Finally some finishing

After work last Friday afternoon, I set up my sewing machine, got out some supplies, and spent quite a bit of time over the next few days finishing off a whole pile of stitched items. That's in between catching up with friends, going to the local spring market, dropping Hannah off to the dance studio a few times, having dinner with my parents, niece and brother, doing the usual housework jobs, and keeping the dog entertained as he was missing Glenn!

Jingle all the Way by Crafty Bluebonnet Designs

Wee Santa 2024 by Heart in Hand

A Little Bit of Joy by Hands on Designs

A Whole lot of Joy by Hands on Designs

Several Stitching with the Housewives ornaments 

Joyful Christmas ornaments 2024 by Stitches by Ethel

I've been wanting to make one of these project bags ever since Elizabeth put up her tutorial on her You Tube. This was a fun make, quilting the fabric first.  I used some pretty Lynette Anderson fabric on the outside and inside, with a pink glittery fabric for the binding  - just love it.  I'll definitely be making more in this style. My new project bag is already filled with a special project.

Lastly for today, our gorgeous ballerina, so proud of all the work Hannah has put into her ballet this year.  

See you soon x

Jolly July Stitching

Hello friends, 

this month I've been Jolly July stitching, a Christmas design stitch along that has been running each July for a few years now.  

I took two projects kitted up with me to Australia, and I was able to enjoy a few hours stitching on the balcony at our apartment.

This design made me smile, so cute, the 2024 Wee Santa by Heart in Hand.

I used 32 count vintage mocha and the recommended threads. 

Jingle all the Way by Crafty Bluebonnet Designs, same fabric as above.

Three Stitching with the Housewives designs, stitched on 32 count charcoal Belfast linen

These next two designs are by Cathy from Hands On Designs, stitched on 32 count Weeks Dye Works Liberty fabric. 

More finishes to add to the rather large pile that's been building up this year!  Maybe I'll attempt to get my sewing machine out over the weekend? We'll see as we've got some more DIY happening - our second lounge is having a makeover and we need to arrange some new furniture purchases over the weekend, sort out our bookcase and find places for pot plants, photo frames, etc. 

have a happy weekend, see you soon xx

Stitching finishes, new stash and other news

After the past few weekends away in our campervan (still need to share photos from last weekend), it was lovely to be at home this past weekend, catching up on jobs around the house, getting lots of stitching done and catching up on some sleep, lol.

Hannah and I went along to a local production of Snow White on Sunday afternoon. Several of the younger girls from Hannah's dance school were in the cast so it was wonderful to see them perform. The show was really funny and had lots of great songs, we really enjoyed it.

It was held in one of our beautiful town halls - the CHB Municipal Theatre.

Sunday was a rainy day so perfect to spend some time in the kitchen, baking and prepping some food for the week ahead. I made Pappi's savoury scones for lunch, these are so yummy. Recipe can be found here:

Next up was Fay's mumbles, a slice we enjoyed for morning tea on our rail cart trip back in October. 

I've been working on getting through a pile of stitched ornaments and have nearly finished getting them completed ready for gifting.

2020 Wee Santa by Heart in Hand Needlearts

Dancer's Friends by Teresa Kogut.

I received a few charts in the mail recently from Farmgirl Dry Goods, two new and one older Brenda Gervais charts.  All of these are going to be kitted up so I can stitch on these during December and January. Can't wait to start the sampler!

Enjoy the rest of the week, see you soon xx

2023 Collector's Heart

 This was a fun design to stitch, the 2023 Collector's Heart by Heart in Hand.

I used the fabric, 32ct count Heartland linen by Picture this Plus, and thread, Leather Bound by Cottage Garden Threads, which came with the chart.  Finished into a simple pillow using some of my favourite fabric. The button was included in the kit too.

See you soon x

Make Life Beautiful

Hello friends, the end of another week already and I have another little finish to share this morning, the 2022 Collector's Heart by Heart in Hand. The linen and tiny buttons were included with the chart.

I used a piece of Tilda fabric for the backing and made some trim out of DMC.

I'm really missing all the beautiful spring bulbs at my previous work place - we don't have any gardens at our current place, lots of indoor plants instead. These bright cheery daffodils are planted across the street. 
 

It's been very quiet at our house as Hannah has been on her school camp. She returns later this afternoon and I can't wait to hear all about the trip. It was called an Adrenalin Journey and involved lots of cool activities and camping out all week in a tent. There's only one more week of her school term left and then it's the school holidays. Wow, 3/4 of the year has flown by!

See you soon x

Bits and Bobs

 Almost the end of another month and that means spring is almost here. We even had a spring like day on Saturday, the weather was lovely, which meant after the usual housework, catching up with washing and taking Hannah out for lunch and then to dancing, I spent a few happy hours outside. What a good feeling to be out in the sunshine, the lawns were mowed, our greenhouse was swept out and tidied up, and two vegetable gardens weeded.  I can't wait to get some vegetable seeds going in the greenhouse - lettuce, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, beans, etc hopefully ready to be planted out in late October.  The good weather continued yesterday morning meaning more gardening achieved and I was even able to get some house windows washed before the rain came again.  A very productive weekend.

Last night I finished stitching this cutie - I've had this design kitted since I first got the chart back in 2020 so not sure why I hadn't stitched it yet.

I've been using this Elizabeth Arden hand cream since my trip to Christchurch, one of my dancing mum friends recommended it. It's been fabulous over the winter months for my hands and I'll soon need to purchase some more.

A couple of knitting finishes last week - this hat knitted up quickly. I'll be trying it out tonight when we go out walking with Diesel.

Another pair of handwarmers for a gift. This yarn is so lovely and soft.

Our good boy, he looks gigantic in this photo with Hannah!

A new cook book arrived last week - Vanya Insull, VJ Cooks is a NZ food blogger and this is her second book. I just love her recipes, so easy and most ingredients are pantry staples.

Have a happy week!

See you soon xx

Some Recent Stitching Finishes

Finally some finished stitching to share - here are some of the little projects I've stitched on over the winter months.

Teresa Kogut - Dear Santa, from July's Patreon club, stitched on Fox & Rabbit linen.

2023 Collector's Heart by Heart in Hand, stitched with Cottage Garden Thread Leather Bound on 32 count Heartland linen, button to attach.

Autumn Garden by the Scarlett House, a kit from the Silver Needle's Stitching Friends Circle club.

2022 Collector's Heart by Heart in Hand, 32 count Heartland linen. 

This week I've found some time to do some sewing, yay, and I've made a project bag for a friend's birthday coming up in a few weeks. I've also started a Mini Patchwork Project Keeper, a pattern by Kari from Tiger Lily Designs, and have started making progress on getting some stitched Christmas ornaments completely finished. A good feeling to be backing at my sewing machine! 

See you soon xx