Been rather busy!

After a very busy weekend, it's nice to slow the pace down a little.

It was Tonys 50th birthday last week and his best friend and I cooked up a surprise.

So, Dave, (the aforementioned best friend) turned up 'unexpectedly' on Friday.

Once he got over calling us rude names for surprising him like that, Tony got on with the business of enjoying some time with his mate.

So there was a night out, a BBQ and far too much alcohol and food.

Looking for a little quiet time away from the boys playing wargames on play station I took refuge in my sewing room and did a little tidy up.

I've not worked in there for quite a while and it had become a bit of a dumping ground.

Look what I found tucked away in a project case.

I'm hoping there is enough thread left to stitch the candle again and that the wee gift kit will have a similar amount of thread.

Both kits have pre printed canvas included and also a chart, so I was able to stitch the design onto a blank piece of fabric.

Sadly the chart doesn't give thread numbers, but I may be able to fudge something together to stitch more copies of the same designs.

Now I just need to source those wee frames as each kit only comes with a single frame.

I am delighted to say that I have a head start on next Christmas.

I seem to remember feeling the same way this time last year, when I stitched the first and only one done!!!

While I was in my sewing room I also put away my latest acquisitions. 

The postie delivered these on Friday.

 Over the last week I've been able to get a little more time with Sleepy and made good progress, even though the area I'm stitching now is composed of very bitty stitching. Three stitches in this colour, six in that and five in another. Lots and lots of stopping and starting and changing of threads.

It can be quite frustrating.

 In areas like that I risk stalling.

So I make a deal with myself. Rather that power through the housework in the morning and spend the afternoon stitching, I stitch for an hour, then do chores for an hour, then stitch for an hour then....

You get the idea. The chores are spread out through the day, but the frustrating stitches are spread out a little too.

*

Last week, for Tonys birthday we took a road trip up to Christchurch, where we visited a shop more suited to him than me. Well it was to buy his birthday gifts.

Tony has taken up fine scale modelling and needed some supplies that cannot be purchased here in Timaru, and as even we know, going to an actual store and getting a 'feel' of things is much more fun than shopping on the WWW!

On the way home we stopped at my favorite store.

Annies Country Quilt store.

Where I was delighted to find this pattern.

I've been after it for quite a while.

My hour is up, time to stitch.

:-)

A Face!

Finally.

I have company at last.

Sleepy has a face.

I spent a huge amount of yesterday stitching.

My reward to myself after having to visit the dentist and have a tooth repaired.

Back to work today.

Sigh.

2016!

Happy New Year everybody.

I wish you all, all the very best that life can bring.

*

No new year, new start for me.

Being a one at a timer, I'll plod along with Sleeping Beauty.

I'm almost onto the next page of my working copy of the chart.

Very soon she will have a face!

LOL I keep on telling myself that.

In reality, the face is on the next page and I have a couple more hours of work to complete this page!

Sigh...

I'll keep going.

I think my next couple of projects need to be a little smaller, to boost the ego, and reawaken my mojo.

*

For the last couple of years I have sort of resolved to try to stitch one Christmas item a month. The resolution is not strong enough to join any of the groups out there, and well, last year I failed, totally!! The year before I barely made it into March!

Lets see if I can do better this year.

Not a resolution, or a promise.

A wish.

I wish for the resolve to complete at least one Christmas project a month!!

Of course, due to who reads this blog, I may not always be able to show off my finishes! LOL

*

Today looks like being a hot one.

A good day to stay indoors with the AC and stitching away the hours on Sleepy.

I may also make a start on taking down the decorations.

Not all of them, just making a start.

Christmas round up.

Well, how did your Christmas go?

Santa and my family were very good to me.

 My DD arranged for this beautiful hamper to be delivered. Belle thought the ribbons might be fun, But they survived intact, which is more than I can say for the current state of the contents.

Yummy.

 There was quite a large pile of gifts bearing my name.

Among them were some wonderfully hand crafted items and one or two inspirational items.

 I'll need to find just the right space to put the dragonfly on the wall.

And his friend, the butterfly will go in my sewing room  think.

 I exchanged hand made ornaments with several people this year.

 Some of them make me wish I'd had a little more Christmas spirit and managed to produce more than knitted stockings. Janice sent the beautiful blue fabric ball above.

My Sil Lee made two ornaments!

 A pretty snowflake and a crochet angel.

 My penpal Maxine sent a cute wee yoyo Christmas tree.

Debbie also made two ornaments.

 A tea light snowman and a lovely letter L.

Which has given me an idea for next year.

I spent a little time yesterday browsing pintrest, looking for inspiration for next years ornament swaps. Maybe if I apply myself now........

*

Hope you all had a great Christmas.

Happy new year.

May 2016 bring nothing but good times.

It's beginning to look,

A lot like Christmas.

Even the weather feels right this year!

Overcast, cool and maybe a bit damp. Not at all like last year, very like the UK!

Anyhoo, my trees and decorations are up and gifts are wrapped and nestled below the trees.

Belle is being very good, though the latest additions have string and ribbons!

That may prove to be a little too tempting for her.

Meanwhile, she is blissfully playing with the packaging.

 Just like kids, it would seem that cats prefer the paper and boxes to the contents!

 She has hours of fun.

 Even my nails are looking seasonal. 

Today I plan to put the almond paste onto the cake and make mince pies.

Yum.

Just in case I don't get back to you before the big day....

Merry Christmas everyone.

I wish you a safe, healthy and happy time.

May 2016 be the best year yet.

xx