3000 - A Facebook Celebratory Giveaway!

A very exciting (and sneaky) number crept up on me.......I was doing a little makeover on the FB page today, when I noted that my number of "followers" had clicked over the 3000 mark!?!?!  What the!?!?!?

So, in the spirit of celebrating, I thought how about a little old fabric giveaway???

I have a tonne of fabric.  Literally.  I have no idea what I'm going to give away, but it will be at least a few fat quarters, some scraps, maybe more!  If you'd like to be in the running, just follow the Rafflecopter prompts below - it's easy peasy!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has been following my FB page - whether you've been there since it all began in 2010, or whether you only just clicked on this week.  I truly appreciate you all!

The giveaway starts now and ends 12am Sunday 25th January.  I will announce a winner here on the blog later that day/night!

GO!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Sewing - It's a Wrap!

As with every other household in the world, things here have been crazy!!  We've had my 16 year old God-daughter staying with us for three weeks - which meant I had five kids to sort out, children finishing school, organising school for next year.  Christmas parties, birthday parties and work work work.  I'm also struggling dreadfully with a horrid virus called "pityriasis rosea" - otherwise known as "the rash from hell". In between all of that and more, I've managed to get a ridiculous amount of Christmas sewing done.  I didn't actually realise just how much I had done, until I sat down to do this post.  You see, although I haven't been blogging very regularly lately, I HAVE been taking photos of what I've made and waiting until I had time to sit here and document it all!  Now is that time.....  Here are lots of pretty pictures, capturing all the pretty things that have been gifted or are waiting to be gifted!

 

Three lovely little zippered pouches.  The middle one was gifted to my Mum and is Liberty - it proved very interesting to sew.  Anyone with tips and hints on sewing with such fine fabric, feel free to share!  I love the other two pouches also, as I cut up little Cotton + Steel selvedges and added them.

 

I've become obsessed with metal zippers.

 

This yummy cushion cover has been sent to our December birthday gal from the Australian Handmade Birthday Club.  Simple AMH squares working together beautifully with linen and 12wt Aurifil thread.

 

I added a fat quarter of Tula and a little key fob.

 

We had our annual family Christmas party for my father in law's family this past weekend.  We only buy gifts for the kids under 16, and there's only our kids and two others left in that pool now!  So little Bianca received her own little personalised cushion.  She loved it!

 

Teacher's gifts have been received now.  This zippered case is for my daughter's teacher - a 23 year old man in his first year of teaching.  I was very happy with how enthusiastic he was upon opening it!

May have had something to do with the contents....

 

The prep teacher was gifted this yummy cushion.  I asked her what her favourite colour was a few weeks ago - yellow.

 

More 12wt Aurifil.  I freakin love using it for a distinctive finish!

 

After last week's horrible siege in Sydney, my lovely friend Molli took it upon himself to rally the quilting troops and whip up some of his hashtag blocks, which will be made in to some quilts for the victim's families.  These are my contribution.  If you want to know how you can help, head over to mollisparkles.com for all the details.

 

I joined the key fob gang, and whipped up these for little gifts.

 

I caught up on November's QCA Bee Blocks.

 

And put together this personalised cushion for my son's best friend's birthday.

 

And last, but certainly far from least, I participated in the Sweet Pouch Swap - Xmas edition - run by Ros at Sew Delicious.  This is my AMAZE-BALLS package I received from the ever lovely Peta!  I was gobsmacked, and thrilled with what she had sent me.  It was all a little overwhelming really!  The pouch itself it divine.  And when I took it with me to our Melbourne MQG get together, it got a whole lot of attention!!!  

 

In return - I sent off these goodies to Peta.  I forgot to take photos, so Peta very nicely sent these to me!  Peta is a huge fan of Bonnie & Camille, so I took out some of my charm squares and made her a linen and B&C pouch in Christmas colours.  The Christmas tree is really simple to put together - basically three little flying geese and then a trunk on the bottom.

And this is the other side.  Isn't she pretty?

So - that, my friends, is a WRAP!  I do have one gift left to make, but will get to it asap.  You know, given Christmas is two days away......

I hope you all have a super fabulous Christmas Day and enjoy time spent with family, friends and/or doing what you love.  I am looking forward to some time away after Christmas, so am unsure whether I'll be back here blogging before the New Year.  If I'm not, I'll just say Happy New Year now!
xxxx

Winner Winner - Tokyo Dinner!

I know, I know - It's supposed to be winner, winner, chicken dinner - but I couldn't help myself!  You see, whilst this post is popping up on my FB page, your inbox or wherever else you read my posts - I'm in the air on my way to Tokyo!  I am currently sitting here on the computer at home, having just finished my lunch after a last minute dash to my son's high school to - ahemmm - sort out some "stuff".  Kids.  Anyway - I digress!  My suitcase is sort of packed, the house is sort of clean, I have written a plethora of phone numbers and instructions on the fridge for the kids and the husband.  I've weighed my suitcase, then edited it heavily.  It's still rather hefty though.  I'm blaming all the stuff I'm taking over for my Tokyo BFF and her kids AND a couple of realllly heavy magazines for Alyce!

I've booked my excess baggage for my return, and went and exchanged the cash my Mum gave me yesterday to purchase her fabric.  I've transferred money to my credit card to pay for the fabric I will be purchasing for myself.  I think I've got the fabric funds sorted....

Japan must be very excited about my impending arrival, because they've scheduled a SUPER TYPHOON in my honour!  Woohooo!  Ummmmm.......

I think I'm prepared.  I hope I'm prepared.  Nine days away from my family, in a foreign country.  I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't nervous.

Soooooo - I'll see you on the flip side!  Be sure to follow me on Instagram - because something else I've pre-arranged is portable wi-fi!  I'm gonna instagram the s*it out of Tokyo!  And you know I'm going to have some of the most epic Sunday Stash posts in history when I return......

Back to the winners......  Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter my little giveaway for a copy of my Charm Dash Pattern!  Random.org tells me the winners are:

Check your inbox ladies!  There's a little old pattern awaiting your attention!

And to everyone who has already purchased my pattern - THANK YOU!  I seriously want to email you all individually to say how much I love you and your faith in my ability!  I look forward to seeing a whole bunch of Charm Dash quilts popping up!

Have a fabulous week everyone! xxx

Modern Medallion Finish!

It is my day to wrap up this week on the Modern Medallion Quilt Along.  I got it stuck in my head a week or so ago that I would get it finished to show you all - and I meant, you know, a quilt top.  BUT - my "focus" (as my Wombat Stew friends so graciously call it) kicked in yesterday, and I put in a marathon effort.  I had it basted by lunchtime, and then put my foot down at 12.30pm.  Quilted by 5.15pm (bloody basketball training) and then did the binding at 10pm!  

I am SOOOOO absolutely thrilled with the end result, and am so glad that I took this project on.  I was really questioning my sanity on the first day - and many days through the process - but it has taught me a lot about my quilty self.  Firstly - I am not really an "improv" kinda gal.  I'm also not a "wonky" chick.  BUT - I am adaptable!

Without further ado, here my lovely friends, is my Modern Medallion Quilt - Anna Maria Horner style...

Isn't she beautiful?  ALL of the prints are Anna Maria Horner.  I think there are six fabric collections in total used.  And a good majority of the low volume prints are from Carolyn Friedlander's Architextures and Botanics ranges.  The finished size is 66" or 167cm square.  Backing fabric from Ikea & Field Study by AMH.  All pieced and quilted using Aurifil threads.

 

As per usual, I had no idea how I was going to quilt it, until the time came to quilt it.  I quite literally basted it all over the show, with no purpose other than to keep it together.  Then I rolled it up and sat at my machine.  And started with the centre medallion.  I used a beautiful variegated grey Aurifil 40wt thread, which you obviously can't see here, but will see later down the photo call.  One giant feather (well my feathers still look a bit like palm prongs!) and lots of little pebbles with swirls.  I will tell you now, it is FAR from perfect, but given the size of this giant, I tried my hardest to go slowly and to persevere.  I was NOT giving up on my FMQ dreams for this little lady.

On the outer points of the NYB triangles, I changed to my favourite #2024 white thread and free motioned straight-ish lines.  I've never FMQ'd straight-ish lines, but thought given the improv-ness (is that even a word!?!?) of the quilt, it would fit in well.  And it does!

Each border has a different quilting finish.  The red border has straight lines, wonky geese have a giant zip-zag.  My curved borders are divine.  The green has a yummy bright green Aurifil, echoing the curves.  And the blue has a hot pink doing the same.  It's much more fabulous from the back!  The wonky crosses got some cross-hatched action and the triangles, some more FMQ straight-ish lines.  And last but not least, the outside border is done using a variegated pink Aurifil, with some swirls.

 

A little close up of the quilting on the back.  As I said - far from perfect, but imperfectly perfect in my eyes.

Just hanging around.....  I loved photographing this!  I stopped at the local skate park - lunchtime Friday - and there was a lone teenager sullenly watching me climbing up and down skate bowls and ramps in a dress, tights and boots!  I just kept wondering why he wasn't at school.....  Anyway - the binding......  I had another AMH print pencilled in for the binding, but when I asked my husband last night what he thought, he said it was too busy and his eyes couldn't focus!?  And suggested black & white.  I sulked, because I had no yardage of black and white.  Or did I?  I remembered I had some Waterfront Park domino dots, and quickly chopped it up and put it to work.  I LOVE it!

I love that the back fits in with the low volume scheme of things.  But am petrified at how grubby it will get whilst being used and loved!

And the glorious backside.  I had grand GRAND plans of using an amazing OOP AMH fabric.  But when I laid it all out - I didn't have enough!!!  Cue more sulking.  Then cue plan B....which entailed a quick trip to Ikea, solely for the purpose of this numbers print.  And in breaking news - I walked out of there ONLY with the fabric!  Unheard of.  Back to the backing......  I love the blue pinwheels down the side.  Love.  Have I said Love enough?

Le sigh.  I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Crystal for making her quilt and putting the call out for bloggers to join in the hop.  This quilt tested ALL of my quilting skills and patience - but I'm glad I persevered!  And I'd also like to thank Angie from Gnome Angel for making me laugh throughout!  And last but not least - I'd like to thank my husband!  Who, for the first time in my quilting history, had more to say about this quilt than any other.  And he used actual adjectives - lots of them!  This quilt is now His.  Well - Ours.

Now it's your turn to link up your progress! There's a linky down the bottom there for you to join up.  Make sure you drop in and leave a comment on everyone's blogs!  Encouragement is a quilter's best friend!

An InLinkz Link-up

Giving & Receiving

{GIVING}  Back at the beginning of this year, I made THIS wedding cushion for my brother-in-law and his wife to be.  I had such beautiful feedback from everyone, and one of my bloggy friends in particular - Cornelia.  In her email to me, Cornelia said she wishes she could make something like that for her own wedding.  I said I'd be happy to make her one.  And from there, I got colour scheme, names and date.  Fast forward a few months, and I have finally gotten around to finishing the cushion top and posting it - to Austria!  I didn't make the complete cushion cover, as I was trying to keep the postage costs down (damn you International postage rates!), but Cornelia said she was more than happy to put the actual cushion together.

The feature fabrics are from the Flora range by Lauren & Jessie Jung.  Perfect for the green and yellow theme.  Lots of little Aurifil pebbles in there to make everything pop!  I hope you love it Cornelia!

{RECEIVING}  On Tuesday, whilst minding my own business and checking my mail box, I was VERY excited to see an envelope with an international postage sticker on it, and the sender being "Spain".  I ripped that baby open and found the most delightful little wrapped packages and gift card.....

 

I am always, but shouldn't be, so totally surprised and floored by the generosity of the quilty community!  I feel so special, that Kate not only sent me a little gift, but that she knew it had been my birthday and that I'm heading towards that big number 4-0!  I decided then and there that these mini charms would become a cushion - for me!  And today, with the couple of hours spare time I had, I did just that....

 

How fabulous are those colours??  Drool.....  This new range from Kate is called "Horizon" and will be available in September I believe.  Check out Kate's blog post HERE.

 

This very simple, yet stunning cushion, was put together simply by working out the arrangement of the charms (I am sticking with my gradient colours obsession), then chain piecing myself silly.  Sewing all the rows together and then cross hatch quilting each row diagonally.  I used beautiful turquoise Aurifil #2810 and lengthened my stitch to 3.4 on my machine.  This cushion used two mini charm packs and ended up being 18" square.  Perfecto!

And I backed it with this gorgeous print from Spotlight!  I have only ever made myself a couple of things, which is quite absurd really when you think about it?  But this one?  Well, it's already living on the lounge and being lounged on.

{GIVING}  And lastly tonight, Cornelia has just released her first ever quilt pattern!  It is called "Every Which Way" and is so pretty! 

 Cornelia is giving back, by offering one of MY lucky readers a copy of her pattern for free!  All you have to do is leave me a comment here on the blog, telling me which fabric line you think would work well with "Every Which Way"!  If you follow my blog, leave me an extra comment for an added entry.  And if you follow my Facebook page, another comment for a third possible entry!  Entries close Monday 4pm Melbourne time.  I will announce the lucky winner on the blog Monday night!  You can also grab another chance to win by heading over to Cornelia's blog HERE and entering her giveaway!  Win win!

Happy Happy Friday Everyone! xxx

Sunday Thanks

A very BIG thank you to everyone who has popped in over the past week and taken the time to leave me a comment and enter my 500 Giveaway!  I will never cease to be amazed at the beautiful feedback I receive and the smile it brings to my face!  The winners were drawn via Rafflecopter earlier today and they were:

International - Vera

Australian - Christine M.

Facebook - Merryn

I shall endeavour to get a little parcel in the mail for each of you during this coming week. 

I have had such a lovely weekend at home (No work!!!), catching up with the in-laws last night and friends today - and in between, managed to get the latest month's block whipped up from The Fat Quarter Shop's Mystery Block of The Month program.....

Such a happy little block!  I think I have mentioned in previous posts, I didn't really think the BOM was going to do much for me, in terms of style, but I'm really enjoying making up these little blocks.  Using fabric I would never normally choose, and blocks I would not think to make!  Only a couple more blocks to go and I will have another quilt top ready to rumble!

And on that note - I have a few days at home this week, and I am going to desperately try and get two quilts finished.  One that has been basted and rolled up ready to quilt for a few weeks now (economy block quilt) and the other that requires a backing to be finished so I can complete it (Waterfront Park quilt).  Life is just getting in the way these days!!!

That's it for this Sunday night.  Just a little thank you and a happy little block - that's all you need sometimes!  Ni-night! xxx

500 - A Giveaway!

Have you missed me?  It's been almost two weeks since my last post! CRA-ZEEEEEEEE!  I have been sewing here and there, and also managed to get away for a few days (again - so spoilt!) over our long weekend last week.  But I've thought about blogging every. single. day.  Why?  Well........

THIS IS MY 500TH POST!!!

How amaze-balls is that?  I held off posting because I wanted to make it all exciting and have something fabulous to give-away and all that, but I've been so freakin busy that I haven't had the time to organise anything!  So today, I'm just biting the bullet!

I want to thank each and every one of you for popping in, having a look around and most importantly - encouraging me and leaving your fabulous comments!  I PROMISE I read each and every one of them!  I have been incredibly slack of late in replying, but please know I AM reading them!

This blog started off quite a few years ago, with mostly personal posts about life in general - and then the quilting bug bit and well....... You know how the rest of the story goes!

So what can I give away?  I have a tonne of fabric in my sewing room.  I have lots of Aurifil thread.  Plenty of notions and a couple of books.  Heck - I even have some lonely orphan quilt blocks!  How about  a little old mixed parcel?

I will have ONE International winner and ONE local (Australian) winner!

THANK YOU XXX

All you have to do is follow the Rafflecopter Instructions!  And if you pop over to my Facebook Page and leave me a comment on my latest post - I shall put you in to the draw for an extra little somethin' somethin' ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Checking In

I feel like I've haven't posted for AGES.  But, in reality, it's only been a few days.  Go figure.  I think the reason I feel like this, is that I haven't posted "personally" as such for a long time?  Well, here's a catch up on what's been happening in this corner of the world for the past few months.....

My kids are growing up.  Like, seriously growing up, and out, and around.  We've celebrated a couple of birthdays..... Cadyn's cricket cake was a hit, and Chloe had a Rainbow themed party for her 5th birthday - and it was an absolute blast!

My biggest boy had his Confirmation.  Seeing him look so smart in his "proper" trousers, a dress shirt and tie almost killed me!  He's so grown up!

And Ms Chelsea?  Well, she is finding a style all on her own!  At ten years of age, she is able to walk out of the house in some "interesting" fashion choices, and works them like nobody's business!  Although her mood swings and delightful eye-rolling are driving us all insane, she is certainly growing up to be a fabulous individual.

Apart from the kids, I have been kept busy with work and a little bit of play.  I'm over my strange little bout of mystery illness that saw me spend a couple of days sitting in hospital, but still curious to find out what on earth caused it.  My husband has put money on stress......

And yes, I have been stressed.  I've been going through a - up til now- rather private battle.  A battle with the much maligned mental illness.  Not my own, but my sister's.  I've said before that it's not my story to tell, however, this past few months have given me my own story - one of a sibling struggling to keep their head above water, whilst paddling relentlessly, and not getting anywhere fast.

I am almost consumed by the need to help my darling sister and her beautiful little family.  I just want things to be better.  To be calm.  But I'm finding it's a battle that just isn't there for me to win.  It's something that yes, I can help to facilitate, but no - I can't fix it.  And that's hard to swallow.....

But on a brighter note......I thank my husband every. single. day.  Many years ago, he told me I needed a hobby.  My interests at that time were relegated to sitting on the lounge watching Oprah and Dr Phil, whilst wrangling multiple young children and a part time job.  The need for library bags and art smocks, when my Chelsea girl was starting primary school, has literally saved my sanity.  It was the beginning of a hobby that had been in hiding for almost 20 years.  I grew up watching my Mum sew.  Day and night.  It was her day job (she worked for many years in the wardrobe department at Dreamworld!), but it was also (and still is) her beloved hobby.

Library bags and smocks lead to frills and frocks.  The frills and frocks lead to quilts.  And the quilts have now lead me to a place of sheer bliss.  Sewing, and quilting, is my saving grace.  It's the place I go to when I need clarity.  When I need to just sit and chill - and the only worry I have is fabric placement and thread choices.

So thank you dear husband.  For the hobby that you told me I needed.  And the hobby I asked you the other night whether you regretted I had?  Your answer was perfect.....

"If it makes you happy"

***  P.S.  To all of the wonderful people who have left comments on my last few posts - I truly appreciate you taking the time to give me your encouragement and cheer me on in my sewing and quilting efforts! I literally have not had time to sit down and reply to all of you - so please forgive me!  I shall be back to replying asap. xxxx

In Real Life

Yesterday was a big day for me.  I met quilters.  In real life.  Not through a computer screen.  True!

Some time last year, my dear friend Gemma directed me to a Facebook group called "Quilt Club Australia" aka QCA.  It has been through this group that I have had possibly 100's of my quilting questions answered.  Where I have been able to show others interested obsessed with quilting, my progress - no matter how shaky, how hilarious or how triumphant my progress may have been!  I have been cheered on, encouraged and enabled to stretch my learning and grow my ability.  I have thoroughly enjoyed every single day, being part of such a wonderful group of women and men!  And yesterday, 14 Melbourne members got together to chat, swap ideas, gain inspiration and gather knowledge.  And about an hour in to our gathering - we partook in Show and Tell.

It is with much pleasure and jaw-dropping delight that I share just SOME of the amazing quilts that were brought along......

Christine and her paper pieced dragon wall hanging.

Lisa and her Great Barrier Reef quilt - created around souvenir tea towels from her visit to the iconic Australia destination.

Jodie and her memory quilt - Jodie has only been quilting for four weeks!

Sue's amazing quilt!!!  

I loved this quilt by Carol (who is hiding behind it!).  The brilliant prints just pop with the black background.

Norma's block of the month quilt.  Lots of appliqué!

Judith's beautiful Cathedral Windows.

Ummmm......this would be me.  I think I was pointing out my dodgy appliqué on the back of my Bloom Bloom Pow quilt!  

And this lovely lady?  This is my MUM!  Meg is a prolific machine embroidery freak!
If you stick around, I will be doing a whole blog post, very soon, about my Mum and her quilts :)

Moira's gorgeous jelly roll quilt.  Love the V & Co range!

Shirley and one of her many Convergence quilts.

Sarina and one of her stunning, bright quilts!

And our hostest with the mostest - Sharryn.  Such a gorgeous Owl quilt!  Thanks so much for opening up your home to us Sharryn!

I could have put up all 50 odd photos I took from yesterday, but I would have been here for days!  As beautiful as the photos are, they really just do not capture how much love and devotion has been put in to each and every creation that was shared.

The best thing that came from yesterday?  Well, I now have real life quilty friends!  Don't get me wrong - I LOVE all of my online quilty friends!  In fact, there are a bunch out there who know more about me than you would believe.  But to actually sit with a group of women, and be able to touch and look at their quilts, and ask them questions was really great.  We also learnt more about one another, about our families and where we come from.  I guess we can now put a story to the face we see on the computer screen.

I gather you can tell it was a fabulous day?  Lots of laughs, ooh'ing and ahh'ing.  And exchanging of gifts.  I ensured my gift did not get taken from me in the hilarious "kris kringle".  Apparently licking the back of a charm pack and then rubbing it on your behind kind of puts others off wanting it??  Remember that one!

So tell me - do you gather with quilty friends?