The most perfect Sunday...............

I feel so privileged(and exhausted) to have spent the day yesterday, learning from these lovely ladies, Leanne Beasley and Rosalie Quinlan.  Lesley from Forget Me Knots in Christchurch organised the most fantastic workshop, a Mid Winter Christmas theme, and every detail was perfect, thank you so much Lesley!

The day for me started at 4am, with an hours drive on icy roads to catch the plane to Christchurch.  Not only did Lesley organise everything, she even came and picked me up at the airport - now that is service!

Leanne and Rosie are wonderful teachers, with a great sense of humour, very down- to-earth, and both are very big on doing what makes you happy, if you aren't enjoying a technique or project, find a technique that will be enjoyable.  Our 'mistakes', or what we think are mistakes, make our work original, and keep it looking handmade.

This sweet little bag 'Three Sweet Bluebirds'(the third bluebird is on the needlecase inside) was one of Rosalie's projects, and it was so neat to see how she does her needleturn applique, an art I really admire, but am hopeless at.  Silk thread certainly helped make my own piece look a lot neater, and I will keep practicing,

I am determined to master it.  Rosalie also taught a doll called Poppy, and a beautiful stitchery which can be finished onto a canvas. 

 

Leanne talked to us about designing our own quilt, where to begin, use of colour, keeping it balanced, and heaps of ideas and patterns to get us started.  The blocks above are the work in progress on her own quilt, which as always is going to be stunning.

One of the highlights for me was being able to have a really closeup look at some of the girls original quilts, and other projects, one I really fell in love with is this one, Rosie's 'I Remember' BOM quilt.  I am really going to have to practice that needleturn.

 This is Leanne's latest BOM 'Down in the Garden' and it is stunning.

 Some of Leanne's cute little pincushions.

 

 Just some of the gorgeous bits and pieces that Lesley had set up on display to tempt us.

 

It was so cool to meet some other bloggers, including Shiree, and  Deb, who are both doing the Gardener's Journal Stitchalong, and lots of other lovely ladies who were all so friendly and welcoming.  (One sweet lady who lived near the airport even dropped me back there on her way home - Thanks so much!)

So, all in all, a fabulous day away, great people, great food, lots of new projects to get busy with, and memories to treasure.

Till next time ...............Happy, happy stitching

PS: It really is nearly 1.30am, but I wanted to write this post, while it was still fresh in my head!  After a long day at work today, yesterday already seems like a distant memory.........sigh.