Taking a blogging break

Can you believe it’s only one week till Christmas Day???

I haven’t got anything organised as I’ve been working 6 days a week for the past three weeks and time has just slipped away!  We’re having a very quiet Christmas in Sugarlane this year.   I’m exhausted! My poor ol’ knees are disagreeing with me and I’m not feeling particularly festive.  Although I love our F.N.S.I. stitching nights, I’ve decided to take a December break and start again in January.  I hope you don’t mind!?! 

I’m planning to get back into my blogging in 2020 too with a bit more purpose and regularity so look out for that!  This year has just been crazy and honestly, I can’t even believe it’s December.    I’m giving myself a couple of weeks to just slow down and relax, recoup and regather ready for an amazing year ahead.  

Take care my dear friends and make time for you this festive season. Remember what it’s all about and don’t stretch yourself beyond your limits just to ‘fit’. 

 

Take care and have a very blessed Christmas season 

xox Big sugary hugs :o)

FNSI sign ups and giving you some ideas with Christmas Tutorials

I know we say it over and over but CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S NOVEMBER ALREADY???????

I thought for this month's FNSI it might be helpful to add a few links to tutorials for some Friday night gift making.  If you're anything like me, Christmas is still an eternity away (in my mind), but in reality it's only 6 weeks!  So maybe some planning is in order and hopefully, these few gift ideas might help?

scrappy make up pouch tutorial

car trash bag tutorial  this cute kitty one HERE

bookmarks and gift tags

5-pointed star pincushion

Hexie Pillowcase

scrappy nine patch mini quilt

coat hanger cover

That's just a few ideas after scouring the net this morning.  You might find something here to add to your Christmas list.

In the meantime, don't forget to sign up below to our Friday night get together.  (Can't forget that!)

We've had catastrophic fires throughout three states this past week and many houses and some lives have been lost. Firefighters and volunteers of all sorts are working around the clock to help save lives, properties and sanity, often losing their own homes whilst protecting others.  Please send prayers/positive thoughts to all concerned...they need to know we're thinking of them and we are more than grateful for all they do.  You guys are the real superheroes! 

Big sugary sweet hugs :o) 

xox 

Sheryll's Friday Night With Friends

Friday night was spent catching up with an old friend....one I met on the cruise earlier this year.  What a perfect time to renew acquaintances as Sheryll was hosting FNWF.

I worked on the second purple block (which I have personalised with purple and green) on the cover girl "Celestial Star".  Can you believe there are only 2 block designs in this entire quilt?  Sharon Burgess from Lilabelle Lane Creations  is a genius! (as well as a gorgeous person!)

 This was the first of the larger blocks I completed on the cruise....so pleased to rediscover her.

...and here is my first of the smaller 'fill-in' blocks....

It was my first attempt at fussy cutting for EPP (English Paper Piecing) so my blocks are a little 'off' but I'm happy with it.  I realise now though, that when looking in context with the whole quilt, I'll have to remove the outer yellow pieces and change them to white as the background in my quilt is going to be white (like Sharon's).  I never thought about the whole quilt when I was making the block as I was so focused on learning the process.

Either I keep this one as a practice and make an extra, or I alter it but I love it too much to let it go solo....and it took so much to work it out, I don't know if I'll remember how to fussy cut like that again!  I need revisions!!!!  "SHAAAAARON????"   *watchoutYouTube!!*

I knew it was time for bed when I got up to have a pit stop and when I got back I was confronted with......

They are adorable, but seriously???????

Thanks Cheryll for another wonderful FNWF and allowing me the pleasure to meet a dear friend again!  Pop over and see Cheryll and the girls to see their spoils!

xox Sugary Hugs :o)

My Farmer's Wife FNSI

I got a little done on our Friday night soiree, but not as much as expected.

I've been working with the Farmers Wife Quilt Along group on FB where we do a block a week and so far we're up to block 12, which I completed a few weeks back.  They're so easy to do in front of a movie and the added bonus of keeping my hands busy so I don't nibble when I shouldn't, is fabulous!

Since then, I've completed a few more blocks, all paper pieced and hand stitched and I completed block 16 on Friday night.

I probably should have used a darker thread and I need to practice my 'invisible' stitching but it's not too bad, considering!   I have been taught the 'flatback' stitch but I'm not comfortable with it so back to the good ol' method for me with a load more practice...or perhaps I need to give the 'flatback' another go!

If you haven't had a chance to see what our wonderful ladies did on Friday night at their places, pop on back to the previous post and click on each of their links.  I'm sure they'd love the visit.  Perhaps next month you could join along with us?  It's easy, just add your blog/insta/fb link to the  Mr Linky at the bottom of the post which will be added to my blog at the beginning of the third week of the month.  Next month , FNSI will be held on the 15th so look out for the link up post from the 12th.

Looking forward to meeting some new faces for our virtual stitch along party!

Happy stitching and sugary hugs xox :o)

October FNSI sign ups

It's crept up on me again!   But yes, this Friday is our monthly Friday Night Sew In so please join us and invite as many friends along as you like to stitch/sew/knit/crochet virtually together doing what we love best.

Sign ups are below.  Cant wait to stitch with you!
xo  Sugary hugs :o)

An earlier-than-normal FNSI sign up

Well hello!  and NO I did not wet the bed to be here this early for a sign up day!!! But yes, it is true, today I'm posting the sign ups for this month's Friday Night Sew In, one day ahead of schedule and unlike my form of late.

I AM trying to get myself better organised with things, but knowing me and my tendency to put my eggs in too many baskets (or maybe it's my Gemini tendencies....ooh look! another pretty thing!), I'm not thinking I will be very good at it....but I'll try!

I have been working on the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt-a-long and I'm up to block 7 which I'll do today as they are released each Sunday (here in Australia).
Here are my blocks so far...

I've been using a combination of French General 'Vive La France' and 'Aubade' by Janet Clare for Moda.
Why not join along?  All you need is the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt book, which I got HERE, sign up to the facebook group and begin.  We do one block a week, which isn't too arduous, and it won't take too long to catch up...the blocks don't take that long (and I've been hand paper piecing them).
Hope you can join us....in the meantime, let's get to those sign ups!
Can't wait to join you all this Friday night and see what you're all up to!

xox sugary hugs :o)

Up and running again...FNSI sign-ups for August are live!

After two and a half hours of the technician working on the lines, going to and from the pits out in the street and back again, he found that  the joined line had perished and needed to be renewed.  He did that, then we had to call our internet provider to get the phone reconnected as it had gone back to factory reset.  (as we're on NBN it's a VOIP phone so whenever the internet goes down so does the phone).  So much fun!
Bu the good news is....

We're up and running! 

So without further ado, add your link below and join us for a fun filled evening of stitching at home with lots of other lovely ladies (virtually of course!) in a comfy pair of pjs, a nice glass of tipple and some nibblies.  Tonight is your night so you might as well be comfortable! 

See you tonight! 

xox sugary hugs :o)

August FNSI

I’m bringing this to you from my mobile today as our NBN and internet have been down since last Friday!  You don’t realise how much you rely on it until it goes down (a bit like when you kick your little toe!).  On the other hand, you find how much time you lose just ‘browsing’!

Fingers crossed the technician is coming tomorrow so hopefully we’ll have some answers and will be able to get back online quickly. 

In the meantime, I can’t add the FNSI Linky as I can’t add html code on the mobile. So sorry, but nonetheless, we’ll go ahead with FNSI and when I can post fully, we’ll do a ‘post-FNSI’ linky!  How does that sound?  

Who knows, I may be online again tomorrow .... if THAT miracle happens, I’ll let you know!

Xxx sugary hugs :o)

WendyB 

FNSI sign ups already? Let's do it for Science!

Yes, it's time again.....Friday Night Sew In!

These weeks and months are flying by, aren't they?  So why not join with me this Friday night to slow down and enjoy the gentle art of 'crafting', whether it be stitching, piecing, FMQ-ing, appliqueing, knitting, crocheting or any multitude of handiwork?  Time for you to stop and enjoy the simple things of not rushing but enjoying every stitch, slowing our heart rates and just 'being'!

I read an article the other day that talked just about that topic.....and it all made perfect sense!   It is called "In our Brutal Modern World, Science shows our brains need craft more than ever..... " …..you must read it.  It explains so much and confirms that we should never feel guilty for taking time out for ourselves through our hobbies.   They are a necessary, not an optional part of a good healthy life.

It gives so much more credence to these memes....

Agreed???  Science says so, so who is to argue! *Cheshire grin*

Friday sew ins are for everyone....begin by signing up below using your blog,  Instagram or Facebook address, everyone is welcome.
After all, it's for our health and wellbeing, isn't it! *wink*

xox Sugary hugs :o)

My FNSI finishes and a new project to come...

Well I must admit, I'm working harder at getting better at my blog.  It seemed to be a seasonal thing I'd grown out of after nearly ten years but with a blog there is so much 'connection' that you just can't leave it behind.

Friday Night Sew In has been one of my saving graces.....a lifeline to my blogging life that I'm just not willing to let go of just yet and to all of you, I am thankful.  My stitchy friends have kept me going and I love to see what each of you is doing each month as not only is it fellowship, it is inspirational as well and I love that.
It might not even be stitchy-related; sometimes it is gardening or cooking, travel or families - all inspire me to keep blogging and keeping our friendships alive and kicking!  I just love it even though I'm not as visible as I would like....I'm getting back there!

So, here is what I managed to do on my FNSI, and like a few others, I started a bit earlier in the day, mainly because I had a few things I wanted to get done.

Thanks to the online community, I found some more of my background fabric to continue my 2017 FQS Designer Mystery quilt.....*note to self - NEVER leave the coordinating fabrics till you get around to finishing your BOM....purchase when you sign up....the fabric is not going to last forever!*

I still needed more of the American Jane "Spring-a-Ling" range for the contrasting sashings and borders but it isn't available anywhere anymore (unless I want to sell my kidney to pay for postage) so I've managed to get some of a similar AJ range called "Sweet Harmony".

I'm sure it will work out ok.

Then I moved on to my "It takes two" project.  I finished needle-turning the last few centres on each block before bed.

They're a little creased as, although I had them in my block keeper, the cats have decided that when it's closed, it's a nice warm place to sleep, especially these past few cold days!

If you haven't already done so, please go back HERE and download my gift to you....sort of sums up our worldwide friendships, don't you think?

Yesterday I received a big box in the mail which had me stumped...…. until I opened it!

And then I remembered...….

My 2019 FQS Mystery Designer BOM had arrived....and this time I remembered to order the backing and background fabric BEFORE I started! *good thinking 99*
I must admit, these are some of my favourite BOM's to do and the first block in this one is designed by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs.

But before I start on this one, I had better finish the 2017 one, and at least make a start on the 2018 one that's sitting in the wings, don't you think?

xox big sugary hugs :o)