Saint Lucia Nr Annelund Sweden

The White Lights at Liseberg

I normally get to Sweden to stay with my good friends around this time of year and a couple of years ago I happened to be there on St Lucia day which for those who are not Scandinavian is the 13th December. On this day throughout the country young girls dress in these white robes and a girl with a garland of candles on her head visit hospitals, schools and anywhere you can imagine singing the song Saint Lucia.
I was lucky enough to see this traditional event. We went to a restaurant near where my friends live and in came the girls. I hope you enjoy the video I took- Its a bit dark but that adds to the beauty of the whole scene. I even have my own ST Lucia girl , so today the candles are lit and I think of my dear friends in Sweden who I love and miss.
We also paid a visit to LISEBERG in Gotenburg . Its and amusement park but all done with the utmost taste. Completely white lights everywhere an ice skating rink and shops to buy gifts. We had dinner in a restaurant overlooking the skating rink - what a lovely sight seeing the young children skating around. I haven't been on skates for years and would have quite  liked to have a go, BUT just couldn't put myself through the embarrassment of making a complete ass of myself.
Enjoy
P.S. Not sure what has happened with YOU TUBE but a follow on video comes up when mine is finished but nothing to do with me.

Sewing and Christmas Lunch With Friends

The Dining Room set for lunch

My Folk Art Bird that Claudine made.

We had a lovely day yesterday with Sue's original sewing group coming to sew in my studio and have a Christmas lunch get together.
I managed to get the dining room decorated and prepared lunch whilst they were in the studio beavering away - some making Christmas presents and some with their on going quilting that they are trying to get done for a certain deadline(SUE) .
Claudine finished her applique block .I had to show it as it has been made in such unusual colors. Lots of repro fabrics. I like the different background she has gone for - a brownish colouring . I think it is a Kaffe Fassett . I like the mix of old and new.
Claudine also made the little folk art bird for me which I have to say I am thrilled with. As I said at the time It doesn't take a lot to make this girl happy. Just sewing and spending time with nice friends and getting a present to boot.
Thanks ladies I enjoyed the day enormously.

It's Done

 
 

As you can see my quilt top is finished so its off to the Rosemary to be quilted.
I spent the day sewing in my garden room looking out over very white fields, No snow just a real haw frost. I was snug and warm and look who payed me a visit- Mr Robin Red Breast.It was such a cold night with my outside thermometer telling me it was -10 .So I must keep the bird feeder topped up so that this little guy keeps on coming back. Maybe he had his eye on the quilt to keep him snug.

Christmas Is Coming

First Advent candle lit

My MERY dog wallhanging

The weather has been very snowy in most parts of the country but for some reason it seems to be all around us but we have only had a smattering so it hasn't stopped me getting out and about.
I am now thinking Christmas and don't have much in the way of Christmas wall hangings so decided to make one of my own with Mery my dog as one of the characters. It would be so HER hanging on to the reigns stopping Santa's reindeer's from doing their work. I made a pocket at the bottom for Santa's letter's. I don't have grandchildren yet, but hopefully one day a little person will be able to pop their letter off to him and their wishes be granted. AGH. Maybe I should pop one in there. Well A girl can dream can't she!

Now do you remember the kit I bought in Paducah this year that I had to revamp as the cutting instructions didn't work. Well I decided to get it back out and although have now made good progress if I had followed the original pattern their is no way their was enough fabric for those outer edge setting triangle. The original quilt was bigger.
I felt totally frustrated with this kit and am glad I now have my own stamp on it. I still have a couple of borders to add but with a bit more snow in my neck of the woods so I that I can't get out it will be done before to long.

Pin Box Pincushions

I thought I would show you how I make these little pincushion boxes.
I use the brown papier-mache boxes that you can buy from craft stores. I paint them with a water based paint and leave them to dry.
You will need 2 pieces of fabric for the top and bottom of your pincushion, Filling, A button and a glue gun.

Using lid as pattern draw circle on one side of fabric

stitch on line the two pieces of fabric and trim back to near sewing line.

Slitting the back stuff with polyester filling

sew button onto pincushion

Glue the pincushion to the top of box using a hot glue gun

Hey presto a lovely gift for any of your sewing buddies.

If I haven't explained myself very well just leave a comment and I will get back to you.
Happy stitching.
Sue