Jumping from project to project!

Can't seem to decide at the moment what project to work on... I think it's me itching to start something new but not letting myself until I have something old finished! Also, I can't decide what new project to start... Oh the indecision.

As a result, I've been picking up quite a few projects, working on them for a few days then moving onto another. Some evenings have been quite cool so I've been hand-quilting Alex's quilt...

I have another quilt (that I'm yet to share with you!) that's waiting patiently to be machine quilted... It's been pinned but that's about as far as I've got with that one. 

I've also done a bit of cross-stitching. I started this project back in 2013 and am finally in the third of four houses!! It's Dimensions "Seaside Cottages"...

I then felt like doing some stitchery against so pulled out yet another unfinished project... "A Gardner's Journal" by Anni Downs, started in 2012 but put aside for kiddie projects... I've managed to finish another of the stitch writes in this one:

I also got the scrapbooking bug and spent a day or so doing a couple of pages in the kiddie albums... As I so rarely do up a page I'm incredibly far behind!

I'm heading off on a final trip away before resuming full-time work and then induction with work is being interstate, so I'm hoping to get time later today to prep some hand stitching for the plane :) 

Until next time xx

A quick birthday gift...

Last night we headed off to the birthday party of an adorable 7 year old... a second-cousin of the kids who has recently relocated back to Tassie with her beautiful mum. I was trying to think of what we could gift to her, and I probably should have decided somewhat earlier than I did... but me being me sent off a text at 2.30 yesterday afternoon asking her mum what her favourite colour was. "Pink!" was the response, so I quickly got supplies out and starting stitching and sewing. I figured a simple little bag would be ideal for a little girl (what girl doesn't like bags?!), but again, me being me had to add a quick stitchery to the front as a pocket. 

The bag itself ended up being around 7" square. As I wasn't following a pattern I was just cutting fabric to the size that looked good! If I were to make something like this again I'd either do shorter handles, or just one longer handle. I didn't think I had time to fiddle around with a zipper but I'd consider adding one if I made something like this again, provided I give myself more time!

The stitchery on the front a little angel I traced from Anni Down's "My Angel Garden" table topper, a pattern I've had for a few years now but haven't had the chance to make. As with all of Anni's designs, I just love this little angel - I thought it was so cute and perfect for a little girl! I made this little stitchery in record time and then converted it into a little pocket for the front of the bag. 

She seemed a very happy little girl with all her presents, and the kids had a great time playing until well past their bed times!!

Until next time xx

That time of year...

I love this time of year, full of contemplation, reflection and also looking forward to the promise of what will be in the year to come... and mostly beautiful sunny and warm weather (if you're in the southern hemisphere!).

2014 ended a whole lot better than it started... the challenges I had faced (and shed many a tear over) either became easier to deal with, or became resolved. The kids are growing up, I've secured work, my house is slowly becoming much more organised... I'm moving forward, and feeling happier than I could ever have imagined.

The goals I had for 2014 I managed to accomplish - including the stitching ones, on the most part! On the stitching front I managed a total of 12 finishes (my goal was 10) which I've summarised on my new tab 'Finished projects 2014'. Many of them were gifts for special occasions, so I didn't end up working on as many of my older projects as I had aimed for. I'm really happy however that Alex's "A Boy's Story" quilt top is complete, it's been pretty much 3 years in the making! Now to quilt it... hopefully that doesn't take another three years.

So what will 2015 bring? I start full-time work in 4 weeks, so I think the stitching will be somewhat limited this year. I want this year to be a good one, filled with happy times, positivity, embracing opportunities and change. I've got a new job to look forward to, and I want to make sure that my home life is as organised as possible so that I can get plenty of quality time in with the kids, get some exercise in, a few trips away maybe... and of course time to sew, craft, and quilt :)

If I get between 10 and 12 items completed this year I'd be pretty happy, and I'd like to see at least 2 UFO's finished. I think going into this year, if I make too many more rules then I'll quickly run into failure! I want to be a bit more relaxed in 2015 :)

What are your goals or plans for 2015?

Happy new year and until next time xx