Sew Kind Of Wonderful Blog Hop

It's true - I have signed up for a challenge - I'm participating in the first ever Sew Kind of Wonderful Blog hop.  Now, given I bought my Quick Curve Ruler back in April, and it's still sitting in its wrapping, very patiently I must say, I'm what you would call a "QCR Virgin".  Ahemmm......  Well, that's about to change!  I've just read through my first QCR pattern and although my head is about to explode with information overload, I'm doing what I do best - jumping in head first!

The blog hop is kicking off on Monday with the following amazing bloggers in showcasing the Quick Curve Ruler and patterns. We have:

Monday 18 August	http://quokkaquilts.com
Tuesday 19 August	www.cluckclucksew.com
Wednesday 20 August	www.fromthebluechair.com
Thursday 21 August	liveacolorfullife.net
Friday 22 August	www.happyquiltingmelissa.com
Monday 25 August	www.greenfairyquiltsblog.com
Tuesday 26 August	http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com
Wednesday 27 August	www.pleasant-home.com
Thursday 28 August	http://www.lucymade.wordpress.com AND http://msmidge.blogspot.com.au
Friday 29 August	www.dontcallmebetsy.com

There will be plenty of chances for you to see the Quick Curve Ruler in action, and there will be giveaways galore, so make sure you check in on Monday for more details! The blog hop is going to be followed by a 'Curve it up' Challenge Quilt-a-long on the Sew Kind of Wonderful blog starting in September, so join in the blog hop, get inspired and get ready to Curve It Up!

 

Watch this space!

Anything Goes Monday!

Whilst I haven't been blogging a whole lot lately, I have been incredibly busy here!  I've been working very hard on a couple of secret squirrel projects, as well as some not so secret ones.  Like these.....

My youngest, Chloe, turned six a week ago, and so began a Mermaid-fest!  My heart melted when I asked her what she would like for her birthday, and she replied "a mermaid doll and I want you to make me something, like a cushion or clothes or a blanket".  Bless.  So, this is what she got!

I adore her mermaid cushion!  Kristy from Quiet Play has done it again with another wonderful pattern.  I had loads of fun choosing fabrics, and I actually took it to my first ever sit and sew with a bunch of crafty bloggers - and gave a few of them a paper-piecing lesson! They all loved the choice for her hair, which is a scrap that was sent from one of my Wombat Stew buddies.

I loved quilting it too.  Lots of swirly wind amongst the clouds, gentle waves on the ocean and some scales on her tail.  All done with my beloved Aurifil.

Chloe is one very lucky girl!  This is what her bed looks like now!  The back two cushions and the purple one are all made by her Grandma - who is an amazing machine embroidery whizz!  And the Mermaid doll at the front is from Jacaranda Handmade.  Isn't she fabulous???

And this my friends, is Mr Fox!  I whipped this baby up for one of my daughter's friends.  Chelsea put in a request about a month ago, and I forgot.  She just happened to remind me a few days before said friend's birthday!  You can find the pattern by Shape Moth HERE.

This lovely bright paper-pieced star is for Alyce's month as Queen Bee for Wombat Stew.  She had very specific colours in mind, which always makes fabric pulls fun!  Loving how it turned out!

And this was a big surprise for Chloe the afternoon before her birthday!  I haven't made clothing for quite some time, so thoroughly enjoyed getting out my Ainslee Fox Disco Dress pattern, and making it mermaid special.

Double joy for Chloe on her birthday - it was "free dress day" as a fundraiser for cancer.  The theme was pink!  Winning!

Phew.  So that's a little bit of catch up from me.  There's loads more to come over the next couple of weeks, so make sure you keep up!

I'm linking up - You can too!

Sunday Stash & Dash - Whoops

Ummmmmm........ I sort of forgot that I sort of made a comment that I sort of wouldn't be buying any fabric before I went to Tokyo......

Whoops #1 - Last Sunday's trip to Ikea was for one purpose only.  My husband came along with me knowing that purpose, and when I questioned whether to get the whole bolt, he very cleverly commented "It's your money".  Well played husband.....

Whoops #2 - I folded on my "I'm not buying Cotton + Steel, cos I don't need it" virtue.  And whilst I put it in my cart, I thought I best fill that baby up.  So I did.  Essex Linen and Indellible are now located on my shelves....  I have to admit - I bought the half yard of Moonlit under the premise that it was, in fact, a canvas weight print.  I was very disappointed when it arrived and was quilting cotton.  I had BIG plans for that canvas!  The store I bought it from have been made aware of their ambiguous wording and have thankfully changed it so nobody else will think they are getting canvas.  In the meantime, I'll just wait, ahemmmm, for the replacement canvas I purchased today from another store.  Whoops.

Whoops #3 - Really shouldn't be counted as a whoops.  I have wanted new business cards for quite some time - cos I've outgrown my cutesy pink and green "handmade children's clothing" cards.  I was very patient and waited for moo.com to have a sale.  They did.  So I got me some new cards.  They truly are much nicer in real life, but you know - this post is about dashing, it's 10.40pm, so this IG photo will just have to do!  I think they represent me just perfectly!

Over and out.

Bonnie & Camille Aussie Charm Swap - Sign Up Open!

The sign ups are now officially open for the Bonnie & Camille Aussie Charm Swap!
Here are the details:

1) FIRST IN, BEST DRESSED!  This swap will be open to 56 participants, me being one of those!  You HAVE to email me to obtain a spot.  Your spot is not confirmed until you have received a return email from me! All of B&C's fabric lines except for the Christmas/Holiday ones can be included. The included lines are listed below.

2) Each spot is 2 B&C fabrics, 1 yard of each, and I strongly suggest that you purchase at least 1/4 yard more in case of any cutting mistakes you might experience.  Better safe than sorry.

3) Fabric must be new and unwashed and from a smoke free environment.

4) Press your fabric and remove the selvages before cutting. Cut your yardage into 5 inch squares (56 per yard) total = 112 charms. You can follow the great tutorial on how to cut your charms from yardage by Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Frannson! found here.  Please sort your charms in to pairs,, as demonstrated in this photo:

5) Post them out to me by 25th August. Put them in a Ziplock bag and include your 112 charms, an index card with your name, mailing address and email address (in case your package opens up, your charms will stay safe and dry and your contact info will get them back to you. I don't know if this has ever happened in real life but again, better safe than sorry). You must post them to me using a PRE-PAID SATCHEL.  You must also include a SELF ADDRESSED PRE-PAID SATCHEL so that your charms can be mailed back to you. I will not be billing anyone through Paypal. Unfortunately due to the cost and complexity of shipping back internationally, this swap will be for Australian/Kiwi participants only.

  Once I receive them all I will sort and return a stack of 112 different charms to each participant! You can sign up for ONE SPOT, however, if there are spots remaining after one week, I will open up those remaining spots to existing swap members.  They will be in the mail to you 2-3 weeks later. I will be aiming to have them all in the return post by mid to late September - fingers crossed!

6) Very important!!! Please choose fabrics that have not been claimed by another swap member. Please join the B&C AUSSIE CHARM SWAP FACEBOOK GROUP - Once you have had your spot CONFIRMED and check before purchasing fabrics to see what has already been chosen; we want to avoid duplicates. Once you have chosen your fabrics please post pictures, with the Fabric line and specific print/colour information to the Facebook group Photo Album.  Once you've chosen your fabrics make sure you add the photos AND include the name/description of them.

7.  There is a $5 fee per swap spot.  This is to be paid via Paypal, once your spot is confirmed.  

So who wants to join in on the Bonnie & Camille fabric fun?

Email me:

Your Name

Mailing Address

Email Address

Phone Number (just in case)
Blog address (if you have one)

When I email you and confirm that you are in the swap, I will include my postal address and Paypal information.

Grab the new blog button and feel free to spread the news if you'd like!

Here are all the Bonnie & Camille lines that are included in this swap. Remember, no Christmas/Holiday fabrics. Some of the older lines are a bit hard to find, but Google is your friend!

AND

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.msmidge.com" title="Ms Midge"><img src="http://i1069.photobucket.com/albums/u472/Melissa_Gottliebsen/bampcbutton.png" alt="Ms Midge" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Kate Spain Charm-along Winners!

I'm so sad to see the charm-along ending today!  But I'm so very excited to see all of the UH-mazing projects that were linked up!  You seriously have to go and check out each and every one of them.  The way one set of 5" squares can be turned in to so very many different things is inspiring!  You can find them all on the linky HERE.

But for now - feast your eyes on the seven fabulous winners, who were all chosen by Random.org (because I basically could not choose a favourite - it would be like asking me who my favourite child was!?!?).  Here we go.....

1. Gina Coetzer

A $50 Voucher OR a Kate Spain Solstice Jelly Roll from fabricgarden.com.au

2.  Sandie Beach

Mystery Bundle from Gnomeangel.com

3.  Jayne Maddern


$20 Voucher to spend at Patternsonly.com

4.  Jenny Doyle

FQ bundle of Daisies 'n such from katequilts.com

5.  Handmade By Susie

12 FQ Solids bundle from kelliottmagic.com

6.  Chrissy Deacon

MerlyLou Designs Spring Cushion Pattern & Woollen Felt Kit

AND....... Drum Roll..........

A little pressie from Kate Spain herself!

7. Tina Fledderus

I want to do a HUGE shout out to all the wonderful charm swappers who not only took part in the charm swap (both here and the US, cos I know we had some Americans joining us!) but also jumped in and used their charms!  It has been so lovely knowing that the swap was the catalyst for creativity, and for some - a reason to start sewing again!  I have loved each and every part of it!

Another HUGE shout out to all the fabulous Aussie sponsors - please go and check out their businesses!

And also a big shout out to Kate Spain!  Kate (and Pete) has answered many an email from me, and has always been fabulous in her replies and sharing of information!  You are very generous, and I appreciate the time you have taken to be involved!  Mwah!

Ok - where to from here?  Tomorrow...........

Be sure to be around technology mid morning...... Sign ups for the next Aussie Charm Swap will open!

See you then!

Kate Spain Charm Along Linky Party!

All of this Kate Spain charm fun had to come to an end eventually, and I'm afraid now is the time!  I have thoroughly enjoyed the charm swap and the creating with all those beautiful fabrics, and am pleased to show you ONE of my finished projects!  The other one will be unveiled later this week.  But for now, I give you Kate Spain Hexed....

This lovely little wall hanging consists of 66 charms from the swap and a couple of half hexies from my stash of other KS lovelies.  I had already finished off a quilt top using the other 46 charms, and wondered what to make with these.  I then found the half hexie templates I bought over a year ago hiding in my drawer, and thought I'd give them a go.

 

And for my first ever attempt at any type of hexie, I must say, I really love them.  Even though my templates are really made for 2.5" strips or longer lengths of fabric, they just fit on the charm squares, and only just cut off the edges of the hexies at the bottom.  But this actually worked fine!  I love the preciseness of the points where they join.

 

I quilted it using a beautiful creamy gold Aurifil #2000.  I started off in the centre and worked my way outwards in a "bloom" pattern.  It adds some pretty superb texture!  Around the borders I added some pebbles in a zig zag motion and then outlined them with some straight lines.  I love the effect it has given.

 

The backing is the last of an Ikea print I bought a couple of years ago.

This will be hanging somewhere in my house - I'm not sure where yet!  But I love that I'm going to have a reminder of my first ever charm swap!

Now - it's your turn!  I have rounded up these amazing Australian sponsors, with fabulous prizes for some lucky charm-alongers!  All you have to do is link up your project at the bottom of this post before 5pm WEDNESDAY THE 6TH OF AUGUST, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA TIME, and the winners will be chosen and announced Wednesday night here on the blog.

A $50 Voucher OR a Kate Spain Solstice Jelly Roll from fabricgarden.com.au

Mystery Bundle from Gnomeangel.com

$20 Voucher to spend at Patternsonly.com

FQ bundle of Daisies 'n such from katequilts.com

12 FQ Solids bundle from kelliottmagic.com

MerlyLou Designs Spring Cushion Pattern & Woollen Felt Kit

AND....... Drum Roll..........

A very special prize for one of the Aussie Charm Swappers - from Kate Spain herself!  Horizon charm pack, Kate Spain Journal and Playing Cards!

An InLinkz Link-up

Sea Breeze Mini QAL - It's My Turn!

If I'm to be honest, a mini quilt QAL was the last thing I had in my sights a few months ago, but who was I to knock back a spot on Gnome Angel's list??   I procrastinated for quite some time after buying the pattern, because I was trying desperately to figure out how I could make this little mini in to something that reflected my own style and my own "vision"??  Ok, does that sound stooooopid?  Anyway.....  After before-mentioned procrastination, I finally had that vision, and was grateful to one of the QAL peeps for producing a little colouring in platform for me.  Next thing, I found myself happily colouring in which lead to this little picture......

Doesn't really look like the Sea Breeze does it?  The next step after the colouring in was fabric selection.  This mini was never going to be for me - you see, I have a grand plan that my sewing room walls will eventually be filled with others minis, not my own!  So with the recipient in mind, I set out finding the fabric I would use......

Kind of bright yes?  And then it was translating the drawing and fabric in to an actual quilt top......

It was about here that I may or may not have done a little fist pump!

And here she is - in all her glory - my Sea Breeze Mini Quilt!

You like?  I LOVE!  Not only does it look unique because of the fabric layout, the quilting then changed the look of it also.

 

I used a number of Aurifil threads - #2605 for swirls in the grey negative space, #2810 for a little matchstick and pebble action on the turquoise and #2530 straight-lining around the pink "ribbons".

 

There are a couple of intersecting hst's that are not perfect, and I keep picking on them, but I really am very happy with how relatively straight it all is!

 

And just because there is a use for almost everything in this world - I've made this big mini in to a cushion cover!  I've found a neat way of making an exposed zipper look pretty, and am wrapt with the end result.

So - what do you think?  Did I take the secondary or third pattern within the pattern and make it work?  I think so!  Lesson of the day:  A pattern doesn't always have to be ONE pattern.  You can ALWAYS find a few others within.

If you're yet to get on board with the QAL - there's still plenty of time to grab your pattern and get moving.  This really is a one day project if you're focused and have nothing else to do!  Pop over to Gnome Angel and get the low-down!  You'll find the whole schedule of action and will be able to drool over everyone's creations!  Go!

There's also a progress linky right here, right now, so go ahead and link on up!

An InLinkz Link-up

I'm linking up - You can too!