Quarterly Update

 Its been a busy few months and I have taken to working with felt for some of the time. A friend made the most delightful bookmark with a ladybird for me so I have taken this to a whole new level and created several for sale. These are at Percy's Place in Stratford or Eltham Honey as well.

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These crosses were created for a friend who is visiting South Africa and wants small gifts to take with her. I am sure the recipients will be delighted and will use them every day.

Unicorn - created for a granddaughters birthday 

 Bumblebees - did you know they are in short supply and one of my best friends has a honey business "Eltham Honey". These are for her to sell or keep, whichever she wants.

Mickey Mouse, the Owl, Cup of tea and hearts have all been done as presents for friends and family so I have the patterns and can create more as I go.

I have found a new way of stitching on felt and it is really neat and makes a nice edge. I also put a stiff lining so they should keep their shape for a while.

Next finish after 18 months is the Laura Perin Christmas Wreath. This is stitched using my stash threads and it has been loads of fun. I am hoping to mount it in a circle as a wreath that I can bring out each year. Hoping to get it finished in time for the November Art Society exhibition.

Latest starts. We have collected a number of these small bags from Air New Zealand over the years and I have been using them as small project bags. I saw a bigger one decorated in the style of Sue Spargo, so thought I would have a go. Here is the first bird one with pieces stitched and pinned ready to go. I am now ready to finish this one and will post it when done.

Its been a while

I am not certain where the time is going but the projects are not moving much on the stitching front but I have done quite a bit of card making and stampin up work. At the moment I am going to be looking at all my stamp sets to see which ones I need to get rid of and then also the stamp pads as my tower is full and I don't need that many more.

Here are some photos of the boxes we covered to hold your cards and the start of the one sheet wonder class. We did four of the eleven cards that could be made. I am hoping to run another one of these classes in June as it was loads of fun using up all sorts from a base. The next one will be done using one of the new DSP and card sets. What fun.

On the stitching front my ladies have finished our pendant – Archipelago. It was a great class and all the colour choices were wonderful. We purchased these kits from Melanie Potter and there were plenty of beads so the occasional flying bead was not missed. Our next beading class will be in ten days and we are going to be continuing the bezeling of items. I will have a selection of things that the ladies can bezel as well as one new student who wants to make beaded balls so I am currently getting her a kit of beads and accessories together.

 I have been very busy over the past month making perpetual poppies and selling a number through the Percy Thompson Gallery here in Stratford. It was fun and here is the latest in my brooches made from a fabric flower. A friend challenged me to do something and I had initially forgotten. This is what I came up with during the week. Our next little challenge is to do something with three yo yo flowers. Reveal day is the Wanganui sit n stitch in June. 

My brooch

 Our three entries.

Last photo for today is my latest swap bot ornament which is winging its way to the USA. I will repeat this one for the next swap. 

Twin fancy finished

Finally a beaded design finished this year. I saw a picture of this on pinterest and was not able to follow the links to find the pattern so decided to attempt it myself. It has taken a while and I think I would like to have a bigger difference in the ball sizes so am going to start another one which will a class for next year I hope. 

Next challenge is to learn macrame to take a class for institute for bracelet making. Mum and I will be taking it so I am going to make simple kits that people can then take home to make there own. I have decided that these will only be to make a sample not a whole bracelet as the number of people that do not finish is astounding. I will supply a could of patterns found for free on the internet as well.

Next up is the continuing of shady colours two. I have most of the centre done which is nice but we are starting a new project with night class this week, Laura Perin's Christmas Wreath. Three ladies will be stitching it so it will be great to see it come along. I have to get mum's and my canvas onto some bars so we can start.

An excitiment for today - I'm off to the Circus with Sonia. I know its not the russian or las vegas style but I am excited.

Another finish

I was so excited last night that I stayed up to put the last beads in. This piece has history. It was started by a member of our embroidery guild (Central Taranaki) who died at the start of 2010. Last year her husband gifted me with her stitch bags and supplies and this was in it. My night class had been stitching Laura Perins Floral Ribbons and Victorian Ribbons and I was about to start one of them. I decided that I would finish this piece and make it up.

At the weekend we had our regional embroidery retreat and I decided that I would take this piece and stitch everything that needed to be done except the beads. That would be my stitching for Monday night class and this piece would be done. It worked but after a lengthy discussion on the colour of the beads, opal disappeared, the greens were wrong, the pink was too wishy washy, we decided on silver pearl and raspberry. I did most of it during the class time but after all left I sat on the couch, watched my favourite programme “Person of Interest” and sewed on the final beads. It was 10.45 pm when I took out the pins holding it on and took the photo.

My decision now is what type of bag. I have been making snappy bags and don’t really need any more for myself so think I would like to make this into a pocket for a bigger bag that will hold a 14 inch frame. This may be the go but now to find material (is there any in the stash) and a pattern (I have a book).

The next exciting thing that has happened is my dad had his birthday yesterday and the birthday surprise was my brother arriving home at 9pm last night. Very exciting.

Relaxing time now

Well the Christmas season has been and gone with great success I think. Erin caught up with the girls in New Plymouth, Alex went to a music festival with David. MJ and Ewan visited Rotorua with Alice and Erin as well as visiting Graeme and Debs and Hobbiton.
Some lovely photos from the party I believe but still waiting to see them. Have one so far which I will post here. It is of Karen and I so a good moment.

Training has been continuing for the big bike ride and I have had the bike checked over and a new tyre put on the front so that is great. Next stop is a new bike helmet possibly but will wait until nearer the weekend as may be able to borrow Alice's.
Biked 14 kms the other day and just getting ready to go around the Cardiff - Pembroke block which is about 15 - 16 kms so that will be great. Very windy today so good practice, Our team is beer and bubbles so you can all look out for us at the finish line on the 25th.
Been continuing to stitch on amazing grays and getting the background done but will continue with beading tonight. Also started a few new phone dangles/key chains so need to finish them to sell/give away. Fiona and Shellie visited on Sunday and we made some cards from the stash so have a few new ideas. I am looking at doing a mass card making afternoon with everyone making at least six or seven christmas cards with 2 or 3 designs so they have a start for December.Will see how it goes.
Diane

Weekend away

Travelled to Palmerston North with Sonia on Friday to go to the Craft Fair. We stayed a really nice motel for the night and I spent a couple of hours visiting friends Liz and Gary. A good nights sleep and up early to a nice fine day. After breakfast and a quick stop at Countdown for tea and muesli bars we were off to Arena Manawatu.

Scissor lanyards made from our purchased pattern. Two each in an afternoon.