Happy Birthday Kane ~ 8 years old!

A quick pic of our birthday boy this morning. 8 years old today! Kane has a big day planning with opening presents after breakfast, school and singing from his class, swimming lessons then going to pick up his dinner and say hello to Ayden (at the casual job) then cake.

It's hard work being 8. We love you Ruffy Ratbag. Happy birthday xx

Tutorial ~ Butterfly Block

For Around the block 2, I've picked a butterfly block that I noticed on Flickr, but it was pretty new to everyone. I've put together a tutorial for it, and I apologise for my late and night dodgy photo's, but I hope you get the idea.

From your red fabric cut 2 x 2⅝ inch squares , cut 1 x 2⅜ inch square and from your white fabric cut 3 x 2⅜ inch squares

Cut your red and white 2⅜ inch squares in half diagonally

Mark the centre of a white triangle and the centre of your red 2⅝ inch square. Match the marks and sew carefully not to stretch the bias triangle. Repeat on the opposite side of the square.

Press the seams towards the dark fabric and trim off the "ears" (photo taken on a bad angle - the square isn't wonky like it looks!)

Repeat with another white fabric triangle and a red fabric triangle. Press and trim the fabric "ears"

Repeat to make the second block.

Match the seams and sew the two blocks together to form the bottom half of the butterfly. I found it easier to press the centre seam open.

From your pink fabric and your white fabric, cut a 4” inch square. Cut these in half diagonally to and sew a pink fabric triangle to a white fabric triangle to make two half square triangles as shown. I trimmed my blocks down to 3½ square.

Sew the blocks together to make the top half of the butterfly. Press the seam open.

Matching the centre seams, sew the top and bottom butterfly sections together. Press

From your white fabric cut 2 x 1½ x 6½ inch rectangle and 2 x 1½ x 8½ inch rectangle. Sew a 1½ x 6½ inch rectangle to each side of the butterfly block. Press. Sew a 1½ x 8½ inch rectangle to the top and bottom of the block. Press

Using a fadeaway pen or light fine pencil, draw the butterflies antennae. Stitch with 2 strands of dmc thread and finish with a french knot.

A finished butterfly block!

Giveaway ~ Lions Nursery Cushion Cover

I thought it might be time for a bit of a giveaway. I always miss my blogging milestones and anniversaries, so here we go!

Up for grabs is this cushion cover. I am happy to post worldwide but I will not included a cushion insert - I hope the winner can add this. The cushion has been made to fit a commerical 14" insert. I have used a pattern from here for the lion stitchery, and the cushion also features yellow ric rac, is fully lined with a padded front panel. The back buttons up with three vintage blue buttons from my grandma's button tin.

To enter you just need to comment on this post by 3 September 2010. Good luck!

Around the Block ~ Indian Stars for MJ

This month was the last month for Around the Block on Flickr. I've just snuck in for the August deadline. MJ asked for blocks made with her pretty blue and cream fabrics to measure 8" finished and make the block using a tutorial for Indian Stars. We were also asked to add in a favourite fabric of ours to add a personal touch to one of the star points. I love this idea and I have added a cornflower blue essential dots fabric in one, and some blue flea market fancy in the other - both fabrics that I am hoarding and using every last scrap.

Please come back to visit tomorrow too .. I think there may be a giveaway ..

Between the lions ...

Blogging just hasn't been happening for the last week or so, what a shame. Life has been crazy with days in Melbourne for work (but I did catch up with my national team which is so great). I had a migrane for three days that was so bad that I actually went to the doctors to try and address a few things, and a few tutorials that I have been working on .. and a pile of knitting you would not believe due to all the commuting.

I also managed to delete my complete bloglist too. I am slowing building it back up .. sorry bloggers who are missing.

Good things too, catching up finally with Bianca, and going for a long lunch together with Jodie last weekend, working on some birthday gifts and organising a birthday party for Kane in early September and finding some fantastic custom party invitations on etsy.

I did finish a bit of stitching. These cute lions are a free download from here, and there is a giraffe and elephant too.

Let's Go! Backpack Tutorial ~ up on Sew Mama Sew

One of the projects I have been working on, are the "Let's Go" backpacks for Sew Mama Sew's August Back to School Month. The tutorial is up and ready to go, here at Sew Mama Sew.

Every commenter on Sew Mama Sew for August is up for the chance to win prizes. Make sure to visit!

Kane and Maya were great models for me - and this is just before Maya fell in the puddle too ... I asked the kids if they would like a treat for being such great helpers. Maya had her toenails painted and Kane picked out a ball of (very bright) wool for the scarf he is working on.

The tutorial is for both the simple and the robot variation of the backpack... and Maya is using the green one already for creche and is not happy that she can't claim the robot one too!

Around the block for Jan ~ July 2010

Around the block for July was for Jan at Sewjourn.

Jan sent out packs of fabric in aqua's, greens and browns, lots of fabrics that I haven't seen before, making them fun to sew. Our packs had three sets of precut border and all we needed to do was make our choice of block to fit within the border - what a great idea for a quilting bee block!

I put together some simple blocks to show off the bold fabric, a snowball, pinwheel and a tiny square. I just can't wait to see the finished quilt in the "Princess Room" at Sewjourn.