A Bit of Holiday Stitching...

Hello my Friends...and first up thank you so much for visiting and leaving your wonderful comments on the Sea Fever poem!!! I am well and truly stoked... After the birth of my new little Grand-Daughter Lidija (pronounced Lydia) in July...she came nearly 2 weeks early...I made a little pram quilt for her...by Leanne's House...I hadn't even started but I had purchased the fabric...and then, fate stepped in and I was on a break from TAFE and my cookery classes...and I put it together in 3 days!!! An accomplishment for me!!! I have my 20 year quilt and my Tulip Quilt on the side bar...they are my only completed quilts...I do have another Work in Slow Progress (WISP)...which I will do a post on soon...I had some strips left over and thought...mmm...enough there for something!!! So...2 little bags...one for my Daughter Jacqueline and one for me...baglover that I am...can't have too many I say...like most of us gals!!! So...after my surgery Jacqueline helped put the strips together as I was only good for sitting, chatting, sipping...and here they are above and below...my one is on the right!!!
...and ta...da...all completed together with the little quilt!!! Me being me...more is more...had to embelish with red buttons and ric-rac. Jacqueline is enjoying hers as the quilt folds up nicely in it...and then she will use it as a stitching carry bag...mine will sit there looking pretty and awaiting the next project...which will probably be Gail's Block of the Month below...

Quilt in reverse...quilted by me...diagonally, my first attempt by machine!!! My 20 year quilt was professionaly done, and the Tulip Quilt by hand...

Gail's Mystery BOM...on the sidebar...quite a few of us have taken on this challenge, including my Blogging Friend...Simone...it's going to be fun and I am looking forward to starting!!! Only thing is I take so long choosing fabrics!!! Not sure whether to make sure I have enough fabric for the whole quilt or just work from the stash...but thinking...use from the stash...adds more to the mystery!!! And Jacqueline...how about it!!!

Amidst all this thinking on the weekend...Christmas was packed up back into the old shipping trunk...awaiting the once a year opening next time around...

...and then to freshen up after the packing away...some Parfum pour la Maison...just a refreshing scent for the New Year and following blissful summer days...All is well in my world!!!

I've Been Pirated Away (so to speak)!!!

Here I am...Post Boxing Day...been kicked out of the kitchen...hence pirated away to Blogland!!! Mum, go and do your Blog they said...I'd had a headache this afternoon...no, I haven't had too much to drink...more like too much sun too quickly!!! We'll do dinner for you...how could I refuse? Yesterday after lunch was spent on the beach in the most perfect of conditions!!! Glorious sunshine...great water conditions...So...an unexpected post, what can I write about?

Then...I spotted Jo-Jo's new pirate goblet from Danelle...which came all the way from the Sea Horse attraction in Tasmania...so I thought...mmmm...okay start with that!!!

So...wind back to Christmas morning...and here's Jo-Jo getting into her stocking!!!
Travelled up to Hubby's brother's place to meet up with all his family...this was a special day as his Mum...who is 85...moved down from Queensland earlier this year and it is the first time the 3 brothers and families had spent Christmas with her for many years!!! Here is Ryan demolishing the Gingerbread House!!!
Back down the coast on Boxing Day and Jo-Jo's brother took her out kayaking...a first for her...he is only too happy to do adventursome things with her!!!

Getting sooo confident!!!

Latest stocking receiver...showing off her new bangle!!!

Delicious food has been eaten, gifts have been exchanged...the house is happy with laughter and cheerful talk... my headache is gone and I am sipping a red slowly...My Cup Runneth Over...Now, they're calling, Mum...dinner's ready....

When friends enter a home, they sense its personality and character, the family's style of living...these elements make a house come alive with a sense of identity, a sense of energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, declaring..."This is who we are; this is how we live." Ralph Lauren

I hope you all are enjoying Post Christmas celebrations amongst your loved ones...

Christmas Blessings 2008

If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life....Author unknown

I came upon this quote in Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance...I do think that we have our own desert to travel...and oh, how different the deserts are for each and every one of us!!!...And stars to discover...how wonderful and exciting!!! How this little piece just made me sit back with a few quiet reflective moments...before the last of the gift wrapping, house organizing, list checking, last minute baking...

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year 2009. Thank You for all your visits and comments...it has been a real pleasure to get to know you!!! Many Christmas Blessings to each and every one of you...

Stocking finally finished...and a gift from a blogging friend

Finally...pleased with myself as the newest stocking is finally finished...the 4th one along. At times I thought it was going to take forever...after appliqueing the back I found that I had done it on the wrong side...so pull it all undone and start again...then the needle broke...no spares of course...then I ran out of cord...nevertheless, all done now...and hanging proudly with the others!!!

...and then to my delight and surprise, just at the right time...what seemed to come as a reward...a Christmas gift from my blogging friend Andrea!!! Okay, put it under the tree...but Andrea says go on, you can open it now...so,

...a lovely tree ornament, cookie cutter and a Christmas tea towel!!! How did you know Andrea that I always buy myself a new tea towel for Christmas!!! I have had the most fun with this blog...setting it up as Queen of the Armchair after my surgery...and meeting lots of lovely people out there!!! Now, it's off to deck the halls, spread some cheer over the weekend with decorations, flowers, candles and of course...some good food and bubbly. Enjoy your weekend in this lead up to the Holiday Season!!!

A stocking...and charms

Finally, amid much excitement...I have finished cross-stitching a Shepherd's Bush (http://www.shepherdsbush.net/) stocking for the newest member of the family. This stocking will join 8 others hanging on the staircase this Christmas...I have yet to add some charms, wadding, backing...and then quilt it. Will post it with all the others when ready. Co-incidentally, all the stockings just pertained to the chosen person and this one is no exception...

...this stocking is in honour of a family tree of which we all inhabit a unique branch...It is for Grandmothers who become memories, for children who become Mums (and Dads)...and for dreams which become babies...who each of which bring with them a little piece of heaven... (text Shepherd's Bush Printworks)

AND THEN to add ...

...the most delightful charms received from Cathy at http://www.cathypentondesigns.com.au/, beautifully packaged...with ribbon, always a pleasure to receive something from Cathy...it's like a gift in itself...she never ceases to amaze me at her gorgeous work...

...the 25 for Christmas Day for Jo-Jo to wear...she gets so excited about Christmas...and any occasion...it doesn't matter who is celebrating what, she is always first in on their special day...and just amazes us all how much love she shows...she certainly has taught us much and continues to do so...and then I had to have one too!!! We will wear them on Christmas Day...perhaps with red or green corded type of ribbon...perhaps the present one with black velvet...or then again the same ribbon but in hot pink!!! Will see on the day...

...but wait...there's more, Cathy has inserted the back of them with vintage papers, and then layered them inside...how unique and special is that...I just had to share this all!!! May you all enjoy your special unique touches...whatever they may be...in the lead up to Christmas and the Holiday Season...

I've been succumbed to Yule, Vettriano ... and White

Okay, after reading about other bloggers getting into it, and starting to talk about ... and decorating for the coming Festive Season ... I also had to partake ... and hung up this little wall quilt made by my old Quilting Group ... And then, just in time for the Season ... out comes the bottlebrush ... a good old Aussie native plant ... here is a close up of it (and you can see how it received it's name) ...

It just looks so majestic, standing tall and proud ...

... Being further succumbed ... by Jack Vettriano who has emerged from a career in the Scottish coalfields to become one of Scotland's best known contemporary painters. He has received no formal tuition ... has exhibitions in Edinburgh, London, Johannesburg and Hong Kong and is represented by Portland Gallery, London.

If only this one could talk ...

'Elegy for a Dead Admiral' (1998)

'Back Where You Belong' (2000)

'The Singing Butler' (1998)

... and the final one, the all white look, that is so popular now ... of course ... with a touch of the coast . I do so enjoy looking at these joyful things in a new way, especially at the start of summer nearly upon us, the white just looks soooo refreshing, the Vettriano's are simply stunning and the bottlebrush has made perfect timing for it all. Hoping you also enjoy the start of your new Season ... till next time ...

From this ...... to this

It is on it's way ...... Christmas, especially for stitchers, crafters and anyone who lovingly creates .... Here is the latest Christmas Stocking getting ready to join the rest of the family. How this time comes so quickly ... one minute it's August and you think, oh - there's plenty of time ... and the next minute amongst our daily lives you realize ... yipes, it's November tomorrow and time speeds up. May you enjoy your handwork for the season!
We just had our first Trick or Treaters followed quickly by another lot. Had some treats for the first lot but had to resort to a trick for the next 6 in the group .... sticks of parsley and a spinach leaf for the lucky one !!!!! What they must've thought .... Never mind, they started munching on the parsley anyway!!!