Stitching, crochet and boys

The last few weeks have flown by with the stitching days and all the normal activities. I have been stitching but it has been mostly secret as I am working on some of the projects for our retreat in August. They all need making by the end of May before I head away on holidays. Here is a little sneak peak of one of the stitcheries I have been working on.

 I had also finished the stitcheries for the Stitch-a-long but hadn't found or made the time to put it together. Yesterday was Anzac day here so there was a little time to sew this together in between helping Amy with the little boys who are unwell.

 I have been loving crocheting this lovely scarf! I am thrilled with how it is looking.

 At stitching on Wednesday, Gwen had finished her gorgeous canvas work from the stitching day. Doesn't it look great.

 We have been seeing a bit more of these precious boys this week as they have been unwell. Very hard for Mummy if both boys are feeling sick! They try to play and smile even if they are feeling snuffy and sick.

 I love this one of Sammy concentrating with such a dirty little face! They do hate to have their faces wiped!

 Poor little Benny looking a bit sad and wondering why he is feeling so rotten!

Stitching on the Lake Day 2

Fiona and I enjoyed another lovely day at Stitching on the Lake last Saturday. It is so special to see everyone enjoying the great company and delicious food as well as getting a little stitching done. Here are the tables and the samples and us all ready for another great day.

 Hobbysew came again with a beautiful array of goodies to tempt the ladies. Thanks, Najelle and Terrie, for all your hard work. It was much appreciated but everyone.

 Here they are all busy stitching.

 This little pet came to her first stitching day with Mummy and Grandma.

Quite a few people had a go at the painting. Here is Jill concentrating on her work.

 Thanks again to Lynne for the wonderful catering and to Maree for assisting this week. It was all delicious!

 There was some wonderful show and tell this week. Anne has enlarged this sampler from a while ago and has made it into a little quilt and then framed it. Looks wonderful.

 Paddy is using her lovely Lynette Anderson bag. I so want to make this one!

 Margaret had leant her samples from Lynette's class to Hobbysew and they look so good. Another couple of projects I would like to make.

 Heather had her little pencil case from Anni Downs' book. I just love the tiny pumpkin pin cushion on the zipper.

 Rosie has made this little journal cover using a lovely variegated thread.

 The day was fun and very inspiring too. Now to get organised for the retreat in August!

Weekend at the coast

The last few weeks have been busy and I hadn't blogged about a lovely weekend at the coast recently. Each year a group of us head to the coast, Denham's beach in fact, for a delightful retreat. We enjoy each other's company, good food and have a very relaxing time doing whatever we like! There were 11 of us this time.

We started the weekend with fish and chips in Batemans Bay. This was the view from the restaurant.

 This big stingray was a bit exciting to see!

 We stay in a lovely house and this is the view from the verandah.

 Some people swam (a bit too chilly for me), walked, played games, chatted and did jigsaws.

 A few of us enjoyed reading too. This book sounds a bit miserable but is a wonderful read.

 I started to crochet this scarf. I bought the thread last year at a craft show and am lovely making this. It is quite a bit longer now so will have to show you my progress later on.

 There was also some lovely show and tell at our last class before the holidays. Sally had finished her gorgeous bag.

 She has also finished stitching this project from Urban stitches.

Best get organised as Fiona will be here soon and we need to get ready for Stitching on the Lake again!

Birthday blessings

I was so blessed on my birthday a few weeks ago. Then we had a few busy weeks so haven't had time to share it with you. I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea with my family on Easter Monday....even the little fellows had a little cake. I also went out for dinner with hubby on the night of my birthday which was delicious. There were also some lovely gifts and I was very spoilt.
The family gave me a gorgeous red saucepan. I know it is a useful gift but this one goes into the oven so wonderful for oven baked risotto and casseroles where you need to brown the meat. They also gave me this gorgeous ship charm! Very appropriate.

 It was lovely to receive all these fat quarters from my blogging birthday swap girls. Thanks so much, everyone, they are just beautiful.

 Fiona surprised me too with the beautiful canvas work pin cushion. I just love the colours and is just so special.

 She also gave me this wonderful book by Yoko Saito. I saw it on her blog and was very tempted to order it then! Luckily I didn't.

 Here are just a couple of the wonderful pages of projects in the book.

 Karen also surprised me with this beautifully stitched project basket (for my many ongoing works...) and is is just so lovely.

 I also received lots of lovely cards.

Thanks to everyone who made my day special.