"Ugly" fabric

A few weeks ago Helen had a giveaway to rid her stash of some fabrics she didn't like anymore - I believe she went so far as to call them ugly. Of course, I couldn't go past the opportunity to fill my sewing cupboard with more fabric I'll probably never use, I entered- and won. Yay!

Helen's lovely package arrived today and amazingly enough, I actually found some stuff that would complement some of my exisiting stash quite nicely. (I'm not actually sure what that says about stash but anyway...). Thanks again Helen (and Ryan thanks you for the Freddo. It didn't last long!). You've boosted my quota of girly patterns too. I don't have many of them enter the house with two boys. :)

Creative people - I need your help

I have half a yard of each of these gorgeous fabrics. What should I do with them? I have a few thoughts but want to hear what you would do. Inspire me, please...

Giveaway at Old Red Barn Co.

Are these not three of the most spectacular quilts you have ever seen? Old Red Barn Co is giving us a chance to win one, simply by leaving her a comment. I’m sad to say I’ll not be entering a video as I am technologically challenged (to say the least) but fingers crossed I get lucky anyway.

Now friends and neighbours, feel free to enter but consider yourself warned. I shall be rather snippy if you win and I don’t.

Finally...

It’s finished! Took a long time though, I must admit and there was even a stage when I wondered if it was destined to become another one of my many half completed projects stuffed back in the sewing box. It did take me many weeks to psych myself up to do the binding – for some reason I was terrified. First I wasn’t sure if I would have enough of the fabric I wanted to use and next I was put off by the thought of having to hand stitch the back of the binding. Ugh, boring…

Anyway, I learnt many things along the way:

1. Hand stitching the binding is not that hard after all.
2. I really need a thimble.
3. And a walking foot.
4. During the quilting stage, even when you think you have more than enough pins to keep it all from moving, add 10 more.
5. 3 year olds should not be allowed to “help”.
   
   Here’s a close-up of the binding from the back:
   

Probably not perfect, I imagine the CWA ladies would have a field day with the faults but there has been too much self-congratulating going on for me to worry about that sort of nonsense… ;P

Lovely friends

Aren't they nice to have? One of mine has just sent me an enormous stack of ill-gotten sewing patterns. God love her & her loose morals... ;P

Early & Late Birthday presents

I was absolutely stumped for ideas for my nieces 6th birthday (which was actually in June...ooops) so have stolen Ellie's idea of sending a crayon/texta/pencil roll. Ta love... :)

So because it's either a feast or a famine with me, I thought I'd also get in early for her brother's 5th birthday in October. I figure by the time I manage to actually remember to get to the post office and send them off, it will be at least August - dead smack in the middle of both birthdays. I'm a genius.

While I adore my niece's texta roll (and am secretly considering keeping it for myself), cutting in to a sheet of Amy Butler fabric did feel a little like I was desecrating a sacred garment. It really should come with a warning...

For Cylie & Ellie

See, I have been sewing. Here's the proof.

I'm still not sure if the spots work. I kept telling myself not to do the whole thing in spots but I ended up not being able to resist. I heart stripes and I heart spots - what's a girl to do? Also remind me next time not to sew after 10pm. Terrible things happen to my eyesight so best if we don't look too closely at that one.

I've also developed a weird obession with appliqué lately. If it stands still, I will sew something on it. Just ask the kids. I noticed them starting to look all nervous and cautiously grab each others hand when I begin ratting through their cupboards but they can relax now that I've run out of plain t-shirts & singlets... Hmmm, do you T would like some appliquéd undies?

For Cylie

Blurred photo but trust me, it's completed. I have RSI to prove it.