Meeting friends in GISBORNE

We had a great day today. Meeting with friends at Gisborne, Patch n Quilt , having lunch, sewing and exchanging gifts is always  fun. This time our gifts were to be a BIRD theme. I try to make mine fun. 

My gift is ready......... Where are the birds......

I do not do a lot of stitching so I thought my OWL was cute enough. She can watch your sewing items and be used as pin cushion.

Isn't she cute. My little OWL with matching bags..

I also put in a little shopping bag that folds into another little bag. Great to keep in the bottom of your bag or glove box for that unexpected purchase. We all do it.

A little bag in another bag. Birds are all around

Here is everyone having fun.
Well if only I could get the attention of Annie

Everyone at the table but Annie was too busy with her project...

Look at Shez always having fun

Everyone enjoying their swap gifts

Beautiful gifts received.

Here I am in the Queens chair opening my swap gift from Christine... 

Look at these wonderful gifts everyone made for the swaps....

My mini Xmas wall hanging and parcel I gave and received

Here is my parcel I made for our get together.

Kim won it and I hope she loves it....

My gift was made by Christine from.  http://macdonaldspatch.blogspot.com.au
There were so many gifts handed out for everyone by everyone. Thanks to all.
Christmas season is about giving so let's all enjoy.
Now for some fun photos of our get together at Gisborne today..
Patch and Quilt is a lovely, bright shop. It has beautiful fabric and a great meeting/sewing room.
Mary is so lovely and we had a great day...
http://patchnquilt.com.au

Here we are. All ready for a day of fun, swaps and gift exchanges.....

Look at this group. I'm in there too.

Look at these parcels. What could be in them?

Look at all these lovely mini's. 

Catching up with Lyn was good 

Everyone's show and tell with their MINI's they received 

Anne showing her goodies 

Ann with her gift

Barb with her gift made by Marg.

 Everyone's show and tell. The Shirt Challenge and other beautiful quilts.... 

Tracee showing a cute snowman snow globe

I have finally got around to taking photos of my MillRosie gift swapping day

Over a week ago I spent the day with some lovely ladies at Mill Rose qullt shop in Ballan. 

They are called the Millrosie group. There were 19 in all. We did have a great day. Lots of gifts were swapped and I was lucky enough to receive some. I was not expecting this at all and I was made to feel very welcome. Everyone there was lovely and I look forward to being part of the group again.

Unfortunately I cannot remember who gave me everything. I do know where some of them came from but I do not want to leave any one out so I choose not to name them. I know you all know who you are and I do love all the gifts. I am so surprised you are all so giving and I give you all a great big HUG and a thankyou. Here are the pics.....

Look at all these goodies... Well I have eaten the lovely cookies. I think my grandsons will get the lollies. There are some beautiful buttons and ribbons I will be sure to use. A sweet needle case that will be put in a project bag, the lovely wood turned pin cushion will be shown off on my coffee table with my work being done. A cute fabric ornament to hang on the tree and of course a pencil to draw some templates or take notes... Some of these were in a cute Bon Bon but of course I had already pulled this apart. Once again, thanks ladies.....

We were to make a gift for the lucky dip swap and in it was to be.....

A Christmas tree decoration, something to wear and a treat.

Here is what I got from the lovely Kim......

A beautiful apron.. A cute snowman decoration to hang on the tree... And a box of Haigs Bear chocolates.

Well they are not in the photo because I have eaten them... Yummmmmm

They all came in this gorgeous quilted bag with a tree tag.. How cute....

Now this is what I am trying to finish...

I have taken Shez's idea and started making XMAS decs to hang on the tree. I am wanting to make quite a few but here is the start. I have them stitched and the front and backs joined. All I need to do now is attach the lovely beads that go around the edge. They are loved by lots of my friends.

MILLROSIE GIRLS XMAS BREAK UP

What a day Saturday was. I think there were 19 of us ready for a lot of chatter and laughs.

I know some of the names but I won't be writing them because I don't want to leave anyone out.

It was great to met some new faces from Blogland as well as the others I had already met and been on retreat with. It is always a good idea to be careful what you say. You never know who knows you or someone you know. I meet Christine who was going to my home town for a family party  that night. Yes we know the same people.. Haha. Meeting Chez was great.
http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com.au
I was able to personally say THANKYOU for my PIF gifts as well as for everything else she does.

Of course it was a great day with lots of gift swapping, fun, laughter and Naughty SANTA. I think everyone was happy with their handmade gifts. Far too many photos to put them all up but I'm sure if you surf Blogland you will see a lot of them..
http://millrosiefriends.blogspot.com.au

ANYWAY, here are some I have chosen... NOT TOO MANY.

Everyone settling in and just look at all those gifts..WOW

And the laughter begins, the gifts are being opened and the head gear was funny.

We have a SANTA head & reindeer antlers.

Presents were shaken and items were hung on body parts.

Lots of aprons were made. This one was reversible. How clever. 

A cute Suffolk puff tree...

The PAPPARAZI were following the present openers...

It was like The Benny Hill show or something from comedy capers. 

What can we say about our lunch at the Cafe. Scrumptious.

I think we were a little noisy with our laughing but only until the food came out and we were busy eating.

We finished our day with goodbyes. Gathered our gifts and had safe trips home.

Until next year ladies..

Thankyou for a special day out...

MILLROSIE XMAS SWAP

WELL, ON THIS SATURDAY.......

I am going to the Millrosie group for their XMAS get together.

We can join in the swap if we want. 

The theme is a XMAS tree ornament, something to wear & a treat.

It was really hard for me yo decide what to make. I am fairly new to this group but I am unsure of the expectations. It has been hard for me as I really didn't know I was going to be there until Wednesday..

So here goes. This is what I did.......

I made a knitted stocking and put a chocolate roll in it, knitted bell for the tree & a crochet Samta Face for a brooch.

Then there was a cross stitched book ornament for the tree & some beaded SANTA faces earrings to wear. I added a triangle XMAS tree to hang up. Of course there was something for the kitchen, a pot holder and a double ended oven mitt......

 Here are all the treats, gifts, wrapped up & gift bag.

I also added a fabric sweets bag over filled & a set of test tubes filled with goodies to make a delicious HOT CUOCOLATE with marshmellows & chocolates. All gift wrapped.

I hope I have filled the spot of what is expected and haven't let anyone down....

Millrosie Retreat at Ballan

Well, I arrived excited and early at my Ballan destination.
http://www.millrosecottage.com.au

Mill Rose Retreat with the Millrosie group.
http://millrosiefriends.blogspot.com.au

I was a late comer and filled in the spot of Shez. She was enjoying a fantastic holiday in Thailand.
http://shez-enjoyinglife.blogspot.com.au
Here is the beautiful Mill rose Quilt Shop and Retreat House.

 Mill Rose retreat

 Through the RED DOOR if you dare

 The bedroom I shared with Lyn from
http://oldburycottage.blogspot.com.au

The beautiful work room, lounge room and dining room

 The relaxing dining room

Our work area

 Here is the group saying HI
There is Anne,
 Melody from
http://thehouseonthesideofthehill.blogspot.com.au
Anne &
Barb from
http://barbscreations.blogspot.com.au
Lyn from
http://oldburycottage.blogspot.com.au
There was Linda and Judy &
Kerryn from
http://christmascreationsbykeryn.blogspot.com.au
& Sue from
http://curlyquesue.blogspot.com.au

 Here was Melody, Anne, Anne & myself sitting down for our joint luncheon. Cheese, fruit, dips, paste &  cracker lunch. Oh so yummy......

 Here are the sewing machine girls with their pedals to the metal. Very productive group.

Sue and Liz did a fantastic job of looking after us. The food was fantastic, the accomodation was the best. I just loved the beds, room & shower. It was so relaxing.

The whole venue was such a treat for all of us. 

It was amazing and I hope to get the chance to do this again with the special friends that I have made this weekend.

Thankyou Millrosie group.

And a special thankyou goes to SHARON from 

http://lilabellelane.blogspot.com.au

SHARON was the lovely lady who organised this wonderful weekend for all of us. Yes she was supposed to be there to share it wit us but unfortunately had some health issues. If there is another one, I'm sure she will make sure she will be there. And so you should.

Thankyou for giving me the opportunity to have a great weekend......