Holiday stitching and Toulouse-Lautrec

Just before Christmas we headed to the National gallery to see the Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition. It was well worth the visit.

 It is lovely to have a few lazy days after Christmas at home to catch up on a bit of stitching. I made up Fiona's shoe bag ready for the Summer day at Hobbysew in February. We are doing four projects that day including a canvas work, the little stitched purse and the Noah's Ark stamped cushion. Had to get this bag ready to put in the shop!

 I also decided that I would try and finish an old UFO! Would be lovely to do one per week but I am not making any promises! This lovely little felted wool bag was started over a year ago at the Jukejema stitching weekend. It is an Anni Downs pattern!

 Once that was done, I decided to work on a few recent projects. This one from the Homespun magazine needed borders and now needs quilting.

 In classes in Term 1, we are going to do some of the lovely projects in Red Home by Natalie Bird. It is a gorgeous book and I have been so looking forward to sewing some of them. I have started the pin cushion.

 Here are the hexagons all sewn together for one of the sides.

I also stitched the bag stitchery and the little bird over Christmas. They are now ready to sew to make the bag and the little zippered purse.

Christmas celebrations

We had our family celebration on Sunday afternoon and evening. It was so special to have our little Benny and Sammy here for their first Christmas.

 These little chaps are looking at the football!

 It was a bit busy with babies and cooking so I didn't take lots of photos. I am hoping Lyndal may have some better ones to share with you when she and Nick get back from Melbourne.

 Present time was lovely even if the boys didn't have a clue what was happening. Here is little Sammy with his stocking.

Here are the stockings. Sammy's was already made but needed his name added.

 Benny's had to be made completely. Didn't get the names stitching until 11pm on Saturday night!

On Christmas day we headed to Sydney to see Ma and Pa and the little boys and their parents came too. We had a nice time visiting Ma and Pa and then headed off to Paul and Jeni's to have dinner with some of the family and some of Jeni's family too. 

It was a pretty busy day and these little fellows and their Mummy and Daddy drove home again that same night. It was easier as the boys slept the whole way. 

Christmas is here

Christmas is almost here but we have been celebrating already. On Saturday afternoon we had afternoon tea with Janelle and Richard and their family. It was lovely to chat and enjoy the children and to be together. 

 The stars of the show were, of course, the little people. Here is little Benny.

 Little Sammy playing on the floor.

 Little Lois, who is quite a big girl now compared to the boys, had a lovely time too.

 Here are the Lamonts all together. Lois's little sister will be here in just a few weeks.

 Lyndal took most of these pictures with her new Christmas present.

My town, a beautiful quilt and parties

Karen brought in her gorgeous My Town quilt to show us now that it has been quilted. It is absolutely beautiful and Robyn has done a wonderful job of the quilting. Feeling a bit motivated to get my blocks out again! There are some closeups below of the lovely blocks and the quilting. Can you see Karen peaking around the side of the quilt?

 Moonbi (really Najelle sneaked it over) showed us this wonderful quilt she has made with her friendship group.

 It has been a busy week of parties this week and the Wednesday night class girls got together, on Wednesday, and had a lovely time at Carol's house. Thanks Carol. I wish I had taken some photos of her gorgeous decorations. Here are just some of the lovely gifts that Secret Santa brought. We were all very blessed.

Yesterday was another busy day of parties but I forgot to take any photos! Now I need to stop celebrating and finish some stitching, cook some goodies, and get ready for Christmas!

Lynette Anderson is coming to Hobbysew

It is so exciting to announce that Lynette Anderson is coming to Hobbysew in February to teach! I am so disappointed as I will be away and won't be able to go! Thought I would share the flyer that the shop has prepared to advertise the classes. The projects look wonderful! 

Each day will feature a different project personally selected & taught by Lynette.

Saturday 16 February 2013

Badger Cottage Journal Cover
& Pencil Case
Sunday 17 February 2013

Shepherd’s Cottage Bag

Workshop fee includes:

Pattern and

Starter kit valued at $50

Morning tea, lunch, beverages

$130 per person

Bookings for each workshop are strictly limited to 25 places.

A booking can be made for a choice of one only of the two dates on offer.  A waiting list will be kept for those who are interested in booking into the other workshop should places still be available closer to the workshop dates.

To secure a place, a non-refundable deposit of $75 is required and bookings can be taken in store or by phone with a credit card.

Deposits will only be refunded if your place can be filled by another booking.

The package price cannot be altered.  For special food needs, please contact the store.  Not all special food requirements can be catered for.

Kits for the alternative day’s project will be made available for purchase.

Contact the store on 6253 0011 to make a booking or for further information.

Stitching last week and some Christmas celebrations

Time is rushing by and it is only a week till Christmas. Classes finished last week and it was lovely to see what the ladies have been finishing for Christmas. So motivating! Paddy had finished one of these little foundation pieced stockings. She is making three.

 Karen had made this lovely bright version of my little stitched purse for her daughter.

 Margaret used the beautiful Anni Downs' panel and made some gorgeous tea towels. All I managed to do was to get out a tea towel and place the panel nearby!!!!

 The Wednesday morning girls went out for a delicious Christmas high tea at Gold Creek. The food and the company was delightful.

 Last night we headed out to the Canberra Baptist Church's carol night. It was a perfect evening for the carols, not too hot and no rain!

 Just had to quickly stitch a few little decorations so got out the felt as it is so lovely to work with. I am very busy trying to make a second stocking for one of the little boys. Luckily I had one made a while ago but now have to make another one to go with it!