New addiction perhaps?

Well, I'm beginning to love embroidery!!! Just another craft that I'm sure I will overindulge in.
Here's my progress so far on the bird pattern found here:

I've been using these two books as references for the stitches: Doodle Stitching, and Sublime Stitching. Both are very well informed and have pretty designs -Sublime Stitching has iron transfer patterns, so when you're ready to thread your needle, all you do is press and you're set to go. Doodle stitching has more intricate, involved patterns, that tell you which stitch to use where - but you do have to photocopy to the suggested size, so it requires a trip to the copy shop.

Also finished Kandra's block for MMSB. The tutorial can be found here.

I still have quite a to-do list with the pillow swap approaching, and other bee blocks, but unfortunately my life to-do list is overpowering my urge to quilt. So off to the mechanic I go, to try and resusitate my poor old Golf - I think the time is approaching to put it to rest - but don't tell it I said that....

Growth

Another attempt at embroidery!

I used to be terrified of embroidery - so initimated by those lovely, intricate designs. Well it's time to put the needle to the cloth and give it a go. I have completed two other projects using embroidery for quilt labels, but nothing too advanced. Lets see how complex I can get with this design...fingers crossed it works out well!

More growing happening on the string block quilt - thanks to all the lovely ladies in my Live Piecefully group for contributing these vibrant blocks!. I'm trialing different patterns...

Large endless diamond....

OR

A multitude of diamonds...

And more growth happening with my aerogarden. Unfortunately my basil never sprouted, but the thyme and oregano are growing like crazy! Almost time for harvesting! YUM!

I'm the Winner!

This is my first ever blog contest winning!!! Thanks to Kandra over at Sibling Craftery I received this lovely basket full of goodies! (And may I add, the winning annoucement was on my Birthday! How cool is that!)

Fabric, embroidery floss, a hoop, needles, a pin cushion, a tea towel, and of course the basket.

1/2 yard cuts of each of these...aren't they pretty. I love all of them, but my fav is the butterflies with the cream background.

And all my embroidery supplies. Now I have never really embroidered before, so this set is great to get me started. I'm sure this will turn out to be another crafting obsession. Go check out Sibling Craftery's blog for great tutorials and free patterns...I personally like the birds of a feather embroidery patterns...perhaps my first attempt at this fine art?

When I was trying to explain to my husband about my winnings, he was all confused..."so these ladies that you don't know just sent you a package for nothing?" was his response. It got me thinking how the Internet has provided the crafting community with an avenue to connect, and how generous everyone is. There are thousands of crafting blogs out there, hundreds of which I follow, in an effort to connect with those that share your passion about crafts. People host giveaways and take supplies from their favourite stash to hand over to someone for free to share their passion. From here in my sun-room where I type away, I feel connected with those thousands of km's away...and I think that's something special. There. My little sentimental moment.