More stitching...

Going away makes you prepare a bit of extra stitching. I had started these little Christmas stitcheries, designed but Anni Downs, a while ago and managed to finish them while away. Not sure what they will become but might make nice gifts.

 I had bought this lovely pattern in Melbourne and as it was printed on it was easy to find some variegated cotton and start to stitch. It will become a pin cushion cone and is a design by Natalie Bird.

 As I was away for nearly a week, I didn't get to do my Stitch Therapy blocks. I have managed to catch up since I have been home.

 Amazing show and tell at stitching on Wednesday. Sue brought in this amazing tree Skirt/table topper that she has finished. It was an enormous job with so many sequins to sew on! Her late mum had bought the kit many years ago and how special for Sue to make it up!

Yesterday our study group hosted a Biggest Morning Tea as a fund raiser for Cancer research. We did pretty well with the catering!!!

On Wednesday, it was my day with the little miss! We had a nice day.....she decided she could vacuum and sweep up leaves! She said "if we all work together we can get it done"!!! Pa managed to capture a few lovely pictures of her.

Breakfast and show and tell

Last Saturday, a few of us went out for a lovely breakfast at Ricardos. The food is so beautifully plated!

Lovely as always to catch up with the stitching girls on Wednesday. Lynda wowed us all with her finished tree skirt for her daughter. She used a Bunny Hill quilt pattern for the appliques.

 Beth has been very busy too and has sewn together her Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs quilt! Must do mine.

 She has also finished Part 4 of Here there and Everywhere! Looks so good.

 Roni has been busy too and has finished her lovely Anni Downs decoration.

I got my Part 4 lst week and couldn't wait to start.

Parties

It has been a wonderful week of parties and celebrations this week. Sadly I didn't take many photos of several of them! I was too busy enjoying myself! The first 2 were held at Hobbysew and were with my 2 classes. Thank you, ladies, for continuing to come each week and also for bringing some lovely food to share on Wednesday last week. I took a few photos of what the ladies have been making. Jayne made this lovely little mat using a free pattern from Gail Pan.

 Lynne is hooked on canvas work and created this great scissor keeper. This is one side and below is the other.

 Roni came on Wednesday wearing this wonderful necklace! I so want one of these.

 We had a wonderful time in the evening class too with bubbles and supper and Secret Santa too. Sadly I missed out on taking photos of the wonderful gifts except for my lovely one. Thanks Jenny, for this great pouch and fabrics.

 Then on Thursday I partied on with an amazing lunch. So lovely to share good times with these lovely ladies.....and with Marion's large but very friendly dog!

 Once again the food was great.

 Then on Friday we headed to Donna's beautifully decorated house for Christmas high tea. It was amazing. Thanks so much for hosting it Donna.

We then celebrated with family yesterday but that will have to wait for another post!

Outings and some stitching

Last week was a little busy with parties and outings. Lyndal, Alice and I ventured out on Saturday a week ago to the Handmade Market. It was very interesting with some lovely goodies but quite crowded as you can see!

 I also popped into Civic for a quick shop and enjoyed seeing the decorations there.

 I have been stitching but they have been Secret Santa gifts which have now been given so I can show them! This little tree was made into a little cushion for my Wednesday night Santa gift.

This lovely Annie Downs' pattern is a free one from the web and it was fun to make. It was another Secret Santa gift.

Last Friday night some of us went to dinner for Christmas at Les Bistronomes and it was a very special meal. Here are a couple of the yummy mains but the desserts below were amazing! 

 We then celebrated again on Saturday night at church with another delicious meal! Very spoilt!

 My other project at the moment is little Alice's stocking. Some quilting to go and then binding!!!!

Handmade Market and some exciting news

Carol and I had a lovely time on Saturday at the Handmade Market at the Exhibition Centre. It was really lovely to see so many beautiful handmade items for sale and so many young people making things! It was a bit hard to take photos but here are a few. Some flash light fittings.

Gorgeous pink things.

Here are some lovely towels with names appliqued.

These girls run a great business called Goosey Gander with beautiful things for kids.

I must admit I really enjoyed seeing all the great kids' things as we are going to be grandparents in December!!! Our daughter Amy (and hubby too) are having a baby! Here are some pictures of him or her at about 12 weeks. I didn't blog about this news earlier as I thought I had better not but recently these pictures were on Facebook so I wanted to share my excitement here too! How amazing are these pictures.

I did buy a few bits of kiddy fabric but came home with lots of things I would like to make for this little one. I plan to go to the Handmade Markets that are on later in the year and buy a few bits then for the baby. Carol and I were a bit peckish after all the looking at stalls and decided on a healthy lunch! Waffles with strawberries, icecream and caramel sauce were delicious!