SSCS, Shopping

All wrapped and ready for ...... in ......These were mailed this morning. They have a long way to go to get to their destination.

So that's one swap down and one more to go, still have a few things to finish stitching for the next swap, but they don't have to be mailed until next weekend.

I did a little shopping yesterday, nothing from the usual Black Friday shopping madness, just a couple of pieces of fabrics for current projects.
These four pieces will be used for cushion covers for Jenna, although I doubt that I'll get them done in time for this year, but will make them up regardless and mail them to her once they are done. These three pieces will be made into an apron for Miss Hollie as part of her Christmas parcel.
This pretty parcel arrived in my mail box today from Kim at Honeysuckle Cottage. I've been hanging out for these to arrive so I can complete my Christmas stitching. Pretty Ric rac, which is so hard to find by the yard here in 100% cotton.

Kim also included a lovely piece of fabric and a pattern for a Quilter's Roll n Go. Hopefully if I can find the time in the next few weeks I'll stitch that up. I think it would make a lovely gift for a quilter/stitcher.



Happy Stitching, and thank for you stopping by and visiting with me, I do appreciate each and every comment.

Busy In The Workshop/Update On Mar

Thank you to everyone for your very tender words concerning Jenna's wedding. I had great intentions of replying to each one personally, but chose not to in the end as the emotions were still somewhat raw.

These gorgeous fat quarters arrived in my mail box from Nancy on Friday. My apologies Nancy for not letting you know sooner, but that was my meltdown day.....Aren't they scrummy? I haven't decided yet what they'll be used in, I'm still stroking and fondling them to make sure they settle into their new home.

There's been threads flying all through the sewing room, not to say that I've been working at lightening speed, but definitely busy getting the last stitches in the SSCS parcels ready to mail out. Here's a little tease of what's going into the mail for ...... in the SSCS.

Part of another swap, I think I'm safe showing this as the receiver doesn't have good access to the internet.
I received another update from Mar's friend this morning, there's no change. Mar's still in ICU and stable. Deb is organizing a quilt for Mar, so if you'd like to make a block, she's asking for a 6" Finished Sawtooth Star (6½" unfinished) to be done in Civil War Reproduction fabrics with Shirting's or Muslin for the background. The deadline for these blocks is December 31st. If you'd like to make a block contact Deb and she'll give you mailing details.

Now I need to get myself ready for a dentist appointment, then it's back into the sewing room for a few last minute touches to some gifts.

Happy Stitching.

Such A Special Day

Today is a very special day. I've had time to reflect on my family, in particular my children, even more so my daughter Jenna. I am so proud of her and all that she has accomplished in the last, almost 5 years without her mum there to guide her and help her along.

It's been a week full of tears for me, as I wish with all my heart that on this particular day I could be with her. Today my beautiful daughter married the love of her life, Max.

I love you sweetie, and pray your marriage is filled with love laughter and joy.

Love

Mum

Update On Mar & Searching For Her SSCS Partner

This message was passed on to me from Mar's friend, via her son.
There's no change, but he says she is definitely better than she was 2 days ago. No definite diagnosis yet. She still has an oxygen mask and still has oxygen administered and her breathing gets shallow when she sleeps, so they want to be sure her oxygen level stays up. She is still in ICU.

If you saw Chookyblue's post you'll know that we are searching for a lady that Mar organised to do a Christmas Swap with privately. Mar is very concerned that she can't remember her name. If that person is you can you please email me privately at lindaronne@yahoo.com

Blessings
Linda

Fellow Bloggers Needs Your Hugs

I'm sure many of you know Mar from pincushiondairies. I was getting rather concerned that I hadn't heard back from her when I sent her a thank you email for the lovely gift she sent me some time ago. I contacted one of her friends, only to discover that she's in ICU. Apparently she went on a retreat with some friends and didn't feel at all well, was rushed to the ER and was then admitted into ICU. I'm going to ask that if you know Mar or if it's laid upon your heart, that you would send her a get well card and some blogging love and lift her up in prayer for a speedy recovery. If you'd like to do this please contact me privately at lindaronne@yahoo.com and I'll pass on her mailing details. Mar's friend has assured me that she'll keep us updated as to her progress.

Another sweet blogger has been involved in a terrible car accident, completely totaled her car and has her 4 year old in hospital in traction until the New Year. Again if you feel urged to do so please send Kim some blogger love and keep her and her family in your prayers.

Blessings

Linda

BOM's

I'm sure by now that many of you have seen this lovely red apple logo on a few of the blogs that you visit. It's the logo for a beautiful free bom designed by Esther Aliu, another great Australian quilter/designer. Each month she'll put up a new block, and you will have 30 days to print the block. This looks like it's going to be a stunning quilt, done in either embroidery or applique.

I wanted to share with you another bom I found several months ago. This one is written in German, and no I don't read German, but her diagrams are so good you really don't need English to be able to understand. This one is patchwork, embroidery and applique, the end result a lovely quilt measuring 36 x36.

If you're interested in this bom then go here: http://faulengraben3.blogspot.com/ and scroll through the posts until you get all nine blocks.

Happy Stitching.

Progress & Peeks

At the end of last month Marg Low had a little giveaway on her blog for one of her Christmas patterns. I was blessed to be the winner. Her envelope arrived in today's mail.
Tied up with a pretty red and white checked ribbon.







A Celebration ,which is a pattern for a cute Christmas bunting, plus Tis the Season for Giving pattern, a lovely Christmas stitchery design for the front of a note book. I don't think I'll have time to get them stitched up in time for this Christmas, but certainly plenty of time for next years celebrations.
I've been busy in the workshop/sewing room getting parcels ready to mail for secret swaps, and spending my evenings either stitching down applique or getting embroidery ready to stitch into the final creation.
Here's a little peek at the embroidery.

I hope you are finding the time in your day to put a needle and thread to fabric and watch it come to life.

Happy Stitching.

My Angel Parcel

My parcel arrived in my letter box yesterday, all the way from the UK. My partner had sent several teasing emails along the way, so of course I was trying to figure out who it was. I was completely wrong. All wrapped up in pretty pink tissue paper. A sweet drawstring bag.

Very adorable knitted scarf, and gorgeous hand dyed embroidery thread and a purse tissue holder.

Cute little pin cushion.

Lastly an adorable little fabric basket.

All put together to make a very lovely package. (This photo was taken from my angel's blog)

Who was my angel? The lovely Maria. Thank you so much Maria, your parcel brightened and otherwise cold and gloomy day. Maria joined in on the bag swap, take a look at her blog, she does lovely work.

Happy Stitching.

Ric Rac & More Pinks

I'm trying to find a source for cotton ric rac by the yard, not necessarily in bulk. Buying it in the packets is wasteful, plus I'm not finding the colours I'm looking for. So if any of you buy ric rac online, and know of a good source, I'd be very grateful if you would pass that information along.

Yesterday was spent washing and ironing all the fabrics that I've purchased over the last week or so. More were added to the ever growing pile over the weekend.


I have a plan for all these fabrics.
I decided the diagonal check that I got last week wasn't the right shade of pink to go with Jenna's picnic quilt, so I picked this up on the weekend.

These were stitched up last night, now washed and pressed and ready to be cut up and included in a Christmas item.

Time to make a start on those pretty pink spots and those scrappy log cabins.

Happy Stitching, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

Christmas Swap

Not the SSCS that our lovely Donna has organised, but one from a fellow Aussie. Janet from Wildcraft Farm an Irish girl, brought up in Australia. She's another great Australian designer, missed out on joining the Christmas swap, so sent out a plea a couple of days ago. She's been flooded (50 so far) with responses and is so excited to see that the Spirit of Christmas is still alive . So if you missed Donna's swap but would still like to do a Christmas swap then pop on over to Janet's blog and shoot her an email. Mail out will be the first week of December.

Now time for me to get back into the workshop and finish some of the gifts for the swap.

Happy Stitching.

In The Worskshop

The Christmas workshop has been a buzz with activity. I've been busy getting things ready for Christmas mailing.
More pretty logs.

To go with this. Hopefully next week I'll be able to show you the finished result....... if it turns out.
A little bit of Christmas cheer and festive food. Can't show you too much as it's for a swap, and I don't want to spoil the surprise for the receiver. Have signed up for another swap, this one's, one on one with Janet in Australia. Should be a load of fun.

Look what turned up in my mail box this morning, such pretty pinks. Think I must be having a pink stage. Hope it lasts with all these new fabrics arriving.
I have plans for the pink check, mix them with the logs and you get a........ wait and see.

If you're looking for those small gifts that don't take too much time or money to put together then take a look at Nanette's blog. She has a terrific idea for kitchen towels, thanks Nanette I'll be shopping for linen tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me.

Happy Stitching.

Hunting For!!

Ok ladies just a very quick post trying to enlist your help. I remember seeing a tutorial on someone's blog for an insulated water bottle cover. Not the hot water bottle type, but for those bottles of drinking water, but I don't seem to have bookmarked the page. I'm sure one of you knows what I'm talking about, and if you do, would you be kind enough to send me the link please?

EDIT Thank you to the ladies who have sent me the link for this.
Happy Stitching.