May's UFO finish and first finish for June

Very late to post this ....... I have had the rows for this wall hanging since the end of 2006, it was a row X row round robin organised at the Craft Forum.  I wasn't sure how to fit the rows together so it sat for many years until a friend helped me decide what rows would work for the space I had, there are another 3 rows that would just have made this too large for a wall hanging.  I sewed it together in 2011 and then it sat until I found time to quilt, bind and finish it.  which as you can see I have now done. It hangs proudly in our bedroom.  One of the other rows is being made into a table runner the other two possibly cushions, haven't decided yet.

 

 My first UFO finish for June is a Janelle Wind Frilly Dilly bag without the frills.  I love the shape of the bag but didn't want the frills so I decided to raw edge applique a flower on the front.  This has been waiting to be finished for over 2 years.  So pleased to have the Friday night sewing with friends group to encourage me to get some sewing done.

Blogtoberfest day 3

Another of the sewing companions - this one was made for my GF Meryl for her birthday. I filled it with a pair of scissors, a quick unpick, tailors pencil, reel of cotton and a tape measure. She loved it and has decided to leave it at her dance studio so the next time she had to measure a child for a costume she would have a tape measure on hand (she didn't the day b4)

This is the second hexy flower I have made for the swap at my craft forum , this one I made for Donna. i can't believe that I had to unpick this at least 4 times as i made the same mistake twice in a row ie unpicked it then made the same mistake straight away at two different times, grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Sewing Companions

Just loving making theses little sewing companions from tipnut.com

My collection of three.

The pattern comes with this tiny matching needle case.

I have made these for a fundraser and this one has already sold.

Leannes hexi for September.

Designer & Quilt label swap

June was a great month for swaps in the Craft Forum not only did I continue in the Hexy & placemat swap but I also Joined the Designer swap and a quilt label swap.

In the designer swap we had to vote for a designer we would like to make an item with and we chose Leanne Beasley and Bronwyn Hayes.

I was made this gorgeous bag,featuring a Bronwyn Hayes redwork design, by Diane - I believe the bag itself might be a Leanne pattern. It's such a great size, quite long in length and will carry all sorts of things. In fact I unwrapped it and immediately put my work bits in and took it to work with me.





I chose to use one of the Butterfly garden block patterns for the bag I made for Allison. I changed a few of the smaller blocks & added a Bronwyn Hayes blue humming bird to one of the blocks. Allison asked for something very girly. I think I might have got it. One things I can tell you - it was very hard to part with this bag as it is such a "gail" bag. I will definitely be making one of these for myself in the summer months, possible with mostly similar fabrics.

I didn't take a piccy of the inside but I put in a large pocket running the width of the bag and used the gorgeous bright striped fabric as the inside bottom. I also have pockets on the outside gusset of the bag - these are fabulous to hold a drink bottle (I stole this idea form a bag made for em many years ago by Kelly in the children's swap)

Judy and I were partnered for the label swap. This is the label Judy made for me.

Quilt label I made for Judy, this was the very first quilt label I have made and really had no clue as to what I was doing. I am happy with the results though.

Blogtoberfest day 28 - Recipe holder and other bits

Quite a few weeks ago now, when we had Jess & Kristy over for a scrap day, Kristy and I both made an altered recipe Holder. It was SO fiddly. Painting that scroll at the top and on the end of the legs took so long to do. BUT I am happy with the results and it looks great on display in my kitchen. I must say that I will NEVER do another recipe holder again.

here it is in use.

This little collection of dolls are mostly swap I have received over the years. The doll with the big bow on her head, Faith, was made for me by
Chrissy in my first doll swap - which was my 2nd ever swap in the craft forum. I made her a doll exactly like the shaker doll down the other end of the chair (which incidentally was my John's chair when he was a little tike). I can't remember whether the one I made her is Violet or Daisy - but whichever hers is called mine is called the other.

The purple doll, Sally, was made by Dawn in the forums paper bag swap. The bear I believe came in an advent swap by Hope and the Gold doll was made by Dianne in a Christmas in July swap.

This little collection of altered items (OTP's) is Haylee's monthly collection. Each month we alternate as to who has a display of their altered items. Its almost the end of October and I have not made anything for my November display. Better get a move on.

Blogtober fest - Christmas swaps

Have found photos of past Christmas swaps that I thought I would share with you today.

This table runner, bottle of bubbly and chocs came from Nicki Christmas 2004. She backed this in the most gorgeous fabrics that she told me was only used for special projects. She also sent me a fatQ of the fabric, which I still haven't used as ,like her, I think it needs a very special project.

I sent her this wall hanging. I remember this took me a long time to do as this was when I had my shoulder problem and could not lift my arm up at all.

The next 2 items were sent to Fiona Christmas 2005 and I think that may have been the last Christmas swap I have been in. This table topper uses one of my favourite techniques for using left over strips of fabric.

Start by drawing a line 1/2" either side of the diagonal centre of a square of fabric, I think mine was 7". Then start sewing and flipping strips until you cover both sides of the centre. Square up your block - I cut mine down to 6 1/2" . Then sew 4 different quarter together to make a new block. I have used 4 blocks on this table topper with 2 borders.

Fiona really loved cats so I couldn't help but to make this cute little wall hanging for her.

This wall hanging was made for Dianne in an advent swap as my large gift.

I joined a sewing swap int he forum many years ago now and with my love of buttons I had NO difficulty deciding what to send my partner. I had been eyeing off this Debbie Mumm Button jar design for some time. I had a nice collection of buttons so I got to work. Imagine my surprise when.......................








I opened my gift and my partner had made me the very same design.

It hangs very proudly in my sewing room.

Blogtoberfest day 24 - Swaps received over the years

I have been a part of the craft forum for

5 1/2 years now and have been in many swaps. Here's just a few - now these are not necessarily my favourites but ones I use or see all the time.

The first is a little bag sent to me by Sarah in the mini bag swap, I have hand sewing in this little bag so it often will go to my quilters group with me.

This bag was made for me by Linda but I cant remember which swap it was. Linda is still a part of the forum and in fact I have made 2 items for her this year - a shabby chic bag and cushion. They were both on my blog a few months ago.

I also take this bag to quilters depending on what size bag I need for that night.

This was from the girl swap and it was one of my early swaps - the 7th one actually - this came from Sambo, who is still part of the forum.

Mipsy sent me this cushion for the country swap.

This wall hanging I believe was sent to me by Monika in the universe swap. Monika is also still a part of the forum.

And last but not at all least Sandra sent me this little doll in the teeny tiny swap - this gift had to fit in a normal sized envelope. How cute is she. She is attached to my sewing room wall board so I can see her all the time when I am sewing or on the computer.

Blogtoberfest day 17

Just a very quick post as I am very tired and need to go to bed. I have been scrapping with My SOF friends at Lou's place in Bowral. I will be back in tomorrow with those pics.

But tonight I thought I would show you the hexy I have made for Geniene in the craft forums framed hexy swap. She wanted red - I think you would call that a red hexy............

Tablerunners and bookmarks.

Today was the opening day for the Spring table runner swap from the craft forum.

Glynys made me this lovely runner. She had never made a runner b4. I think she did a fabulous job. The colours work perfectly with my dining room theme. Will even go great in the lounge room if I decide to use it on the large coffee table in there form time to time.

This is the runner I made for Judy. Judy's colour choice was green, brown, apricot and yellows. These are not colours I work with very often so I did struggle a little to choose the right ones, I had an artist friend cast her eye over my choices to give me a hand. This pattern was one of the freeby patterns from The Moda Bake shop Blog. I was very happy with how it turned out.

I have also been busy making more bookmarks for work. I have to add ribbons and tassels to some of these. I still have 10 of the black velvet ones to finish the edges of.

ATC swap

You may remember this pic of the ATC's (artist trading cards) that I made for a swap in my craft forum. I sent four of these off to NZ and these below are the four I received back. How gorgeous are they.

I especially love the green goddess and the pearls sewn around the outside of the floral one.

You may also remember that I made some bookmarks to take to work WELL 5 of them have sold - yAYYYYYYYYYY , so if am hoping to find time this week to make some more.

Hexagon Swap

I am really enjoying the Framed Hexagon swap Vicki is running on the craft forum

The butterfly is the one I made for Doris and the Friendship Angel is the one she made for me.

I am thinking now that I have made a few that I would really love to do some traditional hexagons, thinking of just doing a table runner to start with. I remember my Nana had a apron made from hexagons.

Framed Hexagon swap

I have joined the framed hexagon swap in the craft forum and this beautiful hexy is from Meredith. I made the wrong size for Meredith and forgot to take a picy so theres nothing to show you. I am in the process of doing her the right size one. I have also cut out my Hexy for this months swap with Doris - got the right size this time.

Thanks Meredith this is so pretty.

As some of you may be aware I belong to the Express magazines craft forum. As a member of that forum I run the caring harts group that sends packs of hearts to our ladies who need a hug. it may be for a celebration or to encourage them in hard times. I have put out a call this week to the ladies as I was getting a little disheartened and my call was heard. Today one of the ladies sent me 2 sets of hearts and a little pressie just for me. Isn't this bag just the cutest. J told me next time I go out to pop my cup and a bikkie in this little bag. Thanks J your thoughtfulness and encouragement made my day.made my day.

Artist Trading Cards

I have made these ATC's for a swap (well four of them) on my craft forum and had so much fun making them. 8 of them - not including the very top left hand one was made in one batch I just change the top fabric an put large a pink flower at one end and ended up with very different cards. I will chose 4 of these and send off to NZ to then be mixed up and I will receive 4 different ones back.

With the left over I made the bottom right bookmark, I thought it looked great so I took it to work to show the girls & the boss - they all liked them so now I have made heaps more to put in the shop and hopefully sell. We are always looking for new & different bookmarks.

Cushion swap

I have been involved in another swap in the craft forum . This time a cushion swap. I love cushions so i offered to do two if the need be. There was and I got to swap with both Linda & Donna.

Here is the stunning cushion Linda made me. it fits so perfectly on my lounge that I think she has had a peak into my home.

Linda requested or should I say suggested I make her a cushion to match the bag I made for her a few months ago. So here it is a very pretty shabby chic cushion.

Donna and I have never swapped b4 but she so got this cushion right. All the elements I love. This beautiful lavender & lace cushion is now proudly perched on my bed.

Donna asked me if I could make her a cushion in memory of her precious cat they lost a few months back. I am very pleased with ow this has turned out and she is very happy with it also.

Craft Forum bag swap

Have I ever mentioned b4 how much I love bags, I haven't, WELL.................. I LOVE BAGS. You can never have enough bags can you. Or the right bag, the right size, colour, mood reflecting, etc etc etc.

So with that in mind I joined the Craft forums bag swap. I swapped with Linda, who made me one of my favourite bags in another swap some years ago.

Anyway here is the bag I made for Linda. She wanted shabby chic, i think I delivered. This bag simply came out of my head. Found strip of fabric, lace, braid & ric rac to co-ordinate and started sewing.

Linda nearly did not get this bag as I loved it, as did my quilting group friends.

AND this is the bag that Linda made for me. I swear this lady must have met me somewhere along the line AS this is the perfect bag for me. Doesn't it have Gail written all over it. Actually, just be quiet for a moment, sit really really still and you will hear it quietly call my name, Gail Gail.

I really love this bag as I speak it is sitting, all filled waiting for me to take it to work with me.

Thank you Linda for being a great partner and making me the BESTEST bag ever.

Linda & I have also been paired in the upcoming cushion swap. I can't wait, I love cushions too.