Because..

I just can't focus on one thing at a time.

I pulled out blue thread and started something new.

I am still working my way through this book which is very interesting with lots of useful information.

I finished the white project from last week and it's winging its way around the country about now, I can't show you yet though because it's part of a surprise.

Just a friendly wave for now.

I am currently listening to 'Breath' by Tim Winton a novel and 'Quiet' by Paul Wilson an alternative meditation practice.

Playing along with Ginny in the yarn along.

Happy December.

Almost December 1

So I did what Santa does and called in the paid help when I realised how late I was with this swap.

A cheerful fellow too, as well as a great help.

All sorted and off to June - hope the mail people get their skates on and get this lot delivered super fast.

Fortunately June had a similar problem with 'Flying November' and I received a starter package from her today. (I did send her a similar package last week so she has something to open come December 1st.)

How cool is that a little package for everyday in Advent? 25 surprises all for me.

Thanks June and thanks to Fee for organising this amazing swap.

Have a wonderful week - mine is soon to get much better with all these goodies.

More squares

and a little white hat?

After the success of the last batch of polka dot squares I started playing with some different colour combinations - Very cheerful indeed. Making my daily commute a happy occurence.

At NCB tonight I started a new project because I could - that would be the white one.

I am making progress on the book 'Refuse to Choose' and it makes perfect sense. Lots of useful information and exercises to keep those of us who like to do lots of different things busy doing what we love most in the current. My favourite quote so far has to be 'Boredom makes my brain hurt.' Probably why I spend half my day at my current paid employment plotting and planning new projects, oh and writing my Christmas lists.

Joining in at the yarn along mostly because I like to see what everyone else is working on.

Wishing you smooth stitches in your space this week.

Packing

With Santa's help of course - he was just checking to see I got things right.

Hope your week is off to a fun start.

Purse...

is what the polka dot blocks became.

It was the NCB Christmas gathering today and we had a little handmade exchange, the polka dot purse was the gift I made.

If I would have been in my sewing space this morning instead of outer space the following would have made a lovely matching lining! Instead it ended up with a pink lining but I was unable to get a good picture so can't show it here.

I was lucky enough to receive this gorgeous purse made by Bec - Perfect.

This is a good size - made on a 5" frame with a nice round base.

Thanks Bec for hosting after the recent rains.

Hope the sun is shining on you today.

Friday Night Sew In

Lots of bright happy fabrics came out to play in my sewing room while it was raining outside last night.

There was plenty of cutting -

and even a little sewing.

Then for a change of pace I moved to the other room where the lighting is much better and did a little hand stitching - appliquing the Christmas Tree stitchery and a little dress.

Played join the dots.

And then it was bed time.

Today on the way to work I made Santa a sack with some of my leftover yarn.

I know I still need to deal with the ends but I am happy and Santa looks happy too.

Thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting FNSI every month, sure helps me to stay focused at least for one evening.

Hope your weekend is fun whatever you are up to.

Seeing Spots

Thread crochet polka dot blocks in pink and purple - Perfect.

Reading 'Refuse to Choose' by Barbara Sher exploring the concept of scanners - people who are able to pursue many different interests and careers.

I am currently listening to 'Monsoon' by Di Morrisey, an interesting novel based on the Australian participation in the Vietnam war during the 1960's & '70's. The main characters are two young Australian women - one has a veteran father and the other a Vietnamese refugee mother.

Joining the yarn along over at Ginny's - lots of yarn and reading inspiration to be had there.

May your days be coloured with threads.

Christmas preparations

Surely buying fabric counts as preparation.

Too many cute Christmas designs to choose from.

Pretty blues and purples.

I finished the last of the stitcheries in the first Christmas set from Bronwyn at Red Brolly

These cute Gingerbread men had me wanting to rush out and get the ingredients to make some.

This little tree is very sweet.

I finished these words last week but forgot to photograph them so here they are - the perfect Christmas list.

Lastly the little fat man is putting in an appearance - he is all done.

You can find the pattern for him over at Lion brand - free.

As I brought 100g balls of each of the four colours, you may just see more of these here sometime soon.

May the sun shine in your creative space this week.

New projects

I finished the leftover yarn with a final tally of eight little booties - four pairs.

Just the right amount, in case some get lost in transit.

Moving right along to some new projects...

Miniature polka dot squares,

and a Christmas decoration.

Both of these are progressing nicely and may even be finished before their respective deadlines.

Wishing you a bright and stitchy weekend wherever you are.

Finished - ripple and book

Yes, that means I finished the Ripple blanket I was working on last week and the book I was reading - 'The Best of Me' by Nicholas Sparks. Excellent on both counts.

.

The White and mint/yellow was perfect for MsE and she is very happy with the blanket.

Finished dimensions - 41"x38" so not quite a metre square but the perfect size for pram or cot and for a toddler to cuddle.

The yarn was Baby Grand from Lincraft a very mother and baby friendly, soft easy care Acrylic Nylon mix. Almost three 100g balls of white and two of the coloured yarn.

A request for some little boots so I hooked these up from the left over yarn.

Please ignore the ends waiting to be woven in - this is first size so very small and easy to complete on my commute.

Joining Ginny and the other participants in the yarn along over at Small Things - lots of inspiration in one place!

Wishing you a week of stitches in whatever mode you choose.

Coming soon

More from the free design by Bronwyn at Red Brolly.

Hope your week is full of stitches.

Ripples and stitching

I got distracted while at home on my extra long weekend and I did some stitching..

This is from the new pattern which I purchased on Friday last,

and so is this one.

Some words that appealed to me - I stitched them up to remind me it is time to get started on Christmas gifts.

The two following are part of a free pattern available over at Red Brolly, she has lots of free patterns available over there.

I love how the little snowman is all prepared with his umbrella - there has been a lot of rain around lately.

Of course all this staying at home and stitching has meant that the ripple has progressed very slowly, but I am getting back on track now with a couple of days at work before the weekend.

I did finish my other book too, so I got to start a new one. I do like Nicholas Sparks' style so when I saw this one at the library I thought I would give it a go. I just started it, but I think it will be a quick read, if I can just keep my eyes open long enough.

Playing in the yarn along again - always inspiring to see what others are up to with their yarn and needles or hook.

Have a wonderful rest of the week.