A Giveaway!

The lovely Jenny from Jenny of Elefantz who is giving up days of her sewing time to go motorbiking through the top part of Queensland with her beloved husband is having a giveaway of the originals of a pattern she had published in "Stitch" a US magazine.  Congratulations to her for being published "O/S" and a huge cuddle becaise she is so generous - both of her time and her goodies.  Pop over here to look and participate.

UFO - Finished

I finished my second blue & cream quilt - started last August - in time for my high school friend's "0" birthday in April.  I couldn't be in Sydney to see her open it - but she loves it and hopefully will enjoy snuggling under it as it gets cooler.

My bestest sewing mate gave me a beautifully stitched label to add to the back:

I bought quite a collection of blues creams and a bit of green to make the first "0" birthday quilt for another friend - and plannned on making two together - but I still have enough left over for a third - wonder who that will go to??

Here is a close up of some of the 'starter' fabric - its a border print but it would have been too wide to use as a border on that sized quilt so I cut it into 6" squares and made coordinating 4 patch and 9 patch squares.

and

What Makes me Happy - a random event!!

Years ago - my girls dressed up for a party - Pippi Longstocking & Heidi.  Both outfits made by me (How did I find the time?? - guess not so much patchowrk time back then!)
"Pippi" s now 21 and about to be married and "Heidi" is 19.

Catching Up - Gum Nut Designers Picnic

I know this was SO long ago - but . . well you know how it is - you get sidetracked!. It was a lovely morning - meeting up with real people after only knowing them by blogging and emails. I won't go on - everyone else has expressed their feelings - just one picture to record the event. (me in the pink/black top.)

ABC of Susan

I have seen a few of these ABCs so thought I would join in.  I am so far behind in my posts but will do this one now and back track when I get the time (in between work, sewing & wedding preparations).

Age: 59. 

Bed Size: Queen. 

Chore You Hate: Unpacking & Putting away groceries – and Housework. 

Dogs: Tibetan Spaniel x Toy Poodle but prefer cats.  

Essential Start of Your Day: Shower.  

Favourite Colour: Purple.  

Gold or Silver: Prefer Gold – have some of both.  

Height: 5’4”. 

Instruments You Play: Nothing musical – love my Janome.  

Job Title: Product Analyst.  

Kids: 2 girls (lucky me).  

Live: Queensland Australia.  

Mom's Name: Molly Dorcas and to follow tradition I should have been Dorcas – eek!! – thankfully I am Susan.  

Nicknames: Susie B (maiden name) or Suzie Q.  

Overnight Hospital Stays: Third Nipple removal (quite common I was told) 2 Caesarean babies (a lot longer than overnight thanks!).  

Pet Peeve: Pushing in – in queues, on the road – anywhere.  And people who shorten my name.

Quote From a Movie: Not a real movie buff – cant think of one.  

Right- or Left-Handed: Right.  

Siblings: 2 brothers.  

Time You Wake Up: 6.30am or so on workdays – else a lot later (hate mornings).  Underwear: Of course.  

Veggie You Dislike: Hate the term “Veggie”, but hate overcooked anything.  What Makes You Run Late: Me – trying to do too many last minute things. 

X-Rays You Have Had: Foot, wrist, back, teeth.  

Yummy Food You Make: Spaghetti Bolognaise and cakes.  

Zoo Animal You Like Best: The big cats ate always so majestic and monkeys are cute – no real favourite.

Tiff started this ball rolling and I have seen Jenny's and Teresa's and Joy's.   Go have a look.

Give Thanks Verse 2

I've been stitching a fair bit at night time lately but not much machining being done - but I have finished Verse 2 of Jenny's Give Thanks BOW (Block of Whenever).

And I am very much looking forward to meeting all the Gum Tree Designers next Month. 



Reducing the List but no Finishes

Yesterday my local quilt shop had a "Sew In" to make quilts, library bags and soft toys for the flood victims.  I took along one Kids Quilt top and the Music Quilt - both of which I had intended for a charity so it seemed the ideal opportunity to hand them over.  Someone has finished the music quilt and someone else has taken the kids top to quilt and bind it.  I have almost finished another top with left over bits from the music quilt and will hopefully take a picture before I hand it over to be finished off .  So that is 3 off the List!

I have also finished Verse 2 for Jenny's Give Thanks so will photograph it later in the week and post the picture.

And I am delighted that the tennis is finally over (even though the right girl won but the wrong boy won!) adn Channel 7 will get back to normal.   But as my husband cheerfully informs me it is only a few weeks til the AFL starts and there is always some cricket or something going on. 
Thank heavens I have my sewing to distract me. 

Cheers
Susan

Sewing Caddies for "New Beginnings"

I have made five Sewing Caddies to send to the New Beginnings project - organised by Gum Tree Designers (with Dawn and Jenny doing the collections etc).  They are all almost the same and will be posted off tomorrow.  Nothing outstanding but I hope they will be useful and show those badly affected by the floods everywhere that people care.  I had no great plans for this fabric when I bought it at a closing down sale quite a while back - and its not really my colour choice, but I knew it would come in handy one day!

Sewing Caddy, Needlebook, Scissors holder and scissors, a pin cushion [in green and hard to see] a fat quarter, 6 skeins of DMC and a packet of needles (not in the picture).

Now back to my UFO list!

Happy Sewing til next time
Susan

Two More Finishes

Here are my photos of My Give Thanks wall hanging and with Verse 1 attached. This is going to be such a lovely collection.  (From Jenny of Elefantz)  And already Jenny has given us verse 2. - so I better get tracing again!  Go here for the original wall hanging.

2 More Finishes

Another two to get off the list!


Christmas Sampler - not finished in time for 2010 Christmas but at least its ready for this year.  A Nancy Halverson design - in the book "Tidings" .  I fell in love with this at the Brisbane Craft show in October last year.

Leanne Beasley's Stitchers Keeper - I just love this embroidery - it was a "Must have" as soon as I saw it.

The pattern included an iron on transfer - just love those things - so much better than tracing - and you can use a wider variety of fabrics.  So I had to test the iron on before I did the main pattern - and made a little needle case out of the pratice bit.  (That's it at the top saying "Stitchers Keeper").  I feel I also need a scissors holder with a single flower - maybe later!

One more is finished - but it will have to wait for another day.

(That's 5 finishes or me)

Take Care
Susan