It's on it's way!

Keep an eye out in the post Maree, for your Paper Bag swap item is on it's way as we speak!

After taking lots of photos this morning, I packaged it all up safely, and posted it. Well, mum posted it for me because I'm not well today! Aren't mums great?

Whilst we wait for Australia Post to deliver the parcel, have a look at what Sandra made for Jessica! There is an awesome bag (am I sensing a theme here with bags?)

And a notebook cover, and needle book (love the matching fabric, and ric rac.)

And go over to Jessicas blog to see the little bag that was also made specially for her son.

It's exciting seeing all these different items that have been made. I hope you are enjoying seeing them too.

You are such a creative bunch of women!

A little bit of everything

Hurrah! I have finally finished my Paper Bag swap items for Maree! Can I show you them? Nup, not yet! You, like Maree, shall just have to be patient and wait a few days! I'm really happy with how it all turned out, and I just hope that Maree will like them. Mum wants to keep it, as per usual, so I'll have to quickly get it into the post tomorrow before she becomes too attached.

Meanwhile, check out the gorgeous items that Leah has made for Kris! Here is one of the items - a fabulous bag! I really like how Leah has predominantely used the linen, and then stitched it with the red stitching around the top, and handles. It really looks so striking. I must say, I love red and cream/white together.
Please check out Kris and Leahs blog to see the rest of the items that were made for the swap.

And lookie what came in the mail this week.... my giveaway prize that I won! Check out this ultra cute tin that Gail made. I just love it! And inside? 3 fat quarters!! Oh, a girls in heaven! Thank you so much Gail - I'm so thrilled that I won!

Now ladies, thoughts and opinions needed! What do you think of these fabrics I just bought today at work? The pink one on the left is from the Aviary range by 3 sisters for Moda, the center three are Somerset Cottage by Robyn Pandolph, and the last one is a cream quilters muslin. Do you think they look good together? I ummed and ahhed over them for about 30 minutes, trying to decide. I'm quite happy with them, and I really like the soft, feminine pallete, but are they too soft?


Oh, if you are wondering what they are for, well, it's for a secret project that I can't divulge on just yet. Oh, I'm horrible aren't I?

The final countdown!

Well, it is only 1 week away till all finished hadmade items need to be sent home for the Paper Bag Swap! I can't believe how quickly that time has snuck away. I am still putting the finishing touches on my items, and hopefully will have it in the mail by the end of the week!

Sorry for the teasing sneak peeks Maree!



But I promise that all will be revealed soon!

I'm so curious to know what everyone has been making! I keep seeing sneak peek photos turn up on various blogs, and my curiosity is killing me!!

Have a look at this sneak peek that Tracey is sending to Jantine....
Any guesses? Nup, I'm stumped too.

And have a look at the sneak peek of what Erika has made for Beatrice...

Amazing stuff...

What talented and amazing women you all are!

I must have done something right...

Usually I never win anything. Period. Whatever competitions I enter, whether it be for holidays to Canada, or shopping trips, or new cars, I never win.
But you know, something must be changing! Last post I mentioned the cute tin and fat quarter I won from Gail. Well, blow me down, but I won something else from Gail! She was having a week of giveaways, and it seems I won two more fat quarters! Who needs a new car, when I just won some fat quarters!

A big thank you to Gail for running her giveaway! Go over and check out her blog, go on!

We have some Rustys and Freds to share with you! It seems Stringybark Farm is gaining some popularity which I am just thrilled with! Talk about a buzz when other people like your work and design!! So, please take some time to go and visit Beatrice and see her block 2, and then trot on over to Amy's blog and check out her block 1!

I have had some people asking about what sort of pencils to use for the BOM. I have been using the Derwent brand of pencil, however they are not waterproof. Since it is a small wall hanging, I won't ever be washing it. However, if you want your quilt to be waterproof, I recomend trying the Faber Castell Polychromos Artists Colour Pencils. They have soft waterproof wax leads, and are resistant to smudging. They have acid free, and light fast pigments too.

Or you could always try wax crayons. Simply use an old tea towel to cover your colouring in piece, and then a warm iron over the top. I'll do a tutorial in a few weeks which might be helpful for some.

Figured it was time for a Paper Bag Swap update! How are all you wonderful ladies going?? In just over 1 week and a half, all the items must be sent back to their owners! Gosh - it's snuck up quickly! So please ladies, make sure you send your item on time. I don't want to have to publically name anyone who doesn't complete the swap, but I will!

Without giving too much away (I hope!) here are some progress photos of my swap item.
I bet Maree is thinking, "Now what is she up to...."

Lookie what I won!

Don't you just love giveaways??? I do! Well, Gail from Miss~Nance, had a week of giveaways last week. Yes, I know I was very slack not to let you all know about it. Maybe in the back of my mind I wanted to give myself more of a chance!

Anyway, have a look at what I won!

It's an altered tin that Gail has made, plus a fat quarter in my choice of colour! I love the little tin, and think it's just gorgeous. I was so wrapped that I won. Thank you Gail!

Well, I am so happy to see that you like my block 2 for Stringybark Farm! Thank you for all your comments that have been left. It's such a joy to know that others are enjoying my blocks! I can't wait to see some Rustys, and Freddies come to life. Please let me know when you finish a block, because I would love to share them on my blog.

I have some exciting news that involves a popular craft magazine, and one of my designs! And that is all I shall say on that subject for now, but I shall keep you posted on what is happening!


Maree, from Farmyard Crafts, asked me how I was going with my Homespun Breast of Friends blocks. Very slowly is my response! I have finished the first four blocks, but the fifth one is a BIG one. And so it has unfortunately slid down on my priority list sadly! But I have been reinspired, and now that block 6, 7, 8 and 9 are released- I really need to get moving!!

This was my Block 4, that I did a month or so ago now.

We are selling the Breast of Friends fabric kits at work, (Patchwork with Gail B,) for anyone that is interested. It is a pack with the "In the Pink" range of fabric, and enough to make your quilt. It's gorgeous stuff in real life, and is incredibly popular! And we also have 'scrap bags' of the fabric, if you want some bits and pieces to throw in.

It's raining today, and freezing cold outside, so it sounds like the perfect day for sewing! I better keep moving with Maree's paper bag swap item!

Stringybark Farm - Block Two

Here it is!

Block 2 in my Block on the Month!

Welcome to The Hen House! Please, I would like to introduce you to Fred the Rooster, his two faithful hens Vera and Ginger, and their cute chicks. A farm is not a farm without a rooster and some hens, and Fred knows all too well that he is of utmost importence to Farmer Jack and Betty. Well, at least he thinks he is of utmost importence. He tends to take his role rather seriously, and insists that he is responsible for waking up the farm at 6am every morning. Even though he has a rather plump belly, he struts his way up to his favourite fence post, and lets out a loud, "Cock - a - doodle - dooooooooo!!" And not just at 6am either, but whenever he feels it is necessary, or basically whenever he wants to.... No one would dare hurt his feelings by telling him to be quiet.

Vera and Betty are firm friends, and are happy to put up with Freds obsurdities. They like nothing better than caring for their chicks and pecking for snails in the warm sunshine. They love their home on the farm, and overall, are very happy hens. Except when Rusty the dog thinks it's fun to chase them around the hen house of course. And don't get between them and their food... or their chicks! They are fiercely strong and protective mother hens, just as they should be!

To stitch "The Hen House," please go here for the instructions and pattern. The first block, "Rustys House," can also be found in the same place.

Have fun creating Fred, Vera and Ginger, and please show me your finished blocks! I would love to see them!

To all the wonderful mothers...

Happy Mothers Day!

I hope all the mothers had a lovely and fantastic day yesterday!

Whilst I am not a mother yet, I do hope to be one in the future. It is such a wonderful gift to be a mother, and I firmly believe that mothers can shape the future of the world, by how they raise their children. They are the next generation of world leaders and changers, workers, helpers, pastors, doctors and parents themselves.

Be proud of the the amazing and high calling you have as a mother, and I pray that you and your family will be richly blessed.

Block 2 for my Stringybark Farm Block of the Month will be released very shortly, hopefully today. Below is a sneak peek... what do you think it is??

Maybe I was wrong?

Maybe it wasn't as bad as first feared?

I mean, sure, it doesn't sit flat on the table....



And the stipple quilting leaves a lot to be desired...

And I have no idea what we are going to actually do with it.... Though it looks rather good thrown on the top of the recliner...

But the best thing?

Mum loves it, and that's all that matters.

Mothers Day Present? Done!

busy...busy...busy...

Yes, you will be happy to know that I am still here. I vanished into the deep dark abyss of work, family issues, freezing cold weather, teaching craft classes and looking after my duo of hairy hounds, one fat chub of a horse, and a stubborn little rabbit.
By the time I have done all I had to do, there was simply no time for sewing. *gasp* Could there ever be a more tragic tragedy??

Hence I have had nothing of great importence, or interest, to type up here. But I am more than pleased to report that the clutches of the abyss let go long enough to allow me to do a wee bit of sewing.

Firstly, I am working on two dollies for my friend Julie. She wants them made for her two nieces. I've been putting these off for long enough now, and I really have to get into it. So I have little calico bodies sitting around my sewing machine at the moment, waiting to be turned and stuffed, and brought to life.

I also suddenly realised that Mothers Day is this Sunday! Oh my.... I suddenly had to come up with something to make my wonderful mother as she adores my handmade bits much more than any store bought item. So the calico bodies were put aside and told to wait. "But's it's cold," they complained. "I don't have a face yet" one stated. "I don't have any arms yet," the other whined. I told them to be quiet and learn some patience.

I should have stuck with the dolls and bought mum some flowers. I really should have.
You know what I have learnt? Don't force creativeness and sewing.... It really doesn't end well.

I started off with this appliqued rose I got from a friend, and decided to turn it into a tablecenter/runner thing.

And the result? Well, to be honest, I haven't finished yet. My sewing machine had decided to throw a hissy fit whilst I was stipple quilting it. I lost my patience, and decided to get back to it later.

More on my disastorous mothers day project when I finally finish it. Hopefully by my next post. More to the point, hopefully by Mothers Day. I hope my mum will like it....

Another thing that has been on my mind of late is the Paper Bag swap! Who would have thought May would have come around so quickly?? The items have to be completed and sent by the 31st of May. And truth by told, I haven't really started yet. *gasp* But I have bought some extra fabric, and I know what I am doing. As soon as Mothers Day is over, I shall get stuck into it!

So don't fret Maree! It will be done in plenty of time!
This is the lovely fabric Maree sent me to use.... "Swell by Urban Chiks" for Moda.

Speaking of the Paper Bag swap, go check out Erika and Beatrices blogs to see the items Beatrice made!

And before I finish this post, and head back to the sewing machine, check out these pretty colours below! I reckon they would look wonderful in a quilt. Yup, that will be my next project. After I finish all the others of course.