My Classic Movie Challenge

I am all set to hand in my movie challenge.
I have finished the top and am happy with it.
I have even included the words to Return to Sender by Elvis Presley.. it was one of my mums favourites
I struggled with the last month as I couldn't make up my mind. In the end I went with my original idea .. National Velvet.. thinking horses and winning and regal/royal. I decided on Grandmas Braid. In Red, white and blue. The red and blue are actually Velvet fabric too. The way I did the colours create the bottom border.

 You can see the envelopes with a letter inside & some with the message.. Return to Sender.

Now for it quilted and bound.
I haven't taken a photo yet but will some of all the other entries and do a post next week..
I can't wait to see all the other entries..

Bonnie Hunters Mystery part 1 ---- ON RINGO LAKE

I'm finally getting around to doing my post for this mystery. Yes part 1 is done..
I wasn't going to take part but I weakened..
Here are all my fabrics. I haven't got the salmon so I am using golds and yellows... Oh what a mess...

Strip piecing and cross cutting... All done...

All my 9 patches are ready. These were easy enough. The measurements have worked.

All set for the next clue....

Linking up with Bonnie and hundreds of Bonniacs. So far 179 have linked up...
http://quiltville.blogspot.com.au/2017/11/on-ringo-lake-mystery-monday-link-up.html

When your away the laughs stay there.

We had an impromptu crochet lesson after dinner Saturday night.
My mum and I made these Santa faces all the time for little gifts. The kids would hand them out at school. They were given out at our clubs and functions. Everyone loves them.
We have been doing them for about 20 years...

So a few ladies wanted to learn how to make them. There really isn't any set pattern. Each one made is slightly different. You can use any yarn with matching crochet hook.
Here the group are concentrating so hard..

All you need to do is ask Sandra about Jolly Santa.

We had such a laugh..

The crochet is done and just needs embellishing.

Santa does need eyes, nose and a bell.

Here it is finished

After everyone had finished Sandra wanted to make one. I'm sure it took her 3 times as long. Santas hat was increased instead of decreased but oh the laughs.
So he is now named the Jolly Santa...

Not such a good day.

As the lead up to today slowly approached my mood started declining. It is a sad remeberance day.
It has been 5 years since losing my son and boy things have changed.

I'm not sure what to say but I miss him terribly.

TO MY BEAUTIFUL SON 

I LOVE YOU and MISS YOU.

Baby Little Letters.

I am also going to be putting in the newsletter each month next year a Sew Along for this cute baby LITTLE LETTERS quilt from... SHERYL @
http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/little-letters-getting-started-and.html

This is such a cute quilt and I have already made 3. My friend is making the basic one and I am doing 2 different variations to make it bigger. These will be completed to show in January so everyone can see that you don't have to do it just one way.

I am making it in White & Yellows and another in Creams and all types of Greens.

I am sure these quilts will grow quickly once I get stuck into them. I managed to get 11 of the blocks done in one day. They only measure 4.5" as the letters and with the sashing they are 6.5". Oh so cute.

Sheryl has so many great ideas and patterns on her blog. If you are into minis it is especially the place to check out.
http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com.au

I also took part in FNSI last night with Wendy and many others in cyberspace.
Have a look here to see what is happing in the stitching world.
http://www.sugarlane-designs.com/2017/11/november-fnsi-sign-ups.html
I will do a catch up post later with my quilting efforts.

An exciting announcement

While I was sitting and enjoying my sewing with friends I got a few exciting photos.

MY DAUGHTER GOT MARRIED.Yes she and her now husband eloped. After the hard few years she has had I wish her well and hope this is the turn around she needs.

They are now Mr & Mrs...

11th November 2017

Rememberance Day.

CONGRATULATIONS 

I can't wait to get to see them in December

Then on Saturday...

We made it through the night ok. Remembering last year we had the worst thunder, lightning and hail storm in years. Lost power, flooded, trees down and hail damage to my car. So this year we were doing well.
I sat down and started work on my Xmas mini that I have permission to teach from SARAH over at
http://alittlehappyplace.blogspot.com.au/2016/09/a-little-happy-sew-along-merry.html
So this is where I am at. It is only small but very very cute.. And so super easy. I still have to make the stockings.

If you are a beginner it is a great way to make something small with appliqué, stitchery and piecing. There is also felt work and embellishing with buttons.

It's altogether and only needs buttons.

I didn't have any buttons with me but I have since added them and now it is finished for show and tell at our group and get the instructions in print..

Make sure you go on over to have a look at Sarah's blog. She does some amazing work..
http://alittlehappyplace.blogspot.com.au

What a weekend.

I was away on retreat last weekend with 16 lovely ladies.
The weather was warm and we had a fantastic time.. First up I worked on some charity fiddle cloths for our local Specialist school.
These are just made on a hand towel and items are then stitched on for texture.
We sew buttons, zips, pockets, fluffy trims and anything else we have on hand.

Here we have a doll in a pocket, bugs crawling up the flower stem, ribbon flower petals, a bit of Tuille for texture and of course some bling. Don't forget some buttons and frilly yarn too.

This one is more for a boy .. there is a buckle to clip, laces to tie, cotton reels to spin, a zip to open and checkerboard weaving strips. I'm sure it will keep some one busy for a while.

 I also had a panel of bibs that I had sewn ages ago. All they needed was some safe way of fastening them. With some advice from anyone that wanted to give it I added elastic for ease of putting over the babies head...

Getting ready for Kris Kringle.

I am in charge of the Kris Kringle fun at our Christmas break up.

I have designed a little booklet to give to each participant.

When they hand a parcel in they will receive a booklet.

We added folded Doilies Xmas trees to the front and decorated with glitter glue.

Now waiting for them to dry. 

Inside the booklet is a tree tag with a matching number. 

This tag will be attached to the gift they have made.

Later in the evening we will play a game and swap booklets. 

Look inside to see which number you have ended up with and that's the parcel you get to open.

I hope they like the idea.

I think we have 39 made..

Aussie Hero quilt being sent for Christmas

Here is the next Aussie Hero quilt all finished. 

I managed to get it quilted after it has been around for a while.

It was good to finally get a request that matched this quilt.

I'm sure she will love it.

 And the backing is full of maps of Australia with the names of our states on them.

I'm really happy I can send off another quilt just before Christmas.

I'll add a little decoration and a snack too.