Busy Month : Quick Update........

I am still working on my Natures Journey, very slow progress I'm afraid. I've changed the diamonds around the border for red ric rac. I must admit I tried lots of other things but decided I liked this option the best. Here is a photo (not the best one) of the center, what do you think?

I have put this on the back-burner for a little while as I have to concentrate on the Xmas swaps I am in this year and the postage dates are fast coming around. Everything has been planned and started with a few finishes and a few to do. Can't really show much as it is all secret but will be back soon with a few sneak peeks.
Hugs for now..............

Sunday Stitchers, My Natures Journey Quilt, Chookyblue's Xmas Swap 2015.

My Sunday Stitchers group met on Sunday at a new venue at Coomera. I got lost on the way there so was a bit late arriving but had a lovely time catching up with all the girls once I did. I worked on a Christmas stitchery by Natalie Bird while there. A lot of talking with not much stitching I'm afraid.

I also took along my Natures Journey centre block for show and tell. The satin stitch stems took many hours to do but I'm very happy with the result so well worth the time spent on it.

I started to add the pink border after I got home.

Chris, my hubby, is on long service leave for a few weeks and we've been trying to catch up on some jobs around the house that have needed doing for a while. I'm pleased to say we have been able to cross a few off our list, so today we took a well deserved break and went for a long drive in this :

I've had my old car since 2000 so it was time for an upgrade. This is our new one, a Mazda CX5. I've always driven a manual but we opted for an auto this time. It's so easy to drive and luckily I only went to change the gears twice, oops!! The car has so many new features including a key-less start so will have to get used to pushing a button instead of turning a key to start it. I can see the car manual being used quite a bit in the next couple of weeks.

I've also joined Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap so am looking forward to finishing lots of goodies in the next few weeks to fulfil  my Christmas commitments for 2015.

Well must go and do a bit more on my stitchery. Till next time, happy stitching everyone.....  

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........

Friday Night Results.....

This is what I managed to work on, on  Friday night when I joined Chez and a few other ladies for a spot of sewing.  Thank you to Cheryll for again hosting Friday night with Friends.

Firstly I added pellon to the back of these stitcheries and then cut them out. Just need to trace the larger hexagon onto the background fabric and then stitch to each hexagon.......

and they should turn into one of these, a lovely table runner, pattern is 'C is for Christmas', by Michelle Ridgway of Rag-Tag Stitchin'.

I also did some work on my Natures Journey. More stitching of those 2"squares to make the nine patches for one of the borders but until I get the centre block finished, I can't join it all together.

I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever finish this centre block but there is not much to do now, just a flower and of course, all that satin stitch on the stems.
Well that's it for me tonight. Till next time, happy stitching..........
 

Progress on Natures Journey, OPAM

Below are some photos of my progress for August.

I've cut out all the 2" squares for the check border and started to join those together. Also cut out the blocks for the final pink border.   

Only a few bits left to applique' on the centre block. A bird, a flower, some leaves and then finish satin stitching the stems. 

Hopefully by the end of next month I will have most of this done.

I have one finish for August. Below is my place mat made for the Flirty 30's Retreat I attended last weekend. I had lots of fun as usual. I also contributed a block for a quilt for a special friend who is having a big birthday soon.

Well must go as school pick-up is calling.
Happy Stitching till next time.......

Friday Night results

I had a great night as I finally finished off the last two blocks for June in my Natures Journey Stitch-a-long.

They turned out better than I expected. Below are the other blocks for June.

Now to start on the July block which is the large centre block. A pieced background with flowers and birds appliqued on it.

Thank you Cheryll for hosting, am going to check out what everyone got up to later as dinner awaits.
Bye for now..........Thanks to all who stitched along with me........

Friday Sewing, Natures Journey, 1 Xmas Item a Month, Cooly Rocks.......

Friday night I joined other like minded ladies in a bit of sewing. Thank you to Cheryll from Gone Stitchin for again hosting this fun night. I managed to get a few things done which included some prep work for my June blocks for Natures Journey.
I cut some blocks for the backgrounds and traced out the shapes for the blanket stitch applique to go on them. Just need to get started on the blanket stitch circles and squares first.

Then I worked on a couple of blocks from my C is Christmas table runner by Michelle Ridgway. These blocks are for my May finish for 1 Xmas Item a Month hosted by Narelle from Pins and Whiskers blog. I know, I know I'm a bit late. Thanks Narelle.

Finally, yesterday we made a quick trip down to Coolangatta for Cooly Rocks, a hot rod and rock'n'roll festival held each year. It was quite windy and very cold early on but that didn't stop a big crowd from turning up. We looked at all the cars, then watched the parade and before we came home checked out the stalls. I was very good this year and didn't buy anything.

We had a lovely day but were happy to get home and see what this girl had got up to.

Only a couple of holes dug and an empty dish that needed refilling. Well that wasn't too bad as usually, she destroys a toy or two. Any suggestions for toys that are indestructible?
Well must go, be back soon..........Happy stitching till then.......