Me First! Me First!!

Ok, I'm a bit of a self confessed "Melly and Me" fan over here. I mean, how cute are their gorgeous toys? And not to mention that Melly is such a lovely and generous girl, who has donated alot of fabric for my 'Sew Blessed' missions.

So it was with great excitement that Mellys first range of fabric from Creative Abundance, called "Where the Wind Blows," arrived at work this morning! And guess what? We were the first store in all of Australia to get it! Thanks for dropping it off Melly!

And so I was the lucky girl who got to unwrap the pretty bolts, and cut some into fat quarters. Such fun!

And so. I just had to buy some. How utterley cute is it?! And you know what I realised? I'm the first person to have bought some of Mellys fabric! How cool is that?!!

So if you would like some of Mellys fabric, we have the full collection at Patchwork with Gail B.
And to continue with the Melly and Me theme - only 3 sleeps to go till the Immerse Stitching Day!!! Can't wait!

Also, lots of new design news coming shortly, and who remembers the Paper Bag swap I held last year? Well, would anyone like to have a go of it again? 'Twas great fun! Let me know your thoughts. :)

Back on board...

Well ladies, I'm back! Once again, thank you for all your kind 'get well' comments. It's been great to read them, and I'm so appreciative!

I finally can get through a day without feeling dizzy or struggling with headaches. I worked for the first time again on Monday, but I think I overdid it and had a throbbing headache all afternoon. But apart from that, I'm getting better - yay! It's amazing how much concussion knocks you around, and effects your thoughts and thinking. Mum was quite amazed at all the silly things I was doing whilst I was sick. I'm still not driving (apart from short local trips,) but I'm getting there slowly. I think I'll be wearing a helmet next time I work with my friends horse!

Anyway, lets get back to some normality! I've missed you all, and I feel a bit out of the loop! I've set aside some time this afternoon to browse all your blogs and catch up.



Time for a Paper Bag swap update! I think nearly everyone has sent their finished handmade items back to their partners, and I hope you all enjoyed being apart of the swap. There are a few things I'm still chasing up on, but it's pretty much been a sucess!

So I wanted to share with you some of the creations that have been made through this swap. If you scroll through some previous posts on my blog you will find some items aswell.

Michelle was a busy girl, and made some great items for Levineke. Check out this lovely folder for Levineke to store all her sewing bits and pieces in. It has pockets inside for all sorts of things, like threads and scissors. Make sure you drop by Levinekes blog to see the other goodies Michelle made her.
I have fallen with love with this gorgeous bag ( yup, another bag!!)that Kris has made for Leah!

Isn't the owl so cute?? Leah loves owls, so it's just perfect for her. Check out Leahs blog for some more photos of the cute bag.

Now, I think this is the first doll that has been made in the swap (correct me if I am wrong!) And this gorgeous little girl was made by Jantine for Tracey. She is a sewing themed doll, with embroidered pockets, and even a little needlebook, and scissors fob. How cute is she??

And check out what Tracey made for Jantine. She used Lynette Andersons stitchery design for the Breast of Friends, and made a beautiful wall hanging. How clever is she?? Go to Jantines blog to see some more photos of the goodies Tracey sent her, and to look at those yummy pancakes she was making when the parcel arrived!!

Isn't it great to see all these wonderful items that have been made? You are all such a talented and creative bunch of women - well done! I hope you have enjoyed the swap, and had a good time. I know I did!

Must be the day for getting pressies!

Isn't the postman nice to deliver not only my swap item from Maree today, but to deliver Maree hers too?!! Such fun that we both got ours on the same day!

So now I can finally reveal what I made for Maree! I've been wanting to show you all for weeks now!

These are the items that Maree sent me.....

...and this is what I made...

Yup, another bag!! haha! I made the bag first, and then had stuff left over, so made the table runner.

The first thing that shouted out to me about Marees fabric was 'cherries,' hence the cherry fabric, and appliqued cherry. I hope you like cherries Maree!

The fabric is one of Marees favourites, so I had to use the selvedge, and I think it looks really funky! I love the red ribbon with it too, which can be gathered together to 'close' the bag.

But wait, that's not all! The bag is actually reversible! So whenever Maree gets tired of one side, she can get a fresh new look just by turning it inside out. The green ribbon was one of the items Maree sent, and it was just long enough to gather the bag too!

I call this my 'shabby chic' side!! I had such fun playing with this side of the bag and coming up with something a bit different! I completely made up the design for the whole bag as I went along, and followed no pattern. I find that's the best way that I create- just by making it up as I go.

I also made a little circle of fabric and stitched a capital 'M' (for Maree obviously!) and a flower on the back, then attached it to the bag. But I think I forgot to get a photo of it!

The table runner is simply squares sewn together, with an applique center. I actually cut out one of the flowers from the green fabric of the bag, and used that for the applique.

And then I added some of the buttons Maree sent, and the red ric rac. I also used the ric rac on the bag.
I've heard from Maree that she loves the items and is really happy - so big sigh of relief from me!! I had so much fun making these items for Maree, as she is such a lovely person, and it's been a joy to get to know her over this swap.

*jumps up and down with excitement*

Guess what arrived at my door just as I was finishing my previous post?!! A package from Maree! Yup, my paper bag swap item!


And wow, wow, wow! It's fantastic! Maree has done such an amazing job, and I'm so thrilled with the results. Here are the bits and pieces that I sent her....

And this is the result! A gorgeous wall hanging, that has a beautiful stitchery on it, a fantastic pin cushion (I've been admiring that design for ages!), some very cute farm yard cake decoartions and two sachets of coffee!!


Haven't I been spoiled?!! Here is a better picture of the wallhanging. I love the colours Maree has used with my fabric, and the stitchery design is lovely.


The amount of detail in here is incredible! Check out those fantastic and neat stitches!


I LOVE this little flower that is attached to the wall hanging! It says, "Missymacks paper bag swap 2009." Maree said I could take it off if I wanted to, but no way! I love it and it's staying!



The pincushion is just amazing, and once again, Marees work is just lovely. It's going to have pride of place on my sewing table!


Thank you, thank you, thank you to Maree!! You have done such a beautiful and wonderful job, and I love it all so much. I'll treasure it always!


Now I'm off to have a cup of coffee, and 'ohh and ahh' over my treasures a little more!

More Swap stuff!

Well there are paper bag swap parcels flying all around the world at the moment! How exciting is that?!

Check out the amazing items that Erika made for Beatrice! There is a beautiful wallhanging, which has so much stitching and detail! It looks fantastic.

And there is a table runner too, which is just lovely. Erika has done a great job!

And Sandra has recieved her swap item from Jessica, who made a lovely bag with funky paisley stitching on the front, a notebook, and this groovy little owl! How cute is he?! I just want to cuddle him!

Thanks to everyone who is keeping in contact with my about the swap. I'm sorry if I haven't replied to every email - I've been run off my feet this past week! We only have a few ladies left to send their items (thanks for the emails and heads up girls!) and then it's all done! I hope you have enjoyed the swap as much as I have!

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...."