Thursday, October 31, 2013

Today


I'm spending the day with this little guy.

He is off to hospital today to have 12 teeth removed under G.A.

Yes, I did say 12.  They are his remaining baby teeth.

Wish me luck - should prove to be an interesting experience.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A find


As we continue to clean and pack and sort
we found this quilt I made about 10 years ago.

I never liked it.

I'm not sure if it was the gold stars on the green or the plainness of the cream.

It doesn't matter because it has been put into the donations pile,
where I am sure it will find a home and be loved.

Funny how our tastes change.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Something's wrong!

Over the weekend, a little person asked me to sit and
watch a movie with him.

We settled down and got comfy and began to watch.

Part way through a little voice called out,
"Something's wrong with this quilt!"


His feet were poking out as it was too short.

When he worked it out, he promptly told me to
not make small quilts that don't cover his feet.

Nothing worse than a wrong quilt.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Badge

At school on Friday we (the teachers) were presented with badges
at assembly by the students.


We were also given a special morning tea.
It was a lovely way to finish the week.



Friday, October 25, 2013

It's here!

I have been watching these pop up everywhere lately.
The wait has been driving me insane!
Finally my wait is over!


This book is amazing!


Not is only jam-packed with block designs,
there are some projects thrown in as well.


It is functional and informative.
The instructions are clear and there are templates included.


This one is my favorite at the moment.
Now excuse me, I'm off to enlarge some templates...

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

This is serious

I have now bought 2 books and the papers.


I have dabbled a little before with FPP
using normal photo copy paper 
and it was awful to remove.

Apparently this paper (I haven't opened the packets yet)
is what the real FPP's use.
Yep, I'm running with the big kids.

Ok I'm still crawling and probably won't ever be a runner,
but I'm going to give it a red hot crack.

If you've used this paper before,
let me know what you think of it.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Nearly

The stitching is all done on this little lovely.


Just need to do the sewing part now,
unless anyone out there wants to finish it for me...
please?

Monday, October 21, 2013

Almost a finish


Yep this little beauty is all put together.
I think I will add a white boarder the same width as
the rows just to finish it off a little
and use a white binding.
I really want the hexies to be the focal point.
I love it.
Even the 3 baby bears like it - 2 have asked if
they can have it.
Not a chance.
It is amazing what you can achieve
when you ignore school work...
I did start my reports though, so that is something, right?

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Poor poor me...

If you have been following my blog for any amount of time you would know that I
almost never put my own photo on here.
today is an exception

LOOK


I am at the end of my tether.
My eyes are driving me insane.
They are itchy, swollen and red.
I can't use my normal moisturiser at the moment as it stings.
The only thing I can use is pawpaw ointment but it doesn't do anything.


The sneezing, running nose, and other symptoms I can cope with,
but I want to rip my eyes out of my head.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what will help?
I'm taking 2 different types of hay-fever tablets but as
you can see, they really aren't helping.

I would appreciate any advice.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

FNSI

I was feeling a little "Happy -go-lucky" last night.
I started a new project, I couldn't help myself.
I have been wanting to make one of these for a long time.


This is the chain piecing after a small amount of cutting.
Thank you for pre-cut honeycomb hexagons Moda.


Setting seams, pressing seams open and starching.
Seemed to take F.O.R.E.V.E.R.

 I got to joining some of the pieces together...
but not many and you can see how it was left at my machine.
Truth - it will probably stay like that now as I'm not sure how much sewing 
time I will squeeze in now as I'm packing up a house
and preparing to write reports...


I did have a finish though and I absolutely love it!
This is one swoon block to go on the wall of my new sewing room.
I used some V & Co green and solids from Spotlight.
You can't really see it but I FMQ Baptist fans all over.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Oh dear...

More books have arrived.
I'm thinking of opening a library!


I'm trying to broaden my creative horizons
and push myself to try new and different things.


I've signed up to take a class with Carol Doak -
but I thought I would do some homework first!
Oh, does that make me sound like a real nerd?
A real teacher?
Happy Friday to you all.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

More books

I can't help it.
I love books.
I see them and I buy them.
I see them on other people's blogs and I buy them.
I want to learn a new skill or technique - I buy the book.


I blame Sharon for this recent obsession of mine.
The other book I have ordered and was told would be here in 7-10 days
is this one,


I can't wait for it to get here!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Marmalade

Fabrics that is, not the spread.

Tammy is the owner of Marmalade Fabrics.

Modern fabric for quilters & artists

It is a lovely shop that provides great prices and excellent service.

Recently I put in an order and made an error.
Tammy actually contacted me to check before filling my order and charging
me double - how fantastic is that?

Right-Side-Tall
I've joined the tour - Around the colour wheel and you can stop your subscription at any time.
you aren't locked in - I think that is wonderful.

I have now had 3 orders from Marmalade fabrics and each time I have been so happy with my order.  
It arrives carefully wrapped in tissue paper and inside plastic bags.  
Tammy finds the most economical shipping for me and fills the box right up.

They even have a rewards program - that's important for those of us who shop online!
This is a snippet from the web site that tells you about the store:
Exceptional Service
  • Most orders ship within 24 hours of receipt.
  • All fabric is cut generously, accurately and handled with care.
  • All orders are professionally packed to ensure arrival in pristine condition.
Fair Pricing
By keeping our overhead costs lower than many larger stores, we manage to offer some of the best specials online.
Variety of Cuts
Order by the yard or fat quarter. It's your choice!
Selvages are intact on all fat quarters (As of April 15, 2011). However, if you prefer yours neatly trimmed, please add "SKINNY” at checkout and the selvages will be trimmed from your fat quarters.
Fabric is priced by the yard, with a .5 yard minimum order. Fabric is shipped in continuous yards unless otherwise requested.
Fair Shipping
Marmalade Fabrics offers free shipping on all orders of $200 or more shipped within the United States. All other orders will be charged minimal fees. Please see Shipping Info for detailed rates of shipping across the globe.
Rewards Program
Our rewards program is simple. Earn $10 free fabric for every $100 you spend in twelve month's time. Choose from any fabric in stock. It's like getting an additional 10% off every order. Log in each time you order and the system will track your purchases for you. Read FAQs here.

I am not being paid for this review and I asked Tammy if I could mention her shop on my blog.
I believe in recognizing good service and sharing that with the blogging community.
If you are someone who shops online and you haven't used Tammy, I urge you to
pay her a visit and see what you think.  I bet you will find something you want.
I am a Marmalade lover now!

Monday, October 14, 2013

Swooning around

I haven't sewn for days and I feel like my throat has been cut.
It is my release from everything - my happy place.
So today, after correcting school work and planning
and preparing some new maths activities,
shopping and running around
I decided to 'swoon' around a little.

 Now I did jump on the Swoon bandwagon on Flickr when Katy(I'm a ginger monkey fame)
started the swoon-along, but one thing led to another...



 My 4 completed blocks are in a storage container waiting for me to get on with it.
Today instead of getting on with it,
I started something new (I know finish something!)


A swoon block to be made into a wall hanging for my craft room in the new house.
House won't be finished for months yet, so there is a very
good chance that the house will be finished
before the wall hanging.
I'm using some V & Co, grey homespun and white homespun
I'm FMQ Baptsit fans all over.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Q4 list

                                                        she can quilt

I joined this for the third quarter and was successful in that 2 of the 3 things on my list
I actually finished - i think it was that little voice in my head saying
"you have to finish something, you can't be a complete dud".

So I'm joining again for the 4th quarter.
I've thought long and hard about this list - I don't want to over load it
and not have a chance of finishing anything,
but then again I do have a few projects on the go that I
really ought to finish.

So, here is my list:


We have Merry Merry Snowmen
Marcelle Medallion
Chris' quilt
Swoon
charity pinwheel
charity friendship plait quilt
Swoon wall hanging
beach bag
giant star quilt

An extensive list - manageable with report writing looming...
we shall see.

Thank Leanne for hosting.



Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Beach bag

I am going to the beach this summer.
Yep, booked a cabin.
Taking the family for a 6 hour drive
(are you freaking nuts, I hear you all asking).
Possibly as there are beaches only an hour from where I live.
But no, I'm meeting up with a friend and her family.
Not the closest beach for her either I'm betting.


I am not sure if it was the colours used in this bag
or the baby that drew me in. Or maybe it was knowing that my friend was
planning on making a killer beach bag (until I foiled her plan)...
she will still have an amazing beach bag...
So will I.

I am substituting a red floral fabric for the orange in the picture.
Now if I could just get a guarantee that there will be sun in January...


Monday, October 7, 2013

Crying into my toast


There are mothers all over Victoria waking up today 
jumping for joy and singing the Hallelujah Chorus.

Not this little black duck. 

I am unhappy.
Cheesed off.
Annoyed.
Grumpy.
Hating the fact that I have to go back to school.

I love being at home, pottering, sewing, internet shopping.

11 weeks of work until the big sewing break.
So that's 55 school days, 22 sewing/shopping/chore days
and one public holiday.  
There's also 2 weeks of swimming thrown in, along with reports, next years class lists,
Christmas functions (yay), presents (yes Simone this means your presents).

I think I can handle it.
I think I will make it.



Sunday, October 6, 2013

Pretty fabric and a new project.

I found this fabric in Spotlight and fell in love.
I am kicking myself now for not buying more of it.

I know, I know, there is always more pretty fabric coming.


I just have such a hard time cutting into the really beautiful stuff.
It's really quite silly because it is just fabric.
There will always be fabric.
I will always buy fabric.


And so, this very pretty fabric is to become the central
focus of a quilt for a lady that I work with.


This is the basic block.
Text fabric in the centre.
One of either blue/pink/green to surround it.
Orange corners.
All the blocks will then be surrounded by an orange border 
with more of the pretty text print as a wide final border.

So I have started it - in fact it is almost all cut out but,
will it be finished on time?
School finishes on the 20th of December.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

FNSI recap

My FNSI was very productive this month.
Seeing as it was school holidays I decided
to make the most of it and start early.


Firstly I finished off my 120 HST for a quilt.
I still need to trim them but by this point it was time
to take a break and take baby bear #2 to visit the dentist.


I then did some straight line quilting for a little project.


I then did some hand stitching on a cathedral window project.

I also watched a movie and cleaned up the kitchen after letting 
the kids feed themselves tonight - it was gobble and go.


I also had a quick look at this lovely little kit that arrived this morning.
I showed great restraint and decided not to start it tonight.


It's the Grab and Go bag
and it uses vinyl fabric.

Well I'm going to have a cup of mocha 
and then check out what others go up to.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

A Finish

Way, way back in June I began a quilt 
for my husband.
Poor thing didn't have a special quilt.
I felt guilty - everyone else has a special quilt.
So I showed him some patterns and he decided he wanted


Deco the halls by Sew Kind of Wonderful
and in the same colours.

Well skip forward a few months
and a link up to this...
and finally he has his quilt.


 There were disasters, unpicked seams and 4 bobbins used in the process.
But he took it to work last night for night shift
and reported this morning he was toasty warm all night.
Bonus.

a sneak peak of a bedroom in a fire station - complete with a special quilt

So all in all this quarter my joining this;

she can quilt

was successful as I finished 2 of my 3 things.
Just don't ask me about Marcelle.

Update

Ages and ages ago - or so it feels,
I blogged about a story that had moved me to tears.

It was the story of Phoebe.

I have been in touch with her Mum, Julia
and made the foundation some quilts to 
pass on to other kids with heart issues.

I offered to help out and Julia asked me to 
finish off a quilt top she had.


The whole family helped me to pin it altogether
before I quilted it.

I was pleased to finish it and send it back to Julia in time for
Phoebe's anniversary.

I forgot to take a photo of it before I sent it to Julia


This is it all finished.
I did a swirly meandering stipple all over.
I was happy with the way it turned out and I'm sure
some little person is going to love snuggling with this.