Sunday Afternoon

Well, clearly by the title of today's blog it is Sunday afternoon.....and a very hot one to boot!  I'm guessing this time next Sunday afternoon I'll be frantically hemming Naomi's school dress (what did I read the other day.....'asking a quilter to mend is like asking Picasso to paint the exterior of a house'), ensuring Jordan actually has 5 pairs of matching socks (even though they've never been worn) and double checking that Alanna actually does have everything she needs in her school bag....not to mention mourning that, although I have worked most of the holiday's, I also have had a lovely little break from getting up that extra 45 mins earlier to pack lunch boxes, serve up breakfast etc before walking out the door. 

So now onto my achievements this week with my craft.............ummmmm, errrrrrrrr...  Just tricking......do need to admit that I have not actually stitched a lot (have pieced most of a small quilt for Jordan - really basic - 2 fabrics, 6 inch squares (blue) and 5 inch squares (red with an inch of black border) to join alternating in rows with a 6 inch border.....rows completed, border to add.  It's a bit tricky to find novelty fabric that is suitable for an 11 year old.....these are just pirates skulls that he liked.  The Queensland quilts set him off on an "I want a quilt Mum" tangent. Bless him!

I also joined the OPAM group (One Project a Month) which is really good because now I have accountability to others for the challenge I have laid myself on my blog.  I am also very excited at the prospect of meeting online ladies from other parts of the world who share the same interest and peeking at their projects also.  Cannot wait to be up and running.

Have also begun to gather a wish list for this year.....several small projects (just to make sure I can upload at least one completion a month), three long time UFO's and I would love to make a stitchery quilt....nothing too complicated.....am looking for a nice pattern on the net of an evening.  I'm thinking I will also tackle a couple of dolls this year, so got myself organised this week and soaked a couple of metres of calico in parisienne which is now tucked away for when the time is right. Such organisation is scarey for me. :)

On that note, I really should depart and attack some chores I have neglected to start this weekend.  Have a lovely week Ladies and remember "Live Well, Laugh Often and Love Much" xxxxxxx

My Little Bow Bag

Well, I am feeling rather proud of myself today....have finally finished my "Little Bow Bag" - it's so cute.  The pictures aren't that wonderful as the only camera that lives in the house (since mine met an untimely death) is currently at Camp with Miss Middle Child.

The pattern is a Whistlepig Creek pattern which came from Christine's shop.  It has a really cute bow (which is elastic threaded through a casing and the fabric gathered on the end). 

The little bit you sew across the corners to make a base is actually turned up on the outside of this bag with a cute little button feature.  Mmmmmm, buttons - I have never had a button collection, but I think I may need to start one :)

I always follow the pattern instructions (not quite confident enough to try my own way yet), but because it has a cute little pocket on the front and the back I decided to save time (just in case I began to procrastinate) and not put any on the inside......of course, now that it's complete I wish I had. 

So now I have 2 great accomplishments (actually 3) today. 

         1.     Completing my pretty little bag.

         2.     I've uploaded pictures and managed to write in between.....it's actually quite easy isn't it?

         3.     I also managed to begin a 2011 Finishes list on my blog (quite an achievement for an IT        illiterate) which now has 2 entries underneath.

Feeling pretty chuffed :)

Well, its the eve of my return to work after having a lovely 3 weeks off with the kids and a few days with my hubby......am so chilled out!!!!  Weather has been a little inclement but that has probably worked to my quilting advantage.  My friend Kathy and I got together and made 4 kids quilts to send to Qld (took a few days to get the binding on them all) and I myself have completed 2 small UFO's and almost finished a little bag for myself.  Have been considering ways to train myself to dream (ok, procrastinate) less and accomplish more......I am going to take a leaf out of Christine's book and do a little hand stitching each evening (in between kids, housework and organising the family) and use my machine only on my days off - in theory that will work quite well.  I am so inspired by the Material Girl's ladies and what beautiful items they create, my challenge to me this year is at the end of each month upload a photo to my blog of one item I have begun and finished.....another challenge will be to figure out how to actually get a photo on here :)  So, stay tuned ladies......there should be a picture of my beautiful little bag online within the next week........................now to start thinking about what I should be making next month............