Happy New Year

1 Xmas Item A Month ~ 2012

As Christmas 2011 comes to a close and a New Year is just around the corner, I've already given some thought to Christmas 2012. It was so nice to be able to go to the cupboard and take out those items made throughout the year to either decorate my home or wrap for gifts. I hope that all you lovely elves who stitched and sewed one or more items each month also enjoyed have your gifts and goodies made early.

Thankyou for keeping me company this year. It would be so lovely to have you join in again for 2012 ... to encourage each other along the way ... once more making 1 (or more) item a month and posting pictures or sneak peaks each month on the 25th.

New friends are most welcome to join in. There's no stress or deadlines here ... it's a stress free zone. No need to post every month ... just when you can. Your item can either be something for yourself to use or decorate with at Christmas, or a gift for giving.
If you'd like to take part, leave a comment on this post and I'll add your blog to the "1 Xmas Item A Month" bloglist on my right sidebar. Thankyou and welcome once again to those lovely elves who have already let me know.

Looking forward to sharing our creations in 2012.
Happy New Year

SSCS Reveal

Here we are ... Boxing Day already and it's predicted to be a scorcher.

I was excited to be able to open my SSCS gift yesterday. Travelling all the way from Norway was the most gorgeous table runner made by Berit. Thankyou so much ... I just love the fresh white/red colour scheme and my new runner will be taking pride of place on our table for lunch today.

I can also reveal my gift to Wendy. On reading her blog I knew she loved anything about peacocks so I was lucky enough to find some peacock fabric and made her this drawstring bag. Wendy has also shared a photo of the ornament and mug rug I sent.

Thankyou to Chookyblue for hosting such a wonderful and fun swap. If you'd like to see lots of pictures of all the wonderful gifts and ornaments that have been unwrapped, visit Chooky's blog for all the reveals.

Boxing Day Sew-In

Like to know more about a Sew-In on Boxing Day? Sandy has all the info so pop over and check it out. BDSI starts at 4.00pm Sydney time on the 26th (3.00pm for me) and runs for 24 hours.

Happy Christmas Eve from overcast Queensland.

Finishes for December OPAM and a PhD

Sitting down to enjoy Carols in the Domain on TV I had no hand stitching to work on so what was I to do? Remembering I still had half the ball of red/silver wool left, I picked up the knitting needles once more and managed to knit 3/4 of the 2nd ruffle scarf. In no time the next day I had a 2nd Red Ruffle scarf fnished...perhaps a gift for someone in 2012.

Another UFO and PhD finished last night.  This quilt was a stack and slash I did at the end of 2006 so it's been a UFO for some time. Last month it became my first quilt on the frame and after some trials the quilting was completed. Monday I machined the binding and last night finished hand stitching the binding on the back and ta da! "Citrus Splash" is a UFO no more.

This one I can also mark off as one of my pledged PhD's. 4 down and 1 to go.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Joyous Christmas.

FNSI Results

Managed to get a few stitches done last night for Friday Night Sew-In after a long day in town.  I  almost finished the applique  and did the final little bit this morning. I've just now had a moment to cut the 2 1/2" squares and sew them to complete the block.

Month 9 ~ Block 15 ~ "Because I Said So"

Thankyou so much to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting this wonderful get together on a Friday night.  I do hope there will be more to come in 2012.

Festive Wishes

BOM Report

A lovely surprise from Paula for December. Both blocks 11 and 12 of 'Home Sweet Home' so that we could finish the project to coincide with the year's end.

Thankyou Paula for this sweet little BOM. I've enjoyed each month and they were quick to stitch ... here they are all in line waiting sashings etc. January finish?

Progressing along is month 9 - block 15 of 'Because I Said So'. The applique pieces have been added and I'm busy blanket stitching. The thread colour didn't want to photograph well, this saying is 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'.

Wishing all a Happy Christmas

FNSI and Mail

Would you like a second chance to participate in FNSI this Friday the 16th? I'm looking forward to it.

Last Friday's didn't go as planned after a wasp sting on the cheek bone caused a swollen eye and my planned dinner was late and the humidity made things just to hot! This time I'm not making any plans ... just go with the flow and hopefully it will all fall into place.

Plans for 2012 sewing are under way. This pattern I purchased from Cookies and Cream Craft is intended to be made up for a friend. With the 'Blueberry Crumb Cake' Jelly Roll purchased from Want It, Need It, Quilt,  I would like to make a start on 'Dear Jane' and join in with the Janiacs. I've also bought some freezer paper to learn how to use.

A lovely surprise in the mail was from Cheryll. The very appriate covered diary will keep all my crafty dates safe and the sweet scissor fob is already in use. Thankyou Cheryll :)

This gift was hand delivered by gorgeous Kerry. Could those be my daily allowance of chocolate under the watchful eye of Mr Snowman? Thankyou Kerry :)

Another cheery parcel in the mail yesterday were these two bright blossoms from Paula for my October Hexies. Thankyou Paula :)

Have a happy week.

UFO Thursday

I think this one definately counts as a UFO by now.  I finished block 4 of Red Delicious way back in June 2010.

Yesterday while the rain poured down I finished block 5: Fanfare. Next year I'm going to see if I can get back on track with these and have a Red finish more often.

Pop over and visit Sandy who hosts UFO Thursday for more UFO progress...thankyou Sandy.



Good Weather for Stitching

The last couple of days have been cold, windy and wet ... yipee!  Perfect weather for staying indoors and stitching.  Out came my winter dressing gown which is the secret signal for snuggle time for Jayne.

Friday night is also looking good for more stitching.  I've signed up over at Heidi's ... and there'll be a second FNSI on the 16th as well.

The Christmas Decorations are up ... here is my small fibreoptic tree which is home to my swap ornaments. Note the pincushion to the left? This is my sewing space usually so I've had to tidy up to make way for the tree.

Happy Sewing

New photos added to the 1 Xmas Item page.

December Goals

Making a list each month seems to be working for me ... helps to keep me focused on what needs doing. So here is what I would like to achieve craft wise for the month of

Month 9 - Block 15 of Because I Said So BOM

Inchy Hexagon Swap Flowers

Home Sweet Home BOM - 'M'

Quilting on quilt for brother

Bind and finish 'Citrus Splash'

Block 5 - Red Delicious

Photos of Blocks 12, 13 and 14 of Because I Said So have been added to the page above and my hexie flowers are ready to post. After I have no idea how long, Red Delicious has come out of hiding. I couldn't think what to take to our last patchwork day on Wednesday so out came the red fabrics and patterns and I prepared block 5 of RD and have told myself I must continue to work on it.

Hope your weekend includes some sewing.



November Wrap-up and SSCS

What is it with the mail lately?  I've had post take 14 days to travel between states and even in the same state and yet this parcel made it all the way from Norway in only 9 days.

Yipee!  My SSCS arrived yesterday and was promptly opened to reveal ..

2 pretty parcels ... 1 of which I was allowed to open straight away.

Inside I found this lovely cone with applique heart and inside the cone I found a sweet surprise!

Yummy strawberry sweets with a hidden choc centre.  Thankyou dear Secret Santa ... I shall be good and place my other gift under the tree until Christmas day.

Another November finish for OPAM ... my red scarf with silver ... wool purchased at the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Exhibition.

These hexie flowers have hopefully arrived safely with Debra for November.

November Goals

Because I Said So BOM ~ Month 7

Because I Said So BOM ~ Month 8

1" Hexi Flowers for Inchy Swap

Quilting of UFO Citrus quilt

Quilting of brother's birthday quilt

Home Sweet Home BOM ~ letter 'O'

Red/Silver Ruffle Scarf

One Christmas Item a Month