End of March Already

Goodness, where is the year going?  It's nearly Christmas again (well, not really....but it soon will be).....I haven't been a good little blogger lately, however I have been a wonderful little Swap Partner and emailer :)

I have, so far this year, taken part in 2 swaps - one being a Journal Swap organised by Cheryll.  This was a super fun swap - the criteria - a journal with a writing implement.  Lots of scope there huh?  Well, there was.....we could make of course a journal, or a binder or something just a little outside of the box.  The person we made for also was not necessarily the person we received from....I really liked that idea.  The person sending to me was Elaine....I did happen to mention I would love a binder to file all my bits of this and than torn out of magazines each time I have had a little cull........(you know how it is).....and this is what I received in the mail last week.......

Voila - a binder for Anne.....lots of hexies (my first ever anything with hexies)

And the upper hexagons have the letters to form the word IDEA's chain stitched on them.

Thank You Elaine - I shall have some filing done soon.

Aaaaand must apologise, I get too excited and forget to be a good little blogger and take photo's of Oz Post bags and prettily wrapped pressies.....yes, I'm a "Wow.....a pressie....." person - sounds of plastic and paper shredded before I even get inside.  My Material Girls friends will attest to that, even when its not my birthday night, I hint and suggest and possibly even nag about them hurrying to open their gifts!

My person to send to was the lovely Lisa......we had lots of email contact which added to the fun of creating for her.........I thought a little outside of the box with Lisas gift.......

'Looks like a normal kind of journal doesn't it?

But when you open it theres not really anything to write on......lots of pockets to put bits and pieces in prettied up with buttons, lace and yo-yo's....., and to ensure I met the criteria I added a fabric covered notebook.

I also made my first ever fabric flower to pretty it up a little......they are so easy and so effective and so much fun......I think I may have another addiction :)  Now I don't have a photo of the writing implement, but it may have looked something along the lines of a bright yellow goofy looking fluffy ostrich pen sitting on some yummo little easter eggs...........

Loved making and loved receiving - thank you Cheryll for organsing the fun.  I should also mention the journal idea came from Helen of Hugs n Kisses in a fairly antique copy of Country Threads.....with just a couple of minor changes as I wasn't as clever has Helen.

Now my second swap is something I'll just have to blog about again soon, along with 3 other easy cheat finishes to add to OPAM for March.  Time to go rescue the baking from the oven!

xoxoxox

Today's A Day Off

And this is what I have been doing..........

Now this is what I'm off to do for a very short time..........

..........and then it will be time to prepare tea!

Ohhh, and don't worry about the big hollow in the middle of the pav......all the more room for raspberries and cream :)

Happy Valentines!

Reporting In

Well I can't say I have made much progress with much at all this week....I had a lovely day stitching last Sunday at home and then shared the evening crafting with my dear friend Kathy.  I played with Ruby a little (but she began to annoy me with all her little squares and sashings....just having a teeny tiny break before we destroy a wonderful friendship).  I turned my Rounneries Deux (spelling?) charm pack I was lucky to win from Perri into the half square triangles required for the Leanne Beasley pattern that was also part of Perri's giveaway, and have traced 3 (of 12) stitcheries onto the blocks.  Actually, when I read back on what I have just written I find I have accomplished more than I gave myself credit for - well done Anne!

Last weekend I needed to venture to a quilting shop to find just the perfect piece of red fabric for a very special somebody......well....this is what I came home with......

It does have a perfect piece of red fabric but unfortunately its not for my special friend.....I have fallen hopelessly and totally head over heels with the Etching's range.  I had seen photo's on the net which stirred my interest...but when I saw it in real life.....oh my goodness...I just had to have some!  Only a tiny little fat quarter bundle to touch and feel!  And of course zero guilt involved as there is just enough fabric there to make a whole project....justification at its absolute best!

I haven't forgotten you my 'special somebody' whom has requested red and white........

Just a teeny tiny sneak peak to spark a little excitement for Christine!

Do you ever have those days when you wonder if what you are doing is right and if it's all worth it?  I don't mean crafting......just anything?  I was having one of those on Thursday as I was heading to work....questioning, doubting and all the over analysing that you do when you feel a little flat...(OK, self indulgent pity party).........

And then came these................affirmation!

One of my amazingly gorgeous little workers (1 of about 60) who has been with us for 6 years was leaving that day.....and she thought of me......the card she wrote was so touching.....thanking me for the support I had given her.....it really brought it all home to me.....on a day I really needed it....yes, its worth it.   Now I must remember to pay it forward.....to do my part in delivering encouraging words more often.....you never know.....I may just be the answer to someone elses "Is it all worth it" day!!!!

Hugs
xoxo

I had a few minutes last night where I did a little rotary cutting (no mood for cranking up the Janome)...next step of first sizeable finish for 2012 completed.....

72 squares lined up like little soldiers ready to be sewn together....

My husband (like most husbands) has a shed....however I don't believe a lot of husbands could lay (excuse the pun) claim to what he finds waiting for him each afternoon when he returns from work...

Of course, all real sheds have a comfy chair to chill out in......seems that 2 of our hens think like that also....they love to have a pressie for their male Mumma awaiting his return.......I love chooks - they each have their own unique personality....some may think I'm crazy, but some (well strongly hoping)  may think I'm not!!!

And finally for today I can share some piccy's of what I sent my Santa Sack partner...although I didn't take any pic's if you follow this link.....and scroll waaaaaayyyyy down to the bottom (Nomes had more than 1 swap partner and she did amazingly well in the gift department), you can see what I posted to pop her her sack. 

 http://beeshebags.blogspot.com/2012/01/have-ya-missed-me-have-ya-missed-me.html

I'm very very pleased Nomes enjoyed what she received - it was my first online swap - and now I think I'd like to be involved in another - it was fun creating for someone else without knowing too much about them and using fabrics that I ordinarily wouldn't for myself.

On that note, I should attack some housework - on extended trade for the next 2 days, so best take advantage of some morning time around home and get some housecleaning done..ugh!

On a Roll

Lots of chain piecing............that was after the unpick :)

Oh Dear

Have you ever gone off on your own tangent, powered ahead and not read the instructions properly.......ouch, ouch, ouch!!!!!  At least I haven't cut anything out wrong.....just sewn it together missing the sashings between the squares.....now, wheres my quick unpick..?

January 2nd

2nd January 2012 - and I have two finishes - wooooohoooo - (and pictures also).......

Firstly, this one should have been finished before December 25 - yes, too much procrastinating :)  So instead of displaying it proudly I'll have to pack it away in the Christmas box until next year.......

It's a really cute design from.............bother, can't remember (and the pattern is in the granny flat)....I will find out tomorrow and add it to my post.

My next finish is related to my last post - I have a nice journal cover encompassing a book of currently empty pages.....by the end of the year it will be full of events from this year.....

It's made from a yummy Whimsicals fabric (must be quite an old range as I've had this piece of fabric for a few years now just waiting for the right project.  I'm currently nuts about ric rac, so of course it had to have some....a yummy button (I think its bamboo), some cute little charms attached to the little leather ties, and a leather bookmark with a little heart charm attached (yes, cut that one off in the photo)....it looks a little crooked on the bottom but nothing that won't come out with a good press....was a tad too excited to be bragging blogging already :)

My handsome husband just asked me if my blogging ''rules'' are the same as the fishing blog....what would that rule be?...."If theres no pictures it didn't happen"........no honey - blogging ladies don't need rules - just someone to chat to!

Time to go journal!

Hugs
xoxoxox