Surprise! Surprise!

Saturday was full of surprises. The first being that I finished the T-block quilt. I've named it 'Double Choc' as it reminds me of a block of white chocolate with milk chocolate swirls.



Of course put a quilt down and a cat will always appear .
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Next is a close-up of the two cream fabrics used.

This log cabin quilt I finished in early March is 'Toffee Bon Bon'.

Both quilts were gifted last night at my brothers surprise "Big O" birthday party, and a big surprise it was too. He had no idea. 'Toffee Bon Bon' is his and 'Double Choc' is for my SIL who also celebrated her "Big O" with a surprise party earlier in the year. So I was able to deliver his and hers gifts.

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These pelicans winged their way to me for our April 'At the beach' Postcard Swap. So clever and well done. I'm loving them.

In keeping with surprises, my May postcard has also arrived. The theme for May is 'Stitchery' or 'Red Work'. Isn't it the cutest little quilt draped over a post and rail fence.

I'm tracing some designs today ready for lots of stitching at night. And next quilt off the starting blocks will be another log cabin, this time for our bed. Off to find the fabrics, I think I still need to purchase one more so need to sort that out.

Happy Stitching

Wonky House 2

Ta-da! May I present . . . Wonky House number 2.


Number 4 came out yesterday so if you haven't seen it yet, click straight over to Jenny @ Elefantz and check it out . . . it's soooo sweet.
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Jenny's giveaway is also drawn tomorrow.
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HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY.
I hope all the Mothers are spending today as they please.

Wonky House 1 and Giveaway

The lovely Jenny over at Elefantz is giving away her home. That is, she's giving away this sweet Wonky House wall hanging to one lucky stitcher. Just click on the wall hanging to read all about it.


One stipulation is that you post a pic of at least one of your own completed Wonky Houses so . . .
here's mine. I used a yellow for the border but it's not showing up very well.



They are all so cute and fun to stitch. Can't wait for No. 4 which comes out on Saturday the 9th.

Happy Stitching

Giveaway Time

Have you heard about Sarah's SEWN Blog Party Giveaway yet? Head on over to Robyn's place at Daisy Quilts, she has all the links to get you there. Just click on her May giveaway tag.

It's a very rosey giveaway and all my fingers and toes are crossed.

Friday Finishes (on Saturday)

I had to borrow a camera and swap my SD card over in order to be able to upload photos to my computer. There's a breakdown in communication between my camera and computer.
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So that's why I'm posting Friday finishes on Saturday.
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Ooops! Round the wrong way, oh well. Here's block 3 of Esther's 'Red Delicious' BOM awaiting hand stitching.


And this is block 2 all finished, trimmed and tucked away for safe keeping.

I'm enjoying the hand stitching at night in front of the tv. It helps to leave the day behind and relax before heading to bed.
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With April now behind us, I have another Fabric Postcard to share. This time I made two and sent the first one to my DD.


The second I posted off to my swap partner for April. A reminder of the nice warm days as we head into Winter next month.

Today I'm hoping to prepare some pieces for some hand embroidery as well as continue working on the T-block quilt.There's also another little (long term) project in the wind, but I'll share that next time perhaps.

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Hope you're having a sewing weekend.

Shabby Roses Giveaway

Don't delay . . . click here straight away . . . to visit Elefantz . . . for her beautiful GIVEAWAY!

Friday Finishes

Yipee! The end of the week and I have some finishes to share.
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These little constructions are my Happy Houses, now on their way to Lurline's. Once I was able to knuckled down they were quite simple to sew and most enjoyable.

Now I just wait and see who's cute houses I get in return. Then have fun playing with them and deciding on one bigger quilt or two wall hangings. Oh excitement!

Another finish after a long way from the start is my block one of Esther's 'Red Delicious'.

And here's block 2 all ironed on ready for blanket stitching. Maybe by the time the last block is released, I'll have caught up?

I'm pleased to report that I've probably done about 3/4's of the stitching on this now and hope to get block 3 ready over the weekend, fingers crossed.

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Yes, another finish. These three strips are January, February and March of my Calendar Quilt Challenge. Click on the link on my side bar to read more and see how creative everyone else is.

While you're travelling around blogland, head on over and visit Blushing Rose. She has a super basket full of goodies for Mothers Day.

Happy Sewing

How Does One Slow Down?

A very quick post to say thankyou to those who have left such lovely comments recently. I will get back to you when things slow down a bit.
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Easter has come and gone, I don't think I over endulged in chocolate.
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We have our local agricultural show this Saturday, a busy but enjoyable day.
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Made it to patchwork group today for most of the day and spent the day in town yesterday.
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My next two days will be dedicated to GST (Tax). Yuck!
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I hope to have some finishes to share next post so do come back. It's so wonderful to be able to make so many friends no matter the distance or time difference.
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Happy Sewing

30 ~ 30 Giveaway

In honour of her DD's 30th birthday, Pigtails & Quilts is giving away 30 fat 1/4's. That's right, 30.
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If you haven't already entered, then head on over and say I sent you.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter and Reveals

First of all, Happy Easter to one and all. May your Easter break be spent with loved ones.
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Now I can reveal the Easter Basket in my header. It's a Bronwyn Hayes (Red Brolly) pattern that I purchased while on our shopping trip in January.
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Thankyou to the lovely Julie who organized this Easter Swap at the end of last year. I thought that this little basket with an easter theme would make a lovely gift for Lurline. I also added a few other goodies . . . choc eggs of course . . . a little flower tape measure and a wrist pincushion which I found the instructions for here. You'll need to scroll down to Sunday Sept 14.

I hope I wasn't too cheeky displaying it as my header pic before it found it's new home.
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Meanwhile, these lovely tweets . . . treats . . . arrived in my mailbox all the way from Mel.

The cute chicken is my dining table centre piece, the ribbon is stashed and those Debbie Mumm garden gloves and way to pretty to dirty in the garden. I'll be showing those off while I'm machine quilting at our next patchwork day.

Also, wrapped very carefully was this fancy bird feeder. Thanks Mel, and happy easter.

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Last but not least, I can now reveal my monochromatic quilt for the 4SQS5. A special treat for me as the recipient was my good friend Kerry. I was a bit naughty by pointing out to her, other lovely quilts on various blogs, suggesting that this one or that one could be making their way to her. All the while secretly making this one for her. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it for you.

I must thank Margaret for her patience as illness had me running behind the deadline. However I was able to hand deliver so that saved some time not relying on mailing.

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I have also been able to complete the first block of Red Delicious and have the second block ready for hand sewing at night. Pictures next post. I'm off to crank up the vacuum cleaner for some long overdue housework.

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Happy Sewing

Birthdays and Belated Christmas

Just having a break from sewing and thought I'd finish off my Birthday goodness pics.
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My beautiful DD sent these fat 1/4's to add to my stash . . .

. . . and my best friend Kerry included a cute cat sculpture with her gift of fat 1/4's. Sorry it's not a good shot of the cat but he is there.

This exquisite table runner is my belated Christmas Gift. As we were both snowed under, we agreed that there was no deadline, and believe me, good things do come to those who wait.

Oh, I really am having trouble positioning these photos. There has to be gremlins in my computer, all the weird things it's been doing lately. Above is a close up of the quilting which is all over the fabric, bringing the blooms to life. (I've also worked out how to crop pictures with my photo program, now just need to get rid of the white backgrounds.)

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Thankyou dear friend.

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Now time for a cuppa and back to the sewing machine, or maybe the washing is dry enough to come in before the next downpour. Suppose I should start thinking about dinner tonight too.

Hope you've found some sewing time.

More Birthday Delights

Pleased to say that I am feeling much better today. Yesterday was the first day of feeling back to normal, whatever normal is.
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So here are some more photos of the lovely fabric I was lucky enough to received from Marc, Maree and Cathy for my Birthday Fat 1/4 Swap. Thankyou ladies.

I'm busting to start using them in a strippy quilt for ME, but I need to be restrained and finish off some UFO's and other important projects first. It isn't easy!

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I've just finished another week of work and am looking forward to a sewing weekend. Of course there will need to be the usual quick lick over the housework, washing etc first or during.

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I also have some more mail goodies to share but will leave them for the next post.

Happy Sewing and to anyone who is feeling under the weather, hope you're feeling better soon.