Stitching on the Lake

Even though it was freezing (only 9 degrees maximum) in Canberra on Saturday, we had a lovely day of stitching, eating and friendship at our first Stitching on the Lake day. It was a Christmas in July theme so the projects and the food were Christmassy. Lynne and Sammy spoilt us with delicious treats for morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch. Here we are all set up for the day.

 Najelle and Terrie came with a lovely stall to tempt us.

 Lovely to catch up with Sue and Rose, from Melbourne.

 Rose had this great stitching tote with a zipper all the way round. So useful.

 There was so much lovely show and tell! Here are just a few of them. Brenda had her lovely cushion finished in gorgeous colours.

 She had also made up her star into a lovely mat.

 Michelle has been busy too and has finished this gorgeous little stitching bag by Lynette Anderson.

 She also stitched her cushion from one of our retreats in red. Looks wonderful.

 Roni and Barb have been busy making lots of felt birds to create these great cushions.

 There were some finishes on the day too. Two hexi trees were completed and two little felt houses! Well done ladies.

Great work

So much fun catching up with the stitching ladies on Wednesday. Classes started again and there was so much wonderful show and tell. Lynda has been stitching up a storm. She has some babies coming along in her family so she has made some bags and some cute outfits for the little ones.

 She has also stitched this useful zippered pouch.

 Please note that the back in all hexagons!

 I think Lynda is a bit hooked on hexies as she has made some great coasters.

 Marlene has been busy too making things from Natalie Bird's lovely book, Red Home. She didn't need another pin cushion so used the images to make this great door stop.

 She also made this lovely table mat from the same book.

 Great to catch with the evening girls too. Anita has been on holidays and as well as being a tourist she managed to make this special bag using Melba fabrics.

 She also whipped up these great bags. They have no sewing on them!!!! She tells us they are made with special double sided tape! We thought she might have been tricking us!

I am all ready for Stitching on the Lake! So looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. If you haven't seen the projects, then check here.

Sewing room makeover

Over the last few weeks, everything came out of the sewing room so it could be painted and then get new carpet and new furniture. It was a big effort as there was so much in this little room! I wanted to tidy everything and also try to get rid of a few things like the many magazines that I have collected. We made several visits to Ikea for new cupboards and to Officeworks too. It is so good now and much easier to work in. Here are some photos taken by my resident photographer (who also was the painter, carpet layer and furniture builder!).

Birthday party

We had such fun celebrating Benny and Sammy's birthday at Lollipops on Sunday. It was a great place to have a party as there is so much for the little ones to do. The boys and their guests had a lovely time.

Stitching on the lake

Fiona and I are looking forward to the next two Saturdays when we will be meeting with lots of lovely stitchers for our Stitching on the lake days. We know Lynne is busy preparing some delicious food and we have been busy making kits and preparing for these special days. Here are some pictures of our projects,
This little felt house is all handstitched using felt.Your kit includes the felt and you will just need the DMC threads, red 221, greens 580 and 3012, ecru, brown 3863 and yellows 783 and 782.

 This little decoration is made with English paper piecing so bring along your glue pen or tacking thread, some fine thread for sewing the pieces and some scraps of fabric.

 Stitch this Christmas stitchery and make it into a cushion or hanging. Your background fabric and parlan is provided and you will need your threads (DMC threads 221, 3777, 783, 782, 580, 3012 and 936 or your own favourites) and a little scrap of red fabric and fusible web. Later you will need some fabric to complete your cushion and some fibrefill stuffing.

This canvas work decoration uses a few different stitches and a little bit of gold thread to highlight your Christmas star. The threads uses are green 936, gold 783, red 3777 and ecru. The back is worked in the same colours. Fibrefill stuffing and canvas is included. You will need a tapestry needle.

This gorgeous cross stitch has been made into a lovely scissor keeper for a special friend. The aida is provided and later you will need some fabric, some lace and a heart button to complete the project. The threads used are red 3777, green 936 and gold 783. You will also need a tapestry needle for the stitching.

This Christmas mandala pouch is worked on homespun using green 936, red 3777, gold 783 and ecru. Later you will need a fat quarter of Christmas fabric, lining fabric, pellon and a 10" zipper. This pouch would make a lovely gift for a stitching friend or you could also make the stitchery into a decoration or cushion.

Hobbysew is coming with a lovely stall as usual in case your forget anything or need some retail therapy. Don't forget to bring along your show and tell and your favourite Christmas mug for your coffee or tea.