barbscreations

Look what came back with me.....

2012-01-30T06:07:00.000+11:00

While visiting my parents over the Australia day holiday this very dusty but beautiful singer tredle sewing machine came home with me and my sister in the back of the car.......

There was no chance of me saying no to my mum when she offered it to me......

My mum is a very big Bower bird and for her to give this,her mum's sewing machine to me was extra special.....now to find someone who can restore it to its former glory.

Birdie BOM......

2012-01-26T20:53:00.001+11:00

Block 10......

Block 11......

Block 12......

All 12 blocks,I'm thinking white sashing would look just right to finish this quilt off....what do you think?

January,what a month!

2012-01-26T20:43:00.001+11:00

Baby Seth's quilt now has a label.....

This is the top of Sethh's quilt,just a quick stacked coin cot quilt....

I also made some more crocheted stars in red and white to hang for next Christmas in my sewing room....

I also added four more rows to this quilt top.....

Now all it needs is a 5 or 6 inch border and it's off to the quilters......I'm thinking a pink or white check or plain homespun in these colours,what do you think?

FNSI Results.....

2012-01-21T09:16:00.000+11:00

DH went back to work Thursday so this Friday I had no one home and no interuptions so decided to start my FNSI early.....I started of by making this Babushka stitchery (finally) into a draw-string bag,one christmas gift ticked off my list for 2012.I'm planning on filling this bag full of yummy smelling soaps,hand lotions etc... over the year for the recipient.

This quilt has been needing to be made up for a few years now,I found it while going through my boxes in my sewing room tidy up,the fabric is "Verna" and I still love the colours in it.This quilt didn't take long to make up as it was a simple 9 patch block using the charm squares,I had to change the pattern a bit as I realised I wouldn't have enough of the peachy/pink to do it the way the pattern said,I love how it turned out......

This is one of the things I worked on Friday night while watching a movie,I hand traced and hand cut out the pieces now to put it together,maybe this Sunday? When it's finished it will be a very pretty pincushion with the stitchery in the middle.

This is another project I worked on after cutting out my red and white fabrics,it's still a WIP as I find it easier to stitch embroideries requiring lots of colours changes during daylight rather than under my lamp at night.I think this will be a pick-up/put-down one and will be worked on here and then when I have a spare moment during the day....might take it to work and work on it during my lunch breaks?
Sooo this is what I've been doing on my Friday ,must go and have a look at what the other participants have been working on now......

Glimpses of my sewing room....

2012-01-15T13:55:00.000+11:00

This little corner of my sewing room is near one of the windows looking onto our back yard,the tall thin bookcase was made for me by my Father-in-law for my sewing room and because the shelves are so narrow I've used it to display some of my pieces I've either collected over the years,been gifted with,received in swaps or won in giveaways,I love this little corner of my room.

This is the view you get as you walk into the room from our carport,I have a sliding door into my sewing room from there.I still need to tidy up a lot more but it's a start.I have lables/tags needing to be done to replace the post-it notes on boxes and baskets....I still have to finish making up the new curtains for around each of the tables as well.The little green stool is another of my Father-in-laws handiwork and I plan on using it to display my stuff on as well.

This cabinet was a garage sale find a few years ago,I'm thinking of putting some pretty material in the doors and getting my DH to put the shelf up for me that's leaning beside it on the right.
I couldn't resist making a little table top display on this cabinet,all my Annie dolls,red and white journals etc....make a pretty display when I come into the room,makes me smile each time I see it.
I'll try and post more pictures as I finish things in my sewing room,I still have lots to do but with small steps I'll get there eventually :)

Red & White is ohhhh so nice.....

2012-01-13T20:16:00.001+11:00

I couldn't resist making up another of Hanne's hearts and them making it into a draw-string bag.I just love the combination of red and white together :)
If you would like to make your own heart go to my previous post and click on Hanne's link and download your own copy of this lovely heart pattern,the bag pattern is one I made up as I went along :)

What I've been working on....

2012-01-04T21:19:00.001+11:00

This is another crocheted blanket I started working on over my Christmas break,I'll work on it over my lunch breaks at work till it becomes to big to be a portable project.I love the lacey effect this stitch creates.....I'll post more photo's as it becomes bigger,my aim is to try and have it finished ready to use this winter.

and yes you are seeing double,the green edged blanket is the one I worked on last year during the frantic time when both my parents were sick and in hospitals at the same time.....but 2 hours apart from each other,I called mine my worry blanket.
I made the second blanket with the pink edging for my sister Anne who was worrying right alongside me.I thought it would be nice for her to have her own blanket so in secret I stitched this blanket up for her for one of her Christmas gifts last year.I think she can guess now why I said for her to call me before she dropped in so I could put the kettle on was a ruse so I could quickly hide it away when she was visiting LOL.....she had noooo idea!

New free BOM starting....

2012-01-03T14:54:00.000+11:00

Click on the link button on my left side bar to take you to a new FREE BOM being offered by the lovely Jenny of Elefantz fame :)

More finishes for january.....

2012-01-02T19:20:00.002+11:00

No you're not seeing double check the date on the stocking,I found this second Rudolph stocking in the same condition as the other one a little later after gifting the first one to my sister Anne so out came the stuffing and VOILA..... another Rudolph has come out of the cupboard or in this case out from inside the magazine that was inside the drawer in my sewing room!

I traced and stitched up this heart today while trying to avoid the heat outside,if you'd like to make up one of your own click on this web addy http://hannequilt.blogspot.com/ as she's offering it free for you to make just make sure you abide by Hanne's rules of giving.....I think it's appropriate that the word "SIMPLIFY" is part of this embroidery as that's the word I've chosen to try and live by for 2012.This heart now hangs up in my sewing room to remnd me,thanks Hanne for your generosity!

Another thing I've been working on are these crocheted stars,I'm making them into a banner for my sewing room and have now started on a red and white one for this Christmas,I'm planning on being more organised this year.....I'll see how that pans out when work and uni are added to the mix LOL.

New Year,new finish....1st for 2012

2012-01-01T10:32:00.000+11:00

This was another applique project I had started and not finished,also found with my christmas stash so today I added some leftover prarie points on the ends,added a back and then spent a bit of time this morning stuffing it.
Another finish for Christmas 2012 and my first for this New Year........

More finishes for 2011....

2011-12-31T20:23:00.001+11:00

And a very big THANK YOU!! to my sister Anne for coming to the rescue and attatching the bindings to these three baby quilts for me,from the bottom of my heart and my very tired body I thank you XXX, LOL.... More pictures later on why I'm soooo tired really soon :)
P.S: I wont be classing these three quilts as OPAM finishes as I didn't finish them by myself.

FINAL OPAM FINISHES FOR 2011.....

2011-12-30T16:35:00.002+11:00

Remember when I showed you this table runner a litttle while ago,it just needed to be hand appliqued so I've been slowly working on this in-between other projects......

Well here it is finally finished and ready for Christmas 2012.....

Don't look too closely at the date on this stocking,I found it while rummaging through my Christmas fabrics and all it needed doing on it was to be stuffed,stitched closed and a loop attatched to hang it from a door knob,another finish I can use for Christmas 2012.....

All this tea towel needed was the angel's halo and eyes to be stitched and then I used the colonial knot stitch to attatch some jumbo ric rac to the bottom and VOILA another finish I can use for Christmas 2012.... I'm too scared to look any further in my Christmas stash in case something else pops up needing to be finished lol :)
I think I've got a good head start on my Christmas decorations for next year....

Pressies from/for friends....

2011-12-30T08:26:00.002+11:00

This pin cushion and thread catcher are from my Ondrea my forum buddy who I've also had the pleasure of meeting and hope to do so again next year...I love the combination of red and white together,thanks Ondrea I LOVE THEM!!

This is the Babushka wall hanging I made for Ondrea this year using some blue scraps I had left over from her birthday pressie this year...I know she loves blue and white together.

This gorgeous Christmas table topper is also from a dear friend Vicki also another forum buddy....don't you just love the colours of Christmas,certainly brought a smile to this girls face when she opened up her parcel,thanks Vicki I LOVE IT!!
I have been thoroughly spoilt this Christmas!

This is the cushion I made for Vicki's gift this year,I know she doesn't have much hanging space where she lives so I thought a cushion for her new arm chair would do nicel,I added some extra special buttons tothe corners to add a bit of discreet bling as well.
I just wanted to say thanks to both my dear friends for your lovely and very thoughtful gifts this Christmas and for being my friends :)
I'll be back later today to show you some photo's of a few finishes I've been working on over my holiday break....

Santa sack swap no.2....photo heavy!

2011-12-28T20:25:00.002+11:00

This gorgeous wall hanger is what Karen made for me for my last present in this swap,Karen also included the wrought iron stand which just sets it off beautifully....I LOVE IT !!!

Karen also made me this beautiful dove felt banner which will be strung up in my sewing room come Christmas 2012....Bring on 2012 I say lol.

I had so much fun opening up all my pressies,Karen was sooo thoughtful and included these thread holders with a ball of green in one ready to start stitching.Karen also sent me a couple of pkts of speciality sewing needles and a cotton reel holder for when I'm travelling,a fantastic idea!
I love the pin cushion wristlet and the needle holder,very pretty and very useful.I'll have to try and get the cross stitch kit done before next Christmas so I can use it in my Christmas decorating.
Thank you karen I love all of my pressies and I enjoyed participating in this swap a lot and I hope to join in the fun again if it's run in 2012!!

These placemats I made for Karen and her family as a little extra for this swap....

I asked her to open them Christmas Eve so she could use them Christmas day if she wanted to.

This pincushion and bag I also made for her for this swap....

I tried to use a lot of Australian designers for my projects like Jennifer Reynolds "oops a daisy" table runner....

I sooo enjoyed making this penny pocket and birdie I couldn't stop at one and have a couple more cut out ready to be made up for me....

I couldn't resist making this Leanne Beasley couch companion and included a few extras to fill up the pockets....

These two pot holders were sent early in the swap and I told Karen she could open this one as soon as it arrived on her doorstep....

This is the santa sack I sent for all the pressies to go into while waiting for Christmas/Santa to arrive......
I just want to say thanks Karen for being my swap partner I enjoyed every minute of it and I hope you did too :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....

2011-12-24T12:09:00.000+11:00

Just a quick post to wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2012....
This New York baked Cheesecake is heading to my in-laws today to have for Christmas day,hasn't turned out too bad for my first attempt at a baked cheesecake!
I'll see you all when I get back :)

photo heavy post...what I've been doing this weekend

2011-12-18T12:54:00.003+11:00

Saturday I was baking some almond and white chocolate shortbread,which turned into.........

These all gooey and drizzled with scrummy white chocolate,then I started baking.......

A batch of Anzac biscuitsa,then I started baking.......

A double batch of coconut crunch biscuits,then I started baking.......

A batch of chewy chocolate chip biscuits and the final pictures are what I did with all these biscuits....

I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped and then.......

I boxed them all up ready to take to work tomorrow! It's our work Christmas dinner and everyone is bringing a dish of food to share, these are going to be my special treat to everyone to be placed on the tables for the evening.
I'm also going to be bringing a big bowl of potato salad which I'll be starting on once I've finished this post......... so as you can see I've had a very busy but enjoyable weekend :) Barb.

FNSI.....What I got up to

2011-12-17T10:43:00.001+11:00

Friday night was a big night for me as I'd planned to go Christmas shopping with my sister in the evening so I started my FNSI early in the day and finished off this "Tis the season" stitchery while waiting for my turn to get my hair cut,I must admit I got some amused looks from the girls at the salon ( I think they're begiining to recognise I just can't sit still and not work on something at the same time lol ) and then this morning I put the back onto it and stuffed it.I made it slightly bigger than the previous one as you can see from the two pictures.
Now I'm off to do some more biscuit baking,choc-chip,anzac's,coconut crunch,almond and white chocloate shortbread......wish me luck as tomorrow I'll be baking a New York baked chhesecake as well as making up a big pot of potato salad,don't you just love Christmas time! It's lucky I love to cook LOL :)

Put the kettle on.....

2011-12-11T14:48:00.002+11:00

I just finished baking these biscuits,the Anzacs are for my dad and will be posted off to him in the morning and the coconut crunch is for my sister Anne who if she's reading my blog.....Pop the kettle on I'm heading your way after I finish this post for a cuppa and a catch up! Maybe even a couple of these biscuits I'm bringing with me ???

This is the finished table runner I started working on Friday....all finished and ready for my KK,I hope she likes it??

This is the back of the runner,I used some of my scraps from another runner I was working on and this way it can be used either side........
Well I'm off to my sister's for a cuppa and a bicscuit,catch ya later :)

FNSI Results....

2011-12-10T14:20:00.001+11:00

Last night I sat and stitched this pretty Christmas tree design form http://elefantz.blogspot.com/

This morning it turned into a cushion......

I also turned this $1.00 op-shop find for my work KK into.....

A chef's apron with a simple flower applique on the pocket.....I hope she likes it??

I also started working on this tea towel before I went out to babysit and it's turning into another gift for my secret KK

I hope she likes the table runner it will become when I get it finished.I hope to have it finished this weekend if I get my you know what into gear.I'll post a photo of it when it's done :)
I also plan on baking a date and walnut loaf using the loaf tin I bought at the op-shop the same time I bought this tea towel and chef's apron....total cost $5 and my time and scraps from my stash.
In case you're wondering the theme for this years secret KK at work is buying from an op-shop and putting your own little twist to it which I've done LOL.

Another finish for OPAM....

2011-12-04T17:18:00.001+11:00

Finished this little mini-cushion off today and traced out a few more of the Tis the season stitcheries to make up more.
I love how the fabric works so well with the thread colour I chose :)

A finish for me....and OPAM

2011-12-03T17:50:00.000+11:00

This wall hanging is what I've been working on over the last couple of weeks and finally put the last quilting stitches into it this morning.I used a lovely pink DMC no.601 for the sitcheries and the fabric range I used is called "Quite Contrary" by Riley Blake.
I just love how the fabric and thread work so well together :)

Busy,busy,busy.....

2011-11-28T18:19:00.002+11:00

I've been baking anzacs for my dad,soon to make more....

Started re-stitching these blocks again with DMC threads instead of Anchor which bled orange all over one of my first set of these blocks and discouraged me so much I haven't even looked at them for well over a year.....back on track and hope to keep up with these into the new year as my UFO to finish.

I've also been busy stitching up a storm for my Santa Sack swap partner Karen,these are now on their way to her as I posted this parcel off to her after work today.I'll post photo's of all the pressies I made/bought for her after she opens them Christmas morning.
Soooo a very busy few weeks.......and,and,and......it's offficial I'm now on Uni holidays till Febuary next year woooo hooo I'm going to let my crafty mojo start getting to work,you aint seen nothing yet!!

FNSI....A start and a finish

2011-11-19T12:14:00.004+11:00

This is what I managed to finish last night before we lost power on and off for most of the night, a cushion cover to go with the flimsy quilt top I just finished a little while ago using some of the left over squares from it........the block is called a disappearing nine patch,

and this is what I started working on by candlelight....I know,I know another project started.I bought this wool a little while ago and thought it was 4ply and it wasn't till I got home that I realise it was 8ply and much too heavy to use for crocheting a baby blanket so now I've started using it in another blanket but a knitted one this time,I'm very slow at knitting so we'll see how long it takes for it to be finished :)

Finally a finish for November

2011-11-12T16:23:00.000+11:00

I finally stitched the last row of edging around this crocheted blanket today...I needed a break from studying and nothing relaxes me more than using my hands to make such yummy creations.

This is a photo of som of the crocheted blankets I've finished off this year.I didn't realise how many I'd worked on till I piled them all up to take a photo Mmmmm I have been just a little bit busy this year LOL :)

Still trying to decide???

2011-11-06T12:17:00.000+11:00

Whether to add a couple of more rows, a final border or just leave as is?? What do you think?

What I've been up to while blogger's been playing up on me....

2011-11-04T09:15:00.002+11:00

Remember this?? I started working on this crocheted blanket a few months ago got distracted working on other things and uni assignments and put it down till just recently I've been working on it and it's gone from this to.....

To this,boy has it grown.I've nearly finished it I just need to do about another nine rows of ripple then I'll start on the border.I love the colours I chose for this blanket,very spring-like :)

I also participated in the fat 1/4 swap and these are the lovely fat 1/4' my partner Leonie for the month of October sent me,thanks Leonie I love them.
I love the combination of red and white together,I must hunt out my redwork stitcheries for a Bronwyn Hayes quiltI have planned for this fabric and start finishing them off,maybe over my uni holidays for Christmas break which is near the end of this month??
P.S:The title of the post is because blogger in its wisdom decided my blog was spam and I couldn't access it :(

This one's for Barbara....

2011-10-31T10:47:00.001+11:00

And no I don't mean me LOL....During a blog hop Barbara at http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/ had a secret giveaway going and I was the lucky winner....all because I was the first commenter named Barb! I received an email asking for my snail mail addy over a month ago and yes it did take that long for this lovely surprise to reach my door!! Australia post must have been oohing and aahing over it all this time deciding if I was going to get it or keep it for thmselves I think?? I'm glad they decided in my favour though.

This is a big thank you to Barbara Brackman.....

Who sent me a personalised copy of her book as well as.....

this beautiful layer cake from her new range that's not even out in the shops yet till 2012! I have been thoroughly spoilt by Barbara,now I have to have a think about what I'd like to use this yummy layer cake in Mmmmm :)

FNSI....finished!

2011-10-25T22:27:00.001+11:00

I finally took a photo of my crocheted blanket with the white trim,I must admit I do like how the white contrasts so starkly against the other vibrant colours I've used for the squares :)
P.S: I forgot to say I won one of the prizes for FNSI for this little blanket....so excited!

FNSI....

2011-10-22T21:52:00.001+11:00

Finally I can post my picture of what I was working on last night....Blogger has been playing cat and mouse with me all day!Finally went into my settings and updated my edit setting to the newer version and VOILA! I now can post.....I hope :)
P.S: Wooo Hooo it worked !!!

Colours of the rainbow....FNSI

2011-10-21T16:52:00.003+11:00

These crocheted squares are what I'll be working on tonight while watching tv....come back tomorrow and see what they've become :)

Anyone else joining in the friday night sew in tonight???

Tis the season....

2011-10-15T16:47:00.003+11:00

Today was the day I'd set aside to finish putting the borders onto my Tis the season quilt in-between working on a couple of uni assignments,now I just have to decide if I want to hand quilt it or machine quilt it??? I think I'll take a few days before I decide which method I'll be using to quilt this top.

Now to trace out a couple of the stitcheries and start working on some of the smaller projects from the book using the leftover fabrics as borders and backing.

I must admit I'm quite pleased with how this quilt has turned out :)

Another OPAM Finish.....

2011-10-13T20:36:00.004+11:00

I've finally finished this baby blanket I've been crocheting for the past few weeks in-between working on other projects,it's been my take to work and work on it during my lunch breaks.....now I'll have to start another one to work on to keep my hands busy.I'm loving the ripple stitch I used for this blanket so another ripple blanket may be the next thing on my to-do list???

Only a non-crafter could bin this!

2011-10-09T12:02:00.003+11:00

Look what came home with me yesterday....lucky,lucky me!!!

I went to work to plant vegies & flowers in our centres garden and one of the other girls on our working bee was cleaning out their storeroom and was going to put this in the skip ( bin ) and I was lucky enough to see it before it became scrap.....Only a non-crafter could get rid of something so lovely and useful now I have thoughts racing around in my head trying to decide how I'll use it in my sewing room,maybe for storing fat 1/8th's,sewing threads,a case to use to take projects on the go......the list is endless!

What would you use it for???

Fabric and a finish....

2011-10-08T14:48:00.008+11:00

I received my fat 1/4's from Wendy yesterday and what lovely christmas fabric she sent me.I'll have to get my thinking cap on and look through my patterns.Thanks Wendy I love what you chose,if you'd like to join in the fun click on this link and say hi to Cathy who organises it for us at http://fatquarterswap.blogspot.com/ :)

I also finished my Christmas stitchery finally deciding on making it into a wall hanger....I think it turned out ok, even if I do say so myself lol :)

Cushion or wall hanging????

2011-10-03T19:11:00.002+11:00

What do you think.... should I make this stitchery I just finished off tonight into a wall hanging or a cushion??? I'm kinda leaning more towards a wall hanging :)

Final finish for September....

2011-09-30T17:19:00.003+10:00

I finally finished putting the border on my birdie stitchery block,now to wait for the next block and start all over again.

Look what came in the mail......

2011-09-26T15:07:00.004+10:00

I joined in the Blog Hop that's been happening around blogland and won one of Bunny Hill's scrap bag and this box is what I picked up from the post office and inside was..........

This humungus bag of scraps,much more than I was expecting! I just want to say a huge thank you to Anne from http://BunnyHillblog.com/ for her generosity, the lollies lasted no more than five minutes before being eaten LOL :)
Now to put my thinking cap on and come up with a plan or two on what to use these fabulous scraps for......maybe a few hexies,cushions,quilt,what do you think I should use them for???

ANOTHER FINISH FOR OPAM......

2011-09-26T10:10:00.004+10:00

Remember these blocks.....

I started them oohhhh.......About two,maybe three years ago???

Well.....I've finally finished putting them all together and.....

VOILA!!! I now have a lovely table top curtesy of Vicki's lovely free BOM she shared a few years ago.If you'd like to make one just pop into Vicki's store http://www.thepickledishpatch.com/store and ask her about them :)

Giveaway Winner....

2011-09-25T20:06:00.003+10:00

Well the time has come to announce the winner of my giveaway....... the winner is comment no: 27 "ROSEANNE" ,Congratulations!!

Roseanne if you send me an email with your snail mail addy I'll post of your stack of 5" squares to you this week I may even include a little surprise or two as well in the parcel :)

A belated thankyou & a finish.....

2011-09-23T18:42:00.004+10:00

With all the things that have been happening with both my parents I forgot to say thank you to Joanne www.pbpatch.com.au/ for the hexie cards I won in her giveaway a little while back.....as you can see I now have the glue pens so there's no exscuse for me not to attempt my first hexie and start my hexie addiction......Thanks again Joanne!
Click on the link www.pbpatch.com.au/ and check out her website as she's now selling pre-cut fabric hexies in some of the newest fabric ranges which means that your hexie addiction will grow that much faster LOL.

This is my worry blanket...This is what I've been working on for the last three weeks while travelling between hospitals and emergency waiting rooms etc....with both my parents.Everytime I use this blanket I'll remember this time and be grateful for family and the times we have with them....even the stressful times :)

GIVEAWAY TIME.....

2011-09-18T09:14:00.003+10:00

Well as promised here is the bundle of 5" squares I have leftover from making my summer table topper.This stack of squares is up for grabs to anyone including international participantsThe rules are simple........there are no rules,just leave a comment with some way of me being able to contact you if you're the lucky winner.....no way to contact the winner means I may have to re-draw.

This giveaway will stay open for a week so plenty of time to tell your friends to come over and try their luck.

I'll announce the winner sometime next weekend :)

FNSI.....

2011-09-17T17:15:00.004+10:00

Well here's the table topper I said I was going to work on last night all finished.I started out randomly sewing on diferent coloured buttons and then decided I didn't like how they looked after a couple of rows LOl so I decided to use only the pinks from my button collection.I like how just using the one colour pallete for the buttons brought everything together.Now to add this to my Sepetember OPAM list,my 1st for this month......
Don't forget to come back tomorrow for my giveaway for the leftover 5" squares I used to make this table topper,what you see in the picture above are just a few of the ones I have left from this fabric stack :)

Friday night sew in....

2011-09-16T09:01:00.004+10:00

Have you joined??? There's still time....just click on the Friday night sew in button on the right and join in the fun! Do you remember the pile of 4" and 5" squares I showed you a few posts ago well I decided to put together the 5" squares,I just randomly placed them together 6 rows by 7 rows and this is what it looks like.Tonight I'll be quilting this table topper and hope to have it finished to show you tomorrow,wish me luck!

Also I'll be hosting a giveaway for the remainder of the 5" squares over the weekend,there's still plenty to make a table topper like mine or a small quilt so come back then and join in the fun,this will be open to anyone no matter where you live....I promise I wont make you jump through hoops :)

It's been a very ,very long week!

2011-09-12T20:09:00.003+10:00

With both my parents ending up in two different hospitals last week, two hours away from each other and then trying to outdo each other by both being operated on the same day,oneupmanship has gone just that tad too far folks.....So this past week has just gone in a blur of emergency rooms,hospital admissions and more sitting around hospitals waiting rooms and trying to flit between visiting both has left me and my sister exhauseted but we wouldn't have it any other way,this is what families are for to be there in time of need.

Soooo while waiting for operations to be done,visiting etc all I've been able to concentrate on is these crocheted squares ( thank goodness for craft and big sisters ) these are some of the squares made up which will hopefully be a lovely warm blanket for my knees next winter.

All I can say is that every time I use this blanket I'll remember every stitch that went into the making of it and why family are the most important thing in life and to be grateful for every day you have with them :)

Tis the season....

2011-08-31T06:14:00.004+10:00

August blocks have been done and dusted for a while now and I thought I'd better post photo's of them before September arrived.....OK tricked you!!! Here's the top all put together,I just need to decide on the border fabric and the top will be ready to quilt.I'm also using the wreathe block as my label.

I love how the quilt looks so far and can't wait to get it finished totally.....so that's 13 blocks done and dusted Chooky.Thanks also Chooky for starting this stitch-a-long as I don't think I would have gotten this far if I hadn't joined in the fun :)

Santa Sack swap no.2

2011-08-30T19:50:00.003+10:00

Here's the finished santa sack I sent to my partner Karen on saturday,all the way over in Texas as well as her first two pressies which I can't show but both have been handmade by me as well.

I hope Karen likes her bag and can wait till Chrissie to open her gifts....I still have a few more to send off before December and will be working on them over the next month or two :)

Moving along.....

2011-08-28T14:12:00.004+10:00

I've been working on the wool I bought last Friday form the Bendigo Woolen Mills and now I have 22 yummy squares that just need there ends sewn in for a new blanket I've started working on.I've only used up one ball each of the pink and the green and I haven't even made a dent in the white.

I also couldn't resist making up a little display utilising these yummy balls of wool and a runner my sister Anne made for me for my birthday this year,it cheers me up no end when I see this display of pretties everytime I sit down on the couch to stitch or crochet at night.

I've also finished a premmie dress to go with the beanies and jacket,so another finish for OPAM as well.

What I'm working on next......

2011-08-27T21:07:00.003+10:00

On Friday my sister Anne and I went to Bendigo to visit the Bendigo Woolen Mills and boy did I have fun trying to choose what I wanted to take home with me and as promised here's a picture of some of the wool I brought home with me.I'm loving my time at night hooking away with such gorgeous colours while watching tv in the evening.

I'll post a photo of the blanket I'll be working on over the next few months when I have some of it done :)

It's finally finished.....

2011-08-22T21:51:00.004+10:00

All I can say is Mmmmm,I'm loving how this blanket looks and it's sooooo lovely and soft draped over you when you're snuggled up on the couch,it's a keeper I think :)

4" or 5".....which will I start on first

2011-08-21T11:33:00.003+10:00

While looking through blogs I found a couple of simple but very effective quilts and thought Mmmmm summer is on its way and I'm sooooo over winter so yesterday I pulled out of my stash all my happy,bright and yummy fabrics and today I ironed them all and started cutting them up into 4" and 5" strips which in turn turned into these two gorgeous piles of SUMMER YUMMINESS I'm just waiting till my September uni holidays when I'll start putting them both together.....I wonder if I'll be able to wait that long?

I've cut way too many squares for both the quilt tops I'm going to be working on so I think after I've finished making both my tops I'll be having a giveaway with the left over squares.....what do you think??? Stay tuned it may be sooner than you think LOL :)

P.S:You'd think with all this cutting I did today my stash would have shrunk but nooooo it's still way too big!

Weekend finishes....

2011-08-14T15:38:00.005+10:00

Yesterday I went to spottie to get a few things and stumbled onto a book of crochet patterns for dolls/premmie babies and couldn't resist buying it as well.As soon as I got home I looked through my wool stash for odd balls of 3 & 4ply wool and got to work.

I've had so much fun making up these little beanies and matching jacket I may just need to start on a few more???

August block done and dusted.....

2011-08-13T11:20:00.003+10:00

Bring On September I say!!
Mainly because I have a weeks holiday at the end of them LOL and I have big plans of getting into my sewing room and finishing of a few things and trying out a few new patterns from the gorgeous book I won in a giveaway a little while ago.....so bring on September I say and let the fun begin!!

Photo heavy post.....

2011-08-07T08:45:00.002+10:00

Here are the promised photo's of the pink and cream crocheted blanket I've been working on and as you can see it's grown! I also started another baby ripple blanket using a multi coloured wool.....Mmmm another start before a finish ooops :) Oh well what can I say,I just couldn't resist.

I've also been putting borders onto the "Luna Notte" applique flowers and preparing another pile ready to start on over the next few weeks,so to date that's 38 finished and 34 to go to make a total of 72 blocks for this quilt.I still haven't figured out how big I want this quilt to finish up.....Maybe a few throw cushions if I have any leftover blocks???

Two finishes for OPAM....

2011-08-06T09:55:00.004+10:00

I've been a bit quiet on the bloggy front as I've just been given my first assignment for this term and I've been doing a bit of research and book reading but you know me I can't just forget about my craft for too long and decided I needed a break .I picked up my crochet hook and some leftover balls of wool and made up these two little baby beanies for my new great-neice who was born premmie a few weeks ago ( weighing a huge 820gms ) I'm also planning on making up a couple of crocheted jackets but I'm still trying to source out some premmie crochet ones so if anyone has some great sites they could link for me in their comments I'd really appreciate it :)

I also finished working on these two BOM blocks for July just in time for the August blocks to be put out....I'm loving the simplicity of working with just one thread colour.

I've also been putttering along with my cream and pink crocheted blanket and just have 5 more balls to work with till I can say it's finished.I'll post a progress update photo as soon as I can just to let you see how much it's grown since my last post about it.

Thanks Vikki......

2011-07-28T19:30:00.004+10:00

A little over a week ago I received an email from Vikki from http://www.sewusefuldesigns.com/ letting me know I'd won her giveaway and today my parcel full of yumminess arrived!!

I've been collecting charm packs,jelly rolls and a few layer cakes with no idea of what to actually make with them for a few years now ( but gee they look pretty sitting on my shelf LOL) .....but no more! I now have a beautiful new book courtesy of Vikki's fabulous giveaway with dozens of ideas to get me started,MMmmm now which one to start on first??? and to feed my pre-cut addiction Vikki also included in her giveaway a yummy Hullabaloo charm pack! I've been thoroughly spoilt!!

Thanks Vikki,I can hardly wait for my September holidays to start putting a few projects together using my new book :)

P.S: Vikki is also starting a free BOM on her blog so pop over and download her beautiful angel stitchery!

As promised.....

2011-07-17T18:16:00.002+10:00

Here's a picture of the crocheted pink & cream ripple blanket I've been working on.....it's getting bigger!

I know I'm a tease.....

2011-07-16T18:35:00.002+10:00

But this is my treat for dessert tonight.....a freshly baked cupcake with heaps of pink icing topped of with lots & lots of 100's & !000's MMmmm.The best thing is that there are five of these yummy treats left after this one if I want seconds,or thirds LOL....

What I get up to on a day off from work.......

2011-07-16T08:51:00.003+10:00

I finally got around to finishing the second lot of ornie stitcheries and made them into mini cushions and finally finished stitching this gorgeous pink heart and turned it into another cushion.....can you see a birdie theme happening here LOL.I'm also loving the fact that I've been using up my pile of Bliss scraps to finish these projects off.

I've also been busy working on my pink and cream crocheted ripple blanket and let me tell you it's grown quite a bit,I'll post a picture of it over the weekend when I get the chance to take one.

Finishes for July....

2011-07-14T21:19:00.002+10:00

While on holidays I've been trying to keep busy with finishing a few things off my to-do list.One of these things has been this birdie stitchery which I finished and decided to make into a cushion,I took a photo of the back as well as I just loved the panel from the Bliss range of fabric but it wasn't quite long enough so I added a strip od red and I think it just adds that little something extra to it.

I also finished off four more dish cloths and couldn't resist taking a photo of all of them together.....stacked up they make a very big pile and should last me for quite a few years LOL.

I hope to have a few more finishes completed over the coming weekend as it's head down and bum up again with uni starting up for me again next week and my crafting time will be a bit more limited again :)

More finishes and a giveaway win.....

2011-07-10T09:21:00.003+10:00

A couple of weeks ago I entered a giveaway on http://sameliasmum.blogspot.com/ and won this "Whites" DVD,I haven't watched it yet as I'm waiting for the right time to sit down and relax and sew.....maybe this Friday? I've also finished my July block for the Birdie BOM I'm working on this year as well as this set of ornie cushions which have been just stitcheries waiting to turn into cushions for ages!....I'm too embarrased to say how long LOL.

Tis the Season.....

2011-07-09T08:47:00.002+10:00

I thought while I was on holidays from uni I'd try and get my July blocks done,mission accomplished and then I couldn't resist seeing how all the blocks looked together LOL.I still have my August blocks to do and I've decided to use the mittens block as my quilt label with all the relevant information being stitched around the outside of the wreath.

I'm so please I joined in this stitch-along as I don't think I'd be anywhere near this close to finishing if I hadn't,thanks Chooky!

2nd finish for OPAM....

2011-07-05T20:21:00.005+10:00

One of the things I'm doing for my uni placement is a solitary play space for the children to be able to have some me time away from the others in the room so I made up a large floor cushion from one of my UFO's (a table topper) stuffed it and I'll be taking this into work tomorrow to create a nice cosy relaxing corner of the room just for one little person to use at a time.With this cushion I'm also be taking in a knitted flurry blanket I made a while ago so they can curl up under it on the cushion with some of the books I'll provide for them.

I'll take a photo of it when I set it up in the room and post about it when I get the chance.I love being able to make things for my room for the children to be able to use.

OPAM.....First finish for July!

2011-07-03T11:13:00.002+10:00

I have a workmate who is expecting a baby girl soon and for her baby shower I said I would make her some headbands for the new bub.This is the first one I finished today and will show her tomorrow when I take it to work and if she's happy with it I'll make up a few more with different variation/colour on them..

It's gotten bigger.....

2011-07-01T15:25:00.003+10:00

I'm loving my crochet at the moment,nothing beats sitting down and tooling away with hook and wool in the evening especially in winter.Thought I'd show you a progress shot of one of the crochet blankets I'm working on at the moment,I love the combination of pink and cream together.

Update on my Birdie BOM.....

2011-06-27T18:18:00.002+10:00

I finally finished both May and June Birdie blocks,just in time for July's block coming out at the end of this week LOL.I think I'm cutting it a bit fine but with work,uni assignments and life I'm lucky to get any stitching done unless I make a concentrated effort to sit down and tune out the world for a little bit with my craft.....it's been my sanity saver this past six months :)

Something new.....

2011-06-19T18:08:00.002+10:00

As usual I just can't resist starting something new and with the weather being decidedly cooler where I am I thought I'd start on another crocheted ripple blanket in pink and cream.This one will be for me when it's done.I'm enjoying making a few things for me especially in crochet.

What I've been working on.....

2011-06-18T13:05:00.004+10:00

In-between uni assignments which I just put one in and received another to work on in exchange LOL I've been knitting and trying to keep up with a few BOM blocks I'm doing this year.I still don't know where I find the time to fit everything in but I do know that if I at least squeeze in five or ten minutes of stitching/knitting or crocheting I'm a much happier,relaxed person to be around.....thank goodness for my craft is all I can say.

The heart blocks are from the "twelve of hearts" BOM I'm stitching this year,all up to date now and the dishcloths are finishes for OPAM.

I'm halfway through my first year of my uni course and I only have another year and a half and fingers crossed I'll have my diploma at the end of next year to make it all worth while!

More finishes for OPAM.......

2011-06-13T14:39:00.002+10:00

This long weekend I finally finished of some projects that have been sitting on my sewing table.I've had two of these draw-string bags cut out for about a month and decided to try and get them done over this long weekend as a reward for finally finishing my uni assignment due this Wednesday.The brown draw string bag I made to use in conjunction with my uni asssignment.I love how thay've all turned out.

I also finished the June block for the "Home sweet home" BOM that I'm working on....now to finish June's block for the "12 of hearts" BOM I'm doing as well.There just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I would love to do but today I spent a bit of time in my sewing room clearing of my tables and I can now say I can see the tops of them again LOL but in doing so I dicovered even more projects I've started and not finished or patterns set aside with the fabric needed for them all bagged and ready to start on..... it's never ending but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

I'll try and post some more pic's soon of some of the things I've been working on in the evenings when I have a spare moment or two.

June blocks done and dusted.....

2011-06-11T10:43:00.002+10:00

I've finally finished my June blocks in-between uni assignments,work and life getting in the way.I've also traced out my July blocks ready to start stitching over the school holidays which are fast approaching.I love how all the diferent blocks are looking,so individual and so special,I may just have to make another of these quilts but in a different colour.....but not just yet maybe over the Christmas break??

While blogger has been missing in action....

2011-05-29T16:28:00.004+10:00

This pile of loveliness are some of the things I've been working on....... another is a crochet projet which I'll post pic's of soon when I have a bit more done on it.

Boy am I glad blogger has stopped mucking around and let me sign into my own blog!! I can also now comment on blogs again.I hear a lot of other bloggers have been experiencing this as well ??

Wooooo Hoooo....I'm doing the happy dance here!!!

2011-05-29T01:11:00.002+10:00

Finally after what seems like forever blogger is letting me back into my blog to post.I hope it will let me in when I come back later on today,for now I'm heading of to bed after a very fustrating few days with blogger.

Starting and Finishing....

2011-05-24T19:15:00.003+10:00

I've finally finished the last lot of wool from that basket I found in my sewing room,in total I made up 10 flurry knitted scarves and tomorrow I'll be taking them to work and putting them on the staff room table for anyone interested in taking one.

I also couldn't resist starting another baby blanket and the crocheted squares just look so scrummy together with the white edging.I don't have anyone in mind for this blanket but I know it will go to a good home when I need one in the future :)

Just for me.....

2011-05-21T22:38:00.002+10:00

I started something just for me last week and this weekend I started blanket stitching the applique,it's been months since I've done any applique.I've been working on a lot of stitching,knitting and crochet but I've really missed stitching with hand applique and I'm loving working with this fabric called "Luna Notte" it's just sooooo pretty.

Another finish for May....

2011-05-20T09:05:00.005+10:00

I couldn't show you this finish till today when I received word frrom the recipient that she had received it as it was for her birthday....lucky for me she loved it.

I made it for a very special friend and I hope we'll be able to catch up in person one day soon.....maybe once these uni assignments stop flooding in??? Anyway Happy birthday for Wednesday Vicki I hope you had a truely lovely day :)

Finishes for May....

2011-05-15T16:28:00.004+10:00

I can finally see the bottom of the wool basket....two more to do and I can finally use this basket for something else in my sewing room,yaaayyyyy!!

I also finished the second baby ripple blanket which is now in my gift basket.I'm loving finishing off some of my UFO's......now onto the next one :)

May finishes....

2011-05-09T19:46:00.006+10:00

I've been working on decreasing the basket of wool I found in my sewing room a little while ago.Two more finishes for OPAM with two scarves done and dusted,the purple one is already winging its way to its new owner.I only have three more scarves to make up and all the wool will have been used up YYyayayyy.

I've also finished my two blocks for the May SAL .....no need to crack the whip this time Chooky lol.

I hope to have the second white,green and yellow crocheted baby blanket done in the next week or two,photo's to follow when it's finished.The first one has been given to the mum-to-be at her baby shower last week and she loved it ....PHEW!!

What I've been working on....

2011-05-01T17:43:00.002+10:00

I have a couple of co-workerd expecting bubs in the next couple of months so I decided to make up cot quilts for them using the stcked coin quilt pattern.I've used the same pattern but they look totally different because of the fabrics used for each of them.

I'm quite pleased with how thay've turned out,I hope the mum-to-be are as well :)

More finishes.....

2011-04-25T09:49:00.002+10:00

I finished the last few rows on another knitted scarf and stitched the borders on this months Birdie block yesterday and finally was able to take some pics to post here.I still have enough wool for another 5 scarves so have cast on two more to work on over the next few weeks during my lunch breaks at work.I can't wait for next months Birdie....bring on May I say!

FINALLY!!

2011-04-23T14:48:00.003+10:00

It's been a looong time since I last posted but uni assignments,work and other life things have got in the way but I still managed to squeeze a bit of crafting into my time and finished up three little onesies for a friend who's having a bub very soon.I used some of the applique shape patterns out of Annie Down's book "A boys story" to decorate the front of them.

I also have a couple of more things I've been working on and hope to have them finished soon,I'll post pic's when they're done and dusted.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter break.....I certainly am because now I can craft to my hearts content till I get onto my next uni assignment but I think that can wait till after the Easter break as I need some me time craft therapy!

More OPAM finishes.....

2011-04-09T08:06:00.003+10:00

While tidying up my sewing room I discovered a basket full of wool I'd intended with all good intentions to make scarves out of them,started on a couple and then put them away and forgot about them unfinished sooooo here's two of them finished and another one or six (I don't want to admit how many lol) still to be knitted.More for my gift box which is starting to look very full.

I also finished of three knitted dish cloths for myself.I've loved using them over the past few months and now I have a lovely selection I can change them over even more fequently.......no more smelly dish cloths in my house lol :)

MMMmmmmmm

2011-04-08T17:13:00.003+10:00

Look at what I bought today,doesn't it make you want to go MMMmmm too :)

These balls of wool are going to be turned into another crocheted ripple rug......for me! I haven't crocheted myself a rug for ages and I think these colours are just sooooo yummy I just couldn't leave them in the wool shop Anne and I visited today in Malvern.

I'm really trying to restrain myself from starting on it but I think I may just have to give in and start LOL :)

1st OPAM for April....

2011-04-04T19:35:00.003+10:00

I finally finished the ripple rug I've been working on over the last few weeks and I had enough wool leftover to start on another,as you can see by the photo's I've already started the next rug,this second ripple rug will be put in my gift box.

More Birthday surprises....

2011-04-03T07:53:00.002+10:00

Here are the extra photo's I promised you from my birthday on Friday.......My sister Anne came around Friday afternoon and we spent a lovely time sitting,knitting and crocheting together while drinking coffe and eating yummy freshly made sandwhiches for our lunch.

I was thoroughly spoilt by her as you can see by the pictures! Anne creates awesome things with her hands and her sewing machine and I feel reallly blessed to be the recipiant of such gorgeous creations!!! Thanks Anne I love them!

Anne also made me some very pretty knitted dish cloths which are now sitting in a rainbow coloured pile near my kitchen sink waiting to be used.I love the feel of knitted dish cloths and they're great to use as well.

The cushion is now sitting on my bed and the table runner is soon to be residing on my blanket box near my couch in the lounge where I sit of an evening.

The lovely plates all came from a beautiful shop called "Lost and Found" speciallising in vintage 2nd hand things.... We visited it a little while back on one of our Friday jaunts and I fell in love with it.I think another trip in the not too distant future may need to be arranges LOL.....what do you think Anne???

Birthday surprises....be warned,picture heavy!!

2011-04-01T21:44:00.005+11:00

I love my birthday...even if it is on April fools day LOL! Usually I'm at work and I alwyays get a pinch and a punch for the first of the month or all those April fools jokes played on me but not today because it's Friday and I'm not at work,I'm at home relaxing and enjoying my birthday.

I've been receiving parcels in the mail from my fat 1/4 birthday swap partners for the past week and a half and I've been really,reeeaallly good and not opened any of them till today...although I will confess to a little squeeze and (gentle) shaking of each parcel as it arrived.

I want to thank Maree for organising this swap,it's the 2nd year I've participated and I'm loving it! Thanks to my swap partners Jan.Sandy,Carol and Natalie for all my gorgeous fabric and the lovely extras you popped in to make my day soooo special.I've included some photo's of all the goodies I opened up today from these lovely women.

I also received a parcel from my friend Ondrea which had the cuteset little wooden lady bug,if you look at the pin holder photo you'll see it sitting on top,the pin holder is just beautiful...I love the hexi on top.Ondrea also sent me a beautiful lady bug fold up bag that I can attatch to my handbag.Thanks Ondrea I love them all!

I have been thoroughly spoilt and then to top it off another parcel arrived today from my craft forum birthday swap,fabric good enough to eat,just looking at it makes me hungry for cake lol.I also received some pretty buttons and lace.

As I said I've been thoroughly spoilt but this isn't all the photo's I wanted to show you but blogger wont let me load up all the ones I want so I'll do another post tomorrow with the rest of all my birthday goodies.

Block three finished

2011-03-26T08:37:00.002+11:00

I'm loving working on these birdie blocks....bring on April I say for block four :)

Finishes for OPAM....

2011-03-20T16:19:00.003+11:00

Remember I mentioned in my last post that I found all these stitchery and applique blocks.Well here they are all made up and finished.The three applique blocks I cut to the same size and used up some left over prairie points to make a small table runner.

The largest of all the stitcheries I again used some left over prairie points and turned it into a wall hanger.

The gingerbread kisses cushion just needed a back put on it and it was finished.Something that simple but it took me till now to actually get around to it.I've had a very busy weekend this week on the craft front....now onto some uni homework :)

Stay tuned over the next couple of days as I'm also working on a few other projects which I hope to have finished before March ends......

Look what I found!

2011-03-19T19:20:00.002+11:00

While searching through my scraps of Christmas fabrics I found all these stitcheries.I think they've been sitting in there for quite a few years ......ooops more things to try and finish of.

Stay tuned and see what they turn into.I also found a larger santa stitchery and three christmas applique blocks which I've just started working on today.Will post a photo when I get them done...hopefully in time for March's OPAM list :)

I've also been working on a crocheted project in-between all the others things I've been working on.I really need more hours in the day if I keep finding more UFO"S!!

OPAM Finishes for March and more....Photo heavy post!

2011-03-14T18:06:00.007+11:00

I've been busy over the last couple of weeks...went to Tassie for a week to celebrate our wedding anniversary came back home and worked on a Uni assignment and inbetween all the piles of washing,assignments and being sick I've been working on finishing a few things and thought I'd show you what I've accomplished....

The pot holders I've made up using the hearts blocks (which were not needed anymore) so I decided to use them as pot holders and I think they turned out great.More pressies for my gift basket!

The pile of lovely background fabrics I bought while in Tassie and they feel as good as they look yummo!

The next lot are the three blocks I've been working on for the "Tis the Season" stitch-a-long I've joined.I've used scraps from the "Love is" BOM I just finished putting the final borders on (photo included) just needs quilting now.I'm quite pleased that I haven't bought anything for this BOM except for the embroidery threads.

Another couple of things I've been working on is putting these two quilt tops together ready to blanket stitch them by hand at night while zoning out in front of the tv at night.One of these quilt tops has been waiting for over five years to be put together but now it's ready to applique and off to the quilters it will go.The Bliss quilt is a more recent one I spotted on the moda bake shop site and just couldn't resist puttung it together,just needs the applique done as well.

I have a few more things I've been working on but I'll save them for another day LOL I think I've overloaded you enough for this post :)

Giveaway's are on there way.....

2011-03-13T11:10:00.003+11:00

Sorry for taking so long in posting off your giveaway's girls.They are now officially on there way to you,Uni assignments,sickness and loads of washing after my weeks holiday in Tassie meant I've been behind the eight ball all week.

I just thought I'd post a photo of what's heading your way and hope you forgive my slackness in sending them to you...I've added a couple of extra bits as my way of apologising for said slackness :)

And the winners are......

2011-02-28T05:40:00.006+11:00

Yes I did say Winners! I decided that since you all took the time to hop around our Craft Forum Blog Hop I'd choose 2nd and 3rd place winners.These two will be getting a little surprise sent to them.

Now these prizes wont be sent till after I come back from my Tassie trip which I'm heading on as soon as I finish typing up this post so don't panic if you don't hear from me.If I don't get a email from my winners by the time I get back I'll email you personally to tell you,you've won and as soon as I get your snail mail addy's I'll be sending them off to you with a little extra from my holiday in Tassie.

So without further ado the winner of the "A is for apron" book is...... GloriaJW congratulations Gloria.(I got my Hubby to pick the 1st prize winner)

2nd Prize goes to......WendyB because I loved the funny comment she left.

3rd Prize goes to.....Matilda May because I loved the rhyme she left as her comment.

Congratulations to all three winners.

My hubby's telling me to get off this computer and get ready for our trip so I better hop along and get moving.Catch up with you in a little over a weeek :) Barb.

Are you ready to have some fun!!

2011-02-25T08:41:00.005+11:00

Thank you for joining Our Craft Forum's Blog Hop.So what's a "Craft Forum?" A Craft Forum is a place for like minded people who love crafts like patchworking,quilting,stitching etc... It's a safe place to make new friends who share your interest,want to have fun,ask questions and also a place to join in swaps of all types of crafts.This weekend is designed to tell our blogging friends all about our wndeerful Forum and invite you to be part of the fun.

Several of our members will be offering tutorials,giveaways and some tips of the trade.

The Blog Hop starts at http://missnance.blogspot.com/ so if you want to join in on the whole journey please go to http://missnance.blogspot.com/ and follow the links at the end of each post to find the next blog along the way.

Each person who joins Our Craft Forum from this Blog Hop will go in the draw for a craft pack.So to join got to http://ourcraftforum.freeforums.org/ and register.Entries start midday today and close midnight (EDST) Sunday 27th February.

In order to enter for the prize for my giveaway please just leave a comment on this post after midday today.The winner will win this gorgeous book called "A is for Apron".This giveaway is open to all.

Now to keep following the Blog Hop please head over to Terri's blog and say hi and see what she's up to.Just click on the link below.

http://vrbh.blogspot.com/

Keep hopping along the way,you'll have lots of fun and perhaps even win a nice giveaway :) Barb.

P.S: Just a reminder that I will not be including any comments to the draw if they have been posted before midday today.....

More OPAM finishes for February.....

2011-02-21T06:02:00.004+11:00

I've been working on more dishcloths for my kitchen trying to use up all my bits of cotton I made some multi-coloured oned with the leftovers and these will be designated as bathroom cleaners,I also finished off the 2nd candle mat I started in December last year.

The cupcake pot holder I couldn't show till now as I made it for a special friend in my fat 1/4 birthday swap list and had to wait till she told me she'd received it before I could post any pictures of it.So that's a total of 5 more finished for OPAM for this month......I wonder if I have enough time to finish of a couple of more things before February ends???

Now don't forget about our Craft Forum Blog Hop happening next Friday.....it starts at Midday Aussie time and finishes Midnight Sunday....you've got to be in it to win it right?

Blog Hop....

2011-02-19T19:03:00.001+11:00

Just letting you know that I'll be participating in a Blog Hop with some fantastic ladies from our craft forum.It starts on Friday 25th February and there will be giveaways involved so come back next Friday and we'll get the party started :)

Stitch-a-long fun....

2011-02-13T10:41:00.003+11:00

I've joined in the "Tis the season" stich-a-long,I've traced out all my blocks and can't wait for March to get started on them.They should be easy to keep up with as they're very tiny blocks to stitch,if you'd like to see the progress of the other stitchers taking part click on this link http://stitch-a-long.blogspot.com/ and it will take you there...all the other participants are up on their blog roll on the right....go check them out :)

More Finishes....

2011-02-09T07:26:00.002+11:00

While sorting through all my UFO's I discovered all these tuffet tops in a bag and decided that they would be one of the many projects I would finish this year.Now they are sitting in my gift giving basket ready to be used at a moments notice for family and friends this year for birthdays or Christmas gifts.

It feels so good to get things finished!!

More finishes for OPAM

2011-02-06T07:22:00.002+11:00

I started these three cushions out as bags last year but kept mucking up puting them together due to tiredness and sooooo they turned into three cushions instead,I got fustrated seeing them sitting in my UFO pile but no more :) So three more for my February OPAM list.

I also finished stitching my second block of the birdie stitcheries.....so cute!

Febuary Finish for OPAM....

2011-02-02T21:05:00.003+11:00

I've had the top of this runner together and sitting in my UFO pile for (I'm too embarressed to admit) how many years but now it's finished and of my UFO pile and into my OPAM finish pile.

Boy does it feel good to get things done and be able to use them :)

Final January Finishes for OPAM....

2011-01-30T11:00:00.009+11:00

Last night I finished my final Christmas table runner that I'd started making a couple of years ago Wooo Hooo so glad to have this one finally done,it's now packed away with my Chrissy stuff where I'll finally be able to use it this year!!!

I've also been working on some knitted dish cloths over the last week and a half in-between all the sewing I've been working on.I started making crocheted dishcloths last year but found them to hard to wring out with my weak wrists/hands so decided to try knitting them and I must say I love how they've turned out,super soft and so easy to use.I just bought more balls to make up lots more so expect some more pictures of my lovely dish cloths in the coming weeks :)

Three more finished......Finally!!

2011-01-26T14:35:00.003+11:00

I finally put the back on my christmas table runner I started nearly three years ago,ooops should have ironed it first.I made five variations of this runner,three were for Christmas gifts to family and friends and you guessed it the other two were for me.I finished the other three on time as gifts but mine as usual got put on the back burner till now.I still have one more runner to finish with prairie points and then I can say I'll be ready for Christmas reeaallllyyy early this year LOL.

The two tea towels will be going itno my Christmas box as little gifties for unexpected pressies being needed quickly when I run out of time but still want to give a hand-made gift.I'm sooo loving finishing off things and crossing them of my to-do list

If you look top left of my blog you'll see a new button for the 2011 OPAM challange which I've joined.I'm hoping this will keep me motivated to at least finish one thing a month which will be harder for me starting Febuay as I'll be commencing part-time study as well as working....we'll see how it all pans out at the end of the year :)

It's only taken me two years to put together.....

2011-01-23T21:15:00.003+11:00

I started working on these four blocks a couple of years ago using some of my scraps from my stash.It's taken me all this time to find them again in my humungus UFO pile and then ages again to decide what I wanted to make them into!?? I finally decided to join them together to make a wall hanging,although they nearly turned into four cushions for my couch lol.The colours all go so well together,I love how it's turned out :)