Thursday, April 29, 2010

My turn for Mothers Day Mania!!

If you pop on over to the Among The Gumtrees blog you’ll find my pattern for these cute “Coathanger Frocks” … April 2010 131 and I thought you might like to see some that I made with my friends Lynn and Valerie yesterday. These are to be sold at a craft stall that raises a few extra $$$ for the retirement centre that Valerie volunteers at……. April 2010 218 Here’s a couple of ‘grown up’ ones … looking gawjus with just some ric rac and a lovely big vintage button…..April 2010 220 and some for the kids with no embellishments but some really fun fabrics ……April 2010 222 These aren’t quite finished, the binding is only pinned down and they also need a pretty ribbon at the base of their hook, but you get the picture :o). We also used some plastic tubing on the hooks that we found in amongst Valerie’s stash.

I hope you’re enjoying all the fun things happening on the Gumtrees blog this week, tomorrow Dawn will bring you something special so be sure to pop in again then!!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A finish and some squishy mail.

This quilt has been three quarters done and hanging on the back of my sewing chair for MONTHS!!! April 2010 198 Shame on me – I know!! All it needed were the borders!!! I don’t know why I didn’t just do it …. so glad I finally did cos I really like it :o)!!! It’s the second quilt I’ve made from this design called “Honeycomb” that I did last year - here’s the original….

and here’s the back of the new one …April 2010 205 Because it’s quilt-as-you-go it’s easy to make the back pretty too … so it’s reversible. Now all I have to do is put the label on :o).

Now I’m ready to start a new project … and I got a lovely parcel of inspiration in the mail last week!!April 2010 158 Mmmm …… ‘Mill House Inn’ :o)

AND …… ‘Rural Jardin’ - yummm :o)

… just gawjus … from any angle ;o)!!!

I have NO IDEA what I’ll make from these, I’m still just enjoying looking at them at the moment he he.

I hope all you Aussies had a lovely long weekend!!!!

Monday, April 26, 2010

It has begun!!!

Mothers Day Mania 2010If you’re stuck for ideas for a gift for that special someone this Mother’s Day … we’ll have lots of ideas to help you out on the Among The Gumtrees Blog!!! Pop on over to see Vikki’s gawjus “To Mum With Love” … Tomumwithlovepatternfront6 what a delightful design this is – and it’s free!!! Yep, especially for you :o)!!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Winners!!!

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This gawjus butterfly has absolutely nothing to do with this post … I just thought it was really pretty lol!!!!

I drew 3 winners tonight … the random number thingy gave me

#81 – Loralyn

#14 – Needled Mom

#58 – Tina

Congratulations to the winners :o)!!!!!

I’ve emailed Loralyn and Mary (Needled Mom) but Tina … since your comment came through as ‘no reply’ … could you please contact me with your snail mail addy.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Pretty doilies & rainy days

Thank you to all of the lovely bloggers who have left comments on my previous post for the giveaway ... there are just too many to answer individually, but good luck to all of you :o) ... I wish I could send you ALL a pattern LOL!!!

I went to my quilting group last Monday and one of the lovely ladies there (Kay – no blog) brought along a heap of beautiful old doilies that her Grandmother had made, for us all to share. I just love doilies and couldn’t resist grabbing a few. Some of them were very large so we shared.

aren’t they fabulous :o)!!!!! This one was just too pretty to cut … I think it’s just right on my bookcase …..April 2010 133Thanks Kay :o)!!

We’ve had a fair bit of rain her over the past week or so … this was the scene in my friend Valerie’s back yard on Monday …April 2010 146Lovely for the plants and flowers … but I just bought a gawjus little table and chairs for our newly renovated side garden and I haven’t even had a chance to sit in it yet lol!!!April 2010 114 I shall look forward to a bit of sunshine so that I can sit there and stitch :o).

Have you seen our Mothers Day Mania on the Among the Gumtrees Blog??? Starting next week we’ll be bringing you some last minute ideas for gifts and treats for all the special Mums out there :o). Here’s a sneaky peek at what I’ve been up to ….April 2010 119 Super quick and easy to make …. and I think my Mum will love it … might make a couple for her for Mother’s Day too :o)!!! You can get the pattern for free next week from the Among the Gumtrees blog.

Don’t forget my giveaway is still running …. leave a comment on my previous post to win one of my “Night Flight” tablerunner patterns …March 2010 136there are 3 to giveaway :o)!!! And while on the subject of giveaways – pop on over to Vikki’s blog too as she’s having a giveaway as well!!! You could win 2 of her adorable “Rosie’s Hearts” (hope you don’t mind me pinching your Piccy Vik!!!?!)blog_two_hearts_thumb[5] along with some other yummy goodies … but hurry, it closes Sunday!!! Of course, you could always make your own “Rosie’s Heart” if you like as the pattern is in this month’s Homespun magazine, along with a gawjus pattern from our very own Dawn too!! Congrats clever ladies :o)!!! While you're at the newsagents you should also grab a copy of the latest Country Threads for one of Jen's lovely patterns is in there along with one of Cheryl's too - and Judith has been published in "Handmade" again too!!!

Cheryl's also got a giveaway for you that finishes at the end of the month ... you could win some GAWJUS little farm babies :o)!!! Pop on over to be in the draw :o)!!

Monday, April 19, 2010

About time for a giveaway!!!

Well I promised a giveaway this month so here it is …. to celebrate my (not quite so… lol) new pattern “Night Flight” I’ll be giving away 3 patterns – plus some other little surprises that might just find their way into the package ;o). March 2010 037 This pattern is so easy peasy to make … once the stitcheries are done……March 2010 039 I reckon you could make it in a day for sure!!! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I’ll have the random number picking thingy choose 3 winners next Saturday night (24th).

Here’s a little snippet of a project I’m working on this week ~ which reminds me … don’t forget Mother’s day is just around the corner ;o)!!! April 2010 108Be sure to keep an eye on our Among the Gumtrees blog to see what we have in store for you :o)!!! I have no idea what to get or make for my darling Mum …. well, she did just got a new knee, what more could she want he he he??!

My friends Valerie and Lynn and I made these gawjus quilt tops for the Linus Project over the last few weeks …

Some of the fabrics we’ve used were very kindly donated by a local lady who makes childrens’ linen sets, they were perfect for eye-spy quilts :o).

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

It’s raining again….

So it’s a good day for stitching!!! I’ve been working on a new design that I was fiddling around with last night. Just a sneaky peek for now …009a bit of stitchery, a bit of applique’ … I’m enjoying the design process at the moment. I’m stitching away and I still haven’t made up my mind what it will be :o).

I had a fabulous morning yesterday … I was able to catch up with Cheryl for a few hours while her DH was in a meeting. Cheryl lives a couple of hours or so from me so we don’t get to see each other very often, so we made the most of our short time together and hit the patchwork shops!! Here we are at the end of our morning still with big smiles on our faces :o) …… April 2010 075Cheryl it was so lovely to see you again … can’t wait to do it again soon :o)!!!! You’ll have to check out Cheryl’s blog to see what she bought…. but here are my spoils, some gawjus fabrics from my local patchwork store – Bayside StitchcraftApril 2010 076 The cream one on the left is for around my pieced applique’ blocks, but the rosy one … well, I simply couldn’t resist that one :o). It’s SO pretty, look at the lovely design in the fabric, it’s almost like a damask …April 2010 077and I also bought some new rayon threads for my pieced applique blocks from Spotlight, April 2010 078 I’ve been using silk thread and it’s just fabulous but none of the places we visited stocked it, so I thought I’d give these a go, and they’re lovely :o)!!! Pretty colours too ;o).

I also came home to some rather t’riffic mail!!! I was the lucky winner of Jenny of Elefantz charm square challenge last month and my beautiful prize arrived … oooh I love that little birdie….April 2010 080 She’s sitting on my GAWJUS rosy teatowel, also from Jenny … I can assure you that one will NEVER be used for drying dishes!!! No no no …. it’s much too pretty!!!! Thanks so much dear Jenny, I love them both :o)!!!!!

I’m off to do some more stitching!!!

Friday, April 9, 2010

I LOVE this book ……

April 2010 053 I spotted this book when I went to the Craft Expo a couple of weeks ago. They had a quilt on display and it was stunning, so of course I had to have a go – I simply couldn’t resist :o).

I love the way this lady takes a basic ‘foundation block’ and turns it into something much more intricate by “applique’ing” more pieces onto it – you can see the step by step on the front cover of the book above. It’s ingenious!!!! It’s a really lovely sort of layered effect and so much easier to make your points and seams match perfectly. I like anything that makes that part easier ;o)!!!! This block started out as a pinwheel block and the darker triangles were applique'd on .....April 2010 056This one also started as a pinwheel block and the pink parts are applique'd on. I’m using a “Fig and Plum” layer cake for my blocks ….April 2010 058 Just love the colours … this is my progress so far …April 2010 054 I think I’ve got a fair way to go before I’ve got enough for my quilt ;o).

I’ve been pulling some yardage out of my stash for the “in-between” blocks and I’m ok with the two on the right but still wondering about the other one …. April 2010 061I like the cream spot, and I like the large floral for the border, but even though there’s a peachy colour in the pieced blocks I’m wondering whether I might prefer a pinky shade instead of the one on the left for the darker squares in those “in-between” blocks – waddyathink???

I’ve really enjoyed making these blocks … it’s great to find a new technique to try. Have you tried anything new lately???

Monday, April 5, 2010

Happy Easter everyone!!!

Better late than never ;o)!!! Now that my lovely DH is home and feeling much better (phew) we’ve had a bit of a chance to relax some over the past few days. Thank you all SO much for your kind thoughts and wishes, they just warmed my heart :o)!!!

I hope you all had a super wonderful Easter … and that the Easter Bunny was good to you!!! Bear was very lucky, the Bunny definitely visited her :o)!!!April 2010 014 And don’t you just LOVE these adorable little slippers that Bear’s Aunty and Uncle bought her!!!?!!

SOOOOO cute :o)!!!

Of course we had to have an egg hunt … but just so’s you know, this was more for Mr JP than anyone else!!! My poor DH was terribly disappointed when Bear said she was too old for an egg hunt, so he organised one anyway!!! We gladly played along … and don’t you love how Bear is hamming it up for the camera LOL!!!

We’ve had a lovely weekend …… I do hope you did too!!!

I haven’t done much stitching …. maybe next week ;o).

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Let me explain …………… ;o)

I know, I know … I’ve been a bit absent haven’t I!! Sorry, I can explain ……

Things have been a bit haywire here lately, hmmm, life doesn’t always go as planned ;o). I brought my lovely Mum home from hospital on Saturday and she’s doing SO well, which is just as well I think, cos on Tuesday morning (about 2 a.m) my DH was taken to hospital by ambulance. Long story short - he’s going to be fine :o) but he’s going to be in hospital until at least Sunday they’re telling me. So here’s me going backwards and forwards between my lovely Mum and my Darling Husband. Luckily the hospital is only 10 minutes up the road :o).

I have been popping in to blogland when I get a bit of downtime, and I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs whilst enjoying a cup of coffee, and seeing what you’ve all been up to ;o).

I can show you one bit of stitching I got finished before all the busy-ness started though … it’s another “Night Flight” table-runner but this time in blue. Honestly, I love this pattern, it’s such an easy one to put together. Once the stitcheries are done I reckon you could finish it in a day … easy peasy ;o)!!March 2010 279 Don’t you just love the owls in this fabric ;o)!!March 2010 280 I’ll be doing a giveaway for this pattern very soon … so stay tuned ;o).

I hope you all have a lovely Easter break ……