Nature's Journey quilt

There has been so much machine sewing happening here. I just had to get my top made for the Stitch-a-long blog by the end of September and here it is! It was a big job but worth it to have this quilt top ready!

Some progress..

I have been trying to finish a few things before we head away. Only a week left till we go so am busy getting stitching ready to take with me. One of my slow projects are these redwork stitcheries for Scandinavian Rose by Rosalie Quinlan. This is block 11 so there are only 3 more to go after this.

 I also wanted to get my July Stitch-a-long centre made so that I keep up with the plan! Whew! Nice to get that done.

 This project was started last year in a class with Helen Stubbings. I had no trouble doing the applique, the stitching and the paper piecing! It was a big effort to finally sew it all together.

Lovely work and some stitching

Gwen has been so busy and has just finished this wonderful crocheted blanket. I love the ruffled outer edge.

 She has also finished her Judy's Dilly bag using lovely 30's red fabrics.

 I have been stitching but have been busy trying to get ahead with all my ongoing projects as in a few weeks we are heading away on holidays. I have just finished June's Stitch-a-long blocks and am busy working on July's centre block so that I don't get behind while I am away!

Some knitting and stitching

Can't believe another week has gone since I have blogged. Classes and other activities started again this week so the days flew by. We headed to Sydney last weekend to catch up with Ma which was lovely. I have been knitting over the last few weeks trying to get 2 vests made for the boys. Here is the first one that still needs sewing up.

 I also started on May's blocks for the Stitch-a-long. Once the fabrics are chosen it is fun to applique them.

Great to see the class ladies again this week. I didn't catch all the show and tell but Sally has made her appliqued pouch from the stitching day and another from an Anni Downs' pattern. They both look lovely.

 Can't resist leaving you with some pictures of the little ones (some are a lot bigger these days!)

 Alice liked the buttons on her cardigan. She thought they would be good to eat.

 Here are the little men. They are hard to capture as they are so busy!

 Sammy liked his hair clip!!

A visit to the Home Patch

Last Thursday, Brenda, Caroline and I headed to Bathurst to visit Anni Downs' gorgeous shop, The Home Patch. As always it was a delight to visit as every corner is full of tempting goodies! We were very lucky as Anni was there on Friday so we chatted with her which was lovely. She even gave us some sneak peaks of some new fabric that is coming and  some new projects she is working on.

 It was especially lovely to see Nature's Journey in real life! Made me very motivated to get going on my blocks.

 Check out some of these displays.

 Just had to finish my diamond applique so that this month's blocks for the Stitch-a-long are done.

A few finishes...

Spent a bit of time crocheting and knitting last week and finished my necklace from my Japanese crochet book and a cardigan for Alice.

 I had forgotten how long it takes to sew up a cardigan. I have started a vest for one of the twins! NO SLEEVES! Mind you, I have to make 2 vests so much the same time as a cardigan probably. I hunted for buttons in the same shape and different colours in my stash but had to buy some at Hobbysew yesterday as these flowers were just right.

 My other sewing has been April's blocks for the Stitch-a-long. Here are all the applique blocks done. I just need to get some diamond papers to do the paper piecing block and I will be up to date.

Coast weekend and some knitting etc

Last weekend, including Friday and most of Monday, was spent with these lovely ladies at Denhams Beach in Batemans Bay. It was a great weekend of relaxing, good food and lots of laughs. Some people swam (too chilly for me), walked, made jigsaws and all of us chatted!

 I enjoyed a very relaxing weekend making a few hexagons for a second sample for this weekend's stitching day and did a bit of knitting and crochet for a change. I am making a little cardigan for Alice.

 I have also wanted to try to read a crochet graph and have a go at this lovely necklace in a Japanese crochet book I bought from Bebe Bold last year. All the instructions are in Japanese so reading the graph  is the only way to go! It was great fun.

 On out way home we stopped at Bungendore and browsed in the lovely wood gallery and had a delicious afternoon tea.

 Best show these blocks too as March is almost over! This is part 2 of Nature's Journey by Anni Downs and this means I am up to date for this month for our stitch-a-long.

Gorgeous gift, the Stitch-a-long and some sewing

The postie brought a lovely surprise to our door yesterday. It was a beautiful Christmas gift from Fiona. I was very spoilt. Fiona made me this lovely zippered pouch and gave me a beautiful pattern.

 The buttons on it are just beautiful.

 I have also joined the Stitch-a-long that Chooky is organising and was so pleased that Hobbysew had the pattern in stock. I have lots of other stitching to do but had to fiddle with fabrics for this. I do like Anni's colours so will try to be a bit similar but use some of the stash (will probably buy lots too!)

 I bought a few blues yesterday for backgrounds. Not sure about the front stripe. It might be a bit bright.

 The only other stitching I have been doing are these hexies for another Judy's Dilly bag using Tilda fabrics.

 They are together now.

 We were in Moruya last week on holidays (grocery shopping) and I just had to run into Stephs to look at the shop. It was a delight.