Thursday 29 December 2011

visiting the Garden...

Well Christmas is over and the New Year around the corner. We had a lovely Christmas and more importantly, a low stress one.

Over the past few weeks I have been plodding along with the stitcheries for block 3 and 4 of Down in the Garden, putting off the actual piecing of the blocks. Last night I decided it was time to put them together so that I could tick them off my 'catch up' list.

block 3

block 4 (this block is just missing the hexie flower on the yellow check square)
I am quite happy with how this is coming along. Block 5 will be a marathon of Stitching which doesn't put me off at all and the bonus is there is no Piecing!
progress so far....
Another item on my catch up list was to do a few rows of my Park Avenue Hexies.
I am happy to say there are three new rows to this project. I have another two to add on and then the task of making fill in hexies will be on the cards.


Narelle (of pins and whiskers) is co ordinating '1 christmas item' again for next year. I have chosen my first Christmas item to make and have put my magazines with Christmas patterns to one side for easy access to lots of inspiration.
That's me up to date for now.......
Hope that you all have a great and safe New Year!
See you next year!

Marina




Wednesday 21 December 2011

It's beginning to look a lot.....

............Like Christmas.....
This week I received two lovely surprise envelopes in the mail.
One from Melody and one from Fiona....
Big Hugs to you both I am so chuffed by these, the workmanship in both is just fantastic. You are both such generous and thoughtful blog friends.Thankyou X
a lovely santa from Fiona, (bubz rugz)

a hexie doilie from Melody (house on the hill)
My new project for next year will be the Swan Lake (dancing dollies) Quilt. I found that a most talented quilter, Ingrid, is also making this quilt and hers is just magnificent! The blog is called Supergoof and I first found this blog when I was doing the Life is beautiful quilt, check out this version of it. Ingrid makes the most amazing quilts. I am just in awe of her workmanship and if mine is half as good as hers I will be more than a little happy!
Pop over and have a drool  look see. Feeling so inspired just looking at the progress
that is being made.


I'd like to wish all my blog friends a very safe and joyous festive season spent with those you love! Thanks for taking the time to visit and thankyou for your friendship.
hugs....marina









Sunday 18 December 2011

sparsely stitching...

things have been pretty hectic here what with the silly season in full swing.
An important event took place this week too. No 1 son had his graduation ceremony where he received his Teaching Degree, not just a degree but a pass with first class honours! He was absolutely over the moon as he didn't know until he was [presented with his degree. We are so proud of his achievement and we know how much work he and dedication he has put into his studies. He already has a job for next year so this was just the icing on the cake. Well done my boy!
Sewing has been pretty sparse over the past week but only four more working days and it will be happy holidays!
Yesterday the sewing group I go to got together for our Christmas lunch. We are a varied bunch with lots of different interests. This shows when it comes to our Khris Kringle gifts. I always gift a stitched item, another two do the most magnificent, fine crochet, another crochet, you get the picture...
One of the girls makes lovely crafty bags and I think I was the only one that hadn't received one yet. Well yesterday I received mine, tailor made to my personal interests and tastes. As you can see from the photos it fits my goodies perfectly..
DH will be happy as I won't have to leave my stitcheries and scissors all over the chair arm.


Here is the progress on my block four of Down in the garden...
Over Christmas I will sew the blocks together (hopefully). It's quite slow going at the moment.


I have also been working on Jack and Jill, it's ready to quilt....

Hope you have had a crafty weekend...
Roll on Christmas..
Marina

Saturday 10 December 2011

Christmas spirit....

The tree is up and the decorations have been distributed amongst the various vantage points in the lounge room...




I really enjoyed putting out the decorations this year..
I also picked up this lovely this morning..
There are some aspects of it that I am not 100% happy with but will have to live with it, I am afraid. Now to find somewhere to hang it... And where will I put it after Christmas is over?
just love this frame, not sure if it suits 100%, but I just love it.

love the red matting
I have been busy working on my down in the garden stitcheries for block 4. I just need some extra time in the day! Anyone have any spare?

Hope you have had some crafty time...
cheers
Marina


Monday 5 December 2011

better late than never...

Now that the silly season has started it is getting harder to find time to do what I want but there are ways of working it if you try...
I have nearly managed to finish my gingerbread candle mats, just a little more binding to sew down on one of them... I remembered I had these lovely little candles in the cupboard and thought they would look gorgeous for a pic.. I have had them for about 30 years, just so cute I think..

Sunday I had to accompany DH to his shooting club Christmas shoot, sounds exciting doesn't it? Not many, in fact not one, of the other wives went so it was a perfect opportunity to do some stitching in the car (the weather was cold and drizzly). I would say it was quiet stitching time but at a shooting range there isn't much chance of quiet.
My progress on Rosalie Quinlan's new stitchery..

I have changed the colour of the thread as I wanted a more antique pink.
I also took my Christmas Wreath to be framed. It will be ready next week and should look fabulous. I was going to gift it but after the cost of framing I think I will be keeping it for myself. Then I will just need to find a place for it?
Here is a pic of the stitching for my Down in the garden block 3. I haven't pieced it together yet but it is all stitched..

This morning while I was downloading my photos the 'parcel postie' arrived with a wonderful package from the lovely Carine from Belgium! We have been exchanging patterns and emails for a little while, and she sent me these treasures and some patterns to keep me busy....
A lovely heart and pin cushion. I love the little girl and the terrier picture, just perfect!

Here is a close up with my crooked finger in it for size reference. These little owls are just adorable. It will make a wonderful addition to my pincushions. Thanks so much Carine!!!

there we go, I think I am all caught up with show and tell of what's been happening here.
Hope you have a great week!
Happy stitching.
marina



Thursday 1 December 2011

Jack and Jill

Last week saw little stitching happening and thank goodness that Septimana Horribilis is over. I did make some doilies though and I enjoyed the change of craft a lot. On the weekend I got to pick up needle and thread again and how soothing that was!
This week has been much quieter on many fronts. We are childless this week as No 1 son is away with friends and no 3 son is away on camp. We had to call back no 2 son (who is not living at home at the moment) so that we didn't miss the others too much. I think he enjoyed a little only child attention. This week is a little insight into what it will be like when it is just me and the fella. Very quiet and peaceful I must say (and Tidy!), I could get used to this...... I do miss the boys but they are having a ball at their respective destinations.
Again my projects have to play second fiddle as the child this quilt is intended for has arrived a few weeks early.... I thought I better get a wriggle on. Mum graciously appliqued the faces and drew the lines for me to stitch the faces.
I have finished the applique and just a little more embroidery and then I will have to decide on how to put this together. The quilt is for a friend at work for her new grandson. I am hoping it won't be too girly, she was happy to still have the Jack and Jill.
I just love Jill's face and hair.
I




Gj's in Brunswick have a sale starting-their 25% off sale! I will be off to get some batting for two flimsies waiting to be quilted. That will make them one step closer to being finished!
My backing fabric arrived for my Swan Lake so that will be ready to go for next year..... It is a lovely 3 sisters fabric- Etchings, just beautiful. Can't wait.....
Hope you are having a great week...
Cheers
Marina


What is new....

 Now that a few projects have been completed and delegated to different quilters I can share my new projects. It was not easy finding the in...