Thimble Stitch

Home from a wonderful weekend in Nundle. I was pretty slack taking photos, but everyone else wasn't so I'm sure you will see plenty of pics on other blogs. Lynette Anderson was a warm and friendly tutor. The project was a table topper - using stitchery and piecing. I'm happy with the progress I made, but the highlight of the weekend was seeing so many old friends and meeting new ones.

I was pretty slack when it came to shopping too! Stocked up on some basic supplies and some cream and blue fabric. Here they are with the gorgeous project pouch made by Teresa that I was lucky to get in the GDITC swap. Some of Kate's pickles from Fiona in the bloggers swap too. Note the TWO superbobs of red. I seem to have trouble finding these in dark red so I was happy to find one at Kerry's, and Lynda generously donated one of hers. Sometimes it's the littlest things that make us happy. Cheryll also gave me a nifty wood turned tool to save fingers when pin basting, that will be very handy. Thanks girls.

With Jenny and Lea, and our creative mess.

Dawnie got my GDITC swap gift.

All booked in for GDITC 2016 with Anni Downs.....and more than ready for an afternoon nap now.

Susan x

Packed and ready to go to Girls Day in the Country with Lynnette Anderson at Nundle. Although my husband thinks it looks more like girls week in the country!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Susan x

I started cleaning up my sewing room AGAIN on Friday night but didn't get very far. I came across this Rosalie Quinlan bunny kit that I bought at the craft show last year. He was very quick to whip up, a nice easy project to start the weekend.

Yesterday we tried our hand at making brioche. Very yummy indeed and not too difficult to make.

And two swap gifts made and wrapped for GDITC.

Today I planned to be sewing by midday.....and I still haven't started. I hope you've had a lovely weekend and found some time to sew and relax.

Happy stitching,
Susan x

I finished the clamshell sewing roll tonight. Love clamshells, love the fabric (Petite Odile), not sure what will happen to the sewing roll. The magnetic clasp is in thanks to some good craft glue.

I like the little wool felt hearts for needles inside.

My conscience is clear, now back to some quilting.

Susan x

My clamshells from GDITC have been making me feel guilty. I had finished the paper piecing, but really wasn't sure about the sewing roll project. I try not to have too many UFO's, and I'd paid for the kit, so thought I might as well try to finish it. Some of the instructions left me baffled, but it's coming together.

I didn't use the linen for the ends because it was so bulky, and if you're going to use the magnetic clasp i found it easier to put it in earlier than the instructions say.

Cold and frosty again today - I love Autumn.

Susan x

These swings are outside the Nundle Woollen Mill - aren't they a great idea.

We shared our table with three girls from Queensland : Cheryl, Susan, Sam, Ann-Marie, Lynda and Bronne.

I'm a little bit ahead on TTS, this is the April block.


I added another row of clamshells to my GDITC block last night. It's lovely to work with such a pretty fabric range.

Susan x

At GDITC 2011 Kerry set a name tag challenge. This is mine.


We also had to make an English Paper Pieced pin cushion to swap, which was more than a little challenging. This is the one I received from Chris. Thankyou Chris!

I also love French General, and was thrilled that the charm pack in my goodie bag was the new Petite Odile.

I love this fabric so it should inspire me to finish my EPP project from the weekend.

Susan x

Sue Daley's trunk show on Friday night was full of gorgeous quilts, and the interesting story of her patchwork journey. Am I going to be able to do this???

And this is how far I got on my project - still quite a bit of work to go.


 Booked in for 2013.

Susan x

Home from GDITC - it was a fantastic weekend in so many ways - chatting, sewing, eating, sewing, learning, and more sewing. It was sad that some of our friends were unable to join us, but they were with us in spirit. Peg and Dale got up to an awful lot whilst in Nundle...........drinking at the bubbler....

The first words I heard today were from Mr. 10 - "Happy Nundle Day Mum" at 4.45am!!!! How was I supposed to go back to sleep after that. Guess I will be super organised by the time Ann-Marie arrives at 8am.

Today we are heading to Girls Day in the Country at Nundle for the weekend. I am so looking forward to Sue Daley's workshop (could be a new project on the way....). There promises to be lots of fun, shopping, eating, and bloggers. Meeting other bloggers in real life will probably be the best bit.

Have a great weekend - I know I definitely will.

Susan x

I am making good progress on hand quilting In My Garden.
 I'm not sure about the binding that came with it. I think it's a bit too dark.

I'm visiting my parents in Bathurst tomorrow, so I might have time to pop into The Homepatch - BUT JUST FOR BINDING. I have saved my GDITC spending money, and I don't want to blow it before I get to Nundle. Wish me luck, because it's the days when you don't want to spend that you see LOTS of things you like.

GDITC is nearly here. I managed to finish my pincushion - it's wrapped ready to go. And I'm following a few of Peg's planning tips. I'm getting excited.


I'm also lucky enough to be taking the family on a New Zealand motorhome holiday soon. We are just starting to plan our way around the South Island, making sure to visit all the patchwork shops!

Hope you're having a great week.

Susan x

I received the retreat info for GDITC this week. Soooo looking forward to the break, and the chance to meet so many like-minded crafters. I am attempting the paper pieced swap gift - I think it's meant to be a secret, so just a peek.


It's only a small project, but it took a long time to choose the fabric. I hope I get some tips for fussy cutting at GDITC.

This has been my 'waiting in the car' stitchery this term. Hopefully I will finish it off and not just roll it up with the others.

The rain has arrived here tonight - normally we can see all the way into town 15km away - tonight visibility is about 200m.

Happy Birthday to Son No.2 - 13 today - my how time flies.

Time for cake!

Susan x

Today I have booked a place at GDITC at Cottage on the Hill for 2012. Sue Daley is the tutor for next year - lots of handpiecing and needleturn applique. Yay! Received month 7 from Hatched and Patched. It's a lot of fun.