Happy 2015

This wonderful picture, (from the Telegraph website), of fireworks on the Sky Tower in Auckland welcoming the New Year sums up all the hope of a new beginning.  May 2015 be a wonderful year for the World and for every individual in it.

Winding Up the Year

Shall I yet again apologise for erratic blog posts?  I seem to have got out of the habit, or have nothing to share!  So much so that Jean, one of my dear Indigo Sisters asked whether I had abandoned Piece n Peace.

So, here are a few things to end the year, before "that" post listing aims and projects for a new year!

I bought this needle case in a bric a brac shop and don't think I have shared it before.  It forms part of my decorations for Christmas but I wouldn't use the needles, I think they maybe past their best!

My fellow textile addict in Norfolk, Ros, was in South Africa while I was in New Zealand.  As well as doing some very wonderful work with a small community and their church she had time to shop and brought me home some splendid things.

This is a length of Shwe Shwe fabric cut and hemmed for use as a head wrap.

These are other pieces of locally produced fabrics and they are all gorgeous.  I am not sure how I shall use them as yet, I just keep stroking them and wondering.

Ros also bought me this vibrant bag, hand painted with a lovely elephant design.  I wouldn't like to risk damage to the design so I think I will make this into a cushion rather than use it as a bag.

I have finally got on with some stitching since returning from NZ.  Even though I have a journal full of ideas it took me a while to pick up a needle.  Maybe Christmas got in the way somewhat.  With only three weeks to "do" Christmas I was very glad to find that I wasn't entertaining at all.  DS David took us out for a wonderful pre-Christmas lunch, DD Sara hosted a splendid Christmas Day and Al's son is cooking lunch on New Year's Day.  I have been so lazy and spoilt that I think I might keep my fingers crossed that this year's arrangements become new traditions.

Speaking of Christmas at Sara's, I promised you Sam...

He had a great time and was overjoyed to receive the train tracks he wrote about in his letter to Santa.

And I love this picture of Saz, "Christmas Lunch....Done!"

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas everyone.  I am spending the day with Sam, there will be photographs.  

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy your day and this poem:

Twas the Night Before Christmas Poem (A Quilters' Version): author unknown

Twas the night before Christmas, And the quilts were not made, The threads were all tangled, the cookies delayed. The stockings weren't hung, the pantry was bare, The poor weary Quilter, was tearing her hair. Stacks of fat quarters, tipped over in streams, Visions of Log Cabins had turned into dreams. When what to her wondering eyes should appear, But a bus full of quilters with all of their gear. They went straight to work with just a few mutters, Sorting and stitching and brandishing cutters. The patterns emerged from all of the clutter, Like magic the fabrics arranged in a flutter. Log Cabins, Lone Stars, Flying Geese and Bear Tracks, Each quilt was a beauty---even the backs! Her house how it twinkled, her quilts how they glowed, The cookies were baking, the stockings were sewed. Their work was all done, so they folded their frames, And packed up their needles, without giving their names. They boarded the bus and checked the next address, More quilts to be made, another quilter in distrss. She heard one voice echo, as they drove out of sight... "Happy quilting to all, and to all a good night."

Sources:http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5894011632/m/5361099714