Ruffy Ratbag is 6!

It's so hard to believe that our littlest boy is 6 today. We love you Ruffy Ratbag!

Kane is a little monkey, so clever and creative, and he astounds us everyday with his thinking, right outside of the box.

Happy birthday Kane xxxx

We had his party yesterday at "Funbugs" with his whole prep class invited. Total mayhem, but they had a great time.

Even Maya enjoyed it!Today we have been making Horton the elephant costumes by Dr Seuss for Callum and Kane for Book Week. I have no idea why they want to be the same character?

Made a good start for my 1ooth post coming up...

I've finished the pattern for the Russian Nesting Dolls stitchery but I haven't been able to upload the pdf to blogger. Does anyone know how to? If you would like a free copy emailed to you, just let me know.

Russian Doll Swap Goodness ... too beautiful for words

Look how lucky I am! Sarah's parcel from Katy's Russian Doll swap arrived today. I can't believe how beautiful these are, all individual, detailed and inspirational. Each one, except the very tiny one, opens in true matryoshka style, to nest, but I'll be displaying them in a row in my kitchen. They are made from wood!

Isn't Sarah so talented!
There was even two beautiful pieces of japanese fabric and some covered buttons. I've got plans for them already. Thank you Sarah and thanks Katy. I just don't have enough words to say how much I apreciate these. x Rachel

Kane's birthday party tomorrow - his whole prep grade invited, lots of 6 year olds keeping us busy!

Making progress .. little peaks

Little peak at my project for Linda's Bag and Bucket swap. My first go at using Batiks and raw edge applique!

Nearly ready to go into the post, for Jen as part of the Red Geranium Cottage Cupcake Swap, another little peak

And a progress pic of my butterfly quilt, slowly getting there... x Rachel

Revealing ... Russian Doll Swap!

Sarah from the Pesky Bombobino has opened her packaged from the I'm a Ginger Monkey Russian Doll Swap, so I can do the big reveal. I really enjoyed the sewing for this swap, and this is what I made - a little bag with a pocket just for the dollies, and three little Russian Nesting Dolls to match. The top is threaded with red ribbon, like a drawstring, so it can be gathered (or not) and tied in a bow.

I'm checking the letter box for Sarah's package now. I just can't wait, and I admit I was pretty nervous sewing for Sarah, as her work is just so beautiful and creative. The next photo is Sarah's too - much nicer than mine!

Check back in a couple of days and I will have the pdf to download of the stitchery dolls pattern.

Callum is off on his first camp tomorrow - only two kids at home, we won't know ourselves! Three days away camping for Callum and he can't wait. A night hike, and on the way back a visit to the school that the Grade 2's are penpals with. A big birthday party coming up for Kane next weekend too. How exciting!

Some retail therapy ..

The gift voucher that Matt bought me for my birthday in July has been burning a hole in my pocket. I really felt like I needed a bit of retail therapy after the week I have had at work, so a quick trip into Ballarat Patchwork at lunchtime.

Cute patterns, my staple fabric - red polka dots and blue polka dots and a linen and cotton mix, and a bit of 1930's to add to my growing stash. Some soft black fabric too to make silhouette butterflies for my bag swap. I don't usually buy black.

Cathy from Miss Marzie and Audrey and Maude has given me permission to sell my handmade softies using these patterns. I'm really pleased and will be making up a few for the creche fundraising marketday in October when I have my one and only stall for the year.

Ayden called last night to say today he is off on his 7 day hike around the northern side of King Island. I'm counting down the days until he comes on on 11 September.

See what Maree sent me!

How great are bloggers! I'm amazed everyday about the generosity out there - free patterns, tutorials, advice, inspiration and giveaways. So much to make us smile!

Just like Maree, who sent me this so cute bag and Jasmine sented soap in her 50th post giveaway. Just perfect for polka dot collecting me! Thanks Maree, you are a star.

Show and Tell Tuesday ~ Sunday Bag

It's the culprit today, the bag that started my bag making craze that hasn't stopped yet! For Show and Tell Tuesday I have "the Sunday Bag" designed by Apples of Gold.

Country style fabrics that were everywhere when I started sewing over 10 years ago didn't really work for me. I made a few bits and pieces, until I found Robyn Pandolph fabrics and I was sold on pretty fabrics.

This is the bag that comes with me when I go to a patchwork class. It has a pocket on the front and back, and has foundation pieced courthouse steps blocks around the base. Made in the "Bed of Roses" range by Robyn Pandolph. It's lined in the green spotted fabric that you can see in the blocks and I love that too. It's nice a big.

And the batiks - this is what I think I will do ... I'm going to piece the front and back so that it makes a nice tonal background, then I am going to applique two butterflies in a dark solid colour to the front and the back, in varing sizes. I just need to get out Matt's butterfly identification books out and look for the right shape. I hope it turns out okay.

Nearly didn't make posting today! Maya went and locked the keys in the office, and Matt had to take apart some of the door to get us in..

Fab Fabric Baskets!

I've been trying to get on top of the crafting a little bit this week. I've finished Jen's project for the cupcake swap, and finished this pincushion by Cinderberry Stitches. I thought it would be a quick project, but it took me 6 nights to get it done. I was working late on some of the nights though, but longer than expected. I'm not sure if I am happy with it, its a bit wonky but it may get better with use and the stuffing settles down. See the cute button in the middle, a gift from Val. I've also made some progress on the butterfly quilt.

Last night I really wanted to do something quick. I just love the fabric basket that Lisa had made at Spoonful of Sugar and I followed the link here. I was cutting the fabric out while Matt read a story each to the kids, settled myself with the footy on the radio, and sewed while Matt went out to visit a mate. I added a bit of ric rac and a line of stitching detail to the pattern, and look, two little baskets made in an evening.

Today we took the kids out to Lake Wendouree for a late lunch and a play in the playground. They had a great time, even thought it was a bit misty. Look at Callum, hardly any teeth! Then off to buy a new couch for one of our living spaces. Hooray! It only took us two visits to pick out a couch and fabric. Unheard of....

Now I'm waiting for the weekly phone call from Ayden. He was going on his solo last Thursday, a full day and night camping alone to have a think and reflect, and a chance to be on your own. I'm interested to hear how that one went.

Thanks for all the help with the batik fabrics too. I've got a bit of an idea now...

I need some help! Batik's fabric

Well, I have a secret swapper who likes brights and batiks. I'm doing my best and bought this bundle on ebay, and added a few bright fossil ferns. I am totally lost. It's waaayyy out of my comfort zone here.

I need to make a bag, maybe with a sqare inside a square pattern? Any ideas? Any at all!

Show and Tell Tuesday ~ Lime and Soda Quilt

For Show and Tell Tuesday, finally its the Lime and Soda Quilt, newly quilted by Bernadette and the binding made in this nice soft turquoise fabric. Not bad for me, to completely finish a quilt in July that was started in May! I used a pattern by Ballarat Patchwork and did a class. It uses 16 fat quarters and templates, so it's quick. The trickiest bit is getting the right combination of fabrics. Lots of ladies used Kaffe Fassett fabrics for a whole different look, and one lady used black and whites. And you use up every scrap of your 16 fat quarters.

I ran out and took this pic in the rain! Its so dark and wintery here today!

And cheeky Maya having a pose with the quilt. She has new Dora the Explorer slipper-socks on, so she is very pleased with herself... and wanted me to take a pic of them to send to Ayden. Looking a bit scruffy after a big morning at creche too.

1930's .. what do you think?

It's hard to do a crafty blog when all your current stitching is secret! So, I thought I would ask the question, 1930's fabric for my "Sunshine in your Pocket" stitchery quilt?

I do love 1930's prints, but I have never really bought them, so this is my complete collection at the moment, most of them I have bought from Ballarat Patchwork just recently. We live in a 1930's house, and there are lots of prints with bunnies, but I have hesitated buying even more because I know once I do, I'll start collecting.. Do you think they would look good with the redworks? I thought they might suit the nursery rhyme theme?

Kelly has just started stitching her "Sunshine in your Pocket" so take a peek here!

Lise has also posted a pic of the little lady bug bag that I sent her as a gift in my giveaway here.

And have a peek at what I won on Maree's blog last night! Luck me

Well, its 2 degrees here at the moment, and snow is falling every now and again. I hope you had a great weekend!

I heart scraps ...

I've just taken the poor sewing machine out of hibernation. For the last two weeks the only use it has had is making and sewing on some binding. It didn't even make it to the dining table until today. Tragic!

Last night I bought out some scraps and started making my swap gift for Jen for the Red Geranium Cottage Cupcake Swap. Here's a little sneak peek, but it will look very different soon! It was great getting out my scraps again and having a play with different colours, and getting a few project ideas sorted in my head. I'll be doing a bit of hand quilting on this project tonight...

Also last night I went to 7 year old Callum music presentation. All the Grade 2's showing their skills on violins, cello's and recorders. Terrible, terrible me was not looking forward to it all! I didn't show it .. Callum didn't realise and I went. But honestly, it warms the heart to see all those little kids concentrating on those tricky instruments. The cello was almost as big as Callum!

Have a great weekend all! We are expecting 7 degrees on Sunday - perfect for stitching and kids crafts x Rachel

More Cupcake Goodness..

Maya and I were pretty excited when we got home from work and creche yesterday, to a lovely parcel stamped with cupcakes..

My cupcake swap from the Rachael Rabbit Cupcake Swap from Ali at Domesticali had arrived! Can you believe all this goodness! Tea, serviettes, a little tissue holder, a knitted cupcake, pretty dishcloths, a stamp, cupcake trim and my favorite, these little bookmarks that Ali has made. I just love them. Thank you Ali, and I hope you are having a great time in New York - Lucky you! Thanks for organising it too Rachael.

And the cupcake didn't stay mine for very long....

It's been 4 days..

It's been 4 days since I last picked up a needle, or used the rotary cutter... so sadly no craft to show. I can't remember the last time I didn't have the energy to craft for so long. On Saturday I did wake up feeling better and after running the kids around we did a heap of baking.. lasagne, slice, soup, biscuits and chocolate mousse. We have around 60 bunny biscuits ready for school snacks during the week.

I think I'm going to enjoy starting the binding tonight!

Progress...

Star Quiltalong, layout sorted. Well, until Maya came home from creche and scattered it while I checked my email. We put it back together from the pic and its all numbered and in order now. I still need to make the sashing border and final border.

Lime and Soda - FINISHED! Bernadette did such lovely quilting on it, and there are some pic's on her blog. Ruth's Quilt, I've made the binding and machine sewn it on. Ready to be hand stitched during the week.

Me, still not really well. A virus, that I just can't shake. I'm going to work and getting through my day, but I'm just not really well. Family up for the weekend and Thai takeaway for dinner. Lets see if that helps! Have a wonderful weekend x