Belated Christmas wish list item

At Christmas time we have a tradition in our small family to put a list on the fridge for what we would like for Christmas instead of trying to find out what each would like.  Some things are really outrageous, and we don't always get what's on the list, we not exactly, like one year Darling Son (was 18 at the time) put a Ferrari on there, so we bought him a matchbox Ferrari, he didn't specify what size.... anyway I digress.  One of my wishes was a craft room makeover.... outrageous I know, but, I was hoping it was going to happen whilst I was away at the Scout Jamboree, in hind sight (great thing that hind sight), I'm glad it didn't.  The shifting, sorting of stuff, destashing some items etc, was just something I wouldn't want to leave to my boys....  Now it came about by hubby drowning his phone on Norfolk Island, and wanting a lawn mower that mulches.... You see he bought these two new items, using the money I had saved in our PayPal account for my new cupboards, well, I let hubby know this and he said I could just go and use the credit card instead..... well, I did.... and here is my new craft room makeover, one week later... sore back, knee's, legs, anything that bends.....

 Inspirations, and Cross-stitch and Embroidery Magazines and my beads in the corner, new white clear door cupboard for the rest of my books and magazines.

 The nic nac cupboard, items that wouldn't fit in the other cupboard, like finished items, my 'gold' supplies and felt box. The coloured drawers are now in the other spare room also, it's got all my scrap booking stuff in it.

These tall boys house all my fabric, except for my linens and aida cloths, there still in another draw in the other spare room. The lovely wood grain drawers are my threads (I got that for last Christmas), and the small bookshelf beside this has all my Crazy quilting books and stitch dictionaries.

I also changed my desk to a smaller one, less chance to clutter as much, but still have the built in cupboard to sort....

I first need to find a home for my post stamp collection, which is lining the back of that top shelf, I've collected since a teenager.

So what do you think, I'm spoiled, yes I know, and I let him know how much I like my new room.

On the 2nd day of Christmas......

My true love gave to me, two Turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree.../
Welcome Block 2.

 The block elements are two stitched seams, one gold creten, and the other a combination of gold chevron, and detached buttonhole stitch with straight stitch beside each detached buttonhole, enhanced by gold beads. Stumpwork holly, with needle-lace leaves, wrapped branch and wrapped holly berries.  Goldwork '2' with thread padding, gold kid leather number, and bordered by no 1 gold pearl purl. Two lovely shank buttons, one poinsettia flower and the other the two turtle doves which are stitched through kid leather for extra strength to hold the orny when attached. Lastly two gold braids, and a cluster of gold beads to finish off. The Christmas ornament is ceramic, and is pink and gold on the reverse side. A items I purchased from a Fibers and Fabric's lady at our Christmas fair last year.

 And without the Orny.....

Stumpwork Holly

 And two turtle doves, this is a shank button I picked up at a wonderful craft shop on Norfolk Island.

Had a wonderful time stitching this block, now that's two down ten to go.....

Arlene

Promoting our local show

Hello All,

 

2013 Show Schedule

As Chief Steward again this year, I'd like to get many more entries than last year.  So if you can promote this for us, please do.

Arlene

CQJP 2013 - January - Day 1

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me - A partridge in a pear tree......

So for January's block (yes I know I'm late, had to wait for my pears to be made by my friend Kathy) - I give you the first day of Christmas.

The partridge is removable, so it can be hung on the tree.  The partridge is made of felt, with blanket stitch in gold thread. He is mounted to a wrapped wire frame.

The 'one' is goldwork and their tree is chain stitch, stem stitch, and wrapped wires. 

The leaves are a ruched double wire ribbon. Like I mentioned before the pears were made by my Fibres and Fabrics friend Kathy S. (not Kathy Shaw).

Kathy has hand painted them for me to match the colour of the block. Kathy made me several different sorts, two shank ones, two 3D ones and 4 button types, all in various shades.

 Boy what a wonderful friend.  The shank one is the one that the partridge hangs from.

Finished of with the seams of gold creten stitch, burgundy chevron and cream blanket stitch.  The top left corner is trimmed with green and burgundy braid.  Here was my sketch of what I wanted to achieve for this block, I think I came pretty close to what I wanted.  I really think the pears make it.

Now onto February, day 2, two turtle doves!!!

Arlene

Southern Cross Crazies RR update

After being away from 4 weeks on a scout jamboree it was so nice to sit and stitch and just relax.  I have made a beetle for Linda for her block. I had asked her prior to going away and was hoping to make him whilst I was at the jamboree but didn't lift a needle.

Here is the full block after me:

I added the beetle in the center, the roses around him and the seam to the far right. There is still Faye to work on this block so there's still room for her to weave her magic. 

Here are close ups of the beetle on this block.

 Back view

 Overhead shot

and a side on view. I think he's happy amongst the roses.
I hope you like him Linda.

Arlene

Jamboree update

Well I have been on camp now for three weeks and am ready to come home. But I still have one week to go. It has been great but 16 hour days are a bit too much to take.

 One of the many activities the scouts participated in was make it, and 160+ of these wooden tables were made, branded and scattered around the Maryborough Showgrounds site.

  The shirt I'm wearing is from one of the many troops that were on site, I swapped it for two QLD scarves.










We also had the occasional night where we had to queue for dinner, this photo was taken on the night when 'The Stable' (mess tent) lost power for an hour or so just on dinner time.
 The photo is of me (in blue), Sue, Leith and Jenny, my work mates for the Jamboree.



We're now said goodbye to nearly everyone on camp, only a handful of us left now to get ready for our Clearance sale on the weekend. It's going to be bedlam.  Roll on Monday night.....
You can find more on the aj2013 Facebook site. When I get home I hope to have more to show, but for now, as it's still really busy here, this will have to do...... oh I miss my stitching.....

Arlene

Catching up

Well over the past month a few items have made it down under.
First the Orny swap with Lisa

This is the one I sent, and below is the one I received from Lydia

Then the Lion's Christmas stocking swap, here is the lovely stocking I received from Suz














And the one I sent

Then for the Southern Cross Crazies Christmas Cracker swap, here is the one I sent to Natasha

 and below is the Cracker that Natasha sent to me.  The santa is cross stitched and the whole piece is quilted, so lovely.

 And inside the cracker:   There is a small teddy bear missing from the photo, only because he's already on my jacket.

I've even had a couple of finishes, I finished the Redwork course on StitchMap, it was a challenge, which I am thankful for my students I mentored, otherwise I don't think I would have finished it.  During the course we made motifs, and at the end we were to make them into weights, but I would never use them, so I made mine into a book cover for one of my favorite stitch dictionary.

 Back and Front cover

 Inside back - pockets for needles cards and small scissors

 Needle and pin booklets at the front.

Now I can take my needles etc with my stitch dictionary.
I've started on my CQJP 2013, but will post that sometime soon, it's looking quiet good already.

I'm not sure what my posting will be like for the next 4 weeks as I'll be away on the 2013 Australian Scout Jamboree which is being held in Queensland this year. I leave Boxing day and return home on the 22nd January, hubby will be at home looking after our two puppies and everything else (thank heavens for hubbies like this).

Thank you everyone for following me this year, and leaving comments, and especially the help on my tree skirt.

Have a wonderful holiday season, if you believe in Santa then I hope he brings you loads of pressies, and those who have other beliefs, God bless.

Arlene

next round of classes on Joggles

Hi all,

The next round of classes are up on Joggles website - link here.

-->

From advance beginner to intermediate embroiderer, create ‘Cheerful Fluttering’s’ a Floral and Insect Stumpwork scene ready for framing.

 

Using two very different techniques, one three dimensional and the second stitched onto the background fabric using a lesser-known honeycomb style stitch creates two playful Dragonflies. 

Each Dragonfly also having different body types.

 

The inquisitive needle lace butterfly flutters happily about with oversized Daisies standing boldly tempting him to land. 

 

While the Hydrangeas stand defiantly in an elegant vase of smoked glass with an intricate design stitch to it’s outside.

 















 




-->All elements are then placed on a background of linen and framed to allow us to stand back and watch our cheerful insects fluttering about enjoying the fragrance and spender of two beautiful flowers.



 This new class is offered on the 22nd March.







Spot's walk is featured, he is offered on the 5th April.

 And again for the 5th time running, my beetles are offered again. March 1st he is offered.

It's wonderful to have the opportunity to share embroidery, I hope you enjoy the projects if you decide to join me.

Arlene

Yippeeeeee, it's finally completed - the big reveal - CQJP 2012 - Christmas Tree Skirt

Well G'day everyone.

Yes, I have finally finished my beautiful Christmas Tree skirt, and Yes, before Christmas 2012, and do you think I am happy with the result, I'm over the moon, I am thrilled it turned out so well.  So here are my last few steps for completion.

The last post on the skirt I had it basted, and ready for the blocks to be added after I had done some hand quilting.  The quilting was done, very little mind you, it really didn't need it. Then the blocks went on and the 12 meters of braid placed, pin and hand stitched down, and each block was finished with a button on the loop join, and the red trim on each block had gold feather stitch added.

I then pinned the rest of the gold trim and started stitching it all down, two days later......

What a job, my fingers are aching....
The I cut of the extra wadding, and the red background, pulled out most of the basting (except around the opening). Turned it over and hem stitched the rim down.
Cut the slit for the opening, hemmed it also and then added the Merry Christmas buttons.

So what do you think??????

She's now under the undecorated tree (will do that next weekend).

Thank you everyone for following my journey this year with this project, I'm just thrilled it's finished and under the tree.  Watch this space, I am seriously thinking of publishing a book with the construction of this wonderful project.
A few stastic's for you regarding this project: 12 months in the making, 165 -170 hours of work, all hand stitched except for adding the rim to the black skirt, and the construction of the 10 fan block bases and red edge on each. Each fan block averaged between 6 - 10 hours of embroidery, gold work and stumpwork.  12 meters of gold braid to finish skirt, and 4 rolls of red, and black sewing cotton. Along with 20 charms, beads, gold braid, and at least 12 gold buttons, and several meters of silk and satin ribbon. And lastly 3 Santa's helpers to do the basting of the skirt, Lyn, Barb and Diane, again all hand stitched. Almost forgot Carol, who supplied permanently the batting for the skirt (thanks Carol).

I hope you follow my next years project, a '12 days of Xmas' wall hanging.

Arlene