A finish for Aunty Lin

I was so pleased to finally get one of my quilts back from the quilter this week... this particular one was started by my beautiful Aunt who passed away before it was completed, you may remember it from my earlier post here.

So, I spent most of yesterday getting it bound and now I only need to add a label before it can be sent off to one of my Aunts very special Grand-daughters. I'm sure little Karlie will treasure it!

Until next time....

Hunger games party success

A couple of long overdue shots of the Hunger Games themed Birthday party for Miss 13.... it was a great night and the movie didn't disappoint:

Choc mud Mockingjay cupcakes with buttercream icing....

You can find the cupcake recipe in my earlier post, here.

Movie Snacks.... I purchased a digital file from Olivia's Collection for the invitations and water bottle stickers which I adapted to make the lolly bags.

Bit blurry unfortunately....but the girls (and boy) all looked great in their Hunger Games tees!

Until next time....  :)

Upcoming Hunger Games party

To celebrate Miss 12 turning 13, next weekend we're taking a group of teenage girls to the movies to see the Hunger Games..... If you haven't yet read the book, then you're really missing out!

So instead of the usual party favours, this is what I've been working on.......

A big thanks to Jess of Craftiness is not optional for her great inspiration!

My first attempt wasn't so successful but after that I decided that unlike Jess I would use heat 'n' bond to attach the applique (I just used a pressing cloth so I didn't stick to the shiny fabric). I also used clear thread on top and was much happier with the result.

My daughter is thrilled and can't wait to give the shirts to all her friends. :)

Hippy pants

Miss almost 13 has a school social coming up next week with a 70's theme.... she has the coloured glasses and peace necklace and earring's sorted so all she needed were some groovy pants to wear.  I think these should do the trick (although I probably should have flared the bottoms of the legs a bit more) and when the social is over she can use them as pyjama pants!

Miss 12 decorated an old pair of thongs (flip-flops) with some flower trim to match.

I used the Lounge pants pattern from this book, which was recommended by

 Lisa of A Spoonful of Sugar. They were really quick and easy to whip up and fit Miss 12 beautifully.

I can see myself making more of these soon!

A Christmassy finish!

Club quilt today over a week ago now..... and I've finally done a bit of sewing!

Four little Christmas stockings that have been incomplete for two years now.... I usually never think of sewing Christmas things until the festive season is well and truly upon us and then there's no time get things done. I'm still not 100% happy with how the white on Santa and on the snowman doesn't show up very well but I'd already re-stitched them once on darker background fabric and wasn't going to do it again. I may still whip stitch it or something to make it more visable and then I just need to get some rusty bells to stitch to each of the points on the scalloped top.

The Reindeer is my favourite.... so I think that one will be mine and the rest of the

family can fight over the others :)

The pattern is called 'A little bit of Christmas' by Annie Downs

Nice to finish something for us!

Until next time....

A big week!

Last Friday, saw me finishing up my very last day in the office where I've worked for the last 15 years..... It's a bit daunting to think that I'll no longer be working there but I decided to accept a position much closer to home. I start my new job next Monday where I'll only have a 5 minute drive each morning instead of the usual 45km trip.....will be so nice being closer to home!

After having farewell luncheon's on both Thursday and Friday last week, one for all staff and one just for the Export office where I worked, I also had a farewell dinner at my favourite Tapa's restaurant on Saturday night..... so spoilt!

My farewell gift..... my workmates know me well!

The lovely tray that all my sewing goodies came on.......

Handmade by one of the men in my office to make it extra special!

Amazing cake.... there were actually two of these but the first one was gone in no time!

Beautiful, bright coloured flowers!

More flowers..... these one's were mysteriously left on my desk??

Thanks to everyone who helped to make my last week a great one.... and for all your wonderfully supportive comments and wishes, you will be dearly missed!

Until next time...

Lounge makeover complete

So I finally talked myself into tackling the two-seater lounge that I've been putting off for a while. The re-covering isn't too bad - it's removing all those pesky staples beforehand that's the problem. Anyway... I think you'll agree that it looks much more modern now. The photos aren't the best but I didn't want to put off showing you any longer!

Would you believe that I ran out of fabric with one seat cushion to go (I obviously didn't do my sums very well). When I went to buy more it turned out the fabric had been discontinued and there was no longer any left on the roll in the shop! You can imagine how delighted I was when they rang me the next day after finding a remnant out the back.... phew! I thought I was going to have to start over again.

I couldn't resist adding some red for the cushions.... and can happily say that I have now well and truly mastered my fear of the invisible zip!

Until next time.....