Oh the geese!

By far my most challenging block yet. I have never used the paper piecing method before, I must say I am glad I attempted such a tricky block but am in no hurry to do another so soon. The first was obviously the hardest but the last three seemed to make a lot more sense and flowed really well. I'm really happy with it and hope Jo from our Beehive group likes it. Can't wait to see the whole thing finished.

Getting started..
Four single blocks.

Make one circle of geese..

Honk!

Christmas - Done and Dusted

sWell Christmas is well and truly over for another year. I might as well show you what I was making in the lead up. I'd love to show you what I have been creating in the last month but that would be zero. Here are a couple more clutches for my big sis and niece.

Some Amy Butler Jama pants for my little sis Claire

and some for my big sis Ade....

and some for my BF Lea .......

Well there you go. I think if I start my sewing prior to the 20th of Dec this year I might get a whole lot more achieved. At least they were all well received and my depleting stash can once again be topped up which of course is the best part.

Finally, this pic is one of my favourites. I usually make our Christmas cake a week before Christmas and take it home to Wagga for mum to ice (I find that dreaded fondant so sticky and hard to handle). Mum, Charlie and my niece Ellie surprised me with this beauty. Charlie had collected the unripe lemons from a friend's place the night before and for some reason just had to put faces on them. Unbeknown to me they stole my stash of gift tags and went ahead with their creation.......ta da!

L to R - Charlie, Mummy, Rosa, Daddy and Harvey

Flirty Florence

She asked for it and she got it! .......the brief was:
"an old fashioned , pretty apron made from all pre loved fabrics". Three out of the four fabrics were vintage finds off ebay and the button was pre loved. This was my favourite hand made gift this year, I really loved making it and took particular care getting it just right. My beautiful sister Claire loved it which is the main thing. I'm sure she can't wait to wipe her greasy hands all over it! It's an Audrey and Maude pattern " Flirty Florence"

I'm still in major holiday mode, we have had a couple of lovely weeks in Wagga with family and friends, four fabulous days over New Year in Sydney minus 3 children (thank's ma) and a few great beach days in Sydney with the kids. We are off to New Zealand tomorrow to see Paul's family for 10 days and some yummy wine days in Napier with my cousin Katie....can't wait.

Have lots of new projects on my mind and am soooooo late getting my December Beehive underway....ooops! February will be a busy month.

Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas Clutch & Merry Christmas

This is a clutch i made for a friend for Christmas. The pattern is from the Meet Me at Mike's book. They are very simple. I used some leftover Anna Maria Horner fabric and some soft denim. I was on a bit of a roll and made a few. Might have to keep one for myself.

This will be my last post for 2009. The year that I discovered the blog world and became hooked. I still have about 3 things to make for Christmas gifts so will be very busy over the next week. I'm really looking forward to a nice relaxing time in Wagga with my family and friends, chilling out by the pool, drinking copious amounts of champagne and maybe a few sleep ins as well.....
Merry Christmas everyone, hope you all have a safe and happy break.......thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments, they really make my day....
xx

What's in this box?

OMG is exactly what I said when I opened this big box of surprises. This is my Polka Dot Christmas Swap from Maxine.

Inside was lots of spotty stuff including pencils, notebook, patty pans, tissue pack, napkins, gorgeous paper chain making kit which I just love and can't wait to make with the kids.....but wait there's more....lots more!

This funky Christmas wreath made with tied fabrics pieces in my fave Chrissy colours. This was perfect because slack old me didn't even have anything on our front door.

How cute are these hand made decorations for the tree, those little gnomes or men are just too sweet! I love them.

Some dotty fabric, stickers and treats for the kids....

And a special gift just for me to open on the 25th..

And last but certainly not least, this gorgeous bunting in red and aqua.

I am one very lucky chickie, thank you Maxine, you certainly have spoilt me and I'm so, so pleased you did.

SUNDAY STASH # 16

So I went into Tessuti for some simple supplies and out I come with this 2 metre Florence Broadhurst remnant for $25. It is a stretch cotton, the print is quite large, it's continuous and runs down. I'm thinking a maxi dress or an oversize T shirt is in order. Gotta be happy with that!

What's in the box?

How lovely are these clay decorations my friend Vicki made me? She presented me with this gorgeous box full of hand made Christmas tags and decorations.

A special one for each of my children....

some tiny hugs and kisses to tie onto pressies or sew onto clothing or wire onto wine glasses. (she tells me they are quite dishwasher proof)

and some tags for pressies or the tree.....one in every reindeer!

How lucky am I?.......thanks Vick, a Christmas cake is coming your way soon, I promise!