Initial Heart Swap

Yesterday afternoon I received a parcel and inside were these goodies:

My partner was the talented Christine from mcdonaldspatch@blog.com. As well as the heart choccies and a very handy heart keyring was this:

Isn't it beautiful and what a shame smellavision is available as the scent is lovely. Even the material Christine has used has little hearts on it and the stitching is wonderful.
Thankyou to Christine and to Cheryll for organising the swap.

Sharyn:)

More WISPs.....

I hope all Aussies had a great day yesterday celebrating all that is good with our country.

I spent yesterday morning trawling the internet for ideas and patterns. Finally I started on this:

I couldn't finish the sewing kit off because I need some extras so another trip to spotlight is in order.

I did the bit of quilting with my machine. My old faithful Empisal is 40 years old this year. I'd like to say it is going strong but it has seen better days.

I take each day as it comes, it depends on how it is feeling (a bit like me )

Today I have worked on these for a table topper. I'm still working on how I will sew it together.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sharyn:)

First Swap sent.....

This morning I posted off my very first swap. I really enjoyed making this little something for the Initial Heart Swap with Cheryll. Here is the little parcel I sent:

Yesterday I decided to make a couple of mug rugs to put in our van. The finished product is nothing like the pattern I had intended to use but I'm happy with how they turned out. I'll have to investigate further how to make the original idea.

Sharyn:)

Mini thread catcher.....

Hi Ladies
We have had some lovely cooler weather over the weekend. Bliss after the heat wave. I hope all of you have had some relief.

Yesterday I tried my hand at needleturn applique. Mmmmmmmm. I cant show you my 'mess'. Michelle assures me it just takes practice and I think in my case, lots of practice.

Today I thought I would make a thread catcher to put in my mobile sewing kit, in preparation for our extended trip hubbie and I will be taking shortly. After lots of internet browsing here it is:

Now I did say I wanted a small, transportable catcher but maybe not this small..............

How funny, I mighten get much sewing done on our trip but this is crazy.

Now for more net trawling.......................

Sharyn:)

Who would have known...

... it would take so long to make a notebook cover. I stashed the first cover because it just wouldnt fit. Funny that.....
This is the second attempt and lets just say I won't be rushing to make another. Just need the right pattern I guess. As you can see I didn't stitch the tag on either. It just didn't look right on the spots. I'll use it on something else I'm sure.

Its going in our little home on wheels for future use.

Much better weather wise here today, got to 43C yesterday. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Sharyn:)

Oops...

After seeing the lovely journal and notebook covers being made by Simone and Peg, I decided to have a go at a small notebook cover. It started out well with me deciding to put my name in one of Michelle's tags from her Stitchery Keepsakes pattern booklet.
I am in love with variegated thread and was happy with how it turned out.

But it was downhill from then. I cut fabric without double checking, I ironed the interfacing on the wrong way, broke 2 machine needles and when I finally thought I had it and was about to turn right side out, this is what I found.....

Yep, I had forgotten to sew on the tag. I think I can applique it on later, can I?????

On another note my son turns 30 today. Time goes so fast. Thankfully we all survived his wild teenage years. His Dad and I are so proud of his work and life achievements. Here's to the next 30.

Sharyn:)

Performing camels.....

I've had a busy time for the last three days. Saturday was taken up with helping a close neighbor followed by a little sewing in the afternoon.
Sunday's highlight was taking our granddaughter to the circus. Thankfully the weather was kind and the temperature was bearable inside the big top. The looks, smiles and laughter from our gd was priceless. Unfortunately no photos are allowed but the images are imprinted on my memory.
Sophies favorite were the performing camels. Camels have been a particular favorite since we sent her a photo of feral camels at Ayres Rock last year. The camels at the circus had beautiful costumes on with cutouts for their humps. So funny! Another favorite was the little girl that performed with her father. Sophie was quite taken with their acrobatics. Hubbie loved the clowns. (for those that know him that explains everything, haha).

Monday saw us having lunch with a dear friend and her hubbie at a beach pub near home. Nice food and great company.

Gardening is supposed to be happening today so no sewing again unfortunately.

I hope all Aussie bloggers are keeping cool and are safe from any bush fires. So sad for so many people.
Sharyn:)

My WISP.....

I had to ask a fellow blogger what a WISP was and I then realised I have one. I suppose this is strange seeing I'm a newbie but it definately falls in the category.

I have made 10 though I had convinced myself I had made 11, of these courthouse steps 12" blocks. I dove straight in cutting and assembling over 3 full days with feelings ranging from excitment to omg will this never end. HaHaHa. My mind began to wonder to other treasures I could make and so it has been put on a shelf but the offending evidence (remaining strips of material) are lined up on my machine cover.
In a former life I left nothing unfinished. Colleagues often rang for advice knowing how anal I was about completing work and conquering new procedures. How surprised they would be!

The pattern says there is 14 more to go, oh.......

Thankyou to the loverlies who sent me links to fix my no replies problem. I have changed some settings but alas only receive replies from people in my 'circle' on google. So, for all the other replies people send to my comments, please dont think I am ignoring them.

Enjoy your weekends, we are taking our beautiful 3yr old GD to the circus. My hubbie loves the circus.

Sharyn:)

My treasure .....

I'm joining in with Melody and others for the monthly Tuesday Treasure. On reflection about treasures this morning, I can't go past friends, new and old. I think the beauty of a good friendship is knowing that you can be having the worst day but with one short conversation, hug, look, you can have a smile back on your face and that 'feeling'. When you've clicked with someone its the best.

I've spent the day in my 'room' today. Blinds drawn in the whole house, aircon on and with hubbie watching tv. But, blimey isn't it HOT?

I had to cut into some of that spot material today. I couldn't resist even though I have two other projects on the go. I see all these great ideas from other people and my mind just runs away with what fabric I could use, how I could modify for my level of experience and away I go. Are you the same?

I'm happy with how it turned out but its for my little quilt stand for Feb so I'll show the finished mini later.

Sharyn:)

The stash.....

Thankyou to everyone for your kind welcome and advice, I have alot to learn and discover.

I have never received replies to my comments. Changed different things but still nothing. Does anyone have a suggestion?

When I first started reading others blogs there were lots of posts that included 'the stash'. No nothing illicit I soon found out but the fabric stash (i must tell you that there are still abbrieviations that I dont know the meaning of). My very meager stash comprised mostly of dressmaking materials so on Boxing Day I hit the only fabirc shop open, Lincraft, and bulked up my supply.

Do you see the theme? I didnt realise until I went to take the photo ----- spots. Oh well, what can you do?
Maybe another trip to a fabric store. Haha.

I've joined my first swap with Cheryll, the initial heart swap. I'm excited!
Stay cool Aussie bloggers!

Sharyn:)

It's a Start

Hi fellow sewers. I'm a newbie to not only patchwork and associated crafts but to the wonderful world of blogging. A lovely lady (one of your talented bloggers) introduced me to this new world around six months ago. It has led me to an array of beautiful eye candy made by yourselves!

It has taken me a while to get into the swing of making items but I have made a start. Hopefully with your help, I will continue to learn and improve. Either way I'm enjoying it!

Here's a photo (not the greatest quality) of a mini quilt I have made. The pattern is from an old edition of Aust Patchwork and Quilting magazine. Still learning how to put photos into the blog, suggestions welcome.

Till next time - Sharyn :)