OuTwArD BoUnD

I posted off my packages to two different swaps on Friday.

The first was my

Once a Season Swap

to my partner in %?!#

And the other was the Colour Swap to another secret partner in #$!@ ?

They should both receive them this next week so I'll have my fingers crossed that they arrive safe and sound and are well received.

                         ~~**~~

I also got off to a flying start with my March block swaps, for my block in Block Swap Adventure is all finished. 

Tamera, who is my partner, should expect it in 10-12 days time.It was sent off today on its journey to the USA. I hope my choice is what Tamera wished for and she can use it in her project.



OPAM finish

Well this is my final OPAM finish for February.... phew... made it with a day or two to spare,but there just isn't enough hours in the day left to finish off anything else this month. I guess I have too many projects on the go...lol !   Not that quilters are known for that vice !  ( is that laughter I hear in the background ? ).... so I thought I should post a pic to confirm that I did FiNiSh it in February.


Scattered Leaves



How are YoU going with finishes?

Oh you've finished how many?

WeLL DoNe !!!!

2 Christmas Items Finished

I know I showed this door hanger earlier this month when I made it in Sue & Cathi's Quilt-a-long....
but now I've added it to my "Finish a Christmas Item" list, said nighty night to it.... and packed it away all ready to be brought out again in December. How are you all going with your projects?
I know.. I know.. it's a long way off... but with the way the weeks are flying by.. well.. it will be here BeFoRe we want it to be...  so here's my motto ..."Be PrEpArEd"... or is that from the Scouts ???.

The second item is just a stocking filler for a friend.

Needle & pin purse

Anyway I have 2 items (for this month) now ready for next Christmas, so the interest shown and the encouragement received from the other quilters is definitely helping to keep me enthusiastic.

So ThAnKs to 1 Xmas Item a Month and Christmas thru the Year groups!

Jody from Jodys Crafty Creations pulled my name out the lucky hat last week and this is the wonderful pattern she sent me. ....and she designed it herself too!

Isn't he (Drafty) just adorable! I'll think I'll make him up for this winter even if I don't have any draughts ...
I like the look of him just sitting there... don't you?
He would also be perfect in a little ones room.... Oh to be a grandma ?!!?

Once again, as mentioned above..... "I'm prepared" !   lol

Thanks Jody... I LoVe him!

CoLoUrFuL FRiDaYs

It's  FriDaY again... so here are my black and white pic's.
Hope you enjoy them.




Be sure to visit Robyn.. just click on the title to go there...and see what other players have found in BLacK and WhiTe.

GeTTing CLoSe to anoTHer FiNiSh

I had such a great time in my cubbyhole.... hubby was off playing golf and the housework was done. I have owned a pattern of a stained glass window (for Xmas) for a  l o n g  time. I finally decided to work on it in 2010 but when I opened the pattern there weren't any instructions... but I thought I could manage it, so off I went and traced the design and cut out the pieces of fabric. Then I got distracted with other projects (how unusual...lol )  and it was put away in a box.
Then I signed up to Myra's PhD challenge and entered it on my LiSt. I have been putting it off...kept thinking... I'm not sure...can I do it ? do I want to do it?
ThAnKfuLLy... I did tackle it and it went together like a dream. Makes me wonder why it took me so long!
Anyway, I still have to sandwich it and add the leading... but I'm really HaPPy I took the time to work on it.I'll be able to cross it off My PhD LiSt soon but in the meantime this is how I went about it.

Previously all cut out.

Overlaid the traced design.

Ironed on the pieces.



Added the "glass" border.



Completed top.

   

How Terrifying!

I'm sure everyone wishes the family of victims of the New Zealand earthquake sincere sympathy.
It was a terrible shock to see the devastation Christchurch sustained.... a reminder of the earthquake we felt here in Newcastle NSW in 1989. I hope the number of survivors continue to rise and loved ones are reunited with family and friends.
Our hearts go out to our pacific neighbours.

Tuesday's Triumphs.

I feel "Tuesday" is a  good day to triump over weekend projects !
After all... Monday is my shopping day....

I did finish off the BOL bindings over the weekend so I can now add them to my OPAM list for February.

After a very rewarding FNSI, I decided to make a "Breast Cancer Bag" to see how it went together. I read about this project on Bubz Rugz a few weeks back and thought as I had some left over curtain material I should use it on these bags... so I did. I only finished one for now (it was a treat to sew) but plan on making up a few more before I post them off. I wanted to see where to place the applique and if this type of material was suitable before cutting etc, but as these bags are so easy I'll be using up all sorts of thicker offcuts I have and adding a whimsical applique as needed.

It's another very worthwhile project... so you can go here if you would like to stitch a bag or two. They'll be AppReCiAtEd.

I also put together another table runner for my front entry. I like having one on display for special occasions...the next one being of course.... St. Patrick's Day on March 17th. So now I'm almost ready.. I'll keep an eye out for any IriSh or GrEEn masterpieces I come across to display before then. I have a few things green, but I'm always open minded about shopping....lol.

The runner is made from all different GrEEn fabric and I added the "Shamrock" to the centre block. I'm HaPPy with the way it turned out so it will greet visitors to my door in early March. I'll photograph it again in full when it's finished being decorated and is on display on the first of the month. 

Oooppps...needs ironing again.



The LuCk of the IriSh.

~~~ *** ~~~

Can you see the bunny?

Knitting up my "Easter Swap" dishcloth was fun.... over at Jewells blog and it went from go to wo in no time at all. In fact, I watched a movie on Sunday night and had it made before the popcorn was eaten...lol.

As it was so easy I might even whip up another one to send to my "unknown" partner in April.

I LoVe being organised!

JuSt to ReMiNd YoU

This is a gentle reminder for all the Once A Season Swappers that time is fast approaching to mail off your package to your partner. I know some of you have let me know that you have sent it and some have been lucky enough to have received it already...I'm so excited...and I expect you are all anxious for the mailman to stop at your home....so get your fingers going and finish off your projects.

PLeAsE remember to take  pics of what you received & add them onto your blog... that way when I set up a link we can all go visit and look at all the pretties!!!!    {More on that March 4th}

I for one... CanNot wait !

Friday Night Sew In

It's ....F R I D A Y !!!!

I hope you are all sewing up a storm this month. Didn't it come around quickly... or is it just Me who thought so? Anyway once again I added not one  "Blanket of Love" to the box... but two! This idea of using my FNSI to add blankets is working a treat.. I will have at least 15 (includes Maria's 3) to take up to the hospital at this rate :).... so a big ThAnK YoU to Heidi for hosting this month. Why not join in or go visit other FNSI-ers to see what masterpieces they have created!
Just click on the header to go there.
I did however get a head start this time. I cut up the blocks (this morning) all ready for stitching for one blanket. I realised that I didn't have quite enough to complete another so I improvised by stash busting! I found JuSt enought of the green check fabric to finish it.. with only a VeRy small piece left over...phew!

Hunting though StAsH is so much FuN!  

These little blankets came together VeRy quickly and easily!
I'll finish both off by hand stitching the binding in place in the morning.
Hope you could sneak away for some quality ME time tonight!

See...I said only a small bit leftover! lol



The pic isn't kind to the pretty colours.



One blanket has an appliqued heart but this one has a quilted heart.


A  "Good  MoTTo"  to live by:

Stitch your Stress Away........

HELP...

I have received two comments from crafters who want to join in on "Lets Exchange" but they are  "NO REPLY" bloggers. So if either Ruth or Pauline reads this... can you please email me.
Thanks.

I have also had the honour of being awarded by two of my friends... Cathy and Teresa... so why not hop on over to visit them and see the masterpieces they are creating. I promise you'll enjoy the trip!
Thanks Again.

And if anyone else is interested in joining up to "lets exchange" just leave a comment and I'll get back to you.
Thanks so MuCh.

Enough HeLp required for one day... I'm off upstairs to sew! 

May your bobbin always be full !

ENjOy your DaY!

Are you interested in...?

A "Hot Pad" exchange?....
for a casserole dish that is !!!  

Not a pad that's hot.... *#%!.

If you would like to receive a nice surprise delivered by the postman... then you may be interested.
I noticed on the net that these large sized kitchen hot pads... which no doubt save your kitchen benchtop...

also LoOk fantastic just sitting there.

If you are keen to take part then you can leave me your name in a comment on this post (or email me) and we can get this exchange going. There will be plenty of time to sew it together because they are so EaSy... so don't fret!. I'll email your partners name on March 15th... if I get anyone interested.... then we can exchange by April 15th... I will ask you to keep your partners name a secret until they receive their kitchen hot pad... but it should be a FuN project... don't you think?
This swap does NOT include ANY tuck ins...
so its quick and easy!
It doesn't have to be a large group just 2 of us will work.... but I hope more bloggers will be interested than just one other.... 
Or perhaps I could post one to myself...lol

How does that sound ???   Are you still there...???

The size will be approx 16 x10in (like a really big Mug Rug ) ..with either double batting or the use of "Insul-Bright" for bench protection and it must be fully bound for washing.
 AnYoNe interested....xx fingers crossed !!!
Even if you aren't interested please pop a notice on your blog because some of your friends might like to sign up. Yes... it is OpeN to InTeRNaTiOnAl swappers!
Here is a pic of what I am talking about......

pic courtesy of Sew Mama Sew

courtesy of :MyByrdHouse



courtesy of E-How

  Go ahead...live LiFe on the wild side....JOiN Up....

Christmas Quilt-a-Long - #4 (Final)

It's getting late now so I had better call it a night.
I "all-but" finished my project. I just need to close up the opening by hand and its DoNe. With the colour blue and the time of night morning.. I thought I had better wait until daylight to whip stitch it... but that will be a very quick finish.
That's one DooR hanger all ready for Christmas.
ThAnKs to Sue and Cathi for hosting..
and to all the other quilters playing along... EnJoY.
I'll see you later!

ThAnKs to "A Legacy of Stitches" for her inspiration and pattern.