Crazy Christmas Block 8 and .....

It was lovely to have a quiet weekend and to be able to do a little stitching. I have been slowly stitching Block 8 of the Crazy Christmas BOM by Lynette Anderson.

I have also continued my mad scarf knitting and have done quite a bit now! Please don't look too carefully as I think there are a few odd rows but I decided that it was lacy and not too noticeable! I am quite enjoying knitting it now though it is a long slow process.

Here is a little hint of a secret project I have been working on for our stitching days in October. It seems such a long way away but the time seems to fly! With holidays away soon, I wanted to get organised.

Christmas class on Friday

We had the first Christmas class at Hobbysew on Friday. It was lovely to share the day with 8 busy ladies who enjoyed making some of the projects. Here they are busy at work. Najelle and Cathy organised yummy morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, which we all enjoyed.

Marianne had this delightful needlecase with her. It is a design from one of  Lynette Anderson's Christmas quilts. We thought they all needed eyes! The fabrics were perfect.

One of the other ladies had this lovely bag with her made with hexagons.

We even had a little visitor!

Marianne had made this really special quilt for her little granddaughter from Bronwyn Hayes' beautiful baby book.

Here is a closeup.

Clever ladies and some stitching

Anita has been very busy and shared this amazing quilt with us on Wednesday night, It is very large and fits a queen bed right to the floor!

Sue has stitched one of these delightful cartoons from Anni Downs' Boy book.

Najelle brought in these fantastic slippers she has made from a magazine pattern. Aren't they great?

I have been stitching a little and have put together three of these lovely decorations from the "Quilt a gift" book. I am hoping to make some more of these delightful projects soon.

Craft Show Shopping

Best show you the goodies I bought at the Craft show. There was so much to see and so much to tempt me even though I went "needing" nothing at all! My favourite stall is Hatched and Patched and I bought Anni's new book, a lovely little pattern, some felt and a whole box of punch needle thread.

I also came home with these little kits for some cute Santas and a lovely little purse with a zipper and needleturned owls.

My maddest purchase was the wool ( we weren't buying wool but this is cashmere so isn't counted) to make this lacy scarf. It was so beautiful but the pattern appears simple but isn't!!!!!!Thankfully it is very hole-y and so a few extra holes don't seem to matter. I also bought some nice silk yarn for Santa beards.

I also have to admit to buying another beautiful Clair Patterson, handknitted cardigan. So nice to bring home something that doesn't need to be made!

Wednesday is here again

With all the excitement of the quilt show, I forgot to show you all last week's finished projects. Jill has finished her notebook cover from the stitching day.

Margaret had finished her sampler so we were able to help her frame it. Looks great, Margaret, and fitted into the frame and mat perfectly.

In the evening, Barbara had put together her cushion. The fabrics you chose worked very well, Barbara.

Heidi had a lovely quilt to show us. It has been quilted beautifully and the colours are really lovely.

Christmas class at Hobbysew

On Friday, I am teaching the first of several Christmas classes at Hobbysew. They will be special days where the 8 ladies will get four patterns and kits along with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. The next day in July is already full and there are already some places taken for the September day. How exciting. Just thought I would share the projects with you and let you know that Hobbysew has also made up some kits for these projects if you aren't able to come to the class. The first pattern includes this Christmas table centre and cushion.

This is the canvas work.

This little Santa is hand stitched using felt.

These little gift bags are easy to make. One is appliqued and the other is stitched and the little angel is stamped onto the fabric to make it easy to do.

Quilts....

I had a very quick look a the quilt show as there were so many shops to look at. Here are some of the quilts.

The quilting and applique on this quilt was beautiful.

Here is a closeup.

Kay Haerland was telling everyone how she created this magnificent quilt. It was so interesting to hear about her techniques. This photo is a bit blurry but gives you an idea of the detail. The quilt won several prizes including Best of Show.

Here are some closeups of the detail. There are 3D flowers and so much detail. Kay said it took 6 months to make the quilt. 

Glimpses of the Craft Show

Here are a few shots of the craft show in Sydney. You aren't supposed to take photos but it would be boring not to show you any! Some of you may recognise this lovely lady.

This was my favourite stall! Hatched and Patched had a lovely new book to buy and there were so many lovely things to see.

This quilt was very interesting in the quilt show. I do like the way it is 3D.

Another lovely stall and it has Lynette Anderson's Scandinavian Christmas on the wall. So nice to see it in real life.

Block C of Gardeners Journal done!

I finally found some time to stitch together Block C. Luckily I had already stitched the house earlier which was a great help.  

Paddy and I are off to Sydney this afternoon and are going to the craft show tomorrow. My class girls were very excited as quite a few of them are going tomorrow as well. Can't wait to see all the stalls. I really don't need anything but you never know what you will find.
I managed to do a little more stitching on these little felt Christmas pictures from the lovely Quilt a gift book. Here they are. I really love the look of stitched felt.

Victoria and a little stitching

Just another view into the window of that lovely shop in Yarragon.

We drove home on Monday and stopped for a look over Lakes Entrance.

I did some stitching on the vegies from the Gardener's Journal. There was a lot of stitching on this block. I didn't read the instructions carefully and made the corn all yellow and then had to go over the stitches with green and that has made them a little wrinkly.

I also started some of the lovely decorations in the Bareroots book, Quilt a Gift, and really enjoyed working with felt again. 

Visit to Victoria

We are safely home after a lovely visit to Drouin in Victoria to see our "old" friends, Glynnis and Ian. We have been friends for 35 years as we met just after we were married! It was a very special time as even though we don't see each other often the friendship is still so strong and we enjoy getting together. Mostly we chatted and ate. It was lovely to see two of their grandchildren too.On Sunday we had a little outing to Yarragon. This is a favourite place of mine and I have been there a few times especially to visit Candleberry country, a really lovely patchwork shop full of samples and fabric. As well as that shop there are great shops full of beautiful handmade items. Here is just one of them.

I loved these little miniature prints.

Here is another view.

And here is Candleberry Country. They had some lovely things there but I was good and didn't buy anything. I AM going to the Craft show this week! I just hope this cold, mainly an irritating cough, goes away soon.

It was a really special time though it is a long way to go from here.

What are these fabrics called?

Jill, from Wednesday stitching. was wondering if anyone knows what these fabrics are called. She has been making a quilt and is up to labelling it and wants to list the names of the fabrics used in the quilt. Can anyone help?