MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing all bloggers and crafters a very Happy Christmas and hope 2012 is full of sewing, embroidery and quilting fun.

I will probably close off this blog and start elsewhere next year.  I've had a lot of problems with my blog, I can't leave comments and I know readers have had trouble leaving comments on this site.  I've also been working full-time so haven't had enough time to work on the blog!  However, next year is a new beginning.

 BEST WISHES TO EVERYONE IN  BLOGLAND.

Beautiful Book

I really didn't need any more quilting books but I just had to have this one.  Whether I ever get around to making any of the quilts is another matter but I think they are so beautiful!

GOLDEN WEDDING

My sister and I travelled to Naracoorte yesterday to celebrate my auntie (my Godmother) and uncle's Golden Wedding anniversary - 50 years married is a major achievement in this day and age.  I have to say they are the perfect couple.  It was good to have a family get together for a happy occasion instead of the usual funerals for a change. 

SCRAP HAPPY

I recently completed a queen size scrappy quilt which is currently being professionally quilted.  I had some blocks left over so made this cot quilt.  I'm happy with the result.  It's a bit disconcerting though - I don't think my scrap pile has gone down at all!! 

ELEPHANT

This little elephant is currently on its way to Queensland for a special little person's birthday on Sunday.  Happy Birthday Isabelle x

It's a Melly & Me pattern.  Don't you love the blue toenails?

MORE BUNNIES

Another quilt of love.  I'm finding my embroidery machine a real pleasure to play with and combine designs in my quilts. 

Another Little Quilt

Another little quilt of love.  I enjoy making these, they don't take long and I know they are going to a good cause.

Little bunnies in flannelette on the back for softness.

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LITTLE QUILT OF LOVE

I made use of my embroidery machine with this little quilt of love design. 

Cheeky Monkey and Flying Pig

Got knitting and sewing recently.  Made this little monkey for a newborn relative to love.  Also knitted a little flying pig - I love him!  It was a free pattern by Susan Anderson on this site http://spudandchloe.com/blog.  Heaps more free knitting patterns too.  Might just have to make a bunny next I think, or maybe a flamingo! 

6 days to not sell my car!

Ever tried to sell a used car?  It's awful.  I have a great little car that I have been trying to sell after upgrading.  I know it's not a good time to sell but I have been stunned at the response (or lack of).  Last week a prospective buyer finally came on the scene.  She test drove it, then her son, both were very keen, but they wanted an RAA check.  I had no qualms as there are no mechanical defects as far as I'm aware.  The grumpy RAA guy poked and revved my car to the max then reported an oil leak - there is none!  She then kept me hanging for another 3 days and then said no on the basis of the RAA report.  This is no $40000 investment we're talking -it's a low mileage $5000 car.  So it took 6 days not to sell it.  Pretty disappointed.  She had no concept of stuffing me around.  I think she wanted a brand new car but only wanted to pay $5000.  It left a nasty taste in my mouth.  I know there was no obligation and she had every right to say no but to string it out for that long was a bit cruel.  Can only hope she buys a lemon - call me harsh but I feel very let down by the whole experience.

DON'T FENCE ME IN!

I blogged a while ago about the demolition of our old front fence.  Now at last our new one is all finished.  Funny what you get excited about - I've never had gates before!  After many years all our fences are all done.  Pity we still have a long way to go on the inside of the house.  That's renovating for you!

PAY IT FORWARD RECEIVED

Illene over at http://retdairyqueen.blogspot.com/ and I participated in a P.I.F.  She sent me a gift for Christmas and I have just received notification that she received her gift.  This is what I made for her:-

LADYBIRD, LADYBIRD FLY AWAY HOME

My neice is expecting her first baby in July.  I am currently putting together these cute little ladybird blocks on my embroidery machine to make her a baby quilt.  Haven't actually worked out the design yet but I'm having a lot of fun working on it.

I'M BACK AT LAST

Just when you thought I'd disappeared forever, I'm back!  Have been pretty busy but nothing really worth blogging about.  Have finished this quilt for my mother-in-law though.  It was a kit I bought at the Sydney Quilt Show last year from Homestead Selection. I stippled around the outside border but of course you can't really see that in the photo.  My mother-in-law, Helen recently turned 88.  I'm hoping this lap quilt will help get her through the cold winter in the Blue Mountains.

Have also sent a PIF gift to Illene but better wait to post pics until I hear that she received it.

Sewing day at Hetties tomorrow with my work girls etc group.  It's been ages - can't wait!  I'm working on a large scrap quilt and will be good to make some progress.

Hexi cushion and a lot of concrete!

Finally finished my third cushion to replace the old sad ones.  This is the first time I've tried hexagons.  I enjoyed the hand stitching. 

Would have loved to have been sewing more but I took a week's leave to help DH pull down our old fence - all 3 versions of the fence cemented together at some time in the long distant past.  We are tired but happy and it's all go now for our new heritage fence to go with our old bungalow.

Kokeshi Doll Glasses Case

Just made this glasses case for a birthday gift for one of the girls at work.  The pattern is available free at craftyady.blogspot.com. The fabric is Japanese so I embroidered a Kokeshi doll on it to liven it up. Bought the flexi frame closure from Mio at a craft show some time ago.  It was very easy to make. I think it's cute.  I hope Rosslyn likes it.

Butterfly Cushion

Here is No. 2.  I like the quilted look.  What do you think?  (I finally fixed the date on the camera!)

Why did the chicken cross the road?

To sit on the cushion!  My sofa cushions were looking so tired and faded I decided to make some new ones.  Here is the first one.  Having a lot of fun with my embroidery machine.  Might go and make another one now!  (Still haven't fixed that date on my camera lol)

BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY BOOKS

I was totally spoilt by the girls at work for my birthday on Tuesday this week.  As they have all been hit with the quilting bug, I was guaranteed to receive some beautiful quilting inspiration!

HOLIDAY AT BERRARA, NSW

Have just returned from a week's driving holiday to beachside heaven at Berrara on the NSW coast with my husband's family.  Lots of body surfing, eating, drinking, watching tennis and cricket, reading and even a bit of stitching.  My husband comes from a big family and this was a rare opportunity to catch up with a lot of them including his sister and family from Ireland.  We had the resident kangaroos come and visit morning and night on the front lawn of the beach house!

Happy New Year & Smocking

Happy New Year to everyone in blogland - hope it's filled with lots of creativity.  I have resolved to complete some UFOs this year.  With this in mind I revisited a smocked dress I made for a little 1 year old's birthday in Sept.  I replaced the piping and 'rejigged' but although it's now finished, it's not my best work.  I had trouble getting the facings to sit flat.  It's wearable but only just.  I didn't want to waste all the smocking I'd done so I hope it still fits Isabelle and that she gets some wear out of it.