A Very Late Birthday Present

I have finally finished making two felted cushion covers for a friend's birthday that was in August. I had one already made ages ago but really wanted to make a pair for the present. I am quite pleased with the way I sewed the cushions together, I've never sewn anything other than stuff for my patchwork so I wasn't sure how to do it. There is a lot of overlapping material so I haven't even had to add Velcro or press studs. Well I am giving the presents to my friend tomorrow so I hope she likes them. I guess now they are partly Christmas presents too!

Here is the very simple gift wrapping of the cushion covers.

I thought I'd add a picture of a doll my neighbour had made for her little girl's Christmas present. I think it's absolutely gorgeous and it even looks like the little girl who is getting it. How much better is this than some Barbie doll?!

Anyhow I hope everyone is having a great week leading up to Christmas. Tomorrow is the last day for work this year then it's 5 weeks off for summer holidays, yippee! I'm sure I'll spend it being busy with craft projects. If I don't post again before Christmas I wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas and a happy new year.

My First Block Swap

My swap partner asked for a block that had a nautical theme and this is what I have come up with. I chose the blue fabric because I thought not only is it blue but it has a bit of tone variation that makes a pattern which reminds me of the sea or water in general. I hope my partner likes it and can actually use it in her quilt. I've joined another two swaps since this one and am finding it exciting to be part of these swaps, sharing things we've made with our hands with others across the globe or in other parts of our own country.

I've never made a block like this so I am feeling a wee bit proud of myself, working it out and getting the size right without a pattern. OK it's not complicated or anything but I still can't help but feel like I've achieved something. Anyhow I hope everyone is doing well and not going slowly insane with all the running around and trying to get all that needs to be done for the holiday season.

First of Many Christmas Thingies

I have finished one of the table pieces I started last weekend. This one is for a friend. I hope they like it! I'm having a house warming on the weekend so I'm thinking I might try and decorate my room a little better because at the moment it is very 'daggy' for all those Aussies out there they will know what I mean. I was thinking I can at least make some pretty quilted cushions and square mats for the bedside table, bar fridge and top of the book shelf. I also thought an interesting vase with some flowers might help spruce things up. See if I have enough energy by Friday.

Christmas Presents in the Making

I've started making some Christmasy table runners that will later become Christmas presents for some special family members and friends. Whilst these are the first two, I think I'll have to make another 3 more to cover everyone I want to give a present to.

This is the backing material I am using. The binding will be done in the red/gold material that is featured in the blocks. I've done the quilting in cream/neutral thread but maybe for the others I will try doing it using a red thread.

Left the Nest...

Well I have been spending the last two weekends moving out of home. I've moved in with a friend who I work with, boarding in her spare room which is partly her old kitchen as well. It's a great space. There is a sink and built in cupboards, a huge table, cupboard and bedside table. I also bought a bar fridge and some cooking appliances, basically it's almost completely self contained. If I wanted to I could live in just the room only coming out for toilet and shower! Anyhow one of my bunnies is living with me also, the other is still at my parents who don't want to let it go. (Funny that because mum is always complaining about the mess it makes!) So yes Charlotte the bunny is now a house bunny and I think she is enjoying herself.

This is my craft corner with craft books on shelf, sewing machine set up, crocheting projects and wool stash under the table as well as my fabric stash.

And here is dear Charlotte in her 'day' pen. I just can't trust her when I'm at work, I know what she's like she'll nibble on all the furniture if I'm not watching her so when I'm not there she is in the pen otherwise she has free range of the room and house but she is still too scared to wander in the rest of the house and tries to run back into the room if I take her out.

On the craft side of things I've washed all my Christmas quilt fabric and just need to iron it before I get started on two Christmas table runners. They will both be presents. I've also continued working on the alphabet cross stitch, TRYING to get it finished before Christmas so I can take it with me when I visit my friends and their baby.

Happy crafting

Christmas is on it's Way...

This year I am actually looking forward to dressing up the house for Christmas, partly because of this wonderful book I found at the library which has the cutest Christmas craft projects in it. I am particularly fond of the 'partridge in a pear tree' project and the birdy Christmas tree. These are both featured in the photos. I am also hoping to make a table runner in Christmas fabrics. If I manage to make any of these items it WILL be a Christmas miracle! I will of course keep you all posted. Sorry for not having any new photos of projects that I am actually 'making' at the moment there's been lots of finishing stuff off for work and trying to tidy up some junk around the house, as well as catch up on sleep but hopefully I'll be back into the craft soon. Until next post have a wonderful week and for those in Australia, enjoy your Melbourne Cup day holiday!

It's Been a While...sorry

It's been a quite a long time since I last posted an entry, it's just that things have been REALLY busy. I've been back at work for three weeks and within those three weeks I've had to prepare the whole school art show, coordinate the opening night, finish an assignment for uni, have meetings with parents and adult centres for my students who are leaving, I've had an exam, my sister's 21st birthday and of course actual everyday work to attend. I've still got half of the assignment to finish it's due Tuesday so wish me luck! Oh and my cousin had a baby boy two weeks ago as well...can't forget to mention such good news!

Anyhow amongst all this I have managed to work a little on a cross stitch that I started around April this year. It is for a friends new born baby. I had planned to finish it last school holidays but the library lost the book with the pattern and I couldn't find my photocopies. I did though find it on Amazon.com.uk and paid a heap load to buy it. The book itself just arrived a week ago.

As you can see from the first photo I've also bought a cross stitch book that has patterns inspired by antique samplers. I just love old fashion samplers, you know the ones with little houses and flowers, a few bunnies or birds. I want to adapt one of the patterns so that it includes 'home sweet home' in it. I think it would be just lovely to have a classic 'home sweet home' piece hanging in the house. Anyhow I better get back to the assignment, I've just felt a little bad for not keeping posts more regular. Hope everyone is well and getting ready for a festive Halloween. It's a shame we don't really celebrate it here in Australia.