Secret Santa Swap

  'Friends in Stitching" Secret Santa Swap 2009

I received this beautifully stitched bag and journal cover from Kerry. Actually there is a quite funny story attached to this swap as Kerry actually made this gift for Teresa C but so was Helen, which left no-one making for me...but with having 2 T's on his list it was an easy mistake to make, lol!!!! Poor Helen she went into a spin when she found out Teresa had received a gift in the mail.

Anyway all turn out well and what a laugh, I will chuckle every time I use the gift Kerry had made. Thankyou Kerry, we both loved it and your stitching is beautiful, I'm very lucky. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday.

And for my swap partner, Leanne I made a needle case and added a Moda Merry Christmas Banner to her parcel which she was able open before Christmas Day. Swing over to her blog and take a look the banner looks great. I hope she likes what I made for her.

Happy Holidays Everyone

I have had the best Christmas Day with my family, great food and perfect weather...although it rain it wasn't as hot as we expected.  Next week I will doing what Santa and his elves are up to...playing in the sand and dipping my toes in the surf, holidays are so much fun especially the sleep-ins but I know the next 8 days are going to fly.

Enjoy your family and have a safe and happy holiday season.

December in Pictures

Gifts made

Parcels sent

Keep left signs and cars don't mix. Rebecca my daughter is fine but $3500.00 poorer

Meet our newest family member, Thomas

He's a playful Ragdoll...always up the Christmas tree and rolling baubles round the floor

Teresa and Julie enjoying lunch at Cafe on Cusack

while Wednesday Girls enjoyed their Christmas Party

Boy, what a month and its not over yet!!!

Journal Cover Swap

My online group had a journal cover swap and this is what I made for Jan. I'm having problems with my camera as the fabric I used is Rouenneries from Moda - don't know why the photo has this glow.

 and this is what Peg made for me, beautifully wrapped in a fat quarter

when opened revealed my journal cover, so lovely and fresh. Just perfect for my counter at work.

Thanks Peg, I love it

Lifestyle Plus

As most of you know I don't get out much as I work 6 days a week in my patchwork store but I had the opportunity to spend the day with friends Teresa, Helen and Laurel. We had a lovely lunch after visiting a little patchwork shop situated on the headland overlooking beautiful Moreton Bay in Shorncliffe. While at Faeries in My Garden I purchased Garden Secrets kit for my sister, the colours just shouted her name. I know I don't need anymore kits but I will admit I can't help myself.

If I had a cool million plus I would move to Shorncliffe tomorrow - just look at the view from these two homes. Hey girls when are we going????

Xmastyme

I purchased the pattern for xmastyme some years back, started making it last year and have finally finished...just in time for Christmas.

Needle Turn Class

After 5 years of gentle persuasion, Helen taught her first class with us today. Helen is a beautiful embroiderer and her work is impeccable. The ladies left her class feeling very confident with the helpful tips Helen was able to share. All are looking forward to her next class.

Spring Craft Fair

This is how our stall looked at the 1st Spring Craft Fair held in Beaudesert last Satuday. We arrived to find out we had been allocated an area under cover and as I had planned to use our gazebo, my plans where shot to pieces.

Not quite what I had planned but it all worked out in the end thanks to Helen and my DH.

Lots of friends called by including Noela also a fellow blogger.

You're invited to

Join us this Saturday, 12th September as we attend the

Spring Craft Fair

at

St Thomas' Anglican Church Beaudesert

Come and see the wonderful quilts and craft-work displayed in the parish hall

(entry $2). With Music, Entertainment, Devonshire Teas, Barbecue

Face painting for the children. Something for everyone!

Craft Stalls open at 8:00am

Quilt & Craft Display from 9:00am to 4:00pm

7 Albert St, Beaudesert Qld

Shop Samples

Life's just so busy lately, hence no blogs but I've managed to make a few samples for my store. I made the quilt using Majestic Yule, the lastest Christmas range from Moda.

As you all know I love making dollies - I've just finished making Joe Jingles, he was fun to make and I'm quite pleased with him. Dolls like May's Flowers are very popular with my customers and they're always so cute.

May's Flowers

Joe Jingles

Christmas in July Ornie Swap

Last night was opening day for our Christmas in July Ornie Swap and I was very pleased with what I received from Kerry. The chocolates didn't last long - ate them while chatting with the girls during our online chat.

I decided to make Lynda these cute little penguin ornies with a matching card I hope she liked them.

In the Pink

A simple but effective quilt I made using fabric from "In The Pink" and "The Wave Edge Rule". Cutting the waves was made easy by using the 18mm rotary cutter and finishing with machine applique. I wouldn't like to be doing the applique by hand...life's just to short.

Sweet Roll Quilt

Take 1 Sweet Roll (Honey Bun), 80cm of additional fabric for borders and add a delightful applique makes a beautiful quilt any little girl would love.
I made this quilt using the free pattern available from Moda's Bakeshop and I was quite surpised how far one Sweet Roll can go.

Weekend Getaway

Larry and I were invited to spend the weekend in Witta and of course we couldn't pass up the opportunity. As we arrived late on Saturday we spent the night in front of the log fire, red wine and a movie. Next morning we woke to breathtaking views as Witta is nestled into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, in lush dairy farm country, just minutes north of the township of Maleny. We had an awesome weekend.

Kindred Spirits - local ladies in the main street of Maleny

GO! Fabric Cutter

New to arrive in-store is the revolutionary GO! Fabric Cutter
It's fast, accurate and easy. Cut multiple layers in seconds with no cutting mistakes. Just accurate cuts every time.
Sounds super...can't wait to give it ago!
The Go! Fabric Cutter will be useful for making charm packs and kits from the endless amount of scraps leftover from other projects.
Each die comes with a pattern which makes it easy to get started so I sure I'm going to have lots of fun trialing the Go!.

Show and Tell

Take one Jelly Roll and mix in a couple of metre fabrics to produce a stunning quilt just like this one. It’s such a treat when my customers call in to show me what they have making with their purchases. Not so long ago Karen took home one Jelly Roll and made this beautiful quilt using one of the patterns from the book “Jelly Roll Quilts”.

Flannel Quilts in Queensland

When the new Snow Wonderland Flannels arrived Teresa quickly whipped up a rag edge quilt over the weekend. Surprisingly, flannel quilts are popular in Queensland as the nights can get quilt cold. The only problem is you have to make for everyone.

Table Runner Swap

I belong to an online stitching group and our first swap was to make a table runner. Last night we got to open our parcels and the above runner is what Jan made for me.

I didn't know what to make for my partner, so I made 3. I finally decided on the blue and yellow runner, I'm so happy Peg was pleased. Pop over and take a look, Peg has a great blog.

I used Wildflower Serenade II from Moda, great pattern uses just one charm pack but I really enjoyed making the braided runners, so easy to make!!

Strip Quilt

This quilt came together quickly using the "Strip Tube Ruler". As the blocks finish with a bias edge its most important to get the borders on so they don't stretch. I've used Amy Butler fabric along with some Moda Bella Solids and very happy with the results. Not sure how I'm going to quilt it yet.

Special Days

April has gone way to fast for me, I'm still trying to catch up.

We celebrated my husband's 48th birthday on Anzac Day with this yummy Chocolate Torte and family. We didn't have any candles but tea lights work well.

My niece Jessica gave birth to her first baby, Sapphire Rose

My First Cuddle

Two Little Bears

These two little bears arrived in the post along with my order from Debbie Magee. After inquiring about the bears that often featured on the cover of some her patterns, Debbie surprised me with these two little cuties.

Thank you Debbie, you brighten my day!!

Punch Needle Holder

We have been having lots of fun teaching Punch Needle and this week I finished the Punch Needle Holder by Anni Downs

I have used DMC stranded cotton this time but I'm looking forward to using Valdani 3ply threads for my next project. The beauty of these threads is that you don't have to divide the threads and there is no stopping and starting or rethreading. Just thread and go and there are lots beautiful colours to choose from.

Celebrating 50 years

Can't believe I have turned 50!!
As luck would have it, this year my birthday happened to fall on Tuesday which is when I get together with the most fabulous girls, ever!! The day was spent eating, chatting, more eating, no stitching and then came the birthday cake!!
Memories I will cherish forever.

Me! I think I'm about 8 months old, we were living in Malaysia when this was taken. Still have the rolls!! Could it be the chocolate?

I spent a quiet evening in with my family who spoilt me with love and lots of pressies.

I also share my birthday with my older sister, Heather, my nephew, Jason and Teresa.

Happy Birthday, Everyone.

A New Look

Before

After

A trip to the hairdressers and an impulse decision, the long hair has gone.
This is quite a big step for me as my hair is very course and unruly so the straightener is now my best friend.