Postcards and Family Craftiness

Two more fabric postcards ready to take the plunge into the red mailbox. This first is for a birthday . . .

the heart card is for our July swap so I've just scraped inside the end of the month.




As for family craftiness, DD made this folder cover while home from Uni, so no UFO box for this little project.

My mother is into all types of crafts. This denim quilt she made from hand-me-down jeans and purchased the border fabric. She also made the cream bed ruffle.

Another little wall hanging of mums, featuring stained glass work.

Happy sewing be it with family or friends.

Sunday Sewing Update #3 (the last)

Finally I was able to upload the updated version of the Christmas Postcard I made on Sunday. If you check back, you'll see I added some fabric paint to the star, heart and pot.

I also managed to make a start on Wonky House #4, it's soooo sweet. Days like Sunday don't come along too often so I like to make the most of them.
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Kerry's had a face lift to go with her celebrations, so go over and check it out ... time is running out.
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Winter is just around the corner, I can feel it sneaking in around my toes.

Sunday Sewing Update #1

This morning I've been busy ironing, measuring, cutting, laying out and designing.
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Then it was lunch time. And a spot of TV, I like to watch 'Landline' if I'm in the house. Now on to the sewing machine. So far I've finished off these three fabric postcards.
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Red Work or Stitchery is the theme for our May Postcard Swap so I combined the two. This design is a Cinderberry Stitches by Natalie Lymer.


Secondly a Birthday Postcard for DD's housemate.


This one is for a Christmas in July Swap. While the photos have been loading (slowly) I've added some fabric paint so will update again later.

The sewing machine is calling.

Surprise! Surprise!

Saturday was full of surprises. The first being that I finished the T-block quilt. I've named it 'Double Choc' as it reminds me of a block of white chocolate with milk chocolate swirls.



Of course put a quilt down and a cat will always appear .
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Next is a close-up of the two cream fabrics used.

This log cabin quilt I finished in early March is 'Toffee Bon Bon'.

Both quilts were gifted last night at my brothers surprise "Big O" birthday party, and a big surprise it was too. He had no idea. 'Toffee Bon Bon' is his and 'Double Choc' is for my SIL who also celebrated her "Big O" with a surprise party earlier in the year. So I was able to deliver his and hers gifts.

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These pelicans winged their way to me for our April 'At the beach' Postcard Swap. So clever and well done. I'm loving them.

In keeping with surprises, my May postcard has also arrived. The theme for May is 'Stitchery' or 'Red Work'. Isn't it the cutest little quilt draped over a post and rail fence.

I'm tracing some designs today ready for lots of stitching at night. And next quilt off the starting blocks will be another log cabin, this time for our bed. Off to find the fabrics, I think I still need to purchase one more so need to sort that out.

Happy Stitching

Friday Finishes (on Saturday)

I had to borrow a camera and swap my SD card over in order to be able to upload photos to my computer. There's a breakdown in communication between my camera and computer.
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So that's why I'm posting Friday finishes on Saturday.
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Ooops! Round the wrong way, oh well. Here's block 3 of Esther's 'Red Delicious' BOM awaiting hand stitching.


And this is block 2 all finished, trimmed and tucked away for safe keeping.

I'm enjoying the hand stitching at night in front of the tv. It helps to leave the day behind and relax before heading to bed.
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With April now behind us, I have another Fabric Postcard to share. This time I made two and sent the first one to my DD.


The second I posted off to my swap partner for April. A reminder of the nice warm days as we head into Winter next month.

Today I'm hoping to prepare some pieces for some hand embroidery as well as continue working on the T-block quilt.There's also another little (long term) project in the wind, but I'll share that next time perhaps.

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Hope you're having a sewing weekend.

What a Week!

This week just past would have to be the most unproductive week I have ever spent. Why?
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Ask the nasty little bug that decided to take residence and take every last ounce of energy giving me the whole exploding head experience. Thankfully it's passing and today is the first day since last Sunday that I have regained some energy. I've even been in the kitchen cooking to get ahead on lunches for this week.


I did manage a little hand sewing in front of the telly with the tissue box close by. Here's my postcard for March which I posted away on Friday. The theme was 'A Miniature Quilt' so I went with my take on Log Cabin.



And this is the sweet Miniature Quilt Postcard I received in Wednesday's mail.





This week I also celebrated my birthday . . . did I say 'celebrate'? Maybe next year now.
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There were some little rays of sunshine brought to me via the mailman from the lovely ladies in my Birthday Fat 1/4 Swap group.
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Thankyou to the lovely Maree who organized everything and thankyou ladies for your kind wishes.
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Here are a couple of photos of the lovely fabrics that I look forward to creating with from
Jeni, Maree W and Jenny .

More photos another day, I need to go check on the last cake in the oven.

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Happy Sewing

PS: All cakes are now cooked and one left to ice. Time to put my feet up for a bit, I really need to get to the sewing machine today as well.

Under the Sea

I'm a little bit behind but it's still February for another 8 and 1/2 hours so here is my postcard for 'Under the Sea'. I found just the right blue background fabric that to me looked like it has a great piece of coral already there. Swim little fishies. They and the green coral are hand appliqued and then I backstitched water with a blue metalic thread.


This is the postcard I received in yesterday's mail. Aren't those little turtles just the cutest. I think you call it couching and it's done with a gold metalic thread over wool with blue metalic thread for the water.

Back to the cutting mat for my next project.

Happy Sewing

Crazy Patch Postcards

Back again with a picture of the sweet fabric postcard I received in the mail.

I've also been doing some hand sewing on the log cabin quilt, joining blocks. It's coming along nicely. Managed to get a log done while watching the final of McLeods Daughters.

Happy Sewing

Sewing Go Slow

Back at work, no sewing and exhausted. It's always the same first week back, takes a bit to get back into the swing of things.

In the absence of any sewing progress, here's the fabric postcard I completed for January.

Happy Sewing

November Post Card

My Fabric Postcard for November must have got held up along the way judging by the post date stamp but it arrived yesterday.

How cute are these dancing frogs?

It's just tooooo hot here today to consider doing much at all. Especially after a late night last night at our school concert. I'm thinking today will be a rest day with lots of quilting plans going on in my head.

Cool Quilting Wishes

It's a Quilt Marathon

Niki is holding a Last Push Quilt-a-thon on Saturday the 13th of December. Here's an opportunity to get some of those last minute or almost finished things completed. For more information click on Niki's graphic on my sidebar.

I'm not looking to good for Finn's New Years Eve Challenge at the moment so this might help me along. Now if I can only arrange to have the day all to myself?

Here's a pic of my last postcard I made for November. The theme was applique.

I'm off to have a coffee so I can make it through the remainder of the day.

Quilting Wishes

PS: I've also taken the plunge and purchased some red fabrics this week (I don't have much of a stash) and am looking forwarding to making a start on 'Red Delicious'. I just can't help myself.

Swap News

Life is still in top gear so not much of the quilty stuff going on at all.

Just this morning I finished off my postcard for October ... before dashing off to work ... and popped it in the mail on my way. It is an even 6" x 4", just doesn't look it in the pic.



In Monday's mail I received this little beauty. Our theme for October was birds and/or insects.


Margaret (no blog) has her quilt ready for ALQS2 (photo taken with phone). Her Kangaroo's Paw will be on it's way across the wide blue yonder this week.


I'm off to a quilting weekend in 10 sleeps so I can't wait. Two whole days of quilting with friends.

Quilting Wishes

Holidays Almost Over, Some Finish, Some Progress

We've had a lovely week with the two kids and a friend at home but it will soon be back to just the two of us. I have managed some sewing inbetween housework, bookwork and feeding everyone.

The little wall hanging was completed for our Girls Night In last night. Everyone who attended had a lovely evening. Once again Kerry did a wonderful job in organising this fund raiser for Breast Cancer Research.


#1 Finn's NYE Challenge ~ I now have everything ironed onto the queen bed quilt and all I have to do is secure them with a blind stitch. I'm still undecided as to whether I try to quilt it myself or send it away for quilting.

#2 Finn's NYE Challenge ~ I've been doing some more machine quilting on the Rainbow Wall Hanging and worked out a pattern for the last blocks so it's progressing along as well.

My PIF Gifts reached their destinations during the week, that's a relief to know they've arrived safely. Thanks Gina and Nancy for playing along, it's wonderful to meet such lovely ladies. To follow the rules of PIF to the 'T', I still have one spot left if there is someone who would like to play along. First to ask to join via a comment here, will be the lucky third although I can't promise it will be one of these bags. See here for the full rules. You will have 365 days to send your gifts on.

Friday week ago I received this very sassy lady in the mail, my September postcard. Now to think of an idea for October.

Also time to start on my little quilt for ALQS. I have a pattern and some fabric, hope ?????? likes my idea while keeping with her colour preferences.

Time to hand the computer back to DD. She's been extremely busy with research and assignments while home so I've let her have the run of it. Though I've still managed to keep up with most of your blogs when she takes breaks.

Quilting Wishes

Fabric Postcards and 200th Giveaway

I may be getting close to my 100th post but Myra is reaching her 200th and is holding a giveaway to celebrate the occasion. Click on either link and pay her a visit to say hi.

My postcard is on it's way to it's new home. Funny to think we can pop a piece of fabric in the mail and off it goes just like a letter. I wished it well on it's journey. They are to reach their destinations by the end of each month so I should find another in my mail box very soon.




Can you believe, I think I might have RSI in my right shoulder from all that mouse controlling while reading everyone's blogs. It ached like crazy last night. I'm now teaching my left hand to control the mouse, not going too bad either, LOL.

DD will be home shortly for Uni holidays and DS is taking a weeks annual leave to lend a hand on the property so our home will be back to 'the old days' for a week or so. Looking forward to it! She might even get to finish one of her WIP's.

I was wondering when does a WIP become a WIP so I'm adding an extra list to my sidebar of projects I have the fabric and pattern for, "Ready and Waiting" to begin. More for my own memories sake really. If I can see them in print, I might get a wriggle on and finish some more WIP's so I can start some new projects.

I'm still making slow progress on my queen bed quilt for Finn's New Year's Eve Challenge. Another small wall hanging just needs about 2o inches of hand stitching the binding and it's finished.

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and

Quilting Wishes

Some Finishes and Roses

I've been grabbing a little sewing time here and there and have managed a couple of finishes. Not NYE finishes but I am very slowly progressing on those.

Today I made another postcard for my swap. The theme was 'In the Pink' but no pic yet because it needs a little something to complete it. However it will be posted to arrive before the end of September as per the swap rules.

Last night I finished the hand stitching on the second of my PIF gifts. I'm pleased to say that they will be in Monday's post. Pics when they arrive.

Here's the mug bag and matching mug mat that I made for Veronica as part of Linda's Bag/Bucket Swap. I had a lot of fun taking part and isn't it amazing how many different styles of bags/buckets there are out there. Thanks Linda.

Sadly the quilt-as-you-go log cabin workshop that I was to attend this Thursday, had to be postponed. Talk about disappointment. Guess that means I'll make more progress on some other finishes now instead. I've packed all the fabrics etc for the log cabin in a container ready for a new date.

It's as hot as today, waiting for the storms they keep predicting. I have two weeks holidays ahead of me so hopefully that will include some good sewing time. It also has to include some bookwork and GST that uses up valuable sewing time, hmph! Housework too! I'm sure I can find an even balance between them all.

I'll leave you with some more of my roses. We had a gardening day yesterday, lots of culling and weeding to tidy things up a bit.

Double Delight

Blue Moon

Quilting Wishes

Time for Show and Tell

What a busy week. I've only just managed to keep up with my favourite blogs and went to bed early last night exhausted. Now the weekend is here and I have a fresh start, I'd like to share some goodies that I have either received, purchased or grown.

Firstly I received my first fabric postcard in the mail yesterday. This is the first in the swap I joined and I'm loving it. Butterflies are on my favourites list.

Next are some fabrics purchased to compliment some stash fabrics. These will go towards three different projects. They are not specifically grouped so if I don't point out which fabrics are which, then no one will be any the wiser, hey Kerry.

I've had making another kaleidoscope on my mind and when I saw this fabric I had to have it, and of course the book to go along with the project. Iwill be strong and not start this quilt until I have a couple of finishes first.

Yesterday at patchwork I took along my queen bed quilt and did some more work on it. It's so close to being finished, if I knuckle down I plan to complete the top within the next three weeks. Then I'll decide if I'll tackle the quilting myself or save some pennies and send it away to be quilted.

Lastly my pour neglected roses are real troopers. They practically grow themselves. Here is Peter Frankenfeld (pink) and Just Joey (apricot) with the most delicious scents.

Off to do some sewing now. My bag for Linda's swap is almost finished and I've cut out a little something to go with it.

Quilting Wishes