Confession time........and a Lizzie Kate Christmas update

Okay, time to 'fess up and show the goodies I purchased from Lesley at the Mid Winter Christmas workshop last weekend.  Mostly fat quarters of fabric and linen, some bundles of the lovely new Parlan iron on stabiliser/wadding, a new embroidery hoop and the set of strips in the middle which were for the Bluebird project bag.  Under all of this is Rosalie Quinlans gorgeous book 'Gift'.  Rosalie was kind enough to sign my copy for me.

This is a stunning book, with a little bit of everything inside, dolls, quilts, bags, cushions, lots of little things perfect for making and giving. 

Also long overdue is an update on my Lizzie Kate Christmas Spirit piece.  I hadn't done much cross-stitching for a while, as I've been trying to keep up with A Gardeners Journal SAL, and that seems to be taking up most of my(never enough) stitching time.

Over the last couple of evenings I have finished Cheer, Gifts and Wonder, and started on Carols.  Only have Carols and Peace and the border to go, so it will be great to have a finish.  They have been a little thin on the ground lately as most of my projects at the moment are pretty big ones. Could also be good to cross another WIP off my list as I have received a little(?) challenge from May Britt to start stitching on Leanne Beasley's Butterfly Garden quilt.  She and her friend Hanne have committed to stitching a miniblock a week.  There are 81 mini blocks in the quilt, so I guess over a year and a half to get it made makes this acheiveable. They don't have this many to do, but I haven't started it yet!  I have made a promise to myself that I WON'T start anything new until I cross something off that list though!  Before I commit to this I need to be sure that I can still keep up with AGJ stitchalong.  It has been wonderful to see everyone elses stitching and blocks being finished, definitely makes you want to keep going with it. I have been playing with a large selection of fabrics for Butterfly Garden and will show some pics of what I'm planning to use soon.

School holidays started here yesterday, so it will be great to have the girls around, we have a few outings planned for the next couple of weeks - it's always nice to get out of the routine of school and sports etc for a while.  Hopefully some quality stitching time too.....................

Thanks for visiting here, I really love reading your comments, it's also nice to know I'm not just talking to myself!!! lol Catch you again soon.