Family, Friends and Fun

Monday after lunch hubby and I had a lovely surprise when DD and her Fiancé arrived to visit for a few days.  Then on Tuesday lunch DS and DIL also arrived for the afternoon and we all enjoyed a lovely family BBQ that night.

 

Wednesday was patchwork day for our little group so while I'm on school holidays, the ladies all came over to my home for a sewing day. It was so lovely to catch up with everyone as I haven't been able to attend our patchwork days this year due to work. I even surprised myself and have completed my Christmas Swag but a full reveal of that one will have to wait till the 25th for One Xmas Item A Month but here's an 'almost there' shot.

 

Wednesday was also mail day and I found a lovely parcel in the mailbox all the way from Peg. I was one of the lucky winners for August OPAM and get to have fun with these sweet goodies. Thankyou Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM...it's a great motivator to keep on sewing on :o)

Along with my prize parcel was another envelope containing some cute Christmas buttons I recently purchased. Santa and his reindeer are already stitched on to a project.



 

Today, Thursday, has been hot and sticky with the forecast of storms. Like many others we are getting desperate for good rain...the grass is crisp, the dams are getting low and our rainwater tanks are limited. I'm sure I could find some sewing to keep me inside if it's too wet to go out.

 

That must mean tomorrow is Friday and being the first Friday of the month it's time to join up with Cheryll and all her friends for . . . . . . .

Given that any plans I've made lately are more likely to be turned upside down, I'm hoping to get the knitting needles out and start on some more washcloths and dust cloths for Christmas.

Hope your weekend includes family, friends and fun.

>^..^<

One Xmas Item A Month

This month my intention was to make a candle mat with matching fabrics from my Tis The Season. I got an early start cutting out diamond templates from feezer paper and ironing them onto the material and cut them out ready to join. When I sat down to stitch this week it just didn't go right. I started by using the English paper pieced method but wasn't happy with my points so I decided to hand piece which I haven't done before and eventually when my seams wouldn't meet I did some un-sewing. Then I had an urge to make hexies ... so as not to waste material I worked out I could make 2 x 1/2" hexies from each diamond and so my candle mat has evolved and has grown thus far ....

I'll be popping by to see what all our clever elves have created for their items this month so leave a comment or an email and your lovely pictures will be added to the page above.

Happy Christmas Sewing and remember no stress. If your item didn't get finished this month it can be an early start for April :)

One Xmas Item At Last

Phew!
I finally found a moment to put the finishing touches on my 2 Tiny Token Gift Bags from Natalie Ross's "Get Red Red Ready for Christmas".  I'm planning to fill them with goodies and give as a gift at Christmas.

I just had to pop around a few blogs this morning to see what other busy little elves have been up to this month and I look forward to visiting others soon. Open the 1 Xmas Page at the top to view all the wonderful treats being made in preparation for a relaxing Christmas 2012.

Must dash now if I want to squeeze in some more sewing this weekend. The days are racing by and I have sew many things I would love to finish ... sew many more I would like to start ... and a new ball of wool calling out to a new scarf pattern as well as plans to knit socks this winter ... never a dull moment.

Happy Christmas Sewing

One Xmas Item for January

A very wet good morning from my corner of the world. The rain is pouring down and causing havoc in many areas. Today is our group's first patchwork day for the year BUT .... I can't get out .... major disappointment! I'll just have to console myself with sewing and perhaps some chocolate will help.

Today is also the 25th so it's time to share those Christmas Items before they go into safe storage ready for Decemember 2012. I had these little sweeties on my 'to do' list last year but they didn't happen so I knew exactly what I wanted to make for January. More will be added through the year.

"Get Red Red Ready for Christmas" by Natalie Ross

So come on elves ... share your goodies on your blog and I'll add photos to the Xmas Page here on my blog. And remember if time was against you this month (I only finished my last one last night) there's no pressure, perhaps you'll find time for February.

Happy Sewing

One Christmas Item A Month ~ 2011

Has it really been a whole year?

At the beginning of 2011 I set out to make one Christmas Item each month so that when December rolled around I wasn't thinking of all the things I wished I'd got round to making. I wasn't alone in my thoughts and have been blessed with the company of blogging friends along the way. We've sewn together and shared each month an amazing asortment of decorations and gifts and now it's almost time.

Here are my two items for November...mug rugs for stocking fillers. I used embroideries from 'Tis The Season' and you may just see more of these embroideries next year.

Thankyou to the lovely Elves who have joined in 'One Xmas Item A Month'. Without our little group I know I would not have achieved as much as I have and it's been a great pleasure to visit and see what everyone has made each month.

Please click on the 'One Xmas' page at the top of my blog to admire the wonderful projects and visit the elves' workshops. Enjoy!

One Xmas Item and Some Buys

Oh dear, I thought I had another day up my sleeve but today is the 25th in Aus. I quickly put the finishing touch on this little hexie ornament and it's all done.

I finally gave in to Mug Rugs and made this little Tis The Season stitchery into one last week.

How did everyone else go this month with an item ready for Christmas?  It's a great feeling to know that my handmade goodies are ready and waiting to go to their new homes or decorate my home this Christmas. This challenge has been made all the more enjoyable for me knowing crafty elves are sewing along together ... thankyou :o)

On Saturday my alarm went off at 3.45am to travel by bus to Brisbane for the Craft and Quilt Exhibition.  We had a great day made all the more special because I got to meet up with Jeanette. After a lovely chat over a coffee, we went our separate ways to browse, buy, and oooh and aaaah over all the gorgeous quilts.

I was very good and only bought a couple of things although there is always that item you didn't buy but wished you had. Guess I'll just have to go back again next year. This glittery ball of red wool with metalic should make me two scarves ... I'm hooked on scarves.

Mum and I had hoped to attend the workshop for this little Japanese purse but it had filled quick smart so the kit came home with me. I bought another clasp incase I make a second and also bought a couple of fat 1/4's.

On the way down we stopped at a park in Gympie for a quick breakfast where this swan family was also enjoying some breakfast.

Arriving home after 10.30pm we had a quick cuppa, a little show and tell and crawled into bed just after midnight. Phew! But well worth it!

There's much to do in the garden ... can you see the busy buzzy bee?

Happy Sewing

The 25th Is Here!

Good morning blogland!

Today is the 25th here in Aus and it's time to share your One Xmas Item for September.  It's a very good thing that I was able to get these finished earlier (I actually started them for August and never finished in time) because once more I've had NO sewing time since FNSI.

These 3 Bon Bon's bring my total to 6 ... now to fill them with yummy treats!

Are you like me and finding the time is just rushing past now? We still have October and November to make Christmas Items so all is still OK :)

Have you missed a few months or just didn't get around to making a start? There's still time to get sewing and join in with myself and my wonderful elf friends who have been cheering each other on as we wrap the year up with 'less stress' this Christmas.

Leave a comment on this post once you've shared your 1 Xmas Item and I will add a linked photo to the September page.

Happy Christmas Sewing and Stitching

Christmas Update

Photos have been added to the 'One Xmas Item ~ August' page.

Please take a moment to view all the lovely goodies the sewing elves have been making and follow the links to visit their own blogs too.

Not counting December, we have 3 months to go ladies. Thankyou so much for joining in our quest to have less stress this Christmas. I have seen lots of gorgeous gifts and/or decorations and have many new ideas.

If I have missed anyone's photos please let me know so that I may add them to our page.

Happy Christmas Sewing

Eeeeek! It's the 25th

Please excuse me for this month as I have no finish to share. Sewing has had to give way to cattle work although I have managed a little stitchery towards my one Christmas Item.

I'm looking forward to visiting you all next week to see what goodies abound as Christmas creeps every closer. I'll also add you photos and links to the August Xmas Page as soon as I can.

Happy Sewing

Finished Ahead of Time

I can't believe that I've actually managed to keep up with the 'Because I Said So' BOM. Here is Month 5 Block 9 all finished and I'm now awaiting the next parcel. Of course we all know how time can run away on us so no guarantee that I will stay ahead of the game but I'll do my best.

I've also finished the stitchery for another Christmas Bon Bon from Hatched and Patched. Hopefully I can get at least 2 made for August's One Xmas Item ... I'm aiming to give one for each of the ladies in my family at Christmas time.

Lastly here are the two hexie flowers which have arrived safe and sound at Kristina's house in USA for the July swap. The August flowers are on their way to Croatia and would you believe I forgot to take a photo of them.

I have BIG sewing plans for today .... May you find time for sewing this weekend.

One Xmas Item A Month ~ It's the 25th

Good Morning (just...it's almost lunch time here) to all the Christmas Elves busily preparing for Christmas 2011. I hope you have made a good dent in your gift list or maybe you're looking forward to displaying new Christmas items around your home.
This month I'm really running behind and will be busy this afternoon making my item for July. All the requirements are laid out ready ... machine is ready ... pattern is traced. As the recipient is a regular visitor to my blog this will be my only photo and all I will hint is that this fellow likes the snow :)

I've visited a couple of 'Elves' this morning and they have some lovely goodies to share. Click on the July Xmas Page at the top of my blog where you can view pictures and follow the links to visit their blogs.

There are still 4 months before December so if you haven't made a Christmas Item yet there is still time to make a headstart on some Christmas sewing. Then next month on the 25th post a photo on your blog and leave me a comment so that we can all visit.

Thankyou to those who have been sewing along each month and keeping each other company as we look forward to a stress free Christmas.



One Xmas Item for June

Boy oh boy! Here it is the 25th and I've been out from daylight till dusk today ... cooked dinner ... fed the troops and have finally found a quick moment to post.

My One Xmas Item for the month of June is this cream scarf I finished knitting a couple of days ago with Ping Pong wool. It's now put away in a safe place till Christmas time when I can send it off to someone enjoying a 'White Christmas'.

I look forward to visiting your Christmas posts to see what goodies you have made this month but it may have to wait a couple of days till jobs slow down. Will also get around to adding a page for June at the top of my blog to add your photos.

Thankyou for joining me in this quest for a less stressed Christmas.

One Christmas Item with One Flower Wednesday

A good morning to you all on the very chilly morning. The sun is out but it's not helping with the freezing wind blowing.

I've finally sorted out centres and pathways for my 1/2" hexies. These 3 flowers have been waiting patiently and I can now show them with centres. I read somewhere quite a while back about attaching the pathway hexies to one side of each flower and they should all slot in together. If I make the 8 cream hexies and attach to the flowers as I go then I won't get tired of making heaps of cream hexies all at the end.


As today is the 25th here in Australia, it's time to share our One Christmas Item for the month of May.

Two more Bon Bons ready to fill with goodies and gift at Christmas. I thought I'd try a green stitchery this time and am really happy with the look.


Instead of doing a Mr Linky here I'm going to add a page at the top of my blog just to share photos of everyone's Christmas Items with links to each blog. If you could leave a comment here when you have posted and/or send me a pic in an email, I'll add our photos to the May Christmas Item Page.

Happy Christmas Sewing

One Xmas Item A Month

How did you go for the month of April? Did you manage to make something to tuck away until Christmas time? If time stretched too thin for you never mind ... there's always next month.

This little sweetie caught my eye some time ago when it came out in 'Australian Homespun'. A Melly and Me pattern and the perfect gift for a little girl. Dee Dee is my first soft toy and I'm very pleased with how she turned out.

This is the first of 4 soft toys I have in mind for christmas gifts. Now to find somewhere to store them safely.

I'll be popping around later to enjoy your christmas sewing.

One Xmas Item A Month ~ March

How quickly are the months going by already?

Time once more to share what we've made this month to help lessen the pressure at Christmas. I didn't have any chocolates to fill my bon bon but I'm sure you can imagine it overflowing with 'Roses' or 'Favourites' or some such delicious treat.

Were you able to complete a Christmas Item this month? Remember there is no "must have something to post" in this group ... we all get snowed under with other things in life so just pop in when you can.

If you add your name to the Linky below, we know you've posted and can pop round for a look see at all the lovely Christmas Goodies. It's almost like unwrapping your own gifts at Christmas :o)

Happy Christmas Sewing

One Christmas Item Reminder

stumbleupon.com

For those of us who would like to make One Xmas Item a Month ... here's a little reminder that the 25th is only one week away ... wonder what goodies everyone will be sharing this month.

Merry Sewing

One Xmas Item A Month ~ February

Good Morning ... I'm running way behind ... I guess I must have needed it because I slept in over 2 hours this morning.

How did everyone fair this month with their Christmas items? I'll be honest and admit to only making mine yesterday. At first I couldn't decide which project to make ... then time started to slip away from me ... so scissor fobs to the rescue.

I think they'll make great little stocking fillers or small gifts for sewing friends. They're so adorable to make and I have more fabric squares ready to add to my scissor fob stash.

To make up for my indecision ... I've already chosen my March project. A Christmas Bon Bon (or two?) from Hatched and Patched.

I think I may have worked out this Linky business so please add your name below. Let's enjoy visiting each other and sharing our Christmas Items for February. You might also like to use the list in my left sidebar to go bloghopping.

One Xmas Item A Month

Todays the day ... the 25th ... the day we can share what we've made to get a head start on Christmas.

Firstly I'd like to say a BIG THANKYOU to all the wonderful ladies who have joined our merry group. I was pleasantly surprised that so many were thinking like me ... in need of making an early start on items for Christmas 2011. Whether making something for ourselves or for gifts, lets share with, and encourage each other along the way.

My January item is a little something for me! This cute wreath designed by Vicki Tucek which I found printed in 'Handmade - Christmas Special'.

Now safetly tucked away with the other decorations ready to be displayed when the time comes.

If you have your 'One Xmas Item' to share please leave a comment on this post so we can go visiting.

Remember nothing is "a must" in this group ... no deadlines ... if you're not ready for January then there is always February.

If you haven't joined yet and would like to please do ... just leave a comment on this post.

Happy Sewing