Getting ready...

Spent some time on the weekend getting ready for our holiday. Only 8 sleeps to go before we head off on this ship!!! Can't wait. I just had to get some stitching ready as there are some sea days and not much to do other than chat, read, eat and sew. We are heading off with Ma and Pa and Jeni and Paul on another adventure together.

Here we are when we cruised to New Zealand in 2009. So looking forward to some great times and so pleased that Pa is able to cruise again.

Here are some of the projects I have prepared to work on. I have had this gorgeous pattern for a Sewing folder by Anni Downs for a while and have been wanting to make it. I needle turned the applique pieces ready to work on the stitching.

These little bits were a little tricky but will look so good with the stitching.

 I also traced some cross stitch stars for one of the borders of Scandinavian Christmas.

 I also prepared the colours for a couple of Anni's little stitchery kits.

 Oh dear, that might not be enough. Can't head off without enough stitching!

Summer stitching

It has been another busy week of stitching! Best not complain as I have had some lovely days though could do with a bit of time at home to work on my many projects. Mustn't waste today...blogging isn't wasting time  though. On Monday I taught my second Summer stitching day at Hobbysew. Seven lovely ladies spent the day stitching and chatting and eating yummy morning and afternoon tea. Here are some photos of them busy at work.

For those still planning to book into Stitching on the Lake, the April 14 date is now full. There are still places on the 17 March. 

Progress!

I had a very productive weekend as we had a quiet one without the excitement of weddings! It is nice to get a little done on some of my many ongoing projects. I finally put together block 7 of In my Garden. The pieces had been appliqued for quite a while and were waiting to be sewn together.

 I had also finished the long stitched piece that goes on the other side of my Vignette quilt and was able to put part of the side together.

 Now the stitching on the piecing needs to be done before I can start the centre parts of the quilt.

 I also enjoyed appliquing the next three blocks for Some Kind of Wonderful. They were fun to stitch.

Classes and kits

Where has the week gone? I can't believe it is Friday again. We had a busy day on Wednesday at the shop with social stitching and then classes. So nice to see what the ladies have been working on. Bronwyn and Lynn have finished their bookmarks.

 Bronwyn has also finished her little needlecase from last year's stitching day and her scissor keeper is almost finished.

 Lynn was using this beautifully embroidered needlecase.

 What have I been doing? I have been busy over the last few weeks making samples and writing notes for the stitching days coming up in March and April. Yesterday I cut out lots of parlan, interfacing and fabric to start making the kits.

 I know...they aren't on for a while but I am heading off in a few weeks on holidays and just want to be organised.  Here are some of the photos and bags ready for packing.

 My stitching has slowed right down but I have been doing a little handquilting on Christmas Fun.

Avril and Tim"s wedding

We have had a busy but lovely weekend with Sunday being the wedding of our youngest niece, Avril, to her special young man, Tim. This is where we were in Wollongong! It was a gorgeous day for a beach wedding. Unbelievable after a week of rain almost everywhere! 

 Here is the groom with his best men waiting for the bride to arrive.

 Ma and Deirdre, the mother of the bride, watching for Avril.

 Ma and pa ready for the ceremony. That umbrella was a great idea as it was very hot.

 Here comes Avril with her proud Dad.

 Couldn't resist loading this post with pictures as hubby took some lovely ones.

 This one was posted on facebook today and is beautiful.

 Here is our family after the ceremony. We were a little glad to be in the shade.

 I stitched a card for the happy couple. I used Lynette Anderson's wedding picture from Your home or mine and added the beach.

 Saturday night was special too as we inducted our new minister in church. This very special band were the Pastoral "Seekers" and performed a version of "A World of our own" in a fun service to welcome Chris and his family.

More of Wednesday

Karen popped in quickly on Wednesday to show her lovely Teahouse block from My Town. The quilt is finished now in the Homespun magazine but we are still working on it! Looks great, Karen.

 Liz has been busy too. She came to the Summer stitching day a few weeks ago and has almost finished the canvas work. Doesn't it look beautiful.

 In the evening, Sue was very excited to show us her finished Little Village Hanging. Sue has done such a good job.

 Sally has been busy too and has finished this delightful quilt for one of her grandchildren. The little dogs and cats are so cute. She used charm squares to make the centre of the quilt.

Wednesday stitching and classes

It is always lovely to catch up with the ladies at social stitching and at classes in the afternoon and evening. It is always so inspiring to see what everyone has been making. Janet had made the most gorgeous tiny knitted hat for her new babe, due soon,  but I forgot to take a photo. Donna had finished her embroidered keyring from the Summer day of stitching at the shop recently. Doesn't it look beautiful? I was very impressed with her Winnie the Pooh key on her keyring. Think I need one of those!

 Classes started yesterday and it was very special to catch up on all the ladies' news and to see what they have been stitching. Can't fit it all into one post! Bronwyn had made some lovely things over the break. I just love this hanging from Anni Downs' Some Kind of Wonderful book. Must make one of these!

 Bronwyn has also finished this punch needle bag from Anni's book The World as it Should be.

 Doesn't the punch needle look good?

 She had also made a toaster cover.

 Bronwyn had also finished this lovely drawstring bag from last year's stitching day. Hasn't she been busy?