It all started with this.

This piece decorates my home every Christmas. It is special to me because it brings back such lovely memories of times spent in a far off land with special friends.

It is also the piece that set me off on the path I now find myself on.
We were a group of Mum's who started meeting without the babies in tow in order to cross stitch or  do something similar, although really it was just an excuse to sit and natter without having to jump up every five seconds to deal with a toddler.

One day I was approached by Michelle, an Australian, who was new to ex-pat life, who asked if she could join our group.
" But I don't cross stitch," she said, "I do Patchwork and Quilting. Is that okay?"

Eventually with the help of her Mum , who sent all the fabric over from Australia, we each produced one of these panels. It is a Debbie Mumm design. The applique was fused but all of the rest was hand stitched.
By the time I had finished it I was hooked and I haven't done any cross stitch since!

To all of you that kindly take the time to visit here and follow my creative pursuits, I thank you and wish you all a very Merry Christmas.