Friday 30 December 2011

New Years Resolution !!!!

My New Years Resolution is to not leave my Christmas sewing till the last minute again.  I am making these gorgeous little bags from Val Lairds Blog ( free patterns).  I am making the bags out of Christmas fabric ( a great way to use up all that fabric) and then embroidering a design with the persons name and the year 2012. I am going to make a set for all of my family and what a great gift for workmates and friends personalised with their name. Could even make some Birthday ones. The bags have plenty room for little gifts. I have made these two and still have about forty to go.  I also have some little Christmas trees to make and they will use up a lot more of bits and pieces I have lying around my sewing room. I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and may all your deams come true.

Saturday 24 December 2011

Santa, Santa Everywhere !!!!!!


I would like to wish everyone a Merry and Safe Christmas. I would also like to thank all my followers and the wonderful people that  left lovely comments on my Blog. I decided to do a Santa theme for Christmas this year. I decorated the inside of the house with Santas. I started collecting Santas as soon as the Christmas decorations where in the shops. This is a photo of my tree and all it has on it is Santas. The Santa on the top of the tree I got at the markets for $2.00. Bargain !!! I really love Christmas, it is such a wonderful time of the year to spend with the people you love.
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Thursday 22 December 2011

Cracker Swap


This is the photo of the cracker I sent Anne from  http://snailpatches.blogspot.com/   my swap partner in the cracker swap. I didn't want to put the whole photo on my Blog as Anne might see it and it wouldn't be a surprise. The Swap was hosted by Lisa from
http://mylittlecreativewonderland.blogspot.com/
Check out her Blog for some very creative ideas.Posted by Picasa

Friday 16 December 2011

My Prize Wow !!!!!!!!


This is the gift I received from Jenny Blair of loveand peas Blogspot. The little zippered bag and journal are absolutely beautiful. I will be showing them off every chance I get. I just love them. Jenny is so creative so go and have a look at her Blog for some inspiration.                                                 http://loveandpeascreations.blogspot.com/
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Saturday 10 December 2011

Christmas T Shirts


Christmas T shirts that I embroidered for my grandsons. They are getting older now so it is a bit hard to find designs for them.
I thought that my 14 year old might like the black one with the writting on it as it seems to be the fashion at the moment. The other one is for a 8 year old so he will love the green one. I did these last night for the FNSI.
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Saturday 3 December 2011

It's a good thing...or is it?: Kids' Crafts- Sponge Ball

This is a great idea for a hot summer day. The kids can play and have lots of fun while cooling down and not hurting anyone.   Here is the link on how to make this sponge ball from Martha Stewart.


Sunday 27 November 2011

2012 Calender


This design is gorgeous. I bought the calenders and there is a space left up the top to embroider and embelish how you would like.
The calenders are made from a heavy material and are really hard to embroider. The machine needle gets blunt really quick but well worth the effort.
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Embroidered Tea Towels

I have been busy for the last couple of weeks getting ready for the Markets. We have not had markets in our small for many years. So everyone is looking foward to Saturday 3rd December. These are just some of the tea towels that I have embroidered, I have also embroidered baby bibs, Christmas T Shirts and towels. I have made some headbands and hair clips for the little girls, felt playfood and lots of other goodies. Should be lots of fun.
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Saturday 19 November 2011

Christmas Stocking

I finished this Christmas Stocking for the Friday Night Sew In. Great to get something else finished out of the way.
I found this Christmas Stocking panel in my stash and decided to make it for Cooper. The other 2 boys have large stockings like this one.
I used wadding between the panel and inside piece and quilted the front and to make the back piece I sandwiched wadding between 2 pieces of red fabric and quilted it on my machine. I then sewed the 2 pieces together and overlocked the seam. I finished it off with binding around the top.
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Wednesday 16 November 2011

Santa Hat Tutorial !!!!!!


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Make a Santa hat, here is a free pattern from Fleece Fun.
Check out Fleece Fun Blog for more exciting ideas.

Sunday 13 November 2011

Table Runner.


 I chose this table runner to make for our Christmas Gift exchange in our sewing group. It is very easy and quick to make.  I love the Australian Wildflower fabric.   I embroidered some bottle brush on the centre piece of the cream fabric but I didn't like so I just used the wildflower fabric.  I will be making some of these for myself.  Here is the link to to the table runner pattern. Check out the site for a lot of other great patterns.
Have Fun !!!

http://www.quiltbug.com/free/table-topper.htm




















Wednesday 9 November 2011

Bag Challenge.


We had to decorate a green (blue) bag as our challenge for this year in our sewing group. I loved this design as soon as I saw it.  As I have no little girls I decided to use it on the bag.  I think it is perfect for a shopping bag. I embroidered the design on a piece of fabric and then unpicked the handle straps and placed the embroidered fabric under the handle straps and stitched them down again. I also made the embroidered fabric long enough so that I could turn it over at the top as well.

Sunday 6 November 2011

LOOK !!!!!! What I Won.


I just received an email from Jenny saying that I had won this beautiful fishie pouch and journal.  I am so excited, this is my first win. Thank you to Jenny for this great giveaway.  Visit her site to see her gorgeous work.

http://loveandpeascreations.blogspot.com/

Saturday 5 November 2011

Pincushion Swap

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I joined a pincushion swap at  http://craftybitsswapspot.blogspot.com/  .   My swap partner was Ruth from the United States. I made this Biscornu pincushion for her.  I did the roses in a bright pink as she likes bright colours.  Thanks to Jill for organizing this swap.          

Monday 31 October 2011

A Quick and Easy Table Runner


This table runner is made from 3 pieces of fabric the width of the fabric. Cut one piece 7 1/2 inches with a large print. Cut the next piece with a smaller print 5 1/2 inches and for the contrast cut a piece 2 1/2 inches wide. Join long together with the small contrast piece in the middle. Press and cut into 4 1/2 inch pieces. Join the pieces by off setting the contrasting piece in the middle. To get a nice firm flat surface on the front, use some iron on pellon and then quilt. Shape ends or leave as a rectangle. Put on backing and bind. Great for place mats, you can make the runner as small or as big as you like.
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Friday 28 October 2011

Pouch and Journal Giveaway

Woohoooooooooo!!
Who would have thunk it..little old me with a website!
So to mark the occasion and CELEBRATE I'm having a giveaway of frilly fishie goodness...

A matching pouch and journal.......
If you would like a chance to win this beautiful pouch and journal pop oner to Jenny's Website.
here is the link.  Good luck !!!!
                             http://loveandpeascreations.blogspot.com/ 

Sunday 23 October 2011

Giveaway!!! Table Runner Pattern.

...  giveaway prize ...
The giveaway prize ...
- 'I'm Charmed, I'm Sure' Table Runner pattern
- Rouenneries Deux Charm Pack (new FG range due out in January next year)
- 70cm of Oyster FG fabric (for stitching on)
- 30cm of Rouge FG fabric (for binding)
- and 1 reel of Cosmo Multi Work Thread (88m of 2 stranded threads ... no having to devise skeins)

So, if you would like a change to win this lovely giveaway ...

... I will post this giveaway worldwide ...

... the giveaway closes at midnight on Monday October 24th ... Australian Time...

Do, 1 or all of the 3 options below,  -
1. share this giveaway on your blog;
2. become a follower on FB and leave a comment with this link on FB;
3. then, come back and leave a comment ... and yes, I will pop over to your blog and leave a comment.  

Please, no button links in side bars ... they will not count.

.. so, do all 3 and your name will go in the draw 3 times ...

... I will post on Tuesday, 25th October, who the lucky winner is ...

Good luck ! This is the link to the giveaway.

Saturday 22 October 2011

Poinsettia Machine Embroidery

This is a Christmas present for Joyce,  I love the poinsettia basket for Christmas.

Friday 21 October 2011

Scissor Keeper Swap

I received this beautiful set from Pat my swap partner.  The colours are just gorgeous and the embroidery is all done by hand and the little buttons for the flowers are quite exquisite.  I just love them all. The only trouble is that it is too pretty to use but think I will show them off at my patchwork day next week. I would like to thank Pat for thses beautiful gifts and Sandy for hosting the Swap.

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Scissor Keeper Swap

My swap partner was Pat from N.S.W. We had to make a scissors case for the swap. I made a scissors case with a fob, rotary cutter case and a biscomu pin cushion . I hope she likes them.  I made these all in the hoop on my embroidery machine. I really liked making the biscomu pin cushion for something a bit different.

Saturday 15 October 2011

Jenny of ELEFANTZ: 1500+ Followers Giveaway!

Jenny of ELEFANTZ:
1500+ Followers Giveaway!
Check out Jenny's site to see the wonderful giveaways for reaching 1500 followers.

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Pink Towel for Dione

This is a beautiful large pink towel with a big black Playboy Bunny on it and the word PLAYBOY  across the bottom of the towel. It was for a 21st present so I put the name, Dione and 21 under it.   All done in black and the same printing as Playboy.

Frogs, Frogs Everywhere !!!!!!!

 A towel for a little boy who loves frogs. 

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Thomson River, Longreach.

While we were on holidays we stayed at Longreach. We did a River Cruise on the historic Thompson Belle Paddlewheeler to see a magnificent sunset.  Back on shore  a bush-cooked meal was waiting and as we were sitting around the campfire a fella introduces himself. A shy sort of a fella known as Milton Taylor who is an internationally renowned bush poet who has recited his work throughout Australia and the United States. A great evening of bush heritage and bush humour. We finished the night with tea and damper with syrup. A wonderful time was had by all.

Sunday 2 October 2011

Friends Swap

My Friends Swap partner Cat from New Zealand, sent me these lovely gifts all wrapped up in pink with purple bows.  Beautiful!!!!!
'F' is for fat quarter, 'R' is for ribbon, 'I' is for Inspiration ( a lovely bag pattern), 'E' is for Embellishments (beautiful lace), 'N'is for Needlebook, 'D ' is for dairy milk chocolate, 'S' is for something beautiful. Bath salts to soak in.
Thank you for all these wonderful gifts and thank you to Kris for hosting this swap. Please check out Cat's  Blog.                           http://catalinanz.blogspot.com/    
                                                            


Saturday 1 October 2011

Pillowcase Swap

Christina Kress from America was my partner for the pillowcase swap. They are  soooo beautiful and the colours are magic.  Christina also sent me some other goodies as well.  A pretty little pincushion, a great book on Classic Quilts, some little clamps for hanging up projects( just perfect for hanging the mug rug I received in an another swap) and a halloween pattern with all the pieces of fabric, and some gorgeous chocolates. I would like to thank Teriann for organizing this wonderful swap and Christina for all the wonderful gifts.

Sunday 25 September 2011

The Land of the Dinosaur !!!!!

We spent a night at Hughenden, out west from Townsville on our way to Winton. This is the land of the great Dinosaur.  We have been at Winton for 2 days at the Outback Festival.   Today we will visit another Dinosaur site at Lake Quarry Conservation Park. It is the worlds only recorded evidence of a Dinosaur stampede that is thought to have happened 95 million years ago. The footprints were the inspiration behind the stampede scene in the movie ' Jurassic Park'. You can just see our car and caravan in the background of the photo..
I haven't been able to update my site as my old laptop was not working properly. I now have a nice new one !!!!!

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Holidays !!!!!

I am going on holidays for 2 weeks. I will have very limited internet service so I may not be able to stay in touch.  We are heading to Tieri today to see my son Jason his wife Teena and the Grands Matthew and Thomas. Tomorrow we go to Bowen to visit my daughter Tina,husband Rob and Grands Kellen,Nathan and Cooper. We will be there for Coopers 3rd Birthday.   We will also be in Bowen for the big fishing competition.  Next week we will be heading to Winton for the big outback festival. That should be great fun. I forgot to mention we have bought a caravan so that should be a lot of fun too.  I will catch up whenever I get a chance. I believe they have a lot of unusual activities at Winton.

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Look!!!! My Secret Garden Gifts

Wow!!!!! Lucky me. Look at my gifts I got from Peta , a beautiful pink flower necklace and earings, a journal and address book with butterflies on it, 3 packets of seeds in beautiful gift packets, 2 stones with a butterfly and dragonfly done in sequins for my garden, and a beautiful handmade sampler which will decorate my sewing room. I love it. Check out Peta's Blog  for some great ideas.  Thanks to Teresa from Pretty Dandy  for hosting the swap.                          http://justcraftingmydayaway.blogspot.com/ 

http://prettydandy.blogspot.com/

Sunday 11 September 2011

Money Cuff


This is a great idea for kids for tuck shop money or a key to the house or even your childs name and address. It wraps around the wrist and is held together by velcro.  I would like to thank Charlotte for finding the Tutorial for the money cuff.  I had a pattern for one made In the Hoop on my embroidery machine but my hoop wasn't big enough.  I made these for my grandsons and they are all different sizes so I will have to wait to see if they fit. You can find the Tutorial  and many other great ideas here.                                           http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2010/09/lunch-money-cuff-tutorial-she-christie.html

Friday 9 September 2011

Secret Garden Swap

The theme for this swap was The Secret Garden and we had to send 5 gifts relating to this. My swap partner was Peta from Perth (http://justcraftingmydayaway.blogspot.com/) and I sent her a fairy chime, a tweeting bird, some butterflies, a hand towel with flowers embroidered on it, a pretty apron with flowers on it, and a fat quarter with an Australian Flowers theme.  A big thank you to Teresa from pretty dandy who arranged the swap. Please check out her blog   http://prettydandy.blogspot.com/

Thursday 8 September 2011

Spring Swap

These where my gifts to Lisa for the Spring Swap.I am so glad that she liked them.  I found out through her Blog that she collected teapots so I decided to embroider a teapot and Lisa's Kitchen  on a tea towel for her.
So glad that her kids enjoyed some bits too.
Check out Lisa's Blog for some great ideas.                                                      http://mylittlecreativewonderland.blogspot.com/

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Raw Edge Applique

I am not real keen on raw edge applique but I wanted to put this design on a Tshirt for  my youngest grandson, Cooper. It is a machine embroidery design and after the design is stitched you have to cut around all the letters.  I guess it is meant to look shaggy. Check out this site for more beautiful deaigns.
http://embroitique.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=216&sort=20a&page=2

Sunday 28 August 2011

Towel for Jacie

I embroidered this towel for a friend who has three grandaughters.  She gives each grandaughter a towel for their birthday with their age on it.  I suggested something a bit different this year. I hope that they like it.  I believe Miss Jacie is not really a Princess, so they say!!.  I think all little girls are princesses.  This is a thankyou  for looking after my cat and garden when we go on holidays in a couple of weeks.  I will do the other two when we get back from holidays as their birthdays are not until December..

Friday 26 August 2011

Pillowcase Swap

I made this pair of pillowcases for a swap that I am in. I have wanted to try this design for a while so I thought it was perfect for the pillowcases. It was all embroidered on my embroidery machine. The lace skirt was stitched on a water soluble material and than when it is washes away it just leaves the lace. The lace skirt has 30,000 stitches  and the rest of the design another 15,000 stitches.  They will be going to America. I hope that my swap partner likes them
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Monday 22 August 2011

My Garden

I have this Jasmine Creeper over an arch in the backyard. It looks stunning at the moment and the smell is just devine.

Saturday 20 August 2011

F-R-I-E-N-D-S Swap at Sew Prim Kris

F-R-I-E-N-D-S SWAP 2011
7 Gifts using letters F-R-I-E-N-D-S
Please check out this Blog. Lots & lots of interesting ideas as well as a swap.
 Wonderful idea.

Cooper's Quilow


This is a quilow I made for Cooper out of what was left over from the quilow I made for Thomas.
I was even able to use some teddy bear fabric for the backing.  Now that made me happy because it was probadly my last chance to use it, as Cooper is 3 now ( he is a big boy).  I like to use fabric out of my stash.
All that was left to do was the binding which I did last night for the FNSI.
This is the quilow folded up into a pillow.  Being a real little boy I am sure that he will love it.