A Day Well Spent

I recently bought an excellent book by Pip Lincolne (crafty lady extraordinaire) called Meet Me at Mike's. It's named after her shop in Melbourne but it has lots of nifty craft projects that are fun and easy to make. For a long time I've been wanting to make a quilt but often the size of them and the small pieces required to make them is kinda daunting. So, when I saw this Mini Quilt by Alison Brookbanks, I really wanted to give it a try. I used fabrics that I had at home already and I am super proud of the result. I love it and already have plans to experiment with other simple designs and fabrics. It was one of the nicest days off I've had in a long time. No bed making, no dishes to do, just sewing. Soooo good.


Choosing the fabrics. Babushkas, polka dots and gingham - my favourites.


First, cutting the sections for the small quilted middle.


I made a mess but it was a happy mess :)


Placing the smaller pieces.


Sewing together the pieces for the middle section of the quilt.


Pressing the seams flat so they don't create bumps when the quilt is turned right side out.


Turn it out and it's done!


I still need to get some batting for the inside but it can sit here quite nicely for now. Most likely where it will stay as it's the perfect size for an over-the-knees nanna blanket! Can't wait to make another one :)

Embroidery Practice

Stitching practice at night consists of these Sublime Stitching designs and fantasy movies (working my way through the extended editions of LOTR at the mo) :D

Merry Merry!

From the bottom of our hearts we wish all our friends and family (near and far) a lovely Christmas and safe new year. While there have been some fab things going on this year, I have to admit that I'm kinda happy to say goodbye to 2009. 2010 sounds like it will be much happier. Here's to new beginnings and new adventures! I wonder where we will all be this time next year?



Sooooo...since it's Christmas time again, in our house that means making and sharing lots of yummy food! We make fancy drinks (like iced mocha martinis - see below. Yes, that's ice magic on the inside rim), do a roast, have lots of leftovers and can occasionally be seen sneaking swigs of brandy custard straight from the fridge. YUM.







It also means spending time together napping, playing games, going for walks on the beach and generally avoiding all the stress that can sometimes come about at Christmas. We've got some little rituals in place for our kids (when they decide they are ready to join us) like a big dinner on Christmas Eve (which is typically when my family celebrates Christmas. I am of European descent on my mother's side so I grew up doing everything a day early. Santa always came to me first!) along with a Christmas movie (last night was Charlie Brown) and then pancakes and presents on Christmas morning. We spend the rest of the day hanging out and enjoying our presents. It's a really nice time.





We open one present from each other on Christmas Eve and I am so impressed with this gorgeous white squirrel that Chris found for me. It's actually a ring box squirrel. I stupidly lost my beloved wedding ring on Boxing Day last year and have been without one for nearly a year now. So when Chris found this squirrel in Melbourne he decided it was time to get another ring! It's lovely white gold and I am SO happy to have a wedding band again. It just needs some engraving on the inside and it will be all finished! Hurrah! Best present ever.





Merry Christmas from us 3
xox

Gifts & Commissions

It's been pretty busy here of late, with Christmas coming up next week and a couple of orders for Christmas decorations coming my way. I've sold some at Pocketspace and made my first sale on Etsy as well! I am super happy. A day of sewing new things is planned for today and I'm itching to get started. Before I do that, here are some things I've been working on.

A decoration for some friends in Texas. Their little baby boy dressed up as a chili for Halloween and it was an event that needed to be immortalized in felt. It was my Christms pressie to him :) I'm really pleased with this design and am thinking about making some plain chili decorations to put up on Etsy.


These are a series of decorations I got to do for the husband of a work pal. He is working to complete his psychiatric training and wanted something kinda tongue in cheek. Don't keep looking if you get easily offended. I'm proud of my lettering here even if it does need some practice!




On the back:

And for all my efforts (:D) I treated myself to this little toy from Little Black Crow. I love her toys immensely and am so very happy with this bunny. He is specially made to look worn and extra loved. This is achieved through coffee and tea staining the fabrics. She does a fab job and I am so impressed with how much care has gone into creating these toys. This photo is taken from her Etsy store (I love the way she photographs her toys) and is credited to Little Black Crow. Check out her stuff. It's lovely!

Luckiest Girl Ever!

With Christmas around the corner and an interstate trip under our belts, I thought I'd share some of the new stuff laying about our place.


These are the coolest shoes on the planet (complete with my old Strawberry Shortcake sox). They are an early Christmas present from Chris. I get to wear them now 'cos I had to go try them on :D I think I am the luckiest girl ever, not just for the shoes, but for having a husband who picks out the bestest presents ever for me!


Fuzzy house sox that make me feel like a bear. They make me laugh every time I wear them.


Rad sunglasses from Route 66 in Surry Hills.


A little badge designed by Cat Rabbit. She held a workshop (along with some other crafty lasses) at the Beci Orpin talk. We all made this badge following her instruction. It came out pretty nice, don't you think?


Lovely little Christmas cards we bought the other day. They are so sweet I'm keeping one for us!


Find of the century (well, in Australia anyway). Pumpkin Pie mix from the USA. $10.50 from a candy store in Hobart. Rockin'. There was a shortage of this stuff over Thanksgiving this year in the USA. Sooo excited I found some here! Guess what I'm making this afternoon?? Hurrah!! It'll be perfect with Vanilla sugared whipped cream. Yummo.

Pucca Love

Our kitty cat Pucca is loved on A LOT. We think she's the best kitty ever. She even gets her own mail and has her own personalised Christmas decoration.
For two years straight it's been Pucca who has received the first Christmas card of the season. I love it! Thanks to Pucca's home away from home, the lovely Catnip. Love! xoxoxoxox


Even though she spends most of her time lounging on the bed, couch, chair, etc, she totally deserves her own Christmas decoration :) Made by me for 2009.


Her name embroidered on the back (the "a" doesn't come out too well on this pic) along with her little red ball - a favourite toy we would be lost without.


Me attempting to pack my Softies for Mirabel donation and not getting too far. Pucca would not let me put the toy in bubble wrap. She kept diving under it and hiding. You can just make her out under there. Chris says she looks like a wrapped sausage.


Meeeow! Bubble wrap!!!


All tuckered out and looking like a Christmas pudding.

Softies for Mirabel donation

I've made friends with my sewing machine again and put together this little giraffe.



He doesn't have a name yet as he's my donation to Softies for Mirabel an ace little charity for kids in need. It's promoted by the super duper Meet Me at Mikes. Thanks to Audrey and Maude for the pattern :)

Freckled Sparrow lands at Etsy!

Pay a visit to my friendly Etsy store and snaffle some super cool Christmas decorations. Yay for Etsy!

Freckled Sparrow xx

Off to Market!

Woodland, Emo and Babushka stuff now at Pocketspace!

Something I'm excited about!

After watching Handmade Nation (lent by my lovely stitching pal Cat), I have been OBSESSED with all things Sublime Stitching. Being the slightly anal person that I am, I love stitching in relatively straight lines so embroidery is the perfect medium for my little fingers. I've just ordered the Ultimate Embroidery Kit and a few patterns, including one of Tara McPherson images! WaHooo! Jenny Hart is too kool for skool.