Classes, a little finish and a new start

Last week ended up busy with retreat planning and kit making and classes started as well. It was lovely, a always, to catch up with the ladies and see and hear what the have been up to. Anita went away and did so much sewing! Check out this lovely owl bag.

 She also made this runner and the quilt top below!

 I have been knitting and finished this little cardigan for Alice. Just needs some buttons!

 I did start something new though! I bought this Yoko Saito Mystery quilt as a BOM last year and hadn't started as I had told myself that I couldn't start till Vignette and In My garden were completed tops. Now they are, so I got these lovely Japanese fabrics out and have began block one. Lots of fiddly needle turn but I am pleased with it. I am now working on the embroidery which is fun. I will try and stitch a block each month.

Family and some progress

It has been really chilly here in Canberra but it hasn't stopped the little boys getting out and about. They were at the park with Mummy and Pa recently and had a great time playing with the leaves. I came along a little later and they were slipping themselves and their hats down the slippery dip. It is amazing how little it takes to have a happy, hilarious time when you are two!

 Yesterday we met the boys and Dad at the school park again and it was such fun to watch these two at play.

 Little Alice was there too and the boys love to see her.

 Here are a couple of recent photos. She is almost 6 weeks old so we are so looking forward to seeing some smiles soon. Supposedly she smiles at home at Mummy and Daddy!

 Last week I cut lots of fabric and bits for the kits for the retreat. They are almost ready which is good. I had some time then to do a bit of other stitching. This cushion from Lynette Anderson's Christmas book is now finished. It was fun to make. We are doing this book at class this term along with a few of my Christmas patterns so it is good to have the samples all made.

 I was very pleased to get the borders onto my Chateau Hexagon quilt. It is already for some hand quilting.

 I have also been knitting a little cardigan for Alice. Just needs the last sleeve.

A few weeks ago it was Ma's birthday and I haven't made her anything for ages. I had bought this pattern at a craft show a few years ago and thought I would make Ma a scarf. The pattern is a Wendy Williams pattern and her flowers were yellow. I had the deep red flannel so made the flowers pink.

I think I would like one of these to add to my scarf collection.

Craft Fair Shopping

After and while I was working on the BeBe Bold stall I kept seeing things that I just had to have. Jane carries some lovely Japanese crochet books and I kept looking at them. Not sure if I will be able to interpret the graphs (as I certainly can't read the Japanese!) but it might be fun to try. I also bought some fine thread to crochet as well. Brings back memories of crocheting doileys when I was in my 20s! 

 BeBe Bold also has some lovely patterns, fabrics and notions. These just had to come home with me.

 Jane uses this tool to make lines for sashiko. Thought I might need one. Jane had also made a lovely little bag using these apple core papers. It might be fun to make some of these with my Japanese fabrics.

 I showed you some of these fabulous birds that Doreen is making and when I saw this book, I couldn't resist.

 AK Traditions had a lovely stall as well and these dollies are so gorgeous. Little Alice might like one...when she is bigger. The colouring book is gorgeous too and I think I would like to stitch them!

 You can't go to Sydney without buying some goodies from the Hatched and Patched stall. I was quite good really as I could have bought so much. I bought a little kit and Anni's new book for Quiltmania, called The Home Patch. It has so many lovely projects in it.

It all looks quite a lot really. Must get going on my retreat kits so I can have some time to make some of these lovely projects. Lots of fabric being cut, notes almost written and photos taken. It is only 2 weeks till our retreat! 

Sydney Craft Show

I have just enjoyed a very busy but fun time in Sydney helping on the BeBe Bold stall at the Sydney Craft show which was held for the first time at Glebe Island. I thought it was going to be a bit of a fuss getting there but in the end it was very easy. Thankfully they had more buses than expected. I caught the train to Central and then the free bus from there and it was very convenient. You could also catch the ferry which would have been lovely too. The venue was very light and airy too. It was a delight to help Jane, Cally and Kate on this busy but beautiful stall. I did bring some goodies home with me from this stall as I felt like buying all the things that the customers were buying!

 Here is a view of one of the aisles early in the morning before the crowds arrived.

 It was also a pleasure to catch up with Anni Downs and her hubby too! They always have a beautiful and tempting stall!

 Round the corner from BeBe Bold was the Material Obsession stall. It is such a lovely colourful stall! I enjoyed meeting Cathy and was especially delighted to meet the very talented Wendy Williams who wrote the book that I bought just last week. Her samples were amazing. I just love all the felt she uses in her projects.

 This quilt on the wall is Wendy's new BOM. It is amazing!

 As I was working, I didn't get to wander around too much but did duck in for a quick look at the many beautiful quilts. Can you see Steph from the lovely patchwork shop in Moruya?

 Here are just a few of the many quilts on display!

 These quilts were in the Living colour exhibition and I just love the colours and the embroidered details.

 It was also fun to see some familiar faces and especially to catch up with Chooky! We also caught up with a few other blogging pals as well but I wasn't organised enough to take a picture.

Nice to be home though and to catch up with the little men and little Alice this afternoon. Felt like we hadn't seen them in ages!

Deliveries and some stitching

The post man was very kind this week and brought me this lovely book by Gail Pan. It is just gorgeous, Gail.

 These lovely fabrics arrived in the post a little while ago. Thanks so much, Gail. Can't wait to play with them.

 I also ordered this gorgeous book by Wendy Williams. It is so beautiful!

 I have been stitching away at my table mat by Lynette Anderson and have now prepared the outer edge. Needs another iron and then the top appliqued in place.

 As we are working on this book, Stitch it for Christmas, next term, I started the cushion as well. Any excuse to stitch Christmas things.

 Yesterday I was very busy and made Herbie and Percy, the helicopter and plane, from a pattern by Melly and Me. They were a bit of a fiddle but are very cute. They are part of the little men's birthday gifts.

I am getting a bit excited about next week as I am off the Sydney to work on the Be Be Bold stall at the craft show! I will be there each day except Sunday, from 9.30 till 2.30. Hope you come and say hello!