Stonestead Stitchers meet again

It was a cold, grey old day for our Stonestead Stitchers meeting today, but we soon warmed up once we were seated around the table upstairs in the Tea House.  Kevin kindly gets the heater going before we arrive so that makes a big difference.  We all made short work of  our freshly baked scones and tea or coffee delivered at lunchtime – I think the cold weather must have given us all extra hearty appetites.

This way to Stonestead Tea House

There was quite a bit of catching up to do, as several of the ladies had travelled overseas recently so we had to hear all about their travels.  As well as plenty of chattering, there was quite a bit of work being done too.  Vicki Ann had been making cards, gift boxes and decorated candles and brought some of her lovely creations along to show us.  The green box opens out flat, and is topped with a very intricate flower made with individual petals, it is a real work of art.

Gift box and decorated candle

She also brought along her newly finished cushion.  Made from a pattern in a craft book, the cushion combines piecing and stitcheries.  It may be a little hard to see, but there is a cobweb in silver thread at the top of the watering can block.

Vicki Ann’s cushion

Mary is working well on her Christmas banner and was stitching around the letter M.  She is hoping to get this completed for Christmas, but if not, then it will be early for the following year.

M for Merry Christmas

Three of the ladies were doing hexagons, and Liz had some tips on how best to stitch the papers down.  Dorothy is starting a new hexagon project and was tacking papers over pretty pink, blue and lilac fabrics she had purchased from The Crafty Pear shop in Pahiatua.  I haven’t come across that shop before so must look out for it next time we travel up that way.

Dorothy stitching her hexagons

While Carol was stitching away on her Christmas wall hanging, I noticed her cute little felt needle holder.  She told me she had made it many years ago as a youngster of 9 or 10, from a pattern out of one of her Mum’s magazines.  It has certainly stood the test of time, and I wonder if it would be classed as vintage by now?

Carol’s felt needle holder

As for me, my friend Kathryn had given me back her memory quilt “Remembering Graeme” that I had made for her with the request to add a hanging sleeve.  I sewed the sleeve yesterday, and had it all pinned in place so that I could stitch it down at our meeting.  Robin will get a timber batten to fit and will hang the quilt on the wall for her.  I always enjoy the fortnightly get-together with this group of ladies, and to see what everyone is working on.