Armchair caddy revamp.

One project I have wanted to revisit for some time is my armchair sewing caddy. The original was bought as a kit at craft show in 1998...pretty trendy at the time with the obligatory suffolk puffs & charms. It has served me well but was looking a bit tired. I was determined to update and while DH slept yesterday afternoon I made this one. I love it...from American Jane fabric lines...Wee Play & Punctuation with a dash of vintage ricrac and a nice red spot thrown in.  I love a good red spot!

It looks spiffy on my dark blue lounge and I had great fun "organising" it. I have filled the (lined) pincushion with ground walnut shells to add some weight to deter the mini lion of the house who loves to hide my pincushions!

For Christmas my "sister" Bronwyn made me this wonderful felted wool pincushion (also wisely weighted)

and this bag for me to take to work. It is made out of Nurse material (I didn't know they made it!),

and the back has a little watch on a fob chain & nurses hats! Very very special!

This year I hope to blog more, stitch whenever I can & enjoy my family.

A good plan.

Cardygirl xx

Christmas Wishes

May you all have a Happy Christmas...sharing the joy of this special time with family & friends.

If you are travelling, stay safe....it is a wonderful time of year.

DH is recovering from his op...so Christmas here will be quiet & housebound. My dear Mother is with us and the children are both home...nice to all be here together. It has been a challenging year, many changes in our lives...but we have worked together as a family and had the support of our friends...many positives.

Last weekend we took Mum to Sydney for a special weekend. she has not been shopping in Sydney for 20 years but she loved it! 

 Shopping, the Christmas window display at David Jones, St Mary's Cathedral, the enormous tree at the Queen Victoria Building hung with Swarovski crystals,

dinner at Circular Quay, 

ballet at the Opera House...The Nutcracker, 

and morning tea at the QVB Tearooms...a weekend of indulgence which she thoroughly enjoyed. Our hotel rooms overlooked Hyde Park and we were treated to fireworks from the Carols at the Domain. It really was a perfectly wonderful treat...our gift to her.

A joyous Christmas to you!

Cardygirl xx

Christmas cheer!

It was pretty exciting to hear that the recipient of my SSCS has received her parcel in far off Norway!It only took a week to arrive...funny to think that it is over in the snow now, far away from the humidity, heat and our noisy bug zapper! I really don't enjoy this heat and wish I was with my parcel!

 There is so much secretive sewing going on...I know that some of my friends "lurk" on my blog... I need to be careful what I show! Might throw a few sneaky peeks soon.

This doorstop..."Christmas Tree Cheer" by Anni Downs is almost done...it just needs a few extra plastic pellets & a star on top....but I need to drive to Maitland to get some more! It is super cute & will be a welcome addition to our Christmas decorating. Isn't the fabric great?

Patchwork has permeated every nook & cranny of our home...even the dog blankets have that touch of "wagga" or perhaps a smattering of influence from Gee's Bend???? It was such a great washing day that I thought they deserved a freshen up. Don't they look fun?

Cardygirl xx

Makes me want to sing...fa la la!

Fun playing with my Kate Spain charm squares! I didn't want to cut them into little pieces as they are so much fun as they are, so I found a pattern here that was quick & fun- a disappearing 9 patch.

With a plain sashing I think it looks very festive! Might quilt it in lines with a very fine wadding.

Nice to find quick & easy projects...what do you like to whip up?

Cardygirl xx

What is that I hear?

OMG! It's Christmas stampeding towards me!

This is when I think of all my grand ideas from last year about being organised & I think of all those clever girls who have worked steadily for Christmas all year! Oh well...I then think fondly of my stitching buddies, Deadline Del & Last Minute Lea...they survive & so will I!

I did some tidying of my sewing room (then I couldn't find anything!!!) and thought I should get some Christmas projects done. Charm squares from Kate Spain will make a vibrant table throw...hmmm....need to find a pattern!

I have spent a few days away at Mum's helping to unpack & organise. She is settling into her new home...it is starting to "look" like her! Back with some ideas for that Christmas fabric soon!

 Cardygirl xx