something to cuddle

Finally, a handmade toy for our little one.


Truth be told, I started this softie a very long time ago, so it was quick to finish. It was designed by Jhoanna of One Red Robin and the pattern was in Homespun (Volume 9 no 10).

I love her quilted body and big googly eyes. The only problem is, I can't think of a suitable name for her? Do you have any suggestions?

Gifts (of the non-Christmas variety)

I am 2 months late with the quilt for my baby cousin Lily...better late than never hey?

I used a honey bun of "Swanky" fabric (which I got for $13 on sale!) and a pattern from Moda bakeshop. Can you spot the pea?

I'm pretty happy with my quilting on this one (although this photo is pretty shitty). When I compare it to my first attempt at free motion quilting - it is a lot better. Just got to do some practice.

I also finished off another pointy kitty - this one is for my cousin Belle for her 1st birthday.

Tomorrow night I am off to the craft room... with a stack of fabric, a rotary cutter, some tea and Christmas pudding!

15 minutes of fame...

Another cheeky picture in the Homespun mailbag pages -can you tell I love this magazine?

Here's a closer picture of my version of Dear Fii's Pepper doll.

Meet Blossom

A little while ago I showed you this:


Well, please be the first to meet...
...
...
...
...

Blossom!

After the wandering around the incubator section of the stitches and craft show earlier this year I was inspired to start creating my own softies. While Blossom did not turn out exactly as I had pictured, it is exciting to see something come to life from my own vision. And I really enjoyed not following a pattern and just sewing on the fly!

You never know what friends may be waiting for her at the bottom of the garden...!

Stitches and Craft Show

I got to see The dress!

And I must say it is even better up close!

I really enjoyed the incubator section of this years show - I even got up the nerve to introduce myself to Kate of Two Little Banshees.

Her wombats were so sweet!

And I also met the gorgeous Fi of Dear Fii. Her dolls, while simple, have so much character. I love that!

Thanks ladies for letting me take photos of your beautiful creations!

However, I didn't enjoy the show as much this year as other years. While the incubator section was full of inspiration, the market area was rather small. When I did try to join in at one of the craft bars, the wait was super long and kind of awkward as people tried to push in and grab seats where they could. At another craft bar I was asked if I had ever threaded a needle and whether I needed help to do it... I hope this was just a general question they asked everyone - or do I look like I am unable to thread a needle? Hmmmm!

So, rather than hanging around too long, I decided to go home and sew! Here's my version of Fi's Pepper doll - made with a pattern from Homespun magazine. She will be a present for a friends baby daughter, although I think I may need to make another for myself!

And I just noticed I am getting close to my 100th post - I guess that means it's giveaway time! Stay tuned...!

PS - is anyone else going to Leanne and Rosie's Spring Stitch In? I am going to be there on the Saturday....

Did you see kangaruby in Homespun?

Look what arrived in the mail yesterday

And look who is on the mailbag page!!

I recieved an email a little while ago telling me that Kangaruby and my platypi would be appearing on the mailbag page of Australian Homespun magazine! It is so exciting to see my name and my homemade gifts in my favourite magazine! Today I went to the post office to pick up my prize. Seeing as though it was a Christmas in July issue of the magazine, my prize had a Christmas theme - 2 beautiful books full of Christmas patterns, a Christmas pattern from the Rivendale Collection and 2 packs of gorgeous glittery threads! Lucky I LOVE Christmas!

The book Comfort and Joy is exactly the type of book I love and has some gorgeous projects in it - I can't wait to start on some!

Arn't these angels cute!

Lately however, my sewing has been very very frustrating. It seems I have forgotten how to quilt! I have quilted ok before - never great, but always passable, but this is just awful. I am so frustrated and dissapointed -and it wasn't just this one that was bad. I think I will start looking for a quilting service in Inner Sydney (any suggestions?)... Or maybe I finally need to give in and do some classes to figure out what I am doing wrong.

Apart from my attrocious quilting, I have just finished a new bag to take on my holiday . I am so proud of myself - this is completely designed by ME! Even I can't believe it turned out ok! I even put a zip closure on the top - my first ever zip.

Speaking of our trip, our plane leaves in 24 hours and I haven't even started packing! I hope everyone has a wonderful month and I'll be back in August with lots of photos and stories to share.

why can't every weekend..

be a long weekend?

My weekend really started on Thursday night when my husband and I went out for dinner for our wedding anniversary. And yes, we did meet Manu! My husband also got me some gorgeous flowers - and they smell wonderful too. Then on Friday I met Delta at a fun run to raise money for the new Cancer Centre at work.

I decided not to go to spotlight on the weekend as I wanted to save my money for the craft and quilt show this coming weekend. So instead, I worked on some WISPs. I put together another angel block - only 3 to go now! (Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can stop my fabric from fraying? These blocks are becoming a bit of a hassle)

I now have a bunch of bodies waiting to be stuffed.

Started on a another One Red Robin pattern I have been wanting to make for ages (and practised some grid quilting too).

Made Pea and Ham soup for dinner

And made some pumpernickel fruit and nut loaf for morning tea

And that was just yesterday! Phew! I wish I had three days off every week!

Little Miss Mushroom

Firstly - I apologise for the dark photos, it has been very rainy and grey here. But I wanted to introduce you to Little Miss Mushroom!

She was designed by the very talented Jhoanna Monte Aranez of One Red Robin. I used a very different colour combination to Jhoanna - believe it or not, my fabrics are very bright - they just don't look it in these photos! I often have trouble breaking away from the original colour combination I see a pattern made in, so this was a challenge I set for myself.

without her apron and bunny friend

I found putting Miss Mushroom together rather tough - getting her already stuffed arms and legs to stay in the right positions while I sewed the 2 body pieces together drove me mad! I have a new found respect for Jhoanna and her softie making skills!

Miss Mushroom and her bunny with new friends.

I have almost finished the latest block of Gail's BOM - there is a couple of berries missing. I dropped my needle on the train with only 2 knots to go and forgot about it until I took this picture - oops!

A Productive Weekend

Friends of ours had their first baby last week - a gorgeous little girl called Mathilde! Using some stitchery patterns from Bronwyn Hayes' book "Little Chicken Feather", and a free pattern for a 'kidlet' from JC Handmade, I put together my version of a 'kidlet'.

I added some length to the original kidlet to enable my stitchery to fit nicely. I really like these pink and purple stripes!

I also embellished a little singlet for Mathilde too.

I also finished the latest block from Gail Pan's "A Christmas Wish BOM" during the week.

And today I put together the last of my 36 windmills. Now I just need some time (and floor space) to organise how they will go together.

And I have almost finished my latest softie too- here's a little peak:

Pointy Kitty needs a home!

I made my first drop for The Toy Society this morning - a pointy kitty made from a free pattern by Wee Wonderfuls. I dropped her at a small park near home. There were lots of kids playing on the play equipment, so my husband and I had to be very sneaky so that we weren't caught!

Sampson saying goodbye (nicely this time!)


I felt kind of bad leaving her there, but hopefully she finds a lovely new home!

There's more info about The Toy Society here and lots of photos of other drops here

Cat Vs Softie

Sampson is very taken with my latest project.

First there was a staring competition:

Then, Sampson won!

Please note: no softie was harmed during this photoshoot ;)

I didn't do it...

I didn't give away Kangaruby and kangaroobaby... but not only because I fell in love with them. Because she wasn't strong enough and secure enough to withstand the playing of a 3 year old girl. And after I saw how much lovin' the platypi got, I was glad Kangaruby was safe at home on my shelf!

Did you know platypi make great lightsabers?

They also make great tools to whack your brother or sister accross the head with.

And they are great for cuddles! I think these platypi have found a very loving home!

Thankyou all for your lovely comments on Kangaruby. I neglected to mention that she was from a pattern from Homespun magazine (Vol 9, no 4) and was designed by Tone Finnanger of Tilda. The platypus were also from a pattern in Homespun (Vol 10, no 1) and were designed by the amazingly talented Kate of Two Little Banshees.