Christmas Time Is Near - See What Iv Been Upto

Heres an update of a few christmas projects.  I decided to make some embroidered postcards for overseas family members instead of cards.  Just loved making them.  Silly pics upside down again.

The last few years I have done a mystery 12 days of christmas parcel for a special friend and every year I pick someone new to receive one.  This year whilst explaining the idea to a dear friend she decided to suprise me with one as well.  So this year I sent out two parcels for Marie and Jan who come to our sewing group Marie only sews by hand and Jan who is new to patchwork but seems to be hooked already.  I knew it would get you Jan.  Both wonderful ladies who have been just wonderful friends.  So Maries first gift to me was a santa kit.  I spent the day yesterday making it up right away so that it didnt fall into the GET AROUND TO IT LATER pile.  The single santa is what I make and the other pic is how the kit was should have been.  She knew I could change it.  Thanks Marie

Shaggy Christmas Tree

After having my Shaggy Christmas Tree published in a recent issue of Handmade out patchwork group decided to make it for a class project.  I was just amazed at how wonderful and different they all turned out.  One of our ladies has a stall at a local market and I was told that on her recent stall she proudly took her Christmas tree as a decoration.  Thanks to all the girls for joining in with the project you have all made such wonderful trees.  This is a pic of my second one made as a demo for the class which I have already passed onto a friend who LOVES purple even more than I do.  Hope you enjoy your tree Marilyn.

Rain Rain Go Away

The last few days have been delightful.  No rain but everything was so wet its still drying out.  Sending a big hug and hello to everyone in Wagga I was watching on the news hoping the patchwork shop was ok.  Ha Ha.  Really was watching and hoping that there wasnt to much damage and that everyone was safe.  Wonderful town Wagga full of friendly faces.

The Winner Is

Sorry for not getting on sooner few tech problems.  So the winner is Doris.  will be in the post today so hope you enjoy.  Will try and get one more giveaway up before christmas.  I did say try.  Thanks girls for joining in

November GIveaway

This giveaway is an Apron Kit.  I have previously pictured the apron on my blog (black background with Cherries)  Its a beautiful print.  The kit contains the precut pannel, all fabric required and buttons with full instructions.  This giveaway is up until 30th of November so get in quick.  To be in the running for the giveaway become a follower and leave a comment.  Good luck to all.

Sew Sew SEWING

Well have not been doing a lot of sewing, really just picking up fabric and moving it around.  I try and sew most days but really needed a clean out first.  Here are some of my projects Iv managed to finish.  OH WHERE OH WHERE HAS MY INSPERATION GONE.

Hexi Update

Long awaited update on my hexi swap.  As you can see its comming along wonderfully.  Im just loving this swap you never know whats going to arrive as I did not choose a colour theme or style it adds to the suprise!

These are from two different swaps the first pic is from the hexi swap and second is the hexi flower swap, I have picket blue for the theme on the second one and love all the pretty fabrics comming my way.  THANKS GIRLS

Community Quilt Update

Here are some more of the community quilts that have been completed.  Huge thanks again to the Ladies from Silverdale who came to help on our sewing day as well as all the usual patchwork girls who spent a long day sewing and knitting.  The quilts are mostly premi quilts and lap quilts for the nursing home

AND THE WINNER IS

Congrats to Shirlwin.  Please email me your addy and I will get it into the post for you.  I forgot to add the extra pic of the added lace but you will be getting around double the pic.  Hope its going to come to good use.  Keep an eye out for the next one?

Lace Giveaway ENTER NOW

The usual rules apply.  Leave a comment after becomming a follower if you are not already.  I actually had alot more to add to this that has gone? to the safe place.  If the bag surfaces before the end of the draw I will change the pic.  Lets hope it shows up.  Each piece is at least 2-3 mtrs long.  This one will be up for grabs until 30th of October.  Good Luck To All.  Thanks for stopping in.  OH Good news I found some more.  Will put a pic up soon to add to the stash.

Wee Little Doll

For those who are in the forum swap im working on some small dolls this is mark 1.  Soon to have a face I hope her sister is half done so hope she will be up soon.

Another Community Quilt

Another Community Quilt is done and ready for binding.  Happy to report a lady who lives on her own broke her arm then fell down stairs and broke her leg in 3 places is now the proud owner of the quilt previously shown with the cat block in the centre.  I was told she was amazed so thanks for all your support girls. BIG HUGS

My New Favourite Quilt

Finished!  My new Blue and Cream quilt top is done still have to quilt it but for this week its my new favourite.  1m of navy and 10 fat quarters now thinking I wish I had got a little extra fabric to make it bigger.

AND THE WINNER IS?

OK Drawing NOW. Asked my daughter to pick a number? Its 5 CONGRATS Margarita. Its on its way to you in the post.

Christmas Giveaway

To start gitting you ready for the christmas rush I am putting up a giveaway.  Up for grabs is a selection of  bright christmas charm squares and a mini christmas stocking, all you need to make the stocking is a backing and a little creative spirit.  Pics comming.  To be in the draw sign up as a follower, leave a comment and your in.  I will draw the winner on 10th of October so good luck to all. 20x5 1/2" charm squares and the stocking.  Pic not to good the colours are much brighter.

Thought Id share some blooms from my garden.  We wait all year to see the beautiful flowers and they last such a short time.   The last picture was taken just before the dog ate the plant!!!!!

UPDATE

First things first.  Tooth or lack of is feeling much better had the stitch out.  Im really happy because yesterday I hit my head on the corner of the cupboard and took a piece out more yuck but no stitches.  So thats my 3 accidents and I can relax.

BIG NEWS our quilt show is on 25th of September at Springwood Salvation Army so im busy trying to finish all my started projects as well as my yet to start challange project. OPPS!  If only I had a long arm quilter then I may see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Would love to see you there.

EVEN BIGGER NEWS.  Im just putting together a christmas craft giveaway so keep an eye out as it will be up for grabs next week.

Stitches

Just off loading my frustrations!  A few weeks back I left my dress making scissors on my chair, well as the story goes I sat down and the scissors went into my leg.  So upto emergency for stitches.  Wont be leaving the scissors on the chair again.  Monday off to the dentist for a cracked tooth and again home with a stitch after over an hour in the chair.  Im starting to feel like somethings just not right.  Praying for no more stitches this year.  Im really not enjoying drinking my coffee through a straw. At least I can still laugh HA HA HA.

Applique Tree Wallhanging

I spent so much time wondering what to do for the next boarder that I finally decided it didnt need one so adding a small boarder and making a wall hanging.  My daughter Alishya designed the tree for me I cant wait to hang it up.

Tuesday Treasure

Im a little early, well only just over an hour.  This is the beautiful sun rise although not a good pic.  Just love the change of season.  Plants are comming into bloom, sun is warming, birds are singing.  My favourite time of year.  The doom of winter is almost over for another year, what a beautiful world we live in.

Tylers Quilt

Amost done this quilt is for a sweet little boy Tyler.  His mum likes bright so I hope this fits the bill.  Cot quilt just needs binding but iv actually finished quilting YIPPEE.

Bed Ends

Working on some bed ends now that spring is in the air.  Soon all the extra quilts will be leaving and into storage for the summer so need time to add a quilt thats not a quilt??

This is my daughters single bed (Bed End) the points will hange over the edges of the bed.  Thanks mum for the pretty emboridery pannel in the centre.

This one was going to be for my bed and almost finished.  Going for the random nothing matches theme.  Will have to go to Alishyas bed as I miss calculated and made if for a double with the last patterned fabric overhanging the edges with tassels one end and beads the other.  I used up alot of damaged doileys and lace on this one.

Quilt Show

Just a note that our annual Quilt show will be held on 25th of Septermber at Springwood Salvation Army would love to see lots of happy faces on the day

Civil War Quilt

Got to love hand quilting.  Making the top is so exciting whatching it unfold and unsure if you have made the right decisions along the way.  Why is it once we get to the hand quilting it slows down??  This Civil War quilt is darker than it appears.  Should probably buy a camera instead of using the phone.

Childrens Sewing Box

Just finished a childrens sewing box for my niece for christmas so thought I would share.  I hope she likes it?

Cotton Pod FREE PATTERN

Join the Cotton Pod revolution.  Running a mystery giveaway challange on the Craft Magazine Forum and have sent out 36 patterns and pieces of fabric to create a mystery item.  Well this is it?  Sick of finding my thread in the bottom of the sewing basket twisted around everything.  Send me an email for a FREE copy of this pattern.

Knitting needle Keeper

Just finished my Knitting needle keeper had alot of fun figuring this one out.  All from a postal tube?  I dont knit much, my old needle keeper was an old socket set box. 

TUESDAY TREASURE

As sad as this looks this is my Tuesday Treasure.  The bird sat on the handle of a tea pot, how cute.  It belonged to my great aunt who passed away last year at age 100.  I used to play with it at her home when I was a wee one she had so many wonderful things to play with.  A few years ago mum gave it to me but its worn out and falling apart..  I cant crochet to fix it or make a new one so its in a bag kept safe and a treasured memory of my childhood.  Sad some of the stuff we keep really.

Sampler Stitchery

Sampler Stitchery finally done.  Dam this pic is sideways!  Cant see the colours of the threads either.  Guess thats why im not a photographer.

Quilt Group Challange Tea Towel/Apron

Just before school holiday breakup our quilt group had a challange.  We were given an envelope containing 3 random tea bags.  Our challange was to use the tea to inspire an apron or tea towel creation.  Heres the pics of what the came up with.  We had to drink one tea, give one to a friend and leave one with our item.  Some of these have been donated for sale at our quilt show later this year.

Charity Quilts

Big thanks to all the girls that helped out with blocks for the charity quilts.  The first few are done and here are two pictures.  A few have been taken home by friends to sew back the binding so will get some more pics asap.

Colours are not to good in the picture they are more vibrant but gives you an idea.  All ready for there new homes Again many thanks to all

Free Needlebook Pattern

Step 1:

Complete the cross stitch flowers on 14ct aida. Using the template add 1/2" seam allowance and cut out. Also cut out 3 with seam allowance from desired fabric, 2 from thin pelon. Cut 2 from template onto template plastic or board. 1 piece from felt. Do not add seam allowance to the felt or board. Place the stitchery and 1 piece of fabric right sides together and the pelon on each side. Sew through all 4 layers.

STEP 2:

Turn over the now created outside and using a 20cm long piece of large ric rack, pin the ric rack to the edge, line the indent in with the edge of the outside. Ric Rack is around 3/4" wide.

STEP 3:

Take the remaining two pieces of fabric, on the straight edge fold a 1/4" seam over the the right side and pin the two pieces over the already pinned ric rack leaving the straight edges open.

STEP 4: Sew around the outside edge using a 1/4" seam. Cut off excess bulk at either end of the opening and snip in 1cm intervals all the way around the outer edge without cutting into the stitch linel. Pull out the pins and turn through.

STEP 5: Take a pair of pinking shears and trim around the curved edge of the felt. With the case now right way, fold the outside in half and stitch closed the opening and while doing so attach the felt.

STEP 6: Sew a small button 1cm to the centre edge on the back. At the same point on the front take a full 6 strands of embroidery thread and sew a loop to go over the button. This will be the closure.

The Cross-stitch is optional you can just cut 4 pieces of fabric instead.

ALL DONE. Fill it up with needles. Would love to see any pic.

Please email me for the pattern on shabbychick@bigpond.com until I figure out how to add the document.

Hexie Update

My hexies are in the post. The red is mine and received yesterday. Love the swap its always interesting.

Pictures not to good.

I will be posting up my cross stitch needle keeper as a pattern in the next week including instructions, all going well there should be pic steps. KEEP AN EYE OUT!

WINNER OF Giveaway No: 2

This is the picture of the giveaway for this giveaway. The red heads was the last one. Won by Gloria (dont have an addy so will see if I have no reply from her I will redraw). There is 3 pieces 9" x 12" and 1 piece 11" x 12" plus 1 pannel and two quilt labels. Goodluck to all

Ok its nearly tomorrow so I will do the draw. The winner is No: 5 so Congrats to Donna (Renny's) Hope you like your win. Keep an eye out Saturday the next giveaway will be up and the pattern will be uploaded for the needle book. Thanks to all for joining in.

FREE Giveaway No: 2

For the next giveaway there are some fabrics from Paris Ladies which include some ladies blocks printed by Loralie Designs same as the Red Heads fabrics. Pic is comming soon. You will have until the 15th of May to enter the giveaway so Good Luck to all.

Freebie Draw

Sorry to all for the delay in doing the draw. Cheated and wrote numbers 1 to 18 for each post and got hubby to pic a number. SO THE WINNER IS No: 18, Gloria. There are 18 2" blocks, 12 2 1/2" blocks and 3 Red Heads pannels in black/red and white. They are in the post. Big thanks to all for entering the draw please feel free to join into the next one.

Free fabric grab

Ok this is my first free fabric grab. Im leaving open the fabric choices to add to the mystery so enter if you dare. The only hint is Funky Ladies. This will be open until the 20th of April. Once I have done the draw I will reveal the picture of the prize. Good Luck

My First 3 Patterns

Sweet Sunday Bag

This pattern comes with all instructions and diagrams. Also included is a free extra matching glasses case.

For more information email shabbychick@bigpond.com and a full price list and product sheet will be emailed.

Hope you like this new bag. The fabric is yummy!

Flower Fantasy Wall hanging

The wall handing is an offset piece with stitchery, applique and pieces methods used. Simple but bold. Pattern enquiries email shabbychick@bigpond.com

Welcome Home My Dear

The pattern includes full instructions and templates for this cute stitchery. Simple backstitch used throughout as well as a little applique for the boarder.

Hope you like the first 3 of my patterns. And keep an eye out for the free designs as well as future designs.

Barbs Tuffet

This is my tuffet I have made Barb. You cant see the feet but it has bead and button feet on the bottom. Loved this swap.