So, what else did I make??? Pic heavy!!

So, I have FINALLY finished binding George Town Circle in Whimsy fabrics for Mum and Dad for Christmas! Looks pretty different to mine (or I should say Dennis's!!). Pattern by Kerry Swain which was a workshop pattern last year!

I had other borders planned, but after the top was completed I was not happy with what I chose, so I took pics of different combo's and emailed to some lovely friends to give me their opinion, and I am happy (and thankful) for their choice! This is what won: Dark pink, with a green outer, binding in the same as the inner:

And here is the centre block outlined in the same fabric as the inner and binding. This block is called the 'George Town Circle'.

Here is Mum fixing the back for all to see:

Oh, and I managed to whip up another 3 baskets, bringing my tally to 9!!

This year I bought Mum an 'English Bobby' un-picker and matching measuring tape as well! I got myself a red Matryoshka one! They are SO cute! I also made her this unusual pin cushion. You might remember it from the Pin Cushion of the Month a little while ago!

Seems SO long ago, I did a little swap with Manda, for these totally GORGEOUS owl and rose pin toppers she made! The plan was some were going to go to new homes this Christmas! So, I decided to make pin cushions to put them in as gifts! Thanks SO much Manda, they were such a hit!!

My SIL Roseanne always make each other a gift, but as we get a little swamped this time of year, we usually swap gifts a little later. The plan is January some time..... When we both have finished lol!

But, I like to give something on the day. So, I whipped up this little pin cushion for her!

I quite liked working with the wool! And, I even popped in some of Manda's toppers in too!

Lots of OPAM for December that's for sure!

I just wanted to say, thankyou to all my readers, and lurkers for stopping by this past year. I have really enjoyed reading all your comments and encouragement throughout the year. It has really kept me inspired. Thanks SO much!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

x Sarah

For *me*

I received LOTS of bits and pieces this year for Christmas - perfume Sex and the City 'Kiss' (which when opening I nearly freaked, thinking it was cd's of Kiss the group.... They used to scare me as a kid lol), sewing bits and bobs, lip balm and chocolates, chocolates and MORE chocolates lol! My brother and his wife Kate even bought me The Lost Quilter! I am looking forward to reading that, as I enjoyed the first 3 I have read!

Mum and Dad gave me the kit to make these lovely cushions in Nicey Jane fabrics! Quite modern for me, but I really liked Nicey Jane! And she forgot to bring some Bliss flannels she had for me! I hope she sends it, as I am really, REALLY, loving this quilt!! Must find my pattern!

And, Dennis gave me some battery operated salt and pepper grinders which I have been nagging about - slightly! They even have a light in the bottom to see where you are putting it! What next lol! And, he also gave me this beauty! I can now play the music from my iPhone with it while sewing away! Cool!

It has been great having Mum and Dad visit from QLD! As you can see, Mum has been sewing quite a bit with me (I managed to finish a Xmas pressie today - this years lol), and she even had a play with my quilting frame!!

I bound it for her last night (aren't I nice lol), took it round to where she is staying ready for her to hand sew down, only to be told she didn't have any cotton...... lol

Secret Santa gift from Me

For our Friends In Stitching Secret Santa, I made for Cathy. I had been 'sussing' her out for a little while and noticed she didn't have one of Leanne's House 'Dream Bag and Block Keeper', and thought I would make her one. And, while at Camp, I found her admiring the Bliss range! So, I decided that would be the fabric to use!

Here is the Dream Bag:

And, the book style Block Keeper:

A matching set:

I am quite pleased with the way they turned out, if I didn't already have one, I would have wanted to keep it myself lol!

x Sarah

PS: Tomorrow, I will share some of the gifts I received!

Xmas gift for a dear friend!

The last couple of weeks before Christmas, I got stitching this cushion during my lunch breaks at work! The girls from work loved seeing it progress as they are not stitchers at all! I must show them the completed cushion when we go back!

I made this as a little surprise gift for Pauline! She has helped me with lots of things during the year and so I wanted to show her that I appreciated her help VERY much!

Pauline has a country craft and patchwork shop and it is one of my favourite places to visit! So, I stitched her shop name on the little shop applique:

I actually finished it 2 days before Christmas as I wanted to put the Hugo button on instead of the cat button, and it only came on the Thursday. Talk about a close call!

I am glad you liked it Pauline!

I still have HEAPS to show you, but today has been spent stitching so tomorrow I will (WILL) pop back!

x Sarah

Secret Santa revealed!

I received my gift from the Secret Santa from our online Group a couple of weeks early, but I contained myself and did not open until first thing Xmas Morning! And, I was totally gob-smacked! I received this GORGEOUS French General Table Runner:

Just beautiful don't you think?!

And, she also made me a diary cover, complete with diary!

As well as a note book with a matching cover:

AND, 8 four patch coasters...... All matching! All this, while she has only just moved a couple of months ago! Talk about spoilt!

Thanks SO much Kylie! I totally love them all!

I have LOTS to share. Lots of gifts received and made, but pressed for time, so I will share tomorrow.

I hope you all are enjoying your Boxing Day!

x Sarah

Merry Christmas

I have just popped in to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I have only just finished wrapping all the presents (though, I cant for the life of me find one!!..... I am sure it will turn up somewhere!).



I hope your day is filled with Family, Friends, love, laughter and of course FOOD!!

Take care everyone!

x Sarah

Christmas Catch Up

Today, Mum and Roseanne came with me on a road trip to catch up with our friends Vicki and Christine at The Cherry Shed at Latrobe for lunch! It turned out to be a beautiful day!
We headed to Ulverstone first for a little bit of craft shopping, then headed back to Latrobe to meet these wonderful ladies!
Here is Vicki, Christine, Roseanne and Me:


And, here is Mum and Myself:



Christine took with her 2 beautiful quilts she did recently, one being the Kerry Swain Workshop quilt we recently did, and doesn't it look GORGEOUS!!

And, her Fig Tree Club project Twinkle...... Totally love it!

Christine even surprised us with this beautiful little bag with some lovely handmade treats! Talk about spoilt! Thanks SO much Christine xx

And, Roseanne surprised us all with a Reindeer Poop bag...... Hmmmmm.... Didn't keep one for myself, now I have one! lol!

Thanks girls for a wonderful day out! Looking forward to another catch up in January!

x Sarah

Make you smile!

Something to make you smile! This little fella is a hoot! Check out his facial expressions - hilarious!




x Sarah

More sneak peeps

Another sneak peeps at another couple of projects I have just completed for Christmas gifts...... I have been playing about with wool. I actually enjoyed making these! Got one planned for me later too!

And, some beading........

I am sorry I can't show you more, but they are all part of Christmas gifts, and I know some of the recipients read my blog!

x Sarah

Sneak Peep

A little blurry I know, but I didn't want to spoil the surprise! Here is a sneak peep at one of the gifts I managed to finish off........... Aqua, Red, Pink....... Lovely girly colours!

I hope she likes it!

x Sarah

Work Christmas

Lots have been going on here the past week or so! Today was my first day of holidays (though I need to go back on Tuesday to finish up a couple of things), so I spent the whole day sewing..... And, I got heaps done too! I finished my FIS Secret Santa gift (will show you a sneak peep later), 2 other little pressies and will add some borders to a quilt shortly!

Today I thought I would show you what I gave everyone at work. Some Reindeer Poop (my SIL Judy gave me some last year).
Front:


Everyone thought they were a hoot! It is actually some chocolate covered sultanas in the bags......
Back:

And, I managed to whip up another 4 Baskets..... Two have already found a new home!

I love making these, they are quick and easy and look great filled with treats!

I had been going crazy trying to get everything done, but I have resigned myself to 'whatever gets done gets done, whatever doesn't, doesn't"!! I even told Mum she may get a 'flimsy' for Christmas...... She said I might too! lol!

I hope you all have enjoyed your week.

x Sarah

More quilting

This past week has seen me quilt a few more quilts! The pile is getting down now, so it wont be long until I start MY Christmas gifts!

Here is the Blue and White applique quilt I just quilted...... Isn't is beautiful?! And, I am told the lady has not been quilting long..... What a wonderful job she has done!


And, here is the scrappy autumn tone quilt:



Another beautiful quilt!!

Today I went to lunch with a local Craft Group. They asked me a couple of weeks ago which was SO nice! We went to the Blue Barn at Frankford and it was just lovely! I didn't get any pics as the weather was quite wild!

Tomorrow, I hope to get some sewing done.......
x Sarah


PS: If you are thinking of getting the 'Tis the Season' book, this is your last chance with free post! I will be taking the code off in the morning........

Quilting

I thought I would share with you one of the latest quilts I quilted. This reproduction one is just GORGEOUS!

Never been much of a reproduction girl really, but after seeing this, I think I have definitely changed my mind!

Well done Penny!

Stitch-A-Long

I just found out yesterday, that the 'Stitch-A-Long' blog 2011 project is this:

Natalie Bird's 'Tis the Season' quilt! How cool! I just received my order of these books! I think I could manage to whip this up next year..... Would have loved to do Gardener's Journal, but I knew there was NO way I would have time! This, I can manage. Start date is March/April, so plenty of time to gather your fabrics or make the smaller projects first! If you would like to join in, keep an eye out on the Stitch-A-Long blog, as you are able to sign up in January. If you would like to purchase this book, I have them available here for $18 + post, but for a limited time, if you would like to purchase one and mention stitch a long in the PROMO code, you will receive FREE POST (postage will come up, but at the end you will only pay the $18)!

x Sarah

***EDIT*** I didnt think they would be flying out the door SO fast (I only have one left), so I will order some more, but you can still reserve your book with this offer just a little longer if you dont mind a little wait!
***EDIT***THEY ARE NOW SOLD OUT. MORE WILL BE ARRIVING LATE THIS WEEK/EARLY NEXT BUT YOU CAN STILL PRE-ORDER IT***

Weekend sewing

Another weekend away! This time not a stay-over, but I attended a 2 day Free-Motion Quilting workshop with Deb Louie, organised by Pauline from Calico Crossroads! And talk about FUN!! I had NEVER done anything like this before, and really wanted to try, and I was quite happy with my first day's efforts using stencils, and ditching:

Vicki came to stay with me, and while dropping her car off we looked up in the sky and found these pure white clouds. The photo's don't seem to do show you properly, but believe me, they were stark white! It looked lovely against the pretty blue sky. I think Vicki, Roseanne and Myself must have looked like tourists, snapping away at the sky at the intersection lol

2nd day workshop was Free-Motion. To say I was a little nervous was an understatement!! But, I didn't expect to 'get it' right there and then, and I think I could manage to do this in time!

One of my favourite things to learn was these little scrolls, and the many different ways to incorporate them into a pattern.

And, other little designs. I think later in the afternoon, I had a bit of a 'ah ha' moment!

I have a bit of space left on my other sample, which I will have another go on, but not tonight, I am quite pooped!

I purchased these 5 stencils to have a play with too, maybe over the Christmas break (looks like I have lots planned during break):

I think, if you ever get a chance to do this workshop, do it! It was totally worth it and Deb's technique is different to other methods, and it works a treat! Her quilts are AMAZING!

Thankyou Pauline, for organising this workshop for us (good that I nagged huh?! lol) and thankyou to Deb for a wonderful, useful and informative weekend! See you next year.

x Sarah