easily distracted?

It seems like the above is true or maybe it's just that commitments to others that sidetrack me from what I have on my own agenda. I do confess that I sidetrack myself too...

I have completely finished this Jack and Jill quilt for a work colleague.

 Here is a close up of the hand quilting.

 Another friend decided it would be a good idea for me to personalize these little gifts for a set of twins that have arrived.

 This is part of a hanging that will be for No 1 son's classroom. It is his first year teaching and he has been frantically cutting, colouring and laminating to prepare things to set up his class.
It is a bit of a family effort... My aunt sent this from America for me to do it, but Mum thankfully is doing the piecing and I am doing the applique and quilting.

 It will have pieced books, and book shelves on either side.

 Then there was this distraction.... I just had to cross stitch these in variegated threads. They may go into the Christmas basket. They are so quick and pretty to stitch. .I have made one for myself already and I think they would make nice gifts for crafty friends.
After all I can't keep everything I make?

Now back to what I was meant to be doing? Probably not...
Happy stitching...
Marina

sparsely stitching...

things have been pretty hectic here what with the silly season in full swing.
An important event took place this week too. No 1 son had his graduation ceremony where he received his Teaching Degree, not just a degree but a pass with first class honours! He was absolutely over the moon as he didn't know until he was [presented with his degree. We are so proud of his achievement and we know how much work he and dedication he has put into his studies. He already has a job for next year so this was just the icing on the cake. Well done my boy!
Sewing has been pretty sparse over the past week but only four more working days and it will be happy holidays!
Yesterday the sewing group I go to got together for our Christmas lunch. We are a varied bunch with lots of different interests. This shows when it comes to our Khris Kringle gifts. I always gift a stitched item, another two do the most magnificent, fine crochet, another crochet, you get the picture...
One of the girls makes lovely crafty bags and I think I was the only one that hadn't received one yet. Well yesterday I received mine, tailor made to my personal interests and tastes. As you can see from the photos it fits my goodies perfectly..
DH will be happy as I won't have to leave my stitcheries and scissors all over the chair arm.

Here is the progress on my block four of Down in the garden...
Over Christmas I will sew the blocks together (hopefully). It's quite slow going at the moment.

I have also been working on Jack and Jill, it's ready to quilt....

Hope you have had a crafty weekend...
Roll on Christmas..
Marina

Jack and Jill

Last week saw little stitching happening and thank goodness that Septimana Horribilis is over. I did make some doilies though and I enjoyed the change of craft a lot. On the weekend I got to pick up needle and thread again and how soothing that was!
This week has been much quieter on many fronts. We are childless this week as No 1 son is away with friends and no 3 son is away on camp. We had to call back no 2 son (who is not living at home at the moment) so that we didn't miss the others too much. I think he enjoyed a little only child attention. This week is a little insight into what it will be like when it is just me and the fella. Very quiet and peaceful I must say (and Tidy!), I could get used to this...... I do miss the boys but they are having a ball at their respective destinations.
Again my projects have to play second fiddle as the child this quilt is intended for has arrived a few weeks early.... I thought I better get a wriggle on. Mum graciously appliqued the faces and drew the lines for me to stitch the faces.
I have finished the applique and just a little more embroidery and then I will have to decide on how to put this together. The quilt is for a friend at work for her new grandson. I am hoping it won't be too girly, she was happy to still have the Jack and Jill.
I just love Jill's face and hair.
I

Gj's in Brunswick have a sale starting-their 25% off sale! I will be off to get some batting for two flimsies waiting to be quilted. That will make them one step closer to being finished!

My backing fabric arrived for my Swan Lake so that will be ready to go for next year..... It is a lovely 3 sisters fabric- Etchings, just beautiful. Can't wait.....

Hope you are having a great week...

Cheers
Marina