BubzRugz

Scrappy Star Flowers

2012-03-15T07:46:00.000+10:00

My scrappy quilt is taking shape...

I try and go to a sewing club group twice a month over HERE - there is quite a few of us and always a smile, a chat, some encouragement and tea (and goodies to eat!) and of course invariably some treasures jump into the bag....

I have a project which I keep in one bag and I take and do it at those club days... so it is growing albeit slowly and after many hours of chain stitching, pressing and trimming it is wonderful to see something coming together

272 HST's later added to some squares and I have 34 flowers....

do you ever do this to see about the placement... same picture but put in black and white..... just gives an idea of value'

I am making Liberty Fields from Material Obsession by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke

These sets of 3 Liberty square 'flowers' need a background fabric square which will have needleturn applique leaves and stitched stems added to make flower bunches...

Next is a continuation of chain sewing of all these 5" strips which will make fabric for the side borders....

and also sew these scrap HST's (another 270 of them) to make sashing

Phew...

Gotta Go.... flower blocks to place together .....

Another block in the quilt.....

2012-03-13T07:48:00.000+10:00

This cute BOM is provided by Michelle from Raspberry Rabbits...

the two blocks so far together...

The patterns for this BOM are available HERE

This week I picked lots of lavender and I have it drying in a basket
nice in the lounge room and I give them a toss each time I walk by to 'air'

Righto.... Gotta Go - lavender to toss, blocks to sew

A bit of fun ......

2012-03-11T16:47:00.002+10:00

As a child we grew up without television or even electricity... we had a generator to use for a few hours each evening. I don't ever remember feeling we missed out on any fun - in fact I think we had a lot of fun because we used to play a lot of different games as a family....

I learnt my additions through playing 'pontoon' or '21' and we bet with matchsticks

I learnt about money playing Monopoly

I learnt to spell by playing Scrabble....

We played Roullette with a mini turn table, and Cluedo, and Snap, and lots of different card games, ... etc etc

What games do you remember playing??

Sooooooo............

When I saw there is a BINGO game happening in blogland I couldn't resist some playtime....

Tonya from Hillbilly Handiworks is hosting this.....

and this weekend I made up my BINGO card.....

Sharon at Vroomans Quilts has a tutorial HERE. (sorry Sharon - I got my colours backwards - but I think that doesn't matter too much????)

The rules will be coming later - I need to learn what to do.... we played BINGO with numbers -I think the process will be much the same??

I forget things so I thought I would get it done whilst it is fresh in the brain cells but it only needs to be made by mid-April - so there is still a month to make one

I thought after we had played it would be fun to use as a table mat for when little Grandies come to stay and need some encouragement with their food.... so I lengthened it a bit on the side

There are prizes to win... you can see these HERE.

Wanna play too???

Since I was in a game party mood I made some cupcakes.... the icing was supposed to be a gentle rose pink (not fleuro pink) but I found some old roses to match so I can pretend I got the colour right... the icing was runnier than I wanted.... anyway Hubz is enjoying them so it's good enough for me....

YUMMY CUPCAKES

250g butter, softened

250g castor sugar

250g self raising flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 large eggs

5 Tablespoons milk

Preheat the oven at 180C (350F). Put out muffin cases onto your baking/muffin trays - depends on size of the case but makes 24 regular size cakes

Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each has been added.

Add the flour and fold into the mixture with the milk and using a large metal spoon till all moistened but don't beat it.

Spoon into muffin cases and bake for 15 - 20 minutes... well risen, firm to the touch.

Cool on a wire rack and add whatever icing you like - or just dust with icing sugar once the cakes are cool.

Gobble up....

I used my home made vanilla - which has a lovely rich smell and taste now - I gave it a good shake so you can see the little seeds floating around....

vanilla beans and vodka... leave to brew for a few months... and then just top up with vanilla bean or vodka as you go along....

Righto - Gotta Go.... time for a cuppa and cuppacake.... or maybe I'll just have a swig of vanilla?

Little Patchwork Village ...

2012-03-09T21:46:00.000+10:00

I first saw these lovely little village stitcheries on Peg's blog... and I knew it was one I would love to do....

Little Patchwork Village is a Wall Quilt designed by Rosalie Quinlan

all the blocks are done now .....

I have used a lovely Cosmos variegated thread... the changes are so subtle and it was very nice thread to work with....

The blocks sit in pretty stars - I think I will use this fabric... I will need a couple of other fabrics too ...

Righto - Gotta Go.... weekend to enjoy

hope you have a good one

Happiness Is......

2012-03-07T08:34:00.000+10:00

.... a finished quilt....

When I got these lovely fabrics from Sharon in the OASS swap in November

and I saw Dawn Hays pattern in the Homespun Magazine (Issue 12.10) I knew they would work together beautifully..... you can see the start of this quilt HERE ...

I quilted around each of the flowers...

and did feathers on the border ....

and straight line quilting in the coin parts....

we have had some rather dull grey days so a gentle sun on a pretty quilt...

is going to cheer up any day.....

Thanks to Sharon for getting me out and about using some new colours of fabrics and thanks to Dawn for a lovely pattern..

there's enough fabric to make the cushion in the pattern shown in the top picture.....

Righto, Gotta Go..... new quilt to start

And so the Garden grows......

2012-03-04T19:14:00.001+10:00

Before I show another block in another favourite quilt I am making there are some more gifts to show you....... (I have had a really wonderful extended birthday this year)

Marina sent this squishy parcel... some Japanese fabrics for my collection, and a pincushion and can you see that "Follow Your Dreams" ribbon - isn't it just awesome? I saw it on Marina's blog and she must have remembered how I loved it.....

I just HAVE to show you a close up of the pincushion.... now it is made with the teeniest little crosses I have ever seen.... just so perfect and there is no mistaking it belongs to me is there? Thanks Marina.... you know how much I love it....

Another bloggy/real life friend and I stitched together on Friday and she arrived with this special home made hot pot holder.... Bobbie does beautiful piecing - my picture is not so clear but the colours are really happy and bright... but I really can't see myself making this dirty with my pots can you? May just have to stay in my sewing room as a mug rug.... Thanks Bobbie.... and for the candles on the cake!!!!

Butterfly Garden Block 8:

.. some machine applique and word stitching...

... some embroidery stitching ... gotta love a bucket of lavender ...

... these blocks always take me the longest to do....

... some needleturn applique .....

This is what it is looking like so far .....

Butterfly Garden is a design by Leanne Beasley and my other blocks can be seen HERE

And I also won a giveaway at Annette's and this lovely parcel of goodies arrived this week - a couple of her lovely patterns, charm squares and loads of silk ribbon ..... I always wanted to have a go at ribbon embroidery and now there is no excuses!!

Thanks so much Annette - a wonderful parcel to win

Righto, Gotta Go... got some dreams to follow ......

Autumn draws near ....

2012-03-01T19:59:00.000+10:00

Here downunder Autumn is from March to May ..... and I love the weather here in Queensland at this time of year.. the days are still warm and the nights begin to cool ....

of course my Northern Hemisphere friends are looking forward to their days warming up

Cheryll hosts a Once A Season Secret Swap and I always find myself joining in.... we are all assigned partners but it remains a secret until the parcel arrives.... and we try and send something with an seasonal theme...

This Autumn my secret season partner was Peta and my post bag was just so full of parcels - all wrapped up in pretty golden orange paper....

such fun opening them all...

There is a gorgeous hand made bag with the trees applique... it is a lovely size to carry my hoop and some stitching and sewing paraphernalia when I go to one of my stitching groups.... just perfect - there are also lovely scented candles (I do love having candles lit), kitchen towels and orange truffles and a very pretty piece of fabric... which looks like a Japanese print but is Australian flowers.... it is so very pretty. So I feel that I was very spoiled indeed...

Have you met Peta? Her blog is called "Just crafting my day away" - so of course there is lots of lovely goodies to see there....pop in and have a read ....

I was assigned Shez... who has been a long time bloggy friend and we share a lot in common... so I was delighted to be sending her a parcel....

I found this lovely pattern for a wallhanging designed by Natalie Bird - it is from a Country Threads magazine but in all my cleverness I tore out patterns and filed them... so I don't know which issue
(edited... It is Volume 9 No 7 - thanks Linda)

I used some variegated thread (prewashed so it shouldn't bleed) and some Autumny colour fabrics

and I even did a bit of hand quilting (ooooooooohhhhh!)

There was also a few other little bits I added in just for fun..... including a dishcloth which is a repurposed tablecloth with some Autumn leaves (designed by Angie Padilla - I won a set of applique designs a couple of years ago)

and whilst we are on the subject of Shez... she sneakily sent me a lovely parcel of goodies last week....

there is fabric, and trims and patterns and thread and christmas applique.... now I am all set up for lots of stitching... thanks Shez....

Thanks Cheryll for hosting such a fun swap..... keep a look out for a Winter swap coming up.....

and just for fun.... we have had a few damp days.....

I'm sure if I sit quietly enough I will spot a fairy

Righto... Gotta go.... no faeries but I have a grumpy gnome in my lounge room!! - better go make him a cuppa

The T shirt quilt is done .....

2012-02-29T12:22:00.001+10:00

It is the end of February already and since it is a leap year we got an extra day.... thank goodness!! I am always happy to be given an extra day

I worked out that if I can do 2 of my UFO's a month I will get through them this year - I wonder if I will keep up... anyway.. this is my second UFO for February and I can include it in my Sew It's Finished list

I finished putting all the blocks together a while ago and last week I did the quilting (takes me a few days as I only do a bit at a time) and the binding was stitched down this weekend whilst I watched some cricket....

An all over meander.... .the T shirt fabric isn't the best to practice FMQ - but it will hold together...

I can't pass by spots or stripes on binding.. and this one had all the right colours....

I know youngersonthirdborninthefamily will love it....

it is soft and cuddly .....

I used one of the T shirt printed pieces off the back for my label... rather amused me....

It will be off to it's new home soon....

Thanks to Dawn and Wendy and all the members there at Sew It's Finished for the motivation to finish off our UFO's

Dawn sent me these lovely stitcher toys (since I finished lots of UFO's last year she thought I might like to start something new!!) - lovely - I have lots and lots to play with now... thanks Dawn - these are perfect and so sweet of you ....

Righto... Gotta Go... March prep work to be done....

Tuesday Treasure - our pet

2012-02-28T08:21:00.000+10:00

Melody has suggested we share a bit about our pets for Tuesday Treasures....

if you like you can join us - just link up HERE or just go and read stories of other people's treasures

Hubz and I found Tarka at the pound... so we don't actually know how old she is but we have had her for 8 years .....

Like me she is a reluctant model....

"you know these colours don't suit me"

"no treat... no pictures"

"BORING"

"did you know dogs have menopause symptoms too?"

Tarka is not overindulged.. she just needed her own place mat (mug rug??)....

Like me her waist is thickening.....

I think she is a bit of terrier (she is a natural hunter - which is not good for the lizards I love, but she has caught mice and even killed a snake), looks like a bit of corgi in there - an incredibly sweet tempered girl who I think may have been abused before we got her - she has a 'thing' about banging doors and won't go through one if you are still holding it .....

and while we are on the subject of Melody (the TT hostess) I am doing her free BOM and this is February's section done .....

... and how the two months go together .... taking shape nicely

Righto.... Gotto Go.... 270 of these little half square triangles for squaring up....

Have a great week.. full of treasures....

Stitching ALong ....

2012-02-26T17:01:00.000+10:00

I have done the February blocks for the Some Kind of Wonderful StitchALong - this is such a lovely quilt designed by Anni Downs and it is such fun making it with lots of other poeple and seeing it in different colours ... you can see them HERE

we have ......

and .....

and......

I have added them onto the other blocks I have done....

and made the border that will fit along the bottom of the quilt...

Righto... gotta go.... March blocks to prepare.....

Loving this quilt

True Blue.....

2012-02-25T08:01:00.000+10:00

This year I joined up with a merry gang of birthday fat quarter swappers.... so of course... it being my turn last week I received my squishies in the mail box.....

I had said I would like to build up a collection of blue of white fabrics

~ oooops, there are a few extra's in there when I put my blue's together ~

Thank-you so much birthday swapping ladies - perfect picks

It's very exciting - I now own a 'blue stash'

My daughter made a lovely cake but I needed help with the candle

Dinner was excellent (even if I say so myself!):

Pan fried fresh Tasmanian salmon on a bed of rocket with turkish bread and wilted courgette

I am in a French inspired swap group hosted by Cheryl and she sent this cutest fob this week

There is a lovely Lavender sachet pattern HERE - I might do one of those for the swap?

I did finish this cute Rosalie Quinlan design ornament

for my 1 Christmas Item a Month

It's not too late to join Narelle's challenge - no pressure, make one if you can and showcase it

or pop along HERE for some great ideas

Righto, gotta go.... cheese to make, scones to bake ....

There are No Secrets .......

2012-02-24T08:14:00.000+10:00

I usually hope that if I ignore 'the day' I will not get any older... it hasn't worked so far but I continue to resolutely keep trying.... you never know I might be successful one day....

BUT

.... some people shout it out from their blogs!!

..... and others remember the date

..... facebook has a reminder for your list of friends

.... precious childrens phone/skype

.... grandies sing birthday songs

..... Mr Postie arrives with lots of squishy envelopes

.... invitations for chocolate cake and tea

..... a son that finds a video clip

The fun started on Wednesday when Michelle and Maree visited the area so Kris and I met up with them....

we had some tea and then went shopping... then we were exhausted and hungry so had to sit for a while and have some snacks.....

Michelle, Me, Maree, Kris

I hadn't met Michelle and Maree before and it was so fun meeting fellow bloggers - we could have been the rainbow lorikeets there was such a lot of chattering happening..... they are just like I had imagined.... AWESOME

..... they came bearing lots of lovely gifts.... thank you so much ....

fabric, fudge, patterns, notelets, strawberry bag, cards

I felt I was among amazing company - they are all designers - and great ones too so I have to tell you a little about them and I hope you can visit to say G'day....

Maree has recently been published for the first time in a magazine (see HERE) I saw that bag in real life and it is AWESOME.... I will be looking out for that issue

Michelle is the drawer of stitcheries and has recently printed a new set that can be made into a number of different small gifts (see HERE) I have one of those - lucky me.... and they are AWESOME too

Kris has a new bag with a Paris theme (see HERE) which uses up some charm squares - it is AWESOME and I will need one I think!

I have used this pattern before and I loved it and feel it is perfect for those large prints that you want to keep as a lovely picture so I made these up as gifts....

the hand stitching is effective for a border ......

The pattern is from a Handmade magazine and is by Meredith Harmer.

I have a pile of pretty blue fabrics to show you next time from birthday fat quarter swappers - a lovely way to grow a 'stash'

Commenting ..........

2012-02-21T17:39:00.000+10:00

I do love that blogger is free for us to use ... aren't we so lucky?

I have seen several blog posts about the double word verification..... it is a bit tricky sometimes - I can do it ...... eventually... but it has doubled my time at the computer... which means halved my time at stitching!!!! I don't mind if it eats into my housework time.... but not the STITCHING!!!!

Anyways I thought I would let you know that I have had my Word Verification off for some time - no problems... I promise.....

I love it when a rainbow is in the perfect place.... those bushes in the front are just a few metres from my front door - the little yellow lantern flowers are just loved by little birds - the bush vibrates with them

So the pot of gold at the rainbow is that Blogger does have a spam filter - Allie tells you about it in THIS POST (she explains much better than I do) but because of that we can turn off the word verification and then go to the Comments and delete spam before it comes to the email....

How to do it....

Just pop by at Robyn's place HERE.... her instructions are so clear....

Done... easy at that....

Don't forget to empty out your Spam box every now and then .... I forgot for a while and there were 42 in there this morning.... so it does work as these didn't appear on my blog or come to my mailbox - but they do need deleting!

Just thought I would let you know... in case you want to make it easier for us old biddies!!

I really love the interactive side of blogging so I hope I can keep up

It is wonderful to have blog friends from all over the world and lucky me was sent a lovely parcel from Sammie from Bears at Home - over in Alabama - I have been reading Sammie's blog for some time and I love her stories and journal entries.... it is quite special when we have that insight into people's lives - and she has the cutest bear family

It was such a box full of pretty allsorts... can you see the scarf... it just drapes so beautifully.. and there is pretty paper plates with matching napkins, Christmas socks (I have NEVER had special Christmas socks! - oh what fun!!), scented candles, home made washcloths in such fun variegated yarn - I love them - and a book to make great cards ... and lollies (but shhhh... I didn't share with Hubz)

Thanks Sami..... such fun

Righto... Gotta Go..... Blogs to read....

Tuesday Treasure

2012-02-21T08:26:00.000+10:00

I have sort of shown you this treasure before....

My Temporary Design Wall

and I used to hang it up on the cupboard doors.... but it has been modified by my tall and handsome treasure and now I think it is deserving of a place in my Tuesday Treasures

So we have an ordinary cupboard set in the wall..... (my office/sewing room is a small bedroom)

These are the large hooks we brought and put them at the top of the cupboard... they are the temporary stick ones so if you can't use nails these are perfect...... they need to be big enough to hold whatever dowling you use...

on my $2 cheap fuzzy lined plastic tablecloth I made a small envelope hem for the dowel to fit through...

so the hooks need to be far enough apart to accommodate the width of the tablecloth.....

hang it up and there is your design wall..... I just hand press (gently) the pieces on... when it is large heavier pieces I may need pins but I have had a whole (lap) quilt on there no problem.... you are only restricted by the size of your wall......

I roll it up and keep it in a corner when I am finished.... I didn't consider the bulk when it is rolled up but if you want you can have more sticky out hooks and it could stay up there rolled up like a roman blind....

This is a very cheap DIY temporary design wall....

~ I like cheap because it means I can buy more fabric

~ I like DIY because it means I can give tall and handsome instructions

~I like temporary because I usually need to get something out that cupboard and I don't have a spare wall

It really has made sorting blocks and thinking about them a lot easier

Tuesday Treasures is hosted by the gorgeous Melody.... speaking of whom.... have a look what she sent me the other day

a lavender bag with this amazing felt flower on top..... - with some pretty charm squares

I just love, love, love it..... thanks Melody....

Righto Gotta Go... BOM's to sew

Blocks ...... and Bits.....

2012-02-20T11:00:00.000+10:00

I have started making my Japanese blocks .....

Yosegi nikuzushi (Simple pairs)

Yosegi gokuzushi (Simple fives)

Thanks to Annette who sent me these lovely fabrics to add to my collection of orientals which I am using for these blocks

I think I am going to have such fun doing these - the colours and designs are so varied and happy

I have created a new page on my blog 日本のブロック which you can see HERE
(that is supposed to mean Japanese blocks - in Japanese - I am open to correction)
this page will be my showcase for the blocks made

I have reaped my pretty YingYang bean seeds
I received seeds last year from Tracy - they grew, we ate, we have kept seeds
(if you enjoy home grown goodness you really should visit Tracy at Sunny Corner Farm)

I really think these should sit in a pretty glass dish

and admired my little flowering gum
it is only just over a metre tall
and the flowers from this little beauty now decorate my blog header

used my Go Cutter to cut flannel raggy squares

I had a bit of trouble getting nice clean cuts on all the raggy bits.... anybody got helpful hints?

then I sewed up sandwiches of 3 flannel raggy squares

the squares will be made up into a quilt for the Quilting Angels to give out

Righto - Gotta Go.... quilt needs pinning, tea needs sipping,
~~laundry needs washing,~~ ~~hoovering needs , ironing needs doing, food needs cooking, tables need dusting~~

HOPING YOU HAVE AN ENORMOUSLY GOOD WEEK

FNSI - The T shirt quilt top.......

2012-02-18T10:35:00.001+10:00

I had previously finished with the cutting and slicing and started the stitching for son's T shirt quilt ....

having fiddled around with the sizes and placement so it could be made into equal sized strips...

there are T shirts I don't like much ......

.. those that make me nostalgic....

those depicting legends...

those that are morbid!.....

those that show good taste in the fabric design..... (only) .....

... those with dodgy stains a mother prefers not to think about.....

... those a mother would like to change.....

those that are inspirational (patchwork and quilting) .....

but they came together okay....

Thanks to Heidi and Bobbi who host FNSI - the way to get things done

(I used his favourite colours of yellow, green and red to make a patchy sashing and a dark charcoal/brown textured cotton for the outside border....

the back is a check which I have appliqued on a couple of the other 'bits' from T shirts to add a bit of interest.....

I am hoping to take advantage of the extralongFNSIbecauseIlivedownunder day and get the quilting started

Gotta Go..... lawn to be mowed, quilting to be done....

Sally's Quilt ......

2012-02-16T08:45:00.000+10:00

Sally is one of my SIL's (we married brothers)

... she just turned 50... and celebrated 30 years married bliss....

I started this quilt last year (so it was one of my UFO's listed earlier this year)
and finished it in January so it could be posted over to England....

I used a Jelly Roll in Portabello Market for the blocks ...

Some detail of the quilting.... I used a variegated thread.... four leaves at each block and concentric petals at the sides... and feathers for the borders....

a pretty label

I love this backing fabric.....

I hope this keeps Sally snug - they are having some very cold weather

Oh I do like to be beside the Sea Side.....

2012-02-15T07:41:00.000+10:00

A few pictures of our weekend away

our transport to the island

long shadows....

sand so fine that it squeaks when you walk on it....

flame lilies at the beach side....

sunsets.....

real live treasures.....

historical graveyards

(the island was once a quarantine station and one boat arrived with typhoid on board - 26 died on the island)

outdoor privy/dunny/toilet - the tide would come up and wash it clean!!

the island is sand .... this stone work was built by convicts....

magnificent views....

.... we watched a rescue - a boat hit the rocks and sunk - three people had to be rescued....

these lifeguards do an amazing job

the brown lake... fresh water in the middle of the sand island.... lots of little fish in there - can you see them?

more real live treasures... this beauty was over a metre long

magical moments... a dolphin came to investigate Hubz - I hope you can see the fin and shape under the water

birdlife... these were funny - they thought if they kept nice and still I wouldn't notice them.... just made it easier to get a picture!

no stitching done

Hearts ......

2012-02-14T07:32:00.000+10:00

back from a lovely few days here

Last evening I caught up on some blog reading but not much commenting
I'm finding quite a few of the blog pages just disappear on my reader
and I haven't been able to reload my blog list on my page
the icons for short cuts to my side bars have disappeared
and I hear they are going to do away with the google connect
most annoying

..... but ......

A secret initial heart swap - hearts were made with initials added...

This was send to Illene - I filled it with lavender....

and

added some chocolate and a daisy button pin

This lovely parcel arrived for me from Christine

I love it all - yummy chocs - the pretty red and white yarn that held the parcels together

so pretty and delicate - white lace on beige

* Love * Live * Laugh * tape.... how awesome

my initial in the corner - so subtle - so perfect

Thank-you Christine.... you couldn't have sent anything more perfect

Thanks Cheryll for organising this fun swap

this week I must get moving on my OASS swap

Marie reminded me about FNSI

it's on this Friday

Join up is HERE

I always get quite a bit done

FYI... some things going on ......

2012-02-09T07:59:00.000+10:00

#1. A Block of the Month

I know you might find this surprising but I found ANOTHER BOM which I just HAVE to do

"Hello Sun" is by April at Making Ends Meet

This is my January block

Reasons for having to do this one:

it is 6" square (nice size)

I can use up repurposed light blue sheeting for the background

I am able to use up scraps for the applique

I wanted to practice my raw edge quilting

IT IS SO CUTE & HAPPY

February's block is out

You can find the patterns HERE

#2. French project series

Cheryl from Willowberry Designs is doing a lovely series called "It's a little bit French" and is sharing some very pretty designs

I made this little Lavender bag up recently for a friends birthday

very dainty and pretty - I think I will be making more of these

the pattern (and subsequent ones) available HERE

Reasons for this one:

SO PRETTY

I want to practice my needlework skills

SO PRETTY

I'm looking forward to the next little bit french pattern that comes out

#3. Repurposing in 2012

Jenny of ELEFANTZ is encouraging us to make some repurposing things... I am repurposing 16 of my one son's T shirts.....

I had previously ironed on a fine stiffening to stabilise the T shirt fabric and this weekend I cut them all out - they are different sizes but I cut them all at 12 1/2" width.... and didn't worry too much about the length as long as I got the picture in ....

It's hurts so bad to throw fabric away....... but how much old T shirt scraps can I keep?

view through me peeping tom gadget to check if I like.....

Reasons for doing this one:

Son wants it

Son loves his T shirts

SON WANTS IT

and another BOM (do you know I love BOM's?????)

#4: "Season's Of"

is being shared by Wendy and Dawn who host Sew It's Finished which I have joined the last couple of years...... this year when we manage to finish a project for the month they are sending us a lovely little block to make.... I was a good girl and finished a UFO last month so this arrived in my email box

Reasons for doing this one:

I have the perfect Charm Pack (Ruby)

I love stitcheries

Cute little blocks (4" stitcheries)

It's my prize for finishing a UFO each month

SO GORGEOUS

Gotta Go... Bags to Pack... Places to Go

Stradbroke Island

Too far away .....

2012-02-07T17:04:00.000+10:00

Sunday was the 2nd birthday of my first granddaughter Chloe

I was so lucky to go to UK when she was born

(her mother is my eldest daughter)

here she is all snuggled up for the snow we had when I was there

this is one of my favourite pictures... she was caught attempting a break out!!

this is a recent picture of Chloe and her two brothers

very special.... too far away......

Happy Birthday preciousness

Chloe is my link up for Melody's Tuesday Treasure

Some bloggers can't count......

2012-02-06T07:52:00.000+10:00

Last month I offered a trade of some wool felt (preloved washed and shrunk blankets and woolen clothing) for a fat quarter to cover postage for a 500g bag in Australia...

I cut 10" squares from these fabrics and about 12 - 15 squares can be squeezed into a 500g satchel...

(some are thicker than others)

Traders were not expected to go and buy fabric..... it was more of an exchange of something we have in the cupboard but when asked I said my preference would be from ..... oriental fabrics, blues and beiges or background fabrics if they had ...

I was floored by the generosity of the ladies I exchanged with....everyone sent more than what I had asked for... thank you so much.. Tanya, Sharon, Maria, Jeanette and Susan .....

There is such a lot to choose from

and I am seriously grateful to you all

BIG HUGZ

I am collecting up some orientals and the beiges and blues to start working on blocks from this book....

I would like to do a couple of these each month... they are for 9" blocks.....

Anybody else use this book?

It will be fun... and a bit different I think....

Righto... gotta go... blocks to sew....

Strelizia

Taste Tester......

2012-02-04T11:28:00.000+10:00

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to be roaming in town with my 2 and a half year old grandson.....

of course town with Nana includes going to the food court to choose whatever he would like....

In the way only children can surprise one he asked for Sushi and so I got some for us to share... I love it too though I only recently felt outrageous enough to try it...

Now little widget comes to stay reasonably frequently.... he has a limited number of things he likes to eat... he loves my soup... but making soup always is a bit boring (for me) so I thought I would add Sushi to my skills base....

Cooked up sushi rice and add some sushi vinegar - nori (seaweed) to roll it all up in

(I used a damp dishcloth but I think I'll invest in a cute little bamboo mat)

Made a lot of mess rolling - I used tinned salmon with cucumber, avocado and mayonnaise

Passed... he ate it all... not sure if that had anything to do with "there's icecream for children with clean plates!"

do you sushi?

Righto... gotto go... food to prepare...

I think I'll have sushi...

Hubz won't eat it so he can have sausage and mash

February ......

2012-02-02T08:14:00.001+10:00

This last week I have been prepping some of my February 'white rabbit projects'........

I have Block 8 of Butterfly Garden ready for hand stitching....

... some secret stuff stitching .....

the next blocks for Some Kind of Wonderful for needleturn applique....

... oh and I found this lovely new BOM.... 6" squares and I wanted a reason to practice my raw edge applique

This is a tree for a swap block.....

... and this is an owl for another swap block....

I have pulled out a UFO "third born of the children second son's precious T shirts that don't fit but are cut up to sew a quilt"

and ironed on lightweight stiffening so that I can cut the squares and work with them without the folded effect seen here....

trimmed all the half square triangles made into squares

(I have 34 of those stars to make)

and pinned a UFO quilt top sandwich ready for quilting....

I like to work this way... then they can sit in their own little box until I am ready and in the mood

I guess we all have our own ways of organising our projects... how do you do it?

Gotta go.... things to stitch... tea to sip....

Tuesday Treasure....

2012-01-31T17:11:00.000+10:00

Today was my turn......

Our local clinic is just wonderful... they make sure we have easy parking, they are so friendly, so quick and as gentle as possible....

I do hope you go for your regular check ups....

We have had very humid muggy weather here... almost hard to breathe sometimes and my fingers have swelled more than usual....

Sweet Melody encourages us to find things that we Treasure on Tuesdays

these are my treasures I am sharing with you today.....

my wedding ring (which has never come off since the day I got married) and my mothers eternity ring, which she literally wore from when her first son was born (he is 57) until she passed away and since then I have worn it.....

It used to have little hearts engraved on the white gold but that has worn down and so has the yellow gold bands on the side..

A little while ago the eternity ring slipped over my wedding ring and I just couldn't separate it....

It took the jeweller 45 minutes to cut them both off.... they kept slipping and it was so tight over my finger he had difficulty getting his clever little gadget in.... it was a bit sore at times too

My finger is a bit misshapen

I really don't like not having my ring on

My wedding ring needs to be sized 6 times more.... and they can bring the eternity ring to look like new with reingraving and more gold but I have just asked for them to be fixed to wear again...

I like it as it is... it is worn down because it has been so very loved...

After being squished and squashed and bent and twisted..... I went to get the borders for my Sunshine Melody quilt....

I originally got the floral for the border and the tartany looking one for the binding... but I rather favour the tartany fabric for the border... I'll sleep on it....

I think I'll have a nice long cold Gin &Tonic tonight

...... and chocolate ......

Growing a new quilt.....

2012-01-30T09:10:00.000+10:00

This is what I received from Sharon from Lilabelle Lane in the Summer Swap last year.....

fabrics that I have always been too nervous to try and match together myself.....

you saw this previously.....

and this.....

which grew to this last week....

(loads of applique work - it took me hours - not complaining -

I'm very happy to stitch for hours ....)

I used embroidery thread for the applique

(found a bargain set of colours at Big W)

it adds a lovely gloss to the work

also added a couple of fabrics pieces I had in the flowers

this weekend I joined the panels......

and yesterday I added some borders....

(I had a half metre of the lime yellow... the photo doesn't do the colour justice)

I do love this fresh look.....

(please excuse the veranda cement - it's not dirty - it is so cloudy and damp this is the only place I could get decent light)

I need to add another border so will be off to the shops to find something for that... and the binding... and the backing .....

This is called Sunshine Melody - a pattern from Homespun Vol 12.10 and is a design by Dawn Hay of As Sweet As Cinnamon... you can see Dawn's original version HERE

Thanks to both Sharon and Dawn..... without you two and your inspiration I would never have started on this quilt ...

.... gotta go.. there are blogs to visit, things to sew ...

Not the sharpest tool in the shed......

2012-01-28T10:16:00.000+10:00

it was so exciting to learn about these lovely pens that disappear when you spray with water, or those that wash out, and the one that would just iron out....

i use them lots because I am a bit careless in my tracing!!!

when i won this lovely Rosalie Quinlan book from The Quilters Angel I wanted to make something straight away.....

off to trace using my lovely purple pen....

off to iron on the fusible stabiliser....

yup... ironing makes the picture disappear.....

.....duhhhhhh......

a little bit of

"you are a few sandwiches shot of a picnic" and

"couldn't pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel"

and various other choice phrases...

so I popped it in the freezer section of my fridge....

it's not as clear as before but it will work

(in real it was actually better than the picture shows but I did go over some of the lines again)

sometimes it pays to have a few roos loose in the paddock... they might find fresh grass!

lesson learnt

maybe I should stick to the machine applique

What???? Christmas Goodies Already????

2012-01-25T08:44:00.000+10:00

Narelle is hosting One Christmas Item a Month again this year.... it was so great doing this last year... in fact I did two Christmas challenges and it meant I had a lovely stock of Christmassy things....

There is no pressure... if you get one done all is good.... if you don't... it is still all good!!!

I was gifted a lovely panel last year - it was the wrapping for my SSCS parcel from Sharon ....

so this was the first thing I made for Christmas this year.....

it was a nice broad panel... for a broad #&%%&@. I always wear an apron for cooking and I didn't have a Christmassy one... so this is perfect...

I wanted to get some Christmas gifts done too... so I sewed up these dishtowels with some applique....

(beautiful preloved cotton/linen fabric - ex tablecloth)

It is a fiddle sewing up all the hems around the cloth

but the quality of fabric is so nice I think it is worth it

the mushrooms are adapted from an ornament design found HERE at A Spoonfull of Sugar... such a fun blog with a lot of variety... they also do food things.... which I like... in case you didn't know....

and the mittens are from a free pattern given by Erin Russek HERE at One Piece at a Time

Erin does amazing needleturn applique and I have learnt a lot from her.. one day I may even tackle one of her wonderful quilts....

I have done the applique for some pot mitts/mats to go with them.... but they still need to be finished off ....

What about you... doing stuff for Christmas? I promise, promise, promise it is worthwhile.... and fun... come join us at Narelle's..... there is a page HERE for all the things made... so always somewhere to visit for inspiration

Tuesday Treasure

2012-01-24T10:37:00.000+10:00

Time does fly when you are having fun..... Tuesday again

Thanks to Melody who prompts me to look and remember those things that I enjoy

I found this trio of rather cute treasures in an op shop some time ago....

I put them with a tape measure so you can see they are really quite dinky...

the sewing machine handle turns .....

the cash register handle also turns and the drawer opens....

the spinning wheel also has movement on the handle

they are all working pencil sharpeners

cheap little gimick items made in China.... no value but very cute huh?

I have finished my block from Shells BOM at Raspberry Rabbits...

"The Adventures of Harrington and Hannah"

and also the one from Melody's BOM at The House on the Side of the Hill

"Home Sweet Home"

Last week I received this lovely little treasure in the post from Wendy at Sugarlane Quilts

It is an iron on transfer for that cute stitchery in the picture

but I love the little box envelope it came in too!!

Thanks Wendy.... I do love stitcheries so this is going to be well enjoyed

and I do hope you are feeling less achey

Forecast is for lots of rain today.... I'm playing with this.

I was clearing a box for FNSI.....

2012-01-22T11:21:00.001+10:00

It's quite fun to delve into the back of those cupboards to find the old UFO's....

and that is just what I did for this weeks FNSI

When I learn a new technique I like to try a 'smallish' project... sadly these then tend to get cast off into the 'one day' box....

I spent much of Friday stitching and this went well into the evening

This is # 25 on my UFO list

but when I opened the box properly I found more !!

there was this piece which I made when I was learning some embroidery stitches....

and this was a piece made learning needleturn applique ...

..... and another needleturn applique piece using freezer paper.....

I was so proud of my 'hidden' threads and 'tiny' stitches

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

so I sliced and I diced, and I snipped and stitched....

my embroidery skills folder cover....

then I couldn't resist practicing FMQ feathers

(this is a learning project)

they are definitely easier done on a small scale...

played with a hearty leafy design.....

more feathers - and made another folder cover ......

just simple slip in sleeves....

but I think I love my hot pot mat the best....

I'm glad I didn't throw my practice pieces away... it's great to look back and see where I have improved... but I also found out those not terribly good stitches and all the mistakes are pretty well hidden once it is all made up.

What do you do with your little practice pieces?

Butterfly, my butterfly ........

2012-01-20T17:44:00.000+10:00

..... wait for me.. don't fly away...

Block 7

.... and I know you will want to sing this all day.....

May your day be full of beautiful daisies, flowers and butterflies.....

Some of the Wonderful....

2012-01-18T17:18:00.000+10:00

The next two blocks from Some Kind of Wonderful ....

I don't really like my chocolates but I think once they are in with the other blocks it will be fine

it's a very long stemmed daisy....

This month seems to be full of daisies for me

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED CHOCOLATE and COFFEE
it's best not to deny yourself

Chocolate tart... recipe from Clare

Treasure Tuesday

2012-01-17T08:35:00.000+10:00

Thank you Melody for hosting Tuesday Treasure....

This week I dug out an old book.... it belonged to mum when she was a little girl... she would have been in her 80's now so the book has hung around for a while...

... such adorable illustrations .....

(I do like daisies!)

... each with their own little verse....

(the page is all mottled and the book is worn)

... some DIY colour to the illustrations .....

... the cover is a bit scuffed up...

... it was one of mum's favourites... now it's one of mine....

Treasure Tuesdays is a lot of fun... you can sign up HERE for this week

ANNOUNCEMENT

FNSI starts this week hosted by Heidi and Bobbi....

Last week Melody, who hosts Tuesday Treasure shared her Home Sweet Home Penny Rug... mine is coming along nicely.... you can find block one HERE

and this week another felt work project BOM started at Michelle's from Raspberry Rabbits.... it's called Harrington and Hannah....

you can find the first BOM information HERE

I think I may be stitching a bit of this on Friday....

you can see the bunny ears in the corner...

Again I am using wool felt made from old blankets and clothes and a piece of linen tablecloth for the background

though I made a concession here as I didn't have 'white' felt... the snowman is cut out of polar fleece - which makes him nice and fluffy!

Blanket stitch

2012-01-15T18:56:00.000+10:00

I was asked about beginning and ending blanket stitch on an item (not applique) when you don't have a 'back' to hide the knots......

this is how I do mine....

to start I put my needle through the two pieces that are being attached (needle coming out where I am going to start)

give a little tug so the knot goes inside (these two pieces are bonded together so a tug is needed - if there is no bonding be more gentle!!

then start your buttonhole stitching....

your first stitch should look something like this... thats reasonably respectable??

go along... sing while you sew....

now to end it I go back on my last stitch....

... and through the thread to make the beginnings of a knot...

give it a gentle tug to form the knot....

then thread that piece through the felt to 'hide' the end....

..... pull a little taught and snip... the 'end' should retreat into the felt a little way and be hidden...

... to start the next thread use the same principle at the beginning but come up right at the last 'knot' .....

I hope this makes sense... let me know if it doesn't...

great job

if you put down your stitching you can have a syrupy pancake

also let me know if you have an easier and better way..... I'm always open to learn new methods!!

Happy Stitching

Leaders and Headers....

2012-01-13T19:03:00.001+10:00

One of my 'collections' of scraps was some brights in 4" squares... I matched these up with some plain white (good quality ex sheeting) and sewed THIS WAY into 4 half square triangle squares....

This was done over the year as I just sewed one or two when I was doing a project to keep something in the machine....

Now they have magically turned into things

these are little doll quilts ..... for grandiegirls with baby dolls....

and then I made a hot pot stand with some left overs...

there were still some little squares left.... so they became a mug rug

I threw the last single square out!!! - maybe it should have become a pincushion?

So this week I spent time getting my new headers and leaders project prepped...

I found these very good condition hardly used extra large pillowcases whilst thrifting one day.. (50c each)

I can get 4 x 12 1/2" squares out of each pillowcase....

I hate throwing fabric out..... and I love scraps
I have paid for scraps
I have scrounged scraps from others
I have lusted over other bloggers pictures of STASHES of scraps
and I have a nice box of scraps....
(yes... just one... I know... not very impressive....but it is a good size box!
I love them just the same
and I am amazed at just how far they go)
(PS... that doesn't include selvages.. they get saved in a different box!!)

this is a bunch of strips that I have ..... so I set to straightening them out.....

I found quite a lot of this lovely charcoal eyelash fabric that I used in a border once
so I will use that as a foundation

I thought I should do a practice run.....

I now have a pile sitting right by my machine
ready for heading and leading my projects this year

they will do this....

then this....

I might even make a block every now and then even when I am not heading and leading
those scraps are so adorable

Hubz mumbled something about just moving mess from one place to another

Daisy button winners and some felt issues .......

2012-01-12T08:50:00.000+10:00

Thank you to all of you who said you would like some daisy button kits - it's always so lovely to hear when someone likes the stuff I make - I wish I was able to send you all one

Mr Random showed his usual impartiality and the first 5 names picked with 'Daisy' in the comment were ...

#25 - Nola from Just Ramblin'
#21 - Narelle from Pins and Whiskers
#26 - Lyn from Stitches from the Mainland
#18 - Teresa from Quilting, Stitchin' and Sew On
#19 - Patricia from Too many eggs in one basket
(can you believe that grouping in the numbers - I think Mr Random was up to something!)

we should see a few more of these soon

Congrats ladies... please make sure I have your postal addresses

If you are a regular reader you will know I enjoy thrifting and reusing fabrics to make new things... and I have managed to find an assortment which I have given hot washes and shrunk to make wool felt

... blankets and also some wool fabric and some clothing items....

Well... blankets yield a lot of felt!!!!!!

this is a small selection of what I have.....

I am wondering if anyone wants some.... but I have a catch this time... do you want to trade?

The only reason I am doing this is because I really can't manage to send out postage for nothing... a pack of 500g felt costs $6.60 (Australia)

500g would cover about 10 by 10inch squares (though it depends as some is thicker than others)

I honestly don't feel it is worth it for overseas .... but I don't want to count you out....
over $17 (USA) and approx $21.25 (UK) for postage

The wool is recycled products.. blankets and clothing and there is a variation in thickness and texture and some have the 'square' design on ... so it is not the lovely fine wool felt you find in the shops.....

Let me know if you are interested.... I would trade for some fabric and only with people I 'know' - unfortunately I will need to be careful about postage to 'strangers' since I am wanting something in return.

I am not expecting anything for the wool... just something to cover the postage.

Very cheeky maybe..

Summer Sweetness....

2012-01-11T10:52:00.000+10:00

One of those quick easy light summer sweets

I tin evaporated milk (375ml) (chilled overnight)

1 packet jelly powder

Dissolve the jelly in about half cup of hot water

Beat the evaporated milk so it is lovely and fluffy.... continue beating while your pour the jelly mixture in

(if you like you can add a dollop of sherry...or port... or rum..... )

Sets quickly - tastes so lovely and fresh

Scorching days.... good to sit quietly and stitch....

.... by hand.....

... or machine....

Tuesday Treasure

2012-01-10T14:57:00.000+10:00

I got a few new treasures at the end of last year

Tonya from Hillbilly Handiworks hosted an Ornament Exchange.....

These are the ornaments I received.....

from Laura

from Heather

from Sherry

From Tonya

It is just lovely to have home made ornaments hanging on my branch

I sent each of my swappies one of these Santa's.....

Thanks Tonya for a fun exchange.... a lovely way to build up my collection of hand made ornaments... and thank you ladies for your lovely ornaments.... they are amongst my treasures...

I'm off to Melody for hosting Tuesday Treasures - her BOM started yesterday... did you see it? ... I was so excited I went hunting for bits and made a start...

I am going to be using preloved fabric as much as possible.... this is a piece of lovely cotton linen (ex tablecloth) and felted wool for the embellishing
lots of different textures

I've even got a stock of 'preloved' thread that I can use!

Happy Flowers.....

2012-01-08T10:02:00.001+10:00

..... last year we had a pincushion stitch-a-bit and I received this lovely top:

... and do you remember the lovely wallhanging Toni made for me?

Here it is hanging up in the bathroom .... I keep some nice scented soap in the pocket....

well... there is too many pretty things to look at on the felt top so I decided not to do a pincushion.....

but use Toni's idea for another flower

now I have one for the other little room where one has time to sit and look at details ...

I have added some scented soap too .....

(made with felted blanket and old denim jeans {which had shrunk!})

Daisy Buttons ....

2012-01-05T16:35:00.000+10:00

My first UFO is finished for 2012.... I wanted to make a bunch of Button flower pins to include in gifts this year.... I often find it easier to make a whole lot of smaller things at one time rather than wait until it is needed....

I made 19 of them ....

you can too.... here's how...

make your template

(making the perfect 5 petal shape needed some maths help from Hubz)

trace out on vleisofix (or whatever double sided bonding you use)

cut around the daisy picture (a bit away from the lines - about 1/4 inch) and iron (paper side up) on a piece of felt (or fabric - I don't make rules here!!)

(aaargh... I have a new ironing board cover on my to do list - I promise - you can see it on the right side of my blog)

tired already? okay .... lets stop for a cuppa... (I've got the pretty stuff out!!)

don't those lovely polka dot tea cups make it taste so good??

Whilst we are having tea I'll tell you about Kathy
she is going to host a Tuesday Tutorial

where she will try out a tutorial she found in blogland each week.....
I wonder if she will make one of these?

ok... where were we?

right now cut out the daisy on the line .... and then you can peel the paper off that one......

next sew you nice big button on to that bonded daisy piece (sew on the unbonded side)..... it's okay to have a funnylooking knot on the back... we'll hide it....

get another piece of felt.... just a bit bigger than the daisy size but left as a square shape

centre your pin and sew it on....

(I used a small piece of felt and sewed it on both sides to secure the pin)

or of course you may have those fancy proper brooch pins which will work wonderfully

then press the button daisy felt to the pin felt (wrong sides together)

(for this I use steam so the heat penetrates the felt..... - normally I dry press)

now cut out around the daisy shape - carefully and neatly....

the reason I do it this way is so that both sides of the daisy can exactly match

need a break again??? yea.. that part was a bit complicated... have some cake...

now wash your hands please... we don't want sticky on these...

... time to sew these two bonded daisy pieces together....

I used buttonhole stitch in a suitable thread.... no reason why you can't play with your embroidery skills....

... done....

use it where you can show it off to it's best ...

here it is on a jacket

or on whatever you are wearing today

(terrible picture but you get the idea.... don't you?)

.... or on a lampshade...

... or decorate your display board ....

or you can store them in a safe place for gifties ... but it should be somewhere you can admire your handiwork...

done.... let's celebrate and relax with some wine and a snack.....

Perhaps you are wondering if you want to try working with felt

it is a lovely medium

(I use felt from old wool blankets and clothing - it is a bit thicker than the purchased felt)

I have 5 daisy button kits to give-away

included is:

a template

double sided bonding paper

a piece of felt (cream - it goes with anything!!)

a button

a short length of yarn for attaching button

a small safety pin

you just need to choose your own thread

If you think you would like to win a kit and try one of these ... just include the word 'DAISY' in your comment

(I do that because some people want to comment but don't want to go in the draw)

I'll talk to Mr Random next week

Woop Woop

2012-01-04T08:38:00.000+10:00

I only live 20km out of the city centre and in a small town (obviously unimportant according to the definition below!!!) .. but sometimes you would think I live way out Woop Woop

(Woop Woop : invented name for any small unimportant town - "he lives in Woop Woop" )

and post can take an extra few days to get to me....

like my lovely little Christmas gift from Melody - I love it.. thanks Melody... you get so many of these lovely gifts done

isn't this row of snails just awesome?

and today these goodies from Michelle....

a lovely little package with sewing needle, those little leather finger thimble ends and Valdani thread to try

(and some lollies - one is already nibbled!!!)

Now I'm all set for doing their BOM's this year.... thank you Melody and Michelle.... special

A few pictures of summertime in my garden....

trying to make my post box look pretty and inviting for Mr Postie!!!

...... over the year I made up a bunch of half square triangle blocks as leaders and enders on my sewing projects...

it's time for them all to come together now....

... now I need to sort another bunch of leaders and enders....

I think I will use up my scrap strips to do a Spiderweb like this one of Tarnyia's

Blog Activities - you can join too .....

2012-01-03T08:16:00.000+10:00

I do like to make plans and set myself goals and the New Year is as good a time as any to start.

You might like to join in one or more of these too

Last year Dawn and Wendy started a blog called Sew It's Finished and challenged us to list our UFO's that we had in our cupboards and then post on them once they were done..... I had 28 items listed and I managed to do 20 of them.... so impressive were those finishes that I hear there is a little surprise on its way for me..... how sweet is that.... thank you Dawn and Wendy.....

this is their new, very clever blog header showing some of the finishes from last year. I was so chuffed to see one of mine in it....

The good news is that they have decided to do this again this year..... if you have a load of UFO's you want to get done.. why not join us.... just go HERE and email Wendy or Dawn - their emails are in the side bar... you then get invited to join the blog, make your list and thereafter post your wonderful finishes.....

The less good news is that I have 30 UFO's on my list this year... how can that be???? I have made a new page HERE where I have photographed and listed my UFO's as from the 1st Jan 2012

There are new projects I wanna do too......

Michelle from Raspberry Rabbits is going to do a free BOM

and so is Melody from The House on the Side of the Hill

I have a 'stash' of wool blankets that I have been collecting and felting in anticipation for these .....

I haven't seen either of them but I have no doubt they will be lovely designs...

are you going to join us? I am pretty sure either design will be lovely in cotton if you aren't keen to use felt

Narelle from Pins and Whiskers is going to run another year of One Christmas Item a Month... this is such a great way to get some of those Christmas goodies done ahead of the time... and of course you don't have to stop and doing just one!!

Peg and Kris run OPAM... One Project A Month.... and this is a great motivator to get projects finished... I really respond to having plans and itemising the things I have made so thoroughly enjoy posting my finishes and sending off a number each month... just try for one a month... any more than that is a bonus..... Peg and Kris then add up all the projects from all of us and keep a running total.... its great fun.... just email Peg or Kris if you want to join....

I am going to continue with my Christmas 12" block swap...

last year I made these two toppers with the blocks I received...

this year I am going to collect stars.. which I show on this page HERE

The other block swap is 12" QBSA where I have been collecting Eye Spy Wonky Square blocks... you can see all the ones I have so far HERE

Both these block swaps are great fun... I just love linking up with people far and wide and then having a special block from them in my home..... if you want to join either (and there are also 6" block swaps) just visit the sites ..

- you don't have to be from Australia to join....

- you choose which blocks you want to have sent to you

- you can take a break if you need it

If you are like me and like lists and goals each month Melody gives us a new button to add to our blogs - its such fun writing the list and marking them off as they are done. There's no obligations... just get up the button and make your own list....

... and of course I will do a few swaps.... I'm sticking with this Once a Season one which Cheryll from Gone Stitchin' is hosting again this year. You can read HERE about it as well as several other swaps Cheryll is hosting this year on the same post

..... and so far I haven't made the plans of the new things I am going to make!!!

I have no doubt I will be led astray to do some other swaps and start some other projects .... but I am going to try and be more restrained this year and finish things....

what about you... do you also have heaps UFO's and a list of things to do this year??????

I'm going to need a few of these

and some of this

Bringing in the New Year .....

2012-01-01T07:36:00.000+10:00

Wishing you all a very very wonderful 2012
and thanks to you for helping make 2011 so great for me

One of the Australian traditions that I very much enjoy is the Boxing Day cricket test match
this year Australia played India
two glorious teams - 5 days of excellent cricket
(and it has nothing to do with firm butts in white pants)

lots of time for stitching

I have had so much fun stitching these blocks
from Anni Downs "Some Kind of Wonderful"
which I'm doing with lots of other people at the Stitch-A-Long

It was worth spending the (quite considerable) time cutting all the strips and blocks
makes the piecing of the blocks much easier

continued with my redwork using patterns from Michelle
(this is my ongoing emergency stitching project - they are all drawn up ready for when I need some hand stitching to do)

started on these cute little button flowers

and did loads of sorting and slicing of my scraps to cut pieces ready
(this will be an emergency project - all cut and ready for when I need some machine piecing ready to go)

pattern from Material Obsession

I'm looking forward to the next test match

Wishing you a year of stitching happiness

may your thread never tangle
and your backing never crease
may your stash be plentiful
and your mojo never cease
may your block points meet
and your blades remain sharp
may your UFO's be complete
and your wine/coffee/tea stay full

Chocolate anyone?

2011-12-30T18:22:00.000+10:00

The last finish for OPAM for December 2011...

My youngest daughter has been complaining that she didn't have her very own quilt made by me.... so deciding on her Christmas gift this year was easy.....

Step 1: find yummy fabric

(I bought 1/2m of 9 mixed browns,
70cm of a dark brown for the border and
1/2 m extra of the dots for the binding - because I looooove dotty binding)

Step 2: slice and stitch
(disappearing 9 patch)

Step 3: audition layout ....

Step 4: pin unmercifully ....

Step 5: add quilting guidelines.....

Step 6: it is useful to have a multi-purpose template for this process....

Step 7: sing along quilting with 'Precious'...
(large quilt was quite a challenge in my little machine)

Step 8: label .........
lovely soft flannel backing

Step 9: photoshoot.....

72 inch square quilt - good bed size

She loves it

.. and the one's I made.... and a new blogger to meet....

2011-12-28T11:57:00.001+10:00

A gift that I couldn't share before TheBeardedManinTheRedSuit bungied by...

My SSCS (run by Chookyblue) gift was for Tanje (Nemo) in Norway

I made a little snowflake ornie with a tinkle bell....

and for her main present a tote bag ......

almost a 'sampler' bag... different blocks front and back which make up pockets....
flying geese and block piecing
quilted throughout

lined with lots of pockets inside (as I know treasures leap into bags)

Nemo is fond of mice so I made this little one to fit in a pocket....
(this is a very cute pattern from Bustle and Sew)

I loved making this bag - I hope Nemo loves it too

There's heaps of gifts and ornaments being shown on Chookyblue's blog if you fancy some inspiration

I'd love to introduce you to Helen.....

I met Helen when she came into one of my favourite LQS to buy a quilt.... she was told she couldn't buy one but she was welcome to join a bunch of us and make one..... we were sewing to make quilts for people affected by the floods.....

She is a great friend and I have no doubt her blog will be great fun... she covers furniture, gets her hands dirty refurbishing homes, and is game to try all sorts of new things... sewing, knitting - she did make a lovely quilt too (since she couldn't buy one) .... and has a wicked sense of humour.... you can see a few of her projects on her new blog

I hope you can pop by and say G'day.....

The BeardedManinTheRedSuit came by ....

2011-12-26T09:13:00.000+10:00

This year I participated in Chookyblue's SSCS for the first time

I received my lovely parcel with THIS ornament and on Christmas Day I could open the main parcel from Sharon in New York

isn't this bag just awesome... I put it on a chair so you can get an idea of the size... yup... it will fit lots in.. almost the kitchen sink ... and has lots of pockets inside for all those treasures...

The bag was wrapped in fabric... such a fun Christmas apron, which of course I will stitch together to wear next year

(I've never had a special 'Christmas' apron)

... the bag was stuffed with lots of lovely little parcels.....

tissues... (which were needed, I do get tears from niceness), yummy different flavoured tea (I am having one right now as we speak), note book and cards and all those DMC perle threads.... and just when I want to learn to do some hand quilting.. these will be just perfect and a lovely quilt card came with it from Sharon

Sharon - thank you so much... what an awesome parcel..

and thanks to Chookyblue for hosting this fantastic Christmas swap - so well organised

There are loads of pictures of such a wonderful array of ornaments HERE on Chookyblue's blog - it's not too early to be inspired for Christmas 2012!!

I had a surprise gift from bloggy friend Cyndi ......I haven't met Cyndi of course so I was very touched to receive this lovely parcel from her...

Such a fun book with all sorts of interesting and different projects....

... it also has yummy recipes to try and pages discussing antique kitchen equipment

(it does worry me that most of these I remember having them in the home!!)

and these lovely charm blocks.... I just love these happy fabrics

Thanks Cyndi... such a special gift from a special friend - I love it all

this next parcel was a fun charm swap coordinated by Sharon - we all had a few colours of fabric to buy and slice into 5" charms.. then Sharon split them up and sent us each a pack containing one of each of the charms.... what a lovely way to collect a rainbow... Sharon is planning on another rainbow swap next year so if you are keen to collect some rainbow colours pop keep an eye on her blog...

There was some comments about the way we treat Santa in our house when I showed our decorations so I thought I would show you a close up....

I couldn't resist this ornament when I visited New Zealand a couple of years ago... I guess this is the way he needs to get into houses since we are 'down under' here....

I just wanted to clarify we are not abusers of BeardedManinTheRedSuit!!

I hope he bungied by your place.....

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T07:50:00.000+10:00

Merry Christmas

If I were ol' Santa, you know what I'd do

I'd dump silly gifts that are given to you

And deliver some things just inside your front door

Things you have lost, but treasured before.

I'd give you back all your maidenly vigour,

And to go along with it, a neat tiny figure.

Then restore the old color that once graced your hair

Before rinses and bleaches took residence there.

I'd bring back the shape with which you were gifted

So things now suspended need not be uplifted.

I'd draw in your tummy and smooth down your back

Till you'd be a dream in those tight fitting slacks.

I'd remove all your wrinkles and leave only one chin

So you wouldn't spend hours rubbing grease on your skin.

You'd never have flashes or queer dizzy spells,

And you wouldn't hear noises like ringing of bells.

No sore aching feet and no corns on your toes,

No searching for spectacles when they're right on your nose.

Not a shot would you take in your arm, hip or fanny,

From a doctor who thinks you're a nervous old granny.

You'd never have a headache, so no pills would you take.

And no heating pad needed since your muscles won't ache.

Yes, if I were Santa, you'd never look stupid,

You'd be a cute little chick with the romance of a cupid.

I'd give a lift to your heart when those wolves start to whistle,

And the joys of your heart would be light as a thistle.

But alas! I'm not Santa. I'm simply just me,

The matronest of matrons you ever did see.

I wish I could tell you all the symptoms I've got,

But I'm due at my doctor's for an estrogen shot.

Even though we've grown older, this wish is sincere,

Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.

(My apologies but I do not know where this was originally from but it is not my original work!! I am not nearly so clever)

Merry Christmas from Hubz and I

A little bit naughty....

2011-12-23T06:03:00.000+10:00

sponge cake stuffed with tart cherries, fresh cream whipped with home made vanilla essence and topped with drizzles of melted chocolate

mmmm... just a little bit naughty

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This big tote bag went to Sherry in the Santa Sack Swap

- good for carrying projects in -

fun stitcheries

Sherry likes red

nice big pockets for all those treasures

today's Christmas Cheer

........... hope you can be a little bit naughty today .............

Decorations

2011-12-21T07:17:00.000+10:00

It has been great fun seeing so many wonderful decorations from all over the world

Anni Downs shared this fabulous Christmas wallhanging which I have just managed to finish.....

Mine is done in felt... you can find Anni's free download pattern HERE

My tree this year is a palm tree seed branch - dried and painted and filled with mostly hand made decorations

Christmas tree frog has found some fresh greenery to hide in ....

Tis the Season wall hanging and special stockings... one for me... one for Hubz (thanks to Shez)

Val found a really sweet knitted angel mouse pattern which I couldn't resist.... you can see Val's fabulous version HERE and she has the link for the pattern in her sidebar..

Thanks Val... (I think I got the ears too far forward.... but she is still quite cute!)

but I have to admit these are my all time favourite decorations

These are the owners of the stockings in my header

awesome.... just awesome

tear making awesome they are

I only get to hug one so he will have to take an awful lot of hugz in lieu

(and I have half a dozen spare baubles... just in case!!! no pressure)

2011-12-19T09:13:00.000+10:00

I've been stitching a few of these...

Christmas sentiments for faraway families

folded up as a card... ready for posting....

they are a lovely design from Jenny of Elefantz

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you looking for some last minute Christmas inspiration?

Kerryanne does a lovely blog and at this time of year there are so many wonderful ideas - there is baking, making, decorating, linky parties, guest posts

well, Fee did a guest post - a monogrammed lavender sachet... so cute
(I have lavender drying as we speak!)
- she also had a give away for a voucher for a book -
you guessed it
I won
so I ordered my book and look what arrived in the post last week

I have had Sarah's book on my wish list for a while... I am so going to enjoy this.. she does lovely little projects to practice a new technique before starting a large quilt - I love that idea

there was a bit of voucher left so I topped it up and got this little book too

Fee's blog is wonderful too... full of ideas, personal insights and prettiness - it is a lovely place to visit

Thank-you Kerryanne and Fee for a lovely prize - this will be hours of pleasure to me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to my SIL Mandy for this bit of Christmas Cheer

MY NEW BOYFRIENDS !!!

I am seeing 5 gentlemen (give or take) every day!.

As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me get out of bed.

Then I go to see John.

Then Arthur Ritis shows up & stays the rest of the day.
He doesn't like to stay in one place very long so he takes me from joint to joint.

After such a busy day, I'm really tired & very glad to go to bed with Earl Grey.

What a life!
Oh, yes, I'm also flirting with Al Zymer;
or whatever his name is. I forget !

and I'm thinking of calling JACK DANIELS, Captain Morgan or JOHNNY WALKER to come over and keep me company.

Fantastic Friday .....

2011-12-17T18:15:00.000+10:00

Mr Postie popped by (I've had so many visits lately I think the neighbours may start talking!!)

and I am so relieved and happy that a special parcel has arrived for me....

Mr Postie apologised as the parcel looked a bit worse for wear and had been rewrapped by AusPost...

... the parcel wrapping is fabric and was a bit damp so I left in a sunny spot to dry out... I think it had a swim in the sea on the way over? (Hubz has given it a check and all is safe Sharon.)

The parcels are from Sharon, who I have not met so I had to scoot over to her blog and get to know her - she is from Upstate New York...

I got a Christmas parcel from NEW YORK!!!!.... never in my life would I imagine that

Sharon and has such a lot of eye candy to look at there... so great to meet you and your marmalade cats....

Here it is drying out.... I lifted up to get the air in (okay ... so I couldn't resist a peak - just to check for damp of course!!! but Sharon has it so well wrapped I couldn't see anything!!!)

one I was allowed to open and found this cutest little 'burden bear' with his darling little quilt. A poem came with it all about reminding one to ease the burdens and how life is like a quilt....

I was pleased to note he wasn't even a little bit damp.... phew

(the mind shudders at what could have happened to him!)

Thank you so much Sharon - I will 'bearly' be able to wait for Christmas day

Friday night I had a lot of slicing to do for ....

I have already started on the blocks for SKoW quilt but I never got to cutting all the pieces and strips.... wow, that took a LOOOOOONG time ....

I haven't done a quilt with lots of little pieces so this was a new experience for me...

I needed 374 squares (mostly 1 1/2") cut and a bunch of 2" strips and a few other little pieces to make up some patchwork blocks..... these are now ready to sew on my sneakyextrafnsifordownunderpeople

Thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting this fun stitching time -

I took a break in the evening to sit and watch the sun go down

PS... these are sewn up now...... (those square blocks are 3"squares)... very cute... very fiddly for me!

Some Christmas finishes and FNSI .....

2011-12-16T08:39:00.000+10:00

This last year I have been receiving Christmas tree blocks via the Christmas Block Swap and I'm very happy to say that this week I finished off a couple of items I made with them

(I do hope I have got all the names right... please let me know if any of them are wrong)

Table Topper

left to right
Top Row: Vanessa, Larissa, Larain
Middle Row: Janet, Jen ,Sue
Botton Row: Sue, Teena, Cheryl

Cabinet Runner

Left to Right
Teena, Crafty Pug, Ann

Thanks to all of you ladies who sent me these fantastic original blocks ... I love them all and these are now decorating my home this Christmas
and thanks to Crafty Pug for hosting this fun block swap

If you are interested in joining just pop in HERE - on the top left is information about the swap and it is open to anyone anywhere ..... you make a block, you get a block - easy as that

I used a felted wool blanket as the wadding
this has made them a lovely weight for the table
and added extra insulation
you will also notice a variety of free motion quilting
couldn't resist practicing different things

Tonight is the last

for the year

you can sign up HERE
I have a LOAD of prep work I want to do

Christmas Cheer

Santa Sack ........

2011-12-15T10:01:00.000+10:00

Way back in July Cheryll from Gone Stitchin' was thinking of Christmas.... and organised a Santa Sack swap..... we were all to make a Santas Sack and then each month send a couple of gifts ......

I have been partnered up with Sherry from Cross Stitch Crazy Mum and it has been such fun reading her blog and getting to know her over the months.... (you should pop by there.. Sherry has the most lovely cross stitch work)

It has been very hard not to do any peeking..... I tell you that sack was BULGING!

Today we were 'allowed' to open them......

just look at my smorgasbord of fun ...

there is a very pretty container (just right for earrings),

some Australiana fabric,

a lizard with a christmas hat mug

and pretty pink buttons with butterflies (sorry those pictures are blurry - I was a bit excited!!),

look at the wonderful selection of novelty buttons,

and crewel stitching kit (now that is something I haven't tried),

a "Dare to be Different" lizard mug (Sherry did her homework - I love lizards!),

a hand made cross stitched cushion (I told you Sherry does the most beautiful cross stitch),

a HUGE lizard for on the wall (such a handsome fellow),

the cutest scissor holder,

a very sweet sewing pattern called Angel Bears,

look at this lovely sewing machine fabric,

an adorable Welcome Friends cushion (more lovely hand work - which is up decorating my branch)

..and they all came in the santa sack shown at the top....

Sherry, thank you so much - and thanks too to Cheryll for organising this swap....

today's Christmas Cheer

Little Birdies....

2011-12-13T23:54:00.001+10:00

December brought the last of the Birdie Stitcheries that I have just loved doing this year....

These have been free from Little Miss Shabby (and they are still available - just go to the Birdie Stitches tab at the top of her blog page)

I think it will be a perfect quilt for a spare bed.. especially for when little grandiegirls come visiting... so many pretty things to look for.....

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas Cheer ...... thanks Shez for this one...

If you were around in 1919 and came upon the following poster

I mean,
seriously

Wouldn't you just keep drinking?

Oh, oh, oh......

2011-12-12T09:51:00.000+10:00

I was so excited I almost peed myself!!!

Vicki from The Pickledish Patch had this giveaway and I was so lucky to have won....

The dies I chose are:

the 5 1/4" Rag Square.... I just love raggy quilts but I HATE cutting all the raggies.... now I don't need to!!!

the 6 1/4" Apple Core .... I always fancied doing an Apple Core quilt but really a bit lazy about cutting those rounded edges.... now I don't need to!!

the Rick Rack.... I love the curved edges.. but again too fiddly to cut with scissors... now I don't need to!!! (Vicki used this die in THIS wallhanging)

I have never seen one of these in use before so it is quite an eye opener as to what is involved.....

Thank you so much Vicki for hosting this giveaway and of course thank you to AcuQuilt for providing it ...

It came wrapped up in these lovely big bubble pockets... great fun for jumping on!!!

I am looking forward to playing with this Go Baby in the new year... meantime I am still in enough shock that I need to just look at it for a while!