Boy Its Hot!!!

Its another stinker here today. It is supposed to get over 40 degrees - yuk!!! I have been lucky enough to finish work early today so I am enjoying some quiet time in the air conditioning until it is time for the kids to get home. I will be taking them to the pool this afternoon to cool off before heading off to touch footy - think I may be doing that in the wrong order.

I have been doing my very best to get some chrissy stitching done. This is what I have achieved

Not sure if this is going to be a table runner or a cushion but it will be a xmas gift for my Aunt.

These are tissue packet covers - you know the soft travel packs that you can buy. I am planning to pop one of these in with everyones present so I will have to make quite a lot - have made 4 so far. They are really quick to make - takes about 10 minutes and uses very little fabric. A great way to use up all those scraps.

This was supposed to be a gift for someone but I am not entirely happy with the way it has turned out so will keep it for myself.

I also finally finished my sweet mums cushion. I am very happy with the way it has turned out - just love Sally Giblin designs - very quick and easy and I only needed to purchase a small amount of fabric for the back - the rest was leftovers from another cushion that I made so I am sticking to my fabric diet - well so far anyway.

Am off now to work on my Aunts gift and to have a cold drink. Hope everyone out there is surviving this hot weather.

Chat soon

Kylie xxxxx

Taking a Me Day

Today I decided to take a Me Day. I had the day off work, the kids were at school, washing done, Mt Ironing Everest up to date, housework fairly under control and hubby asleep because he is on night shift so I decided that today was going to be Me Day.

After pottering around for a while, catching up on blogs, replying to emails and delivering some lamingtons to the MIL it was time to hit the sewing machine. You will see from my previous post that I received the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery BOM for my birthday. I have been busting to start so today was the day.

The photos of the blocks are out of order but here is

Block 2

Block 1

These were sooo easy to put together, the pattern instructions were simple and easy to follow and the fabric is just gorgeous and plenty of it. I have signed up for BOMs before and been disappointed with the fabric provided but not with this one. I have so much fabric left over so far that I can definately making something else with it.

My mothers xmas pressie is also coming along nicely and I hope to have the stitching finished tonight.

Happy Stitching to All

Chat soon

Kylie xxxx

Busy Times

Does anybody else find this time of year just crazy? Since the kids have gone back to school things have been go go go. Term 4 is always busy with lots of after school sporting activities as well as the usual guitar lessons, work, TAFE and housework (YUK). I am finding that there are just not enough hours in the day to fit everything in.

I have been able to get a little stitching in though, but not as much as I would like. Most of it has been done this past weekend.

This is a cushion that I am making for my wonderful Mum for xmas. I have used fabrics from the Portabello Market moda range and the pattern is by Sally Giblin. I recently made another Sally Giblin cushion with this fabric and Mum admired the fabric and they are her favourite colours. I have actually been able to use left over fabrics from the other cushion so I have not broken my 'no fabric/no more new projects (except xmas gifts) until after xmas diet' (now that is another story altogether). The saying is 'Mother you will always hold a special place in my heart'.

A couple of weeks ago I had a birthday and turned ????. My Mum and Dad gave me a subscription to the Fat Quarter Shop 2009 Mystery BOM and also purchased the backing fabric and finishing kit - now aren't I a lucky girl. The first photo is of backing fabric and finishing kit and the photo below that are blocks 1 - 5 (I am a bit behind as it started back in May). The fabrics are Glace by Moda and are just gorgeous. I have been busting to get started but as yet have not had a chance. I have decided not to count this in my no new projects diet as it was a gift and I just can't wait until after xmas to start it - can you blame me.

This is a table runner that I have made as a xmas gift for my SIL. I have used the free Gail Pan pattern from her blog and I have to say that I just loved stitching this design. It was very easy and quick and the little bird is oh so cute. I have used a red and cream spot from the Crazy 8 xmas range which I think looks fantastic. My SIL loves red and has lots of red accessories in her kitchen and dining room.

Now you might be wondering about the 'no fabric/no more new projects (except xmas gifts) until after xmas diet'. I have decided to join Bec's fabric diet and add an extra bit to it with the no more projects. Since starting my blog and reading everyone elses wonderful blogs my fabric and project addiction has reached a whole new level and has become totally out of control. I have so many projects on the go and have purchased so much fabric that I have become overwhelmed by it all and was almost too frightened to go into the sewing nook. I lost my mojo and did not know where to start. After some lovely advice and emails from Bec I have pledged not to buy any more fabric or start any new projects until after xmas - boring I know but it must be done to save my sanity (and the bank balance lol).

Does anyone else feel like this at times or does it not bother you? I would love to hear your comments.

Well must be going - lots to do, dinner to cook, homework to do etc etc etc.

Chat Soon

Kylie xxxx

Happy Halloween

Just wanted to drop a quick post about a fantastic giveaway over here. Brenda is giving away 27 fat quarters of the most gorgeous prim fabric - that's right you heard me 27 FAT QUARTERS. So drop on over and say hi to Brenda and enter this fab giveaway while you are there.

Chat soon

Kylie xxxx

Sydney

Last weekend we travelled to Sydney for three nights. Our DS has been to Sydney a few times but only to the cricket and our DD has not been at all so it was quite an experience for them and very hectic.

We went to the Sydney Aquarium. This was DD favourite and she loved all the sharks and stingrays.

Went to the top of Centerpoint Tower. The weather was not great but we were still able to see a fair bit.

Went to Taronga Zoo. The seal show was just great - the seals are just sooo cute.

And we went to Luna Park. This was DS favourite. We did not go on all the rides as some of the faster rides are a bit out of our comfort zones but we did do the ferris wheel (what an amazing view), the tango train (my arms are still sore from holding on soooo tight), Coney Island and DD went on some of the small rides as she was not big enough for the others.
The kids loved sideshow alley and the atmosphere was fantastic.

Eating fairy floss on a stick at Luna Park.

We did all of this in two days and we very exhausted when we finally got home. We did have a great weekend but I have to say that I have had about my five yearly dose of Sydney. I really am just a country girl at heart. When we got home the kids could not believe how quiet it was - aah give me the country any day.

Chat soon - Kylie xxx

It's Been a While

It has been a while since my last post. These school holidays have been very busy and I have not gotten as much sewing done as I would have liked. We have been to Sydney for a mad few days of sight seeing (see my next post), have been busy with the kids, cleaning house and working.

This is what I have managed to get done

I have sewn together the first block for my A Christmas Story quilt. I am doing blanket stitch for the applique and have finished the partridge in a pear tree block and have just started the singing angels.

Have stitched the teacups for a teacup bag which Caron, Raelee and I are making as a group project.

This fabric I ordered from the Fat Quarter Shop when they were having their sale. It is from the Crazy 8 range by moda.

On our way home from Sydney my wonderful husband made a slight detour to the Craft Depot at Pennant Hills. What a fantastic shop and what a huge range of fabric. I was quite tired after our busy couple of days and found it very hard to get my head around what fabric I needed for what but I did see these and loved them.

Hopefully when the kids go back to school things will slow down a bit (ha in my dreams!!) but I will keep on plodding along.

Chat soon

Kyliexxxx

What a Great Day

Yesterday my two friends Caron and Raelee and I headed up to Nundle for the Cottage on the Hill Airing of the Quilts. It was such a great sight to see all the quilts hanging along a fence along the drive way up to the shop. All cars had to park at the front gate and then we walked up the long drive admiring all the fantastic quilts on display. Unfortunately in my rush to get out the door I forgot to take my camera but the quilts were amazing and very inspiring. After lacking motivation for the last couple of weeks I am now once again full of inspiration. After looking at all the quilts were had a lovely morning tea and then headed into the shop. I have been after Anni Downs A Christmas Story for a while now so I brought the book and some fat quarters to start the quilt. When it was finally time to leave I could not believe that we had been there for 3 hours - the time went very quickly. We then headed back into Nundle and had a delicious lunch at the Goldmine and then had a look around Odgers and McClellands. Now that is a fantastic shop and I did some christmas shopping for my SIN. We had such a great day and a very big thank you for Kerry for making us feel so welcome and for all your help with our purchases.

I am now going to have some lunch and then head to my sewing room to make a start on my Christmas Quilt.

Hope you are all having a great weekend and are getting lots of sewing done.

Who is watching the grandfinal this afternoon???

Chat soon

Kyliexxxx