100th Post Giveaway!

Well here we are at my 100th post giveaway..... better late than never right???

To celebrate not just my first 100 posts, but all the things you've inspired and encouraged me to make as well as all the lovely bloggy friends I've made in the past 9 months.... I'm giving away two things:

A Jelly roll of Scrumdiddilyumptious Verna fabric!

and

One of the "Beaufort Bags" I made and wrote about in my last post.

I'll do two separate draws and to enter simply:

Leave a comment on this post telling me which of the prizes you would like to win.

If you'd like a chance at both prizes or a second chance for the same prize just leave another comment telling me you're a follower and mentioning your preference again.... it's that easy!

Entries close Sunday 4th July.... winner drawn on Monday morning....

Good Luck!

And then there were two!

Well.... after my little cutting mishap a few posts back I had to order some extra fabric to complete my "Bagalicious Club" bag no.4.... which then meant I ended up with two finished "Beaufort Bags" instead of one!

I really love this pattern by "Hugs' n Kisses" which only uses two fat quarters (plus lining) to make and is super-easy and fast to complete.... Miss 11 (Little Miss Thimble) even made one with me and had it finished in a couple of hours. I'll show you hers once she gets a chance to post about it herself.

The fabric is French General’s Rural Jardin.

This last photo isn't very good.... but I had to show you that there are actually two of them.... opposite colours, thanks to my little cutting drama in the beginning!

Until next time......

One just wont do!

Well here we are at my 100th post already..... I really wouldn't have thought I'd have so much to share with you in just 9 short months! I'm still working on a little something for my 100th post giveaway..... which I should have ready by post 102, give or take.

So, instead of a giveaway, today I want to show you this cute little jewelly pouch I started at "Club quilt" last weekend and finished later that night. It's a really quick little project and would make a lovely gift for anyone who loves their "bling".

It has 6 little pockets on the inside to keep or your bling separated and tangle-free.

The tutorial I used was from "Tommy the Material Girl" and you can find in "here".

Fabrics used were from "Little House by Annette Tatum for Free Spirit".

Until next time.......

Finally!

This one has been in the works for quite a while..... you might remember me posting about it earlier as a work-in-progress here, but prior to that I'd already started it a good twelve months beforehand.
I really don't know why I put off finishing it for so long.... it didn't take very long once I got into it and I got it all framed up on Saturday night, just in time for a special birthday this coming Saturday.

The stitchery is called "Follow your Heart" by Picaninni Patchwork.

I've also found it's actually very simple to lace up my stitchery's in a nice frame myself and a lot less expensive..... now all I have to do is grab some cardboard to put over the back and hide all the lacing.

Until next time.......

Cutie Apron

Yesterday I went in search of a Children's apron tutorial for a special little someone I know and came across this one at the Michael Miller "Making it fun" blog.... It was really easy to put together and all-up probably only took me 1.5-2 hours total. There were also measurements for an adult-sized one which I think I might have to make soon too. The fabrics I used are Michael Miller, Carnival bloom and Ta-dot... from memory.

I hope Miss 7 likes it as much as I do!

Until next time.......

Another Tunic!

I managed to get another tunic made during the week using the "Schoolhouse Tunic" pattern from "Sew Liberated". I made this one just a tad longer which is the only adjustment I made... very unusual! I can definitely recommend this pattern and it would be a great one for beginner's as there are no zips, buttons, collars, cuffs, interfacing etc. to deal with.... super easy!

Sorry about the pic... this is all you get!

Until next time.....

Jo's Quilt

Here's the pic I promised of Jo's gorgeous quilt top that she started at our retreat and finished when she came to stay last weekend. I can't tell you what the pattern is called or even what range of fabric she used...... I must find that out!

It really has turned out beautifully and I'm sure Jo's daughter, Miss 7, will be delighted with it!

Until next time.....

Never too old for Sleepovers!

I finally got motivated and did a little sewing on Friday night and Saturday morning thanks to my friend Jo...she is such good company and the hours seem to pass by so quickly when we get together. Our sewing was not without hiccups but in the end we both had something finished that we were happy with (and something unfinished that we weren't).

I started making the "Beaufort Bag" by "Hugs' n Kisses" which is the fourth bag from the "Bagalicious Club" (Ooops.. I haven't made the third one yet), however, it seems I was a little "cutting challenged" and made a big boo-boo which means I now have to get a little more fabric before I can complete it.... Not happy Jan!

My other project was the "Schoolhouse Tunic" from "Sew Liberated" which is a pattern I've had for quite a while. I always seem to procrastinate when it comes to making clothing for myself as they never seem to turn out quite how I thought they would. This one I think I may actually wear... although I was still very reluctant to put a picture of myself on here for everyone to see (hmmm.... it may disappear later). Anyway, I wanted you to see that I had actually been doing something!

Jo made the sweetest quilt top for her daughter's bedroom, which I'll hopefully be able to show you tomorrow once she sends me some pics.

Until then......

I hope you're having a great weekend too!

Oops....Missed one!

Here's another little journal cover that I made for my favorite "Mother-in-law" for Mother's Day.... I forgot to take a picture of it at the time which meant I couldn't post about it!

As with the Mother's day pressie for my Mum... it's to record their travels in their caravan.

She loved it!

After lacking interest for the last couple of weeks, I think I'm actually motivated to do a bit of sewing this weekend and have my dear friend Jo coming for a sewing night/sleepover tomorrow night so should have some new show and tell for you soon.

I can't believe I'm almost up to my 100th post already..... who would have thought I'd have so much to write about?? Guess I'll have to start thinking about a giveaway soon to celebrate!

Until next time

In Memory of 'Aunty Lin'

Sadly, My dear Aunty Lin passed away in the early hours of Monday morning ..... It's been a very long and very sad week in our household and one I'll never forget. At the all too young age of 59, Aunty Lin was taken  from us after enduring her illness for 16 long years and will be sadly missed by her family and all those who were fortunate enough to know her. She was one extremely brave and inspiring woman who I admired greatly.

I'll especially miss the times I spent sewing with Lin.... every time she came to town for a visit I would manage to steal her away from Mum for at least one day where we would spend the whole day either quilting, visiting a nearby quilt shop or internet shopping for quilting supplies! She shared my passion for craft and everything she made was absolutely perfect.... she had the neatest little stitches you've ever seen.

The following photo's are some I've borrowed so that I could share some of her creations with you.... and hopefully I'll be able to dig up some more photos shortly. I'm not sure of all the dates and details either but have noted what I can..... Enjoy!

Aunty Lin's first quilt in 2005 - For Nan for Mother's Day

2005

Christmas 2006 - For her son John & Daughter-in-law Nicole

'Butterfly's Flutter By'

2006 - This one was on Aunty Lin's bed the last time I saw her. Such a pretty quilt.

Christmas 2006 - For her daughter Kathy and Son-in-law Glenn

2006 - For her beautiful friend Sharryn whose love and support was amazing.

December 2006 - For her friend Narelle

'House of Plenty'

I have fond memories of this one as I helped piece it together on one of our sewing days.

January 2007 - Christmas Table Cloth

May 2007

'Our Country Home'... This quilt is absolutely gorgeous. The photo really doesn't do it justice.

July 2007 - Lin made two of these for her daughter Kathy and her friend Robyn for Christmas that year.

Sewing Machine Cover

Japanese quilt..... pure artwork!

'Ashes of Roses' Quilt... another one that I helped with.

Made for her grand-daughter Tania for her 18th Birthday

Do Not Cry Because I Have Gone

You can shed a tear that I am gone,

Or you can smile because I lived,

You can close your eyes and pray that I will come back,

Or you can open your eyes and see all that I have left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see me

Or you can be full of the love that you shared with me

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember me and only that I am gone

Or you can cherish my memory and let it live on,

You can cry and close your mind,

Be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what I would want:

Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Uknown Author

Until next time....