A Sweeter Love

What could these pretty threads be for?

This is a new cross stitch project I started a couple of weeks ago. Its called A Sweeter Love by Plum Street Samplers.

I am stitching in Needlepoint Inc Silks on 40ct Vintage Light Ememplar. The 40ct is really testing my eyes. I am not looking forward to the "over one" stitches. I might have to practice first.

A Busy Needle!

I have done lots of stitching and have many photos to share with you!

The centre block of Friendship's Garden is complete. I worked on this slowly, and each Wednesday little by little it came together. I have taken a photo of the whole quilt. I need to add some berries to the wreath blocks and then its on to the sashings and border!

I also sewed this bag from fabric and pattern that I got from Chandler's Cottage. It was my first attempt at Sashiko, you can just see it in the green thread on the bottom left of the bag. I have to say that the threads and buttons didn't really stand out against the fabrics I chose, even though I love them all individually. Well, I am happy with the overall finish!

Thanks for visiting,

Nicky

Friendship's Garden

Thank-you for all your comments on my DJ dilemma! I have decided to wait until more blocks are done before I re-stitch anything, thank-you for all the kind and thoughtful ideas that helped me make my decision.
Friendship's Garden is a quilt design by Blackbird Designs. I am working on the final block, the centre block of the quilt. It is my Wednesday Night project and slowly, week by week it is coming along. I have been working on this quilt since 2006 and I am looking forward to it being finished.

Today has been a wet and windy day in Melbourne, I have been inside watching The Tudors and stitching on my From Sea to Shining Sea by LHN. Loving that silk thread! I have not quite finished the border but I decided to start on the West Coast part of the design.

It was also nice to have a netball free weekend and get some stitching done. Winter season has finished and my team did not make the grand final. My knees say "Thank-you"!!

Winter is nearly over! I am looking forward to spring, the cherry blossoms are already blooming.

Happy Stitching,

Nicky

Dear Jane Dilemma

Yes, I went back to school again yesterday. Sadly, my holidays flew past way too quickly. I did get my Bluebirds in the Hedgerow set finished and worked on my Butterfly Garden and Friendship's Garden quilts. I also received my package of new Cross Stitching Stash yesterday. Hooray!

I also washed and ironed all my new reproduction fabric I have been collecting over the year for my Dear Jane quilt. I probably have enough to make two or more quilts without once repeating a fabric. Hmmm.

Now I have so many lovely fabrics, I am sorry I used ugly fabrics in some of the blocks I have already made. I thought I would never get 252 different fabrics! There are around five blocks I am thinking of re-stitching in nicer fabrics. I know this is going to be a quilt I will love forever but I do want to finish it someday. What do you think I should do??

Thanks for your ideas!
Nicky

Primrose Cottage Finished

I have finished the first block of Your Home or Mine? BOM which is called Primrose Cottage. I have been working busily on the second block, the hand paper piecing is time consuming and I might try to machine foundation piece the remaining borders if I hope to complete this quilt on time. I have set myself the goal of getting up to date over the school holidays- just 2 weeks to do 2 blocks.

I plan to start this sweet pattern, Bluebirds in the Hedgerow this week too. I have not worked with wool felt before so I am looking forward to this one.

I will also be catching up on some long overdue WISPs. My Friendship's Garden and Butterfly Garden quilts are going to be finished by the end of the year and need some tracing and template making done. I had better go and get busy!

Happy stitching,

Nicky

P.S I have some more finished DJ blocks too. Yippee! That's 43 at last count! I feel quite productive.

Baby Jane comes together

I have begun to piece the top row of my Dear Jane quilt. I also have two more complete blocks.

I have started to add the sashing strips as soon as I complete the piecing on each block.

Adeline's Apron Strings

L3-Reflections Abound

I also thought I'd share with you my new cross stitch start- its a LHN threadpack. The design is From Sea to Shining Sea and I've collected all the houses now all I have to do is stitch them up, I've made a small start.

Its nice to have achieved something small, I will be busy writing reports this long weekend so not much time for stitching. I have done lots of assessment on my little preps! How much they have improved since the start of the year, most of them can read now! I really am lucky to have such a rewarding job.

Happy Stitching,

Nicky

P.S Here's Miss Zoe. She just won't stop growing! Isn't she a big girl now?

Two Finishes and a New Start!

Well, here we are! Two finishes and a new start!

I recently finished hand quilting this long-term project. It is of course Leanne's House Block of the Month. You can see the original quilt here. I am so pleased with how it has turned out and I am thrilled to have it finished finally. I first started working on it in February 2004 and I can see how much my skills have improved since then, especially in needle turn applique!

I also finished and had framed my LHN Little House Neighbourhood.

I had Strawberry Garden framed at the same time. I am so happy with the framing jobs!

Oh, and my new start? Well I have had my eye on this quilt for months now. When I finished Leanne's House I thought I would start a new Block of the Month so I have signed up for Your Home or Mine? by Lynette Anderson. So far I am enjoying making the paper pieced border. I have never tried paper piecing before and I love it! You can see two of the finished border strips below. I am working on Primrose Cottage first. Its so cute and I'm looking forward to making more of these sweet blocks.

I am thrilled to have more of my long term WISP's finished. Its such a great feeling!

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching (hope you have some finishes soon too!)

Nicky

New Look Needlecase

I have made some much needed changes to my blog and I will be back much more regularly. I miss being a part of this lovely community!

Here is our fur baby Zoe who is growing up so quickly. She is such a joy to come home to and to play with at the end of a busy day!

Unfortunatley my digital camera has broken, so I am using another in the meantime! I have some exciting finishes to show you very soon (and ashamedly a new start)!

Talk soon,

Nicky

Lots of Show and Tell

I apologise for my prolonged absence! Thank-you for the kind emails many people sent checking I was ok, I am and its lovely to hear from you all and to know that you were thinking of us in Victoria. I have been very busy and its been a tricky time with the bush fires and everything going on. But things are ok and life seems to be back to normal. I have lots to show and tell as I have managed to do a bit of machine stitching. Yes, I have managed to sneak in some stitching time here and there. I will just post lots of photos for you to look at and not babble on to0 much!

Dear Jane Block M11 Rickshaw

Little House Needleworks Neighbourhood

Pieces of Time Sampler Blocks, Machine Piecing

Nearly Insane Block 8

Nearly Insane Block 32

As you can see, I have started a pink and beige Nearly Insane quilt. Which just proves my insanity as I needed another project like a hole in the head! Oh well, we only live once.
Well, if anyone is still reading this blog. Thanks for visiting! I have some lovely photos of fur baby Zoe going to school which I will post later this week and will be back to more regular blogging again.
Wishing you all happy stitching,
Nicky

Back to School time

Tomorrow is back to school day for the kids in Victoria. I have spent the last week on Professional Development and setting up my classroom ready for the big day. When I have put the finishing touches on it I will be able to post a photo!

It has been very hot here this past week, over 40 degrees C and very uncomfortable. I have not sewn much but I still have two progress pictures to show you. Butterfly Garden Block 5 is coming along well. This is not my favourite block, I am not happy with the mini blocks- there is just something not right about it, maybe the colour. I will be leaving it as is though and seeing how it looks as a part of the whole quilt.

I have made a little change to the pattern and have needleturned the little butterflies and given them a satin stitch body.

Little House Needleworks Neighbourhood is coming along well. I can see the finish fast approaching with just the top row and the writing to complete. I aim to have it completed soon as there are some new designs I have kitted up ready and waiting. Many people have asked me where to by LHN and Blackbird Designs patterns in Australia and I would like to recommend Peppermint Stitches- their service is excellent. You can visit their website here http://www.peppermintstitches.com.au/blogg/ don't forget to email them as they don't have all their designs on their website and they may have it in stock.

2009 is going to be a finishing off year for me. I have made a list of projects I hope to have completed by the end of 2009 and I am going to work a little on each every week until they are completed. I have a lot of UFO's and there are more and more quilts I want to start so I will have to work hard!

I love this hot weather though (despite being unable to stitch) so I will just have to make do with slow progress for now!

Happy stitching,

Nicky

Welcome home Zoe!

Welcome to our new baby! Ok she is a fur baby, but isn't she beautiful?

Zoe came home last Friday and she is already growing so fast. She is playful and cheeky already and loves playing with bits of paper.

The Wild West!

I have been away on holidays in Western Australia, visiting family and exploring this amazing country! It has been so nice just to get away from everything- I have had a busy and sometimes difficult year and it felt nice to be far away from everything!
Western Australia is a huge state. Did you know if you placed the UK, Japan and Germany inside WA there would be still room left over?

I stayed in Perth for most of the time but Hamish and I spent a week driving up the West Coast of Australia- a total of 1300km north to Exmouth and Ningaloo reef. What an amazing experience. Hours of red desert, scrub land and finally we arrived at a beautiful (warm) tropical beaches. We got to do snorkelling over the coral reefs (better than the Great Barrier Reef I think!) and saw fish and some sharks. We also went out at night and saw a mummy sea turtle laying her eggs- they crawl all the way up the sand and dig an enormous hole to lay their eggs in.

Here is a sampling of photos from the trip:

Despite strict baggage limits I managed to sneak back some fabric after visiting a couple of Perth's quilt stores. Calico and Ivy in Mosman Park was my favourite! I got some more repros for Dear Jane from the Country Quilt Shop.

I also managed to finish two Dear Jane blocks! Hooray!

A10- Cabin Fever


K11- Colombine

I am heading off again for a week at the beach and hopefully I will have Butterfly Garden Block 5 ready to show you when I am back! I will be back up and posting regularly again after that.

Happy Stitching,

Nicky

Reports are done!

Wow, I have been away for such a long time. Since this is my first year of teaching I didn't realise how busy I would be at this time of year. These past few weeks have been horrible, I have hardly had a minute to breathe!

I have finished my school reports now (or at least tonight I will have anyway when the last parts are added) and I had Prep orientation on Friday and the previous Monday. Although this required lots of planning and preparation it was well worth it. Its lovely to see the little new group coming in for next year. I can't believe my Preps from this year were once that small- so much has happened in a year, and how it has flown.

I have been lucky enough to stay at my school for next year and I will be taking a Prep/One class again so it will be nice to follow through with half the class again. We have started doing some Christmas crafty activities and have a big tree to decorate so things are getting very exciting!

Well on the stitching front, not much to report on. I have been busily finishing off Fair and Square exchange squares and doing a little work on Butterfly Garden here and there. Below are my Christmas round squares- I stitched Cozy Christmas and Maureen from Scotland stitched the lovely sparkly snowflakes, Isn't it lovely?

Netball has almost finished off for another year. I played my last game of spring season on Saturday and we lost the preliminary final for my Thursday team last week. I have got a Grand Final on Monday for my Monday team though which hopefully goes well- it has been a successful year all round. I am so glad I started back playing again. I nearly didn't sign up because I was afraid I wouldn't know any-one. Now 10 months later I have made lots of new friends and play three times a week in three different teams. Probably the best thing I did all year!

Lastly, I would just like to share with you this lovely Advent calendar made by my mum in 1988. It is a family tradition to use it every year. You eat a chocolate around the train tracks until you get to the Christmas Tree on Christmas eve. We love it so much.

Nicky

Busy Busy

Its been a few weeks since I last posted- and time has just flown by. I had a few blogger sign-in issues which I have fixed so now I'm back online again!

Here is a quick update of whats been happening.

1. Butterfly Garden is slowly growing and Block 4 is getting close to being finished.

2. I finished two squares for my fair and square cross stitch swap and another christmas one almost ready to go out tomorrow (i'll show a picture after my partner recieves it).

And recieved these squares from Mary Kathryn

3. The company Hamish works for as an apprentice landscaper won a big award and was featured on the Australian Better Homes and Gardens TV show last Friday night. We had a party to celebrate and then he spent the weekend at the Open Garden. We were all very proud of them! 4. Work has been hectic- reports writing, whole school excursion, preparing for next years preps to come to school for their visit days, sorting out staffing for 2009 on top of day to day classroom issues. Whew!!

5. I had my birthday. As part of my present I get to have a day at Castlemaine where I am going to go shopping. Hooray!

6. Second last Butterfly Garden class at Foothills. Every-one's quilts are taking shape beautifully and almost finished. I'm sorry to say I'm still lagging behind. Perhaps I'll try to get it all pieced so I can choose borders next month (although I don't know where I'll find the time for that!)

Well hopefully I'll have a finished project to show you soon. It all seems just like a lot of WISPs at the moment.

Hope you are all more successful than me!

Nicky

(Another) Weekend away and stitching afternoon

I had the perfect weekend! So restful and relaxing- just what I need for the last run up to Christmas with prep transition and reports to write! I didn't get much sewing done but I did have some time for reading which was lovely for a change.

Here's the view from the top of Wave Wall in the Grampians- It really feels like you are on top of the world.

Wave Wall- Hamish climbed this one but it was too hard for me.
A little lizard we found sunbaking on Hollow Mountain.

This is Angus, my Prep/Ones class 'pet'. He came on our Rock Climbing adventure too (the kids were most impressed that he was going). He found some Angus sized walls to climb!


Angus and I infront of Taipan Rock, the picture doesn't give you an idea about how HUGE this thing is. It enourmous!!

I just LOVE daylight savings, its still light when I get home from work so it was nice to take some time to work on Butterfly Garden in the afternoon light by an open window. Does it get any better than this?

My mini block is finished. I have been working on this in every spare minute and although I complain about how long these stitchery blocks take to do, I must say, the effect is lovely and well worth the time taken.

Now that my week has started on a Wednesday I am completely confused! Happy week every-one!

Nicky

Weekend!

Wow! I have had two really really busy weeks at school and therefore no stitching to show for it!
Thank-you to every-on who has left me comments on the last few posts, I will reply as soon as I can. I also have LOTS of catching up on Google reader too!
This weekend I am off to the Grampians, in Victoria's mid north. This is where I went earlier in the year for rock climbing so I am looking forward to going again! It is Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday so we are allowed an extra long weekend where some workplaces let you have Monday off as well.
I am taking Butterfly Garden so I hope to have some more progress to show you when I get back!
Happy Halloween to every-one who celebrates it!
Nicky

Friends Needlecase

I was so determined to get this one finished. At least it won't be another UFO. I have already put it to good use.

Happy Stitching!

Nicky

A free Dear Jane block

I love this block, C8- Hani's crown. I made it completely in my 'spare' time when I have been out and about. I finished it yesterday whilst outside in the lovely sunshine at school.

So, it's free because I spent none of my sewing time on it! The fabric is my favourite Rocky Mountain purple.

I have now made 35 Dear Jane blocks altogether.

Happy Weekend!

Nicky

Glenharrow Spring Stitch-in

A whole day of utter stitching BLISS!

Beautiful weather, wonderful food and some great company (and fun projects too!) We spent most of the day in the lovely gardens in the spring sunshine.

And look!!! HOORAY!!! I have finished the stitchery on one of the projects.

This is for the Friends Needlecase- Rosalie's project for the day. It was very achievable, I stitched on it all day and finished it off last night and today.

I'll be able to make up the needlecase next weekend. YES!! (I love finished projects!)

Happy stitching,

Nicky

Butterfly Garden

Phew! Its been ages since my last post. Since then we have moved house so I had a busy school holidays packing boxes and then unpacking them all again the following week. As you can imagine I had hardly any quilting time, although I managed to snatch a few moments to get some Butterfly Garden blocks done. I am so far behind and little things keep cropping up to put me back. First the dye running WDW thread, then I had to do an unpick and re-stitch on one of the blocks to change a stitchery fabric. At last I am back on track (although still behind). I have the entire top row complete and ready to join.

Here is Block 3 complete.

I restitched the lavender mini block on Block 2. I used good old DMC 3842 purple. I tried to remove excess colour from the Weeks Dye Works thread but decided I wasn't willing to risk it a second time. I'm happy with the result anyway. Variegated would have been nice but, oh well.

I have added a tiny bit to my Little House Neighbourhood too. I love that blue house, its so cute!

Well, I'm off to play netball now. Its a beautiful spring day in Melbourne today- perfect weather. I am so looking forward to going to the Glenharrow Stitch-In with Leanne and Rosalie tomorrow. What bliss! A full day of stitching! It will be lovely to catch up with friends too.

Hope you get some stitching time this weekend too!

Nicky

Quilting on the Go!

At last it is school holidays again! The last few weeks of term were so hectic I barely had a few minutes for stitching so I am looking forward to a lovely rest and some more time to 'catch up' on my projects.

Lots of people have asked me how I get so much done. Well, I must say it doesn't feel like I do get a whole lot done, but think my "trick" is to always have my sewing ready to go when I am. Then whenever I have a minute or two I am ready to go. Even out to dinner or coffee with friends (they are used to me by now!) watching TV, waiting for an appointment any spare time when some stitching can be accomplished.

Here are a few of my favourite things to take my stitching out and about with me.

This stacker container from Howards Storage World is great for a quilt like Butterfly Garden. The bottom layer keeps all my embroidery threads, templates, needles and applique threads and pins organised.

I can fit the bigger items like pens, hoops, scissors and fabric in the top layer and they snap together beautifully.

These mints are not because I get bad breath whilst stitching (or that I know of anyway!) The tiny tin is perfect for putting off cuts of thread and fabric so you don't leave behind a mess wherever you go- cool huh!

This was once a biscuit tin, it is now home to my Neighbourhood Cross Stitch. I collect all the threads I need for a project and string them onto some pretty ribbon so they are all in the one place. Together with the pattern, scissors fabric and tape measure they are always ready to go.

Last but not least, this is my favourite bit of takeaway quilting! My teeny tiny sampler tin.

This tin stays in my handbag ALL THE TIME. I have a Dear Jane block cut and ready to go. You can see here, these are all the notions you really need and its so compact, only 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. I made the tiny pincushion and the spool is an antique wood one with some thread wound on. I keep these applique pins with it too. The clover tools are great, a thread cutter pendant and a pincushion ring- great for hand piecing!

I keep the prepared pieces with a basic sketch of the block so I am ready to pick up the work whenever I can and put it away just as quickly.

Does any one else have some good "quilting on the go" tips to share?

Happy Stitching,

Nicky

Gardening Chaos!

Not of the outdoors, dirt related variety but rather of the quilty sort. My Butterfly Garden is beginning to grow again and I have two blocks waiting to be pieced together. Then I can relax and hand stitch away! I hope to have the entire second row joined by next weekend so I can spend time catching up as we are moving house soon and the sewing machine will have to be packed away.

When I am not working on Butterfly Garden I have been cross stitching. This is called Little House Neighbourhood and is from Little House Needleworks. I am enjoying watching this design grow. I can't stop working on it and have to remind myself not to stay up too late or I will be tired for work the next day- it is addictive though.

Until next time,
Happy Stitching!
Nicky

Daffodil Day and a weekend away

I know I sound like a broken record, but I am SO busy! I suggest Quiltday which would be an 8th day of the week put aside solely for quilting, no work, no rushing around- quilting only. Perhaps when I am teaching my class the days of the week we will go Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Quiltday, Monday, Tuesday etc.

On to more serious business I had my 6th month of Butterfly Garden last Tuesday. Here is my latest update

I really need to get out the machine to piece some more of the blocks so I can catch up. I am really enjoying making this quilt now and I am so happy with the colour scheme.

I have also been cross stitching. I made this square for my Fair and Square partner, it is a Little House Needleworks design called schoolgirl lessons.

Schoolgirl Lessons

Little House Needleworks

DMC Variations on 32ct linen

At school on Friday it was Daffodil Day, to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Cancer has touched my family's life as I know it has for many others and this is such an important cause. Daffodils are also a reminder that spring is on its way which makes me a very happy girl!
I was lucky enough to spend some time away this weekend down at Waratah Bay and Wilson's Promontory. It is such a lovely part of the world! I took lots of scenery photos.

Views over Squeaky Beach

Wilson's Promontory

Looking down over Cape Liptrap

Cape Liptrap Lighthouse

Our short trip did include one quilt shop stop at The Quilters Barn in Loch. I was very good and purchased only this sweet stack of 1930's prints as a memento of our trip.

Right- back to work again!
Nicky

Stitching slump

After my thumb injury I have hit a bit of a stitching slump. Things are also too busy around the house to get out the sewing machine so I have been appliquing daisy's on my butterfly garden and doing cross stitch. Soon I will have run out of things to do and need to use the machine again so I hope I find some time on the weekend.
I am off to play netball tonight (with thumb and index finger taped carefully in place and unable to move!). We made it into the preliminary final next Saturday and this is the first night game I have played in two weeks.
It snowed up in the Dandenongs yesterday. School was covered in a blanket of white, it looked beautiful (from the car) but did not feel beautiful in the open air. The snow had melted by today but the kids still had inside play because it was raining. I hope to have some photos to show you soon as my camera had run out of batteries (typical...)
Oh well, hope I get over the slump soon and have more to show you later in the week.
Happy stitching to you!
Nicky

A special surprise!

Gail emailed me earlier this week to say she had a special "surprise" package for me coming all the way from Loxton. The package was from Leanne from the stitching room. I wondered what could be inside...

Today after school I popped in to Gail's to collect my parcel. I am so sorry I didn't take a photo of the package all wrapped up in a lovely fat quarter (but Gail insisted I open it then and there- I know she had already tried to take a peak inside!)

Have a look what was inside. A mini quilt from Leanne, some chocolate frogs (yum), ribbons and a fat quarter.

The embroidered saying says: Dance as though no-one is watching, sing as though no-one can hear you, love as though you have never been hurt before and live as though heaven is on earth. This is one of my favourite sayings, Thanks so much Leanne! I am amazed by the neat and beautiful way that this quilt has been stitched, I feel so honoured that you made it for me, I just love it.

P.S Gail- I arrived home with one less chocolate frog than I had when I left your house...

I am so glad that I got this lovely parcel as otherwise I would not have any crafty things to post about. I suffered an injured thumb at netball and couldn't sew. I have only been able to cross stitch by balancing a hoop against my chest and wrist and doing stab stitch. Thank goodness I have more than one hobby- I knew it would come in handy one day!!

I just completed Strawberry Garden by Blackbird Designs. Here it is...

Loose Feathers "Strawberry Garden" from Blackbird Designs

28ct Linen by R&R reproductions

Just to finish up, this is a picture for Leslie. Leslie kindly let me take a photo of our class pet Angus napping in her fabric draw after a visit to Foothills last Friday. I guess he was tired of me taking so long to choose my fabric! Angus goes home with the children overnight and they write about what he does and it was my turn last weekend. Thank-you Leslie for being so understanding!

Happy Stitching,

Nicky

Honeysuckle squares

Thanks for all your great tips on getting the bleeding colour out of my stitchery block. After careful picking out of stitches and soaking of fabric I was able to remove the colour and will only have to redo the purple flower bits rather than the whole block which is a bonus!


I spent most of the weekend finishing off my cross stitch exchange which was a bit late this month. This was a really fun design to stitch and the butterfly and flower really remind me of summer (although I am not completely sure if honeysuckle is a summer flower or not).
For some reason it seemed like a good idea to start playing netball three times a week. I now have games on Monday and Thursday nights as well as Saturday afternoons. This means less stitching time but I guess that at least I'm fit and healthy! Oh well, there's only 24 hours in a day...

Honeysuckle

Readers Digest Big Book of Cross Stitch designs

32ct Belfast Linen with DMC thread

I was also the lucky winner of a giveaway at Suzanne's blog. She's a cross stitcher and sent this lovely pattern chart for a Ewe and Eye and Friends design called Heartful as well as the threads to stitch it. Thanks Suzanne, it's lovely!

I'm really looking forward to the Melbourne Craft and Quilt fair on the weekend- that should be good!

Happy Stitching

Nicky

Busy as a B!

Well my school holidays just flew past! Two weeks seems like a long time but when your living it, boy does time fly!

The highlight was machine stitching (almost) every day. I worked on my sampler blocks from the Pieces of Time quilt. You can see the whole quilt here. I have been getting it as a block of the month quilt from The Village Sampler. I recommend them as the block fabrics come so neatly cut and packaged each month and the colours are beautifully chosen.

Inspired by Gail, I have started a winter knitting project. Gail has made a beautiful scarf which she has been wearing to quilt group. I love this variegated wool. It is actually a wool/ soybean mix which is unusual but lovely to knit with.

I decided not to go on my "shop hop" after all. I had a clean out of my stash and decided that I actually didn't need any more fabrics and kits as I have more than enough to last me until forever which was very restrained of me.

I did get some more of butterfly garden done. BUT....

What did I discover when i went to BOM class last night?? I pulled out block two for show and tell and...

My lavender bushells had run!!!!

I used a Weeks Dye Works thread which wasn't colourfast. I haven't decided if i will redo it yet. If I do it won't be soon. (note: actually the photo doesn't show it up to well, but trust me it did happen!)

Well, I'm off to finish a cross stitch swap which is due!

Happy Stitching,

Nicky

Snapshots of the Week

Here are some photos from my week:

Sunday- Rosalie Quinlan's book launch at Glenharrow. Her new book Gift is amazing, I have added lots of the projects to my "To Do" list. Unfortunately the camera batteries ran out half way so I don't have many pictures to show.

Cocktails with the girls to celebrate the end of Term!

Tuesday- Finished Block 2 of Butterfly Garden! Hip Hip hooray. Block 3 has more applique so it shouldn't take quite so long. I ended up using needle turn applique and a satin stitch body for the blue butterfly rather than machine applique and I am very pleased with the result.

Wednesday- Thanks to machine piecing every day, I was able to finish my carpenters wheel block. I can't believe i have seven more of these blocks to go! I need a break from set in seams for awhile and I'm starting on some sampler blocks for next week instead.

Thursday- One more Dear Jane block complete. This is A9 Cabin Fever and has 45 little pieces.

It really feels nice to have some "finished" things to show. Even if they are just blocks.

Happy Stitching

Nicky

Hooray for the Holidays!

Term two is finally over and I am very excited about the holidays. I feel tired and relieved. I have set myself some holiday goals so that I will be productive over the break. Some of my stitching goals include:

• Do some machine sewing every day (I plan to have my sewing machine set up for the whole two weeks)


• Finish 1 UFO


• Make a bag with materials from my stash


• Visit new quilt stores like a "shop hop"


• Catch up on Butterfly Garden blocks


• Start a new project!

I am so excited! Here are photos of Butterfly Garden as it is currently looking. I am still slowly working my way through Block 2 and Block 3 is machined together. Only a couple more appliques to go on Block 2.

I also have a funny school related story to tell (sorry but my kids are just toooo cute!). When I came in from morning play the other day there was great excitement amongst the kids. They were sure that they has seen a snake's burrow hole and that they had seen its venom. Of course i was quite alarmed to think that we had a snake at school but I wondered whether it might be too cold for snakes at this time of year. When we came back in from lunch they brought me "PROOF" of the snake. Here is a stick that has REAL SNAKE VENOM ON!!!!

Ok its just line marking spray- but they were so sure, bless them! I had to take a photo of the proof so I could have a giggle later.

Hope you get some stitching time this weekend.

Nicky xo

The mail man

Yet again! Weeks seem to be flying by, if anyone has a solution for slowing down time please let me know. I am open to all suggestions. Our home internet connection has sadly been down so I am just about to catch up on every-one else's blogging adventures. I have missed you all terribly!

In stitching news, I have been busy cross stitching and completing a round for the Fair and Square blog that I participate in. I stitched this Lizzie Kate design for my partner Shelley.

She has sent me this beautiful design using a needle necessities thread. I must say- I love overdyed and variegated threads at the moment!

I also got this magazine from my mini-quilt swap partner Charlotte. It is a German magazine (now I wish i took German Language studies at school!) and i just love it. I have enjoyed leafing through it and with Charlie's help, I hope to soon be making some of the projects.

On Thursday, I will have some progress photos of my Butterfly Garden block of the month so check back soon!

I'm looking forward to my school holidays as there are only 3 more days of school to go. Hooray!!!

Happy Stitching,

Nicky :)