SwAps GaloRe...

PLeAsE ReAd On:

I know that I have a few swaps going on at the one time, some even overlap and you may frown with frustration. But I've realised that many crafters like to do swaps and would like them to be different things. It's a chance to trial new techniques and small projects "out of your comfort zone". Some have emailed me saying they don't quilt, some say they prefer embroidery and some like to applique... so I'll try to make the swaps a little different every time. Now of course you are welcome to be in ALL of the swaps but I know that some of you will only be in one and some won't overlap swaps ...and that's fine.....but please feel free to drop in and out of the swaps as you see fit. Of course once you've signed up you MUST fulfil your commitment otherwise your partner will be broken hearted.

To help you keep in touch with the swaps you have elected to join, I've added a PAGE TAB on top of this blog "SWAPS on the GO", where I'll link to details of the swaps for you to refer to and place reminders of mailing timelines. I'll also add a list of the names of swap sisters. That way, if you're interested, you can see who's in each swap.

I hope this HeLPs to ease confusion and any frustration.

Come on... give a swap a go... it really is a lot of FuN!

Please feel free to advertise the swaps... the more the merrier... and some of YoUr friends or followers may like to join in.



Sign up April 1st

Sign up April 15th

Details for this swap..... NeXt WeeK!

EaSter's oN Its WaY

I posted off my Easter swap package this morning. Julie over at Jewell's Easter swap organised this simple and easy swap.... so as I had it all ready, I thought I'd send it off to my secret partner.... just in case she plans on going away for the holidays! Had absolutely nothing to do with being excited!!!!! lol.

I included a craft mag, 1 Easter pattern (for knitting), 1 embroidery pattern, 2 hand knitted wash cloths, 1 Easter themed tea towel and  2 "bunny" dish cloths ( can you see them? ) and of course you cannot send an Easter swap without chocolate Easter eggs!   That's a given !!!!

Hope my partner enjoys the package of goodies... and has a very HaPPy EaStEr too!

New BLoCkS off to WA



Block 1


The new 6inch block swap is off and running. My first partner is Susan from WA and Susan wished for butterfly blocks. I hope Susan likes what I've chosen to do for her as both blocks are on their way across Australia. But in the meantime you get to see just a little slice of them. 

Block 2

If you are interested in joining in the FuN then click here and leave a comment for Sue the organiser.

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If you are interested in a swap of a little purse... then head over to Sandy's blog at Cookies and Cream Crafts by clicking here and join up.

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Also, I have an apology to make to all my blog friends that I normally read.... I'm LaTe getting to you all ...but this week has been hectic for me....SoRrY... I will get around to you all given TiMe! You are important to me and I LoVe seeing what you've been up to and I know you have left comments on my postings... so.....

Please forgive me.....

NoT MuCh DoNe !

Last weekend we had DD2 up to do some bridal shopping with DD1, so I didn't get much of a chance to actually get any sewing done. Well not technically anyway, my daughter did some more work on her Xmas wall hanging while she was here. It is DD2's first attempt at piecing and a little applique and it's going pretty well. I think she should be very proud of it. So I had to show her the applique stitch but that was all the time I spent at my machine. Guess I'll have to make some progress on my PhD project during next week as I have a busy week planned and we are away for this weekend too.


It's still a work in progress !

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I did find some time to make another mug rug this morning (please forgive me if you are mug rug'd out).. but this one is for a friend who follows a certain rubgy league football team here in New South Wales (Australia) called the "DrAgOnS" and their colours are red and white.... hence the colour choice of the rug. I teamed it up with a red mug, a red gift bag and I'll add some coffee and bikkies (cookies) before I give it to her this coming weekend. It's just a little bit of fun between Kath and yous truly.

And then this afternoon I whipped up another bag for the Cancer "Make a bag" project. On this one I appliqued a HaPPy and colourful FLoWeR... so I hope it helps to brighten someone's day.

AnoTHer GiFt FiniShEd

Thanks to Christmas Through The Year hosted by Allie, we are a happy little bunch of elves. Yes we have all made another gift to put away until Christmas . Then we'll bring them out all fresh and new for someone just like you! A gift is a wonderful thing isn't it! This is what I made this time around.

A little hanger for someone's door..... we'll all be singing
ho ho ho.. Santa's on his way...
but way toooo soooon!
Thanks Allie, for the inspiration to keep on making little goodies!

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This cheeky little one stays in my sewing cubbyhole with me. My DD1 presented her as a Christmas gift last year, so I thought it fitting that I show her today... after all it is

Christmas Through The Year  blog post day!

I keep labels in her bucket.

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My swap partner Teresa didn't receive her block from me... gone to mailbox heaven somewhere I guess... so I decided to make her a replacement block... so this time I have both fingers and toes crossed for GooD LuCk  that it makes it to Portugal this time!  Hope you like it Teresa!

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I TooK the PLeDgE (to find out how just click on the sidebar button) 

I, Cheryll, pledge to do my very best to have integrity and honesty in my swap commitments. To be on time, every time, to participate in discussions and to communicate if I am going to be late or unable to complete my obligations to my swap partner.

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ThAnK GoD ... It's FRiDaY !!!

Fridays are so much FuN in blogland!
There's Friday Night Sew In's.....Colourful Fridays (today) ...... and Friday this month is also the 25th... so that means it's "1 Christmas Item a Month" time ... see what I mean...

FRiDaYs are FaNtAsTiC !

Copper is the nominated colour for this time around... so here are my pic's:

Why not go visit all the colourful Friday-ers via Robyn's blog.... here !

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My addition to the finished item list this month is a wall banner..."WeLcOme"... which can either be hung or doubles as a table runner, as I hid the tabs at the back.

You should join in, because it really does help to get the assembly line moving for Christmas items! Go here to visit all the other elves and see what they have achieved this month.

Measures approx 28' x 12'

These tabs flip up.. then just insert a dowel and it's ready to hang!



BeWaRe! you may become AddiCtEd

There is one OLd and one NeW block swap and the organiser has asked for us to spread the word and do some advertising, so to speak, so this is my attempt at that! I hope it will make you want to join up!

Sue has asked for a helping hand

To increase the numbers in our merry band

For stitchers of blocks is who we are

Our 12 and 6 inchers travel near and far

There's not much sewing that needs to be done

So be sure to make time to enjoy the fun

For we are creating not only in our head

Little wonders of fabric with needle and thread

So come on, sign up and join in with us

No hassles, no worries and simply no fuss

Then sit back and wait for mail to arrive

From partners and friends - all we need to survive!

12in block swap

6in block swap

There's also a giveaway for NeW members... How GooD is ThAt!

Please click on the header for the group site or go HERE for posting and leave a message....or visit Sue at her blog. Sue will be happy to forward the details I'm sure! Go on... join up!

Two's GooD !

After starting another Blanket Of Love in this month's FNSI, I managed to finish it by sewing the binding on last night .... so now I've added it to my OPAM list for March.... as well as into... "The BoX".. for the children's hospital here in Newcastle (Australia). I added my "heart" in quilting this time and I also used the very versatile spotty fabric for the backing... how nice are spots n dots!



Disappearing nine patch Block.

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Some  "Lets Exchange" hot pads are starting to go out in the mail. But PLeAsE don't worry if you haven't finished yours yet... the mailing deadline is NOT until April 15th... so there's still plenty of time. It's just that some crafters were excited to be in this swap.....so they finished their pad and put it in the post. OOOhhh... I wonder who'll be receiving a surprise in the mail shortly?

This is the Hot Pad that's off to my partner... not in the mail yet.... but soon will be!



A collage made using Aussie animals and Aboriginal print fabric.

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According to the quilters bible.....

As You Sew.....

So Shall You Rip.......

What a SuRpRiSe !

I received 2 lovely blocks from my March partner in Quilting Blocks Swap Australia group. Alicia was generous sending me 2 blocks... so ThAnK YoU very much !


Bear Track Block in Autumn tones.



My block to Alicia, was made using green tones... in a block called "Memory" so I hope Alicia likes it.

It should be received any day now at her home in Oklahoma USA.



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A very unexpected package arrived for me today from a lovely lady (Sheryl) in the RAK group. It was totally a "big time" SuRpRiSe and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face either! This it what the delivery man handed over to me at my front door.

Then I opened the wrapping to reveal this beauty.......

And inside was another gift... all wrapped up so pretty!

I received a wonderful little bag... so well made... and a lovely black fluffy hand knitted scarf! Am I lucky or WhAt !!!!!
Thank You just seems so inadequate Shez.. as this was just sooo nice of you to think of Me!

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I received  lots of comments  about the wonderful block I used on FNSI, called the disappearing nine patch. SO ... it got me to thinking ...

" I wonder if everyone knows the formula, for working out sizes" ?.... so in case you don't know, here it is:

Start with a block size... lets say 5in.

5x3=15 divided by 2 = 7 1/2 in, minus 1 = 6 1/2 in, block after cutting.

So a 4 in block becomes a 5in block, a 5 in becomes a 6 1/2 in, 6in becomes 8in and 7in becomes 9 1/2in.
If you change the way you re-arrange the blocks after cutting... you can make lots of different patterns emerge! Hope this helps?

FNSI in MaRcH

Gee I'm glad I found Heidi mid way thru last year. I've tried to participate in every FNSI since and this month was no exception. I made the top of another BLaNkEt of LoVe. I managed to sandwich it, pin it all ready to quilt... but as I had a stiff neck I just couldn't finish it last night...
so perhaps later today I'll get a chance to duck away upstairs and sew a little bit....fingers crossed xxx.!
Last night I found some fabric in my stash and cut these:

Then I arranged them & stitched the squares like this:

Cut them like this:

Re-arranged them...And ended up with this:

Made 3 more of the same and .....voila' :

How fantastic is the disappearing 9 patch block !  LoVe It !

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I found this adorable hanger in my local quilt shop. I had one on the mini which my friend Sunny sent me as my gift in the Once a Season Swap, but the old one just didn't do it justice.... so I found the solution...I bought a NeW one!   Fantastic!

Don't ya just love em'........