My FNSI finishes and a new project to come...

Well I must admit, I'm working harder at getting better at my blog.  It seemed to be a seasonal thing I'd grown out of after nearly ten years but with a blog there is so much 'connection' that you just can't leave it behind.

Friday Night Sew In has been one of my saving graces.....a lifeline to my blogging life that I'm just not willing to let go of just yet and to all of you, I am thankful.  My stitchy friends have kept me going and I love to see what each of you is doing each month as not only is it fellowship, it is inspirational as well and I love that.
It might not even be stitchy-related; sometimes it is gardening or cooking, travel or families - all inspire me to keep blogging and keeping our friendships alive and kicking!  I just love it even though I'm not as visible as I would like....I'm getting back there!

So, here is what I managed to do on my FNSI, and like a few others, I started a bit earlier in the day, mainly because I had a few things I wanted to get done.

Thanks to the online community, I found some more of my background fabric to continue my 2017 FQS Designer Mystery quilt.....*note to self - NEVER leave the coordinating fabrics till you get around to finishing your BOM....purchase when you sign up....the fabric is not going to last forever!*

I still needed more of the American Jane "Spring-a-Ling" range for the contrasting sashings and borders but it isn't available anywhere anymore (unless I want to sell my kidney to pay for postage) so I've managed to get some of a similar AJ range called "Sweet Harmony".

I'm sure it will work out ok.

Then I moved on to my "It takes two" project.  I finished needle-turning the last few centres on each block before bed.

They're a little creased as, although I had them in my block keeper, the cats have decided that when it's closed, it's a nice warm place to sleep, especially these past few cold days!

If you haven't already done so, please go back HERE and download my gift to you....sort of sums up our worldwide friendships, don't you think?

Yesterday I received a big box in the mail which had me stumped...…. until I opened it!

And then I remembered...….

My 2019 FQS Mystery Designer BOM had arrived....and this time I remembered to order the backing and background fabric BEFORE I started! *good thinking 99*
I must admit, these are some of my favourite BOM's to do and the first block in this one is designed by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs.

But before I start on this one, I had better finish the 2017 one, and at least make a start on the 2018 one that's sitting in the wings, don't you think?

xox big sugary hugs :o)

Christmas in July and OPAM

A big sugary hug to the wonderful Cheryll for hosting the Christmas in July swap this year.

I had such fun making my gifts and just as much fun opening the ones I received.  Here are the gifts I sent to Kaye

I forgot to take a photo of the finished mug rug but this gives you an idea, and a big hearty Christmas mug was included!

A Santa pouch was filled with Christmas goodies (and some sewing ones too!). 

I hope Kaye likes her gifts.   My swap sender was Illene.  We've been friends for quite a while so it was a lovely surprise to receive her parcel in the mail.  I was good and didn't open them till the 31st July (even later than we were meant to!)   Here are the lovely gifts I received from her -

a handstitched gift tag....so sweet!

This gorgeous little hexi basket was filled to the brim with chocolate santas.....nom nom nom! and had the prettiest glass brooch inside too.

I love this wreath......it makes me happy just looking at it.  It will be going up on the front door this Christmas that's for sure!

Can't wait to add some Christmas patterns in here..... it will certainly make it easy to find something to make for swaps in the future. 

Thank you Illene, I love EVERYTHING! You really did spoil me. You are one of Santa's  top clever little helpers, that's for sure.  

I was light on with OPAM finishes for July but I did manage two.....my Santa Pouch above and this gorgeous vintage cushion cover.....

I've yet to get the cushion 'inner' to put in it but the floral border is the flange and the purple inner border is the edge of the cushion.  You can see it in the next photo...

I did have a cushion insert but it was far too big.  I'm taking hubby up to Townsville for an ultrasound on Thursday, on his calf, ankle and heel.....he has a suspected tear in his achilles tendon - we really are a clumsy couple!  While we're there, I might pop in to Spotlight and see if I can pick one up there.

Thanks to Peg and Kris for all their hard work with OPAM.  It really is a good motivator.

xox Sugary hugs :o)

FNSI Easter Surprise!

Easter is nearly here, and so is Friday Night Sew In which, if you'd seen my previous post, we decided will become and all Easter Weekend affair!

 And in celebrating spending my Easter with you, I thought I'd bring along a little gift for everyone who joins in.......

You can see mine's not quite finished yet, but if you link up and share, I'll send you my latest 'Happy Easter' design.   You can start stitching it on Friday, or you might even like to stitch it over the weekend for a gift on Sunday....either a gift bag or a hooped hanging, as I'm doing.

I've made it simple so it can be stitched quickly.....I started last night about 9pm and got most of the way through....just two eggs and the greeting to go....oooh and the cute little bunny tail, which I'm going to fill with French knots.  I've 'cheated' using a pastel variegated thread, but you can use whatever threads you like, depending on the decor or the person it's for.  The little poofy tail is going to be in white - I'll share a picture when I'm done, but I'm expecting it will reflect the white polka dot background fabric perfectly! *fingers crossed*.

So, make sure you're linked up and shared by Friday, either blog or social media (or both!) and I'll send you the design as my Easter gift to you.

If you miss out, "Happy Easter" will be available in my Craftsy store over the weekend, for $2.00.

Looking forward to our Easter Weekend Sew In... aka EWSI! hee hee

xox Sugary hugs :o)

Squishy mail in and squishy mail out …. and don’t forget FNSI

I had almost forgotten I was to receive a swap gift in Jenny’s Stitchery Club Swap last month until hubby came back from the post office with some squishy mail yesterday!

I  tore the wrapping off hastily unwrapped it to reveal this gorgeous surprise…..

My two gifts had come from Sherry, all the way from the west coast of Washington State, USA., and I must say, she must have been stalking me because she knows me well!

‘Keep Calm’ is a definite reminder for me……I’ve always got my tassel in a knot and I”m always behind in everything I do (or so it seems).  I L-O-V-E what Sherry created from some of Jenny’s stitchery club designs – a ‘Keep Calm’ linen tea-towel and a stitchery needle-keep made with gorgeous TILDA fabric *swoon*.

Inside is a tiny, wee finger light which slips on your finger (obviously!),  with a bright LED light which lights up what you’re doing…..I’ve never ever seen one of those here, Downunder so this was a new toy for me!  

There was also a bright pair of tweezers, some Cosmo Seasons threads, some flower head pins and a beautiful pair of golden stork embroidery scissors…oh my gosh, I’m in Heaven!  Thank you just isn’t enough Sherry. All I can say is I will treasure these and I can guarantee they’ll get a good daily workout, that’s for sure! *Mwah* 

And as some is coming in…..I’ve been preparing some to go out!  This beauty is on its way to a very dear friend.  Remember, I told you about the free pattern back in this post last week?

who might it be going to?  I can’t tell, but this might be a clue…..

…..NOT!   Well I don’t want to give the surprise away do I?

If you haven’t had the chance, don’t forget to sign up for the Friday Night Sew In HERE and join us tonight for our monthly virtual get-together.  Can’t wait to stitch along with you ….… I’ll be stitching my new free B.O.M. blocks so they’re ready for you to start next month!  What will you be stitching?

xox Sugary hugs :O)

Taking time for friends, nibblies and fnsi reminders

 

Yesterday was spent in the company of some very good friends of mine ours….I’m sure you’ll recognise them……

the only problem was, there was only two of them….Michelle didn’t make it.  I missed her terribly….it’s been so long since I’ve seen these lovely girls, I was so looking forward to the day….but these gals kept me laughing, although we were minus the lovely Michelle (and Barb)!

Heather had made a scrummy slice for morning tea from a recipe I shared on Facebook (I’ve included the recipe below so you can try it yourself for our FNSI nibbles with our cuppa).

And she shared the gorgeous apron she’d made, but ‘someone’ decided she was going to model it for us….

….and then refused to take it off and wore it all day!  Suited her too, don’t you think….after all, it IS her birthday next month, Heather!!!  The frivolity went on all day, even when lunch was being prepared…..

This lot crack me up!  You can see why we look forward to it so much!….I missed my chance though….whilst those two were preoccupied, I could have polished off the delish Rice Pudding that Jen brought along……talk about yummo!  You can find the recipe for it on Jen’s blog here…it would be perfect as an after dinner treat tomorrow night!  And finished off the way Jen did with apple jelly, fresh mango and blueberries…….…mmm mmmmmmmm, what more can I say!?

Our visit gave me a chance to hand over my Christmas gifts to the gals….

here’s what I made for Jen (I’ve been showing sneak peeks of it for a number of months now)….

and I made Heather a special ‘personalised’ gift to warn others to keep away from her fabulous stash which, by the way,  would have to be the envy of ANY quilt shop…..

I might even have to write a pattern up for this one…..what do you think?

Michelle’s and Barb’s are waiting patiently at both Jen’s and Heather’s place for the next time they see each other. And Michelle’s birthday gift is also waiting to meet it’s owner.

Anyway, more finishes to contend with, so tomorrow night’s FNSI is perfect timing.  Have you signed up yet?  Make sure you do.. Sign ups are in this previous post.  And here’s the recipe for our Simple Apple Slice…..wont take long to prepare and your nibblies for tomorrow night will be made!

SIMPLE APPLE SLICE/CAKE

Ingredients:

2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

3 apples, peeled, cored and diced (1cm)
125g butter or margarine
1 egg

Directions:

Toss apples with self raising flour, cinnamon and sugar in a medium mixing bowl.

Melt butter in a small saucepan on the stovetop or in a small bowl in the microwave. Stir in egg.

Pour butter and egg into the apple mixture and mix until combined.

Spoon into a greased and lined slice tin.

Bake at 180 C for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Keeps for about 3 days (if you don’t eat it all before then!)

Can’t wait to stitch along with you tomorrow night.

xox Sugary hugs :o)

Friday Night Sew In - Sign ups

This Friday is our last FNSI for the year so I've something special in store......

Our annual Christmas Friday Night Stitching Party.

As always, one random participant will be randomly drawn out to receive a gorgeous prize that just happens to express how important you all are in my Friday Night Sew In's...

This beautiful panel could be used to make a cushion, a table runner or two wall hangings or....or....or......let your imagination go wild......
But it's sentiment is so important.....without you all, Friday nights just wouldn't be the same....you guys MAKE my Friday nights....I look forward to them all month!  So this is just perfect for the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, to let you know how much you mean to me.

As well as being entered in to win this beauty, I will be sending each of you who sign up, a new stitchery design (so new, I'm yet to start it!) to let you know how much you mean to me! I promise it will be one you'll love and be able to use in a number of ways....perhaps for a special friend or colleague.....or maybe a daughter or mother, aunt or grandma?

So gather up your friends and let's have a Christmas stitching party to behold!
Post the button on your blog, link it back here and let EVERYONE know. 

I bet we'll have security come around and tell us to keep quiet because we're making so much noise....our stitching party will extend out to the street!  Woohoooooo.......  I'll be sure to notify the authorities early!

Sign up below, join in on our virtual stitch-fest on Friday night (wherever you are in the world) and post about it on your blog over the weekend.  You'll need to have followed all these steps to receive your goodies, otherwise with everybody here, how will I know you've made it?   You'll get lost in the crowd!!!! 
So looking forward to our wonderful Christmas Sew In......can't wait to see you...I'll have the champagne and canapes ready for your arrival!

xox Sugary hugs :o)