And the winner is...

It's official. I love having giveaways!! It's just so much fun!

So, last night, all the names were put in a box, each one crying out, "Pick me, pick me!"

And the lucky name that was pulled out is.....

Congratulations Jantine! I'm so happy that you won! I really hope you like your prize!

Because you are from the Netherlands, I can't really send you the chocolate, sorry!! Don't worry though, I'll add another craft magazine in! But, to save myself from eating the chocolate, I thought I would draw another name!

So the lucky winner of the chocolate (and a few other bits and bobs,) is....

Congratulations Kimba4!! I hope you like Lindt Chocolate! I know I do, it's my favourite!

So well done to the winners, and thank you to all who entered my first giveaway. It was alot of fun, and I was so overwhelmed with the great response! So I will definately be having another giveaway again.
Jantine, I have your address from the paper bag swap, but please let me know what toy monster you would like, a boy or a girl. And Kim, I think I have your address, but maybe PM me just incase. :)

So, thank you for all your congratulations about my new job! I'm still quite stunned. Although now the butterflies and nerves are setting as, as always when you start at a new place.
Things have been pretty busy here as I have a few order for my Ribbon Browbands. I just finished this one last night, and it will be going up to Queensland to a girl who competes and shows her horse. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Well, that's it from me. Remember, the Paper Bag Swap sign up is still open, so feel free to join in. It's going to be lots of fun! I'm off to have a hot cup of tea and a Tim Tam biscut!

I wish there were two of me

This week has suddenly changed from quiet and normal, to flat out and busy. I have had two orders come in for my ribbon browbands (see here if you are wondering what the heck a ribbon browband is,) I have the dentist coming for my horse in about 40 minutes, a friend coming over who needs help with her wall hanging, and now I discover I have to have 3 original items ready for next Tuesday. That's only 5 days away!

And why, you may be wondering, do I need to have 3 original items ready for next Tuesday? Well, I can't tell you just yet! Isn't that just horrible of me? But all will be revealed in time, but meanwhile I am tearing my hair out wondering if it's all possible.

So I think one of my items will be the quilt I just made for my Omi. Speaking of which, I gave it to her on Monday and she absolutely LOVED IT! It now sits proudly on her dining room table and she shows it off to whoever she can. I did tell her that it is a quilt to keep her warm, but she wants to have it on display as a tablecloth first!



So, if you don't hear from me for the next couple of days, it's because I will be living in my sewing room, madly creating, cutting and making. I will only emerge for chocolate and biscuts, and perhaps a cup of tea.


Well, I had quite a few bloggers interested in the paper bag swap from my last post. If there is enough interest I'm happy to run a swap on 'blogland.' I participated in the previous swap, but I have run and organised swaps and activities in the past on various forums, and I'm happy to organise a swap for here. So, if you like the sound of the 'paper bag' swap, and would be interested in hearing more, or joining in, please comment to say so. If we get a few people that are keen, I'll see about getting the swap up and running, after Tuesday of course!!

Wonder of wonders - it's been raining the past two days here!! There is a definate lift to the whole township now as the threat of the bushfires have greatly eased. We haven't had any serious rain here since, well, before Christmas I think. So it is so strange to hear these heavy drops on our tin roof. Thank you God for the rain!

And so finally, before I dash off to get my horse ready for the dentist, here are some goodies I bought just recently. I was in dire need of a new cutting mat, so mum bought it as an early birthday present. Of course, I couldn't leave the shop without some fabric too, and that little Singer tin was just too cute to leave behind. I'm such a tragic.

A bevy of baskets

I was going to attempt to do this enitre post using alot of 'b' words to coincide with my baskets, but I got stuck on the first sentence and gave up. Yes, I have alot of tenacity and will power, as you can see.

So I have been busy (ohhh...two "b" words in a row! How clever I am,) making some of these cute little fabric baskets from the Pink Penguin as Christmas presents. I plan to fill them with alot of baked goodies (shortbread, fudge, biscuts, etc,) and of course, some chocolate. Who could forget the chocolate?? They are a nice simple gift, but I think they will look great when they are all filled with the goodies.

Keeping with the "B" theme (or lack thereof...) I thought I would show you a photo of one of my Ribbon Browbands on a horse. Remember the browbands I posted about a few posts back? Well, the girl sent me a photo of the lovely apricot and brown one on her horse Vincent.

Finally, thanks to those who signed up for the "Pay it Forward," that was in my previous post! I am looking forward to making gifts for Princess Pudge, Farmyard Crafts, and Erika at My Strawberry Patch. I already have some ideas of what I am going to make! Can't wait to get started.

Ribbon Browbands

Oh my...what slackness of late! I do have some excuses though, but it still doesn't stop me from feeling guilty! Firstly, thanks for the comments about my cute rabbit, Jindi (and for all the past comments people have made to my blog...I really enjoy reading them!) He (the rabbit that is,) is such a character, and I have never met a rabbit with more spunk and personality than him.

Anyway, I have been flat out lately with two orders for ribbon browbands. For the non-horsey people who are reading this going, "Ribbon what-nows?" I'll explain! A ribbon browband is a fancy decorated band with rosettes on either end that attaches to a horses bridle and is mainly used for the show ring.

I've been making them for a number of years now, and so these are the latest two orders. The girl who ordered them owns some gorgeous horses, and will be using them for showing. I can't wait to see some photos of the browbands on the horses!

The first one is a purple and green browband, and the second is apricot and brown, using both satin and velvet ribbon in each browband.

I really enjoy making ribbon browbands, and I enjoy it even more when I see them finished and on the horse! :) So that has been my crafty endeavours of late, well, in between watching the Melbourne Cup Carnival of course!