Stitching progress

Finally, time to do a post about stitching! I did take lots of stitching away with me on holidays and managed to do some.There was a bit of secret stitching for the coming retreat (less than 2 weeks away) and I also worked on this Christmas stitchery and the first two blocks of the Scandinavian Rose BOM by Rosalie Quinlan.

 This block is still a work in progress.

Since coming home I have started Chateau Hexagon, the mystery BOM with a painted button by Lynette Anderson.  I have done 2 of these before and they turned out very well and were fun to do. Hobbysew, where I work, has this at the shop so it was easy to order. I think they still have a few places if anyone is still wanting to do this BOM. Here is block 1. I have started block 2 which is the block for July.

I went to work last week after such a long break and it was lovely to catch up with the stitching girls on Tuesday and to catch up with the Wednesday ladies too. They have been very busy! Here are some quilts the ladies have been making. Shirley has made this lovely quilt for her granddaughter.

 Sandra has been very busy with this cnadlewicked and coloured quilt.

 Barb has made this great quilt for a man.

 Sheila has also almost bound her quilt too. Looks great.

 On Wednesday, Doreen was putting the finishing touches to this lovely little crocheted purse.

It is nice to share some sewing again. I have been busy this last week finishing notes and making kits for the retreat. This Thursday I am off to Melbourne to a day of stitching with Leanne Beasley on Saturday and the Melbourne craft show on Friday! How exciting!

St Fagans National History Museum and the little men turn 1!

On our last day before heading home we headed to St Fagans Museum in Wales. it was fascinating. I wish I had taken more photos of the wonderful homes and buildings they have moved to this site for us to experience. There was everything from tiny farmers cottages, shops, miners' terraces, a medieval church, a cock fighting pit, a prefabricated house from after the war, a school and even a castle. Here are just a few glimpses!

 Since we have been home we have celebrated Benny and Sammy's first birthday. So hard to believe that they are already 1 and on the move and into everything. They had a wonderful party on Saturday to celebrated with family and friends. Check out this wonderful cake that Casey made for the boys. It was also very delicious!

 Here they are surrounded by wonderful gifts with birthday gift hats on. The balloons were a big hit! They were such good boys at the party. They even slept through the first part so were ready to party when they woke up!

 Here they are with Mummy and Daddy (and jatz to eat).

What very special little fellows they are! (I know I am biassed!)

Dyrham Park and the American Museum

I had best finish off the trip....for my sake too, so I will remember what we did! On Monday we had our stitching day with the some of the Hay stitching girls. It was fun to share this day with the ladies and we were spoilt with delicious lunch and morning tea. It was hubby's birthday too so we went out for a delicious dinner at the Three Tuns!

On Tuesday, Penny, Bruce and I headed to a wonderful house, Dyrham Park, (National trust) near Bath. We were heading to Bath to check out the quilts at the American Museum in Britain. Dyrham Park was lovely and we were especially thrilled with all the wonderful embroideries that had been preserved. Most had been made by the ladies of this house.

 Check out the amazing satin stitch on these feathers!

The American Museum was very interesting. There were rooms set out as they were in different periods of history and there were lots of lovely handmade artifacts. The quilts were the highlight though! There were lots of antique quilts presented in large covered cases so the photos aren't great but it will give you an idea of just a few of the many quilts.

 There were some ladies quilting near the antique quilts and it was lovely to chat to them about what they were doing.

 This was a beautiful sampler in one of the rooms.

Thanks, Penny, for a great day out!