Sunday 31 May 2009

Wonky House 4 and May

With the power off for a little while this morning, there was nothing to do but finish this off ... my Wonky House #4.
They've been so much fun to do and we have Jenny to thank for her creativity and sharing the designs. I've now trimmed the four and have chosen a different fabric to border each house. Then I'll think about the next step.
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Yesterday I was very pleased with myself. I managed to sew all the May strips together for my Calendar Quilt and ... still have one day of May to spare. Neither April or May's fabrics came from my stash ... to find out more you might like to click on the logo on my sidebar.

I also have a plan for the fabric for June, but you'll have to wait till the end of June for those.

Happy Sewing

Saturday 30 May 2009

Perfect PIF

Now it's time for some show and tell fun.
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Wednesday's mail also brought me a parcel notification slip. Now I knew that Robyn had posted her PIF gift to me so I just had to get my hands on that parcel, quick smart.

I had heaps of fun just opening and photographing so hope you enjoy the retell.
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Pretty rose paper and pink ribbon.



Ok, now some red cellophane and pretty butterfly stickers.


Ooooh, there's more.


Ready?
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Ta Da!!!


The most beautiful rose fabric bag, impeccably made. A pocket on the outside and two pockets inside. I've already tried out my mobile phone and glasses... perfect fit.
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Here's a close up of the gorgeous fabric with a loop/button closure at the top.

I can't thank Robyn enough for the joy she has given me. And to top it off, not only this fine rose mug for me to enjoy my coffee, but a few little extras were wrapped and hidden inside the bag.
Robyn, that little red tin will be perfect for my hexagon papers, it's almost empty.
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Now it's my turn to Pay It Forward ... so to Vivian, Sarita and Kelly-Jo . . . I'm working on it.
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If you've been tempted to join someone's PIF and haven't yet, I highly recommend it. Not only is it wonderful to receive your gift, but it's a lovely feeling to make someone else happy too.
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Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Houses Home!

Look what the mailman brought me on Wednesday... my Happy Houses Swap organized by the lovely Lurline, thankyou.
They're all so sweet and have been made by Lynda, Chookyblue, Julie, Mistea, Cathy, Peg
and Toni (your address isn't working for me). I was also happy to see two of mine do a return trip...it was hard to let them go the first time.
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If the purple house is yours, I'd love to know.


So now for a play with them and some ideas for joining. Looking forward to see what others do with their houses.
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Getting up early is hard to do, but it does have it's benefits. Like this beautiful sunrise I snapped yesterday morning.


Again about half an hour later. The sun was up before me this morning ... well it is the weekend.

I also had another lovely surprise arrive in the mail this week, come back later for show and tell.

Tuesday 26 May 2009

Sunday Sewing Update #3 (the last)

Finally I was able to upload the updated version of the Christmas Postcard I made on Sunday. If you check back, you'll see I added some fabric paint to the star, heart and pot.

I also managed to make a start on Wonky House #4, it's soooo sweet. Days like Sunday don't come along too often so I like to make the most of them.
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Kerry's had a face lift to go with her celebrations, so go over and check it out ... time is running out.
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Winter is just around the corner, I can feel it sneaking in around my toes.

Sunday 24 May 2009

Sunday Sewing Update #2

Back with a hiccup. DH arrived home early so that slowed my progress down a little.
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These are the strips for the month of April. I know ... May is almost over ... but I have those strips cut and layed out ready for sewing, just ran out of time. It may be simple straight sewing, but I need to go slowly so that my 1/4 inch seams remain 1/4 inch.

The hiccup is ... I'm having trouble uploading the revised Christmas Postcard so I'll try again later.
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Needless to say, I've had a lovely day, inside away from the horrible wind. Hope everyone else had an enjoyable weekend, however you spent it.

Sunday Sewing Update #1

This morning I've been busy ironing, measuring, cutting, laying out and designing.
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Then it was lunch time. And a spot of TV, I like to watch 'Landline' if I'm in the house. Now on to the sewing machine. So far I've finished off these three fabric postcards.
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Red Work or Stitchery is the theme for our May Postcard Swap so I combined the two. This design is a Cinderberry Stitches by Natalie Lymer.


Secondly a Birthday Postcard for DD's housemate.


This one is for a Christmas in July Swap. While the photos have been loading (slowly) I've added some fabric paint so will update again later.

The sewing machine is calling.

Me Time

It's 6.30am ... breakfast is over and the dishes are done ... lunches are cut and the family have gone working for the day ... what's a girl to do.
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Jump on the computer of course.
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I had the loveliest day out yesterday. Only your best buddy would pick you up off the side of the road just as the sun was rising, to have you visit for the day. What was I doing on the side of the road? DH dropped me off on his way past and Kerry drove out to pick me up and the sun was just rising over the mountain.
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We had a great day... out for morning tea and lunch ... viewed many quilts and patchwork items ... and then home for some stitchery and fabric cutting. Thanks Kerry, I really enjoyed the day.
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So now I have the whole day ahead of me and I intend to make the most of it ... patchworking. I have several items on my agenda, some with deadlines and some ongoing, so I'm off.
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Coffee first, lol. Maybe another post later today with progress photos, who knows.

Tuesday 19 May 2009

Wonky House 3

I'm slowly building my homes ... wonky homes that is.


Here's number 3 complete, one to go. Have you seen what other clever girls have done with their houses? Visit Elefantz for the links and check them out.
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While you're skipping around blogland, pop over to Kerry's place and read all about her giveaway to celebrate her first year and 50 posts.
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Happy Stitching

Sunday 17 May 2009

Surprise! Surprise!

Saturday was full of surprises. The first being that I finished the T-block quilt. I've named it 'Double Choc' as it reminds me of a block of white chocolate with milk chocolate swirls.



Of course put a quilt down and a cat will always appear .
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Next is a close-up of the two cream fabrics used.


This log cabin quilt I finished in early March is 'Toffee Bon Bon'.

Both quilts were gifted last night at my brothers surprise "Big O" birthday party, and a big surprise it was too. He had no idea. 'Toffee Bon Bon' is his and 'Double Choc' is for my SIL who also celebrated her "Big O" with a surprise party earlier in the year. So I was able to deliver his and hers gifts.
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These pelicans winged their way to me for our April 'At the beach' Postcard Swap. So clever and well done. I'm loving them.

In keeping with surprises, my May postcard has also arrived. The theme for May is 'Stitchery' or 'Red Work'. Isn't it the cutest little quilt draped over a post and rail fence.



I'm tracing some designs today ready for lots of stitching at night. And next quilt off the starting blocks will be another log cabin, this time for our bed. Off to find the fabrics, I think I still need to purchase one more so need to sort that out.
Happy Stitching

Sunday 10 May 2009

Wonky House 2

Ta-da! May I present . . . Wonky House number 2.


Number 4 came out yesterday so if you haven't seen it yet, click straight over to Jenny @ Elefantz and check it out . . . it's soooo sweet.
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Jenny's giveaway is also drawn tomorrow.
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HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY.
I hope all the Mothers are spending today as they please.

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Wonky House 1 and Giveaway

The lovely Jenny over at Elefantz is giving away her home. That is, she's giving away this sweet Wonky House wall hanging to one lucky stitcher. Just click on the wall hanging to read all about it.


One stipulation is that you post a pic of at least one of your own completed Wonky Houses so . . .
here's mine. I used a yellow for the border but it's not showing up very well.



They are all so cute and fun to stitch. Can't wait for No. 4 which comes out on Saturday the 9th.

Happy Stitching

Sunday 3 May 2009

Giveaway Time

Have you heard about Sarah's SEWN Blog Party Giveaway yet? Head on over to Robyn's place at Daisy Quilts, she has all the links to get you there. Just click on her May giveaway tag.

It's a very rosey giveaway and all my fingers and toes are crossed.

Saturday 2 May 2009

Friday Finishes (on Saturday)

I had to borrow a camera and swap my SD card over in order to be able to upload photos to my computer. There's a breakdown in communication between my camera and computer.
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So that's why I'm posting Friday finishes on Saturday.
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Ooops! Round the wrong way, oh well. Here's block 3 of Esther's 'Red Delicious' BOM awaiting hand stitching.


And this is block 2 all finished, trimmed and tucked away for safe keeping.

I'm enjoying the hand stitching at night in front of the tv. It helps to leave the day behind and relax before heading to bed.
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With April now behind us, I have another Fabric Postcard to share. This time I made two and sent the first one to my DD.


The second I posted off to my swap partner for April. A reminder of the nice warm days as we head into Winter next month.


Today I'm hoping to prepare some pieces for some hand embroidery as well as continue working on the T-block quilt.There's also another little (long term) project in the wind, but I'll share that next time perhaps.
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Hope you're having a sewing weekend.