Splendid Sampler sewing

I have finished another Splendid Sampler block. It had a bit of machine sewing and some hand stitching too.

Splendid Sampler ... no..59

 In my mail was a lovely surprise.
A reverse gift from Kim.... Kim celebrated a special birthday this year. So she wanted to spread the cheer. The first 60 to comment on her post was going to receive a gift throughout the year. Mine has arrived and it is wonderful. A lovely cross stitched pin cushion, some fabric , ribbon & thread to make another pin cushion. Pattern was included too. A beautiful card with a special note.

Kim's birthday celebration year

Kim you are so kind and have had a busy year...

Have a look at all the beautiful things that Kim makes.

http://wisdomwithneedleandthread.blogspot.com.au/2016/09/44-45-surprise.html

My finished pine cone

At the Tuesday night Sunraysia group we started a pine cone Xmas decoration. I didnt finish it on the night but it's done now.... Thanks to mums stash I didn't have to do much. Mum had a bag of ribbon already cut tomsize and folded... This one is for her....

Xmas ribbon decoration

I have also joined a birthday fat quarter group. If you want to join in you go on the list with what fabric you want. I chose neutrals. Then the month of your birthday everyone gives you a fat quarter.
Here are my first to hand in next meeting.. There are 2 lucky ladies this month.
I have packaged them in a cute little teapot card..
Batiks

September.. Batiks

Japanese.

September..... Japanese

What a great sewing place

I have joined a new sewing group. It is great. They meet 2 days a week from 9.30- 4... It is a great time to set up your machine and get something achieved.
This is what I did.... Basted 2 quilts ready for me when I'm in the mood to quilt.

Getting things basted

I have about another 10 quilts to get basted so these days will be well used. They have a great space and plenty of tables that won't interfere with anyone else's sewing space.

Look at this space

Then after they were done I sat and stitched a few Dear Jane blocks. I am now up to date with this months being worked on. They are nearly done too.

G 5

F 1

A 7

My in laws have come to see where we are now living...

We all decided to go to the local pub for dinner.

Dinner at the Irymple pub

The sun was out so we decided to get another photo out the front of our house.

Mum and Dad

I think they have enjoyed their time here. I have driven them around the area. They have had a river cruise on the Murray and to Wentworth for lunch. Had a look at the local shops. Enjoyed the cafes.

What have I been up to

I have finished 2 of the 5 Dear Jane blocks. Keep in mind these only measure 5" unfinished. We now have the next 4 blocks to do over the next month.

Dear Jane.  E 13

Dear Jane. G 13

Then I got into my Splendid Sampler blocks. These are a little bigger at 6.5 unfinished. Today I felt like using my Japanese fabrics...

Splendid sampler.   No 60

 This block needs to be had appliqued

Splendid sampler. No 59 

Splendid sampler.  No 61

Splendid sampler. No 58  

Splendid sampler. No 62 

Project night at Sunraysia.

THIS IS FOR YOU JENNY

I went to project night at the Sunraysia Patchworkers. We were making pine cones covered with ribbon for a Xmas decoration. 

I met up with Maxine and Pam. 

Maxine and Pam enjoying themselves

It was a bit of fun. I hadn't made these before but my mum made plenty. I was lucky enough to have a bag of mums leftovers already cut and folded. I only had to pin them. Maxine supplied the pins..

I did get it covered and still need to add the ribbon bow and hanger... photo to come

The one on the left is what it is supposed to be... 

The next day Maxine was quilting her quilt at the LQS. 

I dropped in to see her hard at work. She has done a great job.

Maxine quilting away

Family have arrived....

We have settled in to our new home. Our daughter brought hers boys up and stayed for the weekend. It was beautiful weather. The sun warmed us all. She was glad to get out of the cold.

I'm glad they came for a visit with their technology

Enjoying the sunshine

Let the kids run around, burning up energy, enjoying the playground.

Fun in the park in the sunshine

My Dear Jane blocks catch up....

now I have unpacked and am ready for sewing again I thought I would catch up with my Dear Janes...
The Kilmore group I belong to lists 4 blocks to do each month. Since I fractured my ankle 3 months ago I haven't done any. That means I was 12 blocks behind. Luckily they started us on the easy blocks.
First I had to open the box and find out where I was up to.

Sort out what I've already done

Well on the way to catching up

Then starting to cut out the blocks, preparing them for sewing and.... Hey presto we have some finished. 5 are ready to applique and 7 are finished....

I 13

B 4

M 12

D 1

J 6

B 13 

L 4

My friendship blocks are done...

I am expecting a visit from a friend on her way home from W.A.  She is one of the Monday girls I have been making my friendship blocks for...
I have them all finished sitting here waiting to be collected.
5 little teapots with needle and thread. Isn't that what you get together for. Stitching, coffee/tea and chatting... That's what friends are for...
Each colour represents one person....mew will all end up with nine blocks to do with as we please..

The stitchers teapot

These were the first set of blocks made.

My first friendship blocks

I've been sewing....

I finally got 2 of my splendid sampler blocks finished.....
The famous tiny HEXIES are done.. What a relief.

Splendid Sampler... No 31.        HEXIES 

The Mr Squirrel has his flower button on...

Splendid Sampler.. No 45       Mr Squirrel 

I also spent the evening preparing and cutting out all of the pieces for my friendship blocks.
Now to get them sewn....

My friendship blocks

New groups

What a week I have had.
I have meet the lovely ladies from the Sunraysia Patchwork group. They meet every Tuesday.
Last Tuesday being the 5th one of the month the group worked on a charity project. Making laundry bags for the one natal department in the local hospital. 62 were made during the meeting. Sorry no photos... I will be going again though to see what else they do.

Then on Wednesday I went to the Embroiderers Guild meeting. Wow what beautiful work. I had a great day. They meet weekly as well.

Here are some of their work that is going to be on display at the end of the month for a 2 day exhibition.. I just might get the inspiration needed to get my work out of the boxes....

On Friday I could have gone to their patchwork group too....

I'm not going to be stuck for things to do....

Splendid Samplers are getting there.

My lovely friend Sue prepared 2 blocks for me before I moved. They are getting done. All I need to do to the squirrel is add a flower. I haven't decided if I want a Suffolk Puff or a flower button...

I might add a bead for his eye too.

Splendid Sampler block no... 45.   The Squirrel

Splendid Sampler BONUS block... THONGS