the whimsical bear

It's all rush rush at our house this week. The "real" job is very busy with the lead up to World Environment Day on Friday. I think I have 2 events to go to in Melbourne on Friday and I am working to a strict deadline on a presentation to be held at a volunteering forum in Parliament next week. Thankfully it's not me speaking at the presentation!

I've been working on my swaps and am sewing the binding on the pink butterfly quilt, but have not touched Maya's quilt from Sewjourn yet.. This little bear will be made into a basket, and I think I might design a cushion to match. Cute minny muu fabric too.

Ayden has an interview for a casual job tonight so I've got ironing to do, and my fingers crossed for him too. Never mind exam week next week ...

The Great Escape..

I've been very quiet this week... getting ready for our HUGE trip away to Sewjourn with some very crafty girls! We left before lunch on Friday, and by Sunday morning the studio looked like this... well after a clean up after-the-night-before that is!

I've never been away from the monkeys for this long before and it was hard. Luckily I had these girls to distract and inspire me. I have just laughed and laughed this weekend.

Back is Kathryn from Our Shabby Cottage, Nikki from Nicole Mallalieu Designs , Lara from Thornberry, Annie from Flowergarden, Jodie from Ric Rac, Megan who does not have a blog - yet and me (with no braces -yayayayyayay!) Emma from Ballarat Patchwork was missing from the pic.

Sewjourn was just beautiful. Absolutely perfect for a weekend away and so pretty and fresh. Everything there for us. It was 3 am to bed last night and I am a little worn out. I am astounded by the amount of projects that were finished and well, the singing too.

And look what Matt and the kids had made for me when I got home xx

Stitching Needlecases..

I've been suffering a bit lately from lack of sewing stitcheries. Most of my projects on the go have a lot of applique detail or hand quilting. To have a bit of a break I've made these two little needlecases using a free pattern from Cinderberry Stitches. I have used some of the new Minny Muu fabric on these, along with some of my standard spots, and on the blue needlecase is my first go at using variegated thread.

They close up like this (back view), and open up to have a felted area for needles and a pocket along the bottom for bits and pieces. Very cute and these are off to join the "gift ready" pile of finished projects.

Now, ready to ice the birthday cake for Matt!

Kindness ..

Don't you just appreciate it so much when someone goes out of their way to do something extra. Here's Ayden with his favorite singer (just in front front of Lily Allen), Josh Pyke taken after the Ballarat concert last night. This was just so exciting for Ayden!

And here is my first reveal from my test sewing for Melly & me! Here is Maya with Bunny Boo, who she just loves and sleeps with at night. Melly posted the front cover and projects for the book Kaleidoscope and it looks just fantastic. Only another 4 weeks or so and we can see the finished book!

Do you think he would mind?

Do you think Ayden would mind if I took my sewing to the Josh Pyke concert tonight? Ummm .. tempting, but I don't think he would be impressed ...

Background ..

I had a lovely Mothers Day on Sunday. A huge pile of gifts from the kids, breakfast in bed and a bit of time for sewing.

All those squares have turned into the background of this small quilt. (bad photo, more for my reference before I start the applique pinned over the racing cards on Ayden's pinboard again...)

I'm cutting out some hot pink butterfly silhouettes to applique onto it tonight. Oh course I didn't have the exact right shade of pink at home did I! Quick trip to Ballarat Patchwork at lunchtime to grab it, and a very crumbled up quilt that was tossed in the car for the pic.

Did you see my monkeys in Homespun magazine?

Yesterday Renee sent me an email saying she recognised Maya in Homespun! Back in December the editor Beck sent me an email asking for a couple of pics from the blog, and here they are, Maya and Callum, in the "Blue Issue" of Australian Homespun magazine.


This week I have been so good. Every last, tiny, huge, frustrating bit of unpicking has been done. All but two projects from that pile have been finished and one of those will be finished tonight when I sew the binding down.

To celebrate I have cut out all the fabric for the background for a new project. This project has been in my mind so long I have changed the design 3 times without cutting a single piece of fabric!

Another challenge?

Yep, I've joined another challenge. This one is making a 9 patch a day for 10 weeks and is hosted over at Crazy Mom Quilts. I might end up with new quilt for my birthday! I've cut out heaps of 2 and a half inch squares and there is already a small dint in my pile of scraps. Still going strong on my Calendar Quilt Challenge and must post some pics of those soon too.

I've finished off the little baskets ready to package up tonight. I used the pattern from Pink Penguin without the handles for these - just love them.

And Loose Change is all quilted and the binding is on. Thanks for the reminder Maree! I had to grab scruffy-from-creche Maya for a quick posing opportunity again.

Kris, who made my beautiful stamped pendant a few posts ago has a giveaway for the cutest ring. I know, maybe I am ruining my chances but, have a peek!

Some of my secret sewing revealed ...

So much of my sewing lately has been secret, so it's great to be able to reveal some of it. This was a very quick photo before I packaged up my redwork cushion swap package. My partner was Maree who organised the swap and if you would like to see all I sent, the post is here. This cushion was designed by Bronwyn Hayes and was a project in Homespun Magazine.

Also from Homespun, and designed by Leanne Beasley, this bag was sent to Julie as part of Linda's Spring Swap.

I also sent, along with a few crafty bits and pieces this cushion cover designed by Crabapple Hill. Luckily Julie likes pretty colours too! Thanks Linda, another fun swap!

This block is one of the four blocks that I worked on for Ballarat Patchwork. It is part of a project called Quiltaid. I'm looking forward to seeing what the finished quilt will look like when Emma has finished designing the stashing and quilting. This block was designed by Hatched and Patched. Cute!