I have been busy this past week working on some long overdue PIF gifts. Although they are not finished yet, completion is just around the corner. Here is a little peek at how they are looking so far.
I know it doesn't give much away, but then i wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for the intended recipients. I just hope they like "pretty and girlie".
I feel like such a pseudo blogger. It has been so many months since i posted anything. But i have been busy, starting to work and sewing too.
Recently i took part in Maree's Paper Bag swap and here are the results.
For my swap partner i decided to make a journal cover and a little matching bag. I had lots of fun working with the fabric Lorraine sent, as it was a bit funkier then what i normally use.
Edit : I forgot to mention that both of these were slight variations on the bag and journal cover designed by Bloom. 
Here is the pretty Tea Cosy / Coffee Plunger Cosy that Lorraine sent me. A great excuse to go shopping for a cute little tea pot. Thank you Lorraine and Maree.
Last night i was lucky enough to attend Gail Pan's book launch at Foothills in Tecoma. It was a lovely night and of course i went home with a book that Gail kindly signed. Now i just need to work out which project i shall make first.
Although i haven't had a response from my swap partner i think enough time has passed for me to reveal the cushion i made.
It is looking a little flat here, as it would without a cushion insert, but this is how i sent it. It is however machine quilted.
I was very happy with how the finished cover looked and learned a few new tricks on my sewing machine along the way.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !
I hope you are having a day as lovely as mine.
Poached eggs on toast and presents galore........ a CD, a book and a Wii Fit (very cool).
But it's been so long since i have blogged anything longer then a paragraph and i have so much i need catch up on.
A PIF gift from Marica.
A redwork cushion from Rowena.
And how my Aged Care course is going.
This is the lovely creation that Marica sent me recently, along with the lollies that did not last very long at all. She looks wonderful sitting on my table looking after my sewing tools.
As i said in my last short blog - i need some people willing to play the PIF game. I already have Shiree and Diane playing with me, but i need another 4 folk who want to join in. If you know of anyone who might be interested please point them in my direction.
Here is the terrific and pincushion that Rowena sent me as part of Maree's redwork cushion swap. The cushion has made my lounge room much prettier and looks perfectly at home sitting on our sofa.
I still haven't heard if Rowena has received the cushion i sent her at the end of April so i will have to wait a little longer before i show you what i sent.
The Aged Care course i am enrolled in is quickly nearing completion. Only 2 more weeks in the classroom and we are off to do our work experience. To say i am a little nervous would be a major understatement !! I am terrified !!!
I think if i keep repeating my mantra i will be ok.
This too will pass, this too will pass, this too will pass.
Well it works for birthday parties at the local roller skating rink and is worth a try.
I have got to stop saying "I'll blog more" cause it just doesn't happen. As well meaning as i try to be.
This is just a quick little post to let everyone know i received a gorgeous PIF gift from Marica last week that i will showing off very soon. As well as the fact i would like / need another 4 people to send my own PIF gifts to.
Today was a very wet day in Melbourne and not a great lead in to the school holidays. It was especially odd after the lovely late burst of heat we had yesterday......about 30°C, quite warm for the start of April. However it was definitely balanced out by our dark day today ........ it was so dull that the street lights were on at 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
Anyways, enough about the weather.
Today i felt the need for some sewing just for the sake of sewing ! You know how it is. There are a stack of projects that deserve a little attention, but there is nothing screaming,
"ME, ME, ME, work on ME". So we start on something new. It just can't be avoided.
I did however behave myself by limiting my sewing to a little project that was finished in an hour or two.
This is my little Chibi Rabbit as designed by My Little Mochi. He is only a little tacker. To show you just how little he is he is posing on my ipod.
Here is something i made earlier ..... well i did .... lol. Isn't she a cutie. I find it hard to believe that she is already nine.
I don't know where the last month went, but it has been done and dusted.
Mind you i wasn't sitting idle as it went rushing by.
A simple little apron based on the tutorial by Still Dottie. It's not the sexiest apron but i think it has a cute Holly Hobbie kind of flair to it, in a practical sort of way.
This weekend we made the most of some lovely weather by doing some gardening. It's amazing the difference a little pruning and weeding makes.
A lovely lady joined the blogging community a couple of days ago. Now a lot of you may have already seen an introduction by Jo Jo, but in case you haven't or just haven't had the time to visit yet here is another chance to meet & greet her.
Judith is a lovely, talented lady that has a long list of published projects in the Aussie stitching mags. She is even having a giveaway to mark the birth of her blog.
You can find Judith here :-
Welcome to blogland Judith and i hope you have an enjoyable time.
Thank you to everyone who wished me well for a second year of blogging. That first year went by pretty fast and despite having a low posting record ( watch out, I'm planning on getting more chatty) i might actually make it to my 100th post this year.
This week went well..... school started without a hitch, my course started without a hitch and i added the border to my Butterfly Garden quilt.
Ok, down to the nitty gritty.
For my anniversary giveaway i made a special little prize that i hope will be liked. She is Mabel Monkey designed by Prairie Mouse from the book Softies - 22 friends for you to sew, knit and crochet and has her own supply of bananas.
Thanks to the random number generator the winner of my little friend is
.
.
.
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Sheryl.
Sheryl said...
Congratulations on your first years' anniversary in blogland!
I guess your children will be looking forward to school my kids won't admit to it but they always did....
Good luck with your new studies.
Can't wait to see pics of the Butterfly Garden quilt
Yep !
Today is my One Year Blogiversary.
And in honour of this questionably auspicious occasion i am holding a giveaway. What the prize (or prizes) is, is a mystery at this stage ( even from me ) but i promise to give some sneak peeks when i am ready.
As someone who runs a mile when competitions ask for anything described in 25 words or less, entry here is easy. Just leave me a comment ( regular visitors earn the 2 for 1 deal and get an extra entry )
I will close entry into the giveaway at bedtime Friday and draw a winner on the Sunday. This should give me a little time to get busy.
Of course i am picking an already busy week.
I don't know what happened to January but it's almost over! I vaguely remember New Years Eve, Australia Day and shopping for school supplies but the rest is just a blur.
It's hard to believe that in less then 2 days the new school year starts here in Melbourne and it's not just the kids going back to school. I'm starting an Aged Care course, which will hopefully lead to gainful employment come June or July. Its been a long time since i have been the student, so please, wish me luck.
Jo Jo is having a giveaway for her 100th post giveaway, so to qualify for entry i have a few pics of some sewing related things i can't do without ( Am i in time Jo Jo ?? )
A space of my own to be messy and creative.
A stash of favourite fabrics.
A my favourite books on hand.
I just wish there was more time in each day so i could sit and sew to my hearts content.
Today i received my Pay It Forward gift from Granny Loz and i feel very spoilt ( and well fed ).
Lorraine sent me some very yummy dried fruit from Angus Park, the wonderful local dried fruit company in Angaston and a very cute little tin featuring cherries.
And as the PIF gift itself, a gorgeous little wallhanging with beautiful neat little stitches and an awesome mesh pouch.
To make this a green present, Lorraine even sent all these goodies wrapping in a calico bag, also from Angus Park.
Thank you Loz , for your lovely generous gift. It has really made my week.
Now it is my turn to ask 3 people if they would like to receive a gift from me some time in the next 6 months . All you have to do in return is promise to send a handmade gift on to another 3 people as per the concept of the movie "Pay It Forward".
If you would like join in please leave me a comment and let me know. First in (and second and third), best dressed.
Welcome to 2009, the year that UFOs, WIPs and WISPs will be finished.
Well, that is the plan anyway.
To help maintain my enthusiasm and momentum in this task i have decided to join in on Kris's (Tag Along Teddies) and May Britt's (Abyquilt) challenge.
The idea is to complete something each month, be it a new project or one that has been on the too hard pile for months or (gulp) years. The full details can be found on their blogs.
