Santa Sack Swap

Thursday was designated opening day for the Santa Sack Swap.

My partner for this swap was the lovely Karen who is having more than enough technical issues with computers, blogging etc etc.

A very large box arrived at my house a couple of weeks ago and let me just say that on Thursday I was in tears due to the generosity of someone that I have never met in real life - check out the pictures!

All beautifully wrapped and overflowing from the bag

The bag itself! Stunning!

Some little shoulder bags - just as well these aren't the colours my girls are into!

treats inside the little bags

a whole load of inspiration

Fabric and buttons to help that inspiration!

Beautiful tree ornies

A project bag - stuffed full of necessary items

A little pouch - also stuffed full and some extras as well

Stationery - always welcome in my house!

Personalised Luggage Tags

The most sweetest WISH Angel - her eyes just sparkle -
she will be living with me in the sewing room all year!

Karen - I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I know you are away and opening your gifts from me on Christmas Day - I hope you enjoy them.  May the generosity that you have shared come back to you over and over

De xoxo

Friday Night with Friends

I had grand plans and the time I had just didnt match those plans.  By the time I got home from work, communicated with family, ate dinner (middle child had done all the work) it was nearly 8pm before I settled into the sewing room.

I did manage to finish this

and then do a teensy tiny bit more on this....

before watching some mind numbing tv with hubby and grabbing some necessary sleep.

De

Sunday Frolics

Yesterday was our end of year break up for Stitchers Inc - a gathering of mainly bloggers from around Brisbane.

bring a plate....I made caramelised onion tarts

dressed for the occasion - a new top out of hexie fabric that hubby found on a trip to spotlight.

 

Folded Stars - a gift from me to everyone

Secret Santa Swap Present - this beautiful table runner.

from Tatyana - with the gorgeous extra goodies included.

 

and more gifts - feeling spoilt!

the mug bag I made for Lynda 

We even did some stitching!

but this is what happend on the way home! 

What a wonderful day!  Thank you all for your friendship and all the laughter.  Looking forward to our gatherings next year.

De xoxo

Roar....

 During the week I made this cute little guy....actually for my eldest child who is 20 today.  She loves it! I have another in the same fabrics ready to go to a friends one year old and eldest child thought this was it.

So yesterday she set off to Spotlight as one of her little friends is having a birthday tomorrow and loves blues (proud Mummy moment when child goes to Spotlight) and grabbed these fabrics ...

So this was the result of my Friday Night Sew In....not much but a little bit after a long day at work.

Im actually thinking of making of few of these dinosaurs to sell....how do you think they will go?

De xoxo

Bunches of Flowers

 I recently signed up for the 12" Flower Mini Quilt Swap over with Cheryll and this is the lovely mini that I receive from Helen

It came during a not so wonderful week so it certainly brightened my mood!  I just love it and it fits in with my decor beautifully!  Thank you so much Helen.

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This is the one I made and its on its way to ???  ooops sorry - its not there yet so you will have to wait and see!  

This was inspired by a picture from the dreaded Pinterest and a scrap challenge that I really must get more done on.  It went together so well and I didn't even hesitate when it came to the quilting (This time last year  there would have been no way that I would have done any free motion stippling - but I am growing to really like it!) 

De xoxo

Needle Cases

Last night was opening night for FIS Needle Case swap.

This is the lovely gift I received from Sue.

This will be a very handy addition to my projects.

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This is what I sent to Peg (I used Peg's photos as mine weren't the best)









Another wonderful Swap.

De xoxo

The borders are on

Finally last night I was able to finish of the third set of borders on my Aiming for Accuracy Quilt top.

 

I am really pleased with how this has gone together thanks to Michelle over at the Quilting Gallery and her awesome instructions.

I decided a little bit into this quilt along that I would make another top using the same pattern but just use my creams/whites.....Im a little behind on that one but hopefully I will get to it on the weekend although I am thinking of doing a bit different on the borders.

De

Today is Sunday

It has taken me since Friday night to get 4 borders on this quilt and get the squares pieced ready for the next bit.  Thanks to working yesterday and moving things with a teenager on Friday night I have really been pushed for time.

This afternoon was another short interlude with my cousin and his wife joining us for afternoon tea so this morning I whipped up a magic custard cake and some beetroot dip.

Hope everyone had a slightly more productive weekend

De

Its Friday

Its Friday and Im going to be joining with Wendy and others for

So home from work I come (a little later than I was rostered for but that seems to be normal lately) and a quick coffee pick me up and Im ready to go!

I had these cut out so wanted to get them to this stage before I tackle some borders

oh plus a little choccie sustanance to keep me going til dinner (whatever we are having tonight).

Hope everyone has a very productive night!

De

Anni Downs Needlecase

The last project for this year's Stitch-a-Long was to make up the needlecase from Anni Down's Some Kind of Wonderful book.

Here is my version

sorry! stand on your head for this one!  It appears to be fine but then loads this way up!

De

What's is the Bag?

Yesterday was opening day for my Friends In Stitching online group Bag Swap.  This swap we had to make our partner a bag and include five things inside that you would find in the type of bag you had made.

This is the bag I made for Helen

The pattern is called Margo Handbag from Lazy Girl Designs - it was a fabulous pattern and went together well even with the zip in it.

These are the things that I included in the bag.....

a coin purse, sunglasses case, notebook , and some essential chocolate and mints.  There was also a bit of a joke between Helen and I about the type of bag that she wanted (or wouldnt particulary fancy) and that was an orange crochet one....I couldnt resist so I did a small one and popped in some dental floss to help clean those "falsies" that she may have found throughout the bag!!! - Helen - there was 8 of them so I hope you found them all!  The teeth lollies were reminiscent of our time at retreat at Warwick - who knew a simple thing could provide such entertainment!

De xoxo

Spinning Spiders

Dad's quilt is finished as well.

 I loved this one and will definitely put another on my to do list as it was a good way to use up scraps and to challenge me on just putting fabric "where ever" without over thinking about what goes together etc etc.

The quilting on this I decided to keep simple and just did upside down Vs radiating from the centre.

De xoxo