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