New Beginnings and New Fabrics!!

Well, it definitely has been a while since I have had the chance to sit and type... I have had many things that have been occupying my time of late... not to mention the promotion I have received at work... I am now the Store Manager of Lincraft Eastland... and with that comes more fun and much more responsibility.

This though has not stopped me from sewing... I have a deadline for Homespun magazine; a project that will be out in October... I have finished the quilt "Perfectly Peppermint" and some other smaller projects, including handwork and knitting samples and displays.

Just to let you all know I have a project in the next (April) issue of Homespun, so grab a copy and check it out!! It's called "Licorice Allsorts".

Recently I purchased these lovely fabrics and they have been sitting on my work table, just looking at me and waiting for me to use them. Now that I have finished some work, I might just be able to make something just for me. These fabrics definitely have been an inspiration, so who knows what might evolve from them!!

Perfectly Peppermint...

As you can see, I have been busy stitching lately...this is a quilt that is adapted from one designed by Lynelle Slade...only I have changed the fabrics and colours to suit. This quilt I have made for friends as a wedding present...they we married last April...so I will just beat the 1st Anniversary, if I can get it quilted on time... It has been fun to make as it is purely just squares...I managed to piece it together in two days...Now onto my next project....

It's all Oranges, Lemons and Grapefruits...

I have to tell you...my husband made for Christmas Day the most superb "Grapefruit Sorbet". I have had some every night since... Made with just grapefruit juice and sugar, it is sickly sweet, but also has a sour refreshing taste...There is something about citrus fruits in the summer, whether in sorbets or gelato; or in homemade lemonade and citrus tart, that makes summer special... even the colours of citrus make summer just right....

Peace and Plenty... a little Christmas and a little gardening!!

Today, we went down to the local Bunnings store and purchased some beautiful plants; some 'Apple Blossom Verbena', 'Little Kisses' and a whole tray of bright pink 'Vinca'. We also bought some basil, coriander, lemon verbena, rosemary and lemon thyme. I love the summer time when I feel like getting into the garden and weeding, pruning and then planting new plants!! Hopefully, these plants will last and bring us a bounty of flowers and culinary delights.

In August this year, I started a stitchery called"Peace and Plenty" designed by Leanne Beasley, especially for those of us who attended the annual 'stitch-in' at Glenharrow Gardens. I have finally finished the stitchery part, I only stitched it during my lunch hour at work. Here it is all trimmed down and ready to have the borders added, which I manage to stitch on, in amongst doing the ironing and washing!! I will show you all the finished stitchery in the frame when I find a frame that is perfect for it...

I also just wanted to show you all the ''CHRISTMAS" sign I made, leading up to Christmas and hung on Christmas Eve. It was rom the Better Homes and Gardens and is made of wooden cut out letters and scrapbooking papers...I think it is very effective and definitely adds a Christmas feel.... I also decorated the tree in teal baubles and these retro baubles that I picked up from Bed, Bath and Table at the end of last seasons sale... sometimes it's better to wait, and then you get things half price... !!

Christmas has arrived...

Today is Christmas Day.. and finally weeks of preparations and creativity will be made useful.. food will be eaten... and all those Christmas presents, will and are now gone, from under the tree.. Christmas is a great day to spend with family, both far and near. We spent Christmas lunch at home with my family.. and of course... ate ourselves silly... we had to have I think...every different meat from prawns to turkey, ham and chicken... and four different desserts!! But only at Christmas do I love to cook and really lash out on food... so that weeks after we live like kings!! I also love to set the table, and for weeks leading up to Christmas I was typing menus, making namecards, and selecting decorations...and finishing touches...I think I would like to do this as a job!!, I love the whole preparing of colours and table settings, menus and such...!! Here is a photo of my table this year...

So wishing everyone a "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year"...

It's been awhile...

It seems ages since I have had anything to say, but I have been busy with life and such...!! The first weekend of November we were off to Benalla for the long weekend. This would be the only holiday as such until next year...as I work retail, our busiest time is the Christmas season and wouldn't be able to take time off until next year... Benalla was beautiful, the weather superb, the roses divine!!.. Benalla is the rose capital, they are known for the roses, especially around spring racing time..!! Here are some photos of these beautiful roses...we have 'Seduction", "Tiffany" & "Dame Elisabeth Murdoch" and of course a bed of red roses!!

This week we celebrated our eldest daugther, Nastassja's 20th birthday. She had cake and partied hard with friends..but in all she had a great day with her family and friends and we love her to bits!! This is Nastassja...

I also have just purchased a whizz bang!! camera!! I really felt I needed to finally get a new camera, to be able to take good quality photos of my stitchery work and things of interest!! Here are some samples of my first photos...

Christmas Is Coming....let me tell you!!

"Christmas is only 8 weeks away", so I was told today by a friendly lady. I said to her, no! actually Christmas started about 2 months previously for me. Anyone in the craft world would understand that we start our Christmas projects in July, getting things organise and made for our wonderful display of handmade items. I didn't really get inspired to make anything until Christmas hit the shops. As I work at Lincraft, Christmas started in September, with decorations and bon bons galore... Wonderful colours of hot pink and black, teal and silver, and of course!, the traditional red, green and gold. This has inspired me to get out my Christmas stitcheries and finish them off... Here are some I would like to share with you.. The patterns for these are available by leaving a comment for me with your details.