Meet Anzac

This is Anzac so named because she was made last weekend.

She is going to live at Hettie's Patch.

It is a Melly & Me Pattern.

Christmas is just round the corner

My good friend Amanda gave me this lovely Christmas gift a bottle of local organic olive oil inside this cute little bag which fits my most carried possession, my aluminium water bottle.
Such a useful gift I love it.

A couple of gifts for myself from myself.
I love Paddington Bear - with this.............. I get a case and a quilt top all in one.
This is in anticipation of being a grandmother one day.
Gemma's only response was don't tell Sean!!!!!

I got these from Hettie's Patch.
I was at the shop when the rep came with the samples of this fabric range and loved them straight away....now what to make with them.

A lovely friend gave me this as I had also been drooling over them at Hettie's Patch.
I was trying to convince myself I really didn't need them just because they looked so cute......so wasn't I lucky to be given them.
That takes all the pressure off.

with the lid off so you can drool to.

The final post out from Amitie

The water lily that is on my back yard pond.

It is going to be hot today so it's off to the shops early then cooking all day with the air conditioner on.

65 Roses done and dusted

I have posted my block for the 65 Roses quilt.

If you want more info regarding this great cause head over here.

Workshop with Kellie number 2

This weekend saw me at Hettie's Patch helping with the second workshop with Kellie from Don't Look Now. The girls had the option to do the same project as last time or as Kellie says "she just drew this one".
A very cute Christmas project............. look at that little partridge in the pear tree.

The group at the end of Sunday

This is Kellie's new project and once again the photo doesn't do it justice. A Christmas wreath done in pastel colours it is just beautiful. I did ask what it was called BUT ............I have forgotten must be my age LOL. The pattern will be available very soon, keep an eye out on Kellie's blog.
It really is very cute.

This is Earl, Lorraine's husband he is ever so useful no matter what you want, Earls your man lifting, carrying, holding projects to be photographed. He does well to put up with so many women.

This photo is for Georgette ....... Meredith excelled herself and didn't spent tooooooo much time talking.

For more photos of the weekend head over to Hettie's Patch.

Secret Santa

To my very secret - Secret Santa my parcel arrived today.
I arrived home from work today to find the postie had left a parcel. My Secret Santa has not left any clues to who she is. My instructions are to leave a post so that she knows the parcel has arrived in one piece and that I will find out who she is when I open the rest of my presents(there a quite a few of them) so Christmas day it is.

A good cause

I read about this on Sarah's blog - what a good cause.

Kathreen at Whip Up is organising a quilt block drive for Cystic Fibrosis foundation in Australia. All the details and the pattern can be downloaded from here . It is 4 5 inch blocks sewn together and one of them with an embroidery or applique supplied (or you make your own). I even borrowed Sarah's words what else could I say.

A finish - Spring and other things

Back in July I went to a workshop in Loxton with Anni Downs it was a most enjoyable weekend. I finished the project, a note book cover some weeks ago and haven't posted a picture. I really enjoy Anni's projects I had her "A Christmas Story" so decided to make the "naughty & nice" wall hanging for a friend she has three children(it will drive her mad with the constant moving of names from the naughty to the nice tag). I have really enjoyed needle turn this time around.

Spring is here early morning sun on the first flush of roses.

Poppies

Some weeks back I posted how disappointed I had been with what I received from Amities VIP mail outs. I wrote to them saying much the same. I received these fabric in the post last week which is more in line with what I had expect and seen when I originally joined.

A work shop with Kellie

On the weekend I went to a workshop with Kellie from "Don't Look Now" at Hettie's Patch(head over there for some more photos). I didn't actually take part in the work shop I was number 2 helper. Karen who I forgot to make a name badge for was number 1(sorry a 100 times over Karen).

To see Kellie's work up close was fantastic.

This Christmas tree quilt is amazing the photo does not do it justice. Lots of girls left with this pattern.

I loved this little pillow which I might give a try as I had my eyes and ears open while I was helping. I have plans for it other than a pillow.

There was a lot of glove action happening.

and banana woman was also playing along.



and there were just those who didn't conform.



Karen who I forgot to make a name badge for(can you tell I'm really sorry), has been hand appliqueing one of Kellie's quilts. It looks fantastic.

Badge Tutorial

I have the worst hand writing, it is generally really big and untidy. When I go to work shops I hate having to write my name on a tag or sticky label. This I find is much better my very own embroidered name badge.
I also hate sticking safety pins in my clothes(along with untidy writing I'm a little bit anal).

You will need.
4 - 1" X 3" pieces for outer edge of badge
1 - 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" actual size.(white fabric) I started with a piece of fabric larger than this and cut it down.
1 - 2 1/2" X 3 1/2" Weaveline or similar
1 - 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" Pellon
1 - 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" for the back
Magnetic clasp or a safety pin.

All seams are 1/4"

Please read all instructions before starting.

I used excel on my computer to create a 1 1/2" X 2 1/2" cell then played with fonts and sizes to fit centrally within the cell.
Using a light box or window trace the square and name onto your white fabric with a pigma pen.

Iron weaveline to the back of your fabric.

Back stitch.

Trim to size.

Sew one 1" X 3" strip to top(long edge) and one to the bottom - iron with seam allowance away from name section.

Due to a technical problem Lorraine has now become Judith.

Trim

Sew one 1"X 3" strip to the side and the last one to the other side.

Trim.

Iron pellon piece to the back of this section.

With right sides together sew front to backing piece.
Leave a opening on one side for turning and if you are using a magnetic clasp this is where you will put it inside your badge.

Clip the corners and turn inside out. I use the end of a knitting needle to pock out the corners.
Press.

This is the magnetic clasp I used. I like them as they don't put holes in your clothes. I have a name badge for work with a clasp like this. They only cost about $3.00 and I got mine from a place that makes name badges. If you live in Adelaide I bought mine from Evright.com pty ltd in Gouger Street.
It comes in 2 parts one piece goes inside the badge the other is a magnet which holds the badge on even through a few layers of clothing.
Separate the two pieces.
Peel off the sticky backing and carefully slide through turning hole with the sticky side facing the pellon. This is a little tricky as you want it to be in the middle of your badge. It fits just behind the white fabric.

Slip stitch the opening closed.

I then did a running stitch(through all layers) around the white fabric extending up to the edges.

This is the back of the badge with the magnet attached.
If you are not using a magnetic clasp you can sew a safety pin to the back.

If you are completely mad you can make one for every one attending a workshop.
More about the workshop soon.