Still more Birthday pressies.....

 I've joined in Mrs. Martin's Celebrate swap and my partner Leanne when sending me my Easter swap item also sent me this gorgeous pouch with all these goodies inside,I have been spoilt rotten by Leanne :) Thanks Leanne I've loved everything you've sent me and can't wait for the next part of the swap to start :)

 I have a very special bloggy friend called Ondrea and this is what she made for me for my Birthday.....can you tell she knows I love red and white together lol. Thanks Ondrea I LoVe it!!  I've already found a special place for it in my sewing room :) I'll do another post soon and show you what I made for Ondrea's birthday which was the day after mine.....

 This beautiful pincushion, fabric, ribbon and wooden hearts were sent to me by Melody who I've spent some lovely days at Mill Rose in Ballan stitching and chatting, thanks Melody my beautiful pincushion has been added to my collection in my huge wooden bowl sitting on my sewing table for me to admire before I put it to good use in the future :)

 This gorgeous kit was sent to me by Maureen,I love the fabric range and the pattern is soooo pretty I can't wait to be able to get some me time and start working on it.Thanks Maureen it certainly brightened my week :)

 These pretty purple fat 1/4's and matching threads were sent by Janet, I'm  feeling very spoiled at the moment, thanks Janet these will be added to my stash to use for future projects :)

This lovely lot of yumminess was sent by Narelle, I must admit the chocolate sachet is now long gone and very enjoyable it was too lol.....the little birdy magnets are on my freezer looking very pretty and the fabric, buttons, thread and ric rac have been added to my stash which is growing bigger by the day! Thanks Narelle You've made my birthday linger just that little bit longer this year :)
I also received more gifts etc... this evening but it was too late to take pic's so I'll wait till Friday and do another big post of gorgeous Birthday goodness then :)

 This past weekend I've been reading and trying out a few new crochet block patterns from this new book I received in the mail last week....

This block is called "let it snow" I love how adding the red border makes the snowflake stand out more vibrantly. I also have a couple of more blocks I'll be trying out over the next week or so, I've enjoyed working on something new, the block looks difficult but works up quite quickly :)

FNWF Results....

 I started Friday night finishing these blocks......

 Adding a cream bordder to each of them.....

And finally today the first block is finished,only 15 more blocks to go......what do you think Anne??? why am I asking Anne? because Anne chose the colours and I'll be trying to finish this for her Christmas pressie this year.I love the orange it makes the other colours pop :)
Now I better go and have a look at the other blogs participating in FNWF and see what they've been up to as well :)

The Birthday that keeps on giving even after it's officially finished......

 I have been overwhelmed with gifts in the mail over the past couple of weeks and only just now had the time to sit down and say a very heartfelt thankyou for all my lovely fat 1/4's and gifts I've received from my Birthday fat 1/4 friends.
I've had a visit to my parents over Easter,been sick while away and come back to a burst pipe in the front garden which resulted in it being flooded and then lots of talks with the plummer on what needs to be done sooo lots happening at my place!
Anyway first up I'd love to thank Shez for her gorgeous gift she sent me,a girl can never have too much fabric in her stash I say and she also spoilt me rotten by making me a beautiful zippered puch using a Natalie Lymer stitchery and the flower sugar range of fabrics,loVe,LovE,LoVe everything Shez and I also love the handmade card that went with my parcel I feelvery spoilt this birthday :)

 I also received this yummy smelling peaches and cream goats milk soap and let me tell you I could smeel that soap way before I even opened the parcel,just gorgeous! and to top it of my favourite combo of red and white fat 1/4 what more could a girl want,thanks Simone I love them both :)

 Then came more parcels in the mail,boy were they beginning to pile up! These goodies were from Michelle,I think she's been peeking at my blog as these were just spot on me!! Pink buttons,red and white polka dot ribbon and Marmalade fabric with a sweet pink roses card to go with them,I'm feeling the love well and truely by now! Thanks Michelle I can't wait to find the perfect project to use these in :)

 I just love Christine's card,MMMMmmm red and white in a swirly dress....swoon city over my way! Then to top it off Christine sent me these gorgeous red and white fat 1/4's and red threads boy am I going to have fun planning a project for these or maybe I might add them to my red and white quilt I'm working on....decisions,decisions.... thanks Christine you made my week a whole lot brighter with your lovely gift :)

 You know the feeling when you get overwhelemed well that's how I'm feeeling right now! I've made some lovely bloggy friends through my blog and been lucky to meet quite a few of them in person over the past year or so....maybe I might get to meet "The Swap Mama"Cheryll if she ever comes over here to Victoria to one of our Ballan meetings???? hint hint Cherylll,no pushing mind you lol...
Cheryll sent me these gorgeous fat 1/4's in red and white I don't know why people think I like red and white??? hehehehehe....Cheryll also sent me some of her gorgeous quilt labels which will come in very handy over the next year or so with me trying to finish of a few of my UFO's this year.Cheryll also sent me a camomile,honey & vanilla flavoured tea which I'll be trying out tonight when I join in the fun of Friday Night With Friends......Thank you Cheryll for your lovely thoughtful gift and for letting me join in the fun this year with this swap :)

 Still feeling very overwhelmed with all these parcels landing in my mail box I want to thank Anthea for her beautiful easter Bunny mug rug,love the fabric she chose :) I also wanted to thank Anthea for the beautiful fat 1/4,threads and pretty daisy ribbon,daisies are my most favourite flower and I already have something in mind for it. Thanks Anthea for making my birthday such a happy one and one that has been going on for nearly a week now :)

 These pretty goodies are from Pat and came wrapped up in the pretty fabric under my gorgeous needle book,aren't I a lucky girl!! Thoroughly spoilt I think! Love the pink flowers and ribbon and the red and white fat 1/4 has already been added to my stash for my red and white quilt,what a lovely way to remember a birthday through a quilt made with fabric from special people.Thanks Pat I love and appreciate everything you sent me :)

 Bloggers playing up and wont let me seperate these two pictures so I'd like to thank Tracee (top pic) for my beautiful red and white fat 1/4's,I love how she's made the card using a matching fabric to co-ordinate everything and then tied it up all pretty with a red ribbon and bow,very yummy looking when they emerged from the parcel.These fabrics will definately be making there way to my red and white stash for my quilt! Thanks Tracee I love them!
The 2nd Picture is showing the beautiful red & white fat 1/4 that Lyn sent me,this will most positively be heading for my red and white stash....and just look at the card that came with it,just gorgeous in its own right! Thanks Lyn for making my birthday such a happy one this year :)

 These gorgeous fat 1/4's,buttons and lovely handmade bookmark were sent to me by Sisbabe,the bookmark is already being put to use in my current book and the buttons have been earmarked for a special project. Sisbabe sent me my parcel way before my birthday and I had to be really,really good and not open it till my birthday but I did it....just and I love them all,thanks Sisbabe I've had such a lovely birthday this year :)

 

These pretty pastel fat 1/4's and ribbon arrived in my mail box from Maria,aren't they just lovely....such soft and delicate fabrics,must think of a soft and delicate project I can use them in....thinkinh cap on and I'll see what I can come up with.Don't you just love the owl card,it soooo matches the softness of the fabrics,Thanks Maria :)
But wait there's more but I haven't had a chance to take photo's and even more parcels came in the mail today so maybe another post tomorrow and Sunday when I do get the chance as well as more photo's of gifts from other bloggy friends not in this particular swap.All I can say is that this birthday has been the best!!!! :) Barb.

CELEBRATE SWAP.....FAT 1/4 SWAP.....

 This is the lovely bag my swap partner Leanne sent me in the celebrate swap,sooooo cute! LOve the appliqued bunny bag!and the little bunny sitting beside the bag is holding my easter eggs but I have to confess they're nearly all gone now and they were yummy!! Thanks Leanne I love everything you sent me :)

 And this is what I sent to Leanne,a Rosalie Quinlan design that I've been itching to stitch  for a little while now and I filled it with.....

 This bag of mixed chocolate easter eggs as I knew Leanne had children  and I thought they might want a few as well so more to go around,Leanne has told me she did manage to snaffle a couple for herself :) I've loved this swap and can't wait for the next part so I can send of another special something to Leanne :)

 This is what the lovely Maureen (no blog) sent to me in the fat 1/4 swap aren't thy gorgeous and soooo me!! LOve the pretty bird tag and it's now being used on one of my baskets in my sewing room.Thanks Maureen I've loved having you for my partner this month and hopefully we'll get to swap again soon :)

 And this is what I sent to Maureen,I picked the fabrics up at my Urban stitches day as the fabric I ordered for Maureen still hadn't arrived and I had told Maureen I'd pick some then if it hadn't as I didn't want to be late getting her fat 1/4's to her and by all accounts she was pleased with my selection,it was uncanny how alike we were in the things we liked,fabric,lady bugs etc....  :)

This is what I sent to Helen.P for her birthday this month I haven't heard back from her yet but I hope she liked what I sent her,these fabrics just made me smile :)
Well I'm off to visit the folks this Easter so I'll be a bit quiet hehehhe not like me at all! and I'll catch up with you when I get back.I hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter :) Barb.

What I've been up to....

 I've been slowly working on putting these blocks together....four blocks each row,two rows done and sewn together so it's now half finished.Another eight blocks to add on and then I can sit down and work on the border trim,maybe over the easter break?? I love how this big blanket is looking :)

I've also finished my 14 blocks for the 9 patch block swap I'm in.....now to get April's blocks ready to work on :)

GIVEAWAY WINNER.....but wait there's more!!

 Drum roll please......the giveaway winner of Rosalie Quinlan's book,fat 1/4's and threads is........

 Yvonne.W from http://yvonnewdesigns.blogspot.com.au/  Congratulations Yvonne! If you can send me your snail mail details I'll get your parcel of to you sometime next week :)

 Now for the 2nd place winner........ Susan from http://susans-sewing-space.blogspot.com.au/ Congratulations Susan! I'll be sending you a little surprise in the mail sometime next week as soon as I hear from you with your snail mail addy :)

And the 3rd place winner is Cheryl from http://cherylsstitching.blogspot.com.au/ Congraulations Cheryl! I'll be sending you a surprise as well as soon as I hear back from you with your snail mail addy :)
I've sent these three lucky winners an email.....so girls send me your snail mail addy's and I'll send of your winnings! :) Barb.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

 This giveaway is open to everyone,I'll post anywhere in the world.
I'll be giving away this book by Rosalie Quinlan that I picked up from my time at Urban Stitches yesterday as well as four yummy fat quarters and some seasons cosmo varigated threads.

Just a couple of rules....for one chance leave a comment,if you're already a follower just let me know by leaving another comment telling me so and you'll get an extra two chances in the draw,become a new follower of my blog and you'll also get an extra two chances as well. :)

 Here are some pictures of a few of the lovely designs in this book.....I've already made a couple of these hearts up,very easy but oh soooo pretty :)

 More pretty things to make.....

I love this bag,so sweet.....
I'll be leaving this giveaway open till Friday 22nd March and will announce the winner Saturday :)

SATURDAY.....

 This is what I got up to on saturday........An early birthday gift from my sister Anne!

 A day filled with like minded women............beautiful displays,sharing time with my sister Anne,talking,laughter,cake,coffee and a scrummy lunch what more could a girl want in a day out!

 Gorgeous and generous designers..............on the round table in front are some of the goodies that were in our goody bags,all of them were kits so we could start on anyone of them on the day!

 More displays to feast the eyes on................I soooo wanted to take this tree home with me! and I loved the little bird in the cage too,must source this pattern out soon.

 and more..................sensory overload at its best!!

 and even more............soooo fell in love with these softies.

 This is the project I decided to work on while at the event........A design by Melly & Me.

 A picture of how far I got on the day.....

A close up of the cute ladybird,boy did I go cross eyed trying to satin stitch his dots lol,Melly kindly came over and showed us an easier way to get perfect circles....to bad I'd already finished mine by then lol.
I'll have more photo's to show you later as well as a little giveaway with something I got from the show that cost me nothing as it was a freebie with my purchases for the day but something I already have but you might not.....so swing by here tomorrow night and see what's on offer,there also may be a couple of bits & bobs thrown in with it as well from the days purchases :)

Prep work and Fat 1/4 swap

 Remember my last post when I showed you this pile of gorgeous fabrics well I worked on it a bit Monday and turned it into......

 This.....love how it's looking and I've cut enough fabric to make two so one down and one to go,maybe this weekend sometime :)

I also received these gorgeous fabrics from Maureen in our fat 1/4 swap,I'm still waiting for her fabrics to arrive so I'll post a pic as soon as Maureen receives them.I just want to thank Maureen for my gorgeous fabrics as well as the lovely tag with it's silver bling it certainly brightened up my week :)

Long weekend......

My long weekend started off vey slowly with me being a bit under the weather Friday but I managed to pick up by late Saturday to start working on a few projects,some secret some not....
 I've been slowly working my way through these balls of wool to make up more of these crocheted blocks and no you're not seeing the same blanket this one is being made with all the leftover balls of wool from the baby blanket I made for a friend at work,I just decided to make myself one in these pretty colours......seven blocks done,seven still to do just needing the final cream around each square......then I'll decide if it needs to be bigger or leave as is :)

 I found this unfinished rectangle in my basket of wool all that needed doing was to finish crocheting the scalloped edge around it.....still not sure if to leave it like this and use it for a bedside table runner or crochet a back and make it into a cushion??? what do you think? I love to use all my scraps whether it's wool or fabric......

 I finally finished block two and sat and sewed on the borders last night and then ironed block three ready to sit and sew.....

 I couldn't resist and started working on it last night,it's so theraputic to sit and sew while watching a movie at night,hopefully this block wont take as long to complete as block two did I don't know why but I struggled to finish that block just glad to have it done and dusted so I can move on :)

 I'm also working on a couple of Christmas gifts for the gift basket so have been doing a bit of prep work,as usual all scraps from my Christmas scrap basket,will show you a pic when it's done :)
For everyone who left comments on my last post yes I did enjoy my motorbike ride with hubby but will try to work it for a Saturday so I can rest on Sunday before heading back to work as I was totally stuffed by the time we got back from Daylesford lol but their definately will be a next time :)