and then there were two

Ok I just had to share this picture, with whom I’m not sure but it feels like I’m sharing with someone, (Anita Thank you). These “Molly Monkeys” are addictive, they seem to take on a personality of their own, so much fun.The red one is for the Toy Society and the pink one I think is for Macy’s Birthday.

The other thing i thought I would share are our pre-Christmas day table setting, we had breakfast with 11 family and friends and I always like to set the table on Christmas Eve so that when everyone gets up the table is ready. Although this year it was set in the early hours of Christmas day!

As we began setting the table I remembered that one of the placemats still needed the binding sewn (thanks mum for doing the rest and Rose, Bev and Robyn for starting them off) So out came the sewing kit and hey presto  a they were done.

I wanted to take photo’s of the before , during and after but got too caught up in the joy of the day (which is how it should be) and forgot!!

I was really spoilt over Christmas and received lots of beautiful presents including a quilting frame by the Thimble Lady and a thimble from the Thimble Lady (fancy that), not from the Thimble Lady they were from  Mum. We were also given a lovely weekend away from Sam and Mez and some gorgeous PJ’s from both the girls. I know very spoilt. But the best of all was that all of us could be together. I hope everyone was as lucky!

Enjoy the Christmas Season (It’s not just one day)

Annie

Toy Society

Hi everyone  (if anyone reads my ramblings could you please leave a comment so i don’t feel that I am talking to myself).

I recently heard about the Toy Society, it is a great craft/street project dedicated to spreading love through the streets of the world. The Toy society is all about giving you a “something for nothing” experience.

I have included a picture of my first toy “Molly Monkey”. To find a link to this pattern just click on the her name, and you will be directed to a terrific blog.

I just love her! I will have to wait for sunny weather though as I think I will leave her in a local park and I think a sunny day would be best. I hope she goes to a good home.

I am going to try and make a toy once a month for this cause. If anyone has any good patterns and would like to share please let me know.

Wishing you the joys of the Christmas Season

Annie

Christmas Lights and Birthday candles

 

On Wednesday we went to Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin to stroll through their display of the most amazing Christmas Lights. It was Lucy’s birthday so we all gathered for dinner and then wondered through the gardens.

I think it is lovely when you can share these times with all your family and we were lucky enough to be able to take our two cousins with us . This is not the greatest photo (sorry Mum) but it shows the joy and awe on their faces. Brandon who is two kept saying in a very dead pan voice “That’s nice” but then chimed in at one stage with a “whooo weee”. It was priceless!

We then came back home to share Lucy’s Birthday cake that Marnie and Mez slaved over all day. Thanks girls you did an amazing job. Again my photography has let you down, will try to get better at this.

Merry Christmas Annie

Kaffe Fassett Romance

I just purchased the Kaffe Fassett “Quilt Romance” book and have been drooling over it for a couple of nights. There is one quilt that keeps jumping out at me called “Pickle Dish”.

It is rated 3 star which means a more experienced quilter, mmm doesn’t sound like me I’m probably more a 2 star rising. But I love this quilt.

So what to do, I wish i could find someone local that was perhaps running a class on this, but I don’t even think any of the local

shops sell his fabric range, grr. It has a lot of curved piecing which I’ve never done (i have watched U-Tube videos on it, does that count?)  It also has paper piecing which i have done so that's a plus. Maybe I could make a sample block, mmm not sure if that is or should be my priority this side of Christmas, maybe the holidays. Also I am a bit daunted by the huge fabric pallet that Kaffe uses in his quilts.

I think i will just have to drool over it and let it fill my dreams for a bit longer. I know I might be able to convince a few friends to do it with me, now that's a thought. I’ll let you know how that progresses. Not that they have ever done any of the skills required but what's that thing about a problem shared………………………

Merry Christmas Annie

Take won Honey Bun

I was Lucky enough a month or so ago to win a Moda honey bun in Rouenneries by French General, that Sarah Fielke had generously put up as a giveaway.  I had originally thought I would make a table runner using these beautiful fabrics but then I found a new bag pattern on Modabakeshop……………….so what can I say!

Inside of bag, I added pockets.,

Not only did it make the bag by Nicole Willmore, it also produced several Modabakeshop Sweet Treat Bags. and there is still some Honey Bun strips left over to make more things. who'd of thought  that such a little bundle could yield so much.

 

 

For those of you who don’t know and think I’ve lost the plot (mmmm) a Honey Bun is 40 1.5” strips of WOF. and it comes packaged in the cutest little roll (like a bun). 

Merry Christmas Annie

 

It must be Christmas

I never feel like it’s Christmas until we get to put up the Tree and this year it took one day later then usual due to not being able to keep my family together in the one place for long enough! Tonight they were all told not to move, make a plan or blink until it was done. I’m sure they weren’t this much trouble when they were babies!

I love how there are decorations from when they were babies and ones made by friends and family. Our Angel was made by Kristen and hangs precariously from the top (a bit like how I feel at times)

 The picture quality is also a bit precarious.

I also had to show off my collection of Santa's. Some handmade, some from overseas excursions from family members, some novelty ones but all loved and laughed over.

Don’t forget to check out the Advent Freebies put together by the Gumtree designers .

Merry Christmas Annie

Christmas List Countdown

I have been wanting to make placemats  for Christmas + we had a challenge in our Tuesday Night group to make a placemat to use at our Christmas Dinner, I played a round with a few ideas, but wasn’t satisfied so eventually i went back to a bit of a tried and true method. I don’t know what it is called I was shown by a Yvonne so I refer to it as Yvonne’s method. It also works well on hand towels etc. I’m not sure where that photo is but it makes a quick and easy gift.

First you cut 9 width of 5 fabrics at 2.5”. One of the middle fabric and two of the other four

You then join them in strips and and cross-cut them into 2.5” pieces.  I then joined them moving the middle piece one space to the left, joining 7 pieces in total for each placemat.

This is the tricky part and i didn’t take a photo but you then cut down the middle and join the two ends back together, to make a rectangle.

I  then layered backing, batting and top together in the usual way and stippled with a gold thread and the bound as normal.

The next project i completed was some Christmas Bon-Bons from Hatched and Patched. It is such a clever, quick project. I volunteered to make them for the same Christmas Dinner. I didn’t do the stitchery on the front I cheated and used a Christmas charm. I think they are cute though. I used some ric-rac to turn the edge of the “stitchery medallion and found dental floss was best for gathering the ends. I just need to find some coordinating ribbon and another job done!

Have a great week Annie

Formal Attire

Hi

Moo’s formal on Tuesday was a terrific way to end both hers and our families association with the school. The ceremony that we all attended before the dinner/dance, was very moving. All the kid’s looked great, although I did envy the relaxed looks on the faces of the mother’s of boys. They were easy to pick out as their clothes were ironed, make-up done and hair brushed. No matter how much time you think you have it is never enough. Oh well we made it on time which is a bonus.

 

From this, to this

 

Sam is doing “Movember” so you have to excuse him!

Hot Hot Sunday

Hi Mum and I went to Lemon Tree Passage Bowling Club today to see their quilt and Art Show. It was very interesting with lots of very talented people displaying their work.

A lot of the quilts were from a Tuesday night group that I attend and I was very excited to see their quilts, many that I had seen being created. I think you all deserve a prize.

I have decided that if I want to make all the things I want to before Christmas i will have to give up full time employment and sew morning, noon and night! I think I will have to prioritise as I also have my youngest daughters Year 10 formal, on Tuesday night. We got al the finishing touches yesterday, bag, make-up and underwear, all the important stuff, but how can such little things cost so much. She is worth every cent.

I will post a photo if I’m allowed after the event.

This our ducks looking longingly at the pool, I did let them in for a quick dip. Shh don’t tell Brian.

 

 

How lucky am I, I arrived home from a not so great day at work to a parcel waiting for me from Anita my swap partner, mail must be very quick from the Netherlands.

I received a beautiful tissue cover that she had embroidered as an extra and a beautiful silver butterfly in the parcel, butterflies have a special meaning in my life so thank you. I can't wait to make something using the fat1/4's and embellishments.

I also thought you might like to see my "Jane McGrath" rose coming in to bloom. Our ducks have taken a liking to rose petals and so I'm not sure how long they will last but so far so good. There are about 10 more buds to open. i am no gardener so am very proud of this bush.

AlsoLena is a great give away, just follow this link and check it out, http://lekaquilt.blogspot.com/

Hope your day is peaceful Annie

Bags Galore

Hi These are the two latest bags I made over the weekend. I seem to have a bit of a thing for bag making at the moment, but luckily my girls seem to find good homes for them, so it's never a waste.

I posted my Christmas Swap off to Anita today so she should get it in 7 to 10 days. This was areally fun project to get involved with and super easy. Thanks to Vicki at tozzscorner.blogspot.com

I think I need to get a bit of organisation into my sewingI amso easily distraced by new patterns and I still haven't started any of the great Christmas Freebies from the gum tree designers. We have a family wedding this weekend so perhaps after that i will start to get serious about Christmas.

hope everyone is having a great day!

Simply-a-Bloom

I picked up my Simply-a-bloom quilt from Quilts on Q today (thanks Kay). I am really pleased with the design called Daisies Galore. I found this pattern on Modabakeshop. The designer is Australian and you can check out her blog on bloomandblossom.blogspot.com she has some really fresh patterns. I used American primer layer cake from moda.

The pattern is really user friendly and doesn't cost an arm and a leg to make.

The other project I picked up was a quillow that I started ages ago and still needs some finishing touches here's a snippet.

Red Raffle

Hi, This is a raffle quilt that our friday group has been working on, I just picked it up from the quilters "Quilts on Q" and i think it has turned out pretty good. Tickets are $1 each and if you would like any just contact me and we can work out the details. Proceeds will go to a project in the Phillipines. We are a group of patchwork enthusiasts who range from beginners to more experienced but everyone was really united on this project. I'm not sure how clear it is but I have added a row of ric-rac braid around the border, for a fun and fresh touch.

What a lovely way to spend a cooler Sunday. I made another "Dolcetto" from Melly and Me for my future daughter in law (that sounds way to formal and makes me sound way to old) for her Birthday and added a journal cover in the same fabric thanks to Bloom and her tutorial. I have added a link to this I think!!!!

I had enough fabric to make Helen who is the lovely friend that keeps our horse at her house a travel sewing case from 3P Designs. This is a really handy sewing accessory with enough room for a small cutting mat, small rotary cutter, scissors, needles, ruler etc.

Thanks to Brian for bringing me coffee and reminding me to eat the whole time I was sewing!

Bloom: Journal cover tutorial

Bloom: Journal cover tutorial

Change of Plans

Back in September I happened upon Nancy Halversons http://www.arttoheart.com/ new fabric range " I believe" range of fabric and her new "I Believe" book. I was immediately captured by the fabric and designs. I had grand plans of completing the I believe quilt for Christmas.  Oh to dream!

Well  then i rethought my plans around October and decided instead of the quilt i would use the block designs to make placemats for a truly stunning Christmas table setting. Oh to dream!

Then  yesterday i announced my plans at a Friday group i attend, was that rolling eyes no surely not, they are far too nice for that. So I set about tracing the first design, selecting fabric from the range, working out borders to achieve the correct size, I machine appliqued the design as I thought due to having to be washed etc. then  I stop and thought about it.......................

I was never going to run the risk of  letting my family spill food on them or cover them up with a plate! So what now I 'm still thinking maybe someone will get it as a small wall hanging for Christmas.

Winners Really are Grinners

When I arived home from work today I was delighted to discover a parcel on my doorstep from Sarah Fielke from TheLast Piece. Yes my beautiful giveaway has arrived in super fast time. The Honey Bun is from the new range by French General called "Rouenneries"
I think I would like to make a table runner from it, I'll have to look for a pattern, also in the post was this handy sized quilting calendar already for 2010, full of lovely inspirational ideas. Thanks again Sarah for the giveaway, it really brightened my day. Be sure to visit Sarah at http://www.thelastpiece.net/ 

"Dolcetto"

Hi I have just finished this bag from Melly & Me called "Dolcetto" I love the patterns from these two talented designers. The bag is for my daughter, I just need to add some buttons to the sides and it's all done.
My aim at the moment is to finish some projects so that i can start Christmas guilt free! Not sure if I have that much willpower, so much great fabric so little time.


The other really exciting thing to happen today is that I won Sarah Fielke's from http://www.thelastpiece.net/ giveaway of a Honey Bun and calendar . I can't thank her enough for providing this giveaway, can't wait for the postman to arrive.
I hope I am doing all this right. If anyone can give me any pointers i would be very grateful. The other bloggers that I follow have such prety pages, but I'm not sure how to do this. Help!