Monkey's Quilts

Flowers

2012-01-09T18:34:00.001+11:00

So far this BOM was started on July 2010, Block 2 finished in Jan 2011 and now Block 3 was finished 29 Dec 2011.

I am sure I will finish it.... one day :)

A Photo a Day

2012-01-07T21:56:00.001+11:00

You may have seen on blogs, twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram people posting photos along with words like, ME, Mailbox or today’s favourite and the hashtag #JANphotoaday. Well they have all been taking part in this challenge set by Fatmumslim

I have been posting my photos to my twitter account @m2monkeyb (almost dailiy) and will try and share with you here weekly

Day 1 – Me

Day 2 - Breakfast

Day 3 – Something you adore

Day 4 – Mailbox

Day 5 – Something you wore

Day 6 – Makes me smile

Day 7 – Favourite (treat of above 4 yr old)

12 WIPs in 12 Months

2012-01-03T11:54:00.001+11:00

As I mentioned in my last post (am I really posting two days in a row, shock horror ) I intend to make some more time to sew for me alongside my Two Little Monkeys sewing.

Luckily AJ came up with a challenge that will encourage me to not only sew more but get some of my huge WIP list finished. Now more info about the challenge can be found here and here but the gist of it is

Entry fee of 1 FQ to be sent to AJ to compete for the grand prize at the end of the 12 months
For each month that you finish a WIP you get an entry to the grand prize draw (plus an extra entry for blogging about it)
6 of the projects have to be true WIP 'already started' which shouldn’t be a problem as my current list shows 17 and I know there is at least two more to add to it. The other 6 can be not started but you must be previous planned and either material or pattern owned (or drawn up for pattern) While I have at least 9 in that category as well.

My only problem is that most of my WIP still need a lot of work on them so apart from the 6 that are am going to list here I will choose the others that I will do during the year.

Monkeys & Lions Quilt - This just needs the binding sewn down

Arabella – This was my MIL’s Christmas present for 2010 (oops) just need to send it off to be quilted and then bound

Bastian’s Plane Quilt – I need to remove all the stabiliser from behind the appliqued planes and then once I getting the backing fabric also needs to be sent out to be quilted and then bound. I don’t have a photo of this one but it is this quilt

Charm Square quilt along – Also don’t have a photo of this but I have the quilt top almost finished just need to add the borders, not sure if I have the backing or not for this one. Once again needs to be sent out to be quilted and then bound. This is a photo of the first block I finished.

Pram Quilt – this was meant to be for Lachie but I never got around to finish it. It is going to be backed in two layers of mint green microfleece, I might add some pink flowers or shapes to it before sandwiching it and give it to my cousin for her little girl that is due in Feb.

Snowballs - This is an advent calendar that I started Nov 2010, did some more Nov 2011 at a quilt retreat and would really like to have it finished for Christmas 2012

My last one is an unstarted one, I bought myself a Odyssea by Momo jelly roll either Christmas 2010 or 2009 waiting for the perfect project and found it while at the quilt retreat in Nov last year. Then at my last market for 2011 I found the pattern I was after at Bella’s Patchwork stall. I decided that I really want to start a new project at the first MMQG SASD in two weeks time so this will be it.

Just need to find some material for the borders and get some white Emma Louise for the background

So I think given that I finished no quilts last year that if I get all of those done I will be doing well.

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

2012-01-02T20:56:00.001+11:00

Well what a year. I have to admit I am glad that one is over, good things outnumbered the bad in numbers but there was one really bad thing that overshadowed them all. I haven’t got around to blogging about this yet as I wasn’t sure it was something I wanted to share but I think I need to try and move on as I know that she would hate for me to dwell.

In July last year, exactly one month after she celebrated her 98th birthday my amazing Grandmother passed away, at the time I actually coped with it a lot better then I thought I would, which I think was due to the time I spent visiting her in hospital prior to her death. She had a fall at home a couple of weeks earlier and broke her hip, had an operation to put in pins and was going well, in fact the physio was talking about rehab and then I suppose the best way to put it was that her body just gave up. She had lived an amazing life surrounded by her family, 5 sons, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and I was lucky enough to spend a lot of my childhood with her and most of my memories involve family occasions with her.

Anyway as I said at the time I coped quite well but in the lead up to Christmas I started to miss her and while I did not realise it at the time, I know now that I threw myself into too many projects, markets etc to try and keep my mind busy. That is the main reason why I failed so badly at the advent blog-a-long I just didn’t have time to sit at the computer and blog and my IPhone app (Blogpress) didn’t seem to be working so I couldn’t blog via my phone as I had originally planned.

Moving on I have had a lovely week since Christmas with Andrew and my boys and I have been able sleep late, recharge my batteries, sew and reconnect with some online friends, Car, Rachel, Kayscha to name a few and am quite excited to have made plans to catch up with them in Nov this year.

Other plans for this year

1. More sewing for me (I will post more about this tomorrow)

2. Expand Two Little Monkeys, after the success of our Santa sacks i am hoping to find some new product ranges that are as successful, and have already booked into a market at the end of January and Mid March, here are my two newest items, personalised cushions and toy sacks/play mats

3.Get more organised, this is a must as this was a plan for last year and I can safely say I failed big time. I have realised that I don’t want to give up anything but at the same time I am struggling to fit it all in. which isn’t to say that I am doing to much but more that I have terrible time management skills.

4. Connect more with others, notice I didn’t say blog more, while I do plan to try and blog at least once a month I am not holding myself to it, instead I will try to comment on others posts more, post of Facebook and Twitter more and be a good on-line friend

Before I go I will leave you with two photos, the first is my gorgeous boys in there Christmas pj’s that I whipped up for them Christmas Eve

And a photo of them in there Santa Sack’s we took the same photo last year and I think it might be turn it into a nice yearly tradition.

Advent Blog-a-long–Day 4

2011-12-04T22:32:00.001+11:00

Well today was in one word tiring, up early to do some work, had to pop out to a colleague’s house to pick up some work things and made a pit stop at a local market, scouting for potential markets for Two Little Monkeys to attend.

Then home to collect the boys and do some Christmas shopping. I realised that this weekend was the last free weekend we all had together before Christmas (excluding Christmas Eve) so if we wanted to do any shopping as a family this was the day.

Well i should of known it was going to be a long day when this was the boys after the first stop

But at least it was a productive day, well productive in we got our present to ourselves

We are now the new owners of

I have being wanting a small handheld video camera for a while but as Andrew has access to big film quality HD cameras at work we always put it off, but with Bastian’s kinder concert coming up next week I decided it would look a bit silly turning up with a movie camera and just wanted something small. I have tried to use the IPhone but it is not that good for video as there is no zoom.

I also made a stop off at Dusk, every year I buy myself a new Christmas candle decoration which I light Christmas Eve, these year due to Lachie the destroyer I was not sure if I should, so what did I do, buy three I have decided that I might no bring them out until Christmas Eve after the boys have gone to bed and that way they will stay safe.

The third one is a spinning top, when you light a tea light under it it spins. I did take a video of it but don’t know how to upload videos to the blog so the blury photo will have to do.

My last three photos for tonight before I call it a night areTonights book

Yesterday’s Lego item was a Mechno-Chair

Today’s Lego item is a Homing spider droid

Advent Blog-a-long–Day 3

2011-12-04T00:41:00.001+11:00

Just sneaking in, well actually it past midnight but I am still up so that counts doesn’t it.

Today I went to my local quilt shops Christmas party, I was a bit unsure about going as I have not had any classes there since Lachie was born and rarely buy anything from there anymore but it always nice to go and see all the ladies. Two quilts that you can do in there classes next year caught my eye, one is Michele Yeo’s Giant Dahlia, the other is a from a book called “A path to a Civil War” I think this would look amazing with bright modern fabrics on a white background, kind of like how people have been doing the modern versions of Farmer Wife quilts. I would love to do one of them but as I am still only half way through my Dear Jane quilt, I don’t think I should start any major project like Farmers Wife. The one a saw today would be a lot more achievable as the blocks are 12” for the main part and 9” for the two board rows.

Well that is all from me tonight definitely time to go to bed but before I go today’s book was

We only read about 1/3 of this book as it is quite a long story, but it was amazing to see Bastian taking it in compared to last year when we first got it (It was the theme of the Myer Windows last year)

You will have to wait for a photo of today’s Lego item as it is in Bastian’s room and I forgot to take a photo of it before he went to bed

Advent Blog-a-long - Day 2

2011-12-03T12:15:00.001+11:00

Yes I know that this is actually day 3 but I ran out of time yesterday to blog so I will do two today, will you forgive me wont you

We didn’t do anything Christmassy today except for having to decide what plate to bring to the Kinder Christmas concert and last day party. When you have a little boy as fussy as Bastian it makes it hard to bring something he likes, especially when his two favourite party foods had already been taken (cocktail frankfurts and fairy bread) so I decided on his next favourite, pikelets.

I have decided that as well as sharing with you which books are opened each day I will also share what was in the Lego Star Wars Advent calendar each day (just in case any of you are interested )

Day One - Republic Cruisers

Day Two – Nute Gunray

And to give you an idea of the size of the pieces, Nute Gunray is the size of a standard Lego person and here they are together (sorry for the blurry image, IPhone pic)

I spent the evening tracing out letters for our Santa Sacks that we have been selling through Facebook, MadeIt, Etsy & Hand-made. Both the Etsy and Hand-made store are closed at the moment as we are not taking any more Santa sack order for 2011 Christmas. They have been selling extremely well with 54 made to date and 21 to make over the next two weeks.

As we were out so late, Bastian & Daddy went to see Puss in Boots at the drive-in and Lachie was with me at my parents while I traced out letters, we didn’t to open and read our Advent book yesterday so first thing this morning while having breakfast we opened and read

Now to go and enjoy day 3 of the Christmas season and I promise to come back and blog about it later

Advent Blog-a-long

2011-12-02T00:11:00.001+11:00

The lovely Car is once again hosting the blogging Christmas Countdown. I have an extra busy December this year with activities planned for the boys, kinder outings & concerts and 5 craft markets between now and Christmas.

I am hoping that means that I will have lots to blog about.

Today we started our Christmas festivities with some early presents from Santa

Wrapt books ready for an Advent book calendar

A couple of commercial bought advent calendars, Thomas (with chocolate) for my sweet tooth Lachie and the Cars Activity Advent for Bastian. The Star Wars advent is to share between Bastian & Daddy :)

I have it on good authority that Santa is going to leave the occasional note to the boys on days when we have special Christmas activities or outings planned.

Finally I will leave you with images of the books that were unwrapped and read tonight

Blogtoberfest - Day 18

2011-10-18T23:06:00.001+11:00

Umm well I suppose I should put this blogtoberfest down as a big fail.

I found this site that lists all the blogtoberfest blogs on order of last post and I actually wasn't last surprisingly.

I will promise to try really hard to find time to do a proper blog post tomorrow one with photos and everything.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Blogtoberfest–Day 9

2011-10-09T22:17:00.001+11:00

Opp 9 days in and I have dropped the ball twice, I will try and make it up this week.

I got the bunting sign finished late late Friday night, but sort of miscalculated how big it is (this thing is huge) but was able to use it on our stall on Saturday.

The market was okay, it has just started a couple of months ago but hopefully over the next couple it can improve.

I have decided to apply to some larger markets over the next couple of months before Christmas so fingers crossed some miracle happens and I actually get in.

Oh and with the all the changes happening on Facebook, I have decided to list some of our items on MadeIt as well, which actually leads me to a questions, Does any one have any experience selling on MadeIt vrs Etsy and which do they find better (not costs but exposure)

Blogtoberfest -Day 6 - My Creative Space

2011-10-06T23:45:00.001+11:00

A bunting sign for our stall at a local market this Saturday if you are in the Frankston area come down and say Hi.

See more creative spaces over here

Blogtoberfest - Day 5 Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-05T23:22:00.001+11:00

More Wordless Wednesday here

Blogtoberfest–Day 4

2011-10-05T00:35:00.001+11:00

Opps looking at the clock it is actually Day 5 here but I am sure in most of Australia it is still Day 4
One more family catch up post, two weeks ago this little boy

Bastian aged 10mths

Turned 4

We had a lovely day at a miniature steam railway (Campbellfield) with the family some friends and one special friend from Kinder (I am not sure if Bastian was more excited of his actual birthday or Riley coming to his party.

Here is the cake I made, it was fun but in future I will not make a cake like this when we have almost an hour in the car to get to the venue, luckily it made it but there was a few times that we were not sure if it would.
Now tomorrow I promise that I will have some sewing photos of some sort

Blogtoberfest–Day 3

2011-10-03T19:37:00.001+11:00

Another catch up post today, this one is only 5 mths 18 days over due. What happened then well this little baby turned one

For his birthday I was stuck as to what to get him, I have found that when you have two children of the same sex and you tend to spoil the first born, it makes it a bit hard to decided on what to get the second child for Christmas and Birthday gifts. When I was at SIT I was talking to Clair from Craft Schmaft I told her that I loved her Woof woof kits and it was a shame that they didn’t come in boy colors, she told me that she could make me up a brown kit and so I found the perfect gift, and best of all it was hand made by Mummy.

This was the cake I made it was actually a lot harder to do then I thought icing all the individual cakes, but it was fun to make

Seeing it has been so long since his birthday I thought I would leave you with some more recent pictures of my baby boy, and I actually just realised that I did not take any photos at his actual birthday will have to ask the family if they took any.

July 2011 – Aged 15mths

My little Easter Bunny – Camping at the Murray

At Bastian’s 4th Birthday – aged 17mths

Blogtoberfest– Day 2

2011-10-02T14:20:00.001+11:00

Well this post is about 6 mths late but better late then never

Back in March I was lucky enough to go to fly up to Sydney for the day to go to Sew It Together, I have originally planned to fly up for the weekend, but at that stage Lachie was still being breastfeed and with was having no luck weaning, so all I was able to manage was a day pass. I got up to leave at 4am and got home around 11pm so as you would imagine it was a long day, but a fantastic one at that.

i flew up with Esther & Alissa, and was excited to meet some on online crafty friends, Kayscha, Jen, Nicole, Karen, Helen.

Everyone who attended got a goodie bag with all of these things included, lots of marvellous patterns, fat quarters, scrap bags of Fabric from Hawthorne Threads

We also all got to chose something as a door prize.

I won a owl kit from Plushka’s Makery which I recently made up as a first birthday gift (and of course forgot to take a photo before I gifted it) and a key fob kit from Earthgirl Fabrics.

I also took part in the Namebadge swap before the event, I made this badge for Juddie

and this is the amazing badge I received from Clair of Craft Schmaft

Finally there were a few stalls there on the day and of course I made a few purchases. One from Craft Schmaft (the blue bag) that you will see the finished item in tomorrow’s post, the other were a wedge ruler from Material Obsession and a Ooshka Boy kit and extra face to make superheros for my boys from the Red Thread

Now I have next years SIT to look forward to which I believe is going to be held in lovely Canberra

Blogtoberfest - Day 1

2011-10-01T19:11:00.003+10:00

I wasn’t going do it, I told myself I do not have the time, but as I read more and more post today I see a recurrent theme – people saying the wish they would blog more and maybe this will get them back into it. So here we go.

Go where, well for those of you who don’t know (and it most likely isn’t many) Tinniegirl is once again hosting Blogtoberfest, which is where you challenge yourself to post every day for the month of October, last year I tried and managed to do 17 posts, so I while I am hoping to blog all 31 days I will be happy to at least get to 18 posts.

I have loaded the blogger app to my phone in the hope that it will give me the chance to do a post at any time of the day.

As for what to post about that is easy as I have only managed 11 post this year, and 7 over those were in January I have lost to tell, My trip to Sydney for the day for SIT (yes I know I was meant to post about that months ago, told you have I have been slack) Lachie’s 1st Birthday, Bastian 4th Birthday, bee blocks I have made for Oh-Beehave (MMQG bee) and much more.

But for now I am going to leave you with one image especially for my good friend Car
See you tomorrow

Facebook 200 fan giveaway winner

2011-07-10T21:16:00.002+10:00

Thankyou for you entries and the winner is
True Random Number Generator Min:1 Max: 7 Result: 2
Congratulations Car

Car said..

yay you are back! Missed chatting to you lately :) Well done on 200 :)

I will be in touch soon with the details of your voucher.

Facebook 200 fan giveaway

2011-07-03T11:13:00.003+10:00

To celebrate reaching 200 fans (likers) over at our Facebook page we are having a giveaway of a $15 voucher.

To enter just leave a comment by 9pm Sunday 10th July 2011. Only one comment per person please. Please leave a contact name & email address if you don't have a google account/blog.
Terms & Conditions of the voucher: Must be used in full in the one purchase. Any extra costs over the $15 mark are the responsibility of the voucher holder. Voucher expires 31st August 2011.

This giveaway is now closed and a winner has been drawn

Lets play catch up – Part 1

2011-05-06T22:34:00.001+10:00

Oh well it is safe to say that I have definitely blown my plan to blog at least once a week, let see we are at week 18 and I have done 8 blog post this year. I can safely say that you have not been missing out of much, I do however plan to catch you all up on what I have done since I blogged last.

I recently partook in a pincushion swap with the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild and was lucky enough to receive this amazing pincushion from Alice. Alice does not own a sewing machine and does all her sewing by hand.

I made a pincushion for Rachel and in the rush to get my pin cushion finished I forgot to take a photo, however you can see a picture of it here

The main lot of sewing I have been doing is the block for MMQG Oh Beehave quilt bee, these are a few that I have done recently

For Marg

Two star blocks for Rachel

I have also made some for Alissa, Anna & Gina but I don’t seem to have taken photos of those ones before sending them off.

My Creative Space

2011-02-24T10:52:00.002+11:00

Opps it has been over a month since I last blogged, and here I was planning at least a post a week this year, oh well.
Why I have not been posting, no major reason, I just have not had time
In fact I have had so little time to sew that it was around 4:30 the afternoon before Bastian started his first session of Kinder that I realised that I had yet to start his Backpack, I had bought the material and this pattern ages ago but had put it aside to “do when I had a chance” over the Christmas holidays. Well the holidays were over and while he did have other backpacks he could use I was determined that he would use the one I had planned. Well 9 hrs later (yes that is correct I was up to 2am) in between feeding Lachie, having to settle him back to sleep on multiple occasions and of course eating, it was all finished. Bastian loves it which made it all worth the lack of sleep, although my darling husband almost got a kick in the shins when he asked me in I had just recovered an existing backpack.

You may have noticed a Facebook page link over on the right hand side, that is one of the reason for my lack of time, my Mum and I had set up a little business selling a variety of handmade items. So far we have had a stall one two occasions at Mornington Wednesday Main Street market and hope to get a regular spot there closer to Christmas.
As for other quilting news I have finished Bastian Plane Quilt, but will blog that in a separate post later.
I have also decided on my material that I am going to use for the SIT name bag swap

I had a lot of trouble choosing these as I don’t have a lot of orange in my stash and nothing that is bright and cheerful like all the other badges I have seen around. I was just about to give up and make a trip to buy some more fabric when I found this one which I think will work well with what I have planned. That is my project for this weekend, what’s yours?
More Creative Spaces here

Auction Update

2011-01-23T00:40:00.002+11:00

There is only two more days to place a bid on my auction to raise money for the Premier’s Disaster Flood Relief Fund and of course there is many, many more auctions and raffles here on the Master List, a couple of my favourites would have to be this quilt kit, this selection of patterns and fabric,and the same here, this gorgeous cardigan, child's teepee and of course the one that has left everyone gobsmacked

I was finally able to get my 3yr old son to model the apron for me so I know have a much nicer photo showing you the size of the apron, please note that he is a tall three year old.

An update about the finishing time. As a lot of us were finishing our auctions at midnight, Toni has recommended that we finish them a little earlier to make it easier for people to put in last minute bids so my auctions will now finish at 9pm on Monday the 24th of January 2010.

A note about PAYMENT...please make your payment into the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund. It is important that you provide me with proof of payment before I post out the apron to you.

If payment is made by Credit Card, a receipt will be emailed to you. This email should then be forwarded to me so that I can verify payment amount.

If payment is made by internet bank deposit transfer, you can save a pdf file at the time of making the transfer.

In the worst case scenario (i.e. receipt email has been deleted or pdf of bank deposit has not been made) you can take a snapshot of your bank statement on your computer screen and crop the appropriate area so that it displays only the donation information. That way, I can still seeing your proof of payment, but not viewing your whole bank statement.

I have closed comments on this post, please post any auction bids on the actual auction post over here

Queensland Flood Appeal Auction

2011-01-16T18:32:00.005+11:00

To help raise money for the flood effected Queenslanders, I am running an auction here on my blog. I hope that this little contribution can help rebuild the lives and homes for some of those who have lost so much.
My mother and I have recently started making items that my cousin sells via her Facebook page, so we have decided to auction off this child's apron. So put in a bid, all money goes direct to the Premier's Flood relief appeal

Please bid and/or share this link on your blog, via Facebook or Twitter and hopefully we can raise some much needed money for the Queensland Flood Appeal.
How this auction works:
1. Bidding will start at $10 (Australian).
2. You can place a bid by leaving a comment on this blog post with your bid amount and email address. Please make sure that your bid is higher than the previous bidder.
3. Your bid must be in whole dollar increments.
4. This auction is open to everyone, however overseas residents will be charged actual shipping costs, however postage is free for Australian residents
5. The auction begins NOW and will END at 9pm EDST on Monday 24th January 2011.
6. At the close of the auction, I will contact the winner (please make sure your bid comment includes your email address). The winner will pay the winning amount directly into the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and send me proof of payment via email. Once proof of payment has been received, I will post your package to you.
Auction rules borrowed straight from Toni's blog :)

And once you have bid here why don't you go and check out all the other auction on the Master List on Toni's Blog

ETA - I have changed the previously posted photo as I was finally able to get my 3yr old son to model the apron

Queensland Flood Relief Auction

2011-01-12T16:12:00.000+11:00

Toni from Make It Perfect is putting together a master list of people who are auctioning off items either via there blog or facebook to support the QLD Flood appeal. While I am sitting in watching the devastation unfold I thought the least I could do was offer an item for auction.

My mother and I have recently started making items that my cousin sells via her facebook page, we have decided to auction of one of the children's aprons so come back on Monday and put in a bid, all money go direct to the Premier's Flood relief appeal

No reply blogger

2011-01-04T23:44:00.001+11:00

I keep on meaning to post about this since I first read about it myself a couple of months ago.

Since changing my settings to have comments left on my blog emailed to me I have noticed that a lot of the comments came through as no-reply

Read this post here for a better explanation as to what it us and more importantly how to fix it.

I have to admit that when I first read about I assumed that I had mine set correctly but on fact I too was a no-reply blogger.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

2011

2011-01-04T11:50:00.001+11:00

Now I don't do resolutions more like very broad extremely loose plans. So with that my plans for 2011 are

- to not buy any new fabric unless it is for a current project or planned project (the exemption to this is SIT in March)

- to manage my time a lot better to enable me to be a much better Mummy / Wife / Person

- to manage our money better by thinking about what we are spending and doing proper menu plans and therefore shopping lists

- to be a better Blogger and I can say that I have already found a way to do that. I noticed on this blog she had a signature saying posted via Blogpress. I have been after a working IPhone app to do blogposts for a while and have finally found one so I can now blog anywhere :)

Now for quilting plans

- Anna's block for Oh Beehave (by this Saturday)
- MIL's quilt (ASAP belated Christmas present)
- backpack for Bastian (who starts 3rd old Kinder 11th Feb)
- bunting for Bastian's room
- the other blocks for Oh Beehave as required
- the odd DJ block here and there

Finish the following
- Monkey & Lion's cuddle quilt
- Bastian's plane quilt
- Charm Pack quilt along quilt

In order to try and increase my creative output I think a trip to Ikea might be in order currently my sewing storage is made up of a shelf in the linen closet

Some tubs in the corner of our bedroom

And one very messy sewing area

Hopefully I will have an after photo for you sometime this week

Holiday Sewing

2011-01-01T19:05:00.002+11:00

One of the things I love about this time of year, apart from Christmas and spending time with my beloved family is I have a break from work and can get some guilt free sewing done
One of the many projects that I started during the year was the Homespun “Life is a Celebration” Mystery block of the month, if I had kept up I should have the whole quilt finished, however I have just finished my second block.

I have also made a good start of the third block so hopefully I will be able to show you that one completed shortly

Christmas 2010

2011-01-01T18:41:00.001+11:00

A very late Christmas wrap up post, as you may have seen I got a big fat “F” for my advent blog-along this year and my only excuse is life got in the way. We however managed to put it all behind us come Christmas Eve and had a wonderful couple of days with my immediate and extended family.

Here are a couple of pictures of the boys in there Santa sacks all ready for bed (please excuse the big smudge on the picture I only just noticed that the lens had a finger print on it)

and also of the Santa Mug Rug that my Mum managed to make for the boys (even with all the crazy stuff going on, I really do love my Mum)

The pocket can be used to either put your Santa letter in or for Santa Cookies (we chose the Cookies)

I also finally got my Stocking finished and posted off, to which I am extremely sorry for the lateness but I hope my swapee likes it and will get plenty of use in the future. I know just have to hope that my one turns up from wherever Australia Post decided to send it (does anyone know what happens to lost mail )

The buttons I sent where handmade by Dad, clever isn’t he.

Advent Blog-along–Day 11

2010-12-11T16:46:00.001+11:00

Today however I do have a wonderful present to share with you all.

I was lucky enough to receive a Secret Santa gift from Ruth for the EB Newbies Secret Santa

Inside all those packages were these items

Some candles, coasters, material (three from Love Birds and one from All Star, I think) a pot holder made into a cone which held some hand cream and chocolates, a some soap (home made?), a babushka key ring and a notepad. Very spoilt wasn’t I

I actually sent to Ruth as well as received from her, however in my rush to get the present in the post, I forgot to take a photo, therefore I will have to wait until she opens and blogs for you to see what I sent her

Advent Blog-along–Day 10

2010-12-11T16:44:00.001+11:00

Tonight we went along to the Casey Demons Christmas Party (Casey Demons is a supporters group for the Melbourne Football Club)

And following on from my last post about Bastian gaining more confidence, I was pleasantly surprised when he not only asked to go on the bouncy slide, but actually climbed all the way up and slide down all by himself.

Advent Blog-along Day 9

2010-12-11T16:35:00.001+11:00

I have decided to just blog when I can this festive season, to many other things going on in the background that I don’t want to bore you all with here. So some of these post may be a bit delayed (like today I have three posts for you)

In many ways my darling Bastian is a normal rough and tumble boy but then he also has an overall cautious side that prevents him from sliding down slides by himself or climbing to high. So you can imagine my delight when he worked out the other day that our driveway makes a perfect slope for his little push along bike.

At first I felt I was a bit overprotective worried that he might come off and scrap his legs/feet or even worse go on to the road, but do the fact that we are very slack and our driveway does still not line up with our crossover (we have only been in this house for 9 years) he worked out the perfect way to stop himself.

(does anyone know how to add video to blog posts without uploading it to YouTube)

Advent Blog-along–Day 8

2010-12-08T08:07:00.002+11:00

I know, I know only 8 days in and I have already missed a couple of days
I have to admit I have been having a bit of trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year, only reason I can think of is that life it so hectic I find it hard to stop and smell the roses (or maybe it should be Christmas tree ) at the moment. However last night thanks once again to my wonderful parents I was able to finally decorate our tree and the place looks a lot more festive

I also went out shopping yesterday and was very happy that I was able to find and purchase on this, which seem to be quite popular at the moment

Lastly while out shopping my Mum reminded me of one other tradition I have and that is to purchase from Dusk a Christmas candle ornament each year. The last couple of years I have been a bit wary of purchasing anything to breakable, so have stuck to the novelty candles, which get lit on Christmas Eve while watching the Carols. Here is this years purchase, cute isn’t he.

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 5

2010-12-05T22:46:00.001+11:00

Sorry for the lack of post yesterday but we didn’t get home from the city until 6pm (and that was after leaving at 7am) so as you can imagine we had two very tired and somewhat grumpy little boys as well as tired Mummy & Daddy. As always the Wiggles Concert was fantastic we had great seats, on the floor 7 rows back from the front.

You can see in background of this picture how close we were to the stage. Both boys enjoyed it, well Bastian loved it, Andrew has video photo of him going crazy when they come out in the Big Red Car, Lachie just enjoyed jumping up and down on our knees and then of course fell asleep in my arms at the last song.

I had to include this one of Anthony just because I could

After the concert we walked up to Crown Casino and had a look at there Christmas display, I was actually a bit disappointed as they have not changed it much in the last 3 years, however Bastian loved it, especially the hanging monkeys that come down from the ceiling. We then caught a tram to Myer and went to Santaland

Where he got to go on a ride on Santa’s train and then after 45min waiting, we went and met Santa. I must admit when I was told how long the wait would be I was a bit hesitant but it was well worth it.

Both boys look a bit tired as it was towards the end of a long day, and Bastian was not too sure about Santa, but at least he sat there which was a change from the last two years. We mentioned to Santa that Bastian was going to give him his dummy’s and Santa told him that Rudolph has just had a little baby who could really use some dummy’s so that would be lovely if he left his out for him. The only problem we had was that Bastian wanted to know why he didn’t get any of the things he was wanting off Santa, but more about that on a later post.

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 4

2010-12-05T15:52:00.010+11:00

Once again I have decided to join in with

and here are my selected words

~~Advent~~	~~angel~~	~~carols~~
~~Christmas Eve~~	~~Dancer~~	~~Deck the halls~~
~~family~~	Frosty the Snowman	~~Jingle Bells~~
jolly	~~Hallelujah Chorus~~	~~ho, ho, ho~~
~~Marshmallows~~	ornaments	Quilts
~~Rudolph~~	silent night	~~sleigh bells~~
~~Sugar Plums~~	~~tinsel~~	~~traditions~~
tree	turkey	~~White Christmas~~
~~wrapping paper~~

Why don’t you join in to…

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 3

2010-12-03T23:03:00.001+11:00

I had planned to be able to show you a picture of our decorated Christmas Tree tonight, however my darling husband got a better offer tonight then to come home and decorate the tree, he has gone to see U2 in concert, and actually got to meet Bono very briefly before the concert.

So now hopefully we will find some time over the weekend to decorate the beautiful fresh cut Christmas tree which I went out and chose today.

Tomorrow is definitely the start of the crazy part of Christmas for us, up at 6 to get ready and catch a train to the city to see The Wiggles concert, into Crown complex to have a look at there Christmas display, have a look at the Myer windows, trip to Santaland, including a ride on the Santa train for Bastian & hopefully a photo with Santa as well.

All that means that hopefully I will have some pictures for you tomorrow. But in the meantime I will leave you with another one of my favourite Christmas Songs

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 2

2010-12-02T22:44:00.001+11:00

As far as Christmas activities today we did zilch, well if you count cleaning up the toys so we can get the Christmas tree tomorrow a Christmas activity then we did that.

However I thought today I would list my Christmas traditions, and as you can see from the list I am big on Christmas traditions –

Wiggles concert in the city – followed by the Myer windows, Crown Christmas display, and a visit to Santa and Santaland at Myers
Local Carols concert
Christmas Eve Santa comes around on a fire truck and throws out lolly for the children
Christmas Eve we make cookies for Santa, last year was the first for this one, and was a bit of a failure but I am confident that this year will be better
Watch Carols by Candlelight while madly wrapping the rest (read most) of the presents

I am sure there is more and as the boys get bigger they will change some what

Finally here is the picture that was taken while reading last night Christmas story

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 1

2010-12-01T23:21:00.001+11:00

2008 I managed 7, last year I managed 16 posts so lets see what I can do this year. In case you are wondering what I am waffling about, it is this

So come on join in over here, I know you want to.

Tonight I started my tradition of reading Christmas story before bed, this time it was a bit different to prior years as I had one of each knee. Andrew took a picture but it is late so I will leave that for another post.

I will however leave you with one of my favourite Christmas songs (would not call this one a carol, what do you think?)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-24T11:47:00.001+11:00

more here

EB Doll Quilt Swap – What I sent

2010-11-12T15:08:00.001+11:00

Now that my swapee and received there quilt I can show some pictures I what I sent.

I had this quilt in mind for a while now but had not had the chance to make it, so when my swapee asked for something pink and girly I to0k the chance to make this design.

One of the reasons I liked this design is the piecing is the main attraction and the quilting is quite plain (easy) I know I really must improve my quilting skills and stretch myself, next time I promise

Sweet Broderie

2010-11-12T15:06:00.001+11:00

I have been eyeing off this range every since a sneak peek of it was shown on Rosalie blog so when I saw that the lovely Corrie at Retro Mummy was having a giveaway I just had to sign up.

There have been so many lovely quilts designed in this range already the hardest part if I won would be deciding what to do with it

Spring has sprung

2010-11-06T20:36:00.001+11:00

Today was a lovely Melbourne spring day so I took the chance to get out into the garden and take some pictures of our lovely flowering plants

EB Doll Quilt Swap Opening Day - What I received

2010-11-05T22:14:00.001+11:00

Today was the day I had been looking forward to all week, I have had a parcel sitting next to me on the computer desk all week, taunting me saying, Open me, Open me and today I was finally able to open it. It was from the lovely Nic and it contained this wonderful wall hanging

Nic truly spoilt me and the boys, as not only did it contain the wall hanging, which will look amazing hanging up next to the one I received last year from Car, but she also sent me a book for Bastian, some socks for Lachie (that matched his outfit he had on today so went straight onto his feet) and some goats milk soap and some pretty heart topped pins

as well as all of that the wall hanging was rapt in this frog material that is just to cute

Now hopefully my recipient has gone down to there post office to pick up there parcel so I can blog what I made and sent tomorrow.

Blogtoberfest – Day 19

2010-10-19T21:45:00.001+11:00

Today we went to the Zoo and in the words of my three year old we saw

Raffs

Baby aleefunt

Eels

Tigers (roar)

We had a wonderful day and should try and get up there more often.

Blogtoberfest – Day 18

2010-10-18T20:44:00.001+11:00

I know I said at the start I would try to include more then just pictures of my boys but when they are this cute it is hard not to

Lachie has graduated from the baby bath and today was his first bath in the big bath, Bastian was keen to join him but might wait until Lachie is a bit stronger, otherwise I can see it ending in tears.

Tomorrow we are off to visit the new baby elephant at the Zoo so I am sure I will have plenty of photos to share with you then.

Blogtoberfest – Day 17

2010-10-17T22:04:00.001+11:00

Sorry failing here at the moment with my blogging.

To much stress here at the moment which I don’t want to bore you with so I will leave with a photo of my littlest monkey

Blogtoberfest – Day 15

2010-10-16T09:55:00.001+11:00

Okay it is actually the 16 today but I ran out of time yesterday so you will have to have two posts today.

In order to combat my lack of time issue I decided to set up my current project on my sewing table and try to do a little bit here and there between other household chores, work and baby feeds. However I soon realised that when having small children in the house you need to be careful with what you leave lying about.

The other day I was doing something in another room when Bastian comes up to me and says “Mummy I cut” okay I am thinking his paper scissors are safely stowed away so I am not sure what he was talking about…. Then he comes and gets my hand and leads me to my sewing table, points at my laid out material and once again says “See Mummy, I cut like Mummy” uh-oh

Luckily it is only a 1 1/2 inch square and I have heaps of that material left so I have truly learnt my lesson and all sharp objects are now stored away from little fingers even if I leave my machine for a second.

Blogtoberfest – Day 14 (My Creative Space)

2010-10-14T15:08:00.001+11:00

Another sneak peak of the EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo

Blogtoberfest – Day 13

2010-10-13T21:47:00.001+11:00

Self Portrait Day

Want to see more, have a look at Tinniegirl’s blog

Blogtoberfest – Day 12

2010-10-12T19:27:00.001+11:00

A couple of weeks ago I was having a think about blogging and what information I put out there for the world (if they are interested) to read. I realised strangely enough that unlike a lot of people I feel more comfortable putting information here on a platform that I have no control over who reads it, then on Facebook a platform which through privacy settings I know exactly who may be reading it. I suppose it comes back to sometimes you are more comfortable talking to strangers then people that you know, I know strange isn’t it.

However today thanks to the world of Facebook I was able to catch up with three lovely ladies that I went to primary school with, one of which I don’t think I would of seen since primary school (over 23 years ago) Maybe there is some merit in Facebook after all.

I was also made aware a few weeks ago that there are two kinds of people when it comes to blogs, those that blog or read blogs and those that don’t. How did I come to this conclusion, I was introducing a non-blogging friend (A) to a lovely blogging friend (B) and of course one of the first things A asked is how I knew B, when I explained through a craft forum and her blog A looked quite puzzled almost as if I had been internet dating. Maybe A is like other that feel that blogging is narcissistic, however I love blogging and been able to share my thoughts however random and crafty pursuits.

What do you think?

Blogtoberfest – Day 11

2010-10-12T07:16:00.001+11:00

Bastian is a truly fussy eater, I know a lot of people say that there is no such thing as a fussy eater and there are ways of making a child eat vegetables, such as hiding them in other things he will eat. But when the list of healthy things he will eat is vegemite sandwiches, toasted cheese sandwiches, pork or chicken sausages, yoghurt, apples, strawberries & bananas then it is hard to hide other things with them.

So you can imagine my surprise when were out at a 4 year old birthday on Sunday and he polished off all of the grapes that were on the cheese plate and then later on in the day he took a huge slice of watermelon and proceeded to eat 90% of it, only stopping after he accidently takes a bit out of the green rind which he didn’t like one bit.

Then to further impress us last night he sat down to a dinner of chicken schnitzel and a few slices of carrot, mash potato and a piece of asparagus, assuming as normal he will take one look, maybe eat a piece of chicken and push the plate away, only to have him eat all the asparagus and carrot and take extra carrot of daddy’s plate.

Looks like all our recent talks with him about how he is 3 and a big boy now not a baby might be working.

Blogtoberfest – Day 10

2010-10-10T23:45:00.001+11:00

Woohoo I actually got this one done on the right day, well it still counts if it is with 19 mins till midnight doesn’t?

And I have a good reason to be posting this so late, I actually did some more sewing today, except I realised that when you are making more mistakes then not it is time to pack up and go to sleep.

So with that I bid you

Blogtoberfest – Day 9

2010-10-10T13:01:00.001+11:00

Opps I totally forgot to do this post yesterday, after a full day sewing at the monthly MMQG Sit and Sew day, I came home and had a early night and only remembered about the post while feeding Lachie at 3am this morning.

I had a lovely day at our Sit and Sew day, I was able to finally make a good start on doll quilt for EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

Anyway I can now reveal the block that I showed a sneak peak of back here

This is Esther block for the MMQG bee “Oh Beehave”

I have also got almost all of my material together for my round, just waiting on two small amounts of Kona solids to tie it all together

Do you think I have enough material?

Blogtoberfest – Day 8

2010-10-08T19:29:00.001+11:00

A couple of weeks ago my little boy turned 3. Every year I always say, while preparing for his birthday party, “He is not going to have a party every year” and then it comes around and I change my mind. I am starting to think that maybe I just like throwing the parties.

He currently obsessed with Toy Story so I decided to run with that theme, which made me start to think of a cake. Then I saw this post over here (who in turn was inspired by these two posts) and the decision was made.

Please excuse the dodgy photo is was taken very quickly before it was time to sing Happy Birthday

Here you can see it in all it rainbow glory.

I did have other party sweets planned but they all ended up being half finished or finished off just moments before they had to be served. I learnt that it is incredibly silly to try and throw a no-holds bar fantastic birthday party for a child when you also have a baby to look after

Also for any of the new Blogtoberfest readers I have a 2 spots left in a PIF, see this post for more details

Blogtoberfest – Day 7 (My creative space)

2010-10-07T22:44:00.001+11:00

A sneak peek of the doll quilt I am making for EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo

Blogtoberfest – Day 6

2010-10-06T17:37:00.002+11:00

Wordless Wednesday

More here

(yes I did miss Day 5 I will be back later with a catch up )

Blogtoberfest – Day 4

2010-10-04T22:26:00.001+11:00

Deadlines…..

I have signed up for a few swaps over the next couple of months so therefore I now have some deadlines

Esther’s block for Oh Beehave (MMQG Quilting Bee) – due 15 Oct

EB Doll Quilt Swap 4 – due Oct 31 (in progress)

Gina’s block for Oh Beehave (MMQG Quilting Bee) – due 15 Nov

EB Newbie Quilters Secret Santa – due 1 Dec

MMQG Christmas Stocking Swap – due 1 Dec

So now I just need to find out how to stretch another 5 or so hours out of each week so that I can get it done.

Blogtoberfest – Day 3

2010-10-03T17:55:00.001+11:00

Today was once again a lovely sunny spring day, we had swimming in the morning and then as a treat we took Bastian for milkshake and to feed the Pelicans.

Once home I was able to finally get some sewing done, unfortunately I can’t show you a full picture of it until after next Saturday.

Blogtoberfest – Day 2

2010-10-02T17:15:00.005+10:00

Spring has finally sprung in Victoria

After a very wet and cold September we finally have some nice warm weather to get out and enjoy our backyard.

Now to people who don’t know me we have been in our house for 9 years this December, but parts of our backyard still look like we moved in yesterday, the best way to explain our garden is definitely a work in progress much to the dismay of my husband. He would be happy to cover the whole backyard in bird attracting natives, as long as there was still room for a cricket pitch.

While I on the other hand have taken awhile to realise that Australian Natives can be beautiful plants and not the busy unkempt looking plants that I remember from my childhood. I posted about the start of a our garden back here and I realised today that I have taken some photos of the past year that I have yet to share

This one was taken from inside through the flywire so excuse the fuzzy look

Yesterday I took the boys out to the Bushwalk Nursery in Cranbourne to get some more native to around the edge of our paved area, so today was spent weeding and planting. I hope to show you some more pictures of our handy work tomorrow once we are finished.

Oh and as you can see from the one of the previous pictures, Andrew has got his wish and our backyard is now a beacon for the local birdlife. In fact we currently have a baby magpie who has decided to take up residence.

Blogtoberfest – Day 1

2010-10-01T11:19:00.004+10:00

I told myself I wouldn’t, I really really shouldn’t but I decided I never know if I can do it till I try.

Try what exactly you may ask, well write a blog post each day and not only that but try to find some things to write about apart from my quilting/sewing and my darling boys.

So I decided to give it a go, I promise I will try really really hard to do a blog post each day but I think I failed with the two last advent along so we will see how I go.

If I get myself motivated enough I might even through in a giveaways as well.

Lastly as I always try to put in a photo with every blog post this one is for a special friend. Car, I am not sure if you have realised that they are available in the shops yet, must be getting close to Christmas.

Autumn Leaves

2010-08-25T15:27:00.002+10:00

I did it, I actually did it…

Free Motion Quilted that is. Now it is not perfect, in fact far from it but I am pleased with the finished result. It helps that I know that my friend who little girl it is for would love anything I make, especially that I did it all myself. So without any further rambling from me here it is

It has a pieced back as well

And here is a close up of my quilting, not a clear close up but you don’t want to see a clear one showing all my mistakes.

Also there is current a few lovely ladies, Heather and KarrieLyne that are giving their blog readers a chance to win a AccuQuilt Go

And finally just because I can here is a new photo of my two boys

12 days

2010-08-18T23:05:00.001+10:00

8 days down and I am actually quite please with what I have achieved. I have conquered my fears of FMQ and quilted E’s Cot Quilt. No pictures as yet as I need to wash it to remove all the blue pen marks. In the meantime here is a sneak peek of it waiting to have the binding hand stitched down.

I have also sewn together the Pram Quilt for Lachie’s new pram just need to sandwich and start the hand quilting in pale green perle thread I think.

Here is a close up showing the material, it was taken out night so the full picture is a bit washed out by the flash

I have also started the next stage of the Charm Square Quilt Along which is putting the blocks together, here is my first one, 1 down – 24 to go.

I wonder what else I will be able to get finished before I start back?

19 days till…..

2010-08-11T10:13:00.001+10:00

my maternity leave finishes… then I will go from spending all my time

with this

this and

this…..

to having to include 15hrs a week with this as well, hope I still find time for my sewing.

Between now and then I have a few things I would like to try and get done. I need to quilt E’s Cot Quilt, I have been putting it off as I had originally planned to just echo quilt around and inside the blocks, but as I decided to make a pieced back I realised that this would look odd. So with some encouragement from some lovely friends from MMQG I have decided to have a go FMQ it. Wish me luck.

I also need to get Bastian’s cuddle quilt sandwiched and quilted, this is going to be quilted quite plainly so should be easy enough to do, except for the fact that I am using Minky as the back.

I also need to sew together L’s Pram quilt, sandwich and start hand quilting it.

Along with keeping up with the Charm Square Quilt Along and everything else I want to do

Swaps, Shopping and Stuff

2010-08-07T19:04:00.002+10:00

With the August MMQG sewing day happening tomorrow (7 Aug) I thought I should blog the name tag that I made and received at last months sewing day. My sneak peek here included some paper in the left hand corner, did anyone spy that. As everyone seems to be in love with hexagons at the moment I decided to use hexagons for my name tag and made this one for Cathy

This is the one I received from Bec

I have also been making a few purchases lately. Firstly I went to Melbourne Craft & Quilt Show a couple of weekends ago and was very restrained in my spending. I got was Janelle Wind’s first book Pieces of Me, and a this kit to make Melly & Me’s Fat Quarter bag

I have to admit that I am quite proud of myself as I have already made one project out of the book, started and finished it all in one day. One of the reasons why I purchased this book was for this specific project.

Isn’t it cute, it is a cover for my Iphone and has a small pocket on the front which is the perfect size to hold my ATM/credit card and some loose change. I have also order some fabric from this lovely store to make two bags out of this book.
Actually I have purchased quite a lot from that store recently as well as the fabric I have three Christmas related kits on there way to me, a advent calendar, reindeer stocking and Christmas wreath. There were all part of QFD Christmas in July online event so I am unable to post photos of the patterns but if you have a look over here you can see some pictures of some of the projects I got kits for. Another purchase I made from QFD was this lovely soft flannel

I am going to team it with the FQ pack of Ginger Blossom that my lovely EB friends gave me as a thankyou for running the Round Robin Swap last year. I plan to make a half sq triangle quilt like Esther’s using the flannel as one half of the sq and the cotton as the other half, hoping it will look as I imagine.
I have also been working on the Freckled Whimsey Charm Pack Quilt along and am now up to date.

150 1/2 square triangles

75 four patch blocks

Finally if you like the look of my IPhone cover, don’t forget that I have a PIF open at the moment and you never now I might make one for you :)

Pay it Forward & Quilting Kindness

2010-07-28T12:00:00.003+10:00

Sometime last year I signed up for a Pay it Forward with the lovely Kayscha. To tell you the truth I had totally forgotten that I had signed up for it and had not got around doing my part, which was offering the Pay it Forward on my blog.

Last month I was extremely surprised to find this lovely parcel waiting for from Kayscha along with a note apologising for not getting her PIF out on time.

Thankyou very much Kayscha it is a lovely package and I have started to use the thread already it is the perfect color for my Charm Pack Quilt. Sorry for taking so long to blog it there was a very good reason however.

That reason is that now I would like to offer my blog readers the option to participate in a Pay It Forward. If you would like to be in please leave me a comment and the first three comments will receive a hand-made gift made by me sometime within the next 365 days. All you have to do is share the love and pledge to do the same on your blog (make three people something within the next 365 days)

But (and I am borrowing this bit from the lovely Car )IF I don't get any takers to play along with the pay it forward (I realise this meme has been doing the rounds & some people have probably paid it forward time & time again...)

I do solemnly pledge that I will choose THREE random people who have commented on any of my posts both current and future. If you want to share the blog love, then by all means you can do so, but you are in no-way obliged (consider it ME fulfilling my pledge) so come on.

NOTE: if you want to Pay it forward, please say so in your comment, if not just comment as usual!

Another finished quilt

2010-07-26T16:27:00.000+10:00

Yes ladies and gentlemen (not sure if there is any gentlemen reading my blog but you never now) I have finished another quilt. This one was started early 2008, the quilt top was completed April 2009 and was quilted May 2009 it has been sitting folded since then waiting to have the binding attached. Well thanks to Joy's Finishing Stitches Challenge I have finally finished it. So introducing

Grandma's Magic Bag

The actual name of the pattern is Granny's Magic Bag but I decided to change it to Grandma's as that is what my Mum is to me two boys and also what I call my Dad's Mum.

After I finished hand sewing the binding down I moved on to another new project :) this time the Charm Pack Quilt-along that I have mentioned previously. While watching the final of MasterChef last night I drew the diagonal lines on my 75 plain charm sq and paired them up read to sew

and this morning I got a chance to sew them either side of the line to turn them into this

Now I just need to find some time to cut them apart and trim them back to 4.5" squared before Sunday.

Tropical Flight

2010-07-17T17:48:00.000+10:00

I did it, I actually did it.... finish a quilt that is and not just a quilt top but a properly quilted, bound quilt. Okay the quilting was professionally done but still I finished, just have to do the label and it will be able to delivered to a very sweet little girl to whom it is intended.

Introducing Tropical Flight

The quilt pattern is Birds in the Air from "Elm Creek Quilts" using Sweet Pea by Windham Fabrics.

Here is a picture of the back which shows you the quilting better

Finishing this quilt means I can enter the Finishing Stitches challenge for July.

I also received the material for the Charm Pack Quilt Along during the week

The material from the left is binding, main border, inner border and charm squares for blocks

Lastly here is a picture of my beautiful little boy who is now 3 mths old

Hectic

2010-07-07T17:49:00.003+10:00

That is what my life is at the moment, so today once the little boy was sound asleep and the bigger boy enthralled in watching his latest obsession I made myself a treat

and decided it was about time I update you on what I have been doing.

So what have I been doing......

Not Much......

Andrew has been spending crazy hours with his pet work project which has left me feeling like a single mum at the moment, not a nice feeling I can tell you. Mind you we have plans for this weekend once it all over, talking Bastian to see Toy Story 3 on Saturday and then I am escaping for a day of sewing on Sunday.

So apart from being Mum, which is a job I love don't get me wrong and working on the paperwork required to help get this up and running there has not been alot of time for sewing.

For last months guild sewing day I decided to start a new project... yes ladies and gentleman, my name is Kirsty and I have a slight problem. I like to start projects...... and never get them finished. I decided to start the "Life is a Celebration" Block of the Month that is running in the homespun magazine in 2010.

The first block is finished

Wonder what I will work on next....

I have also been doing working on a name tag for a swap run by MMQG

Here is a sneek peek of my starting supplies

I really need to get a move on with that one as it is due on Sunday.

I have also decided to join in to a quilt-a-long. I bought a Frolic charm square pack with the name tag swap in mind but once it arrived I decided that I wanted to use it in a quilt for myself, so when Kelli posted that she was going to join in I decided to get another two charm sq packs and sign up myself. Should be fun.

Oh I have also decided to join in here, not actually planning to make anything at the moment, just get some patterns for future use.

Now I just need to find the time to get it all done, and be a fantastic mom to my two monkeys of course

And now we are up to date

2010-05-24T15:28:00.000+10:00

There were a few others quilting related events that have happened since our new little boy entered our lives.

I was lucky enough to be able to go to AQC when Lachie was 2 weeks old were we had a lovely time, it was quite a weird experience in that at times neither Esther (who was "wearing" 4mth old Hannah) and myself (who was "wearing" Lachie) could take a step without some one coming over to gush at the babies. I was quite restrained with my spending this year compared to last year I only brought a kit to make Lachie "Little Monsters" quilt and the pattern for the King George III quilt seen here I am using all my stash of material for my DJ quilt to make this one.

I then went to Stitches and Craft Show once again "wearing" Lachie were I was even more restrained with my purchases. All I bought were the patterns to make these little creatures

Ellie the elephant

Raff the Giraffe

Mitch the Monkey

I have since made a trip to spotlight to buy the necessary fleece to make these three little friends for my boys so can now add this as well as my other purchases to the projects pending list.

Speaking of list as you may have seen I have cleaned up my blog and it now shows three lists, Completed projects, Unfinished Objects (these are quilts and other projects that have been started at some stage) and Projects Pending (these are quilts and other projects that I have all the requirements for but have yet to start) as you can see I don't need to make any other purchases for a long while :)

While I have been recuperating from Lachie's birth I have made a start on the first block of the King George III quilt. Here is the completed inner circle for the first block.

The final event that occurred was the inaugural meeting of the Melbourne Modern Quilting Guild, I was unable to take my camera along so you will have to pop over to Esther's blog to see some snaps of the day. It was a lovely day with 29 like minded quilty ladies, and while I did not get a whole lot done, due to attending to Lachie's needs and my post-pregnancy brain moment when I stitched a hexagon flower together incorrectly (she last picture on Esther's post) I am eagerly awaiting next month meeting as well as our first committee meeting next week.

I have been sewing as well.. I promise

2010-05-23T20:50:00.003+10:00

Before my 2nd gorgeous little boy entered our lives I did get some sewing done. Here is task list I set myself at the start of the year to do before the birth.
C’s cot quilt – top all done about to be sent off to be be quilted and then needs to be bound
Cuddle Quilt for Bastian - quilt top done, just need to sandwich, quilt and bind, I am using Minky as the backing so am quilting this one myself
Single Bed Quilt for Bastian – Appliqué strips finished just need to cut remaining material strips and piece together and then send off for quilting
Finish Cross Stitch for Nursery – Finished, need to make a trip to frame store to frame and hang it

Cot Quilt for Emily – Quilt top

and pieced back both finished, sandwich ready for quilting

Bunting for Bastian’s room – Not started
Pram Quilt – Have all the materials for quilt top and back but not started

I also got some pyjama pants made for me to use in Hospital and a these cute little baby booties.

I had originally made these to gift to a different new little boy but one Lachlan arrived they seemed to mysteriously make there way to his room :)

Birthday FQ Swap

2010-05-23T20:49:00.000+10:00

This is a very very belated post seeing that my birthday was back in February.

Here is the FQ and other goodies that I received from (L to R) Esther, Dani, Car (x2 I was spoilt) , Nic & Kayscha (there is one missing that I will have to find and update the post at a later stage)

I am planning on using them to make bunting for Bastian new room which has a red, white and blue theme.

I has been a while but for good reason

2010-05-23T14:32:00.003+10:00

Remember this post back here in December, well at 8:34 am on 15 April we welcomed our little boy Lachlan Andrew into the world.

Like his brother he was very little at birth only weighing 2.9kg (6pd 8oz) but unlike his brother he likes his mummy milk and does not spit half of it back up on Mummy and has since put on 720g

1 week old

2 weeks 2 days old

3 weeks old

my boys

5 weeks 3 days

He is still in the very content sleepy baby mode, I am bracing myself for the next couple of weeks which is when Bastian decided to through out the rule book and it was make us start all over again (which coincided with him being giving a dummy something I am praying I don’t do again)
The main difference is that Bastian had feeding issues which resulted in he being a very sleepy baby and was only waking once during the night from birth and was sleeping through (10 – 6) from around 6 weeks. Lachlan on the other hand is regularly feeding every 3-4 hrs during the night and sometimes taking up to 2 hrs for each feed and resettle, which means that mummy is not getting much sleep at all.

Planes & Opters

2010-03-21T11:43:00.001+11:00

I can definitely say that my little boy has very definite boy stereotypically tastes, so when I decided to make some winter pyjamas for Bastian, I could not go past this flannelette material that I found at Spotlight. In his words it has plane (or anes) and opters (helicopters) all over it. I think he was impressed with the finished item.

They took me almost a whole day to do, but given that I don't make many clothes and I found myself re-reading each instruction half-a-dozen times I am quite proud of the results. It was also the first time that I used my mums over-locker to finish off the seams.

Weekend Wrap up

2010-03-09T15:12:00.000+11:00

Well the long weekend is over and I thought I had better update you all on my list and what I did (and didn't get done)

Here was my list

Finish work hours from this week - done and 2 hrs for this week as well, hopefully that means some more sewing time for me this week
Sew backing for C's cot quilt together so I can drop it off to be quilted - didn't buy enough material so need to make a second trip to Spotlight
Finish nieces messenger bag - Done
Finish off blanket stitch on planes for Bastian Big Bed Quilt - Finished one of the two strips, hope to maybe get the rest done today
Cut rest of material for Bastian Big Bed Quilt ready for last class Wednesday night - Hoping to do tonight or tomorrow

The rest of the list will have to wait for next weekend

This is the bag I have made for my niece's 10th birthday

It has an adjustable strap, two pockets on the front and one of the back, a magnetic clasp and a zip pocket inside

I am really happy with how it turned out, has given me the confidence to make the nappy bag that I am planning to make now. I used this tutorial but just left of the zip on the actual main bag part. The only thing I would do different next time is use a different interfacing, I don't like how this one has bubbled.

Also I managed to get one of the two appliqué strips finished for B's new bed quilt which is this quilt

There is actual three plans per strip but I found it two hard to take a photo with all three in it. The first and third plane on each strip are the same any way

and a close up of the two planes

When is a long weekend not really a long weekend

2010-03-05T09:10:00.004+11:00

When you have a husband that works for a university that does not get state public holidays off :(

However that being said I do have 3 less hrs of work to do for next week as a result and Bastian has no swimming class on Monday morning so with that I mind I have decided to set myself a challenge to get a few things out of the way over the next 4 days

Finish work hours from this week (at time of posting still have 8 hrs to do oops) - now 5
Sew backing for C's cot quilt together so I can drop it off to be quilted
Finish nieces messenger bag (birthday is today but will be seeing her next week)
Finish off blanket stitch on planes for Bastian Big Bed Quilt
Cut rest of material for Bastian Big Bed Quilt ready for last class Wednesday night
Trace out pattern for pyjama pants for me
Make a start on cot quilt for T's baby
Get some catch up sleep/rest (not sure how that fits in with the rest of the list :) )

Do you have a long weekend? If so what are your plans.

I forgot to add I have finished the cross stitch for the nursery I will try and blog a picture of it over the weekend as well, just need to get a nice white wooden frame to hang it

Monkeys & Lions continued

2010-01-24T23:10:00.000+11:00

I am surprising myself at the moment with firstly how much sewing I am getting done, and secondly the qty of things I am actually getting finished.

Now I just need to quilt and bind it and one more thing can be crossed off my list, maybe I might even be able to fit in a few more projects before the baby comes, one can dream can't they :)

Princess Tutu

2010-01-23T17:12:00.001+11:00

I decided that this year I am going to try and make most gifts that I have to give to people, well children anyway and only I know they will appreciate it. (eg 9 yr Nephew will most likely get a purchased gift)

The first birthday for the year is my niece who turns 3 early Feb, her two older sisters have never been girly girls but Emily definitely is, she is really into Tinkerbell and fairy's at the moment. So with that in mind I decided to make her a pink toned tutu using this tute for a no sew tutu

I actually used pink, purple, white and grey bridal tulle to get the multi coloured effect, I can see myself making a few of these for presents during the year

Introducing...

2010-01-22T21:28:00.000+11:00

Leyroy the Lion and Milton the Monkey

These quite little fellows will form part of Bastian Cuddle quilt, aren't they adorable I just had to share. They still need to be blanket stitched and Milton needs a mouth and both need eyebrows, I am using this pattern from my LQS, given my little boys love of monkey I also got this pattern shrunk the Milton down to fit on to some of the blocks

DJ Tips and Tools

2010-01-22T14:21:00.000+11:00

This post is way overdue and for that I apologise to the people that have already joined me on my DJ journey

Now depending on how long you have been quilting for and what tools you already own, I wont lie to you, a DJ quilt can be expensive to do, firstly you need the backing material around 15 mtrs as well as a stash of material to do your blocks. Then as there are so many different techniques used in the blocks you need some tools to help you with this techniques.

I will show all the tools that I use for my DJ quilt, but I have been working on this quilt for 3 years already, so I have been able to establish quite a stash of gadets (and I like my gadgets) I will try and say if you really need to acquire each item

Rulers

You will need at least one Ruler in order to cut out your blocks, I found having a small ruler (the one pictured above is 4 1/2") very handy, especially when having to cut out 1" squares. I didn't acquire the DJ ruler set until this year and have only tried to use the small 5" ruler once, however I think I will find it useful when cutting my appliqué blocks back to size and checking the size of my blocks once I start sewing the all together. The triangle ruler will be used when making the triangle blocks and also to cut out the solid triangles that are used alternatively in the boarder. Also I apply this product to the back of all my rulers to help them stick to the fabric

Cutting Mat

Like the ruler you will need a cutting mat to cut your material out on, of which I own and use many. However I was given this nifty mat/sandpaper board for my birthday a few years ago and find it a godsend for when tracing out appliqué or hand pieced blocks. The sandpaper side holds the material in place while you are tracing out the shapes and the suede piece is perfect for laying your block out on. I find that I can close the book up with a block laid out, put it away and know that next time I come to work on it, it will not of moved.

Rotary Cutter

Once again you will need one, I found a small bladed one (the one shown here is 1") helpful for when cutting small pieces, once again this size is not totally necessary

Scissors

You will need two pairs of Scissors, one sharp pair of good quality sewing scissors to cut out you hand pieced and appliqué blocks and the second paper scissors to cut out your template plastic (when need), freezer paper for appliqué and foundation papers.

Pencil

You will need a good pencil to trace out your appliqué and hand pieced blocks, I started using a .5mm 2B retractable pencil and have since found this pencil which you are able to get all different coloured leads for to help the pencil stand out on dark material (I own black and white leads)

Pins/Glue for Appliqué

When I first started to do needle turn appliqué I was shown to use appliqué pins to hold my block together, now I don't know if I am just all fingers and thumbs but I use to dread this process as I would end up sticking myself with the pins numerous times. I have since discovered this fabric glue that goes one blue and dries clear. I recommend this product.

Needles

For appliqué I was recommended to you use size 12 sharps, the better quality the better, this is as they leave a fine hole in your work and therefore hide the stitches better. For hand piecing I use betweens and for in the machine I use a 70/10 instead of a 80/20 needle. This is also as it leaves a finer hole in the block, and as the blocks are so small you don't want your stitches to show.

Thread

For appliqué I use silk thread, and for machine and hand piecing I use Aurifil 50 weight, however I have since been told that you can also use the Aurifil 50 weight for the appliqué as well, I have not used it and am happy using the silk thread so will stick with that. However when using silk thread don't cut off too long a piece as it can split and be a real pain.

Other consumables

The other three items that you will need are template plastic, foundation paper and freezer paper, one thing I did get to try out and ended up deciding it was waste of time was a EQ brand printable appliqué paper that was sticky. You ended up wasting so much of each page to print out the templates for one block and I had planned on using it to save tracing and cutting out plastic templates for my hand pieced blocks as it is like freezer paper it was not sturdy enough to cut the pieces out correctly. (Can't find the product on the EQ site to link for you so maybe they no longer produce it)

Tips

There are many tips when it comes to doing your DJ quilt but the main ones that spring to mind at this moment are

Use a smaller machine stitch length then normal, I normally use 2.5 but change my stitch length down to 2 for machine piecing of DJ blocks and 1.5 for foundation piecing
When tracing out the appliqué blocks I always draw the item being appliquéd onto the background so as I know where I am stitching to, this helps a circle come out as a circle and not a oval
Always cut your background for appliqué blocks to 6", instead of the 5" then once the appliqué is finished you cut your block back to 5". This is as the appliqué process can cause the background material to shrink some what (this is what I plan on using the 5" DJ ruler for)
If you think you have stuffed up a block, but it in your pile and then when you come to put them all together you can go and check the finished blocks and redo any blocks that you are really really unhappy.
I was once told that some craft makers on purpose but a humility fault in there project as "only God is perfect and to err is human" there are some blocks that I have made a small mistake in that I have decided to leave as my humility block, things like material showing wrong side up or pieces upside down.
Most importantly have fun with it :)

Making room for baby

2010-01-20T21:08:00.002+11:00

With the baby due in April, we need to make some changes around the house. now most people would think that fitting an extra person in to a 4 bedroom house would be easy but when both adults in the house of hobbies that involving a large qty of "stuff" it means a big clean up and reshuffle.

In order to make room for our soon to be son/daughter I decided to give up my sewing room/guest bedroom as I don't tend to be able to get in there much anyway, over the last 6mth I have tended to take over the kitchen table as my sewing space (much to Andrew's delight)

However the problem began with how does one, move a room full of things that need to be protected from little fingers out to the family living areas.

Thanks to a 35% discount voucher from Spotlight in the week before Christmas part of this problem was solved

This lovely lockable cabinet,

not only stores my machine and other "sharp" sewing items

but it also provides me with plenty of room to quilt a large quilt if I one day so desire, or plenty of space to cut my material.

Now I just have to go and buy some clear plastic tubs to store my stash and large collection of in-progress and unstarted projects, the plan is to make use of one of my many WIP quilts to cover the stack of tubs so that do not stick out like a sore thumb.

This month also saw the end to my monthly Aurifil thread club, so I now the proud owner of this lovely box of 72 threads

Sailing

2010-01-10T13:37:00.000+11:00

I was lucky enough to take Bastian sailing on the Gippsland lakes with my parents for a week, it wasn't till the night before we left that I started to panic that he would not like the boat, or even worse get seasick likes his daddy.

He had a ball, the only thing he was not to keen on was when we had to use the motor due to lack of wind or to motor into/out of berths etc.

In fact he found it so relaxing that he fell asleep on both days when we did a fair bit of sailing.

I think it is safe to say that we have a little sailor on our hands, just like his Granddad. Granddad was very happy that he enjoyed it and even more so that by the end Bastian was telling everyone that Granddad's boat goes "woosh" and noisy speedboats go "boom boom boom boom" complete with a screwed up face to show his dislike for "stink boats" as granddad calls them.

Now I just need to find a way to cure seasickness and I can arrange my dream family holiday for a few years time, once #2 is born and a bit older

Maybe this a an omeno for a good quilty year!

2010-01-01T21:27:00.000+11:00

Yesterday and today I have been able to apply myself, thanks to my darling husband and finally get this quilt finished that I started back May. The little girl that it is meant for is turning one in March and it was meant to be her birth present Oops :(

Know I just have to decide how to quilt it, I have three different ways in mind, the first an all over stiple which I would most likely get professional done, the second quilting all over on the angle following the lines of the quilt, like this

and the third quilting the small "birds" on a angle and echoing the large "birds" triangles

What do you think?

As far as new year resoluation or plans, I am still working though my list that I did back here, so I might copy this over to the right hand side. I will be back at a later date to do a 2009 wrap up and post a few pics of my final 2009 projects.

Advent Blog-along Day 24

2009-12-25T01:00:00.001+11:00

So the journey is over for this year I managed 16 out of 24 posts which is a vast improvement from last years 6 posts.

Today I started a new christmas tradition of baking cookies for Santa which didn't turn out quite as planned due to the weather being so warm. I have got photos to add but will have to come back and add them at a later time.

Anyway Merry Christmas to all and a safe and Happy New Year

Advent Blog-along - Day 22

2009-12-22T17:40:00.000+11:00

I am been a very very bad blogger, had a few personal things come up and I have not been feeling the best but all sorted now. I finally got time to upload the photos that I wanted to share with you all

This is the result from out christmas paper art session, and as you can see Bastian had a ball

and the finished paper in action, so to speak

I also managed to get to two handmade items finished in time for the christmas party on Sunday

I actually finished stuffing the dolphin at about midnight Saturday night and sewed up the last seam 1 hr before we had to leave.

Advent Blog-along - Day 16

2009-12-17T00:10:00.000+11:00

I have decided lists are a good thing, that being that I actually got most of the things of today's list done all bar starting writing in christmas cards and start wrapping presents. So both of those as well as some appointments scheduled for tomorrow are on my list for tomorrow.

I actually got some christmas sewing done today but it is late and time for bed was along time ago so I shall have to leave it there and promise a more exciting post with pictures for you all tomorrow. That is if there is anyone still out there, if I have not bored to peices :)

Advent Blog-along - Day 15

2009-12-15T23:49:00.007+11:00

Today started out with lots of plans, of which none got done :(

But the good news is that tomorrow is a new day so here is my to-do list for tomorrow

~~Choose pictures for Christmas cards and print out~~ - done
~~Start writing Christmas cards~~ done
~~Make Wrapping paper with DS~~ done
~~Start at least on of the 2 presents needed for Sunday~~ all done and gifted
~~Start wrapping presents~~ done
~~Try to do at least 2 hrs work,~~ done

Well tomorrow is going to be a hot one so I had better get this little black duck off to bed and make sure I get up nice and early to go through my list. Hopefully tomorrows post will have some progress pics of our efforts

Advent Blog-along - Day 14

2009-12-14T17:41:00.008+11:00

A few people have joined in on this

so I figured I should as well, not sure if I made the cut off in time or if it even open to international players but it is a bit of fun.

My chosen words are

Advent
~~Angel~~
Candle
~~Carols~~
Chocolate
~~Christmas Eve~~
Figgy Pudding
~~Frosty the Snowman~~
~~Mistletoe~~
~~Ornaments~~
Plum Pudding
~~Presents~~
~~Quilts~~
Rudolph
~~Silver Bells~~
~~Sleigh Bells~~
~~Sparkle~~
~~Sugar Plums~~
Table Runners
~~Tinsel~~
~~Traditions~~
~~Tree~~
~~Turkey~~
~~White Christmas~~
~~Winter Wonderland~~

Thought I would post them here so I can come back and mark them off when they are drawn out. Wish me luck

Advent Blog-along - Day 13

2009-12-13T22:34:00.000+11:00

Yes you did read correctly. I have missed Day 11 & 12, my excuse is pretty lame as well. Friday I was working all day as I hadn't done much earlier in the week due to Wiggles concert and Christmas tree decorating, I did have grand plans to make up for it yesterday but while I was making a fruit salad for dinner at friends place I had a mishap with a vegetable peeler that result in a fair amount of pain and blood so now I am having to type with limited fingers.

Tonight Andrew, Bastian and I went to our local Carols by Candlelight, we were lucky in that Bastian has a long long (4-5hrs) sleep during the day so he was in a fantastic mood even though he has just gone to bed now. Anyway being at the Carols got me thinking one of the reasons I love Christmas so much is it is a chance to remember years gone by and things you use to do as a child I can now do with my child, or even start new traditions. Also if it has been a crap year (eg as 2008 was for me) it is a celebration of the end of that year and a start of new one, in fact my father pointed out to me what I had written on my christmas card to them last year "Thank you for all your help and support this year and lets all hope for next year to be very uneventful"

I have to admit compared to 2008, 2009 has been a dream and very uneventful. 2010 will be a challenge but I believe in a good way.

So why do you love Christmas, assuming you do?

Advent Blog-along - Day 10

2009-12-10T14:20:00.000+11:00

Introducing my next WIP, expected to be completed for cuddles and kisses mid April

Do I need to say more?

Advent Blog-along Day 9

2009-12-10T10:57:00.000+11:00

Oops I am a day late with this one Telstra has been giving me grief with my ADSL connection so didn't get a chance yesterday.

What did I do yesterday well you will have to pop over here to see. That is all I can say about that for now more pics to come at a later date.

I promise to have something more exciting for todays propert post, a sneek peek of a different kind.

Advent Blog-along - Day 8

2009-12-08T22:45:00.000+11:00

Today I was able to open the parcel I received from my EB Newbie Quilters SS.

I got a lovely assortment of goodies

There was chocolates, a panel to make a soft book, some lovely blue material with trucks on it, some white baby print material and christmas tree ornament, and a beautifully made little purse that contained quilting pins, thread, chalk and soap. I already have some projects in mind for some of the peices.

Also today we went and got our christmas tree from the local christmas tree farm, I am being brave and putting out all my breakable christmas decorations as well, just need to teach Bastian to not touch or be gentle. Will see how we go

Advent Blog-along - Day 7

2009-12-07T21:00:00.008+11:00

As mention in previous post today we went and saw...

The Wiggles

and there friends

We also went to Santaland at Myer in the city and Bastian got to ride a train

Do you think he enjoyed?

And finally this image is for a friends little girl who I happen to know has a soft spot for a certain dinosaur and will be going see her herself very soon

Advent Blog-along - Day 6

2009-12-07T06:26:00.002+11:00

Today we tagged along to a Christmas party with my parents, there boat club one. Bastian was the only child there but he had fun, I can't believe how sure of himself my little boy is. No shyness from this one at all. Santa came with a special little gift for him and he was happy to even have a semi cuddle with him, as long as mummy was holding him at the same time. So that is a improvement from last week.

Tomorrow is a big day, up at 6 to head into the city to see

I hope he enjoys it as much as he did last time, then we are going to have a look at these, visit this and maybe even have a train ride this year (was too little last year) and have a look at display here.

It is going to be a busy day so Mummy better head on and get some rest.

(This post was done last night but I realised this morning that I had forgotten to hit publish)

Advent Blog-along - Day 5

2009-12-05T23:52:00.000+11:00

Oops almost missed this one it is 11:45 pm and I should be in bed.

The concert went well except we were really late getting there so Bastian only got to do 2 of his three songs. I had major Mummy guilt's for the rest of the day before realising that he is 2 he is not going to remember in 20 years that Mummy got him to his concert late.

The quilt shop party was good, there are some lovely projects for next year however I was a very good girl and did not sign for any year long ones due to my own little "project" which is due to be finished baking Mid April :)

Tomorrow, or almost today we are off to my parents yacht clubs Christmas party (only going as kids get a present from Santa) and then hopefully a quite afternoon sewing, have not made any more progress on Day 1 list, except to delete some items and add some new.

I promise to try and make tomorrow post more interesting and Christmassy (is that even a word)

Advent Blog-along - Day 4

2009-12-04T21:58:00.000+11:00

Only a short one today as today was our semi rest day in a week of craziness. We have Mini Maestro concert and LQS Christmas party tomorrow, a family Christmas party on Sunday and then Wiggles concert and in to the see the Myer Windows, Crown Christmas display and look at the Santa things at DJ and Myers on Monday.

Today was meant to be a full rest day but had to drive Andrew to the train station as his car is in being fixed, final rehersal for tomorrow Mini Maestro concert (still praying that Bastian does not get stage fright, but I think he will) and then a trip to the hairdresser for both Bastian and Mummy.

No sewing at all today but did spend some time dreaming about how I will use the Jelly Roll of Odyssea that I recently put on layby at my LQS

Oh and I finished uploading all Mum's Christmas CD on to I-Tunes so I have plenty of Christmas music to listen while I work at the moment

Tonight there was only two books

Mummy was a bit naughty and hid the "That's not my" books as I didn't want to read them again tonight, maybe next week

Hopefully tomorrow I will have some pictures (and maybe even a small video) from the concert

Advent Blog-along - Day 3

2009-12-03T21:51:00.001+11:00

Every year my LQS puts on a Christmas Workshop as a thank you to their loyal customers that attend weekly classes or monthly clubs during the year. I have been lucky enough to be invited to 3 of them over the last 4 years (the year Bastian was born I did not attend enough classes to be included) This years one was today and we got to make a journal to hold some quilting bits and pieces and a notepad. We are provided with the main material necessary and given a list of other items required.

Here is a picture of the front of the journal

The inside, and

the back.

Sorry about the picture quality I ran out of time to take them in daylight will retake them tomorrow and repost

I have to admit I was very proud of myself today as not only did I manage to get the project completed on the day (something that has never happened before) but I was the second one finished, an hr before the classes ended.

Anyway it is just quick post tonight as it is late, but before I go I suppose I should let you know about tonight bedtime reading

This was what was chosen by Mummy to read to Bastian tonight

but of course he wanted That's not my Santa and That's not my Reindeer(again), so we compromised. He danced and played in his room while Mummy read her pick and he sat on my knee and we cuddled while we read his two. Mem Fox would be proud three books tonight :)

Advent Blog-along - Day 2

2009-12-02T21:52:00.002+11:00

What did the second day of December bring us, well it was a lovely warm day spent shopping at a local street market with Bastian and my parents. I was finally able to find two of my favourite Christmas Books that I had been hunting for everywhere

as well as bought a new tin Christmas train to fill with sweets for the table

We read the The Christmas Book tonight, and the two "That's not my" Christmas books must of been a hit as they were requested as well.

As for sewing, well my to-do list most of worked as I got my Secret Santa item finished last night and put the rest together today, so that is one item down and also made a start finishing my last Round Robin Blocks, they have to be finished over the weekend.

Tomorrow I have a workshop at my local quilt shop which they put on for there regular customers as a thank you for there patronage during the year. They provide about 50% of the material and the class for free you just buy the rest of the material and arrange your own lunch, we are doing a journal this year so hopefully I will have photos to share tomorrow.

Advent Blog-along - Day 1

2009-12-01T19:55:00.007+11:00

As it is now December, I was excited to read Bastian the first of main Christmas theme books over the next couple of weeks, tonight before bed we had three

Tomorrow I am planning to go to one of my favourite local bookshops so I am sure there will be many more Christmas books to read after then (not that we don't have heaps already :) )

I thought I should start this off with a list of projects that I have to get finished between now and not only Christmas by when the baby comes in April

~~Finish Secret Santa item - over 50% done, need to assemble all together - Due today (opps),~~DONE
~~Finish remaining Round Robin blocks - Due this weekend~~
~~Presents for Bastian's Mini Maestro and swimming teachers - Not started - Due 11 & 14 Dec respectively~~ decided to not do them due to time constraints

~~Make Crayon Roll and softie Dolphin as gifts~~ - DONE

~~Make Crayon Roll for Bastian to take Sailing~~ - DONE
~~Make Lazy Day's Hat for me to take Sailing~~ - Due 3 Jan, decided to not do one as my Mum has a hat I can borrow
~~Make Versatile Wrap for me at least one by sailing trip, have material for two~~, one done

Items to finish before the baby comes
~~Finish C Cot quilt - was meant to be a birth present C is now 8 months old (oops)~~ quilt top done
Quilt C's Quilt

Make Bastian cuddle quilt
Make Bastian big boy bed quilt
Make Bunting for Bastian new room
Finish Cross Stitch ABC Sampler for baby's room - 80% complete
Make Dilly bag for LQS Christmas Challenge - due 17 April
Quilt for K's baby - due 27 April
Pram quilts for my baby and K's Baby with left over material, if have time - due 27 April

I think that will be plenty for me to do between now and then and I am sure that I will add some extra things along the way and of course I have DJ blocks to complete along they way as well as the binding for a quilt that was quilted back in May

Portabellopixie - Twelve Days of Christmas

2009-11-29T10:23:00.000+11:00

Check out the giveaways over at this site, there is (or will) be twelve all up, but be quick they are all drawn on the 1 December. My two favourite ones are the two fat quarter baskets of her own material.

Actually maybe I should not tell you all about it as I want to win them all

30 days to Christmas

2009-11-25T00:03:00.001+11:00

As a Christmas present to all of my loyal blog readers (I am sure there should be at least one of you out there) I am going to join in with Car on her

Advent Blog~a~long

Come back for my first on many (24 to be exact) posts in Dec

Round Robin Block Swap

2009-11-22T22:28:00.000+11:00

I just realised that I have not been posting any sneek peeks of my Round Robin Blocks, a bit slack of me seeing that I have be organising it.

Anyway here are the pics of the 8 completed ones so far, the other 4 are still a WIP, 2 are cut out and the other two still to be done. They will be this weeks project

Doll Quilt Swap - Take 2

2009-11-10T13:31:00.000+11:00

The wall hanging that I sent as part of the 3rd Annual EB Doll Quilt Swap has now been received so I can now show you some photos.

My partner requested a wall hanging in bright (no dirty) colours and listed these as her favourites. So with this in mind I sat down at EQ5 and found a block called Rainbow Logs that I used as a basis for the block. My next dilemma came in the fabric choice as I had recently found out at a workshop I attended, that what I call bright colours are in fact dirty, so I enlisted the help of a friend and fellow EB Newbie Quilter and made a trip to Amitie to buy the required bright rainbow colours.

And here is the finished result

Sorry for the dodgy photo I was in a rush to get to the post office to make sure it arrived in time for the grand opening day.

There is a better, clearer photo over at the receiptants blog

You can check out some of the other quilts sent and received at our flickr group