The Urban stitches kit....

It was exciting to open our pink bag on Saturday and to find the 4 patterns and kits as well as an Inspirations magazine and a wonderful stitch guide book. There were even some needles and scissors. Here are all the things that were in our bag. The stitcheries were also screen printed onto the fabric.

                                       

These are the patterns by Ric Rac and May Blossom.

These are the ones by Melly and Rosalie.

I worked on this one by Rosalie and here is my progress so far. There are quite a few more satin stitch circles to stitch!

Urban Stitching in Sydney

It was good fun to head to Sydney and go to the first Urban stitching day held in Sydney! It was held in Darling Harbour and this view was just lovely. We even had wonderful views of Darling Harbour from our hotel window. We did enjoy it all but missed Fiona this time, though she was in just the right place for their family at the moment.

 On Friday we settled in after a long, hot walk to the hotel! If only we had realised that the light rail goes right there. It wasn't that far but it was very confusing as to how to actually get to the Novatel! Thankfully we worked it out for the way back to the station as our bags were just a little heavier after a bit of shopping. We headed into town and browsed the shops for a while and then had dinner. On Saturday we were very excited to see the projects and to stitch for the day. These are the four lovely projects. Our bags had fully kitted patterns for each one of these.

 This was Melly's lovely little toy and stitchery.

 The one I started was Rosalie's little felt applique and stitchery p.ocket

 This little scissor keep is just lovely too.

 Simone Gooding was ill which was a shame, so we didn't get to meet her this time. The other tutors were Jodie from Ric Rac, Melly and Rosalie. We were also lucky to have Sandie from Winter Wood with her beautiful wool felt.

 There were gorgeous displays all around the room.

 Here are Allyson, Karen, Adrienne and Audrey stitching.

 This is what the room looked like during the day with everyone busy stitching.

 There was Show and tell too and here is Karen showing her lovely Red Home bag.

 Here I am with Barbara, Karen and Allyson ...just to prove I was there!

Karen's bag and pencil case

Karen had finished her gorgeous Red Home bag on Wednesday. Looks wonderful in this lovely range of fabrics.

 If you look carefully you will see that Karen has quilted around the birds and flowers and it looks like part of the fabric!

 Karen had also finished her pencil case!

Best head off to finish packing for Urban Stitching in Sydney. Have decided to take my big bag in case I manage to do some shopping!

A bit of stitching

I've just been visiting the little boys today as they both have little colds. Poor little pets! Just home before I head out again so thought I had best share some stitching photos. I put together this cushion from a Lynette Anderson book last week. 

 Check out when the stitching was done!

 When out and about, I have been working on this lovely design by Leanne Beasley. I am so enjoying stitching this.

 But I have also been secretly playing with this gorgeous French General range. The fabrics are beautiful and they are being used in some projects for Stitching in the Hills later in the year. Always good to get a start on these things as the time does fly away!

Stitching on the Lake is coming up soon on 13th and 20th of April and I am just getting all the bits and pieces ready to make up some kits. There are still some places if you haven't booked in yet.

Canberra's Centenary

This past weekend, Canberra celebrated its 100th birthday. There were lots of special celebrations all around town and they are continuing all through 2013. This weekend though, was the major time to celebrate. Each morning this week balloons have been floating all over Canberra.

 On Monday, there were lots of events around the lake.

 In the evening, we sat near the symphony stage and listened to the music which had been composed for the centenary. While the orchestra played there were images displayed on the big screen of the day in 1913 when Canberra's foundation stone was laid.

 Of course, there were fire works and they turned out to be really good after a slow start. We were a bit far away so didn't see what was happening right on the lake but the higher displays were amazing.

Here we are to prove we were there!

Stitching....and boys

Lynn came along to class last week with her gorgeous hexagon pencil case all finished. Fantastic job, Lynn.

 Margaret has been busy too and has made this lovely quilt with machine pieced hexagons using Anni Downs' gorgeous fabrics.

 I finally sat down on Friday when I had the whole day almost all at home and put together this little block for Ben and Sam to share. I had stitched it years ago when I went to the Immerse stitching day in 2010! It is a Melly and Me pattern.

 Last year at Urban stitching in Melbourne, I stitched Rosalie Quinlan's Urban stitching set. Here they are finally put together. I changed the background colour as the aqua was very bright! The bag just needs some cord. I also changed the bag and pin cushion stitcheries around and used the bigger one on a larger bag.

 I can't resist showing you the boys from a visit on Saturday.

 Benny so wants to crawl!

Little Joshua Henry

Our extended family grew again this week with birth of little Joshua Henry. James is our nephew and he and his lovely wife Sarah now have this very special little boy. He was born about 4 weeks early on Tuesday 5th March and is doing very well. Another great grandchild for Ma and Pa. So exciting!

But it is most exciting for Paul and Deirdre and their family who are delighting in being new grandparents and aunts and uncles.