Friday, 6 January 2017

Hello 2017!

I have just returned home after celebrating New Year with family and, after putting away the Christmas decorations, it is time to try and return to some kind of 'normal' routine!!  It has been a busy but fun couple of weeks here since my last post and I hope you have all had some fun too!


My children were kind enough to buy me some great new quilt books as gifts for Christmas, which I am sure I will be able to put to good use!  I also had a lovely set of nesting fabric baskets from my lovely blogger friend Leanne at 'Lizzie the Quilter'.  They are made with delightful Tilda fabrics and are so pretty.... thank you Leanne... I am going to love finding things in my sewing room to fill them with.


I made Leanne a 'hoop art' embroidery which I gave you a little glimpse of before Christmas but, now that I know Leanne has received it I can show you it in full. The embroidery design is from the book 'Stitches from the Garden' by Kathy Schmitz.


2016 was a productive year for me stitching-wise and, if you would like to see all the items I made you can find them all on my 2016 Projects Page. I have some plans for 2017 too..... I want to make quilts with all the various blocks that I have in different boxes around my sewing room even if I didn't make all the blocks that should have been made to complete the project for one reason or another (mainly moving house!)  These will include....

Hasenbach Challenge blocks.... 

 EPP Craftsy blocks.....

Farm Girl Vintage blocks...

United Stitches blocks.....

Birthday swap blocks.....

Splendid Sampler blocks.....

My idea is to use up all these blocks... not necessarily all the blocks from each set in one quilt, maybe making one or more quilts out of each set by using just one block as a central panel and adding lots of borders or maybe making more blocks to go with those I already have.... I have lots of ideas and I can't wait to get started..... there are plenty of blocks to get to work on!!


There are some projects from 2016 which will need finishing off too.... like the cross stitch I started (above) and my TAST sampler to make into a picture to go with the first one I made.



Of course there may well be the odd new project or two as the fancy takes me! There are lots of books, patterns and fabrics all vying for my attention in my sewing room!  My main objective in 2017 is to have plenty of creative fun!  While we are on the topic of fun what nicer way is there to start the year than with a little giveaway.....  just leave me a nice, friendly comment below and you will be in with a chance to win this little bundle of goodies.....


The closing date will be on Tuesday, 10th January and I will announce the winner on Wednesday..... Good luck!!

25 comments:

  1. Hi Christine,good to have you back. I love the gifts you received from your family and the gifts you received from Leanne,i also love what you sent to her.
    Wow those blocks are fantastic,Happy new Year my friend xx

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  2. You have some wonderful blocks to play with this year! I just cleaned up all the Christmas stuff and I am in the mood to go through my sewing stuff and see what I can finish. Better do it while I am in the mood! Thanks for a chance at the pretty goodies in your giveaway!

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  3. My goodness, you've had a productive year! Can't wait to see all the quilts you make with your pretty blocks.

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  4. What a lovely post - so interesting to all the things you have done and all the things for the future! Great gifts and what a lot of awesome blocks you have! It's going to be such fun seeing all the things you do on your blog this year. We are looking forward to it.

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  5. I always enjoy our projects and credit you with me setting off along the crazy patchwork path. You have achieved such a lot this year. My New Years promise to myself is to start and FINISH some projects!

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  6. Ganz tolle Bücher hast du geschenkt bekommen. Das rechte habe ich mir kürzlich auch gekauft.
    Und sehr fleißig warst du. Immer wieder schön alles in einem Rückblick zu sehen!

    Gruß Marion

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  7. Liebe Christine,
    die Büchertitel lesen sich allesamt sehr gut! Fleißig warst und hast viele schöne Patchwork Dinge fertiggestellt! Ich wünsche dir ein gutes neues Jahr mit viel Gesundheit und Kreativität!
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

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  8. Greta minds think alike - I want the mini marvels book as well. Good luck with all your UFO's - I feel your pain!

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    1. Thank you Lynda! I am looking forward to a creative year of fun and I am looking forward to seeing what you make too! Happy New Year! Christine x

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  9. Hi Christine! I love your books too and look forward to your inspired projects! A beautiful stitchery! And all thes blocks, wow, I am sure you will make some lovely quilts in 2017!
    Have a wonderful creative year! Hugs Martina

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  10. Happy New year Christine. Your work is always fabulous and inspiring, I'm looking forward to see what you do in 2017 xx

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    1. Thank you Wendy! Looking forward to following your lovely makes too! Christine x

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  11. I think that's a great idea and it looks like all your blocks will work together very nicely--can't wait to see it all together! Happy stitching!

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  12. Happy New Year, Christine! Thanks for the give away. Hoping to start some new block projects too. Finishing a snowman embroidery for my daughter's birthday at the moment. "A snowman's heart never melts"...love it!

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    1. Thank you Judy! Sounds like you are working on a lovely project! I am looking forward to making a start on putting some of these blocks together! Hope 2017 is a good year for you! Christine x

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  13. That was a nice tour of your beautiful work! I'm glad you had a good Christmas. I'm looking forward to doing a lot of crafting in 2017 as well. And I have just put "learn how to make fabric baskets" on my list! Happy New Year!
    Cathy

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  14. You've had a busy year - and got some fun gifts at Christmas too. Book are my favourite things to get (that, and something that someone has made for me). Happy 2017 my friend - so glad to have your on-line friendship!

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  15. Welcome back! I have the Mini Marvels book on my wishlist, there are some wonderful projects in there... The little embroidery is gorgeous!! And about your blocks... what can I say? I perfectly understand the need of finishing things, even when it means not following the original idea! I'm sure you will find a perfect solution for all of them. Looking forward to seeing what you stitch this year! Ariadna.

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  16. What beautiful work you have made in 2016.
    I hope 2017 will be creative and happy for youand your family.
    Marja

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  17. What a lovely array of pressies and a wonderful display of work. You were busy in 2016, plus a move :) Here's to a fantastic 2017.

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    1. Thank you! I am looking forward to getting started on a project! Hope 2017 is a good year for you too! Christine x

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  18. Hello sweet friend
    I love my beautiful stitchery, thankyou so much, I'll treasure it always. I'm so pleased you liked your baskets, they are so handy. xxx Talk soon

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  19. The Nancy Nicholson book looks great. I have done a few of her kits and love her style. Could you mix blocks from a few different groups?

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  20. What lovely gifts you received, Christine!
    2016 was a very productive stitching year for you, and I've loved seeing all the pieces you've worked on, especially your colourful TAST stitches, and your beautiful FMQ! You've given me so much inspiration, and I look forward to seeing the ideas you have in 2017.
    Such a pretty giveaway ..... lovely colours, pretty fabrics and threads ..... it's very generous of you.
    Hugs,
    Barbara xx

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  21. Lots of lovely stitching in this post Christine! Love all your makes and your gifts! Looking forward to seeing your projects in 2017...wishing you a very happy crafty new year!
    Helen xox

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