Xmas Break, Initial Heart Swap, Xmas Stitching, Tassie Trip.

For someone who was going to post more often in 2014, it has not been a good start so far but I have some good excuses, I promise.
My hubby had some holidays so after the rush of Xmas, we spent much of our time cooling down in here.

Although just before New Year, we did get some large trees cut down in the back yard so spent a couple of days, Chris cutting up the branches,(as I am not allowed near the chain saw) and me helping load the Ute and trailer with all of this.

After 2 days and 9 trailer and Ute loads to the tip, our yard now looks tidy again. Sorry, forgot the after photo. All this was done in high temperatures so no worries about our extra Christmas kilos disappearing.
I also spent 2 days searching the sales for a dress to wear to a wedding but just couldn't find one that I liked. In desperation I looked in our local boutique only 6 minutes away from home, and found something I was happy with....amazing. Last week I went looking for shoes and a bag so now I am all set. We are flying off to Tasmania at the end of this week, to stay with Chris's Dad and to attend our niece's wedding on the 25th January at Peppermint Bay, then back on the 26th in time for Grandma duties and the start of a new school year.
I have managed to get into my sewing room and have a tidy up before commencing on some secret sewing for my Initial Heart Swap gift. I hope to have it finished before we leave on Sunday so it will be ready for posting when I get home. The stitcheries are completed, just getting the fabrics sewn together today.

Above is a sneak peek.
I have also completed the last two stitcheries of a  Michelle Ridgway Xmas design. I am a bit behind as most of the other girls who were stitching along, including Michelle, have theirs finished. I'm getting there Michelle.

For my thread, I used a Cottage Garden one called Mistletoe and am using Nancy Halvorsen fabrics to frame them. The stitcheries are very pretty so am looking forward to having this finished soon.  
Before I go, I want to show you a couple of gifts I received in the post.
I won this gift from Narelle for being part of 1 Xmas Item a Month. Thank you to Narelle for giving us the incentive to get some Xmas items done early. I can't believe I actually posted about a finish every month for the year.You can join again in 2014 so just head over to Pins and Whiskers blog to read all about it and sign up.

A diary, tea, coffee, a beautiful handmade card and a jotter pad that states 'I'm a Quilter I can always use more fabric' all wrapped in  fabric and tied with ric rac. Will have to show this to Chris when he next says "Do you really need more fabric?"
I also won a gift from Cath from Bits'nBobs for being a commenter on her blog for November. Cath also was my partner for the Santa Sack Swap so when I  got another parcel from her it was a big surprise. Luckily she had my address as I was a bit lax in checking out blogs at that time. This will be a good one for my next Xmas item so it is prepared and will journey with me to Tassie. The kit included the stitching fabric, all the threads and beads, just need to work out how to display it when finished. Thank you Cath.

Well must go and give my sewing machine a workout. Till next time ......Happy Stitching.

13 UFO's in 2013, SAL Needle book & a Win.......

Well here we are at the end of another month and I am pleased to say I have finished my project for 13 UFO's in 2013. I cut out the pieces for this topper a number of years ago and there it sat in the cupboard until January this year when I put 13 of my UFO's in plastic bags, gave each one a number and placed them in a box. I'm pleased to say here is my September finish. I'm going to put it on top of my freezer in the laundry where it will happily live among all the other farm related animals I collected at one stage. Thank you Marti for hosting again this month. You can check out what other people finished by going to Marti's blog on the 1st of October.

The hanging on the lower left is from my folk art painting days.

Also I managed to finish my SAL 2013 item for September which is the last one for this stitch along. I have really enjoyed playing along and must admit I did get a pass for August, so hope to complete that one soon and get a tick of approval from our SAL coordinators, Chookyblue and Susan.
Thank you for all your work over the last 9 months and I look forward to joining in again if there is a 2014 one.  

I was also very lucky winning Claire's birthday giveaway. Her blog is called Claire-Bears Quilts and can be found at http://claire-bearquilts.blogspot.com.au/. Thank you so much for my lovely gifts Claire.

A Towne Square Quilts Charm pack, variegated thread and a Wacky Web Template from the Missouri Quilt Co. They have lots of great tutorials on You Tube.

Last week, hubby and I went down the coast for dinner to celebrate my grand-daughter's 20th birthday.
So in closing, here is my gorgeous girl, Kiah with her boyfriend Hayden.

A bit of a long post so if you have made it to the end thank you.
Till next time..........Happy Stitching............  

My Sunday, Secret Santa Christmas Swap.

Today was my last day having  my grandson staying with us while his Dad was away fishing, so yesterday we took Jake to Wynnum -Manly for a swim, a play and lunch.  He had a great time doing all those things and below are a few photos of his day.

The water isn't cold Grandma.  Are you coming in !

Maybe a bit of climbing before lunch.

Too much climbing, I need a rest. Might just catch a ride on this blue whale. 

This one is a bit bigger. Think I might make it to the top this time.  You can look Grandma, I won't fall.

We had fish and chips for lunch followed by an icecream cone.  In all a great day and a wonderful close to Jake's stay with us.  For me it's back to school drop-offs and pick-ups on Wednesday after a well earned rest tomorrow although I may have bedtime story withdrawal for a few days.  I was really enjoying reading the same story I read to his father many years ago.

My quilting progress has not been the best this last week so apart from some embroidery I haven't got to my sewing machine since I came home from camp last week.
I did manage to sign up for Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap although I nearly missed seeing the post, so glad I saw it before it was too late to join.  This will be my third year as part of this swap.
The swap has closed now so am looking forward to getting my partner's name soon so I can plan what to make.

Luckily I have a few Xmas goodies on the go and in my gift box already as I am in a few swaps this year.
Well must go..... Till next time........... Happy stitching..............        

Family Visit, Baby Hugs & A Bit of Stitching

This past week has just flown. I have been working on my Xmas in July gifts and am pleased to say am on the final one, so today they will be finished ready to wrap for posting. No photos yet as all the swappers are  going to open them together on the 25 th July. Thanks to Cheryll for hosting this as it has been fun working on my gifts.
At the end of last week we had a visit from my hubby's brother and his family who stayed with us for several days.  They live in Melbourne and are up here for a wedding this coming weekend on Stradbroke Island.  As it is a beach wedding, I am hoping the weather is kind and the predicted showers don't eventuate.
We really enjoyed catching up with them as it has been a while. They also did a bit of sight seeing, visiting Sea World one day and  checking out the new Sky Walk on Tamborine Mountain another day.  On their last day they had time to check out Chris's new hot rod project and Rodger took his son, Oscar, for a spin around the block in our roadster which they both enjoyed.

Rodger, Alison and Oscar in front of  Chris's WISP.

Then yesterday I spent the day with my sister. She was baby sitting her grandson and my great nephew, Ari as my niece, Angela, had an appointment so it was a great opportunity to catch up with her as well as see Ari again..  He is now 6 weeks old and is as cute as a button. I got a chance to have lots of cuddles. He was doing lots of smiling and he really loved lying on his back kicking his legs.

His dad, Paras, actually bought the rocker as a kit and did the weaving on the chair himself. It was so comfy and Ari went straight to sleep after his feed. It's nice to know I haven't lost my touch.
I'll close with a bit of stitching I have been doing.  Michelle of Rag Tag Stitchin asked if I would stitch these along with her. I am using a Cottage Garden thread called Mistletoe and are really happy with the result so far. Below are the first four completed. Haven't chosen the fabrics I will use with them as yet.

So that's all from me for now. Till next time........ Happy Stitching.............

 

13 UFO's in 2013. Family Birthday.

Today I completed the second mini quilt that is part of my finish for 13 UFO's in 2013 for June hosted by Marti. You can check out her blog by clicking on the icon on my side-bar. Photos of every one's finished items won't be up quite yet as the USA has one more day up their sleeve.
In 2011 when in the USA, I bought 2 small Nancy Halvorsen calendar quilt kits and a Quilt Table Top Hanger for them to be displayed on. I have had the kits cut out and half prepared but just didn't get to finish them until now. Below are my mini quilts for October and December.  Thanks Marti for your encouragement  to get some of my UFO's completed.

On Saturday, we had a family birthday barbecue get together minus a few grandchildren as Jake is up with his Mum and brother Tom on school holidays and my grand-daughter Kiah was working. We had an ice cream cake though as we are still all kids at heart and everyone likes looking for the chocolate Freddo frogs hidden in the ice cream. Happy birthday to my son Scott and his girlfriend Rowan who both celebrate their birthdays within  6 days of each other next week.

Today it has been raining all day and quite cold with a bit more rain tomorrow so the winter woollies are well and truly out. Well that is all from me tonight. I will be finishing off my Xmas in July gifts this week ready to be sent on the 15 th.     Have a great week stitching...............Hugs.......

SAL 2013 April finish, a find & a Birthday.

Finally put the finishing touches to my Bon Noel wall hanging last night. I have made mine using a Cottage Garden thread- Blue Wren for the stitchery and some Nancy Halvorsen blue Xmas fabrics. Bought the little blue hanger from The Quilters Angel in Toowoomba and it went with the hanging perfectly so am happy with how it looks.

While I was in Tasmania I helped my FIL by going through some sewing related boxes that had belonged to my Mother-in law.  I sorted some things that could be passed on and cleared out a few things that couldn't. I also found this stash of ric rac and Ken gave it to me to bring  home. I look forward to using it in future projects.  

Last weekend, my Grandson Thomas came for a visit with his Dad so on Friday night we had a birthday tea for him as he turns 11 on Thursday 2 May.  Here he is blowing the candles out on his Freddo Frog Ice-cream cake.  Have a wonderful birthday on Thursday Tom, Grand-ma & Grand-dad love you and miss you lots.
Happy Stitching till next time........   Hugs.........

Swim Carnival, Friends Luncheon

This week has been quite busy and a bit hard to stick to my diet plan but despite all the things I should not have eaten this week, I braved the scales this morning and I have lost 6 kgs. So did a little dance around the bathroom before beginning the day.
On Wednesday, I attended my youngest grand-sons swimming carnival.  He swam in most of his age races and ended up getting 3 second places in butterfly, backstroke and freestyle and a third in breaststroke.  I was very proud of him. Below are a few photos.

On the blocks before the race. Jake has the blue cap on.

Making a start.

Here he is at home holding his ribbons. 

The place to be was in the pool though not on the sidelines as it was very hot.  In the end I found a seat and a shady spot under one of the few trees in the pool area so had a lovely time watching him race.

Yesterday, I drove up to Easts Rugby League Club in Brisbane to have lunch with some very old friends.  Most of them I have known  for over 35 years  when we volunteered together at our children's school tuck shop.  They still meet once a month and although I haven't been able to get there very often, I managed to catch up with them this month. I am in the above photo at the back.  It was like I had never been away as we chatted for several hours.    

They all exchanged small gifts as this is their last meeting before Xmas and to my surprise they all gave me one as well.  In the photo above, a friendship calendar, a Christmas tea-towel, a small photo album, a wallet with diary, pen and notebook in it, a lipstick holder, a cake of goat soap and some scratchies (no luck on those).  I went home one very happy girl.  Will have to make them a small gift when I next get the chance to catch up again.
Well must go and prepare a quiche for dinner.  Till next time happy stitching............

Friday Night with Friends

Last night I had a late start to my Friday Night with Friends.  I went grocery shopping late and you all know the story, it takes longer than you think etc etc.  Anyway I finally got out to my room, no organization or prep done so decided to work on all the things I have already started.

Stitched 'embroidery' and quilted folder top  ready for lining. 

Stitched together this thread catcher, just need to add ric rac around the top.

Xmas Hearts, front one has blanket stitch done, have used Xmas fabric on back.  Thanks to Terry for pattern.  Still got to add embellishments and ribbon hanger.  Have a lot more cut out to make.  They are so cute.

This is from a Nancy Halvorsen book.  I love this saying and have made it before for a friend but always wanted to make it for myself and this Xmas is it.  Sorry for the poor picture quality as I traced it in pencil.

Added borders and pellon.  Used  Nancy  H  fabrics from a few years ago.

It ended up being a late night but at least I got a bit further with a few things. I am posting late as today my family came over for lunch and as they have now all headed home, I am free to get on the computer.  It was a lovely day and I am extra happy as we were able to get onto Skype and talk to my grand-daughter who is on study exchange about 4 hours from New York.  It was lovely to see her face and talk to her.  Fortunately where she is didn't lose power. She said they had bad winds and rain and today snow was falling lightly. So it is good to know she is okay.
To finish here is a  photo of my grandson on the quad bike.  You can see we need rain as the yard is so dry with leaves off the trees everywhere.

Well I am off now to check out some other blogs and see what you got up.  Thanks to Cheryll for hosting the night.           Hugs........Noela.