~Christmas Swaps~

To finish off my SANTA swap in my on line stitching group Friends in Stitching (FIS) I received this very colourful table runner from Chookyblue

Thank you so much Chooky!!!

I have decided to pull out of FIS as I have a bit too much on my plate at the moment with my singing lessons....JoJo and other things in general

I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of this group so you never know I may be in it another day!!!

My partner to make for was Sandi

My gifts to her were this basket 

together with a pin cushion, scissor fob and needlebook

Sandi is a huge Anni Downes fan as I am so I used Anni's Christmastime fabric and pattern for this basket

S for Santa I sent a little stitched Santa bag with a little pattern by Anni 

A for Antlers was this handsome sparkly silver reindeer

Nativity a printed panel

T for Treat was a box of chocolate chip biscuits

A for Angel a little hanging stitchery.

*****

The other swap I was in was Maree's 6 item swap

For this I gave a little pouch

inside was a stitched cushion top

and a pattern for a table runner

Starting from top left is something for the tree

something to read

something for the sewing room

something smelly

something to eat

My partner to send to was Stephanie
Thank you Maree for organizing this swap!!!

My partner that sent to me was Helen

I received this reindeer wall hanging

and JoJo received a couple of treats too from Helen

Thank you so much Helen!!!

A fun year of Swaps for me!!!

I'd like to wish everyone a very Happy 2014 with Peace, Joy, Contentment, Good Health and much Stitching coming up.......and of course Cooking

Love Dzintra xo

~Thank You Friends in Stitching~

Thank You Helen and Friends in Stitching~

Hi everybody...

thank you so much for my birthday wishes,

I had an awesome day and was thoroughly spoilt by my Mr Armchair and JoJo and by my other 2 children on the previous weekend

I am part of an on-line stitching group, Friends in Stitching which I joined this  year.  2 requirements of this group are that we participate in a birthday swap and a Christmas swap

Above is the birthday swap gift all wrapped up that I received from Helen

and one for JoJo as well

how chuffed was she as I told her it was from some 'Sewing Girlfriends'

Girlfriends is the name she gave to the gals up at Nundle for Girls Day in the Country (GDITC) and it just so suits I reckon!!!

My card and message...

And look Angels holding up a Heart with a special verse underneath

Gorgeous, gorgeous little runner, just perfect Helen....it made the coffee table straight away LOL!!!
And I did specify that I like Anni Downs' designs!!!

And look here....the much coveted Friendship Tag...

I now have one too...how special is this!!!

But wait, there's more......not 1 but 2 Tags......not bragging or anything LOL!!!

A special one with JoJo's name on it...all in soft muted colours......

She's proudly holding it up here....

A handy little Anni Downs notepad and some chocolate.......

Mr Armchair took me out for breakfast and I brought along this special glass that I received from my Cousin and had champagne at 11.00 in the morning......that's not too early is it LOL???

Thank you so much Helen for my lovely gifts......they are just awesome!!!

So a big Cheers to all you Sewing Girlfriends......nothing like being 30 (again)!!!

Love Dzintra xoxo

~OPAM (One Project A Month)~June

Happy is how I feel with this month's OPAM!

First of all a heat pack for my Mum......pattern by Hatched and Patched...

the front...

and back...

Little embroidery/travel case with pattern available from Fiona at my Needlework Group...

opened...

and the most exciting finish...

Ta da......my Bareroots Table Runner

front...

back...

close up of backing fabric...

some of the blocks...

Thank you so much Peg and Kris for running OPAM...

I know I wouldn't be finishing as much as I have...

now to plan next month's finishes!!!

Happy Stitching......Dzintra

Finishing School 2012...and Darling Harbour Quilt Show!!!

Earlier this year I signed up for Finishing School at Steph's Patchwork Moruya...

This entails going once a month with any project and getting advice/help from Jan who can answer anything sewing wise and doesn't think any question is stupid!

Good On You Jan!!!

One of the first things I learnt was how to make a twisted cord on my sewing machine...

I've taken pics of Jan doing this so I can come back to them...

Jan

I fell in love with this table runner by Bareroots

here is my one under Steph's one...and I can proudly say I will show it off in this month's OPAM (One Project a Month)

I was able to use Steph's table at another time and Deb assisted me in pinning my Bars Of Gold Quilt altogether......Thanks so much Deb!!!

Jan showed me how to 'tuck' one end of binding into another when finishing off the binding on the quilt...and yes, another for OPAM...

Here one end is pinned down...

and then up again......the last bit of the binding tucks into this one...

What a neat finish this is!!!

How to mitre a corner...

Thanks so much Jan...you have been so helpful!!!

A show-and-tell here...

And check this out...I call it a Fat Quarter Quilt...

great for (spare) fat 1/4's......leftover ones......favourite ones......quick quilts......the list would be endless I think!!!

And here is Karan proudly displaying her quilt......I did take a pic without her boots but this was too cute to let go!!!

I'm loving Finishing School and hope to make more progress on my Quilt of Stitches......

And it's nearly time for a Blogger's Meet at The Craft and Quilt Fair at Darling Harbour where I'll finally get to meet other Kindred Spirits!!!

See you there gals!!!