Tuesday 3 November 2009

~ Hello Again ~

It's been a while since I dropped by to say hello but over recent weeks I seem to have been suffering with what I have self-diagnosed as 'blogger's block'!! After a couple of unsuccessful attempts at writing posts I reminded myself of the little logo I have seen on several blogs which reads ~ 'Blogging without Obligation' so with that in mind I told myself I would get over it and not to worry.

And so today, with 'my shadow' at my feet ((just as I like it) I am having another attempt.

Well actually this time, I have something really special to write about and I want to share with you the wonderful time I had over the past couple of weeks with my dear friend and SAL/Internet buddy, Sandra from the UK. You may remember I mentioned several posts back that Sandra was going to be coming out to Australia and that we were finally going to meet in person. Well, she came, we did meet, time went very quickly and now she is back home in the UK and our meeting certainly left me with lots of happy memories even if I didn't get many photos. (Well, that is another story ) However, we did get at least one that I can show you so here we are sharing a pleasant afternoon actually sitting together and not on opposite sides of the world as we have been doing for years, stitching our current SAL project Blackbird Designs ~ 'Flowers for Sarah' from the 'Thank You Sarah Tobias' book.


Along with Sandra's lovely long time friend Diane, from South Australia, who I was able to meet as well, the three of us spent a great day at the recent Craft and Quilt Fair in Brisbane and all managed to come away from that with a little bit of stash and also get ourselves some fabric and threads for our planned next years SAL which Diane is going to join us in. We also visited my LNS and the lovely Patchwork Angel, dined out and enjoyed a barbeque together with our husbands. It was certainly a lovely time and has left me with many happy memories.

We had lots of 'gift swapping' and just look at what my dear friend had stitched me for my birthday.





It is a Barry Horton Shaker Box from France. Inside Sandra has lined it with dupion silk and stitched a band, pincushion and tiny scissor fob which is weighted with a coin and has the tiniest gold scissors attached. The pins have been coloured to match perfectly. Oh my goodness!! Needless to say, I was speechless. Thank you so much dear friend, I just love it and will treasure it.

Now, you will have heard it said "Wait there's more"!!!..... Well yes, there was more.....


Not only had Sandra brought DH the most beautiful book with pictures of York, as well as gifts for my little Granddaughters, this is what else she gave me. I was so spoilt. Everything is beautiful and thank you one more time Sandra not only for the beautiful gifts but for your friendship and as I was writing that I thought of the wording around what I think was the first thing I ever stitched for you which was a little Shepherd's Bush pinkeep and the wording around it was...


"Although our lives be miles apart, friendships dwell in soul and heart".




15 comments:

  1. It was just great meeting you at last Chrissie and I sincerely hope it won't be the last time. You have brought tears to my eyes this morning with your final saying - our friendship really does dwell in my soul and heart. Love Sand. xx

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  2. First of all....happy belated birthday. And good to see you back posting. The box is simply fabulous. The rest of your gifts are great too. Glad to hear that you could meet some fellow stitchers and had a great time :)

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  3. How wonderful, to meet and share time together, even your husbands.
    The box she did is amazing and then all those gifts, what a great extra surprise. CJ ok;-)

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  4. What a lovely post. How fun to spend time in person and what wonderful gifts! I hope you two can get together again very soon.

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  5. Happy belated birthday! What a gorgeous gift from Sandra. Loved seeing the picture of the two of you together stitching :-). Sounds like the two of you had a wonderful time together. I am sure both of you will treasure the memories.

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  6. What a nice surprise. It's always good to meet new 'old' friends :)

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  7. I can imagine what a wonderful time the two of you had...and what a fabulous gift too :)

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  8. I've wondered a few times where you were and what you were up to Chrissie...and then decided you must be away on holidays somewhere. Glad to hear that Sandra and you have met up and enjoyed stitching in the flesh! Lovely gifts, you girls are very talented.

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  9. That box is wonderful! Such great finishing on it. And your other presents are wonderful too. Happy belated birthday.

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  10. I was just wondering how you're doing, Chrissie, so I am happy now to read your post. Belated happy birthday!

    How wonderful that you have developed such a great friendship (& a stitching one at that) with Sandra! The gift she made was gorgeous! That's just the bonus on top of being able to meet and get together with your great pal.

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  11. I was wondering how your time with Sandra went. How lovely that you had such a wonderful time together. She is certainly a talented stitcher/finisher and what a gorgeous birthday gift she gave you. Simply priceless!

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  12. Happy belated birthday!!

    Don't ever apologize for not blogging. It's meant to be fun, it's not an obligation. I was thinking about you but figured you were too busy kicking it up with Sandra to be able to post. ;) I'm so glad to hear that you had such a great time. WOW, what amazing gifts!! Thanks for sharing the photos! ;)

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  13. Happy Belated Birthday Crissie and I'm so glad that you and Sandra had such a great time together. She is so lovely and genuine and her stitching and finishing are amazing. You are right she did spoil you but she is so good at that and what's more you so deserved it.
    Lots of Love
    Patti xxx

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  14. Happy Belated Birthday Chrissie!

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  15. Chrissie & Ben, I hope all is well. I miss reading your blog. I'm sitting here watching the snow blow by my window and thinking of all my wonderful blogging friends. Wishing you a joyous holiday season.
    Barb

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