PAY IT FORWARD

Apologies to Illene for the delay in posting this.  I received this amazing Christmas tree ornament, notebook and threads from Illene via "Pay it Forward".  Would anyone like to join in and have me send them a gift?  I need 3 lovely volunteers.  The recipient then follows suit and sends a gift to 3 friends and so on (hope I have this right, I am new at this!).  Look forward to hearing from 3 prospective gift recipients!

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR GIRLS AT WORK

Been making full use of my two favourite machines  - the Brother embroidery machine and my Bernina.  I always like to make gifts for the girls at work.  They really appreciate a handmade gift.  Even got some cross-stitching done this time because I was actually organised and started early. 

Merry Christmas to all the bloggers out there.  Hope you all have a lovely day with your families.  My daughter arrives home from Melbourne tomorrow - can't wait!!

Cross Stitch Show and Tell

Just a few cross-stitches I've done for the 'show and tell' arranged by Chookyblue chookyblue.blogspot.com . The kitchen scene is the first major design I did probably about 25 years ago.  It still hangs in my kitchen today.  The plaid teddy has a special place in my heart even though my daughter didn't want it in her room anymore once she'd grown up.  I used to stitch this at night after my daughter (who was a toddler) went to bed.  I was a single parent and it was just a lovely release and 'my time'.  Shaun Sheep is for a Christmas present for one of the girls at work who is into sheep.  Have done lots more that have been given away and lots of UFO's.  Safety in numbers - it is so funny that so many people never quite finish them, I feel better now, I'm not alone!

F-R-I-E-N-D-S Swap Received

Yesterday I also received  my FRIENDS swap parcel from Dorine in the Netherlands.  She really spoilt me.  I love everything - it was like a box of Christmas!  The little ornament contained the yummiest chocolates in the little box - I shared them with my husband but there's only one left and he's not home tonight...  I will have to make something very special from the beautiful Dutch fabric.  Thank you Dorine - it was a great swap and also thanks to Sew Prim Khris for organising this swap.

POTHOLDER PASS 5 RECEIVED

I recently received some lovely Christmas potholders from Dorothy in Illinois.  Aren't they great?  She joked that they might melt in Australia so I'd have to keep them in the fridge!  She also gave me a handmade Santa Christmas decoration.  Potholder Pass 6 coming up in the New Year for anyone who is interested. 

CROSS STITCH POTHOLDERS

It's my niece's birthday this week.  She has recently moved into a new home with her boyfriend.  Made her these potholders for the new kitchen.  Thanks to my Brother embroidery machine - cheating but so much quicker! 

CHRISTMAS SEWING

Getting organised for Christmas gift giving.  Made this table runner (The Birdhouse pattern) and a cute little felt doll called Lemon Fizz (a Humbug Macaroon design).  Had a lot of fun putting these together.

Bit of an achievement

I just clocked up 20 years at my workplace.  I have to say I have the best and most generous boss.  She gave me these lovely flowers (20 - one for every year) and also a travel voucher for $1000 to mark the occasion!  Now that my daughter is living in Melbourne, it was the ideal gift for me.  Aren't I spoilt?

I'M A SUCKER FOR SOFTIES

Made some more softies for delivery to children at Blackwood Hospital this time.  Next to quilting I think making soft toys is my favourite craft = I guess it says something about me but I'm not sure what!

Potholder Pass 5

This time the swap is for 2 Christmas potholders and a handmade ornament.  My partner asked for bright and modern.  I enjoyed making the decoration - I modified a design from the current "Handmade" magazine - felt and beading.  Hope my partner can find a spot on her Christmas tree for these little birdies.  They will be winging their way overseas on Monday.

F-R-I-E-N-D-S Swap

My swap partner Dorine in the Netherlands has now received her parcel from me so I can reveal what I sent her here now.
F - Furry friends chocolate (and Caramello koalas)
R - Redwork rabbits and red pin cushion
I - Icons of Aust (softie kangaroo, koala, vegemite) in Aussie bag
E - Embroidered heart sachet
N - Needles for her Bernina sewing machine
D - Doll - Matroyshka doll (Rosalie Quinlan design)
S - Spinner - bamboo wind spiral.

I had fun putting this package together especially trying to send some Aussie things.  Khris from Sew Prim Khris organised this swap.

Cot Quilt

I've had this cot quilt panel in my stash for quite some time and finally quilted it.  It has the same pin stripe fabric as the binding on the back.  This little quilt will be donated to St Vinnies or the Salvos.  I'm sure some little person could use it to snuggle up in!

DOLLY MAMA FOR DALE

My good friend at work gets teased that she's bossy because she is so super-organised.  Couldn't resist making this cross-stitch for her for Christmas.  Took a while, it's quite large.  Hope she takes it in good humour.  I changed the hair colour to match hers.  One more present done!!

SOFTIES

Leanne over at Stitch Selection is collecting softies to donate to children receiving treatment in a local hospital in Adelaide.  These crazy little cats are my contribution.

AN OWL FOR EDITH

Made this little owl to send to my Aunt Edith who was my mum's sister and best friend.  Mum had the nickname "Buck Owl" as a child and her grandchildren called her "Bucky" for short.  I know my Aunt misses my mum terribly so thought a little owl would cheer her up and be a sweet reminder of her sister.  Purple was my mum's favourite colour of course!  Hope she likes it.

Pin cushion

A pin cushion made for a bear maker.  Cross-stitch design by my Brother embroidery machine.  Have been doing some cross-stitch by hand as well - my Brother is MUCH quicker!

Stitchery Finished

Just trying to get a head start on  my Christmas gift making this year.  Just finished this stitchery from The Birdhouse called "Christmas Angels" by Natalie Bird. 

THANKS AND BACK ON TRACK

Thank you everyone for your kind messages of condolence - much appreciated.  In my absence from the blogging world, I have received some lovely packages - an amazing blingy pincushion I received in the pincushion pass swap from Ciara in the USA - gorgeous colours, a sad faced puppy from ScottishNanna and a lovely bag and fabric I won from Kris' blog over at Life at Rosemary Hill.  There were also some yummy lollies and chocs included but can't show you those because they are long gone!  Thank you all - really made me happy to receive all these goodies - such clever crafty and generous friends.

Have been busy doing a bit of cross-stitch and smocking lately.  No articles finished but lots of UFO's.  Still going through my stuff I just had to get at the Sydney Quilt Show - lots more projects to get excited about - as if I needed any more...

I'm sad today

Just wanted to let my blogging friends know that my dear Mum passed away today after enduring a long bout of ill health.  She was 84.  All her 4 children were with her for her final hours.  We know she is now in a better place but we'll miss her dearly. 

SYDNEY QUILT SHOW

Lucky enough to be going to the Sydney Quilt Show this weekend.  A group of 10 friends are flying out on Friday night for 2 days of quilt action.  Should be fun!  Obviously I don't need any fabric, cross-stitch patterns, quilt patterns, gadgets, machines but I'm sure a few items will find their way into my suitcase (which is going over mostly empty!)  My last two visits resulted in the purchase of a new sewing machine and an embroidery machine - think my husband is a little worried what I will come home with this time....

SNOW BUNNY HAS LEFT THE BUILDING ...AGAIN

 My DD left last night to fly to Melbourne.  Just heard from her and she has arrived safely at Mt Hotham after a hairy drive through rain, wind and fog.  Miss her already.  Her two weeks home went so quickly.  It's a bit closer than Canada but still...

FEELIN' FROGGY

Another birthday girl at work on Tuesday so another bag of course!  I really enjoy making bags especially when I can add a little humour.  This bag is for Milena - Happy Birthday!  I quilted around the embroidery with the free motion style taught by Kellie Wulfsohn of Don't Look Now fame.  Two of my girlfriends from work were attending the workshop this weekend at Hetties.  Can't wait to hear how they enjoyed it! 

YOU MAY NEED SUNGLASSES!!

My daughter is back from Canada and is still the same beautiful person.  So nice to have her home if only briefly before she heads off to Mt Hotham for another season.  Started making this quilt for her before she left home (the first time - some time ago!) so it's a bit superseded seeing she isn't even in her room much any more but finally finished it the night before she arrived home - nothing like cutting it fine!  Her room is light lime green and she's not a great lover of flowery designs so I did fruit.  It's a bit 'in your face' but she likes it - very bright and summery.  Did some quilting motifs on my embroidery machine.

My Travel Bear(s) Arrived

Gosh, it's been nearly a month since my last blog - have been busy sewing and quilting but nothing finished to put up on my blog. 

Went in a travel bear swap with Thimbleprims Studio and had really given up ever receiving my bear.  Sadly it seems my swap partner, Heather, did not receive my bear package that I sent back in March.  Sometimes swaps are stressful!!  Anyway, this lovely package arrived on Fri and was full of bears and accessories and some cute bookmarks.  Thank you so much Heather - you are very talented.  Even the little maroon bear is hand stitched!  See more of Heather's work over at her blog - little bearries blogspot. 

My daughter is due back from Canada/USA on 1 June - haven't seen her for nearly 7 months - getting a bit excited.  Better hurry up and finish the quilt I am making for her!

The World as it Should Be

My latest creation is a bag designed by Anni Downs of the Home Patch called "TheWorld as it Should Be".  Just love her designs - so country, so peaceful.  I really enjoy working with felt.  Think I might give this bag to my sister. 

INSPIRED STITCHES

Just got home from a great day stitching at the Quilt Fabric Delights Inspired Stitches day with Natalie Ross and Natalie Lymer from Cinderberry Stitches.  Think I've finally 'got' needleturn - thank you ladies!  So nice to be among happy stitchers.  Met some lovely ladies from the Log Cabin Angels.  Also caught up with Kris from Rosemary Hill blog and Amanda from Seabreeze Quilts blog.  Managed to secure a couple more patterns I really don't need but just had to have but I was very restrained and managed to stave off a fabric buying frenzy - not to say I wasn't tempted by all the delicious fabrics on offer.  A great day out and hope to go again next year.  Thank you Sarah for organising a truly fabulous day out.

NEW BAG

It's been a while since my last post - belated Happy Easter to all my blogging friends!  Hope you got spoilt with lots and lots of chocolate!

Another birthday coming up for one of the young girls at work.  This bag is from a pattern by Natalie Ross called "Beach House".  She loves pink so hope she likes it.  It's quite a roomy bag.

Back to work tomorrow - it's been a great Easter - wasn't the weather glorious?

BIRTHDAY HOOT

A little makeup bag for my friend Barbara.  She likes owls and the colour purple! Happy Birthday Babsie!

BEARY COSY

As we head into autumn, what could be better than to pop on your nightie and dressing gown, wrap yourself up in a cuddly quilt, grab some chocolate and curl up with a good book?  This little travellin' bear is off to the USA.  Should have no trouble sleeping on the long haul flight in her little sleeping bag!

HEART STITCHERY

I was given Rosalie Quinlan's "A Stitch in Time" book for my birthday recently.  Just completed this little stitchery project. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy doing stitcheries.  Love her designs - so simple, so pretty.

Potholder Pass 2

Potholders finished for Potholder Pass No. 2.  These are off to the Isle of Man.

Alice in Wonderland Swap

I received my package from Rosina in Canada (Vancouver Is - coincidently where my daughter is currently working!).  I can't show you the yummy Rocky Mountain chocolate bars she also sent - we ate them already!  Great fabrics and lovely rabbit - thanks so much Rosina.

Blocks for Illene's Quilt

A RATHER LARGE MOUSE

I recently received this mouse from Lyn in Queensland for the Thimbleprims Studio mouse swap.  Get a load of the feet - thought mine were big!  Isn't she just wonderful?  Thank you Lyn, I love her.

BLUE BIRDY BAG

Just made this small bag for a handbag swap on swap-bot.  I had done the stitchery a long time ago and finally found a home for it.  The pattern is based on a design by Meredith Harmer for Handmade magazine.  This little bag is off to Ontario. bye bye birdie!

The Cat's Whiskers

I've been working on an Alice in Wonderland swap.  Decided to knit the Cheshire Cat - bit worried about the grin - hope he doesn't scare my swap partner's children! 

VALENTINE'S DAY - HE'S THE BEST

Spent Valentine's Day with the Material Girls at Hetties Patch sewing our hearts out.  Look what was waiting for me when I got home - isn't he the best husband? 

GOING POTTY

One of the girls at work has a birthday next week so thought I would make her some potholders while I'm in the swing of it having recently participated in the potholder pass.  When I bought my embroidery machine I didn't even know you could do applique on it.  Look good enough to eat lol!

FLUTTERBIES

Made some lace butterflies on my embroidery machine for my next swap partner.  Clever little Brother!
Must fix up the date function on my camera though!

SWAP TIL YOU DROP!

Just finished a couple more swaps - pot holders are on their way to Kirsten in USA (she likes olive/tan).  Had some more aboriginal dot print fabric that was the right colour combo.  Hope she likes them!  My first trial using Thermolam (insulated batting). 

Also made a pin cushion that is on its way to Pike in Finland!  Hope mine is up to scratch.  Pike does beautiful cross stitch so fingers crossed (pun) she will send me something lovely!  Some purists would argue that machine embroidery is cheating but I'm pleased with the result - a nouveau kangaroo.  I did hand stitch a line of chain stitch around the seams to neaten it off.  It's starting to look like I only have the aboriginal dot print fabrics in my stash - not quite true - just seems a good opportunity to promote our Aussie icons internationally when the opportunity arises.