Initial Heart Swap 2017

I enjoy doing this one and have signed up again to participate in 2017.  If you want to participate as well, you better hurry as signups close December 31st

To sign up, go to Cheryls post on Gone Stitchin' here to find out all about it.

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.

SSCS Ornaments

This year I cut down on the swaps I have been in previously but I did join in Chookyblue's SSCS. For those that do not know about this swap, we had to make a decoration which could be opened when the parcel was received, and then out main gift on Christmas day. Today I am showing you the ornament I sent and what I received. I sent to Julie over in Australia and this is the ornament I made her

It is a good pattern and you find out how to make it here

Then all the way from Australia I received these cute ones from Tracey

A Nurse's Christmas

It is coming up Christmas and for me working as a nurse over this time of the year, so this poem is apt for me and all those other nurses working out there

SMS Giveaway Day

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

I am a bit late joining the party but I am here. Hectic with work and was away when the party started as I went to watch the Grease musical over here in Rotorua, New Zealand. Anyway lets get to the giveaway I will be giving away Tilda's Christmas Ideas to one lucky reader. It is open to everyone no matter where you live as I will be shipping directly to you from The Book Depository

To enter just head over to Instagram and and follow me and leave a comment on this post with your user name

Competition will close on Monday New Zealand time after I finish work.

Don'y forget the look at the other giveaways at SewMamaSew

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 Sprocket Pillow

When I was getting ready to make my items for the A&P show back in October, I trialed making a sprocket pillow to enter too, though I only signed up one to enter, which is on my previous post.

Was pretty chuffed with the end result and is now sitting on my bed.

If you would like the pattern to make this easy pillow just head on over Cluck Cluck Sew for it here.

Some Winnings For My Handiwork

 Recently I participated in our local A&P show and again after a couple of years entered some items in the Home Industries section.  This year I entered 9 items and got three 2nds, one 3rd and a 1st place.

I go these placings for a tomato relish, a baby feeder, and cleaned out the cross stitch section with some cross stitches I have done over the years and thought to show off.

The baby feeder was made out of a 2 1/2" charm pack and was sewn up pretty quickly, actually the day before I entered it.

I also entered a couple more things but didn't place in these such as this Disappearing 9-patch table runner

 A cushion which the judges liked and suggested calico instead of white next time

This gloved oven mitt 

and the three cross stitches I entered were these ones which you may have seen on my blog before.

A fun time and already planning for next years show.  I may even enter some baking next time.

Kaiti Hill Challenge 2016

This year, after missing out last year due to the big move back to Gisborne when it was nearly finished, I am participating in the Kaiti Hill Challenge.  The end goal is to climb the hill 68 times which equates into climbing the height of Mt Everest.
As of yesterday I am  quarter of the way there with 17 climbs.  The challenge started last Monday and ends October 30th, so if I keep at it I will meet the challenge.
The best thing about it apart from getting fit, is the views and so many people are doing it from the very young to the elderly.

Then last Saturday hubby and I went for a quick drive up the coast to the historic Tolaga Bay wharf which is the longest wharf at 660 meters, in New Zealand.

MIA!!

Yes, MIA I have been.  It has been so stressful doing my Master of Nursing and my nursing portfoilio, but things are finally coming along.  I have not done much sewing at all and have been in two biggish swaps which was the Xmas In July one held each year and am on leave from my block swaps and hexagon swaps currently.
However I have entered some items in out local A&P show home industries section next month so a stitching I will be soon.
I also plan on getting back into this blog too, but I also post on Instagram if you want to follow me there.  Just click HERE to follow.
Here is some pictures of what I have done in the last couple of months sewing wise and sent away for swaps

I Have been MIA

Wow I have not been on here in over two months.  It doesn't mean I haven't been busy.  I have been working full time in the last couple of months, but this fortnight I have selected not to pick up any extra shifts because tiredness is catching up on me.

So what have I been doing on my treasured days off?  Working on my Master of Nursing.  Currently I am finalizing questionnaires and submitting my proposal to my tertiary provider ethics committee in two weeks time.

What else have I been doing.  Stitching hexagon flowers together for my HexiMail4 swap on Facebook.  I have done over 100 and have just over 40 to go, so on the home stretch.  I have also been doing some secret swap stitching too.

Finally I have had a pestering cat hound me whenever I am home.  He has some renal problems and overweight, so is on a special diet and for some reason thinks I will continuously feed him.

Here he is trying to give me a sexy pose

Dixie Diary Blocks

Back in 2013 I started completing blocks for the Dixie Diary BOM over at Civil War Quilts blog.  I made four, then it became a UFO.  However last week I decided to finish these and now all I have left to do is add cornerstones and sashings.  Then only today I have realized one of the blocks has been pieced wrong, but an easy fix.

Looking forward to finishing this one. Now to find material to finish it.