2012 FMQ Challenge

Has started  The 1st post was up yesterday. (Link on my side bar)
Video instruction on how to stitch out  a nice leaf pattern.

 step one practice drawing what you are going
to stitch

I feel this challenge is a good way to get more skills developed in my free motion quilting.

2 step practice stitching it out

I would like to feel more comfortable using a variety of designs in my quilting , right now I  seam to only use a few that I feel very comfy with.Sort of stuck in a rut. Sew as they say it's time to step outside of my box and explore what is out there ..... at least stitch wise. And learning with all of you out there and with a variety of teaches will be great. And not to forget there will be give aways , I think each month.         
                  What's not to like.
             I have put the sampler together  with only the border to add.

a scrappy sampler to practice on
might have to make a nicer one later


It's never to late to join up .Pop over to sewcalgal to join in the fun .

In stitches
Annette

2011 coming to an end

Welcome 2012.
 I hope you don't go as fast as this year has.
Wishing you all the best in the coming year.
It's been a good year with a lot of learning , sharing and making many blogging friends.
I hope to continue to do the same in the coming year.
In stitches
Annette

Lost Christmas

has arrived
The novel that BJ had as a give away arrived today.
 It took a while due to all the holiday mail, well worth the wait.
 I think I am in for a good read with a good story. The novel is by Richard Paul Evans, he also wrote  The Christmas Box ,as well as The Walk.
Thanks again BJ.
 In stitches
Annette

The week after Christmas



Let it Snow Red work gift

'It's been a busy week with a little sewing on boxing day and a sausage making day on the 27th and then back at work on the 28th. We have had a lot of turkey with the trimmings left over to work on .... it will take a few days and a care package I think to clean them up, just might have to freeze a bit too.

I received my very first piece of red work from Sheila at http://sheilasquiltworld.blogspot.com.
She sure does some very fine stitching.Something I will treasure for sure.

Boxing day project

It sure was nice to have our kids home for the holidays. As most folks find , it sure get quite after they head for their own homes.

Soon we all will be getting back into routine and projects that have been on hold. I have a few to finish up and a few more to get started.I am going to try to get some of the fabric used that I have in my stash before getting more as well as down sizing my magazine collection( must be over 100 for sure )

There are a few things I would like to work on in 2012.
One would be learning and using my EQ7 , as well as working up some of the blocks from the farmer's wife book.

knitting wrist warmers

I also would like to challenge myself to keep up with a bit of knitting and if I can get all the sock yarn worked up maybe knit a sweater for myself.
But I do love the feel of hand knit socks sew maybe the sweater might be for someone smaller. It's early and one can always change their mind.

Well tonight I feel a little tuckered out sew no sewing for me( to many mistakes happen) maybe a cup of tea and a cuddle with a quilt

Until next time
take care
In stitches and hugs of course
                                               Annette

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I want to wish you all the merriest of Christmases 

Enjoy your family and friends this holiday  season

In stitches

Annette

W I P Wednesday

The last Wednesday before Christmas, I think  there are many machines just a humming with a flurry of projects getting completed. I thought i was about done but there are a few things I would like to do before Christmas. I did get my Christmas curtains done for the living room and a little hanging for the stand.

mini santa hanging

new Christmas curtains

I now know that the baby is coming today that I have stockings just waiting for a name sew that I can finish them.
I found out that hubby's sister will be coming out Christmas eve sew I think I would like to put a stocking together for her. She has to have something for Christmas morning, it just would not be right not to do it.

an extra stocking
ready to be used

socks finished

Sew today I will be getting a few more stocking stuffer s and making one last stocking and who know maybe knitting another pair of wrist warmers.

I am linking to THE NEEDLE AND THREAD NETWORK stop over to see what the other Canadian Gals have been up to this week. See the link on the right side bar.

In stitches
And Merry Christmas
Annette

Tis a week befor Christmas

 And all through the house
 I've been dusting a cleaning and have found the cats' mouse.( the cat nip type)
Not much time for sewing and quilting and such ....
but I will try to find a little, for I like it too much.
The baking is done and tucked away safe, groceries bought and all is on ice
getting all ready for the celebrations is really kind of  nice
time to spend with family and friends with a glass of  nog
while hubby tends the fire with another log.
Now that we have deck the halls 
we want to wish A Merry Christmas to you one and all

Sending out Christmas Greetings to all out there in blog land
may your season be bright , full of love & laughter and good will

I thought I would drop a line  just in case I do not get back here this week
In stitches

Annette