"Life is sweet"...... Finishes for 2013

It's time to take stock

Planning for 2014 already, the following is a design I am working on for an early February class.  Hope to have details to class participants soon....

2013 the last day ever is here...  Wow where has the year gone, I am sure you have all had a busy year..  HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all out there in blog land .  May all your resolutions come true.

More progress on anni downs bag. All stitched ready to be sewn, panels complete but not going to get completed today.  

Until 2014 may all your wishes come true 

Sharon

Raspberry picking and sweet stitching

It's back to stitching for me, I couldn't wait another day, time to finish my anni downs bag I started in April.  I was planning to have this done before Christmas, but life simply got in the way.  5 panels finished one to go and then stitching together.  

Sweet raspberries, these are growing in our backyard at the holiday house, so lucky a bumper crop this year.  Sweet girl picking... Luscious raspberries

We also have gooseberries

And....  Black currants

Happy days blog friends

Sharon

Market time sunshine

It's market day in arrow town today and the sun is shining.  I haven't had the inkling to stitch yet but I can feel my hands tingling and getting that itch to stitch.

I hope there is sun in your part of the world, best wishes for the holidays.

Happy stitching

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all in blog land.  Christmas Day is over I hope you all had a great time and Santa was good to one and all.  I must confess I forgot my sscs parcel in the rush out the door to get here, my apologies but I will blog about this early January.

We have gone on holiday to our house in arrow town the weather hasn't been great so far but it's nice to finally be relaxing.  I wish you all happy holidays.  My dh and I have managed to sneak some time alone and we have done the Christmas clothes purchases for the dh and I must say he was quite pleased.

We have found this lovely restaurant on the lake front .  Enjoy the pictures, we are enjoying the view.

Until next time. Happy holiday stitching

Stitching Group Xmas

Here I am again, late posting, this happened a week ago.

Our Embroidery Group had their Xmas get together and we all had a meal out and shared xmas gifts.

It was a lovely night and we all received some lovely gifts.

Here is what I got.

thankyou Jenny,  this makes me want to make some for friends.

Happy Stitching until next week, lets hope The weeks slow down.

Sharon

Take time out to create..... just time for yourself

This I found on
Leannes House have a look at what projects she has they are so colourful and fun.

Take the time to enjoy life........

Happy Stitching
Sharon

 

SSCS - Santahas been busy early this year...

Hello, 

I have received a lovely courier pack and in it some Christmas parcels from the lovely SS Noela .

Thank you so so much for my treats Noela.

Xmas treats

 

 

 

Xmas Ornament


Until Next time, Happy Stitching
Sharon

 

 



 

 

Where have I been....

So sorry for not letting you all know where I have been lately....  Life has its little twists and turns doesn't it and just as well we don't know what is to happen from one day to the next.... otherwise we would all just hide under the covers and go back to sleep..

I have had my dd no 3 in hospital,  but no need to worry (anymore) as she seems to be on the mend and I think it may have been viral...  She came down with chest pain a month ago and we put it down to straining ligaments in the chest area, however it continued and did not get any better with rest and so our doctor sent her to hospital for a check and they admitted her last Monday and we have had numerous tests in the last few days.. mri.. echocardiogram... blood tests...  neuro tests...examinations... medications....  what a worry,

I then had to change plane  tickets to Taylor Swift concert in Auckland, was not going to go, but we had results by Thursday night and the tests ruled out anything sinister to our relief....  so away I went with dd no 1, and what a fabulous concert it was... but now I am back today and exhausted...  a good nights sleep in my own bed is looking pretty good.  Who out there in blogland finds they need to stretch themselves around for all the daughters, to ensure life is fair for all of them....  just as well I have a fabulous husband who steps in when needed to be mum at home...  thankyou dh..

 

This is to prove I did end up in Auckland, and I did feel sideways most of the time after the week, but sorry could not get this picture to rotate and I really wanted to go to bed it is 11.08pm.

As I have not had time to sort photos but wanted to let you all know I am still here and its now 1st December!!!  who would have believed it.

Not sure if I showed you the completed Dresden cushion all finished??

I did get the SSCS parcels away.. thank goodness last week..

Happy stitching this week hope to see you Friday

Sharon

Friday finishes

Today I haven't quite got the finishes I wanted to but have achieved something in the last couple of days.  

The snap closure pouch has turned into a drawstring bag which I think will hold my stitching goodies, or perhaps those hexagons, scissors, thread to stitch on the go when I need something quick to do while waiting on kids or activities.

The left bag is a snap closure bag not quite finished need to put a finish around the top.

The dresdens did get a bit or airing  but not quite there also, just a bit more work than I thought.

Perhaps some time in the weekend may see some more progress.

But gardening was also on the agenda and planting veges also...  still waiting on the vege plots to be built by my dh so I gave up waiting...

Can you see the seat I sit on to stitch in the sun hiding behind the roses

My view looking out, such a peacful spot when no one can find me......

veges... I do hope they grow...

Have a great weekend wishing you have sunshine and happiness.

Sharon

Life .....just enjoy those snippets of life

Found this fabulous card...

Have been doing some secret sewing that I can't show you but soon, hope to get more of those pickle  projects from Friday completed this week.... What next...

Perhaps the snap closure bag, and the Dresden plate quilt top..  that is my focus for Friday lets hope................

Happy stitching to you all for the week catch you Friday...

Sharon

Girls stitching day

Yeah I get to be in the seeing room today and I have company look at the creating going on!

Ballerina doll making

Pet rock making for bits n bobs day at school.

My creations.  After yesterday's pickle I have started on the UFO pile shown yesterday. 

May bunny pincushion - Natalie bird from www.thebirdhouse.com.au 

Thanks for visiting 

Sharon

In a pickle

Well I'm in a pickle...  Yes siree.... what to finish first???  And that's only what is out. Boy do I have to start to focus, but housework keeps getting in the way, kids and that d...n cooking thing!!!

Please also bear with me as I try to tidy up my blog which has been on the agenda for ages and as it has started raining tonight I do not feel as I need to be outside gardening, 26 today here in the far south on New Zealand..  Yes that is true!!!

Thanks for visiting until next time

Happy stitching sharon

Weather frustration

You would think being November we would have some settled weather, but it has been worse than winter in June July.  Never mind at least you dont feel guilty about being in the sewing room and paris thinks its ok too.

Here is my progress today in the wool/applique pouch.....

Those stitches are so much fun and give it such dimension..

If you do lots of stitching on your blocks it pays to get a step by step embroidery book,  I use these two and they have great photo instructions...

If you are left handed, they do have the left-handed embroiderer's companion also.

Until next time, happy stitching

Sharon

sunshine makes you motivated

When the sun comes out its amazing how much more we can get done.  even in the sewing room....

My achievements for the day in only a couple of hours....

Here is a sample I ampreparing for a class sample for December  a bit more to go but on my way.

This will end up as a tool rollup for your necessities when stitching...  A bit of applique, wool stitching, vynal pockets etc.

and here is the continuation of the stitching I have been doing.  I have cut a couple of samples to put this on and here are the colours

Thats all today away to kids activities..  taxi driver again...  

Happy Stitching

Sharon

Getting closer to finished

A few items closer to being finished. Just a little tired today just one of those days for chillin, a walk in the sun was on the agenda before after school activities, however here are some more dresdens and a bit more of the quilt together.  A better photo of Xmas gift what will this be.?

Stitching on labour day, sunshine and smiles

It's Monday and a long weekend, stitching at my eldest dd while visiting, while she delves into planning for school.......  A bit of shopping........ A lovely lunch........... Lazily drinking coffee........... And a bit of stitching to finish off the fabulous weekend with family.............

I hope you all have had the greatest weekend also....... We have had rain, snow now sunshine this weekend who would believe that weather!  Just us from the far south of NZ.  

This is my stitching today...  A gift?  Maybe....

Thanks for visiting. Happy stitching until next time

Sharon

Dresden cuties

What a fabulous day stitching, a group of ladies took my Dresden techniques class and made a cushion, not quite finished but all coming along nicely, hope you all loved the day and learnt a new technique with tips galore....

Dresden Plate Class

Dresdens galore

 I have been busy getting a class sample ready.  This is my progress.

Don,t you just love dresdens, they are a tried and true pattern from the past, you can use dresdens for lots of projects just watch this space....

Stitching Blues

Do you ever have those days when all you want to do is stitch and achieve at least something creative in the day!!  Well I don't seem to be getting anywhere fast with my Love Entwined,  so far this is where I have got to.....

But I am stitching some UFO's and I think I will be old before I get anywhere near completing my UFO pile.  My new years resolution, no more purchasing until those major applique projects are complete!!  Haha do you think this will happen......  Well I hope so....


This arrived in the mail the other day..............

 The Layer Cake is Virginia for Williamsburg..............  I just had to have this as I have been to Williamsburg, Virginia and it is the most amazing place like stepping back in time it is where I attended Elly  Sienkievich Applique Academy, an amazing learning place to stitch with like minded applique ladies.

Until next post,  lets hope lots of stitching to show...

Sharon

Holiday is over, where did it go???

September was such a busy month.....  A holiday to the sun and some much needed family time,  a little time away to visit the wearable arts awards,...................that is ticked off the bucket list...............If you ever get a chance to go  DO IT, it was an amazing show and was not just the entries parading on stage it was a full blown choreographed show  JUST AMAZING.

This was the overall supreme winner.............. the feathers were ceramic and the coins were also ceramic,  lots of work!!

Away to the holiday house to check up and setup for a family to come in and stay,  and here I am  ready to sttich but alas the cleaning beckoned yesterday, it is amazing how productive you can be when the sun is out...

But I did stitch Wednesday Class group and Thursday  embroidery group,

Here is what I worked on.....

Anni Downs - Bag

Kim McLean - FLOWER GADEN

Until next time happy stitching

 

Sharon

 

Take time to smell the roses......

How many of you out there blog about the craft times, happy moments etc and never mention the busy sad times in our lives.  I think as a human being we all tend to forget about those less fortunate and going through hard times unless they are close to us.  I have read a couple of blogs today from stitchers going through hard times, but not wanting sympathy we never blog about the hard times.

To all you lovely bloggers that are struggling,  stitching soothes the soul, so take time for you...


Not any stitching for me today,  ... a garage to tidy...to put in one brand new ride on lawn mower!!... a function for my husbands work... smurfs 2 movie with the kids,  soo funny you must go and see if you have a chance...  BUT

this is what I worked on Saturday night.  Go over to Natalie Bird website www.thebirdhouse.typepad.com
you will see some of her work, she published the book RED HOME.

Ma Bunny Pin cushion

 

 

Red home first class quilt finished

Wow look at this beauty, first quilt in my appliqué techniques class top complete.  One happy lady well done!

 

Back from a well deserved break but soo much to do soo little time and its nearly October. 

Here is the lorax quilt I whipped up last Sunday and finished this past Monday.

 

I wish to have more completed on my Love Entwined, but class preparation has been taking over and family commitments,  soon I will get to that, perhaps less time looking at all the fantastic blogs might help also.  Thanks for stopping by, see you soon

Happy Stitching

Sharon

Excited!,,

These are two excited kids going to the sun