Stitching progress....

It is a crazy world here at the moment. I hope you are all well and not too distressed but the news! We have had to cancel our trip away this year as we were going on 20th April. It is disappointing but better than going and then having to rush back. I have a little cold and feel embarrassed to sniffle! Still, it is time we can use to stitch if we are stuck at home. I have managed to do a bit! I bound and labelled the Splendid Sampler a few weeks ago.

 I have been loving hand piecing these large hexagons to frame the Natalie Bird stitchery panel.

 My slow old project, Fairy Kisses, is getting there. I am about to do the last big borders!

I have also had so much fun crocheting the Tendril shawl by Anni Design Crochet. It is a free pattern on her blog or you can purchase a print friendly version in UK terms from Ravelry. It needs blocking but I am please with it and the ball of wool (located in my stash) worked so well.

 Social stitching at Hobbysew is being cancelled from now on due to the dreaded virus! Last week we saw a little show and tell. Paddy has made this gorgeous jumper and hat ready for her little grandson.

 Roni has been busy too and made these lovely cross stitch pillows. She changed the colours on the second one. I wish I had thought to do this on my one.

A gift, some progress and birds

Lovely to catch up with Fiona this week and to receive this beautiful early birthday gift. I just love this special tin with tricky hardanger on the top and the piece of liberty fabric too.

 I have been slowly working on my old UFO, Fairy Kisses, by Helen Stubbings.

 Bruce took some lovely pictures of these birds recently.

Off to school..

All the littlies headed back to school and preschool this week. Little Jack has his first day at his new preschool. This little man has such an expressive face! The big boys went on Tuesday and are in year 2.

 Miss Alice headed to big school and is now in Kindergarten.

 We are back to some morning drop offs and pick ups again.

 This little fellow was started a long time ago by Sam. He drew the picture and I cut it out from felt and he did a bit of stitching. I finally finished it for him.

 I pulled out one of my oldest UFOs the other day and chose some fabrics and started to put it together. It is Fairy Kisses by Helen Stubbings. I think I started it in 2004???

Melbourne and AQC

We enjoyed a lovely weekend in Melbourne. We went mostly to go to the AQC but enjoyed some good meals and lots of laughs. The highlight was our visit to the beautiful exhibition building for AQC.

 So lovely to see so many wonderful shops under one beautiful roof. Always love Anni and Pete's gorgeous stand.

  It was great to see Helen too and to see the whole Stitch Therapy quilt!

 The Bebe Bold stall was a delight too.

Thought I had best share some lemon tart.....there are very good ones in Melbourne.

 On Saturday, I was very spoilt for my birthday as the girls took me to St Kilda Pier for brunch.

I was also given this wonderful bag. It is so special and made with William Morris fabric.

 After  all that breakfast we still couldn't resist a cake in Acland St.

I will share the quilts and shopping next time.

Gorgeous gift and some stitching

Lynne came to class last week and showed me these amazing Japanese creations. Her lovely sister-in -law goes to Japan each year and bought her this zippered stitching pouch and this little purse. They are both so gorgeous.

 Lynne also made this useful bag with large hexagons!

I hve a finish too. I have been slowly stitching these houses over the last months and it was lovely to finish this great mat for Christmas. It is a Helen Stubbings pattern.

I have also finished all the blocks now for United Stitches. I will have to prepare some stitching now as these were very handy to just pick up and work on in between other projects. They come printed on too which made it easy. Not sure when I will get round to making them into a quilt.

It was very exciting to get Part 10 of Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs this week. I just had to start!

 Another project on the go is this lovely Nancy Halverson bellpull. The hanger has been in my stash ready for a long while!