Well how embarassing is that? There’s nothing quite like being late to your own party! Or missing out on it completely for that matter! Apologies to all who were expecting my August Ho, Ho, Ho and On We Sew post on Monday, life is sidetracking me at the moment and this is the first chance I have had to sit down and write a few lines.
It’s hard to believe that we are already eight months into this series of link parties, with only four more to go before Christmas is here. When myself and Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches started this series of monthly link parties it was so that we could get organised ahead of the usual pre-Christmas rush. I have to admit that I am feeling very well prepared this year even though I have been unable to make anything so far this month. In fact it has been close to a month since I have done any stitching at all. I make no apologies as I have been enjoying the summer with my family. There was a fortnight of camping back home in Ireland. Two weeks filled with sunshine and sea, with fishing in rock pools and exploring the shore, with swimming and paddling and so very much more.
My sewing bag travelled with me in anticipation of some rainy days and sewing time, but I am happy to be able to say that it sat in the corner forgotten as we enjoyed sunshine galore.
We’re home almost two weeks now and still our days are full. My eldest started back to Kindergarten last week so with holidays over there have been new schedules to adjust to, a crazy work backlog for me to clear and so much more to keep us busy. Things are only now beginning to settle down and as I finally find a few moments to sit down and write I hope that I will soon be returning to my machine and my hand sewing as my fingers itch to stitch and my mind is a whirl with ideas for new projects.
Although I don’t have any makes to share with you this month, Erin over at Missy Mac Creations has come up with a great Santa’s Belt paper pieced block pattern that she has put to great use to make fun seasonal pouches. Be sure to pop over, visit and join in the link party there. As usual there is a great giveaway for all those who join in the link party and this month’s prize is a fun pattern for felt decorations by Alicia Paulson at Posie: Patterns and Kits to stitch.
If you haven’t started in on your Christmas stitching yet then I would defintiely urge you to start. I’ve made such inroads into mine that I really feel organised already. I have a nice selection of decor items made for my house and a good selection of gifts already made. I’m confident that with four more months to go I will have achieved all I want to by Christmas – and probably more besides. If you are stuck for inspiration why not pop over to visit Erin for the link party to see what she, and others, have made or visit any of the link parties from previous months to find lots of great tutorials and ideas.
My next project will be stitched Christmas cards. I’m going to take inspiration from many sources and cross stitch, applique, quilts and embroider designs on these cards. The embroidery will defintiely be inspired a magnificent embroidered hoop I received in a recent swap – here’s a sneak peak that I hope inspires you too. Pop back next week and I’ll show you the rest.
Two weeks of sunshine in Ireland is definitely to be enjoyed to the full, sounds like you have been having a wonderful summer!