Chookshed Stitchers 2024 Challenge Feb Challenge

 

February's challenge  was to "Sew a Christmas table topper".
Challenge completed.  I done so well I even started a second one with a slightly different pattern that needs to have binding added still.
This is the first one where I made it so no binding is added.  The other I will post when I get a picture.  

The March challenge is:

So going by my list this month I need to:

Sew a Halloween table topper

I have started this one already but to take a picture too.

To be honest I have to go outside to my sewing room and it is a bit dark and quiet so will take these pictures during the daylight hours.

On to other things.  I do like sitting binging Greys Anatomy and either knitting or crocheting.  Yesterday I went into my yarn stash and pulled out a bag I had prepacked for projects and the bag was for a crochet baby blanket.  So yesterday I sat and started to crochet this small blanket up.    

With crochet blankets I like going straight rows blankets so this is my first granny square blanket and am enjoying it a lot.

This may end up being an entry into the local A&P show at the end of the year.  Though simple, I like entering anything I can to keep the momentum for others to think they can also enter as you never know what will come out trumps.

Finally, the granpup and I had some facetime chats recently.  He and his mum have moved further away so he does not come visiting on her days off any longer.  His face when he hears me is so funny.  Sometime all I see is his nose.

This weekend though, I am heading down to their place to visit a Quilt Show so he gets to see me in person.  Only four sleeps to go.

A Christmas Ornament Swap

 This year I again participated in a Christmas ornament swap and again thoroughly enjoyed it.  My swap partner sent me this adorable ornament and it looks like a cute granpup I have.

I sent this one and the pattern is one I found on Pinterest.  I am not use to stitching on dark fabric but done ok.  no frogging needed so was pleased.

This year i have a plan on doing more stitching, so watch this space.

Christmas Day Is Over and Done With

First of all a belated Merry Christmas to every one

This year Miss 22 and I also got our first Santa picture together.  Took us all these years to get one.  I do remember as a youngster she did not like Santa, my have times changed.

December has been a busy month for me, working and then going away to another concert .... Shania Twain this time ...... then doing a roadie with Miss 22 from Christchurch to Gisborne over 3 long days.

Shania was awesome and now I have only two more concerts on my list to go to.  One in January and then another in March.  I am concerted out now.

Down in Christchurch I got to go to the best Christmas shop called The Christmas Hut and bought my first Lemax Village item which is in its box till Christmas next year.

This Santa was huge in real life and at $3950 a bit out of my price range.

And also Miss 22 took me to a great Christmas light demonstration.  This is just a small collection of the lights and so dedicated we went in the rain.

Finally after travelling for three days we got home on Saturday just before the bad weather hit and had a days relaxation before I started the preparations for Christmas day including shopping at the supermarket and I must say I struck it lucky as it was not that bad the four times I went (3 because I forgot something).

I had a fail with my non-fail pavlova (a KIWI icon) so made another and only done a basic topping but it was still yummy

And what sewing have I done this month ...... only a block for QBSA.  The block is called Card Trick

Can't believe it is 2019 next week.  Where has the year gone?

My SSCS Gift

On Christmas day I got to open my gift I received from Maria as part of Chookyblues SSCS.

I opened up my parcel from Maria last on Christmas Day and look at the looked hexagon bag she has stitched for me.

Inside were these decorations she has also made

And I also got this little pouch with none other than chocolates in it ..... yummy

I would like to thank Chookyblue for holding this fabulous swap again and also to Maria for the lovely gifts.

Another Christmas Swap Gift Sent

Another swap I participated in was one held in the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap group on Facebook.

We were to make something with a hexagon in it.

I got to send to the lovely Sue Coleman in Australia, and I sent her this hexagon table mat.

As I have previously said on other blog posts, I was working over Xmas on nightshift and on our ward we bought some Christmas cheer this year by wearing some Christmas scrubs.

The patients loved them and some said the place was more cheerful for them over Christmas.

By my third night I was dead tired but still bringing the Christmas cheer with other nurses and doctors.

Now I have a few days off and back into it over New Years again.

Another Xmas Tablerunner

Near the second day of the year and I have not seen much of it yet as sleeping all day due doing the graveyard shift at the local hospital.  One more night and I will be off for hopefully four days then back into normal shift work for the next month.

Here is another table runner I have made and yes I love this pattern just as much as the Disappearing 9-patch pattern.  This table runner was sent as a swap gift for an advent swap I was in.

This year also heralds in the year I am to finish my Thesis and I vow never to study again.  Roll on May, though there is so much to do before then as well.  I will be very glad when it is over.  At least I can say I have finally completed my Nursing portfolio for another 3 years ....yay!!

SSCS Gifts

Yesterday I showed you the ornaments sent and received for Chookyblue's SSCS.  Today I will show you the gifts.
From Tracey I received these lovely gifts.  The Yankee Candle smells divine.  I was quite amazed I could still smell it as have a horrid cold.

Then to Julie I sent this Zig-Zag tablerunner made out of Tilda Fabrics.

This is one of my favourite patterns to make, and if you want to have a go, you can find the tutorial here for it.
Again another great swap held and a big thanks to ChookyBlue for holding it again.

A Cats Choir

I have been on the hunt for a new Jim Shore ornament after obtaining some of these lovely ornaments last year.  However going past my local postshop/bookshop shop and seeing this in the window, Jim Shore will have to wait another year.
Its called Cats Choir

A Lovely Christmas Table Runner

While over in Tasmania, I was lucky enough to catch up with the lovely Relle who made me this Christmas table runner for a swap we were in last year.
Best of all it was made with my favorite material line by French General

I posted this picture back when she got hers when I sent it last year.  Notice we both have good taste in fabric

A UFO Finished

I finished a UFO in February

This "Heart of Christmas" stitchery is a Rosalie Quinlan design I started awhile back but have now finished.  I still have two others to finish and am hoping to this year.

This one is the "Angels" pattern

More Christmas Swaps

Yes I have signed up to a few Christmas swaps and I was sewing like mad to get them all finished on time.  This time the swaps were two I hosted over on Our Craft Group over on Facebook.
Firstly we had a Christmas secret swap and I was lucky enough to be sent these fabulous gifts from Julie

And I sent off to Anorina this table runner.

I also hosted a Advent swap and for 24 days we got to open gifts or all sorts from our partners and on the 25th we got to open our handmade one.  I had Agnes from Hungary and I got lots of lovely gifts with little notes and on the 25th I got this lovely table runner and coasters.

And I sent her this table runner for the 25th which she loved too.