Christmas in July .....................

Thank you Cheryll for this wonderful swap - my first time in this year. I loved planning and stitching the gifts to send. These went to Sue -

• Tree table mat or wall hanger.
• Mouse in a mug bag, guarding the chocolates, tea and coffee,
• Santa tree decorations.

Oops - I don't seem to have pictures of what I sent - maybe Sue will put a picture on her blog.

Here are the delightful gifts I received from Raewyn, the stitching and quilting is beautiful, and the parcel of gifts so generous.

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Christmas Journal in this embroidered and quilted cover,

 

embroidered table mat or wall hanging,

Christmas kitchen set.

 

I feel so indulged. These lovely gifts will be a big part of our December Christmas celebrations too.

 

Thank you so much Raewyn, Cheryll and all the elves who made this event possible.

Wonky Block Quilt ....................

I've almost finished the quilt that will be my granddaughter's 3rd birthday gift. There are just a couple of blocks to be hand quilted. Here it is being held by my DH, the proud grandpa -

 

and a close up of the cat blocks.

In the 6 inch block swap, my partner Carole asked for any blocks in any colours. These are the blocks on their way to England.

 

After a long dry spell we are enjoying days of gentle soaking rain. Everything is growing, the dust is settled and the temperatures a lot more comfortable. Of course the humidity is absolutely exhausting.

February Swaps ...................

My 12 inch swap partner was Lori B. I sent these star blocks in rusts, golds and dark greens -

 

Lori sent a Tall Ship -

 

 

These are all the Tall Ships I have so far!!!

 

My Christmas partner was Raelene who sent me a beautiful star block - red, green and tiny holly print, all with a touch of gold [no picture just now.

My block to Raelene was an appliqued tree, then I made a postage stamp tree so I was sending a block that did not replicate those she already has.

I am also taking part in the Valentine Day Initial Heart Swap - now waiting impatiently for my parcel - these are the goodies I sent to Melody -

Fabric bowl with ribbons and pins, pin cushion, tea and coffee, nibbles, embroidered and beaded Mug Mat.

Anna sent me four Tesselcat blocks in the paper piecing swap - they are beautiful, I love them all -

Thank you so much to all my lovely partners - 6 inch swap will complete February.

My daughter reminded me that my youngest granddaughter is the only grandie I have not made a quilt for - well now I have. I think pale and subdued but always finish bright and cheerful. A picture when I have completed a mix of machine and hand quilting.

Current project under way is a gentle, simple quilt for my delightful hair dresser. She is expecting her first baby in June, and I simply have to make her a quilt.
A picture later.

 

 

Keeping up with swaps ............

Since I am having an arthroscopy on my 'good' knee in a couple of weeks, I want to be right up to date with my swapping commitments.
My Christmas Star is in the mail, I am working on my Valentine Heart project, my Paper Piecing block is in the mail today -

 

[the Circle of Flying Geese is for Anna] -

my 12" Autumn block has arrived and in return I received 2 Tall Ships. this puts me very close to being able to stitch a large floor cushion for my sailing grandsons.

Six inch blocks a little later this month and I will be right up to date.

 

Tomorrow my DH and I will visit my mother. Mum lives in an aged care facility where the care is just first class, and love and respect abound. She will be 92 years young this month.

 

 

Busy swapping month ...................

I have 5 swapping projects this month, and it is so hot I have the perfect excuse to stay inside and stitch.
This is my 12" block to Liz - strong Autumn colours -

 

This is my December block from Nikki. Love it, it puts me a little closer to making a floor cushion for my sailing grandsons.

 

I have also joined Cathy's Christmas block swap, and this is my first block [for Cathy]. I have chosen traditional Christmas colours, in Australian wildflower prints rather than northern hemisphere patterns.

 

 

My next project is the Valentine Initial Heart Swap, then Paper Piecing and the 6 inch block swap.

 

I am waiting on a number of swaps - my partners have indicated they are running late and promised to complete the swap - becoming a little twitchy and impatient.