make life simply silly

Just a quick post. Do you ever see a quilt pattern and know that you just have to have it, no matter if you already have several quilts under-way and no time to finish any of them? Well that's how I felt when I saw this on Moda Bake shop. I couldn’t find the fabric locally or the Moda quilt labels that were used so i contacted the designer at Pine Mountain Designs, Sandra Workman. Pine needle designs is in Utah and I am in Australia, no problem they have an online store I'll just order it. So here is where I struck the first problem there was no overseas options in the address form.:( No problem I'll email them, I thought. Sure enough I received a lovely email from Holly who gave me alternate instruction :) problem 2 they didn’t work   :(. So to finish this story if you are still with me I googled the time difference, worked out a good time in both time zones to ring and finished my transaction over the phone. Easy peasy and one happy quilter received her kit in next to no time. Thanks to the lovely women in Utah at Pine Needle Designs.

Ok it turned into a not so quick post sorry. i hope you love the quilt as much as I do.

Annie

June Friday Night Sew-In

I joined Kelly’s make a bag-a-long group and this is what I worked on for Friday-night-sew-in which was hosted solo by Bobbi as Heidi is moving.

Now before I get to far into this i just want to say that Kelly’s instructions are amazing and concise with further pictorial help on her blog, so really what could go wrong? Well it would seem if there was a hard way to make this bag I found it, maybe I could do an alternate tutorial for know it alls like me. No really I obviously only read part of the instructions and then made the rest up or I don’t know my head just wasn’t with the program, so as a result my handles are wider the stiff interfacing went a bit askew and missed the edge of the bag by about a quarter inch (the instructions said to cut it bigger and then trim mmm missed that bit) didn’t have the right clasp as i thought (actually didn’t think) anyway you get the picture and  I finally finished the bag during the week and it was time to tackle the toiletries pouch.

This was my Friday night project and I was determined to follow instructions exactly no variations and guess what it was a breeze and turned out pretty good. I think I will make a few of these in different sizes.

Please don’t let my inadequacies put you off joining this project it’s fun informative and all you need is a charm pack, coordinating fabric and a few bits and bobs as finishes. The charm pack I am using is Moda “blush” from basic grey. The other projects to come are a mini-cosmetic roll, sunglass/phone case, extra’s pouch and a keyring/zip pull. Can’t wait.

Before i go just a quick mention that in Australia it is Red Nose Month, this is a sid’s and kids initiative that raises much needed funds to support families through infant loss. They receive no government funding and donations over $2 are tax deductible . If you can spare a small amount of money to support this worthwhile cause please visit the link on the top right of the page.

I’m off to pick my sick dog up from the vet i hope she is ok she is very old in dog years and is always by my side when i sew, fingers crossed.

love Annie

Balls and Pillows not bells and whistles

I recently purchased a pattern called “Brainy Baby Ball” from Sew mama Sew I thought it looked interesting and worth ago, so for a very reasonable price and in a surprisingly short time the pattern arrived. I must say I looked at it for a week or so (as I often do) before deciding to make one, which lead to two and then before I knew it three.

I tried inserting bells into the pink and blue one but it gives a very dull noise that isn’t very appealing and also very soft. I wonder if anyone does read this if they have any ideas on how to insert bells into softies? Are they a special bell? I used just regular bells that i had left over from a Christmas project. But apart from that hiccup I think they are cute and will make a lovely gift for a new baby.

On Friday i received in the mail my cushion cover from my Pillow swap partner the lovely Tracey.

The colours I choose for the swap guidelines were to go in the nursery that my daughter is putting together. Tracey did a beautiful stitchery in a delicate silver/lavender colour and is a beautiful addition to the nursery. A very big thank you to Tracey, check out her blog as she does some really lovely work. I really like these blog generated swaps I haven’t done many but I think it is a great way to connect with other people and also to step out of your comfort zone, in terms of colours and styles, thanks to Jamie for organising this one.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend

Annie

 

BOOK TRAILER: Little Birds

Hi I just wanted to share my unbelievable good luck. i just won this terrific book from Melly from Melly & Me and I am still doing a happy dance. I can' tell you how happy I am, but I have a huge grin on my face and look like i got all the cream.
Thank you to Melly who is featured in the book, she has designed a cute little penguin and he is adorable. I can't wait to make some of the stuff in it and below you can get a sneek peek.
Love Annie