Noah's Ark

I think the Noah's Ark stitchery was a nice compromise. I started something new, but it is the final one of the Lynette Anderson series.

With a profile coming up in a magazine that needs pics of 3-4 original works it really has my mind ticking over!

I've been working on two more WIP and making a bit of a dint in them. Unfortunately I don't have quite enough yellow homespun for the Sunshine in your Pocket quilt, and my car is off being fixed, so I won't be working on that one tonight...

Decisions ...

Tonight I'll complete each of my handmade gifts for Stephanies Tea Swap. I really, really, really would like to start something new, but I think I have a bit of finishing off to do ....

Teapot Sneak Peek ...

Just a quick little peek at my teapot project for Stephanie's Tea Swap. I don't think I have ever sewn with black before and it has changed the look of my "regular" fabric colours. Fun! Teapot pattern here ...

Muddling through ...

Remember my scrappy boats? Well, I ended up not liking them. I was pleased with my original idea but the blocks in the body of the quilt just looked too big compared with the size of the boats. So the two finished borders were unpicked and a simple centre sewn.

I'm still working on the second two borders and I have taken a bit of a cryptic pic of my progress. I'm also not sure about the dark brown stitchery detail and might change it to a shade of blue. Ahhhh the design process .....

But at least Kane is happy. Last night we were off to the creche family picnic and Kane always wants to feed and entice the ducks anytime we are close to them. A couple of minutes later we were crowded by other kids with leftover bread, and a lot more ducks!

This week I ,,

The week I have finshed my redwork cushion for Maree's swap - sorry no sneak peeks allowed!

Finished a little stitchery ready to make into another project, from the Red Brolley book "Tea with Friends"
Had a go at paper piecing from this cute project from here. It was so quick and easy once the fabric was cut out, maybe 10 mins to sew it up.

And sewed in my first ever zip - One of my goals this year, so pleased with myself!

A few more projects to finish though...

Bob

Most of my sewing is still secret, so the only bit of stitching that I can reveal is Bob! Callum's very loved bear Bob had new eyes and a new paw sewn on this week .... finally. Callum will be very pleased to see Bob "famous" up on the blog!

And these guys are off to the Toy Society for the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal. Cute patterns designed by Audrey and Maude. Maya has been using these toys as an audience while she played the recorder this afternoon. I think they will be very happy to leave home after that!

It was my blogiversary yesterday and fourwisemonkeys turned 1. What can I say but how proud I am to be part of this inspirational community that gives and gives and gives.

Raindrops ..

Today my little package came from Missie Krissie. Of course Maya got her little paws on it the minute she came home from creche. But she sat very still while I took a pic. (Yes, that is Lucy's bunny too!)

I just love anything with my kids names on it. I wouldn't let myself buy or make anything with their names together until we had finished having kids. I need a full circle. This is just so sweet and arrived so quickly. Kris is having a shop opening with 50% of sales being donated to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeals and free postage too.

Today when I picked up Maya, there were raindrops falling. We have made a donation of books today and I'll donate pet food tomorrow and blood very soon. Thank you though, to all those who emailed to make sure we were safe. I don't have the words for this, but many of the bloggers in my blog list have great links and fundraisers too.

How many paddlepops can one family eat?

It has been so hot that I have been left wondering how many paddlepop ice creams can one family of 6 eat over summer? Record breaking 44 degrees yesterday. I have eaten so many that I am a bit too worried to step on the scales :)

Luckily Cass from Snailblazer sent me this fantastic package as part of Katy's Swap! Three fat quarters, a magazine, ribbons, a pincushion and binding, all wrapped up in a recycled pattern and the sweetest tri-coloured string. Thank you so much Cass and Katy!


And with so many secret projects I though I had better give a bit of an update on my Calendar Quilt Challenge. Still going with the daily blue and brown blocks - except that they are being chain pieced each weekend. I'll get there!

Terrible floods, fires and deaths in Australia this weekend. Whole towns lost and a lot of the community need care.

Cute Tea Wallets

It was back to the "real job" on Monday which was pretty hard after 4 weeks of holidays. Lots of emails to sort and the "glad you are back, there's work to be done" calls started straight away. It's been a bit busy this week....

Nearly all the project I am working on are secret at the moment so not much to show. I couldn't resist making these little tea wallets that are just so quick to do, and use 4 bits of fabric just 5 x 7". I would have made these 2 wallets in less than an hour.

I'm not a tea drinker but they are a great quick project and I might make a few up for the mothers day stall. The link here also has the measurements to make a wallet too.

I annoyed Maya but cutting up one of her many, many hair bands to make the closure loop for a quick alternative to making a fabric one, and used a tiny ceramic button I found in my sewing box too. Cute!

Progress peek...

With the heat I haven't been able to applique very quickly at all, but I've finished the first border side and made a start on the second. I'm joining the appliqued borders once they are complete.

I've got a couple of friends with babies due in July so I thought it might be nice to design a baby quilt for little boys. Another scrappy project!