CHRISTMAS IS COMING

I have probably told you before that Christmas stockings and bags are my favourite sewing projects. So when Celia asked me to make stockings for her two youngest grandchildren I was only too happy to oblige. The six older grandchildren had stockings made for them by Louise M some years ago, so these two needed to be a similar size and shape. They are a little larger than I usually make them, and generous enough to hold plenty of presents!!

The first one was for Jacqui and David's little girl Amber, who is two (I think?) For this one I used some Debbie Mumm motifs that I have had for some years - just waiting for the perfect project. These were embellished with buttons and beads, and I used a doiley for the toe and heel.

                            

The second one is for Holly, who is Simon and Louise's youngest. For this one I used crazy patchwork, with embroidery, lace, buttons and beads.

 You cannot get a better name than "Holly" for Christmas, can you?

 Sorry, this last picture is a bit fuzzy...

                              

A GIFT FOR JENNI AND PETER

Our friends Peter and Jenni live on the South Coast of New South Wales. They have always been great travellers. In fact it was love of travel that brought them together more than twenty years ago.

However, that was before they discovered Norfolk Island, and fell in love with the place and the people. In fact, they felt so much a part of Norfolk Island that they purchased their own little piece of it, and built their own little cottage here. I might add that this picture of the cottage was taken a year or two ago, and since then the plantings made by Jenni and Peter have grown beautifully to frame and enhance this very pretty little house.

It is still just a holiday home for them, but they make sure that these holidays happen as often as possible. Jenni and Peter have made many friends on the island, and we are glad to be counted among them!

Earlier last year, Peter and Jenni asked if I would make them two Christmas stockings - one for them, and one for Abby the cat. Sadly, Abby passed away during the year, but when November rolled around, I made a start on the special stocking for the Coopers. Actually, Christmas stockings are my very favourite thing to make - you can really "go to town and over the top" with colour and embellishment!

I decided to use very traditional Christmas colours, as they had no particular colour preferences.

 But they did want a "Norfolk Pine Christmas Tree" and I planned to make one using a couched yarn in variegated greens.

I wasn't sure that it really looked like a Norfolk Pine, but I found some little charms featuring Norfolk Island, and affixed them to the tree along with beads and other glitzy bits. There a little model of the St Barnabas' Chapel,  Norfolk Pine Trees, and a map of Norfolk Island.

Now when Jenni and Peter put up their Christmas decorations at home in Australia, they can always be reminded of their home and friends on Norfolk Island!

QUILTNORFOLK

Hands at work.

The Gentle Art of Stitching.

For the last two years, a dedicated little band of ladies on Norfolk Island have organised a "QuiltNorfolk event in October.
The word is put out all over Australia and New Zealand, and quilters are invited to come to Norfolk Island for a week to enjoy what the island has to offer, and to take part in workshops related to their craft. Visiting tutors are invited from both countries, and there is a whole range of activities available. Sightseeing and get-together dinners add to the experience, and mid-week, there is a quilt exhibition featuring the work of both local and visiting quilters.

This year I was asked if I would like to participate as a tutor.
I thought about it and said yes, as long as the numbers were kept to about a dozen and I could do it in our covered patio at home.

I decided to do a Crazy Patchwork workshop, where the participants would make either a small Christmas stocking or a hanging heart. I thought both were projects that were easily achievable in a couple of days - and so they turned out to be. In fact, several went on to a second project, such as the little patchwork chickens they had seen in my display.

It turned out to be a lovely two days. We all felt very peaceful, stitching away.
I told the group right from the start that I did not really like the word workshop. I wanted them to think of it as a "playgroup", and that there were no rules, and that they were to follow their own dreams and visions and colour preferences.

I said that most "mistakes" could be covered up without unpicking, and may be opportunities to try something new.

I had put out baskets of scraps and embellishments, and containers of buttons (from my stash - I can well spare it, In fact, I really need help in actually using just a small fraction!) I also had a fair bit of "eye candy" and books on display in case anyone needed inspiration.

I cannot mention the workshop without mentioning Basil. He went from lap to lap. Fortunately most quilters are cat lovers.

The vibes were really good, and everyone seemed relaxed and engaged.

Everyone's bits and pieces covered the tables - fabrics, laces, beads, threads, ribbons, buttons, needles and pins....

Refreshments were "on tap" to help the concentration and relaxation!

Even a couple of partners enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere when they came to collect their wives.

I was really delighted that many people actually finished their projects, and moved on to another one of their own choice. They were all so motivated, and that is really satisfying for a tutor!

I was not surprised when Rowena, the organiser of "QuiltNorfolk" said the feedback was really good. I was really encouraged, even flattered when she described me in the newspaper article as the local guru"anything is possible" Mary Christian-Bailey. Because "Quilt Police" are banned from my place. Everyone deserves the opportunity to get in touch with their own "Muse." The point is to enjoy what you are doing, and to get personal satisfaction from your own creativity, without worrying about the expectation of others. That way you are more likely to give pleasure to others, and encourage them to work with hands and heart in a fulfilling way.

                   

STOCKINGS FOR THE TWINS


Lynlee asked if I could make Christmas stockings for her twin granddaughters in New Zealand.  I ased if she would like them to be modern, funky, cute-for-kids, or classic and traditional.

Lynlee opted for classic and traditional, and said she would like them to be heirlooms. But she did say that Sasha and Lydia just love purple and pink, like most other litle girls - so that really gave me something to work with!

I tried not to make them too Christmassy, in case they wanted to hang them on their bedroom walls.

I had great pleasure in getting out some old laces and crocheted doileys, and some pretty fruity fabrics that complement the pinks and purples, and stop them from being too "cloying."

I tried to add some playful touches, with suffolk puffs and button clusters, and thought a few hearts and stars would appeal to little girls too.

The stockings are not quite identical, and I thought the girls would have fun spotting the differences!

The silk ribbon embroidery is something I felt they may appreciate more as they get older.

When it came to the backing, I remembered I had a lovely pair of evening pants (from the Op shop) made from a lovely dark red/pink satiny fabric with black stippling - just perfect- glitzy, but not over the top! As usual, on my first attempt I cut the backing with the toe facing in the wrong direction, but fortunately had enough fabric to cut another.

For the lining I chose a purple cotton print. I have had this piece for years because I like the colour so much, but I knew I had found the right project for using it.

Here they are hanging on our fireplace. I trust they will also look great hanging in Lydia and Sasha's home in New Zealand!