It Was Once Green Part 2

Earlier today I posted some pictures taken where I live a month ago when it was green.  Since then we have very minimal rain and it is getting brown and there is a total fire ban on, as fire risk it very very high.  Here are some pictures i took this evening while out for a walk.

It Was Once Green

A month ago on New Years Day I took some photos of the farm while on a walk down our driveway.  Looking at them now I think ..."wow, hows things have changed in the month".  We have had no significant rain, though always forecast to and it is getting quite brown. So I will show some of these earlier photos and later on I will post some what it looks like now

FNWF

It's on again tomorrow night (NZ time), so go on over here to Gone Stitchin' and link up

Block Swap Update

Just a quick update on the latest blocks I have received from both Quilting Block Swap Australia (QBSA) and Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia (CQBSA).

Over at QBSA my January Pinwheel block from Debbie arrived and it is lovely.

Then over at CQBSA my  December block from Cynthia in Germany came this month

Also for my January swap I received this one from Cathy (aka CrafteeCC)

And I sent this one along to Cathy

I am now collecting quite a few blocks up.  I will have to get the QBSA ones and see how many I have and see if there is enough for a quilt yet.

FNSI Results

 This was my first time I have joined in FNSI and though I didn't get anything done here on a New Zealand Friday night as I was on a pm shift at work, I done it this morning knowing that somewhere in the world it was still Friday night for some.  

I was hoping to get this Christmas cushion all finished before I showed it, but alas the backing fabric had some marks on it so is being washed at the moment, so put a hold on my sewing for now.  The design is from Dixie Diary BOM which is being held over at Civil War Quilts.  While waiting for my fabric to arrive I thought would try the first block on some other fabric.  It was a simple 12 1/2" block to make.  I have not put the applique star or heart on it as you could do.

I also made some binding to go on a table runner I am just about finished for a swap I am in over at Our Craft Forum, but have to keep that one a secret.

Also here is Snowy on his favorite daytime cushion.  At night he steals the one we have for the cat.

1 Christmas Item A Month & FNSI

Again this year I have joined up to Narelle's '1 Xmas Item A Month' over at Pins and Whiskers, where we aim to make one Christmas item each month and blog about it on the 25th or thereabouts.

I earlier this month blogged about this Christmas tablerunner I made at Gone Stitchins' Friday Night With Friends.

It will make a welcome addition to my Christmas decor this year.

Also sign ups are open for FNSI being held 25th Jan.  So go here to sign up

Swap Integrity Pledge 2013

I Michell, will try my utmost...

· To always swap on time.
· To always email a THANK YOU to my partner.
· To be considerate and thoughtful when choosing a gift.
· To give my partner the quality of gift that I would like to receive.
· To communicate when it’s required.
· To NEVER over commit and let a partner down.
· To advise the swap mama when I receive my gift.

This I sewomly pledge....

Santa Sack Swap Gifts For Lisa At Lydia's Treasures

Lisa over at Lydia's Treasures is home and has posted about her gifts she got as  part of Gone Stitchin's Santa Sack Swap from the one and only me.

I snagged this picture from her blog of all the gifts I sent her together.

And this is the main gift of a pillow I also made.

It's Ginda Time

Look who is keeping an eye on my recently deliver purchase from The Fat Quarter Shop.  He maybe is pondering on when he can lie all over the material.

Yes it is Ginda (formerly known as Simba).  He is over a year old now and loves chasing Snowy around.  He really thinks he is a dog.

Friday Night With Friends

This was my first time I joined in with Friday Night With Friends hosted by Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin'.  I found this a motivation to finish some UFO's of mine and this is what I have done with one tonight.

I had a small table runner I had started in 2011 from some 5" charms.  All I had to do was sandwich, quilt and bind, so this is what I spent the evening doing.

So this is what I pulled out of the box.

And all finished, to be put away for Christmas at the end of the year.

Lets Sign Up

Start the of year, means the start of new Swaps, BOM's and joining in a lot of new things or continuing on with what you were doing last year.

So first up this year I am joining in Cherylls 'Initial Heart Swap 2013'.  If you would like to sign up go here.

Also I am making the plunge and joining up in Cherylls 'Friday Night with Friends' which is held the first Friday of the night and that is tonight. Again go here to link up. 

I am also continuing with 'Sew It's Finished 2013'.  I still have a lot of UFO's to finish from last year list and also have added to this list.  If you would like to join go here

Another I am continuing this year is Narelles '1 Xmas Item Per Month'.  The rules are easy and if you can not make something each month that is ok. Go over here and join up if you want.

Also I found this BOM which the first block is already up to do.  Go here to Quilt Doodle Designs to participate.

Also Civil War Quilts are starting up a new BOM called 'Dixie Diary'.  So kept an eye out for it to start.

That is it so far, but I know there will be a lot more.

Shoo Fly Shoo

For my December block for CQBSA I had Cynthia as my partner. She wanted any block, in any colour so I made this Shoo Fly block

Then over at  QBSA I have Debbie for my January partner and as I enjoyed making the Shoo Fly block for Cynthia, I made it again for Debbie.

Lastly here is Snowy, impressed I think that i disturbed his sleep for the photo.

An Extra Christmas Day Pressie From 'Pink Stitches'

Now back on this post I mentioned that I had one pressie from Cara at Pink Stitches I was not allowed to open until Christmas Day for The Coloradoladys Secret Santa Soiree   Well my dear hubby made it the last pressie I was allowed to open and when I did was over joyed.  My first Tilda book.  I have admired them but never bought, but now have one I love.

Thank you Cara.

Well here in NZ we have just welcomed in the New Year.  I am working away at the hospital at the moment, so Happy New Year Everyone.