Where has 2008 gone.....and one of the best things I did in the year 2008 was start this blog.....

( Big thank you to Peg for without her encouragement and support I may have never started a blog)

This year I have meet and formed friendships which have motivated, inspired and encouraged me ..........

I wish to extended to all in blogland a Happy and Healthy New Year

May the year 2009 be full of pleasure, joy, fun ,stitching and blogging.

Cheers Marc

My first PIF

I have joined a Pay It Forward with Robyn from Daisy Quilts .

I guess everyone in blogland already knows the PIF rules, but I'm still required to set them out, so here they are....

Three people join in my PIF.

I must send a hand made gift to the 3 people on my list within 365 days.

In turn, the 3 people who have joined my PIF must also host their own and ask for 3 people to join.

They then must send a handmade gift to each of their 3 players within 365 days.

And on and on it goes, spreading the goodness around.

There is no set time to send the gifts, so long as they are sent within 365 days of hosting your PIF.

Please leave me a comment if you'd be interested in playing.

Opened my SSCS

Opened my SSCS 2008 package this morning from the USA - from the bottom of my heart - thank you Linda- go here to check out her blog...I am SO glad that I kept my hands away from opening the package before Christmas Day... (but not my thoughts) I have been tempted a few times .........sure glad I waited it was worth it my package was filled with such delicious goodies... A beautiful tote bag Christmas theme (lovely mauve and aqua fabrics,with Divine hand stitching panel - how do people stitch that little?? and beautiful sewing); Lovely hand cream, packet Cookie Dough Bites and a packet Mini Chocolate Delights (2) lovely tea towels embellished with nice fabric , gorgeous gift card and a beautiful tote bag with a matching purse and covered note book made with the most fabulous fabric (in colours I just adore).......so spoiltI LOVE IT ALL - thank you so much again Linda for your kindness and generosity xox.

Thank you again to Super Elf Donna for organising such a fantastic Christmas Swap.

Mail all in one piece

Waiting for the big opening

Unwrapped - (can't you just tell I took me time in the opening .........LOL)

Unfortunately camera (Mollie) has not picked up the beautiful stitching in the plain mauve area

it is just so fine and perfect stitching

Fabulous bag and matching purse and book covered in the colours I just love

Hand lotion - tea towels and goodies

All together - wow ...........spoilt

I wish to extend to all my fellow friends here in the world of blogging a huge thank you for your kindness and generosity. You have motivated, inspired and made my life so much more pleasurable.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year ~ Marc

More Christmas Crafts in the early days

I made these approx 10 years ago

My Christmas Angel is made out of log cabin blocks

unfortunately the time of the day I took these photos has not brought out the (true) colours in any of the quilts

Close up on the face and again unfortunately there is a hand stitch gold thread between head piece and star which has not produced in the photography.

I hand quilted patterns throughout the quilt ............hair .......wings.............dress and cross hatched the background

My Father Christmas wall hanging (again not true to colour photography)
Once again embellished with hand quilting throughout

And my flying Angels

Until next time ............Cheers Marc

Christmas show and tell

In my former life I was an avid Cross Stitcher!

Show and tell of one of my Christmas Goodies

Unfortunately the photo doesn't show up that the Tinsel being put up by the children is all tiny red and white beads

Cheers Marc

SSCS - has arrived

I am so excited .............DH walked in a few minutes ago with this parcel.......

I am so tempted to open ...............(lol)

But I will hold back the urge and have placed the parcel under the Christmas tree

At the moment I have the WOW factor my Swap partner in Linda from All Stitched Up

Only a few days to go...........Yes I can wait ......yes I can wait (lol)

Bit a stitching ahead for me .........

Wow ...........what a day

First DH spent part of the day in the shed

I spent that part of the day cleaning all the cupboards out

and having a do I need this bowl, plate, etc .....

Then DES (Eldest son) called around and invited DH and myself to a couple of Open House

inspections..............

Then back to cleaning up and more sorting the the kitchen cupboards.

Well finally spent a few hours cutting and fusing the next set of the Mrs Williams Quilt

so as you can see with this block together with the last posting (block) I will be a bit busy stitching around all these pieces (lol)

I had a few nice quiet hours to myself last night, in which I spent stitching around the first block I enjoyed it so much.........Makes me wonder while I didn't start sooner (lol)

A tribute to Mrs Williams

Several years ago I purchase from
Threadbear Quilters 56 Hargraves St, Castlemaine, VIC, 3450 Phone Number: (03) 54721881

Block of the Month - A tribute to Mrs Williams

Well finally I have made a start .......better late than never, I am sure you all know what I mean

all guilty of purchasing, then starting many others projects (lol)

this is the centre block cut - fused ready for buttonhole around.

Cheers Marc

I have been tagged

I have been Tagged by Robyn from Daisy Quilts

Seven things about Myself.

1. I am the second child in a family of four
2. I am scared of heights (lol)
3. My first full time job was in the printing industry ( for 30 years).
4. I love pearls and diamonds (don't most of us)
5. I like to quilt every Sunday (my download time)
6. I collect Gravy boats (small jug and saucers used for pouring gravy)
7.I enjoy murder mystery books and movies.

Now I am left to nominate others - a thing I am not good at. It is nearly impossible for me to single out just a few when I find inspiration at each place I visit. If you are reading this post, please consider yourself nominated.