Thinking of Easter

I've been getting things ready for the Easter bunnies and eggs basket class tomorrow night, kits galore, and more for another class on Sunday. They will be stitched in time to fill with chocolate - what's Easter without the odd chocolate egg (or two!).

I've also finished a bowl full of Marg Low's gorgeous fabric eggs - this is such a neat pattern, and the eggs were great fun to decorate. I think they look so good in dots.

Last year I made this little quilt top, a beautiful design from Rabbits Haven. Well, finally, last week I got round to quilting and binding it - it's no good to rush these things you know. Feeling quite pleased with my efforts and it is so nice to see it finished, just in time for Easter.

I forgot to take pictures of Debbies latest quilt blocks when she brought then in to stitching group about three weeks back, so I asked her for a repeat show and tell. Here they are - definitely pretty in pink...

and don't you love this friendship block....

Barb Smith, (Theodora Cleave Designs) has done a series of simply delightful little cat stitcheries and I am working my way through them, to make up into a mini quilt - this one was my favourite when they first came out so decided to stitch it first. They are real little cuties, about 4'', and so easy to stitch up in an evening. This one is ''Out on a Limb'' and I'm currently stitching ''Hollyhock Cat''.

Recently, as in last weekend, I gave in to the temptation of knitting (yes, I'm also addicted to knitting from way back) so I'm not sure how much stitching will get done over the next few weeks - I have a terrible habit of not wanting to put the needles down once I start a knitting project and sometimes other things get a little neglected. But with daylight saving about to end this coming weekend, the nights will be longer so maybe there is time for both! Happy stitching!

Jenny

Organising Photo Chaos!

I have just spent large chunks of this morning organising my photos, putting them into proper files and deleting masses and masses of ''just not needed anymore'' ones! It feels great! It's one of those jobs I have been putting off for ages as there is usually something else I can find to do which is far more interesting. But now that it has been done, lets just see how long I can stick to the plan - putting them in the right place and deleting rejects. So, while I was at it, I sorted out some for today. Here's one of Debbie's latest block of A Kittens Tale - how cute is this!?

And here's the Little Patchwork Village quilt, hanging in the nook, all finished and definitely one of my favourites.

I have had this Brenda Ryan pattern sitting at home for many months now, in my ''to do'' pile and the other weekend I pulled it out, ironed on the transfer, and started stitching. It is the sweetest little heart cushion

I must admit I am a huge fan of Brenda's designs - this is one of the very first stitchery's of Brenda's that I did, a few years back now - beautiful Briar Rose.

And these are from her Measured Stitch quilt - loved every minute of stitching this one.

This week at Cushion Club the girls have been doing some piecing, to make this simple little pillow. We made a matching cushion inner which just pokes out a little at the end.

I hope it's been a good stitching week for you - there's a little extra time to stitch these nights, isn't there, with it getting a darker a little earlier.

Happy Stitching!

Jenny

Cushions, quilts and bags.

Well, I'm not entirely sure where the second half of February went! It's a little hard to believe it's March already, and autumn is well and truly on its way. As I sit and write this, it is the most gorgeous day outside, sun is shining and a gentle little breeze. I could quite happily be at home today, pottering around in the garden - pulling weeds and prettying it up again. It never fails to amaze me how a visit from my Mum makes me stop procrastinating about weeding!! So, fingers crossed for a sunny dry weekend. Instead of gardening lately, these are some of the things I've been doing. I have just received the most delicious range of fabric in the shop - it's called Sumptuous Living and it's Robyn Pandolph's latest creation. I cut charm squares from it as I wanted to make up something quite quickly - so made up this little cushion and a lap quilt. I did a tiny little bit of hand-quilting on the cushion and had forgotten how much I enjoy it, which is not to say I'm very good at it - but practice makes perfect! I need alot of practice!

I am excited to be able to show you a couple of pics of Bronwyn Hayes new block of the month quilt that I am going to be running - called The Gingham Girls. Bronwyn has very kindly emailed these pictures to me and has allowed me to show them here - I can't wait to see the whole quilt. She has used some gorgeous novelty buttons on the quilt, and there is lots of beautiful stitchery and applique. Isn't it fabulous!

I've got a couple of little classes coming up which I needed to make samples for - this is a little Easter Egg basket - and I'm also doing a pink version but it's still only partly completed.

This is another fabric bucket class - I started out just making these plain and simple, but realised that the circles on the fabric were perfect for embellishing. The only trouble was, once you started, it was hard to know where to stop.

I also have a Quilters Bag class coming up in a couple of months and feel very pleased with myself for having the sample finished well in advance! This is the bag front...

and the bag back. Something I have always wanted myself, but never got round to making one. But now I have!

I can also show you the finished redwork quilt - Rosalie's gorgeous pattern - Little Patchwork Village. Here's a couple more of the blocks...

and this one...........

and this is the whole quilt. Not quilted yet, but there is hope that it will happen this weekend (after the gardening!)

Cushion club last week saw the girls making this little whimsy. Again it was amazing to see the different colour combinations that each person chose, and the end results - all were fabulous.

This is what we will be making at next weeks Bag Club. I think this might be one of my favourites.

So that's what has been keeping me busy lately - happy stitching!

Jenny

Red and White

Red and white is always all right! I am on a bit of a roll with red and white lately. It always looks sooooo good! Timeless.

Here's block two from The Little Patchwork Village -Rosalie's lovely pattern. I've done three and four as well, but they are at home, waiting for their stars!

The girls have been very busy these past few weeks. Heather brought along this absolutely gorgeous quilt yesterday for show and tell - it is from a pattern by Kerry Gillespie (My Favorite Things) - the colours Heather has used are truly beautiful.

....and here's one of the teddys....

We have been watching Gaye do some stitchery for the past couple of weeks, and yesterday she brought along the finished article! This beautiful little table runner (apologies for a not quite straight on photo!). Isn't it lovely.

Debbie stitched this cute as a button needlecase up last week - this is another brand new pattern by Rosalie Quinlan. The fabric she has used is from that little range I showed you a couple of posts back - sweet little Granny prints.

This week has been Bag Club week again, after a break over the Christmas period. Our bag this month was a ''littlie'' - everyone zipped it up in no time, and the variety of colour combinations was incredible.

I nearly forgot to show you - these are from last week and far too gorgeous to forget to show! Debbies next two blocks... Kittens Tale....

and the Pink quilt.....

Before I go, thank you to all who emailed and spoke to me about the ''disappointing disappearance'' - thanks very much - I am now just a little bit ''wiser'' and soon I will remake my treasures.

Have a wonderful stitching week ahead.

Jenny

Gone!

I have been trying to decide whether to write about this. Last week I said goodbye to two little treasures from my shop - but not willingly. They were taken - stolen actually! My little ladybug needlecase...

and the little needlecase in the middle of this photo....

This one I had only just finished and was to be a class sample - class has been cancelled until I can remake it. I decided to tell about this incredibly disappointing ''experience'' for one reason only, just in case anyone out there happens to see them. I am truly amazed that someone who has visited my shop, and therefore, must also love to stitch and create, can steal the creations of another. I very much doubt that that person will be reading this, but if by chance you are, shame on you!

Moving on .... I have some lovely work to show you. Sheila has been stitching ''Journey of a Quilter'', which is one of Leanne Beasleys fabulous quilts. What do you think of these blocks - beautiful aren't they.

And Debbie has started the block of the month quilt in the Homespun magazine, the one that several designers have contributed a block, all in pinks. This, too, is so beautiful.

I did get the last Christmas redwork block finished and have joined all the blocks, but just waiting on inspiration for the final border. Then Rosalie Quinlan's gorgeous pattern, Little Patchwork Village, turned up in the mail. Well, who could resist.

I have been inspired to do a little cross-stitch again, after seeing some amazing work on some of my favourite blogs. After a thorough search of the ''sewing room'' I found some patterns that I bought many years ago, in Australia. I always knew I would get round to stitching them one day, and this is the first of them. I had forgotten how wonderfully relaxing cross-stitch is, even if it does take a little longer that stitchery.

I am looking forward to Waitangi Day holiday tomorrow - I think my son has a mountain biking expedition planned so I hope the sun is shining!

Happy stitching!

Jenny

I have had a child-free week this week and it is truly amazing how much stitching you can get done when there are few domestic activities to attend to! A nutritionist would probably take a very dim view of my menu this week, but you can still get vitamins and protein from a cheese and salad sandwich! (can't you?)

Before I show you what I have been stitching I need to show you Debbie's block two of a Kittens Tale. How gorgeous is this quilt going to be!

I have been stitching Natalie's Secret Garden, and here's the finished article. It was a such a lovely project to stitch.

These little things are that I have made for the Sewing Kit Club - a pincushion, needlecase, scissor keep and project basket. They are the same fabrics as Natalie's sewing tote. I loved working with them so much for that project that I needed to use them more!

These turned up unexpectedly yesterday morning - a few of Amy Butler's Midwest Modern fabrics - totally different to those fabrics that I have been working with this morning, but absolutely wonderful. Now what can I do with these...

And these arrived too - not such a good pic as they are the most glorious green colour, and the slightly heavier weight fabric, fantastic for bags or home decor.

Hopefully I will be finishing the last Redwork Christmas block this afternoon at stitching group. I'll show you that next week.

Happy stitching,

Jenny

Sunny Days

That was good! The holiday break, that is - it was really good! Fantastic sunny days, pleasant balmy evenings, some good movies on TV, heaps and heaps of time to tend to my garden (long overdue I can tell you!) and just a little stitching thrown in there as well. I hope that your holiday was good too. I am not so sure about making New Year's resolutions but my wish for 2009 is that it is one of harmony, both worldwide and personal - with a dollop of joy in the simple things of life - that sounds really good to me.

So, the holiday involved lots and lots of this....

....to the point where I needed to hire a rather large trailer to get rid of it all (and this is only half way through the ''gardening experience'' - not much was safe from the jaws of the secateurs or lopers!) Oddly enough I couldn't quite squeeze it into the wheelie bin.

We went for walks - Jake took his bike....

...and I took my camera.

And then there was a little of this....

I started stitching these little pieces which are to make up into Natalie's (Cinderberry Stitches) Secret Garden sewing tote. I am making mine using the Heritage range of fabrics from Moda and it is nearly all finished. I am really delighted with how it is looking.

I have also finished block 8 of the Redwork Christmas - gingerbread men and houses - yum!

Take a look at this very very cute little range of granny prints that arrived the day before Christmas. So sweet - I am really keen to make a little cot quilt in a traditional pieced design - I'll show you when I have got it started.

I am looking forward to planning some new classes this year, and I already have two quilt patterns sitting there, begging to be started. The year awaits - and what to start first!

Happy stitching.

Jenny