Feeling the Fabric

omg best giveaway eva!!

2010-12-20T12:23:00.002+10:00

so please dont enter, as i really want to win hehehe!!

over here at retromummy

xx

not quite quilting!

2010-11-29T13:38:00.004+10:00

so totally stepping out of my comfort zone, and am experimenting with all things softie- getting ready for xmas and S T I L L trying to finish the nursery, for my now 8 week old son (time flies!)

i love these little felt owls. i am going to string them along the nursery. how totally cute are they.
tutorial via plushka.

and sticking with the owl theme are these awesome sock owls! all thats needed is a couple of sticks, sanded back and these little guys are going to become a mobile to hang straight above mr c's cot. pattern can be found online here

i also tried my hand at a sweet little softie girl for some xmas gifts. i wasnt totally happy with the first one.

so i tried again:

much happier with V2! the face is a whole lot cuter. what do you think?

they are a little more fiddly than i thought, but still pretty fun to make. pattern found her e

overall, i am enjoying the almost instant gratification that comes with small projects, and its fun to use different materials than i am used to.

well, thats it for now! of to make some face washers and too cute baby shoes!! stay tuned ; )

granny square obsession

2010-11-15T15:33:00.004+10:00

my friend made a gorgeous granny square blanket and now has me addicted- since i cant crochet (im sure i should learn) she has offered to make me one- here are some that i love...

giveaway

2010-11-12T16:11:00.000+10:00

just a quick one to say head over here, for a super sweet giveaway : )

bloggers quilt festival

2010-10-30T13:38:00.005+10:00

i havent seen the quilt festival before, but it looks great, so i couldnt help but link a pic of my fave quilt...the prizes are too good to pass up, and its great to see all the gorgeous quilts out there!

My fave quilt is this one, made for my new little boy. its made with linen and japanese fabrics, with my favourite scraps, and one-offs, plus lots of little bits and pieces from scrappy giveaways that i have won.

i really enjoyed this- it was intricate yet repetitive, almost like a good meditation. plus, the first time i was totally happy with my binding and corners, so Woo Hoo!

head over to the festival to be inspired : )

lucky lucky

2010-10-27T14:57:00.002+10:00

i have been super lucky in the last couple of weeks. i won a metre of gorgeous fabric from ijustlovethatfabric.com.au

and then, i won these beautiful pants from knitbaby, perfect for my newborn.

then today, i won a $250 voucher from oobi baby, one of my fave kids labels!!

YAY for me. keep it coming!!!!

he's here!!!

2010-10-22T07:40:00.003+10:00

so in my last post i mentioned a good reason for being quiet around here. thats because my little man finally arrived! he was born one week late, at home just as we wished, in the loving company of his daddy, big brother, and gorgeous midwife. the birth was everything i could have wished for. it was magical, beautiful, empowering, mindblowing! and what a result- isnt he amazing!!!

its been a while..

2010-10-20T14:46:00.003+10:00

between posts, and i have a very good reason...but more on that later ; )

for now, i am dreaming of cushions for my lounge. i have a new one coming in the next week or so, and i need to update my living area...its seriously drab (ugly/ boring/ mismatched/ dreadful- to be more precise!!)

so here's what i'm thinking.

isso ecco flower burst in chocolate

and echino birdsong in green for a cushion and lampshade like these!

i love it!!

more nursery inspiration

2010-09-28T07:52:00.005+10:00

well, with a baby that still hasn't arrived, i have been hunting around finding little pieces of inspiration. for my little boys nursery, and upcoming birthdays...

gorgeous felt owls and penguins from plushka

super beautiful mobiles from birdynumnum

gnome softies from bitofwhimsy

help me to dream on!?!?!?! PLEASE!!!

2010-09-17T21:42:00.003+10:00

ok, so maybe i have pregnancy brain, maybe i shouldn't sew when i am this tired, maybe i should learn to count better, but i got my beautiful dream on charm pack in the mail today, and couldn't wait to get started. i really want to do a disappearing nine patch with sashing, to make a baby quilt. i was sewing my nine patches together as i went, when i got to my last pile, and realised i was 3 squares short....NNNNOOOOO!

i don't have ANY fabric that i can add in that is a match, so here's my request! Does anyone have a square to spare??? can you spare a square??? PLEASE!!! i will cover postage (i am in OZ- as in Australia, not the magical land of OZ- although if this works, then maybe it is magical hehe!) if you can help!?!?!??!

Am i dreaming...can i dream...on...and finish my quilt, or should i just bite the bullet and get another charm pack.....

lets sleep on it and see what happens.....

Nighty night

xxdaniellexx

a sweet little giveaway

2010-09-17T17:43:00.002+10:00

head on over here for your chance to win some gorgeous fabric!!

a new (old) quilt..

2010-09-16T16:48:00.004+10:00

its been a little quiet around here lately, but i assure you i have been busy sewing away- mainly items for my nursery, which is almost complete. lucky, as i only have about a week left until my due date! i will definitely post some pic's once its done, but for now, here are some photos of my newest quilt.

i love this one- it's from my collection of vintage linens, and i originally had all my pieces 4 times larger- in the railroad style, but it wasn't working for me. so i cut them all into quarters, and re-did my quilt top. i really like it now, it seems to show off the fabrics a little better. it is backed in the same soft baby pink flannel as my last quilt, which is on its way to its new home now!

what do you think? its going up in both madeit and etsy tonight!!

my first sale!!

2010-09-07T14:00:00.001+10:00

I was so excited last night when i checked my emails, and saw that my vintage baby quilt was featured in the Monday Finds email from madeit.com.
i also then saw that my busy boy baby quilt was one of their top baby finds on the madeit blog!! THEN, this morning, my vintage baby quilt was displayed on the front page (ok,ok so i did pay extra for it be listed on there at some stage, but great that it happened all within a 24 hour period!)
And then...even better- i checked my emails this morning, and guess what!!!! my vintage quilt has sold!!! my first real sale!! as you can tell by my overuse of these- !!!!!!- i am VERY excited...and now also very nervous, as i hope Jane loves it.

only one way to find out- its going off in the post this week.

if you want one of your very own soulbaby quilts head over to madeit or etsy

i'm a little bit famous!!

2010-09-06T20:06:00.001+10:00

i just checked out the madeit.com.au blog, and what do you know... i am there!! well, not me personally, but one of my quilts that i listed there for sale...

LOOK!!!!

madeit.com.au :: the handmade market open all day every day: Baby Wish List #1: "As some of you already know, there is going to be a new little addition to madeit HQ in February. Over the next 5 months I'll be compiling m..."

vintage linen baby quilt

2010-09-04T19:59:00.003+10:00

i have been saving my vintage linen's for ages now, waiting for some inspiration, and i found it! do you love it??

it is so pastelly perfect, snugly and soft, i just wish it was big enough for my bed, or even a picnic blanket... but, it is truly the perfect fit for a new little person : )

just listed in my etsy shop here if you want to love it in person ; )

♥ danielle

a giveaway to die for...

2010-08-30T10:21:00.002+10:00

over here at comfortstitching!!! Wish me luck : )

nursery inspiration

2010-08-29T15:19:00.003+10:00

i am really running out of time! i have four weeks till this baby is due, and he has been trying his best to get out for the last week or so, so i may not even have that long. having said that, my nursery is no where near complete. here is what i have been loving, when i should have been sewing...

gorgeous tree decal from gigglesmile designs

vintage storybook bunting from lejeune on etsy

vintage blocks from gongyandsquish on etsy

a is for apple flashcards from prettylittlestudio on etsy

paper pom pom's

2010-08-23T14:22:00.005+10:00

OMG- i have been loving these for ages, and have been meaning to make these for the new nursery. i think they look gorgeous, and all the websites and tutes say how easy they are to make. so... i made it my mission to get all my bits together and make some. now, when the tute says 'now for the fun part- fluffing the pom pom's' i think they forgot to add the '' to fun. eg. 'fun', as in: insert sarcasm here...these SUCK!!! i SO do not have the patience for thin, easily shred-able, fiddly paper craft...fabric is much more sturdy, reliable and forgiving ; )

anyway, off to try my hand at another one. and if you want to try some for yourself (although you have been warned!!), head over here!

i've taken the plunge!!

2010-08-16T19:32:00.003+10:00

ok...deep breath in.....exhale....

i have taken the plunge and opened my own etsy store, as a place to sell my much loved quilts...i am addicted to making them, dont want to stop, but am running out of room/ friends/ family that can look after them for me!

so, if you wanna take a peek, its over here...

and also, i have set up a more specific blog for the shop. its here. i will be having a giveaway over there soon, so if you want a chance, become a follower, be my friend, hold my hand, whatever you think will help ; )

i'm a bit nervous, but hey, its all in the name of love ♥♥♥

an aussie giveaway

2010-08-12T08:10:00.003+10:00

love supporting fellow aussies, and if you do too, hop on over to this cool blog, do some shopping, and maybe even win : )

amy butler rocks my world...

2010-08-11T13:34:00.006+10:00

i have had this fabric stashed away for so long...i was really hoping that i would get to use it in my little girls nursery....but mother nature (or someone) had other plans for me, with me carrying my second boy, and no girl anywhere on the horizon yet!

SO- if not MY baby girl, then surely my niece comes pretty close :)

it is her 4th birthday in about two weeks, and i had high hopes of making a kaleidoscope quilt for her. but i was seriously running out of time, so i made this instead!!!

i LOVE it... ♥ ♥ ♥ it... and i think the little pillow looks great with it, and i love the binding and backing fabric...its just so girly. the girliest quilt i have ever made, and it was so much fun.
it is just under a single size, its the right width, but a few inches too short at the top, but not too big that it looks weird. anyway, with the amount of fabric i had, this is the best i could do. now i know i have been doing this pattern to DEATH at the moment, but it is so quick, easy and economical, i cant go past it. it uses only one yard of print, and one of solid, so great if funds are tight, or you have some spare yards laying around. but after saying that, i am laying off this design for a while!!!4 in as many weeks, or thereabouts is too many. i could do it in my sleep now :)

so, what do you think?

my version of strips and bricks

2010-08-01T16:06:00.004+10:00

i have finished my version of the strips and bricks quilt, as seen in Sew Hip, and also over at Red Pepper.

I loved every minute of making this quilt, from choosing all the gorgeous Japanese linen fabric for it, to cutting and piecing, the quilting, and surprisingly this time i even enjoyed doing the binding.

i was only going to quilt in the ditch this time, but then i stopped being lazy, and the more i did, the more i wanted to keep doing...it really does look better with more rather than less straight line quilting.

i followed the pattern almost exactly, but i added 4 extra pieces to each row as it was a little small for a nursery quilt/ playmat. babies learn to roll far to quickly, and before i know it, this little one will be somersaulting his way off : )

i don't think i am going to be able to part with this one, but we'll see!

some updated quilt pics.

2010-07-30T16:46:00.004+10:00

boy have i been busy! i have been sewing up an absolute storm lately. must be that nesting kicking in! with about 8 weeks to go, i should be cleaning cupboards skirting boards, according to tradition. instead my house is getting messier, but my quilt pile is getting larger :) i know what i would prefer! so ai know i have posted a few photos of some of these quilts, but not great ones, so i took advantage of the sunshine today, and grabbed a couple of brighter shots.

using cogsmo cricket
so bright and cheerful for a little boy

and the beautiful tula pink full moon forest
so beautiful and girly. i hardly ever see these colours in a nursery, but i love purple!

giveaway!!

2010-07-25T20:15:00.002+10:00

hop on over here and enter!

or not, then i have more chances to win hehe

a whole lot of cutting!!

2010-07-21T13:26:00.004+10:00

i have started a quilt that i am in love with all ready! maybe this one will be a keeper for my little boy. since he's due in about 8 weeks and i'm running out of time, its all the more reason!

the pattern for this quilt, called strips and bricks, came from a sew hip mag that i actually won in a blog comp AGES ago, and forgot all about.

then i spotted a gorgeous version over at red pepper quilts, which reminded me that this was a perfect way to use some of my beautiful japanese fabric that i have been pondering over for too long!
so, i spent the last 2 days cutting....and cutting...and cutting....all up i think about 230 rectangles!! ouch....i even got blisters! the things we do for love hey : )

very excited to start piecing this together...why is it that once my squares are all cut, and i am ready to get serious, my toddler decides to forgo his lunchtime sleep!

quilt pics

2010-07-20T11:04:00.006+10:00

ok, i have finally taken some photos of the last couple of quilts i have finished working on!

a sweet baby boy quilt, using the cogsmo cricket line

laying out my blocks

love the colours in this combo

using simple white for my borders and a red binding really sets it off.

and this one was done using the same pattern, but with my tula pink full moon forest fabric, and with michael miller dots.
i was really hesitant in cutting up my tula pink fabric, as it is virtually impossible to come by now, and i'm not too sure of the results.
what do you think??

my pile of never ending blocks!

soooo much cutting these last few days i have blisters!

prior to quilting

now i just have the binding to do and its all done.
hopefully someone with love this baby!!

waiting for the sunsine...

2010-07-17T19:58:00.007+10:00

i have finished an awesome cot quilt, and cant wait to show you all, but since i finished in the dark, i wont spoil it by taking dodgy photos!

i then cut all my blocks for another cot quilt, this time cutting into my BEAUTIFUL, and impossible to find Tula Pink Full Moon Forest stash. let me tell you, this was hard to do. do you ever love something so much, and think it is so perfect the way it is, that you are scared to mess with it!?!?! well, thats how i feel about this. but too late now, its done : )

since i have no photos of my own to share, i will show you some of the gorgeous crafty inspiration that has got me all excited about my next, next quilt...thats the thing with quilting, isnt it...i have so much time to think, that before i have even finished one, i have plans for at least three more in my head. and so it never ends ; )

i love this quilt by patch andi, using a beautiful mix of vintage sheets and linen.

why cant i ever find sheets like this in my local op-shops?!?!

luckily, the clever people at urban chicks have found a solution!

the new line Dream On, inspired by the best vintage sheets we can never find on our own!

and over at filminthefridge, you can see she has already put some charm packs into good use : )

this is definately on my list for my next, next quilt

these have really gotten me ready for summer, or at least spring! after feeling very wintery the last few weeks, i am excited to think about spring, and this is the perfect way...plus, with a new baby due this spring, i think this will be our perfect picnic quilt. come on spring!!!

Big Boy Quilt :)

2010-07-14T13:10:00.005+10:00

I cant believe my little man is in a big bed already!?!?! He's only 18 months, but so far so good....with #2 due in about 2 months, i needed the cot back, so K has upgraded. Probably the best part about it (for me, anyway) was that i finally got a chance to use my beautiful Lecien Whales and Boats fabric. I bought this AGES ago, but have been too scared to cut into it. i just adore it, but when i found this pattern, i knew it would be the perfect way to show off my fabric. I hope you like it as much as we do.

this is the pattern i based my quilt on... tutorial available from here: Carly of Quiltville
loving his 'big boy bed'

the first day on the line...i was PRAYING my colours didn't run!!

on the bed- perfect single bed sizing : )

Not the best photos, it is tricky to photograph such a white quilt...i will try and get some more soon.

how cute is this...

2010-07-06T14:26:00.003+10:00

these totally irresistible owls are from the clever and creative craft schmaft. the pattern is available for purchase as a pdf, and i am currently in the middle of making my very own for bubtobe....hope they turn out as adorable as this!!

nursery inspiration

2010-07-04T15:59:00.004+10:00

with another baby well on the way, i am in full nesting mode! i cant wait to get started on the nursery (to the dismay of my husband as it means lots of lugging furniture up and down stairs!)
i have been searching blogs, etsy, nursery sites, you name it, to find some inspiration, so i can see it all in the one place...here!

this gorgeous quilt is from aussie quilt maker maggieandsparrow, and is my inspiration for the new quilt!
this gorgeous tree is from cocoon couture, but i am going to attempt my own design!

decisions, decisions!! which bundle to choose......i cant make up my mind!!!

courtesy of fabricworm

i have coveted this nursery since my first son was born two years ago...i love everything about it.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

I'M BACK!!!

2010-06-30T08:17:00.000+10:00

OMG i'm sure no one noticed me missing, but anyway, i'm glad to be back to blogging! someone hacked my email and blogger account (you may have noticed a werid post about a laptop!?!?) and they changed all my passwords. of course, blogger didnt care, so i have had to do a lot of painful cr*p to get this re-activated....but YAY!!

i have been sewing up a storm, and have almost finished what may be my favourite quilt eva, so am excited to post some pics soon...

stick around

xxx

ava's birthday quilt

2009-07-31T10:56:00.003+10:00

I need to make a quilt for my niece's 3rd birthday, which is in less than a month!!

I want to make a quilt similar to this pattern, but it needs an oriental theme...what do you think about these fabrics together in a design similar to the above quilt??

Do you think it'll work? Or should i just stick to the momo range? hhhmmmmm i CAN NOT make a decision!

HELP!!

another giveaway : )

2009-07-31T10:34:00.002+10:00

ok i promise i will blog about something other than a giveaway soon! i have news that i am dying to share, but MUST wait until this afternoon : )

But for now, check out this super generous giveaway...

another tea pony

2009-07-27T13:24:00.002+10:00

OK- i promise to blog about something other than tea pony soon! i have some very exciting news to share soon enough, but until then, my fave kids designer is having ANOTHER giveaway- uh huh, that right. hop on over here and enter for a chance to win this...

tea pony

2009-07-18T20:29:00.003+10:00

this is my absolute fave line of clothing for kids (and for me, if it were in my size ; ) ) and they are having a wonderful giveaway...check out this blog (or not!! more chances for me!!!) i have all my everything's crossed that i win

x

etsy-ing...

2009-07-06T17:58:00.004+10:00

with all the toy sales on at the moment, i am all 'plastic'd' out...so have been searching for some 'real' toys- handmade with love and all natural materials..check out some of my finds :)

all courtesy of ETSY..

how cute is this!?!

2009-07-01T14:42:00.004+10:00

i FINALLY made one of the fabric baskets from the online tutorial over at Pink Penguin...made entirely from scraps, which were donated (via a blog giveaway) by the lovely Katy over at imagingermonkey (THANK YOU!!)

this is the first time i have made something besides a quilt, and i really liked it...i love the colours! now, it is FAR from perfect...my handles, although exactly the same length, and sewn on the same way, appear different sizes (whats with that!) and i have never boxed corners before, so they are kinda random, but still very easy to do...and it is a little messy in places...it started off great, but then i got hooked and HAD to finish it before i went to bed...so i had arguments with myself, knowing that it was getting WAY TOO LATE to be awake, and that my son would wake up soon and want his mama...so i kept going and got clumsy and scatter brained...but the next one will be a lot better, i think! and it was SO much easier than i imagined... i really did end up making it harder than it was, so i am looking forward to fabric basket number two...

But for now, i love : )

one for the aussies!

2009-06-28T15:54:00.001+10:00

Get on over and check out this super cute giveaway!!

Good luck ; )

http://www.handmadekids.com.au/?p=1492&cpage=2#comment-1915

the bonus...

2009-06-23T11:02:00.002+10:00

we have had a friend staying with us the last couple of days, and i heard his alarm go off this morning on the other side of my bedroom wall. as i blissfully rolled over to spoon my baby, and have my husband spoon me, i realised that it has been 11 months since i have been woken by the sounds of an alarm! heaven ; ) .....

any good knitting patterns out there?

2009-06-22T09:02:00.003+10:00

My mum really wants to knit Kalan some winter woolies, and i am trying to find some funky jumper/ cardigan patterns, maybe some arm warmers, home socks, anything really! my eyes hurt from too much googling, and I cant really find anything!

Do you know of any good sites/ patterns??

Please??

x

the generous and lovely!

2009-06-19T15:20:00.005+10:00

i have only been blogging for a couple of months now, but i have really enjoyed it! i have met some great people, have had LOADS of amazing inspiration on a daily basis, and have been blown away from the generous world of bloggers!

I got totally lucky a couple of weeks back with winning imagingermonkey's scrap bag (which i have been putting to good use all morning!), then with the SEWN launch, i was totally spun out...
I won 2 giveaway's!! I won a pin cushion, sewing magazine and an amazing book by author and blogger Rashida Coleman-Hale of iheartlinen! It looks like a beautiful book and I can't wait to see it : )

Then...i was the re-draw winner over at ningiu where i won 3 Kaffe Fasset fat quarters, from the organic dots range! Beautiful ; )

THEN... i wasn't even a winner, but Bron over at wippetgood was way too kind and sent me an amazing parcel of vintage fabrics which arrived today!!! YAY!!!

let me show you!

Now isn't this just amazing! i feel so lucky and blessed!! and i appreciate all the generosity and beauty that everyone has passed this way!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Happy sewing this weekend beautiful people...stay tuned, because my vintage picnic rug, which has been inspired by all of you, is coming together really well!

xxx

my awesome-ness from i heart linen

my organic dots from ningiu!

the beautiful fabric from Bron at wippetgood!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

awesome giveaway

2009-06-18T12:36:00.004+10:00

happening over here at Sheree's Alchemy...too generous! but really- you dont want to win... you dont need it, so try not to comment over there- i REALLY wanna win ; )

Wish me luck

opshop update!

2009-06-15T15:48:00.004+10:00

I got lucky!! i found some new (old) sheets that had come into a local charity run op-shop. they are not exactly what i am looking for, but they are closer than nothing. some of them are quite threadbare in the middle, but i got 2 double sheets, and 2 pillowcases for $2, despite the price tags...bargain ; ) AND she threw in this gorgeous baby blanket, which will be perfect for my next quilt. I am thinking of using old jumpsuits/ onesies and some new fabric for a soft cuddly one of a kind blanket for Kalan. have you done anything similar?
so, between my new vintage finds, the ones i scored last week, and the awesome bag of scraps i won over at i'm a ginger monkey, i am nearly set! plus, not to get my hopes up, but i think there may be a very special surprise package in my letterbox in the next few days! i will let you know when (it) arrives!! fingers crossed : o )

the baby blanket for my next super cuddly project- stay tuned for that one!!

my super cool retro sheets! the lady in the opshop thought i was hilarious- she had no idea what retro meant...i was like 'you know- grandma florals!' we got there in the end!

my inspirations from over at just tutes

this is my next quilt, bases on outgrown jumpsuits and baby blankets. this is from the talented little brooke

wish me luck : )

log cabin- and the going is slow ; )

2009-06-14T20:23:00.004+10:00

but i am still totally loving it! i know i am supposed to use scraps, but i don't own any of those, so i ordered some more designer fabric sample packs from fabric closet on etsy, and i am off and running (or is that off and sewing!) i have done like 16 or something now, so yeah, about 90 to go!! what the, i will be 103 before i get to snuggle with this beauty...but at least i DO think its a beauty!

what do you think?

I am still trying to work on my friends picnic rug, but i am struggling to find anything at my local op-shop's. trying to find pastel-y floral vintage fabric...sheets, pillow cases, anything really, but no luck...Do you know of any vintage sheet swaps going on lately?

Maybe i should try and organise one? would anyone be keen to join me?

too much reading?

2009-06-10T14:34:00.002+10:00

are you like me? are you addicted to books? do you always have at least one on the go? struggling to find something decent to read?

well, i've decided, since i struggle to come up with interesting posts (!) i will let you know what i am reading ATM. I spend SO much of my time with a book, especially now as i am on maternity leave, and spend so much time reading while i try to encourage my son to sleep (it takes a LONG time, trust me!) and since i cant sew one handed in my rocking chair, i read! I always have read a lot, it is a love affair that began as soon as i could read. and i treasure my books, they are a part of who i am. they share a path as to how i got to be me. my partner looked at my bookshelf last night, and said ' why don't you sell them, you could buy so many more with the money'...he doesn't understand!! do you?

So, anyway, my current book is I Am The Messenger, by Markus Zusak. he wrote The Book Thief, have you read it? another great book.

This book is set in Australia (love that) and is about a pretty pathetic guy who stumbles onto a very noble journey. His writing is amazing, he makes his books come alive. With sentences like 'the breeze looked away, almost embarrassed at having watched-and i'm left here alone' and 'i stand in the long grass and hear the river now for the first time. it sounds like it's drinking'. or how about 'Ritchie sits there like an injury'...it is just beautiful to read, and in some parts laugh-out-loud funny! and trust me i did- woke my son up i was laughing so hard!

So if you need a new book to read, let me highly recommend this! hope you enjoy, and please let me know if you do!!

a vintage picnicer!

2009-06-09T12:06:00.004+10:00

Well, the sewn launch is over, the blog parties have ended, and i didn't win anything :( And i entered sooooo many hehe. Oh well. I am sure those that won, will love their prizes just as much as I would have, so its all good ; )

So, anyway, moving on....

It was my best friends birthday a few weeks ago- she turned 30 too...we are both old now...but anyway, i am super slack and haven't gotten her anything...i know....even after she spoilt me with the most amazing witchery purse for my birthday...she even gave it to me EARLY which means i am doubly slack!! BUT i intend to make up for it with a lovely handmade pressie. She has had a really tough year, and i really want to make her something special- bright and cheerie and full of love. But since i am so new to sewing, all i know how to do it quilt!! So i thought i might make her a lovely picnic rug. But i am broke! So it needs to be cheap! Now come on, I am not cheap, but my bank balance is, so...i gotta get thrifty (secretly i think this is part of the fun!)
Now my lovely friend loves antique/ vintage/ shabby chic (i hate that phrase, but there i go using it) so i need to find some lovely floraly, spotty, stripy vintage fabrics, preferably in pastely pinks, blues and greens. I would love to make a real hodge-podge-y mixed bag, improv quilt..and this is all i really know how to do anyway...but one that will show of all the beautiful prints i hope to find...somewhere...maybe ebay, maybe my local Salvo's...dunno yet...know of anywhere good?
BUT- i want to make it a little more durable on the back- not just another sheet....does anyone have any experience or suggestions for a fabric to use? i would love to know what you have done or heard of. What works and what doesn't...Please, help me out!?!

Thanks peeps....

mmMMMWWWWAAAAHHHhhhh

missing...

2009-06-04T09:53:00.004+10:00

today i am missing Orlando....he is (was) my gorgeous ragdoll kitten...well, not so much a kitten, he was 2, and very much a man : ) But he passed on in a tragic accident (cars and cats don't mix) and i find myself missing him too much today.

I have been considering getting another boy to cuddle, but my allergic husband wont even consider it...so for now its just memories of warm kitty cuddles to snuggle up to today

check this out!!!

2009-06-03T13:10:00.008+10:00

i am finally making a log cabin quilt!! YAY for me!! HOORAY!! i know, i am a tool, but i am getting a bit sick of doing coin quilts, as that is all i know how to do...but since i asked for your advice on what to do with my little fabric bundles, i went on over to this flickr group, like you suggested and went from there. there are some seriously awesome log cabins out there, i feel a bit intimidated! but anyway...
i then found a really good online tutorial from Aussies Melly and Me. here it is! it is awesome. maybe i could have done it free hand, or just made it up as i go, but from what i have seen this is fool proof, and makes the best looking quilts around. take a look, it is SO worth it if you have never done one before.
and look, here is the proof. i am loving this. i find the repetition so satisfying...it is calming and relaxing, but beware- do too many in one day, and you WILL dream about them lol
sorry bout the quality of my photos, but it is STILL raining outside and i think the sun has forgotten to come back, so my kitchen bench it is...for now!

very generous giveaway

2009-06-03T08:34:00.002+10:00

check this out!! wanna win? 40 Katie Jumps Rope fat quarters??? i sure do...

head on over here and enter!

blog giveaway : )

2009-05-28T11:55:00.006+10:00

ok, so i have been feeling a bit sorry for myself lately...i am totally hooked on sewing, quilting in particular, but it just seems to be a massive expense....especially when you are not working. i look at fabric stores here in oz, and it just blows my mind how expensive the designer fabrics are...so i look online in the states, and see that it is much cheaper...but then postage is a killer. so to make it more economical, you really have to fill the whole package...which means i am blowing my budget out. so i had a big whinge, a little cry and now i have moved on! i have decided that, especially while i am still learning, i am going to op-shop it for a while. i headed down to a couple of my local ones, and i did manage to find a couple of old sheets. but my fave find were some old pillowcases...they are all linen, which i have never sewn with before, but i wanted to make a bit of a retro, florally picnic rug (yes, i know its winter!) and i thought maybe linen would be a little tougher? so then i thought, well why cant i use tea towells- you know, just the cotton ones...so today i am off to ikea to find some el cheapo's! i guess the whole reason people started quilting was to use up any old bits of fabric, clothes, bed linen, whatever they had...it was born from necessity, not fashion...so i too am heading back old school : )

my thrifty finds- aren't they sweet

then, to top off my thrift extravaganza, i entered the coolest blog giveaway over at imagingermonkey. as she lives in the UK, i could only enter the giveaway for her scrap bag...but i WON!!! YAY FOR ME!!!! WOO HOO!!!! do you know, i am totally in love with the thought of someones old scraps...it may sound scabby, but i think its cool...someone has lovingly picked out these fabrics to make who knows what awesome creations....now its my turn! hopefully some of the creative juices are still running hot through these goodies! How awesome is that bag of goodness!?!?

when i checked through my blog roll look what i saw!! YAY : )

i have my eye on making a fabric basket and maybe a drawstring bag, like these...
you can find tutorials here.

This is an awesome blog- her creations are fantastic and her fabric is to DIE for!

But for now i will have to wait and see what exactly is in the bag!
so, there you go...my lesson: be patient, have faith, and enter ALL blog giveaway's...you never know your luck ; )

Thanks Ginger Monkey x

help me choose a quilt...please!

2009-05-26T11:00:00.003+10:00

I need help-desperately! I have been scouring blogs, books and the Internet in general to try and find something to do with my new fabric...I bought a few yards of fabric (far left) and also a few sample packs from Fabriccloset on Etsy. They are 9'x11' and i have about 25 of them to use. I bought them with a play mat in mind, but now i think i want to quilt with them instead....But what to do??? I don't know if they are too small to make a log cabin...i have never tried that before...or maybe the half triangle squares with linen...hhhmmm what do you think? Can you help?

a glimpse of sunshine

2009-05-23T20:03:00.005+10:00

During all this crazy cyclonic, torrential rain we have had over the last few days, we got a brief moment of sunshine...K and I made the most of it by spending some time in the garden...how beautiful is this boy!?

oops not this one! this is our newly acquired 'second hand' dog Cookie...I know, I know, not the most inventive name, but its the name she came with!
now, here is the star attraction! Mr K in the basil : )

oh i am much too much too in love with him xx

quilting sucks....

2009-05-22T09:33:00.006+10:00

but i do love it! dont know why- it really does stress me out when things dont go my way!! i was having such a good time quilting, and of course i had to go and wreck it by trying to do binding : )

i'm sure it looks pretty, and i'm sure its not that hard, but like anything, the first time was not easy (or very successful!). i did endevour to do machine only quilting, which in theory is pretty easy, and i didnt do too bad, i just sucked at the end of my binding strip...it ended up very crooked...so i quick unpicked (alot) and started again...

the finished result was a LOT better, and i am almost happy with it- still not up to a standard that i could sell, or even proudly give away, but i am getting there. and although i didnt really love the whole process, i do feel a little bit of a sense of accomplishment...even after the fights i had with it. i thought crafting was supposed to be a relaxing hobby...this is basically how my project went:

stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch....oh crap....stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch....oh crap....rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip................... stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, ...oh crap, crap, crap!! rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip, rip.....................stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch, stitch............. i give up....the end!!

honestly, by the end, i almost wanted to stab myself in the eye with my quick unpick : )
but like i said, not a total waste, and i guess it can only get easier...i definately do need to go in for some lessons though!

here is the end result...worth it??? maybe just...lucky i LOVE this fabric, or it would have ended up in the bin!!!

cool aussie sites...

2009-05-18T15:14:00.003+10:00

i stumbled upon some really cool aussie sites that have gotten me feeling very creatively inspired (and my credit card itching to come out of hiding!) so i thought i would share some of the goodness!
Lark is a gorgeous handmade company running out of rural Victoria, by the very talented Allison. here is a sample of some of the great Ethical products they stock:

are these not the cutest badges ever!?!
i am TOTALLY in love with these prints- there is a whole series and i could easily have all of them

and loving these organic soaps- reminds me of ones i had as a wee little girl
and this knitted teapot set- isnt it just too adorable

these magnets are devine...

Are they not just some of the cutesest things you have ever seen! Here is the website...and her blog is here, so take a look and keep yourself updated with all things Larkmade...

another coin quilt

2009-05-13T20:13:00.004+10:00

i have started my next coin quilt, and so far so good! i am using moda (who else!) Soiree charm packs for this one. i LOVE this line, it is so cute and fresh and girly....this will be a cot sized quilt by the time i am done...well hopefull anyway- you know me- i dont measure! i have got some devine blue polka dot fabric for the back, so tomorrow i should be done sandwiching and quilting. then i am going to attempt my first ever binding experience! i am a bit nervous, but excited, i mean, how hard can it be, right?!?! and i think the overall look of the quilt is a lotmore professional once this has been done...so wish me luck! what do you think so far??

finally more quilts!

2009-05-12T13:51:00.006+10:00

ok i have been really slack on posting about my quilt making successes (and failures!) so thought maybe it was about time i updated! i have just finished our quilt and i LOVE it! it is almost a perfect fit for a queen bed, but since i dont use a pattern, or measure anything, i came a little under...but not to worry, there just isnt as much overhang as i would like, but other than that, it does the job! i used, gee i think 3 in the end, Moda Nest charm packs and backed with this lovely hhmmm what would you call it- Jade maybe, fabric. this was used for the sashing and borders too...very plain really. no binding or anything flash, but i love the fabric line, so i dont think it needed much else... here are some shots!

Kalan helping with the sandwiching

pins, pins and more pins!

starting the actual quilting..i went with a criss cross through each square...nice and easy considering the size of the quilt!!

what a cute helper!

and he even matched a little too :o )

the finished result!!

and again...i really love it!

and a very irresistible foot x

bye for now....

giveaway..

2009-05-08T10:29:00.002+10:00

ha tricked you! NO its not me having a giveaway, but daffodillhill too

pop over and check it out...or not! i would love to win!!

cheeky arent I

the colour of my rainbow

2009-05-02T20:34:00.001+10:00

Your rainbow is shaded green and brown.

What is says about you: You are a deep thinking person. You feel strong ties to nature and your mood changes with its cycles. You feel closer to people when you understand their imperfections. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

http://spacefem.com/quizzes/rainbow">Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

gina's nina

2009-04-30T15:39:00.001+10:00

does this sound familiar to anyone??? i saw a great quilt kilt while at the stitches and craft show, called gina's nina...it was glorious!! which ever stall it was had some great kits available, and they were so well priced....does anyone know where i saw it? i have scoured the internet and the list of retailers from the show and cant find it : (

can you help?!?!

x

so lucky

2009-04-29T20:38:00.005+10:00

so i have been meaning to post about my b'day for a couple of days now. i had a great day, so lovely to spend it with everyone..it was very quite- just lunch with family and friends, but a great way to farewell my 20's (aaaaaaggggghhhhhh)
it was definately a very sobering day though, as it is the first b'day i have celebrated since becoming a mum, and it certainly made me realize (again) that it really isnt just all about me anymore! i spent so much time in and out of the bedroom feeding and trying to settle k, that i felt like i missed most of my own party! but besides that, it was wonderful...
AND i got proper spoilt! like crazy over the top out of this world kinda spoilt!
here is just a little bit of the amazing goodies i was showered with:

gorgeous chocolates, a super sweet hot water bottle, earrings, jim jams!!

a great book on sewing some home projects, lots of champagne, a lovely elephant ornament (you know i love all things elephant related!) a vase and a scarf...

my boots!!! YAY!!!

the most beautiful flowers...

my GPS!! and some nursing bra's (very sexy!) a ring, a bracelet, a necklace (by Koolaman desings-hand stamped with Kalans name and DOB- could this be my favourite of all!?!)

And so much more- i am just too lucky!

thanks so much to all my peeps for making me realise just how lucky i am...

love you all

xxxx

my day at the show

2009-04-29T18:49:00.009+10:00

i have just come back from the stitches and craft show at brisbane...what a great day...jo and i went to see what sort of inspiration would hit us, and there was ALOT!! i picked up some great bits and pieces, and after posting here, eating dinner, cleaning up and putting K to bed i am definately going to get sewing (no wonder it takes me forever to finish a project!) i found a wonderful stall packed high with gorgeous fabric, belonging to Amitie Textiles...i have been following her blog for a while...you can check it out here. they were so helpful, really lovely, and their fabric is to die for...hope i didnt leave any drool on your piles of heaven : ) i also managed to get a back issue of Homespun magazine, especially for kids, and inside was a pattern for the Fleur playmat and pillow. i am in love with this and was stoked to find it. absolute bargain...if you like the look of this, check out onegirl designwrks, here is her blog, and her etsy shop...beautiful! i also found a great little stall from some local girls, peppermint stitches. they have a blog and also an online store, but they were super friendly, so definately head on over to Toowong if you are local like me! we had a great day and met some great people. everyone LOVED kalan. i had him in the carrier and he flirted, giggled at chatted to everyone all day long...he is just Divine!

My loot:

and the gorgeous fleur playmat which i plan on making VERY soon:

missing follower...

2009-04-29T10:29:00.002+10:00

HELLO....WHERE ARE YOU???

I am so lonely in my blogspace, i have been a bit of a nigel with only 3 followers, but this morning when i woke up, i had only 2.....what happened to you, where did you go?? have you just stepped out to go and tell your friends about me, or have you moved out permanently??? I MISS YOU number 3....come back : (

Does anyone else wanna keep me company over here- it is getting cold and lonesome...

so.....sad.....

to market we go...

2009-04-28T20:53:00.002+10:00

i am very excited as i am off to the Brisbane Stitches and Craft show tomorrow! it will be my first time and cant wait to see all the crafty loveliness that brisbane has to offer. i saw some wonderful things some of the melbournites got to get their hands on, so i am hoping to come home with a B I G stash of inspiration!

Will let you all know how i went, but in the meantime it is off to bed for me

zzzZZZZzzz

Click Here View photos of singles in your area

my birthday wishlist!

2009-04-25T11:13:00.006+10:00

wow i am turning the big 3 0 on monday...kinda scary, kinda exciting...i think i have accomplished alot this year. i have had a baby, have learned alot about my self, have had a chance to really figure out what i want out of life, and the steps i need to take to get there...ok, so maybe some of you have had this plan since you were 12, but i am maybe a bit of a late bloomer in that respect...i definitely have had alot of fun in my life, but direction and discipline didn't really play much of a part in any of that! i think now i am starting to get a piece of the life i envisioned as a child. isn't it weird, the things i wanted for myself when i was a little girl are still the things i want now...i don't want to be rich, i don't want to be famous, i just want to live a holistic, honest, truthful, passionate life...i want to live sustainably with mother nature, be creative, resourceful, inspiring..i want my son and my other children that are patiently waiting for me to respect and love me, to cherish me and for me to cherish them beyond belief....i want my partner to adore me- every day, to consider himself so lucky to know me like no one ever has...and i think i am definitely on the right track...gee you really do get calmer, more reflective as you get older...ask me what i wanted when i was 18 or 21 it would have been a much different answer!!
saying all this though, i still have managed to be somewhat materialistic and put together a wishlist...let me share it with you!

amy butler bundle

i found this on another blog- i love these..anyone know where they came from?

whistle necklace

wonderful glorious boots...

my engagement ring!!

these gorgeous hardcover penguin classics

a 12 months kindred magazine subscription..love this mag

ooooowww a massage...P L E A S E

and my sat-nav...i am hopeless with directions

Danielle is...

2009-04-23T09:03:00.002+10:00

Ok, this probably just shows how much time I spend on FB-when I'm not blogstalking, but you know how your status always refers to you in the third person, well, yesterday I had 'third person dialogue' running through my mind...

Danielle is loving being at home alone with a sleeping baby and a sewing machine...bliss

Danielle has learnt a much easier way of putting her quilt together....

Danielle is realising that sometimes pinning the quilt can take longer than actually quilting the quilt!

Danielle loves watching Kalan amusing himself, and loves that she can actually sew while he's awake now!

Danielle loves that she has crooked floor boards- Kalan can roll the ball from one end of the house to the other, and follow it ALL day long!! Knew there was a reason for the wonky-ness of her house ; )

So anyway, this went on all day- do I have a problem--i think so!! But there you go- snippets from my day...

x

giveaway!!

2009-04-14T11:14:00.006+10:00

I found this awesome blog with a great giveaway that I thought I would share!! I have been looking at one of these gorgeous pendants for quite a while now, and secretly stalking the blog, when I saw this wicked prize! Have you ever found a blog and felt like the two of you are living parallel existences!?! NO- am I just weird!?!? But that's what it was like when I saw Jogirls blog! If you like mine, you'll LOVE her's!!

Pop on over, but don't sign up coz I really wanna

win hehe!!!

xxxxxx

creative ideas...

2009-04-08T07:20:00.004+10:00

I'm sorry not to credit the creative people who made these lovelies, but if they are you: Thank you!!

You can call me...

2009-04-05T09:05:00.001+10:00

chocolate!

2craftymamas

2009-04-03T09:54:00.005+10:00

Yesterday I had a call from a friend who had a great idea for the two of us...get really creative, get a wicked stash up and go market selling...She didn't realise that I have been having the same dreams ever since K was born! So the 2 of us spent loads of the day brainstorming, emailing ideas, and creative pic's back and forth. We are definitely on the same page when it comes to the items we want to stock, but also both have really good individual ideas, so I think our partnership will be perfect...So this weekend is going to be spent getting some of our patterns organised, and Monday is the day to sit down and write up our plan together. I have already whipped up one gorgeous little tie died nappy this morning...lets see what else I can get through today!!! SO EXCITED...even though I have been planning this for months, the enthusiasm of a new person really makes you motivated...so thanks Miss Jo xx

the beautiful, the inspiring, the creative

2009-04-01T10:40:00.007+10:00

I'm really sorry not to have linked back to site, but I have no idea how- please teach me if you know!!

....

2009-04-01T10:19:00.001+10:00

You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before, she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She’s not perfect - you aren’t either, and the two of you may never be perfect together, but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don’t hurt her, don’t change her, don’t analyze and don’t expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she’s not there.
Bob Marley.

feeling the love

2009-03-31T21:01:00.006+10:00

definately feeling the love today, so thought I would share some luffly pove pics...may they make your heart happy x

blog happy : )

2009-03-30T20:33:00.002+10:00

Wow, some days I cant find the time to post once, and today I am going for my second!
So we had a bit of a breakthrough today- Kalan is now sleeping in his cot...well my aim is for him to spend the majority of his sleeping life in his own ved, but we'll see how we go. Today he had his morning sleep in his cot, i think that is probably only the second time he has slept in it (he's 6 months now!) It was alot easier than i expected. I fed him in the chair that I put in his nursery, and he fell asleep in my arms. It was great to not have any tears the first time we tried! Then tonight i did the same. He did have a few tears, but i picked him up, held him, fed him again, and he went back in there. Again, a lot easier than I imagined. Now I am not saying that he wont sleep with me at all anymore- I would miss him far too much for that! But I think this is maybe whats best for all of us...I cant wait to have Chris back in my bed- it has felt like I have a room mate lately, not a partner! But of course K is my first priority, and I feel that what he have done in the last few months has been the perfect way to bring him into the world. He has no doubt in his mind that he is loved, and I hope this will make the transition easier...if not, its back to 12 hours of snuggles at night!
Well, i will definitely keep you posted on my progress, but for now, it is time for me to go an enjoy my own bed for a little while!'
Ciao
Ps. How could you not enjoy sleeping in a room this cute:

Things to do before I...

2009-03-30T15:31:00.003+10:00

OK- I have wanted to start this list for SO long, and it was going to be 'things to do before I turn 30' but that is happening in less that a month. So maybe, things to do before I turn 40!?!?

1.Swim with the dolphins, anywhere, but most likely Seaworld.

2. Go whale watching- cant believe I haven't done this one yet!

3. Learn to paraglide- no not just do it, which is the best fun, but get my licence, and do it for real.

4. Buy a house- OK, very sensible, but also very important.

5. OK- upgrade- buy a large property (farm).

6. Own at least ONE horse (see number 5).

7. Have another baby- I may have been super blessed by one, but would love (at least!) another!

8. See more of Australia.

9. To be living a more self-sufficient sustainable life.

10. Go scuba diving.

Well, that will have to do me for now. I figure that's one per year, at the worst, but I can always add to this ( I am sure there are many other things I want to accomplish)

Bed time...

Today I...

2009-03-25T20:22:00.002+10:00

Today Kalan and I slept in until 7, and where greeted by a lovely cup of tea, smiles and kisses from Daddy...

Today I did some work for a client- booking a holiday from Brisbane to Hong Kong, then onto Cairo, then Athens, Santorini, back to Athens, back to Cairo, onto Bangkok, via Sydney then home again...phew...

Today I attempted the Babes in Arms at the local cinema. Got half way through Duplicity when Kalan decided enough was enough, so I drove home, missing the end of the movie, to put him to bed....

Today I planned my friends surprise homecoming visit with her- LAX to BNE early April, for a quick 5 day dash! Gotta keep that one a secret!!!

Today I accidentally learned the name of one of my best friends unborn baby...oops, better not tell her I know :o (

Today I cooked a mean pasta for us, and a wicked vege mash for babes...

Today I did more sewing on my Moda Nest stacked coin quit, its gonna be heavenly, and just in time for the cooler weather!

Today I did some re-organising of the book shelf...

Today I once again ate too many M&M's...but SO yum!

Today I finally put away my stack of nappies that have been waiting to be folded for too many days now...

Today I put some of Kalans teeny tiny socks and singlets into his box of teeny tiny clothes...needed to make room for the 'big boy' stuff!

Today I spent many happy hours helping Kalan learn to crawl! These are the best days xx

Today I...well I thinks that's enough for one day....night night ; )

unfortunately...

2009-03-23T20:00:00.007+10:00

Ok, while procrastinating (see sidebar...) I found this and thought it might be fun. You Google: Unfortunately (your name) and this is what I got!

Unfortunately, Danielle was gone skiing and did not return until January 2, 2008

Unfortunately, Danielle passed away from anorexia in 2001. (not cool...)

Unfortunately Danielle isn’t quite up to the challenge of surviving a zombie attack.

Unfortunately Danielle didn’t make it to contestants row, but she did manage to get her pretty face in the audience and on camera.

Unfortunately, Danielle became drawn into her sister's revenge plans against Shaquanna Nichols.

Unfortunately, Danielle is a tad larger than the average girl, so she's not thrilled.

Unfortunately, Danielle can't escape her past.

Unfortunately, Danielle’s ex-husband Emile is stalking her for whatever reason.

Unfortunately, Danielle was waving at me giddily and I couldn’t ignore her.

I am stuck...

2009-03-17T09:29:00.002+10:00

Ok, the sewing bug has left me for a little while..I have no inspiration...I have been trawling Etsy and have found too many gorgeous fabric's, but still cant convince myself to buy them : ( I have also been stalking some of my favourite websites and blogs, and although there are awesome ideas and tips out there, I just cant seem to get into it...
Bought some big scatter cushions the other day and they need covers made- I know the fabric and everything that would be perfect, but still feel like...hhhhuuuummmm...also, I know K would love a new taggie blanket, and I have SO many scraps to use up, but again...hhhuuummmmm...AND if that's not slack enough, I have a half finished quilt that is supposed to be for our bedroom, and I haven't touched it in about a week..and this weather is gonna turn even worse soon....
Oh, maybe its because it is my birthday soon....i am too busy worrying about turning the big 3-0 instead of happily getting creative!

Anyway, enough sooking, gotta get going for my day out with my beautiful bestie LiLi :o )

xx

to combat the dreary weather...

2009-03-12T15:43:00.005+10:00

OK, so we have definately felt the effects of autumn already, so I have decided to post some happy weather pic's...some of the awesome sunsets we get here off our back deck...

ENJOY :o )

Our clever little cherub!

2009-03-11T14:14:00.005+10:00

I have been meaning to post for a couple of days now...I really want to document our clever little cherub's milestones- and this week has definitely been a big one...Monday Kalan decided to get mobile! He is VERY nearly crawling, and I have pic's to prove it...He is trying his absolute hardest, i think it will only be a week or two longer and he will be tearing around the house...Look out! Only 5 and a half months and already the cleverest man around : )

And if that wasn't enough, he started solids this week too. He totally got into his organic rice cereal. He has had a few days worth now, so tonight we are going to try our home grown pumpkin...how can you not love that!

Look how cute he is:

Trying SO hard!!

Loving his rice cereal x

Not a 'good' baby

2009-03-09T11:08:00.002+10:00

I have had friends say that they are blessed because they have such 'good' babies compared to mine. Blessed because their babies have been weaned at or before their first year. Blessed because their babies don't fuss when they are laid down to sleep for the night in a crib. Blessed because their babies fall asleep in a pram away from their mothers arms. Blessed? How can that be?

I am blessed with my Kalan. Blessed that he will not accept a substitute for the breast. Blessed that he will only sleep by my side or in my arms. Blessed because he would not allow mothering that was not first class and, because of it, has opened up a world to me that few mothers know. I know what it is to sleep the most peaceful sleep- all warm and fuzzy inside with my little one cuddled up next to me.

I know what it means to make the foundations of his world safe and secure, and to be able to give him a gift that can be given only now, but will last for the rest of his life. I experience the depth of love between us and know that 'you reap what you sow'.

There have been many times where it has been hard- attachment parenting is made difficult by our culture and society today, but we now reap the benefits in so many ways.

There is so much joy in my relationship with Kalan. Love seems to beget love and it just seems to get better every day. Thank you, Kalan, for being persistent and for teaching me so much about being a mother...I am blessed!

Sleepy time..

2009-03-03T11:08:00.003+10:00

Kalan has been asleep for SO long today, which is fantastic, as I have caught up on lots of jobs, but I am sad as I have no fabric here and no sewing to do... I am waiting on some fluffy mail to arrive. I have just gone crazy and ordered some charm square packs from Moda- my favourite designer of the minute is Tula Pink, and I have ordered 2 lots of the Nest charm squares, and also Soiree, to do a gorgeous little cot blanket...

So even though I havent done any sewing, I have had a chance to get some shots of Kalan's original quilt, which I thought I would show you. I love this one, its made with Moda charm squares, by Tula Pink (of course!) in the Full Moon Forest range...LUSH!

Finished quilt!

2009-03-03T10:55:00.003+10:00

OK- it is finally done..Dont really know how I feel about this one yet, I have too many other projects on my minds and found myself rushing through to get this one finished so I can start on something much more lovely! I really cant wait to start jmy oriental quilt...

But, this one is still pretty special..hopefully my Grama will think so, as it is her birthday in a couple of weeks and it is to be her gift. I figuered anything hand made is a treasure- lets hope she agrees : )

It is quite a large quilt- about a double bed size, lovely for snuggling up with! It is made with 2 charm square packs from Moda (love, love!) and some great co-ordinating fabrics for the borders.

I have some dodgy pic's to follow- hope they look ok!

My newest quilt!

2009-02-26T11:29:00.008+10:00

ok, so I have started my next project and will hopefully have it all finished today. This is to be birthday pressie for my Grama, so fingers crossed she loves it...it is quite large, not big enough for a queen size, but a very generous quilt to curl up with on a cool morning with a warm cuppa! Will post some pictures to show progress... Also, went crazy doing some online fabric shopping in the last couple of days. My next project will be my beautiful niece's quilt- for her 3rd birthday. Her mamma has gone for a bit of an oriental theme in her bedroom, so here is a sample of some of the fabric's I will be including:

My next sewing projects...

2009-02-18T10:22:00.005+10:00

Some gorgeous softies for the beautiful babies in my world

My first post!

2009-02-18T09:41:00.002+10:00

OK so very new to this, but thought I would start blogging my creative successes (and failures) here. I am sure not all my friends on facebook want to see photos of the new quilt I made, so I now have a dedicated spot to hold my memories...
I have just finished K's first quilt...mine too! I have never sewn before, but have always aspired to. When K turned 5 months old, I treated myself to a new machine and a new hobby. So far, I am in LOVE! This has turned into an addiction and my goal is to become a semi- WAHM/market stalker/ shop owner! Wish me luck...and I hope you enjoy the experience :o )