The 'ole faithful Christmas Table runners

Well this is the second year in a row I have completed these table runners to give as gifts for teachers. Once again I couldn't go past the Kate and Birdie Paper co fabric. This line is called Winterberry.

Last year I used Kate and Birdie Paper Co's fabric line - Winters Lane. Has to be my all time favourite fabric line. See those Table runners here.

 

The stitcheries are by Natalie Bird and can be found in her book - Tis the Season. They are super quick and easy to stitch up. I actually did an extra which I have popped away in my Christmas storage as perhaps I can use it next Christmas. The original quilt pictures can be found here.

 

 

These runners were made for my son's kinder teachers. Two of the three teachers have now taught two of our children and one of them has taught all three, so I wanted to make something a little special.

 

One runner was completed in a combination of the Winter's Lane and Winterberry fabric lines however I didn't get a picture! Time poor.

 

I've more to post soon as I'm a little behind in blogging. Those that follow me on instagram are kept well up to day. I do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will have a happy and healthy new year.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

Two Birds Tablerunner

I didn't mean for there to be so long between posts - time is truly flying by at the moment. We haven't even reached the crazy season yet.

 

I began this table runner a while back but unfortunately had to rush it in the end.

The pattern is by Gail Pan and is located in her book Patchwork Loves Embroidery.

 

I made this for a very special lady - Sylvia who turned 96. This lady is like a grandmother to me. I only met one grandparent - my grandmother whom was born in 1893! She died at 89 years of age when I was 6, she lived in a nursing home and struggled to remember my name (which was very funny when she would go through 7 or 8 of her 10 grandchildren's names to finally remember mine). Anyway, Sylvia is my neighbour and lived next door to me for all of my life till I moved out with my hubby 15 years ago. There was never anything she wouldn't do for you (such as going in to our house to turn my electric blanket off if I had forgotten) to babysitting me if my parents went out. Now she is very frail but still very sharp of mind. She still remembers everybody's name and now all their kids names and never ever forgets a birthday. Sylv, loved her gift.

I read some wonderful reviews on this book, however I must admit I was put off by the cover. Yes, I know, "don't judge a book by its cover" but its very difficult to locate a hard copy to browse through or locate some of the pics inside the book itself. So upon the special recommendations by Laura and Shez, I decided to purchase it.

Now if the publishers of the book had of placed this tablerunner on the cover I would not have hesitated the couple of months that I did and most likely would have purchased immediately upon its release. Isn't it strange how the visual is so important in our day to day lives, especially our crafty lives.  I have even read many authors also judge books by their cover. So I am content I am not the only one.

 

Another project I've been itching to begin is this Rosalie Quinlan design. I've taken inspiration from Sharon over at Lilabelle Lane and I'm using Bonnie and Camille's Miss Kate fabric. I'm also going to be adding in some additional colours from the Cosmo thread line that match the fabric.

Just adore this watermelon and aqua together

 

A very pretty bundle of threads and fabric. Can't wait to start.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

Daisy Cottage

 

I saw this little cutie at our stitching day last year with Gail Pan, Leanne Beasley of Leannes House and Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches.

 



 

This is the Daisy Cottage pattern by Gail Pan. This was included in the Saturday projects, but as I went on the Sunday, I received a different project. 

 

 

I loved it so much I recently purchased it (from Patchworks Plus) to make tablerunners for my mum and mother-in-law for Mothers Day. 

 

Unfortunately, I didn't finish my mum's on time but will give it to her in two weeks for her 79th birthday instead. 

 

 

I purchased this cute Robyn Pandolph fabric and Cottage Garden Thread - Dog Rose,  from my LQS, The Quilters Patch.

 

My mother-in-law seemed to like her gift.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie

Tablerunners complete - Times Six

 

 

So another long period of zero blogging has passed. Truthfully, not alot of creativeness has occurred. My father had a fall in late October and after a succession of setbacks he lost his battle to overcome all he had faced in the last two months. It is an incredibly sad time but I'm also comforted in the fact I had this man in my life for 39 fabulous years to that I am very grateful. He also got to meet my three children who were the lights in his life, he could never stop talking about them. I only hope he is watching from above as they grow into the beautiful little people they are.

 

 

Anyway, in my last post I mentioned I was making some table runners for the carers at the children's occasional care centre. For one morning a week for the last four years, first my middle child then the little one attended this fabulous centre.

 

 

Warning, picture overload



I wanted to make something to show my appreciation to these fabulous woman whom my kids adored. I think they liked them.

The backing with its little thank you stitching was also made from the Charm squares of Kate and Birdie Paper Co's 'Winters Lane' fabric. I'm totally in love with this fabric. Such beautiful subdued hues of Christmas colours with these accents of red. 

 

I made another one with a green binding (which I think I prefer) for my mother-in-law's friend who sometimes comes over to watch my little one for two hours or so whilst I run around crazy. This special time I get alone recently allowed me to spend my last hour with my father in Intensive care. To that I am immensely grateful. I was able to talk with him and hold his hand as he fought hard. If only I had known it would be my last hour though I would never have left. 

 



 

I ran out of the red Winters Lane binding fabric so went with a subdued green which I thought blended well. This was from the Moda line Chloe's closet. 

 

I backed this one with a plain homespun from A day in the Country.

 

 

This was also my first attempt at Machine binding and I now think I am hooked.

So not the most productive year, I'm hoping 2014 will be doubled in production terms.

 

I want to wish anyone reading this a very Merry Christmas to you and your families. I also wish you a safe, happy and healthy 2014.

 

Happy Stitching

Susie