Tuesday, September 28, 2010

All over the place


We have had the most disgusting week in our family's history. 8 long horrible gross days of the worst Gastro bug that I've ever been unlucky enough to witness. Massive amounts of weight was lost, huge amounts of food went uneaten straight to the bin, so so many loads of washing *sigh* Its over now.
Anyway... above is Miss Jocie's Birthday dress, a little early (2+ months!) Made from a pattern by Dear My Kids the Reversible Tunic Top/Dress, This is the dress version. I chopped 3" off the sleeves to make them 3/4, and didn't add the elastic, I wanted them looser for our hot aussie summer.


 As I have come to expect from Karen's Patterns, this dress went together easily and beautifully, and the finished product makes me feel like a professional!


 A couple more phone pouches, the blue/grey is for my besties birthday, the Beatles was requested by my baby brother (almost 16!) for his camera.


 And Mummy dearest requested a cushion to match her quilt for her birthday last week.


I couldn't resist the adding the hexies to the back, those things are addictive!!

And speaking of addictive, Ive now been without sugar for 1.5 nearly 2 weeks, and going well.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Two Flowers.


One for my hair.
 (made up as I went along)


One for my Heart.
(May flower from Abi's May bush)

Feelin' a bit melancholy, today is day one of  ~No more sugar~ perhaps its just the start of withdrawals 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

September Bee Blocks.


First up is Jen's block for the Australasian Bee. 


I had a lot of fun making this one, with the request to embellish!


I love this sweet little Faerie girl.


And some little blue button flowers for texture.
I can't wait to see how Jen's quilt ends up.


And in Bee Seam Piecing Downunder it was Kelly's turn. 


She requested these blocks to make a quilt for her daughter, The fabric she chose are just lovely, it is going to be a very sweet and girly quilt.


I've also finished the top for Marlee's quilt!! I've just got to decide on a backing, then quilt it. I can't wait to show you all, but I want to keep it a surprise!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful week, today is hump day at least, only 2 more days till the weekend!!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Snip Snip!



New Hair!!!!!

Before, In a ponytail as usual!


What it used to look like out...


Back to New again!


And one post wine drinking, with my funky feathered fascinator!
Fascinator by chainstore that my cousin works at.
Wine by Wolf Blass, Eaglehawk, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet , I don't know very much about wine, but I love this one, and their 2009 Merlot was lovely too! And Im super happy after drinking a couple of glasses.
Yep I'm PUI, aka. Posting under the influence! Off to rock out to some Soundgarden. Hope your all having a fantastic weekend!!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Bee Blocks, another sneaky peak and a huge mess!


It was Jules turn in August for the Australasian quilting bee, She asked for a building, and trees, stars etc as fillers and a siggy block. I really hope she likes them, it was my first proper go at machine applique, and I really really hope I did it right!


It took me ages and ages to work out what building to use, and only today did I finally decided on the windmill!


Another sneaky peak for Marlee, (insert evil laugh here).


And just in case anyone thought I was being "mean" this is the normal, though not parent approved, state of the girls toy/clothes room. And that is not even close to all of it. Though we have started culling, it is really really hard, everything you see was a gift from someone at some point, So far the rubbish and broken toys have been chucked, and one bag has been given to charity. There is still so much to sort out *sob*.


Thursday, September 2, 2010

Thinking of Christmas.......and other bits and pieces!


Firstly a sneaky peak of Marlee's mini quilt, If it all works how I expect it too, it will be called "Macro".
And that's all I'm letting on for now!


Some fabric purchased from Hawthorne Threads.


And a little more, I desperately wanted to get some of that gorgeous Meadowsweet by Sandi Henderson before it all disappeared! I really really adore the plaid, and it doesn't seem to be included in Meadowsweet2.
I'm trying to round out my stash a little more, all the colours of the rainbow!


More?? Yep but this pile of Nicey Jane fat quarters isn't for me...... Nope as part of Charlotte and Imogene's Christmas present they will each get some fabric and a promise of some mummy time, to begin to learn how to quilt, I will let them design it themselves, Ill teach them how to cut the fabric, and then sew it together, Ill help them baste it and the machine quilt all the layers, I'm hoping this will be a good long process for them, extend the present a bit. So anyway, This year Mark and I decided that enough was enough, They all have way too many toys, most of them don't get played with and there is a huge mess in the toy room. So this Christmas we are taking more time to THINK about what we are giving them. Here is the list so far:
Charlotte and Imogene each get some of the fabric above, while Laura and Miss Jocie will get a set of fabric bean bags each, you know the little 5" square things? They will all get a "tent" to share, (Just a big square of canvas stung up between the fence and washing line, to play under around in summer)


They will each get, a pair of ribbon rings, basically a wooden curtain ring with varying colour and length ribbons attached, I already picked up a pack of 20 for $2 at the op-shop they just need a quick clean and then ribbon attached, perfect for dancing, dress ups, and performances!
They will each get a couple of books, whether new or second hand I'm not sure yet, The girls don't seem to be bothered about getting second hand books to read, and that way we can afford more (no such thing as too many books in our house!)
The outfit each as described in a previous post. Maybe a felt crown each, or maybe something else along those lines. A brand new pair of summer Pj's they will get these on Christmas eve. And then there will be a present from Santa, We don't do big Santa presents, but always something fun! This year he is bringing a box of 11 different percussion instruments, as well as a some treat foods and most importantly a packet of paracetamol for mummy and daddy!! And yep that is it. No plastic crap this year, they will still get those sorts of things, just not from us!



Do you ever just need to make something really quickly? I do, and most of my quilt projects are long ones, However while we were in Bendigo I stopped into Honeysuckle cottage and picked up a "Puti de Pomme" quilt kit, it is utterly lovely and took only about 45 minutes to put the whole top together!


Another 45 minutes later and I had the back together, Yep a whole quilt top and back in one single 20 month old nap time!! And another little while that night I had it basted and ready for quilting!


This is my new night time sitting on the lounge project! I'm doing this whole thing by hand and it is painful, I'm using Perle cotton and a big needle, but the linen fabric is really hard to get through especially 2 layers!! Its about 42"x45" and hopefully I will have it completed for Miss Jocie's 2nd birthday in December, along with a dress and a dolly cradle, (yep we are making that ourselves too!) and some linen for the cradle!


Almost at the end now!, I thought I'd show you all where my best photos are taken, well see that one box in the wall unit that isn't stuffed to the hilt with junk? yep there! It sort of works like a light box, the clear space next to it is where Miss Jocie is often found. (and quickly removed from!)
One last thing.....


Introducing Archie, he is a 4yr old Maltese x shi-tzu, that we are looking at adopting, we are a day into the trial period, and very much in love with this very clever little guy, Ill tell you more next time, you must be exhausted from reading all this, lol!!