A bit of shopping, finished stocking and a WIP

Thank you Universe for a wonderful, wonderful day today!

There had been a light shower of rain overnight (first rain for months). The sky was still overcast this morning, making the air so much cooler. By 9:30am, the car was full of the smell of fresh basil, and other assorted fresh fruit and vegies... so delicious!

 It was early enough, and cool enough to go to the Handmade Renegade market. I hadn't been before, and it's only on once a month. What a market to go to two weeks before Christmas! I had found my tribe! Full of artisans and crafters, passionate about what they do, and with stalls everywhere. Every stall holder wearing their felt jewellery, or cutlery jewellery, or hand made glass beads, or quirky clothes. I am definitely going again, and I will take photos. The feeling was intense. I have missed it so much (it felt like I'd been living somewhere remote in comparison). My creative juices started flowing (as if they weren't already going nuts!). I satisfied myself with a homemade Vegan (sugarfree, dairy free, gluten free) "Magnum" ice cream, and a pair of glass earrings (to be wrapped up under the tree from the children).

Next stop: I bought two skirt patterns, and some half price Christmas fabric. But first, I have some finishing to do.



Sampson's Christmas stocking.

The fabrics were chosen to complement the stockings  made for his siblings, so they look good hanging up together.















Then, continuing with the wedding quilt (which I am thinking of calling Time To Love). These blocks were trimmed.

How convenient is it that the blocks are all on point? They are mostly needleturn appliqued, with some wool felt blanket stitch appliqued, which really helps give depth and a glow to the quilt overall.

I think these will look particularly good as cornerstones on the next border.

The blocks turned out to be larger than I originally thought when I drafted the pattern in a coffee shop, so I've had to change the plan a little bit, with two fabrics in the next border. I think it will be pleasing. Sometimes spectacular results are achieved when we deviate from the plan.

 The quilt has come along just magnificently so far, in such a short time.

Just one border left to add tomorrow, and I should buy more of the lime fabric for the binding, as I used it today when I didn't have enough of the pink millefiori fabric.

This quilt is coming along very quickly, and I believe it's all just working out with a little help from Above... and due to the "just do it now" attitude I've had to adopt as a Mother using whatever spare time I have. (Although, I have to say Thank You, for just how much support I have at home, with Daddy taking bub to the neighbours for a play so that I could sew).

I am hoping the quilt top will be finished tomorrow!
Then I need a day wrapping Christmas presents and posting cards.

After that, there are two quilts that need binding.

Then I will reward myself with a fresh project - a Christmas skirt! Exciting!

The skirt-to-be

Yes, still on holiday, and I have another project in mind...

Isn't it a cute little bird? Yes, birds AND Christmas!! Yippee!! My favourites! Okay, I confess to shopping in NZ.

This is the first shop - "Stitch" - the playroom for knitters and stitchers. I chose this interesting fabric (a sort of linen-feel) and the red floral as an accent.

I would like to make a passport and ticket holder. Something with a bit of stiffener that can be closed quickly and securely while going through airports and waiting rooms.

Then I found this shop.... I have my sister's car and satellite navigation... gee, I love the sat nav!! Easy to use, even for a beginner! This gave me plenty of time to shop.

These Empress Woo fabrics were on sale - only NZ$10 per metre. The one above is the skirt-to-be. I imagine yet another A-line wrap skirt.And a few other pieces for kurtas (blouses). What do you think? I suppose they could also be used to make quilts with. Too bad!!

I can't wait to start the cross-stitch! I think it will be a daytime project when the light is best. The stitcheries are going down well for the evenings while SKY is on the telly or a DVD is screening in the big screened lounge.

Do I admit it now? Okay. I will. Now that I have stitched out a few of the Tis The Season stitcheries, I am getting low on DMC thread. I pounced on the little birdy cross-stitch in case I ran out of DMC thread.... then I remembered, I can buy DMC threads here! Derr... (Last overseas trips were in India, Dubai and Morocco. I had trouble even buying a needle there!!) Silly meeeee!