UFOs - 1 2 and 3 DONE!!

My Christmas break is nearly over but I have done a lot of organising and a fair bit of sewing - there can never be enough but I am only human and need to sleep a bit.


I am happy to say I have 3 UFOs finsihed - so I will post now but update my list a bit later.

The first one - a black and gold bag that has been cut out for several months:  Pity the gold doesn't show up very well.

The second one - (started and finished in 3 days!!!!) a very colourful bag made for a friend of a friend who very kindly finished a cross stitch for me - I had done less than a quarter of it - started more than five years ago. This is in no way comparable to the work she put into my cross stitch - but she said she enjoyed doing things like that! (The pattern was Sew Cosy in case you have it.)

The third one is the Victorian Sewing Pouch from the Gift of the Month program for 2009. I had all the inside pockets made, just needed to put it all together.

Well that is 3 down and ???how many to go???

Hugs to all
Susan

Sew Its Finished 2011 UFO Challenge

Well I have just spent quite a bit of time listing in a spreadsheet - all the UFOs that came to mind - based on existing lists and what I can see - and although I only finished it half an hour ago I have already thought of 2 more that I HAVE to include!! (lol).    Then I gave them a rating -  10 being DO SOON and 1 being - When on earth will I ever get to this??)  And some of them are date deadlines - eg by 1st July and by end of year.  I found an alarming 58 (after the 2 new ones).  Ratings 10 - 6 are meant to be done by the End of the Year - that is 46 or something - eek - can I do it???  All my project (one missing ) are listed at the right - if you want to have a good laugh!!!
Don't forget to leave a little comment if you come visiting - it does mean a lot to me!! :-)
Susan

New Years Resolution

I am always telling myself that I must finish some UFOs before I start something new - but then along comes a great idea and I am off again - so I have decided to join in the Sew have you finished it? project.  A look at my side bar will give you an idea of some of my UFOs but over the next few days I will make a proper list, prioritise it and organise myself.  I still have a week off work and I had already decided I was gong to get things cut & ready to sew or traced ready to stitch.  This is the hardest thing I find time to do while I am working.
I suspect I will end up with a shopping list of "extras" but hopefully not too much - thin waddings and bag bits will most likely be there.
From there I will just have to shut my eyes and NOT buy magazines - (after all they ARE only $3-$4 if you buy a pack of three!!!!).

Please leave me a comment if you come visiting!

A Giveaway

The lovely Vicki Tucek who used to be Tozz'z Corner and is now ‘The Pickledish Patch’ is having a huge giveaway - over at her blog.  These are the goodies - including hand grown and dried lavendar:

And she has a great new banner to show off her new name:

and to top it off she is starting a free BOM in January - called Out of the Box.  You will be able to go there form my side bar.  But here is the clue:

Wow - a great start to the new year to win these goodies - thanks Vicki.

A Christmas Giveaway!!

Found a fantiastic Christmas giveaway - here.  Some absolutely gorgeous fabbrics.  And look at her more recent posts to find a lovely famly photo and an interesting tale of how they got there - I am sure most of us can relate to her story!

Same Girl - New Name

I have just been over to Vicki's blog - it was Tozz's Corner - but she has renamed herself and is now The Pickledish Patch - and she has a website .  But also she is starting a Free BOM on 5th January - and if you go here you can read all about what you need to start.
Oh sew many projects - sew little time! 

Just relaxing on the computer - blogging around!

I have had such a tiring few days - a work Christmas party, Daughter #1's 21st Birthday party at home - for approx 70 people - and it rained a lot - and of course tidying up afterward - today.  I have not touched any sewing for days but was just too pooped to even think about it today, so I thought I would sit for a while and blog.

So I checked Shirley who is making quilts for the family members of the miners who died in NZ - she has plenty now so I will wait for the next call to help before I make any more.

Then I went "travelling" and found a clever tutorial to use an old metal tape measure (the handyman type) - and although I don't think we have one we don't need anymore - perhaps I can buy my husband a new one for Christmas and then use his old one for a very useful idea!  Well I think its useful.

I will be off to bed now so I can get back into sewing - still have some little angels to put together and our Christmas cards to be sent.

Cheers everyone
Susan

What makes me feel Happy, Melancholy & Helpful

Happy
This weekend I watched Daughter #1 be a bridesmaid for one of her good friends.  After a stressful few weeks of exams, her Birthday, attending to late issues that needed to be organised for and on behalf of the bride before the BIG day - on Tuesday she came out in a rash all over her face!! Drama drama - off the the Docs for some ointment and by Saturday it was almost under control - though still a bit red on her upper chest. (and another of the bridesmaids caught her little toe on a lounge last weekend and was very badly bruised and very sore, though was still able to get her foot into the high heels on the day!)


Here is one photo of her and her boyfriend:

and another of the whole bridal party.

Melancholy

The recent news from New Zealand where a small town is suffering after the deaths of 29 miners trapped underground.

Helpful

I have made 29 heart blocks to send to Shirley..  She is making quilts for the families of the miners who were lost.  You can go here to read more about it and join in if you like.

I used a variety of prints and heart shapes:

 

I do hope that the quilts will bring some comfort to the families.

Susan

Hearts for Myra

While visiting Carla's blog, I found a request to make a 6.5" block for a lady in New Zealand who is making a quilt for a friend who is dealing with cancer.  I have made one block - based on one of Jenny of Elefantz's designs (all of which are lovely).  You can find Jenny's blog here.  If you are interested in participating go here for details.


Here is my very simple block:

A Project in Progress

I have been working on a project - see my sidebar for a clue!

I am ready to post some photos of some of the blocks.  But I have to keep some of them under wraps.  Those who are also doing the same "Freebie" will recognize it - the others will need to wait!  (Sorry)

The background fabric is beige with printed words - such as "love & affection",  "life & good health" "home and family", "grace and honor" (pity about the US spelling!) so I felt it quite appropriate for the words - that I can't show you - yet!

I am using Anchor Variegated thread #1349 - shades of blue - ranging from aqua to deep purple.   And I am happy to say "I am up to date"!!