January

 Where has this month gone? It has been so hot here and last Wednesday the temperature was over 40 degrees C. Luckily we have cooling which has made a great difference. I have enjoyed some stitching and so have a few things to share. A few of us went to Mittagong for the Berrima Patchwork retreat and had a good time. I took some pictures of the lovely shop nearby called Thread Botanica.

I was very impressed with this lovely paper pieced quilt! It is just gorgeous.

As we were leaving we saw this amazing pouch using 1/4" hexagons!!!

Before Christmas I had great fun making this small quilt with foundation pieced trees and some of Natalie Bird's cute Christmas stitcheries. I saw one similar in Amsterdam in 2024!

I have also enjoyed lots of cross stitches to make this green Santa.

I had stitched this embroidery earlier and made it up the other day. It was a kit bought in France on the same stitching holiday. I just loved the houses.

I was given this great pouch by Fiona for my Christmas gift. It is just perfect for cross stitching projects.

Lastly, the boys headed off to school last week! 

This and that

 I have managed to finish a few things over the last few weeks. I made this lovely pin cushion which was my birthday gift from my dear friend Fiona.

I also made this little purse for Janet's birthday recently.

I was very pleased to collect this quilt from Monika and to bind and label it. It was a delight to make as I love paper piecing and was a lovely sewalong with Amanda on instagram.

We also had a lovely lunch recently for our Thursday group. 

Beth has also finished her gorgeous Anni Downs' bag. 

Last week we had a delightful dinner out to celebrate Barbara's special birthday. 

January highlights

 I can't believe that we are nearly in February. Life has been a little quieter without the boys and their parents but we have managed. I have put together the centre of my Owl and Hare Hollow BOM and am adding the inner borders now.

I have also completed the edges of Amanda's daisy sewalong. I loved working on this and especially using my lovely liberty stash.

Alice has has a fabulous time at Smad camp once again. It is such a fun filled week for the children. Thanks to the amazing leaders who are all volunteers.

The miss and I also have been doing the groceries together (and morning tea of course) and also had a nice time and lunch at the museum. 

Progress

 Best catch up on my stitching projects. A few weeks ago I completed Part 5 of the Owl and Hare Hollow BOM.

I was also working on this liberty scarf for my daughter for her birthday.

I am still enjoying all the paper piecing for Amanda's stitchalong on Instagram.

Lovely to see Brenda's show and tell last Thursday. This bag looks amazing It is a pattern by Wendy Williams.

Brenda has also finished this lovely needlecase!

A bit of stitching

After all the celebrations and doll making, it has been nice to work on some of my other projects. I managed to finish the lovely zippered bag from the Stitching day last September. It is a great pattern from Anni Downs' new book. It went together well though was a slow process. I also sadly sewed the lining in upside down.....it isn't being undone to repair this!

 I also started this Christmas bag by Anni Downs. I bought the kit last year and am enjoying the lovely wool applique.

 It has been great to see a few of our stitching friends and see what they have been stitching. Paddy made this beautiful pouch for a gift. It is another Anni Downs' pattern.

 Heather has been working on this amazing cloth for a while and it is so beautful. Lovely liberty paper piecing for the petals and absolutely amazing, embroidered centres.

 The crocheted edge is gorgeous too.