Quilt-a-long block 5

My Mum is really enjoying being involved in Crazy Mom Quilt's quilt-a-long. Here is her latest block. I am madly stitching in every spare moment of time, trying to meet my teacher gift & Club Quilt Christmas party deadlines for Thursday. Hopefully, there will be more to show later in the day. I thought this clever idea would be great as a re-usable gift bag rather than using wrapping paper ... too many ideas, too little time! If anyone has any idea why Blogger sometimes formats my text as single-spaced, other times double-spaced, please enlighten me. Pedantic I know, but it is driving me mad!

December bedlum

The craziness that is December has hit with a vengeance. Very busy with end of school activities, Christmas parties etc. Lots of fun, but not much time for stitching! I try to create something handmade for my three children each Christmas. These were last year's gifts.

They are 'A Little Bit of Christmas' by Anni Downs of Hatched & Patched. I have been well informed already by the munchkins as to their preferred content for their stockings. There are new, handwritten & carefully considered lists delivered to me each day it seems. Actually, the lists are not new, just updated and getting progressively longer!

What a sweetie

This is a Delbard rose called Paris 2000. So delicate & pretty. I planted it this spring having purchased it at 'the best rose sale ever'! Evidently, it was selected as the floral emblem for Paris' millennium celebrations, then planted throughout France in public and private gardens.

Deadlines looming

I have been waiting on this very cute fabric to arrive in the post.

'Dick & Jane' fabric PLUS

these EQUALS ?

School is almost over for the year and I need to get a move on with teacher gifts. The Club Quilt Christmas party is only a week away, so the deadline for my gift is looming for that also. Had better get busy!

Has Christmas come early?

The lovely Marg at Marg Low Designs recently ran a most generous giveaway on her blog, and guess who was lucky enough to have won?! I am very partial to silver jewellery & it hasn't left my wrist since it arrived in the post on Monday. Thank you Marg and thanks also to Roz who designs this lovely jewellery under her Charli-Rose label and who offered this beautiful bracelet as a prize. You are both exceedingly generous. I confess I did take the opportunity to purchase two of Marg's wonderful patterns, Sew Pretty and For You Pillow. Her patterns are meticulously written (I love that!) & I look forward to making them up.

Mum's Quilt-a-long block 4

Crazy Mom Quilts is gradually increasing the difficulty of her quilt-a-long blocks. Wonder what else she has in mind for us - perhaps we'll be doing hand pieced hexagons by the end!!

Summer is here

The day lilies are in their early summer glory. As the name suggests, each flower lasts only for a day, but there are many blooms on each plant, ensuring weeks of colour. I love the splash of hot red at the base of each petal.

Weigela Design originals

Sue, the owner of Weigela Design, has her own range of original stitchery & quilting designs. These are just a few of them:

Stitching heaven at Weigela

More eye candy from Weigela Design today. These are some of the shop samples:

'Love Notes, #64' by Bareroots

'Basket Quilt & Pillows, #57' by Bareroots; 'Cherry Pop Tote' by Anni Downs of Hatched & Patched

'Angel Kisses', design by Helen Stubbings of 'Hugs 'n' Kisses'

You can see why this shop is such a delight to visit!

Ooooh, I've been to that shop again!

Had a fun day with friends visiting that shop again, having only been there a month ago. I gave myself a good talking to before we left, insisting with myself that I should not buy ANY MORE FABRIC! Bought lovely Christmas gifts for family instead! Here is just a glimpse of the loveliness that is Weigela Design, in the little country town of Warren in New South Wales:

fragrance & flowers,

lovely linens,

gorgeous garments,

black & white beauty.

I have lots more patchwork & stitchery photos from today's trip to show you, but they will have to wait until tomorrow. All that strenuous shopping has taken its toll, & I need a little rest. PS I only bought three weeny bits of fabric - such restraint!