WELCOME MINI

I have been so slack at blogging,  I'm surprised there is anyone left following me!  So a huge thank you to those who continue to read and/or comment on my posts.  You are a very tolerant bunch!

I have not been keeping up with my sewing commitments either - firstly I failed to complete the first Alphabet Challenge, and, having signed up for the May FNSI, didn't manage to work on anything.  Most importantly my  SKoW quilt is nowhere near where it should be up to.  Hopeless!!   I have, however, completed my mini quilt for the 12 inch Mini Club Swap, although I was supposed to put up a post about it yesterday and didn't manage that!

The pattern I used for my mini quilt is Lynette Anderson's Our Home Pillow design.  It ended up being more time consuming that I had anticipated, but I think I have now perfected french knots and lazy daisies!  I am very pleased with the result, and now I can finally say I have made a quilt, albeit a rather small one :-)

I love the topiary trees! 

I hope the recipient of this quilt will love it as much as I do.  A big thanks goes to Cheryl for organising this swap and I look forward to taking part in another in the future.

Have a lovely weekend.
Helen

FNSI ands Mothers Day

I've decided to sign up for the FNSI tonight.  I am committing to spending some time on my apron for the Alphabet Challenge.  Every night this week I've been going to bed really early, trying to get over a rubbish head cold, so progress has been rather slower than I would like.  I hope I can get it finished tonight - that is my goal anyway!

There's still time to join up with tonight's FNSI - head on over to Bobbi's blog to register.  There are heaps of people participating - I'm number 72!


Changing the subject ever so slightly :-), look what I got for Mothers Day

Mmmmmm!!  Banana and lemon pancakes - delish!  And Little Miss chose the words for the card - so precious!  I am one lucky mummy!!

Catching up

There is so much to catch up on... where to start??

Well, going back a wee bit, I won this amazing pattern from Shabby Fabrics.  Isn't it stunning!  The pattern is called Vintage Rouge by Bloom Creek.  There is no way in the world that I am ready to tackle anything like this, so it is going into my 'One day...' pile.

And a week or so ago I received this bundle of goodies, having won a giveaway from Natalie Lymer of Cinderberry Stitches

A set of her Market Folk gift cards.  (Please excuse the cat's tail!)

Here is Flower Girl

Berries Girl

Apple Pie Girl

and Flutterby Girl

Plus this Owls on a Wire card

 Just as Natalie has done on her blog, I am going to frame these lovelies in simple white frames.  They are too cute to send to somebody else.  They're mine, all mine!


In other news, I have joined up for two new swaps, both being run by Cheryll of Gone Stitchin'.  Firstly the Alphabet Challenge - I think there is probably still time to join this one.  Here's the link with the details http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.co.nz/p/alphabet-challenge.html. Here are the basic guidelines I've copied straight from Cheryll's blog (I hope that's okay!)

 A partner "post finish" and a secret swap too.
I will issue a challenge to come up with 5 items, each one starting with a specific letter of the alphabet, suggested by me each time. Items can be purchased but some will be handmade. Some will only be small while others more thoughtful. You will have 3 weeks to complete the challenge and after you have all the items together, you MUST post a pic on your blog to enter (if you don't own a blog-email me a photo). .. and then email me.  I will then allocate a partner for you to mail to.
* Unknown partner at time of challenge... allocated AFTER finish.
* Challenge issued several times thru the year on the 1st of the month.
* Handmade and purchased items will be needed.
* Challenge completed within 3 weeks... ie... by the 22st of relevant month

 This month's letter is A.   I'm not quite done with my challenge yet -my apron has a little bit of detail on it, which is taking some time.  I'm happy with how it's coming along, I think it will look great when it's done.

The second swap is a 12 inch Mini Club, details here: http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.co.nz/p/12-inch-mini-club.html.  The first mini is due 15 June and the theme is WELCOME.  I have chosen the fabrics already, but I can't start until the apron is finished.  Ooh, the pressure is on!!

Last, but not least, I can now show you what I sent to Shez of Enjoying Life.  I hope Shez doesn't mind me 'borrowing' the photos from her blog, but I forgot to take photos before I sent the parcel.  So here is what Shez received:

This stitchery was a freebie from Hugs and Kisses.  I just love it!


A couple of egg cosies



A couple of fat quarters and a metre of gingham ribbon/trim


I so enjoyed this swap.  Thank you again Shez for my wonderful gifts, and thank you to Kathy for organising the swap.  Great job!

Are you still here????  Wow, that was one monster post!  Sorry about that.  I'll try to spread things out a little in future.

Have a great week!
Helen

A technical Glitch

I'm just doing a quick post to apologise to everyone who has commented on here for not replying earlier.  The power cord for my modem had been chewed through so I have had no internet for about a week.  I'm up and running again now so I will spend a bit of time tonight catching up on all my emails and I will get back to you asap.  Your comments are truly appreciated, so please keep them up!

Back soon
Helen

Friends with Benefits Swap

I was lucky enough to be paired up with Shez for the Friends with Benefits Swap organised by Kathy at Sew-Happy House.  Here is what Shez sent me -


A beautiful wall hanging which I love, love, LOVE!!!

This is so pretty and the stitching is perfect!

Some lovely soaps - I've never seen these before

A stitchery guide book - I've always fancied having a go at ribbon embroidery.  Shez, how did you know??

This is the parcel I sent to Shez - it's still winging its way to her.  I forgot to take photos of the individual items - duh!!!!

I have really enjoyed being part of this swap, so a big thank you  to Kathy for all the effort she put in organising it, and to Shez for being such a wonderful and generous swap partner.

I have plenty more to blog about - another just-completed swap, and a couple of wins, plus two new swaps that I have just signed up for - but that will have to wait for another day.   It's way past my bedtime!

See ya!

FNSI - Getting back to my SKOW quilt ... AT LAST!!

I don't know what it is with my Some Kind of Wonderful quilt, but I seem to have quilters block when it comes to getting on and doing it.  I started off all guns blazing in Nov/Dec, but after half finishing each of the first four blocks, I just stopped ... and haven't touched it since.   I have great intentions and all, but when it comes to it I just can't get going again.  That is, until last night.  Here is a photo as proof that I am back in the game!

Not finished yet obviously, but the preparation is all done and now I have to get on with the stitching.  I want to do this house block and the garden block by the end of March, in line with the schedule for the SKOW SAL being run by Chookyblue.  I'm then going to keep up with the monthly deadlines, while catching up with the Dec/Jan/Feb blocks that I haven't completed yet.  A bit backwards I know, but if I just start from where I left off then I will always be behind.  This is going to be such a great quilt when it's finished... and it will be....on time!!!

Thank you to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting the FNSI.

See ya
Helen

February Monthly Make

It is officially the first day of autumn, and the cold weather has struck already.  The wind has blown all my potted trees and outdoor furniture over, and apparently we can expect worse (gale-force) over the next few days.  Good friends of ours are getting married on Saturday so that is pretty unfortunate, but that is Waikato weather for you.  Luckily for Little Miss I have started on her winter wardrobe already - she's going to need it sooner rather than later it seems!  

My February make is a heavy polar-fleece coat. I haven't finished the hem or the sleeves, as I intended to do those later in the season when Little Miss will be wearing it - she is growing so fast these days!  And I have to practise making buttonholes before I attempt them on this coat as I've never done them before.   I love this coat,  I want one for myself!  Little Miss picked the colour - she is currently obsessed with having everything match the colour of her eyes - and I think she made a great choice.  It's gorgeous!!

Head on over to http://www.flickr.com/groups/1818802@N24/ to see and drool over what everyone else has been up to during February.

Take care and keep warm...

Helen