Monday 19 December 2016

Our December FNSI winner is...........

Did you get a chance to visit all our FNSI-ers?  

Click back HERE and it will take you to the links to all our Friday stitching friends, where you can see what they've all been up to.  Remember to make yourself a cuppa and a nibble of something sweet before you start,  because I can almost guarantee you'll become lost in all the loveliness.

I managed to get a little cross stitching in, which you can see in MY LAST POST .  A beautiful sentiment, in fact, one of my favourites.  I'm sure you'd love it too.


But now, for the draw...... one lucky stitcher is the winner of this cute as a button angel kit.  


Despite my tardiness to get the sign-up post online (or my forgetfulness), we still managed to have 25 lovely ladies stitching together in our virtual Friday Night Stitch In.  I'm so thankful for lovely stitchy friends.  So without any ado, Mr RNG has drawn our December winner - 

CONGRATULATIONS \o/ \o/ \o/ 


Jo managed to catch up with quite a few of her Splendid Sampler blocks.  I'm not going to show you her progress, you'll just have to pop over and see what she managed to do! *sneaky sneaky* 

Congratulations Jo......drop me a line with your postal address and I'll pop your parcel in the mail when I get home early in the new year!

Thanks everyone for a fantastic FNSI for 2016.  Looking forward to a bigger, better and more exciting FNSI in 2017 (and I promise I'm not going to be so slack!) *wink*

xox Sugary hugs :o) 

Saturday 17 December 2016

FNSI progress

I managed to get a little done this Friday night for our monthly virtual stitch-in ....a little cross stitching, just for something different.
I picked this up at my local op-shop, semi-completed and just loved it, so thought I'd finish it off.   It is a kit, so had all the threads with it, all I need do is pick it up and get started, no searching for anything - it is all there. 

So, that's what I did for our FNSI....as it's a counted cross stitch, I have to count the stitches on the pattern and make the design match.....no mean feat on a Friday night, particularly when you haven't been stitching it and I must admit, even with cross stitching I had to do a little bit of reverse stitching!  What doesn't appear much, took me the whole night...counting, stitching, unpicking, recounting, restitching....you get the picture, don't you? 

But I'm happy with how it's coming along....truly slow stitching, but it helps me to relax so I'm satisfied that what doesn't look like much has been completed, now onto the next bit.

I think I'll tackle the next little bird in the middle.  So sweet, they look like the little finches that gobble up the seeds in the garden.  I remember taking one to the local vet when it fell out of the mother's nest at school.....the schoolchildren and I mollycoddled it all day and I took it to the vet in a shoebox that afternoon after school......poor vet didn't have the heart to tell me he couldn't save it...told me he'd do his best.  All God's creatures deserve a chance, regardless of their size or 'value' to others.  I really appreciated his thoughtfulness....so much so, I haven't forgotten it yet, and that was a good ten years or more ago. 


Have you been to visit everyone to see what they've been stitching up?  Drop back HERE and see all my stitchy friends to get a good dose of inspiration. I always get my dose of 'oohs' and 'aahs'.

Pop back tomorrow to see who our winner for December is.  I'll be going on holidays tomorrow, down south to visit family for Christmas so may or may not be blogging....I'll try and do some mobile posts.....not as pretty but at least you can come with me on my holiday away (first one in more than ten years!). 

xox sugary hugs :o)


Thursday 15 December 2016

OOPS....a better-late-than-never December FNSI sign ups

OOOOOPSY!
hasn't it flown???  I had so many plans for this past month but everything has gone by the wayside.  I have been sick and recovering took longer than expected, and hubby has just gone on his annual leave so days have been running around with him!

And here it is Thursday already!



Well, as they say, better late than never......I've opened up sign ups for our FNSI which is TOMORROW NIGHT.  Don't stress if you don't get anything done before the weekend, after all, it's Friday somewhere in the world...don't you agree?
And this month, being our last AND being a week before Christmas, I'm sure you'll have some last minute Christmas gifts you need to make?  So with that theme in mind, this month's prize for one lucky winner is a gorgeous Angel softie kit......



It's probably just a tad too late for Christmas this year, but would be perfect to stitch up for Christmas 2017.....can never be too early now can we?


Sign ups are below.....add your details and share around...like I said, better late than never ....(makes me feel better anyway)  :o/ *eek*

xox Sugary hugs :o)








Tuesday 22 November 2016

FNSI fun and a November winner

Friday night came and went so quickly....as I've said, I have been soooo tired with work taking all of my time, so Friday night didn't see much happening....but I did get a little done for FNSI.....

I managed a little stitching for some Christmas gifts and finished some up over the weekend.

I'd bought the latest issue of Leanne Beasley's 'Vignette' from Janeene at Fabric Patch so I started the night by thumbing through it whilst I nibbled on some goodies and drank a lovely drop of.......decaf!

Janeene  tucked in this cute little Gail Pan design so I thought I'd stitch it up in a few of my favourite Cottage Garden Threads
I'll make these up into four cute little pincushions to pop in with some Christmas presents.  They're such fun to stitch.


Have you popped back to link to the other ladies that joined in on Friday night to see what they got up to?  There are some beautiful creations, I'm still visiting and plan to see them all this week.


Are you wondering who our winner is for November's FNSI?  The person who is going to win this pack of Big Love?
If you are one of the 30 who joined in on Friday night, you've got a good chance........
drumroll please.............

winner is..............


CONGRATULATIONS
Val Spiers 

I love your "I love my Cat Quilt"......and I'm sure you'll be able to add the lovin' mice to the menagerie!  Send me your postal details in an email and I'll get it into the mail for you.

Thanks everyone for joining in this month.....next month is not that far away and FNSI for December is (obviously?!?) the last for 2016 so I'd love to see you join us.  Pop the date in your diaries so you don't forget........FNSI for December is on the 17th......one week and one day before the big man heads off on his V.I.Deliveries.  I think I'm on the nice list????? *fingers crossed*   Are you? 

xox sugary hugs :o)



Tuesday 15 November 2016

Will you be our 'Big Love' Winner?

Will you be our winner for FNSI this month?
If you sign up now to stitch with us on Friday night, you might just be randomly chosen as our November winner.  Whoever that might be is going to be so happy they joined in when they see what they might win.....
...this cutest little pair of meeces, sharing lots of Big Love.....aren't they just gorgeous?
This will be a perfect project especially if you have always wanted to try cross stitch but haven't been able to gather all the bits you'd need...this is a kit, so you will get all the threads, aida cloth and pattern all bundled together for your stitchy pleasure.

So if you haven't yet signed up and would like to join in, don't be shy.....click {here} to go back to the sign-up page and add your information to Mr RNG's FNSI linky party and come Friday night, you can join in the fun from the comfort of your own home.

Don't forget to add a reminder to your blog or facebook page and link back to the sign-up page, so everyone can have a chance.

sending Big Love and sugary hugs xox :o)

Monday 14 November 2016

November FNSI sign ups

It's been a slack ol' time here in the Sugarlane household, sewing-wise this past month.....
My boss has been away having her knee reconstructed and I've had to step up and take the reins whilst she's recovering....this full-time work gig has passed it's prime, I tell you!


The money's ok, but I a-m  e-x-h-a-u-s-t-e-d by the time I get home, my back is sore, my feet are sore, my neck and shoulders feel like they're in a vice and my knee has swollen up and is throbbing by the end of the day.  Thank God it's only for a few weeks and I can retreat back to my 'normal' routine.....I'm just praying I'm not doing any permanent damage to MY knee in the meantime.....however, on the upside, with all the walking up and down the shop and back and forward to the bank every day, I am getting fitter! (not slimmer, just fitter!)  And unpacking all the Christmas stock IS fun.....
ubstampin.com

And I do have something to look forward to this week.....Friday Night Sew In!   I'm sooo looking forward to it.  I'll have to make sure I have everything set so I can start as soon as I get home after work......will you join me?
Sign ups are below, so just link up and share on your pages, linking back here so we can have a H-U-G-E night.   My favourite night of the month because I get to share it all with you (and hopefully get something finished!)


Come back tomorrow night and see what prize there is on offer this month.  One lucky person will be winning it, I wonder if it will be you?

xox Sugary hugs  :o)









Tuesday 25 October 2016

October's FNSI progress and ooh-la-la, a Winner

Sorry for the delay.....I should have posted this last night, but a sick husband required my undivided attention.   He's getting better thanks to an 'old' family doctor, one who knows the symptoms for things they don't see in the surgery much these days.   After three years of seeing doctors and specialists, it just goes to show, an old head is sometimes the wisest!

Anyhoo, back to business........


...we had twenty-two lovely ladies partying on into Friday night, and some into the early hours of Saturday morning!  I got a little bit done, getting closer and closer to a finish on my 'Girls' Day Out' quilt with quite a bit of the applique getting finished and the outer borders.




I've started working on the last individual rose appliques, but I'll leave that for another day!

So....a winner?   But first, what is this month's prize?  I've left it a secret until now....


....some gorgeous threads and matching FQs......French-inspired!  Oui oui, tres chic!  

If you haven't had a chance to see what our lovely ladies got up to on Friday night, you can pop back {here} and see.    And don't forget to block next month's FNSI date into your diaries......we'll party again on Friday 18th November, with Sign-ups starting Monday 14th on the blog.  Just for fun....it will be  a Christmas-inspired prize.


But for now......our winner for this month is.........


CONGRATULATIONS


I'll be getting that off in the mail to you pronto!  In the meantime, pop back during the week and I'll show you how I did my applique on the 'cheap'!

xox Sugary hugs :o)

Monday 17 October 2016

A Blast from the Past and October FNSI Sign-ups

We took Dad (F-I-L) for a drive on the weekend.  So??? you might ask???
....but there were a couple of good reasons for our insistence.....

(1)  Dad has developed Alzheimers and Dementia......we've noticed a difference in the past few years with little things, especially after operations and anaesthetics....now don't get me wrong, I know little about medical things but upon noticing the change and speaking with his GP, he confirmed that anaesthetics have an effect on the brain and tend to speed up those problems if they are already present.  He had a sudden lapse a few months ago and ended up in hospital with the diagnosis, so we try and get him out and about, recognising things, as it is good for him.


(2)  He is driving Mum (M-I-L) mad with his constant repetitive talk about making salami and sausages, losing things and forgetting how to write/eat and expecting to just get in the car and drive to the shops to buy God knows what for his spur of the moment ideas  (usually sausage making ...he IS Italian!! ...despite having his licence taken from him earlier in the year!)

(3)  Having them both cooped up in the house together 24/7 is like being in a tinder box....it could explode at any moment and is not good for either of them...you see, Dad still thinks he's being funny by taunting Mum with things he knows will get to her.....like constant talk of sausages!!!!    Getting the drift???

(4)  We know Dad's days are numbered (well, all our days are numbered really, aren't they?) and want to share as much time with him as we can whilst he's still willing and able.


So we let Mum have a bit of a rest and took Dad for a drive....it was supposed to be a small-ish one....just up to Millaroo to show him where hubby works (He's been there before but often can't remember where it is, let alone what it looks like), and we showed him how the lagoon had filled after we had the good rains late last week, along with the new wieners and horses up on the property.

On our way back, we took a little detour......just to show Dad some of the places he might recognise from his younger days, and we ended up going a little further than even we expected.  We went to the little gold-mining town of Ravenswood  It's a tiny picturesque historic town where the gold mines still operate but much is left in it's original state......just beautiful.....and the scenery on the drive is not bad either.

Stepping back in time was good for Dad....he remembered much of the things along the way, recalling people from his childhood and previous visits when he was younger.  Yep, it was a Blast from the Past........ And we all had to think quickly when a peacock flew at eye level past our windscreen....we couldn't believe what we were seeing!

It was a long afternoon, and he's still exhausted but you could see his brain was getting a workout and he's still talking about it (instead of salami-making) so it must have been good!  And Mum had a well-earned rest too, which she needed as her poor run down body had recently succumbed to a bout of the flu.  And we just loved spending time with those that we love.......we're luckier than some to realise this and even luckier than most to still have the chance.
Don't forget to tell those you love that you love them....it's a prize more valuable than any gold!
And speaking of prizes, it's that time of the month again.....


October's  Friday Night Sew In  (FNSI) is this Friday and I've got lots I need to get done.  With Halloween and Christmas just around the corner, I bet you have lots to get done too?

So why not lock some time in just for you, with your virtual friends, this Friday night?  Sign Ups are below and you can join in knowing that you're accomplishing some of those crafty bits you want to get done, in the comfort of your own home, with all your supportive virtual friends.....and you may even win this month's prize (but more of that tomorrow!)

Sign up, log it in your diary and let everyone know you're busy stitching this Friday night.....can't wait to see you there!
xox Sugary hugs :o)


Monday 19 September 2016

Time for a winner

....a FNSI winner, that is

who will be winning this cutie!

I consulted with the expert.....




and yep, he picked a lucky one.....well, lucky for some...

CONGRATULATIONS KAREN 

Karen was so busy on Friday night....she got heaps done...pop on over and see what lovelies she created.     Hope you enjoy your win......I'm thinking Miss M might just put her name to this, don't you?

If you haven't had the chance, pop back a couple of posts to the September FNSI sign-ups and see what everyone else got up to just by clicking on the links.
Next month's FNSI is Friday 21st, so jot the date in your diaries and invite all your friends.  It's always so much fun!

xox Sugary hugs :o)


Sunday 18 September 2016

My FNSI

Didn't start till later on Friday as we had a funeral in the afternoon, so stitching Friday night was definitely needed.
I started working on my Foxley Village Block 2 - it's the Block of the Month in the 2016 Homespun Magazine designed by the lovely Natalie Bird....I always love her work......she is one talented Aussie designer.
This is where I got to by about 4pm this afternoon (once I started, I couldn't put it down!).....
I'm loving the Tilda fabrics used for the BOM kit I signed up for....it is from both the Autumn Tree and Sweetheart ranges.....so pretty and typically Tilda-ish.  I really need some practice with  my needleturn techniques....perhaps by the end of it I'll be better...it's been a while since I've done some needleturn and I'm a bit rusty!


I will be drawing a winner tomorrow night, in the meantime, pop on over {here} to see what everyone else got up to...some gorgeous projects underway that's for sure.

xox sugary hugs :o)