Trimming the Tree Stocking - Finished!

The Trimming the Tree Stocking is finished - at least as finished as I can be when I don't know the name to stitch on the top yet... baby is due in Nov, so I've made it in plenty of time.

The Busy Crafting weekend away at Marysville was the reason it got finished. I stitched just about all day Saturday on it and am so pleased with the result. I also made some Christmas placemats, stitched & sewed a felt pencil case and started on a half-square triangle quilt top which I am very excited about. There was so much creativity in the room, it was very inspiring. I have so many ideas racing around my mind, I don't know where to start.
Happy Stitching & Sewing,
Kerrie

Trim the Tree Stocking #9

I made some good progress over the weekend on the Trimming the Tree stocking. The deadline is fast approaching so I have to stick with it. It helps having a 6-hour car race on TV to watch!

I've also been patchworking as well but don't have pictures of that just yet. I have so many projects on the go, it's almost getting a bit overwhleming. This weekend I am attending the Busy Crafting weekend away from Friday to Sunday in Marysville, Victoria. So looking forward to getting away and doing nothing but crafting the whole weekend!
Happy Stitching & Sewing,
Kerrie

Tote Bag & Gift bag - Finishes

I finally got my sewing machine back on Thursday night, but we were away at Swan Hill for the weekend, so I had to wait until we got home to finish off my tote bag - and I did! I love it! It is by far the most complicated thing I have attempted to sew since I started sewing, and I won't be trying it again, but I am super pleased with the end result and can't wait to put it into action. It has a pocket on the outside and another on the inside, each with zips - I haven't done zips since my year 9 sewing class and that was many years ago! But they work and don't get stuck and look amazing - I am super pleased with myself!

 

 

I really love the sewing-themed fabric I used as well - this will be my travel sewing/stitching bag so it is very appropriate. 

I finished off the draw-string gift bag from the Busy Crafting weekend - overall a very productive weekend I would say!

I also sewed up a quick cushion cover to replace one of the ones in my work library. I work at a theological library, so I think this Bible books print is quite appropriate. I have 3 more to do in different colours of the same design but I need to get some plain fabrics. Although I made the cover the same size as the one I took off, it does seem to be a bit tight, hence the funny shape. The cushion insert seemed to be extra fluffy so it took some squishing to get it in.

I hope your weekends were as productive as mine turned out to be...

Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

 
 
 

Draw-string Bag Stitching

Last night, I dropped off my sewing machine for a full service and repair and finished off the stitching on the pattern for the draw-string bag that was a gift from the Busy Crafting Weekend.

Can't wait to get my machine back and finish this cute little bag. I've never done stitching like this before but I am really happy with how it has turned out!

Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Busy Crafting Weekend & Candy Cane Santa Stocking #27

I had an AWESOME weekend away at the Busy Crafting craft weekend in Marysville. There were just under 40 women there with a wide array of crafting projects to work on - quilting, scrap-booking, drawing, hand-stitching, cross-stitch, and probably more I've forgotten about. Boy, are there some very clever people around! Some of the projects were absolutely amazing and it was great to be able to get up and wander around to watch people put their things together. There were prize draws (I selected a colouring book with pencils set so I'm set for my summer holidays!) and great food - there was no risk of anyone going hungry over the weekend. The accommodation and setting was also a very high standard. Just about everyone there has said they will be there again next year. I can't wait for it either.

I was very happy with the amount of stuff I was able to get done over the weekend:

I attached felt to the back of these ornaments and stitched around adding beads. Very happy with how they've turned out.

I finished the beading on the Snowy Owl (one of the keepsakes I bought in Canada on our trip earlier this year). At first, I didn't like the beads but now that I've done the back-stitching as well, it has grown a little on me. I've ordered a frame for it, just waiting on the shop to get their supplies so that will make a big difference, I'm sure. I thought the beads on the owl were a bit big, but here in the photo, they don't look so bad.

I stitched another of the Mini Christmas Ornaments which has turned out very nicely.

And I also folded quite a few origami Christmas Trees from the browned pages of an old book from my library that was falling apart. It was going straight to the bin, but I thought, I could use that... I'm going to attach the trees to some string and hang them up around the library and office as Christmas decorations in December. I think they'll look great, and they're very quick and easy to make so I'll be doing quite a bit more folding over the coming weeks. I might even stick some glitter on the odd one to provide some colour interest...

I also presented the Snow Bears stocking to Arkyn's mother and she seemed quite excited - I hope she loves it.

When I finally got home on Sunday night, I almost finished off the Candy Cane Santa Stocking. I just have a bit more greenery to do in the bottom left corner, but I couldn't force myself to stay up and finish it off after such a busy weekend. I'll finish the stitching tonight and then I only have the glittery sequin things to attach all over and I'm done until the baby arrives and is named... That won't be until about February so this goes into the 'to be completed' pile to be picked up again next year.

I hope your weekends were as productive as mine!


Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Candy Cane Santa Stocking #26

Getting there. I'm almost tempted to take this with me on the craft weekend but I want to finish off the other jobs I've already got packed so this will have to wait until next week. I am super excited about this weekend and can't wait for 1pm to come around so I can leave work and head off to Marysville (about 1.5hrs away) to get set up with the other crafty ladies who will be joining me for the weekend. Tick, tock...
I hope to have some finishes to show off next week. Hope you all have a great weekend too!
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie

Candy Cane Santa Stocking #25

I finalised my packing for the Busy Crafting weekend away this weekend. I am so looking forward to it. My only regret is that it couldn't be longer as I have so many things I want to take and finish off...

The black bit at the bottom is as far as it goes - you can see just enough is left for the hemming - very lucky! The end is in site for this one now, not much more to do - woo hoo! Dare I start to think about what might be next...
Happy Stitching,
Kerrie