June already? A May FNSI winner, some finishes and sign-ups for June FNSI

 Wow, chilly weather even here in the north of Queensland, also known as the Tropics, but boy, those 8 degree mornings are proving to be very crisp and "non-tropical"!   Despite that, our days are beautiful, with mid 20 degree temperatures and clear blue skies.....a favourite time of the year.  My job requires me to drive daily to Townsville, an hour trip each way and driving in this weather is just glorious!  

The sunsets and evening skies have been magnificent and as our sugar crushing season has just started, the beautiful smell of  caramelised sugar permeates the air. We really do live in the lucky country. 

I have managed to finish a couple of long term projects which brings joy to my heart (in more ways than one.....you'll see what I mean shortly!)  The only problem is, when I go looking for things, I find so many more that I'd forgotten about.....my list of UFOs and WIPs just keeps getting longer and longer!  You see, I'm a classic Gemini...... I'll focus on something and then something shiny and new will catch my eye and I'm off!   I have FOMO and I've struggled all my life to overcome it.  As I get older, I'm finding I need to reign myself in and focus, focus, FOCUS and I am getting better but boy.....I'm discovering so many projects that either need completing or starting.  A few of you know my list is well over the  *hmfffph* mark (muffled because I don't want to give anyone a medical episode!) and maybe that's why I haven't made a list....but I really do need to!  Can you relate?

Back to those finishes..... Sheryl and I went shopping a couple of years back when she first moved to North Queensland and we went to a quilt shop where we both bought a pattern - Jardin de Poche by Veroniques Quilt Designs.  I bought the kit to go with it and when I travelled to visit family, took it with me as it was a good hand applique and stitchery project.    Well, two years on, I've managed to finish the stitcheries, put it together, learnt to 'tie' quilt using hidden cross stitches (thank goodness for YouTube!) and bound it....my favourite part, and now it sits proudly on our dining room table!  I love this one!

Another finish I treasure is one designed by my beautiful friend Joy Coey, who we tragically lost to cancer a few years ago.  I had started this pattern at a "Let's get Stitched" retreat quite a few years ago and Joy had taught me how to fussy cut. I was so very happy with that effort and proud of what I'd learnt as Joy was a fantastic teacher but when I got home from the retreat I'd left it at that, hidden in a box as I was too 'scared' to ruin it (have you done that?)  After I finished my Jardin de Poche, I was working on something else in my sewing room.  This box kept popping up like it was prodding me to finish it.  So I bit the bullet and once I started I just couldn't wait to finish.  It had techniques, elements and products I hadn't used before which made me a little apprehensive but Joy helped me through!   I found afterwards that I'd missed a couple of paper pieced elements in the design, but that's ok, it made it 'mine'!  I had my first attempt at bullion roses (again - thanks YouTube!) and despite thinking I'd never 'get it', I trudged on, knowing that things get better with practice.   They're definitely not perfect but I'm happy with my first attempts.  

It will be used constantly and loved and treasured because it has so many memories of our gawjus Joy stitched into it.  I know she was prodding me and guiding me all the way through the process and I'm so thankful for knowing and loving her!

Now, on to our FNSI draw for May....we were blessed with sharing the night with 35 fellow stitchers/quilters/crafters and I know I got my fill of inspiration, but there's always room for more!  If you'd like to welcome anyone to join with us, please feel free...the more the merrier...and don't forget to let them know that just by joining in and sharing their crafty progress , they go into the draw to win a $30 voucher to spend on ANYTHING their heart desires at Kitty Rose Cottage, courtesy of our wonderful sponsor Dawn Hay.  If they'd like to know more, direct them to the link at the top of the page where they can find out all about FNSI aka Friday Night Sew In.

Thirty-five names in the Wheel of Names and the person that was randomly drawn for the May prize is.............

                                    \o/ \o/ CONGRATULATIONS NATALIE!!!!! \o/ \o/

We can't wait to see what you choose from all that loveliness over at Kitty Rose Cottage for your prize.

Don't forget to sign up for this month's FNSI.  I've left it a little late as I've had problems with my computer......what should have taken an hour has taken all day!  Doesn't matter though, just sign up below OR over on the sign up post in our Facebook Group.  

I can't wait to stitch with you all tomorrow night!  I'm soooo looking forward to it!

Big sugary sweet hugs :o) xox

February’s FNSI both virtual and face-to-face!

This month I’ve had two weeks holiday to come and spend time visiting this little monkey….

 And his gorgeous parents of course! 

When my lovely Brisbane-based stitch friend Susan discovered I was going to be down, she wanted to plan some time together.  

I arrived on Saturday afternoon and spent the weekend with my gorgeous grand baby. 

Susan and I got together on Monday and did some serious fabric shopping!   She coordinates a group of ladies who are all making fabric ABC books and I couldn’t resist. After all, lil Ryker is still only 15 months old but it gives me plenty of time to personalise one for him to enjoy. Then we went to her place for a little lunch and some stitching … and she kindly allowed me to search her stash of abc fabrics. Susan is AWESOME! 

Tomorrow we’re off on another shopping frenzy with these two wonderful friends - Michelle and Shez so imagine what mischief we will all get up to! 

And Friday being FNSI, Susan has organised a get together stitchy morning tea/lunch/afternoon tea with all our stitchy Brisbane and surrounds-based friends. I’m so looking forward to it as living in the tropical north, and being isolated geographically and by COVID for a couple of years, I haven’t seen these ladies in what seems like forever! It almost feels like our former annual Lets Get Stitched retreat, only much smaller! I wish Dawn could have been here! Wouldn’t it have been lovely to have our sponsor for FNSI to come up too?   I hadn’t thought that far ahead unfortunately!   

Anyways, I’ll keep you posted on our shenanigans here, and in our Facebook group page!  

In the meantime, sign up to our FNSI here OR in the Facebook group under this month’s FNSI post so you can go into the draw for a gift voucher exclusive to KittyRose Cottage. 

 And don’t forget to post pictures to inspire us all.   

In the meantime, have fun and big sugary sweet hugs to you all 

Xox o:) 

IT's a birthday FNSI

 It's time already, but this month it's special!  

This month is my birthday month so there will be extra goodies!    Not only will there be a prize for one lucky stitcher from our fabulous sponsor, 

.....there is a gift for EVERYONE!   I haven't been designing for quite a while but, as some of you know I have done some designing for some Australian Crafting Magazines in the past and am looking at beginning to design again.  Life took over for a while and it just got too hard to fit it all in.

So here's an oldie for you to say thank you for joining in each month and to let you know how special each and every one of you is....

just click on the image to download and print.

in the meantime, don't forget to link up to our Friday Night Sew In and join us for a night of stitchy fun this Friday night.   Look forward to seeing you there! x

Big sugary hugs xox :o)

“Sharing” is caring– FREE Block 3 “Friends” B.O.F.

Today is the day….block 3 in this beauty is being released, and I know just how much some people have been waiting for it.  All I can say is, for some this is a lesson in patience! *giggle*   But wait no more….it’s finally here…..

….. Block 3:  Sharing.

Sharing’s an important part of friendship don’t you think?  Sharing good times and bad, being a shoulder to cry on, a pal to help pull up the big girl panties, a mentor who can give advice and a buddy to share the good times with, with plenty of other opportunities for sharing.

I looked up the dictionary meaning of “share” and there were quite a few interpretations, but my favourite is this one –

to divide one’s own and give part to others. 

I’m a visual person, probably why I love to ‘see’ words and therefore I use them a lot in my stitcheries.  The picture I see when I read that meaning is one of sharing one’s heart, handing it over to friends, trusting they will not drop it and break it, but that they will handle it with care and the utmost love and respect.  To me, that’s what sharing’s all about.  What picture do you see in your mind? I’d love to hear.

Meanwhile, you can head on over to my Craftsy store and download your copy of Block 3. 

Blocks 1 and 2 are still available there too if you haven’t downloaded them yet and YES, they’re all FREE.

Don’t forget to share your progress in our Facebook Group which you can sign up to join if you’re not already a member.  There’s nothing like seeing what everyone else is up to.  You can upload pictures of your progress, or ask questions…..after all, it’s all a part of ‘sharing’ isn’t it?

Have a wonderful Friday.

xox Sugary hugs :o)

 

FREE Friends BOF - Block 2: Happiness is live and it’s countdown to FNSI

Yep, it’s time!

Block 2 is ready for you to download.    You can get your free copy from my Craftsy store, where you’ll also find Block 1, and lots of my other patterns.  I just love this one…..

It just about sums it up for me….Friends just complete me….they bring such joy and happiness to my life, filling it to the brim….it always feels like sunshine when my friends are around me…or just knowing they’re in my heart gives me strength, just like the flower, growing stronger each day because the sunlight shines upon it……do you feel the same way too?

Head on over and print off your copy so we can all stitch together in our monthly, worldwide friendship sew-in and have a ‘happiness overload’ night ……. have you signed up yet?  You can do that HERE if you haven’t had the chance yet.  You know you want to, and I’ve even made it easy for you with something ready to stitch! (or you could be like me and choose something from the UFO pile?)

 

See you tonight.

xox Sugary hugs with happiness galore :o)

FNSI deliciousness and some reminders….

I was thinking, “What sort of treat could we make this Friday night?  Something sweet…..savoury?  Something that suits the northern hemisphere’s heading into summery weather, as well as the southern’s beginnings of wintery temps?”   ….and here in the tropics, well our temps are staying in the low 30’s (celsius) by day so really, anything will suit me! (and I’m a great lover of just about ANY food type!)

And then I got to thinking…..why not make an easy-peasy-yummy-liquidy-pick-me-uppy-type drink?  I’d noticed on Kelley’s blog, she had a delicious looking ice-creamy, desserty treat so I asked her if I could share it with you.

Her gorgeous looking creation is the Frozen Chai Tea Latte.   I am a great fan of Chai tea….isn’t everyone?  a hint of cloves, a touch of cinnamon…..yummo…..very exotic, (that makes it healthy, right??)  AND just like being at a posh teahouse.  Adding an ice-creamy touch to it makes it a cross between dessert and ‘l'heure du thé’…this one will give you the energy to stitch for hours….*perfect*.

And it’s so simple to make….. just click on the picture to take you to the recipe. Even if you’re not into chai, Kelley has some other delectable treats…there’s so much to drool over….pop on over and take a look.

While you’re at it, have you signed up for Friday night’s FNSI yet?  The sign ups are back HERE so don’t forget to add your name to the list…we always have a blast.  If you haven’t heard about it, read all about our virtual Friday night get togethers here.

Another reminder, tomorrow is the release of Block 2 of my free B.O.F. B.O.F. aka Best Of Friends Block of the Fortnight.  If you’re new to it, you can read all about it in this previous post and this one too.

xox sugary sweet hugs :o)

FNSI sign ups

Where has this past week gone?
I guess preparing for the opening of the Artspace and generally catching up on life has taken over (that tends to happen a lot, doesn't it?)
Nevertheless,  this Friday is our April Friday Night Sew In.......YES already! Hard to believe it's rocked around again isn't it....but it has and I can't wait!

 Mind you, I've been stitching heaps lately .... I have lots to share.....and a special something I"ll be sharing with you that's coming up in the next couple of weeks that I'll tell you more about later on this week.....but a hint........it involves THIS......

Subtle as a sledgehammer, I am?!

As always, there'll be something spesh I'll choose as our prize for FNSI this month but right now it's time to invite your online friends, remind your online buddies, choose what you're going to be working on, sign up below, jot it down in your diary, log it in your Outlook Calendar, tie a ribbon in a bow around your finger,  do whatever you have to do to remember that ....

FRIDAY NIGHT IS FNSI NIGHT!!!!!!!!!

....and you definitely don't want to miss out!

I'll be releasing the next block in our 'Friends'  BOF on Friday too, so maybe that is something you want to have ready for Friday night?  

Sign ups are open......let's get ready to part-ay!

xox Sugary hugs :o)

Block 1: Friends–The first block in my new FREE B.O.F. Stitchalong

….and I think you’re going to love it as much as I do.

You can print your pattern off from my Craftsy store, and every fortnightly Friday until 7th August, where you can collect another block to stitch and complete your 16 1/2 inch wall hanging.

Each block is just 4 inches square, so small enough to do in an evening or two.  Great for this long Easter weekend.

Share your progress on our Facebook page so we can  encourage each other along the way.

Can’t wait to see what fabrics you choose!

Dont forget to share the love with the BOF button you can add to your sidebar. (don’t forget to link it back to Sugarlane!)

A very happy and Blessed Easter to you all and, as always …..

xox  big sugary hugs my gorgeous friends :o)

 

Friends….. make a difference. Join the B.O.F. starting April 3

Its been a good week or more of specialist’s visits and illness in the Sugarlane household but all is good, as it’s given me time to finalise my new B.O.F.

What is a B.O.F. you might ask?  Well, as a B.O.M. is a Block of the Month, so a B.O.F. is a Block of the Fortnight…. I figure these blocks are just 4 inches so a fortnight will give you HEAPS of time to organise your project between blocks – what do you think?

Here is the button to add to your blog’s sidebar so you, and others, can easily link back to the B.O.F. to find it.  Share the love…after all, that’s what friends are for!

xox Sugary hugs :o)

Our FNSI winner for March and a sneak preview of the new Sugarlane B.O.M.

 

Even though I was absent (watching a magnificent local performance of ‘Oliver’ at the Civic Theatre in Townsville), there was some gorgeous stitching happening on Friday Night….

some scrummy cross stitch by Anthea which she managed to finish;

Some stitching repairs by the ever-patient Edi…..

Her gorgeous puppy Nina, must’ve really loved this block so much she could eat it all up! (literally). I absolutely gobsmacked at Edi’s patience in redoing this block….I would have been heartbroken!  Cudos to you dear friend!

Chris managed to finish her cross stitch for her friend too….Isn’t it absolutely perfect?

I”m still popping around to visit everyone, but I will get there.  I did manage to get some done before nightfall….

I finished off this cute little fellow that came with one of my latest magazines along with a hexi for our craft groups’ hexi swap.

So I didn’t TOTALLY pike out!  And I DID manage to gather together two beauties for our prize…..a yummy fat quarter of oilcloth I managed to pick up on my recent trip down to Brisbane  and an absolutely p-e-r-f-e-c-t pen and ink fabric illustration by Michelle Palmer……. I ADORE her work.

Our lucky winner this month was drawn by our Random King, Mr RNG….and he has chosen …………..

Leanne aka  Lizzie the Quilter

Congratulations to Leanne and I’ll get that prize off to you ASAP!

Without further ado…..here is the sneak peek I’ve promised you……my new FREE BOM that will start on April 1….

Well, can you call it a BOM  when it’s really a BOF????  That doesn’t quite sound right does it?  But that’s what it is….a Block Of the Fortnight!  There’s nine blocks plus the finishing instructions which will begin on  April 1 and every fortnight for 10 fortnights.  

My BOF is called “Friends”  and each block can be stitched and used within the mini quilt as I have, or separately in a treasured gift for someone spesh!   So I guess you could call it a BOF BOF……Best Of Friends Block Of the Fortnight!???  (I know, I know, ……. but I AM slightly cracked!)

Hope you’ll be joining in?

xox Sugary hugs :o)