and am hoping I will be warm enough as temperatures are predicted to be minus 2 in the mornings.
I have my bags packed and just have to finish putting my sewing gear in the car. This time I am trying not to take too much with me as I only ever get to work on a few things in the two days we are there.  Am picking up my friends Jan and Nancy at 11.00 and in less than an hour , we will be there. About 12 of our group will be attending this time.
This week I worked on stitching my chenille fabric to take to camp. Jan and I are going to make a bag. It took ages to stitch all those lines and to cut the fabric between them. A quick wash and then in the dryer and the fabric looks like this.

Am hoping it will not be too difficult to sew when it is cut up. Only time will tell I guess.
I've not shown a picture of my 12" Mini as yet because the recipient is away for a few weeks and I'm not sure if I should wait until she gets back.
Well must go as time is slipping by. Be back soon to report on what I managed to get done at retreat.
Happy Stitching till then.............

Friday Night with Friends

Last night I joined many other quilters for FNWF hosted by Cheryll from Gone Stitchin. Thank you so much Cheryll  for hosting again this month.
I started the night by getting a bit of prep work done for some Xmas stitching but can't show a photo of this as yet as it is for the Xmas in July Swap also hosted by Cheryll and is the last of my three gifts to be made.

I then worked on the prep for a chenille bag I am taking to my retreat at Boonah next weekend. My friend Jan and I bought the pattern, fabrics and handle at the October quilt show last year. The bag pieces needed to be cut out, layered together, then stitched before cutting the layers between the stitching with a special chenille cutter. This is how far I got before calling it a night.

Above are the four layers I used, then in the bottom photo, the printed fabric has been added to the top. I cut the bottom one (green) an inch bigger so the top four layers will be easier to cut. I basted the layers together and marked the first stitching line with tape before doing the same on the second piece. This is my first job for tomorrow, lots of stitching on both of these.
Also this week I received my 12"Mini Quilt  from Kim.
I really love this mini and the verse on it is just beautiful. Thank you so much Kim for my mini and the choccies you also added to the parcel.

Thank you to Cheryll as well for hosting and making the little coaster with both Kim's name and mine on it as a wonderful reminder of the swap.
Well must go, will be back soon...... Happy Stitching till then ............