Not another journal!!

I couldn't resist making up this journal.I found this piece of lace I'd forgotten I had and wanted to make something using it and then I remembered a Christmas gift I'd received a couple of years ago wrapped up in a spotty table napkin.
Light bulb moment.... Why not make a diferent styled journal than I usually make and this is the end result.I absolutely love how it's turned out.Very pretty and feminine,with a touch of sass.

I'm still drooling...

OK, so after three days of torture I was finally able to hit the fabric shops before I headed for home after staying with relatives over Christmas.
Look at all the gorgeous fabric I managed to collect for my new projects.
Although, I'm going to be good and not start anything from my new books untill I've made a dent in my WIP and to-do list.....Yeah,sure!!

Lookie,lookie,lookie......aren't I a lucky girl!

These books were my Christmas present from my Hubby this year.Aren't I lucky!!! The only problem was I had to wait till the fabric shops opened before I could go in search of fabrics to use with the books....Such torture!

Christmas project:secret sshhhhh.....

My friend Helen and I have been working on this secret project on and off for most of the year for her god daughter for Christmas.
Helen rescued her old dolls pram and her hubby stripped it back and re-varnished it.Then Helen and I began working on making a matress and a quilt for the pram and re-doing the canopy.
It's been a struggle for us to get together lately as Helen's hubby has been very sick in and out of hospital and she hasn't been able to meet with me on our usual monthly sewing time.
Finally the last weekend before Christmas we got together to get everything finshed and put on.I think it turned out lovely and I hope Helen's god-daughter appreciates all the effort and hard work that went into it and off course all the laughter and tears as we worked on it.

ho hum.... an apron to wear at work,eeeekkkk

I've decided that since we will now have to wear a set uniform for work (yuck) I'll jazz it up with a snazzy apron.There's nothing worse than buying new (and exspensive) clothes and getting paint and glue all over them,especially since last year I bumped into the drying rack and ended up with paint all over me.I came up with this compromise over my Christmas break,.I'm also going to make a couple more for two of my workmates but in a pink colourway.,oh and one for me in pink too.I hope they like my idea.....

softy swap '08: Mine all mine....

This is the softy I received from Monika in the softy swap.Isn't he fantastic,"Chris" will certainly be very a festive influence at Christmas next year.Thanks Monika I love him.

Softy swap '08

This is the softy I made for Trish in the swap held on the forum I'm a member of.Trish has named her "Moggie" and I think it suits her really well.It's the first time I've ever attempted makig a softy but I don't think it will be my last.

Sping swap: Freya has entered the building....

This beautiful doll has finally arrived.I don't know where she's been for the past three months and she's not talking!I think she decided to take a trip around Australia bfore settling down here with me?
Freya was sent a few months back from Guiliana my swap partner in the spring swap I joined way back in Sept/Oct and finally she has arrived in a very rumpled and crumpled tough bag.Isn't she just gorgeous.I absolutely love the groovy arms and legs,very psychedelic....She even has a tiny butterfly drawn on her cheek as a beauty spot.I love,love,love her!!! Thank you Guiliana for being my swap partner.

secret santa swap: IT'S ARRIVED!!!

Finally I can post pictures of the secret santa swap items I sent to my partner in faraway Lebanon,Tennese.It travelled all the way from Australia to America.
Judy was my secreat swap partner and she sent me a beautiful thank you letter for the gift I sent to her.I'm glad to hear it has arrived safely and she is already putting the items to good use in the lead up to Christmas.Thank you Judy for being my swap partner I had soooo much fun making up these items for you and I hope you enjoy them for many years to come.

christmas table runner no:3

Well here it is table runner no:3,finally..... I hope my friend and her son like it?

PAY IT FORWARD.....reminder

Just letting you know there's still one spot left for someone to join in the fun of PIF.so check out the terms on the PIF post and leave a comment if you want join in the fun.You'll find the information in the November 2008 post.

Angel doll swap '08: Here comes Charlotte...

This is the angel doll I made for Sandy in the angel doll swap we had on the forum I'm part off.I loved making her,and I felt very Christmassy while attatching her wings.I hope Sandy liked the colours I chose to do her in.I heard thru the grapevine that she loved soft country colours/shabby chic.Thanks for being my partner Sandy.

#64 case swap: what I received...

This is the scrummy case I received from Linda in the case swap.It opens out to display three pockets to put your threads and scissors in and has a pincushion in the middle.It rolls up so it will fit into your bag easily.What a fantastic idea Linda.I can't wiat to try it out with one of the mini projects I'm working on.How stylish will I look when I take this bundle out of my bag next time I work on some handstitching.Thanks Linda for being my swap partner,I'm a very lucky girl.

2 christmas table runners:finally finished...

I have finally been finished two of the five Christmas table runners that I've been working on over the last couple of months.I've been making them as gifts for two of my friends who used to also work at the same place as me till a few months ago.I hope thay like the finished results.

A week of surprises...

This week has been full of lovely surprises.An angel arrived,a sampler block,fabric and then to cap it off I got a lovely surprise from a 7 year old boy called Aaron who made me the most gorgeous bag.It was his first attempt at making a bag and the only thing his mum helped him with was the handles.I had sent him some fabric so he could make more yo yo's in with his mum's swap parcel and apparently because it came with the swap he said he needed to make me a swap item in return for me.I just couldn't resist putting his efforts onto my blog to show everyone his fantastic work.Thank you again Aaron,you made my day when this arrived.

fabric journal no.2

This is the second journal I've made.The first was for my sister for christmas and this second one is for me.I was thinking of making myself one and was just about to go through my stash when a parcel arrived in the mail containing some scrummy pink floral fabric and a pink DMC thread.As soon as I saw these I knew just what I would make with them....a fabric journal for me of course.A very big thank you to Gail for thinking of me,it came just at the right time too....

sampler swap block '08:birthday block

This is the lovely block Trsh'n made for me in the sampler swap I am in on the craft forum.I think it will fit in beautifully with the other blocks I've already received.
The second picture is the block I made for Karen.I hope she likes how it turned out?

Angel doll swap '08:Angelina....

This is the doll thtat Trishj made for me in the angel doll swap on the craft forum.Doesn't she just glow in her crisp,snowy white dress,with just a touch of the gypsy/hippy with her silver headband.Trish made her so she can stand on her own.I think she'll look fantastic with all my other christmas suff I'll be putting out in the following couple of weeks.
Thank you Trish for being my swap partner.

PAY IT FORWARD.....

This is such a wonderful idea.I was one of the lucky first 3 to sign up with Clare.
All I have to do is have a link back to Clare's blog,which I've done on the left side of my blog.(Why don't you pop in and visit her wonderful blog).
I also needed to add the "Pass it forward" symbol to my blog(done).
The pay it forward idea is an act of kindness without expecting anything in return.The first 3 visitors to leave a comment wanting to join in will receive a handmade gift from me within 365 days of joining in.I'm happy to send internationally.These 3 visitors must have there own blog and be prepared to do the same for their first 3 visitors.
If you'd like to join just leave a comment and I will get in touch with you re:colours,likes/dislikes and snail mail address.

Anne's journal...

This is the quilting journal I've made for my sister for Christmas this year.Anne fell in love with this fabric on one off our many shopping expeditions this year and I secretly bought some with the idea to make her something with it.It took me most of this year to find the perfect pattern/idea to make with it.I've never done a fabric covered book before but I think I'll be making a few more of these as this one turned out beautifully.I might even try making a recipe journal with all my favourite recipes to give as a present for someone next year....

mini-stitchery swap '08

This is what I made for Giania in the mini-stitchery swap on the forum.I think the fabrics I chose to sash the cushion blended in really well with the colours in the stitchery.I had a lot of fun making it up and I think it turned out really well....

Bee Sew Whimsical Swap:Secret Santa Honeypot Swap...

A couple of weeks ago I signed up to join in the secret santa honeypot swap that I found via a friends blog.
I found this swap at http://beesewwhimsical.blogspot.com/
Since I'm not very good yet at taking things like the santa icon and putting it on my blog I hope Darlene doesn't mind me putting her blogspot on mine???
With this swap you were given a partner with their choice of christmas colours and asked to make a christmas ornament and a handmade card in their colourway,which I've finally just finished.I'll be posting off to my swap partner this saturday.I really hope she likes what I made for her.....

Here comes Santa Claus......Christmas Advent Swap '08

Well denni,
2 registered parcels are heading your way today so keep an eye out for the postie....I'll post the final parcel on Saturday,also registered post.Can't have these pressies getting lost in the mail.I hope you enjoy opening them over December,as much as I had searching for little gifts to buy and things I could make for this swap......

#62 theme spring swap

This is what I made for Guiliana in the spring swap.Her favourite colours were green,orange and purple.Not my usual colour combinations.I had left over strips from the cushion so I made up one of those addictive baskets and filled it with yo-yo's.Even her kitty got a bonus with the box I sent the swap in claiming it as her new bed.

#64 case swap

This is the rotary cutter case I made for Kim in one of the swaps I entered on the forum I've joined.I loved making it as I've never attempted one before.I also filled it with some embroidery threads in purples and greens as a surprise.I hope Kim liked the final result.

mini-stitchery swap '08

This is the stitchery I made for Allison.It's a Leanne Beasely design from the magazine Australian Homespun.I found a plain wooden frame and painted it green to put the stitchery in.I had so much fum making this stitchery and it was a nice change to frame it. I hope Allison loves the finished result as much as I did making it.

mini-stitchery swap '08

This is the fantastic stitchery I received from the swap I joined on my craft forum.It was made by Allison and she used the most beautiful blue planter box button for the stitchery.Allison's embroidery is so fine and delicate and I love the colours she used,it will go well in my house which has a lot of blue and yellow,my favourite colours.Thank you Allison for being my swap partner I've had so much fun making ang receiving my stitchery.

sampler swap block '08:Amish Dahlia

This is the block I made for Lynette for this swap.It was meant to be done in needleturn applique but I was having a few headaches and eye strain trying to do it this way so I unpicked what I had done and did it in blanket stitch instead.I hope Lynette doesn't mind that it was finished off this way?
The second block is the one made for me by Sonia.Isn't it lovely,it will go beautifully with all the other blocks I've received so far.

Friendship block swap '08:block 1

This is the lovely block Sharyn made for me for this swap.My colours are red,blue and cream.It will be interesting to see how the quilt looks at the end of the 12 months when it's been made up.Keep checking in girls to see how it turns out....

Friendship block swap '08:block 1

This is the block I made for Glenys in the friendship block swap.Glenys chose an open/surprise theme for her blocks,but I know she likes purple so I tried to put a little of this colour into it.

caring hearts bag

This is the bag I made from the caring hearts that were sent to me from the girls on the craft forum I'm a member of.I loved the bag Gail had done using her caring hearts and thought that the ones I received would also look gorgeous made up into a bag.Thank you girls,every time I use this bag I'll think off all the love and kindness that were sent with them.

christmas table runner no:2

Well here it is girls,FINALLY! no:2 of the five table runners I'm making for christmas presents.Two of these runners will be for me.Finallly I'm making myself something handmade for Christmas.I hope the girls I'm making them for like them?

It's Friday....

Friday is my day off,so I've made up a double batch of yummy lemonade scones to take for the girls at work tomorrow to enjoy.I've bought some jams and I'll be whipping up the cream in the morning just before I head of to work.I hope the girls enjoy their treat?

I've had so many requests for the scone recipe that I'm adding it to the post for all that would like to make them.

LEMONADE SCONES:
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup plain lemonade
1 1/2 cups S.R.Flour

Method:Put flour in bowl,add cream and lemonade and mix together.Place on floured surface and sprinkle with a little more flour.Gently knead the dough till it's not sticky.Pat flat with your hand to the thickness you want and cut out.Cook in a hot oven for 10 minutes.After about 7-8 minutes check and turn the tray around if scones are browning on one side more.Cook till the 10 minutes is up(the last 2-3 min's).Leave on the tray to cool.Serve with lashings of jam and whipped cream.

thimble pipkin swap '08: no.2

This is the thimble pipkin I made for Bec.I had so much fun making it and the others I did.They certainly are addictive little things...

thimble pipkin swap '08: no.2

This is the thimble pipkin Bec made for me.It's just lovely and the fabric she chose to do it in is very pretty.
I love the way she has made a beaded chain for it and that it came wrapped up in the beautiful fabric lying behind it.Thanks for being my swap partner Bec.

Christmas Table Runner no:1

This is the first of my five table runners I'm making for Christmas presents this year.I've finished the applique but I still have to add the prairie points around the edges.I'll post another picture when I've added them to the runner/s.

sampler swap block '08:Baby bud

This is the lovely block Sam made for me in the Sampler block swap.Thank you Sam it will fit in beautifully with the other blocks I've received for this swap.

Not another basket....

I couldn't resist making another basket using some scraps from a couple of cushions I had made for my bedroom.Loved the fabrics so much I thought they would look good made up into one of these quick and easy baskets.

Tea Towel Swap '08

This is the tea towel I made for Voni in the tea towel swap.I appliqued hearts then embroidered flowers into them like vases.
The other tea towel is the one Voni sent me in my favourite colour"blue" in terry towelling.I love terry towelling tea towels they are so good to dry dishes with.
Thank you Voni for being my swap partner.

my new bag

I decided to try and make one off these bags I saw the girls making in the forum.I made it with 2 1/2" squares and changed the other measurements to fit it.I think it turned out quite well just using up some leftover squares from a quilt I made a while ago and some fabric I had leftover from a swap.I didn't have to buy any new fabric for it and I still have plenty of squares left to make a few more up as gifts.What a bargain....

thimble pipkin swap '08

This is the thimble pipkin I made for judy.Great minds think alike as I also decided to embroider roses onto the one I sent to her.

thimble pipkin swap '08

This is the beautiful thimble pipkin I received from Judes Stuff (Judy)I absolutely love the roses she has done on it,especially since i have no idea how to do grub roses.But wait there's more Judy has also included a Christmas decoration using the template of the thimble pipkin,clever girl.I can't wait to hang it on my Christmas tree this year.Thank you Judy for being my swap partner.
P.S: My mother-in-law has requested I make her a couple for her to give for her craft groups Christmas gifts so she can buy thimbles as their gifts this year.Of course I said yes because as we all know they are very addictive little things......

sampler swap block '08:Baby bud

This is the block I made for Suziewong for the September block.I must admit I'm starting to like pinks a lot, very unlike me....

cornucopia swap '08

This is the cornucopia I made for Miss~Nance (Gail) in the swap.I used organza to layer beads,beading,ric rac and of course butterflies.Then I added some more butterflies to the outer layer to give it more pizaz,then topped it with a silky pink fringe.
I'm glad you liked it Gail and thanks for being my swap partner.