Stitching progress

It has been very hot here lately and it is a bit draining. Luckily we have cooling so some stitching has still been done over these lovely quiet weeks. My most pressing finish was this lovely Tilda bag that Fiona designed for our retreat last year. We are making these projects in class at Hobbysew in a few weeks so I wanted it ready.

 I am a little behind in the Splendid Sampler but with only 10 blocks to go, I do need to keep going. I have enjoyed the process and have learnt lots but will be a little pleased when it is over so I can concentrate on my many other projects.

 I also worked on the last two hand stitched blocks of Foxley village. I do need to applique another fox but mostly it is machining to be done to get the quilt together.

 My other almost finished quilt is Anderson's Farm. These are two of the 4 corner blocks.

 It was lovely to go to stitching on Wednesday and catch up with the ladies. Donna has been making this amazing woollen blanket. She is so clever!

So much to show and tell

I had a lovely Wednesday again with social stitching and then classes in the afternoon and evening. It was so good to see everyone and to see what they have been stitching. It might fill a few blog posts! Donna does the most exquisite wool embroidered blankets and she is working on an Australian native one and this is the centre so far. It is worth clicking on it and making it larger to see the detail. She designs it all herself using some embroidery books for inspiration.

This is in a corner of the blanket.

Jan has been making the loveliest shoe bags to use when travelling. I think you would have to have very beautiful shoes to put in these bags! After stitching some of us went out to Gold Creek to have lunch at the gorgeous tea shop out there. I really had dessert only and had the yummy dutch profetjies and they were so good. It is well worth a visit and I hope to go again!

Sally, in the evening class, has a brand new grandchild and has made this lovely bunny quilt for her.

Carol came to class last night with a whole bag of finished things. Fantastic work, Carol. We thought she might not miss a few if they jumped into our bags! Here are just 2 of them. This is a Nancy Halverson design and doesn't it look great on the wire stand. I wonder who has one of those stands hidden in her cupboard without a hanging on it?

Carol has also finished her little chocolate basket from one of my patterns from an earlier stitching day. Looks great, Carol. 

You will have to wait till tomorrow to see the rest of Carol's and the other girls' lovely stitching.

Wonderful stitching and a Christmas party

Maryellen has had her wonderful blackwork framed. Doesn't it look great?

Donna brought along her beautiful wool blanket she has finished. She has designed this herself and there are so many grub roses on the hat. She even has eyelashes. Such a special gift.

We then headed out to lunch for our Christmas party. Here are Jan and Joan having a good time.

Angela kindly played Santa for our gifts and she obviously enjoyed herself.

Here are some of the gifts we received.

Baby blanket and Hugo's bag

Barbara has made this lovely blanket for her new little grandchild. It is knitted and then appliqued and embroidered. It will be so warm and cosy.

There is even a little bee.

Sue was very thrilled to finish Hugo's bag! She did a great job and agreed with me that it was an effort. She was going to give it as a gift but isn't sure now! Well done, Sue.

Beautiful Embroidered Wool Blanket

Donna brought in her lovely, embroidered, wool blanket to show us on Wednesday. She has done such a wonderful job and she has designed the embroidered pattern herself.

The colours are lovely and she has embellished it with beads as well.