Choice

Okay, so I've missed the Christmas episode,

and too late for the New Years Eve one as well!

It's been a while...again!!

 

So I will start by wishing you all

happy, creative, adventurous

new year :)

I think it's going to be a

particularly good one for all of us :)

 

...not into making resolutions,

but like many I tend to reflect

on the year gone by...

remembering the good

and a little of the not so good.

But then I move on...

to think about the year ahead.

The possibilities are endless,

only limited by imagination and choice,

and there is always, always choice.

 

One of the choices I made

this past year

was to go to France for a little holiday.

Perhaps what made it all the more exciting

was that it was totally unplanned.

I had a choice...

to go or not to go

(long story)

and literally overnight

I went!

Three of the most ''alive'' weeks of my life.

Amazing in every single sense.

I will most definitely be returning

to that part of the world...

 



Another choice I made,

on my return,

was to join instagram.

Such an incredibly inspiring forum.

As some of you will know,

I don't really go many places

without my camera.

Very much a complete amateur

but I do love taking photos of pretty things :)
If you want to be inspired by beautiful images

and incredibly creative people,

then go check out instagram.

Perhaps one of the reasons,I think,

why I am here a little less often.

Ooops :)

 

Big stitchy choice I made,

was to do more of it !!

Loving the feel of needle and thread

in hand again.

A little of what I've been doing ...

 

...been working on a series of

the little mannequins...

have got one to go.

Then to put it all together :)

 

 And of course,

there is the garden...

it's hard not to be inspired

by the beauty of flowers.

 

 

 So it is New Years Day.

I will be spending a good part of it

in the garden.

In the sunshine,

amongst the flowers :)

 



The year that has been,

has been :)

It was a learning year, this one.

A little tough at times, still,

but there were also times

of phenomenal happiness

and pride.

And these made it all okay :)

So incredibly proud of my son,

and proud of what I have achieved

at work this past year.

 

I am looking forward to this year,

the choices to come.

 

Have a happy day :)

Jenny

 

 

What I've been doing lately...

Springtime in the south...

the garden is starting to look so pretty.

 

So I've been spending a little

of my free time

in the garden

and a little on my

stitching :)

 

I've been working on a

series of little stitched

mannequins.

This was the first,

she's my garden mannequin...

 

 

...then came the little pink dress...

 

 

...and then #3,

"happiness"...

 

 

...number four is all in white...

 



...and currently working of #5,

the little blue dress :)

 

 

 ...number six is on the drawing board...

definitely having fun with these :)

And just for you,
 Miss M,
over there on the coast :)...

here is a full pic of

the finished

button sampler:)

 

 

Before I go back to my stitching today,

cos it's not a garden day,

I've decided,

just letting anyone know who is

interested...

I've had a bit of a spring clear out

on the bits and bobs for sale page,

lots of $2.00 goodies,

and some newbies

added as well.

 

Back to the little blue dress,

and the next one,

and something else as well

that I just started.

(I know...I shouldn't have,

but you know how it is :)

Have a lovely day,

See you

Jenny :)



Around the World Blog Hop

Morning :)

Windy old day down here today

and a lovely day off :)

It's been a while,

again!!

Same old story,

busy at work and not enough hours

in the day.

 

But today I'm writing a special post,

'cos I've been nominated by 

Christine

of Patchwork Allsorts 

to participate in an

"Around the World Blog Hop".

I ''met'' Christine through this blog

and facebook.

Her blog is an inspiration to pick

up your needle and thread and get stitching.

Beautiful stitching,

gorgeous makes :)

So thank you Christine

for the invite to join this blog hop.

 

So ....

here we go ...

 

... this is where I do most of my stitching,

apart from cold winter nights,

(and there are a few of those in the deep south)

...then it's hand stitching

on the couch :)

 

 

(and yes, it absolutely always

looks this tidy !!!!!)

 

What am on working on at the moment?

 

... quite a few things,

mostly just little stitchy things :)

 

 

... a little button sampler that I have

actually completed -

now just trying to figure out

a clever way to hang it ...

 

... little bit of stitching and

one of Barb's gorgeous buttons ...

 

... quilt top made from cutting up

lots of my shop samples and

re-stitching them together ...

not quite complete,

but nearly :)...

 

 

... and this is the project I want to complete next...

I think it's been over two years since

I have touched it

which is a little shameful

I know.

It's ''Jane Austen's Bonnet'' quilt -

an absolutely exquisite quilt

designed by Brenda Ryan.

I have done all the stitching

and half put it together

so really

there is no excuse is there :)

 

How does my work differ from others of it's genre?

 

...hmmm...

 not quite sure how to answer this one :)

I think everyone's work is different

to anything else,

cos we all stitch in our own

unique style.

I do like to use lots of linen

and lace

and the occasional button :)

In recent years I have found myself

drawn more and more

towards simple stitching

and softer shades of

thread and fabric. 
Why do I create what I do?
 
... that's easy ...
cos I like stitching :)
 

 
... sometimes it's just because
I have some fabulous lace
that I need to use ...:)
 

 

...or I want to make something

a little prettier

than what it was before ...

 

 

...or I like to use old things

in other ways,

like the hexies in this bag,

I cut from old doilies...

 

 

How does my creating process work?

 

 Often it starts

with a button

 or a heart

or a beautiful piece of lace,

and then it just develops

as I stitch...

 

 

... sometimes it's cos
I'm thinking about stuff ...
and stitching is good for the soul :)
 

  

 

... sometimes it's because I just feel

like making something completely

whimsical :)

 

 



... and the garden is a

source of inspiration ...

 



Stitching is a really important part of my life

for many reasons.

But mostly its because

it makes me

happy:)

Corny, maybe,

but what better reason.

 

So that is the end of the hop:)

If you would like to join in,

leave a comment and a link back to your blog.

Love to come and visit :)

 

See you later

Jenny :)

Kaffe Fassett books...

I'm not sure that I need all of these

any more

so I've popped them

on the ''bits and pieces for sale''

on the side bar.

I have, 

of course,

kept my three favourites

but am thinking

it is time for the rest

to find new homes.

They are all in absolutely

perfect condition :)
 

 

Deliciously inspiring books!

Some bits...

Just a very quick post

to tell you that

I've popped some bits

on the sale page ...

some of my samples,

bags

and

little wall hangings mostly.

 

 

It's a little chilly down this way today,

so coffee is needed

urgently :)

See you

Jenny



...my french flowers ...

Morning :)

This is for anyone

who loves wildflowers.

 

...these from the hills

of France...

 

 

 

 

... these are just a few,

and as you can imagine

my walks took slightly longer than normal

as I was easily distracted :)

 

So ...

that's it for France...

wont bore you with any more travel pics,

cos I know they are not everyone's cup of tea,

and anyway,

I have a quilt to make :)

See you later

Jenny

 

... but p.s. ...

the flowers were truly

fabulously

beautiful :)