FNSI for June

On Friday night I continued on with some knitting I had started earlier in the week. With the All Blacks vs Samoa on the telly and fellow FNSI friends from around the globe, it was a very enjoyable evening. 

Last weekend the MOML (hubby) and I spent a few days away (as our son put it; the MOML's annual weekend away because the cows are dry!). I had hoped that we were going to do enough driving that I could start and finish this wee vest in the same trip.

First time I've done knitting in the round with these cable needles.
Because the cable was too long I had fun and games... I changed to
a shorter one the other night and it was a lot easier!

Typically for me I got sidetracked and spent one leg (or maybe two) of the trip crocheting before I even started the knitting.

Fancy little cable - first time I've done this for a while!

However, I think one more session and it will be done. It's a Milo vest which I am making for the Little Sprouts group here in NZ. I'm officiallly making the 3 month size but as I haven't done any tension/gauge testing, it may be a surprise size!

This is a cute little stitch/row marker my lovely friend Joanne made me.
Much nicer to use than the plastic ones!

Thank you everyone for your company and to Wendy for hosting us :-)

The crochet that sidetracked me - progress on the assymetrical shawl.

I'm still making my way through my latest Evandale blocks, basting another one the other night as well. Getting there with this border :-)

Outer shapes basted on and waiting for hand stitching on - maybe tonight :-)

I mentioned a (long) weekend away that the MOML and I had; we spent time with family and visited a few friends.
I barely took any photos while we were away but here are a couple to share —
It was nice to see Mum's cross stitch on our bedroom wall. These have been framed since we last visited. She bought these when we visited my son when he lived in Rockhampton a few years ago.

Lorikeets.
'scuse the reflections in the glass!

Very Australian looking!

A gentle frost one morning made a lovely scene.

It's the end of the weekend already, this one has flown by really quickly. I managed a little sewing this afternoon but nothing much to share just now. I'm looking forward to a peaceful week with not too many things on which means I may fit in some quilting time :-)

'til next time,

happy stitches,

Christmas sewing and Happy New Year!

I think I've just got time to squeeze in one more post for 2016... I made a few things which haven't been shared yet —
Last post I showed you the beautiful gifts I received from Julie in Chooky's annual SSCS...here is what I made for Cheryl.
The decoration she opened earlier in the month —

I loved making her so am saving the pattern in case I
get a chance to make some more one day...!

And then her main gift. I made a block holder for storing projects in —

Batting pages for good grip

I fancied up the back with a bit of Cathedral Window styled piecing.

Another gift I made was this 'pin cushion' for YD. The original pattern was in Russian which made for interesting interpretation at times! It was also designed as a teapot cozy but I wanted it to sit on top of a jar which could be used for gadget storage. That meant a bit of adapting!!

The green  is crocheted snugly around the bottom of the pull-off lid, then hot glued on. Hopefully it will stand up to a bit of use and doesn't come apart too quickly!
*Here* is the original pattern if  you are interested in trying this out; it's not as tricky as it looks!

I also made a few more kitchen things. You can probably tell from the kiwiana fabrics that these things were sent off overseas! —

And a few more decorated hand towels... I seemed to go overboard with these
this year but I got into the groove and had a ball going through my fabrics finding
just the right one to use :-)

A few posts ago I shared about this runner I had made. My sister sent me this photo of it in use —

Just right I'd say!

And I'll close with sharing this photo of Mum's lovely and mammoth effort this year....each grandchild received a set of ornaments....she did a monthly stitchalong through her local Embroidery Guild (I think). All together she made at least 28 ornaments and each child received 4 of them.

This selection which went to YD

Tonight is New Year's Eve and we are looking forward to a nice BBQ dinner at ED's place. Cows to milk in the morning mean we probably won't stay to see 2017 in but I may just read until the New Year so I can say I was there!! I'm about to head off to the kitchen to make Ambrosia from the first-flopped-pav that was supposed to be part of Christmas dinner! No one will know it came out as flat as a pancake!!!

Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year's celebration, and a healthy and happy 2017. Hopefully with lots of quilting and sewing involved :-)

Thank you for following along this past year, I look forward to your company and friendship next year,