finally, a chookshed catch up.....

I really enjoyed the Chookshed's 2nd birthday party, and once again thank you to Chookyblue for inviting us to celebrate with her.  And, as everyone enjoyed this party so much, I think Chooky is already planning a celebration for the Chookshed's 3rd birthday next year!  I am sure we will all once again be happy to take part in that...

As I am so good at underestimating the time things will take me, I did not get as much sewing done as I had planned - but something is better than nothing, and I was still pleased with the sewing that did happen - some sewing for gifts - more to come on those in the next post - and I dragged out one of my small UFOs, a wallhanging, and did some more work on that -

Most annoyingly, my day on Sunday fell in a bit of heap as by lunchtime I had the beginnings of a migraine, so it was off to bed with some tablets for me.

I hope everyone had a great time partying too.

xx

lovely goodies.....

I was very excited when found I was one of the winners for OPAM April, and yesterday I received these lovely gifts from Peg -

this gorgeous and so cute thread holder - which is wonderful as I have recently started collecting Cottage Garden threads and I can keep them here, along with any small stitcheries I am working on -

I love the fabrics Peg used in making this 

ī

 the inside also held some very pretty DMC threads -

and also included was this Gail Pan table runner pattern which I am looking forward to making -

Thank you so much to Peg for for such lovely goodies, and to both Peg and Kris for all the time and effort they put into organising OPAM for us to enjoy.

Receiving this parcel from Peg reminded me.....

Last year I took part in Cheryll's Flower swap, and I was lucky enough to be the recipient of Peg's swap gifts.    At the time however, and over a period of several months, I ended up being without either a computer or internet connection, so had never posted Peg's sweet gifts. 

This was the gorgeous mini Peg sent me - I really love the stitchery

and this cute little mug rug, which some people might say suits me perfectly lol...

there were also a lovely mug, which I use often, some delicious teas and coffees and some lollies - which I must say between myself, my niece and my nephew, did not last long!

So although I am a bit behind the times, hopefully posting this now is a case of better late than never, and I did so appreciate the wonderful parcel that Peg sent to me, filled with such thoughtful and generous gifts.

Thank you Peg for all your beautiful gifts!

xx 

OPAM - april 2014.....

 

A very quiet month on the OPAM front.....

 

 

I finished three items, this mug rug, and two secret Christmas sewing projects.

 

I'm aiming - again - for a better month next month; although, I guess three finishes is better

than none at all.....

xx

 

a small finish.....

Having recently got all my UFOs together in one place, it is so much easier to find projects to work on that are quick and easy.  A few years ago, maybe 7 or 8, I taught myself to foundation piece.  I made this block out of some lovely flannel fabric, and intended at the time to make more blocks and turn it into a cosy lap quilt.  That didn't happen, and this poor lonely little block had been tossed aside ever since.  

I pulled it out of my UFO pile yesterday, and immediately thought 'mug rug!', so now, that's what it is.

DON'T PANIC SHEZ, I promise I won't send it to you LOL!!

Happy Sunday!

national mug rug day.....

this one is for you, Shez.....

 

Today has been declared National Mug Rug Day in honour of our friend Shez, who just LOVES mug rugs (not.....)

 

Shez's oft-declared and vehemently voiced dislike of mug rugs has led to some very funny jokes being played on our dear unsuspecting friend - we are very lucky she has such a good sense of humour!!  And especially now that she has such a wonderful collection of them.....

 

It started with the 'Gisborne Girls' - myself, Sue, Tracee and Marg, and has been continued on by some very mischievous friends, who may or not be associated with our 'Mill Rosies' group.... (and what a fun and lovely bunch of ladies they are).

 

This is the mug rug I made for Shez ~

 

 

You can visit Shez's blog to see all the other wonderful mug rugs her friends have sent her.

 

I hope you enjoy National Mug Rug Day Shez xxx

 

mill rosie friends ~ september 2013.....

Our third get together for the year, meeting at the gorgeous Mill Rose Cottage in Ballan (as we always do, hence the name of our group, the Mill Rosie Friends), was soooo much fun, as always.

Mill Rose gorgeousness 

There were (I think) 16 ladies this time, and much laughter was enjoyed, sharing of crafty doings, eating, drinking, and having a wonderful time.  There was a lovely swap of designs made from Michelle Ridgway patterns, and although I had opted out this time, once again some of the ladies had made really beautiful swap gifts.

such beautiful and generous swap gifts

Some time after our last get together, Sue, Marg, Tracee and myself saw a mug rug book, and as we knew how much Shez loves mug rugs - NOT - we bought it for her, and also each made one of the patterns out of it.  It was a fun and cheeky joke, and Shez played along so well.  Sue and I laughed so much our faces were hurting in the end, and I think everyone else really enjoyed our joke.

doesn't Shez look thrilled....

After lunch we had our usual session of  show and tell.  My goodness, these ladies are talented; we saw some of the most beautiful crafty makes, and were very inspired by these lovely and clever ladies.

Elyte's gorgeous minis - I LOVE mini quilts

just a few of the amazing and beautiful show and tell items

We all again indulged in a bit of retail therapy - actually I don't think it is possible to leave Mill Rose without buying anything - and I was very happy with my purchases, some William Morris fabric and some taupe, red, and dark blues I am collecting at the moment for a couple of future projects.

a William Morris fat quarter bundle, very cleverly presented

All too soon our lovely day came to an end; but we are soooo looking forward to the next one in November.

Thank you ladies for such a wonderful day xxx

fnsi september '13.....

Well, I did have a lovely evening, enjoying my first FNSI.....

I started earlier in the evening before dinner, quilting, trimming and machine sewing the binding on this mug rug for Shez ~

After dinner, with FNSI now in full swing, I hand sewed the binding down.  I must admit, I love this; this pink floral is some of my most favourite fabric ever.  I might just have to make one for myself!

Next up was sewing these hexies for Sue ~

Sue was asked to repair this quilt below for an acquaintance, but it has turned out to be a HUGE job, which has now gone on for a very long time.  She is on the last stretch now, but it has become a bit tedious, so I have been helping her out a little with making some of these hexie flowers using 1/2" hexies.  I actually really enjoy them (in fact, I can see a 1/2" hexie flower quilt or two somewhere in my future...), so these were sewn on Friday night.

and lastly, I made these hexies, ready for glue basting and sewing at our Mill Rosie friends get together tomorrow - more on that to follow.

I really enjoyed my first FNSI - it will definitely be in the diary from now on!