tuffins tales

Swimming....

2012-01-12T08:14:00.002+11:00

Swimming...., originally uploaded by beeware70.

All right I have a lot of yarn. I do knit most of it eventually....
bad photo but it is to remind me of what I have!

And summer is all about swimming.

Space to sew

2011-12-01T14:21:00.000+11:00

Sometimes one has to get away with the alpacas to actually find some time to sew!

In between..

2011-11-25T07:38:00.000+11:00

.....all the tumultous events of the past months there have been moments of wonderful.

Heartfelt thanks to all who have emailed, sent cards & more (including food..such glorious food!). It is a journey.

It's the end of the world as we know it....

2011-10-10T23:05:00.001+11:00

& I don't feel fine.

Life can change in one day. On the 20th of September my husband had an MRI with a shocking report. This week he is having surgery. And then next? Not sure yet.

The photos above taken on Fathers Day September 2011

Is it the Paris Stripper in progress?!

2011-09-16T09:07:00.001+10:00

Is it the Paris Stripper in progress?!, originally uploaded by beeware70.

..complete with Isak!

Weekend moosic with da ukes!

2011-09-03T18:27:00.000+10:00

Lost in time...

2011-08-19T21:23:00.002+10:00

flavour of the month, originally uploaded by beeware70.

Mmm..well it's been a while. This is a taste of what the Beehivers have made for me this past month. They are absolutely amazing...the blocks & the Beehivers too!
As for me I've been lost in the knit & the yarn. As my ravelry pages can almost attest too.

Another sort of Beehive

2011-07-05T22:54:00.002+10:00

another sort of Beehive, originally uploaded by beeware70.

..been busy cutting fabric for my month in the Beehive lately. Also catching up on blocks to be made.
If you hadn't noticed I like kntting as well. I have adopted this as my new favourite necklace.

EXHAUSTED

2011-06-23T21:53:00.000+10:00

Back from the Sydney craft quilt fair. Tired, sore feet, more projects to do but happy.
Enjoyed the quilts...Dear Jane's seem to be plentiful.
Bought more than I needed (which would have been nothing but then I should have stayed home) but not too much.
Pretty yarn, just a tad of fabric, a birthday book for mum. That would be about it.

Recipe for a warm neck!

2011-06-18T09:26:00.001+10:00

Cold & wintry here...lots of neck warming required. Inspired by similiar crochet cowls at Calico &Ivy decided to knit one....*

Take one ball of Kidsilk Haze in a mushroomy colour & one rather spesh hank of Koigu...this one was nice & earthy with greys & browns.

Cast on 101 stitches on 8 mm circular needle with one strand of each of the yarns. Join these stitches as you knit one row in the round...I twisted the stitches so as to end up with a twisted cowl. Did I do this on purpose? Maybe!!
Keep knitting in moss stitch (1 purl 1 plain) until yarn is nearly used up. Cast off loosely. Quite a bit of KSH is left over...

Enjoy the warmth :)

ravelried

* It is especially satisfying to complete & wear a project inside 5 days when I have so so many other things on the go that just go very slowly!

And I would like to put more time into learning to crochet one day...when I have more time...but not this week!

The Down Under DQS

2011-06-05T18:04:00.001+10:00

The DQS stands for doll quilt swap..just in case you were unaware. I decided to join this swap as i love the idea of making quilts but often start & never finish.....well hopefully one day!
Anyway here is one I finished lately. It has now been received by it's new owner prosestitch. I posted it on a cold & rainy night..

..which is also when this photo was taken. The photo isn't as good as it could be. Prosestitch has a better one.

About the same time there was post for me. A delightful package from aunty cookie.

This little quilt will fit perfectly in a little spot above my sewing machine in the corner of my bedroom near a yellowy aboriginal dot painting I have. Thank you Aunty Cookie!! I love all it's pleaty grey & yellow goodness.
It was fun doing a DQS, definitely be up for another one some day! Thanks Kate for your organisational prowess :)

A bit of brightness for winter

2011-05-26T22:25:00.002+10:00

DUDQS progress, originally uploaded by beeware70.

I joined the Down Under Doll Quilt Swap this year. It has been organised by the lovely Kate. I have so far enjoyed immensely the quilts popping up in the flickr group. They are all really beautiful. It's fun now to see where each one ends up! Mine is just undergoing it's final touches before it heads off.

Another week..

2011-05-21T21:12:00.000+10:00

Well the May Fair was a grand success with the craft stall raising more money than in previous years. We are all a bit exhausted here.

Here is a photo of the craft stall. It would be more interesting with people in it but anyway...

Let me tell you I have several amazing friends who really went hell for leather in making stuff for this fair. My contribution was somewhat smaller...read measly maybe.

Still the whole experience of a school fete relies on many many hands.

And this one demonstrated that!

Cup of tea anyone?

2011-05-14T08:59:00.001+10:00

Our little school fete is on today.

On offer all sorts of things including cups of tea...and tea cosies.

Ferncourt May Fair 11 am

Marrickville

Entertainment on three stages!

Happy Mother's Day..

2011-05-08T10:49:00.002+10:00

block 8 , originally uploaded by beeware70.

..and may you all have time for a little crafty goodness if that is what your heart desires.

Little holidays

2011-04-28T19:03:00.001+10:00

Easter was filled with little trips here & there...not too far afield either. During this time a birthday was celebrated..caravan style!

A cardi was finally finished..& the weather turned a bit chilly...

this is my second tiny tea leaves (ravelried here). I'm now on to doing another...to replace the one I shrank.

So now we are back to the norm of term time. Very nice to start with a short week though!

Happy Easter

2011-04-22T20:46:00.001+10:00

From the ridiculous.......

to the sublime*

*yes I did mix it up...

Birthday wishes...

2011-04-06T09:16:00.000+10:00

On Saturday morning I was inspired to make a birthday present for a 4 year old. Using the ooshka babushka face my daughter & I set to work.

I used some of the fabric from my Sew-it Together sample bag. Perfect for the job. It was well-received on Saturday arvo!

Sew it Together 2011...come & gone...but what a blast!

2011-04-01T15:40:00.000+11:00

It was a whirl of activity & chat that was over all too soon. The stories have been told much more comprehensively in many other places. And photos- plenty here! I really think Sew it Together is about the people...whom I didn't photograph so you'll have to imagine :) The rest is icing on the cake. Big thanks to Sheridan of course!

The day itself started off with an incredibly generous goody bag courtesy of the sponsors.

Settled down to a bit of knitting. Combined with chatting. Maybe more chat. And more cups of tea.

Plenty of purchasing opportunites

A rather special pair of items I was delighted to win from craft schmaft & nicole mallileu

A helpful handpiecing workshop from Cath of Material Obsession. This will no doubt help my circle game to keep rolling along...

photo from Kathy of Material obsession fame!!

And an impromptu crochet workshop from another Cath. Thank you Cath. I didn't get a photo of this one so watch this space. Peta made a beautiful flower...maybe she will put a photo on her blog one day :)
I managed to fit in voting, a quick trip to Kinokuniya, racing back home to retrieve the lovely nametag I forgot all before dinner. Which is probably another story to be told another time.

To extend the SIT experience it was great to visit the new Material Obsession on Sunday morning. And look they are having a sale this week. Perhaps the perfect excuse for a visit!
Willa & I did make it to Calico & Ivy on Friday to pretend we were on the shopping trip. Willa had a ulterior motive in being pleased to go....macaroons from adriano zumbo. I think this might become a regular duo. Dangerous liasions...

This incredibly crafty weekend finished with a sock toy workshop to help produce toys for our school fete as well as give kids a fun craft experience. Our May Fair has developed quite the reputation when it comes to craft... onwards..ever onwards...

Sew it Together is on today

2011-03-26T01:14:00.002+11:00

koigu, originally uploaded by beeware70.

Gathering together supplies to take to SIT. Perhaps not much will be completed so must not get carried away.

Thinking on themes of teal & raspberry today...or was that yesterday!

...for someone going to 'Sew it Together'

2011-03-09T23:14:00.002+11:00

...for SIT, originally uploaded by beeware70.

Yes. I finished it & it should arrive or have arrived at it's destination soon. I believe it is for someone who likes quilts so that is good!
The quilt bit has kind of taken over ...the name a bit. Oh well. At least I got the overall size right this time.....

Circle game update

2011-03-06T22:56:00.002+11:00

Circle game, originally uploaded by beeware70.

I haven't done any since being back at work & into the race of life. But this came the other day in the post.

Suzuko in the circle game....can patchwork get any better??!!

I am looking forward to doing this once caught up with the Beehive & started on some knitting for the May Fair (one scarf down...lots to go)

Made by a Belinda for a Belinda!!!!!!!

2011-02-27T15:46:00.002+11:00

made by a Belinda for a Belinda!!!!!!!, originally uploaded by beeware70.

Here is a cute nametag that arrived in the post this week. Love the hexagons!

And here is a little stack of fabric etc that hopefully will be the one I make for someone by the end of the week.

Fridays...

2011-02-26T00:46:00.000+11:00

When I look back at this blog there is a hint or 2 (or more) of unfinished projects, too much fabric & plenty of yarn. Yes it's true. Storage issues? Of course. I recently moved my sewing machine into a corner of my bedroom. My design wall thing is folded up in a washing basket since my eldest daughter took over the 3rd bedroom. Feeling a tad disorganised I am!!

But Fridays are a time for simple pleasures...

buttons from the local market

yummy sourdough from a local bakery

some progress on the tiny tea leaves...so that indeed it will be finished for the cold weather

some skeins of yarn for only 75 cents each- perfect for upcoming May Fair projects

If only life was always so simple!!

The circle game....updated

2011-02-14T21:19:00.004+11:00

the circle game again- the first 6 blocks, originally uploaded by beeware70.

Some of my January was spent peacefully piecing these blocks.

And look there are buttons on my blog!

Ayumi has written a lovely post....all about Suzuko & the coasters.

Little coasters...

2011-02-10T18:20:00.002+11:00

Our SK coasters together!, originally uploaded by ayumills.

Continuing on the story of the Suzuko Koseki coasters. Here they are all together...
I think Ayumi of Pink Penguin will talk about meeting & giving them to Suzuko very soon.

January oh January where art thou?!

2011-01-30T23:55:00.001+11:00

Here we are on the eve of school, first day back at work & all. My January plans will now have to become February plans! This is where 2011 truly begins, this is where the year starts to speed on by...are you ready??

from my backyard in the inner suburbs of Sydney

Enjoy the last day of January!

Thank you to all the supprters of the auctions/raffles that happened last week for the flood relief efforts.

Apparently they raised a lot of money.

Wow!

Auction for the Queensland Flood Relief- number 2

2011-01-16T11:55:00.000+11:00

Second auction the same just a few different fabrics. 28 squares of 6.5 inches square. Please bid on this post & help the Queenslanders.

Thanks.

Auction for the Queensland Flood Relief- number 1

2011-01-16T11:31:00.000+11:00

I was wondering what I could auction to help raise funds- no way i was going to finish any of my projects in time- but then I thought what about a bit of rare & sought after fabric- maybe somebody might want that. So I got to work cutting out squares of Flea Market Fancy & some Japanese fabric including the Sevenberry florals that coordinate so well with the FMF.

Auction 1 is 28 squares of fabric as pictured below. They are 6.5 inches square.

Happy to post anywhere. As in the other Make it Perfect auctions please leave a bid in the comments for this post. The highest bidder at closing will then pay the Queensland Flood Relief fund directly & let me know the receipt number.

Cheers!

Next auction coming up- it's pretty similiar!

Flood relief for Queensland

2011-01-13T22:57:00.000+11:00

Please click on the above to support the people affected by these shocking events. I will have an auction happening here soon so please come back then.

Sweet Japanese Treats

2011-01-12T22:31:00.002+11:00

Gift To Suzuko Progress, originally uploaded by badskirt - amy.

Can you work out what the above says?!

It may be evident that I am partial to a bit of Japanese fabric...not necessarily the traditional Japanese fabric...but the quaint, eclectic Japanese designer fabric.
When Ayumi of Pink Penguin decided to create a gift for Suzuko to present to her whilst she is in Japan, I was in like Flynn. I have developed a love of her fabric over the past year or more & thanks to some friends and some late night Etsy searching have a nice (little) stash. There are about 18 people from maybe 8 countries contributing to this gift. Wow! Suzuko designs some great fabric that deserves much appreciation.

The idea was that each person contributing did a different letter. Mine was a U. Can you tell?!

The back is made of the fantastic button card fabric with a little patch from some Kokka fabric.

BTW it says we heart suzuko koseki

Another treat of very recent times is the opening of baby Calico & Ivy in Balmain. It is a beautiful shop with lots of beautiful creative things including some delicious Japanese fabric. I went for a look the other day with Amy badskirt (I'm thinking her skirts must be pretty good these days though!!)

Of course a little bit came home with me!

It is a beautiful place & certainly worth the visit for inspiration alone- but I dare you not to leave without something. It has yarn as well. Mmm yes...

Sew it Together 2011

2011-01-05T23:36:00.002+11:00

Yes 2011 has crept up & is here. Before it gets too far under way lets revisit Sew it Together 2010. This was one amazing event organized by one very capable lady Chaletgirl aka Sheridan. After the success of 2010 she is on the extraordinary organising trail again in 2011. I have yet to learn how to put a button on my blog (a goal for this year perhaps!) but I have popped this years SIT blog over there > in the sidebar. Pop over there to learn about all the exciting events & sponsors planned for this year.
Important details;
SIT 2011 is on in SYDNEY the weekend of MARCH 26th & 27th. It is for crafty bloggers. It will be fun.

Merry Christmas to each & all

2010-12-24T17:33:00.001+11:00

....and here's to a lovely 2011....may we all appreciate the little things.

Running in Circles!

2010-12-20T09:30:00.000+11:00

Yes I should be getting ready for Christmas!

Belinda

2010-12-01T00:10:00.001+11:00

Belinda, originally uploaded by badskirt - amy.

from Amy.

Ain't she clever?

Winner's are Grinners!!!

2010-11-19T18:23:00.002+11:00

Truly lovely to win a blog giveaway just around my birthday recently. Gave my partner another reason to avoid buying a present (kind of joking!).

Yay for amitie girl !!!

Actually I have scored a present this year from my better half. Front row seats to see Neil Finn this week. That's exciting.

edit: It was amazing - he is an incredibly talented musician- & from Split Enz to Crowded House to the Finn Brothers his music takes me through my life.

I think that after all this winning that there should be a giveaway on this blog soon. Hint: it may well involve fabric. Stay tuned....

Lucky last in the Beehive!

2010-11-04T22:48:00.000+11:00

Well it was not me...still working on handquilting the Rockets.

Karlyn has been very patient & waited a whole year for her turn in the Beehive quilt block swap.
Here is my contribution to the future quilt she is making for her daughter...

She sent so many fantastic scraps I thought I should make 2. The first one was more successful. The second one is a bit strange but makes up for it coz it has lots of flea market fancy & heather ross!!!

See more of Karlyn's blocks here.

I really cannot wait to see this quilt made up.

Back to the sticks

2010-10-21T14:21:00.000+11:00

Not one to be deterred by previous knitting misadventures, I've cast on a new project.

A little "Lucky" from my very dog-eared copy of Pipsqueaks for a little baby I know. Its in all seasons cotton so it can't shrink/felt.

And a cute (if blurry) photo of Willa in the knitted denim dress (Erika Knight pattern).

A Woeful Tale

2010-10-18T14:33:00.001+11:00

Sometimes one does stupid thoughtless things. Unfortunately last Friday arvo I did.

I was handwashing some woollen stuff & being lazy thought I would pop them into the washing machine for a rinse & a spin. At the last minute I added Bronte's stunning pear tree cardi (since she had worn it pretty much the whole holiday!)

Alas you can imagine the rest. Clutching at straws, I googled unfelting & came up with something about boiling & vinegar. It doesn't work....

Perhaps I should have tried the fabric softener or hair conditioner...
Moral of the story- never let another handknitted anything near a front loader machine!

Has anyone else a tragic tale of brain failure & wool shrinkage? It is heartbreaking - all that time, expense & effort...gone in a spin!
At least I can knit another- actually Bronte has ordered 2 more...which I guess is wise...

Fabric stashes

2010-10-14T14:46:00.003+11:00

suzuko koseki, originally uploaded by beeware70.

I'm a tad jealous of all the people I know who have been recently or are going soon to Japan.
It must be amazing.

Mind you I'm very appreciative of the special fabric that has come to me via these people!

Sophie Madeleine - The Knitting Song

2010-10-11T12:41:00.000+11:00

Been away...lots of driving & some knitting...thus the song! Enjoying Sophie's beautiful voice.

Tiny tea leaves

2010-09-17T14:31:00.001+10:00

In amongst the business of the last month (crazy school fundraisers , gala concerts, catching up with friends to discuss fabric finds and more) I sought a bit of refuge in knitting. Knitting is such a perfect activity to do anywhere...even when walking along the streets of Redfern. The first step was finding some irresistable pear tree wool at A Coffee and a Yarn Newtown.

Next was deciding the pattern....tiny tea leaves leapt out at me from many places so that wasn't a hard choice! And then knitting here there & everywhere..in the car, at school, walking to work, on the train, at choir, in bed (but not advised in the shower!) And here is the result.

I love it! Right down to the 3 old green buttons Bronte chose for the front. And so much so I have started the next one! This time with some pinkish purplish yarn I must have come across when Bronte was younger...just as well I have another younger pink -loving child!

The circle game....

2010-09-16T13:20:00.007+10:00

block 1: circle game, originally uploaded by beeware70.

Here is the first block in Amitie's BOM "The Circle Game". I admit I haven't finished the Green Tea one & probably shouldn't be starting any more new projects especially quilts but... those Amitie quilts are irresistable!!
The handpiecing is fun too. I am way behind on the applique blocks in the green tea one- the Circle Game has lots of curved handpiecing which I rather enjoy.
I just need more time!

Happiness...

2010-09-08T23:27:00.001+10:00

DSC_0050, originally uploaded by Fiesta Cruise.

...or is it craziness!

August meets Books

2010-08-27T23:48:00.001+10:00

August in our family always has 2 aspects.

1. Sickness...I don't know what it is..end of winter & all that..overused immune systems etc etc.
2. Book week parade
Hopefully the 2 do not coincide. This year it was a close call.

Meet Harry Potter & Pippi Longstocking.

Not original ideas but fun!

Beehive Update

2010-08-07T21:02:00.000+10:00

...having dragged the chain on Andi's July blocks, I did double duty today & made Andi's and Sheridan's!

First up Andi's

She has decided to use her plentiful & beautiful scraps to made a string quilt. It will be stunning! Used this tutorial by Film in the Fridge. I found the most difficult part was to make the green strips sit exactly in the middle of the square- I suspect they don't.

Sheridan's quilt blocks were somewhat more straightforward to sew. Still a pleasure to sew these beautiful fabrics- looking forward to see all 64 blocks in the king size quilt.

So up to date now!!

I can go back to knitting with a clear conscience....

Knitting fever

2010-08-05T13:47:00.000+10:00

Had a bit of a knitting time lately.
Here are my finished projects- haven't yet perfected the art of taking photos of myself so excuse the poor photography.

Scroll lace scarf- details here

denim pinafore details here

I need to wash this so it can be used ...at 60 degrees...washing in hot water is not something I do. Have to bite the bullet- hope it doesn't shrink too much!

a quick knit for a friend ...she did give me the mohair to knit up a while back..so glad it's finally been tackled!

detail of the mohair pattern

Now I'd better to get sewing. Bit behind in the Beehive.

Optimism & the (un)finished project

2010-07-23T13:45:00.003+10:00

I am one of those people who likes to have about 100 projects in progress at the same time. Sometimes it can be overwhelming & I feel like nothing ever gets finished!! Other times especially in the school holidays I optimistically think of all that can be achieved....
Case in point:
On our recent short holiday I took perhaps 4 projects plus a couple of books (for inspiration for new projects..) with the optimistic view that they would get completed or at least partially completed. And all that was done (because really holidays are pretty busy with 3 kids and things to do!) was one quilt block. Oh well...we did have a good holiday.

Once back home I did finally finish something that has been languishing at the end of the bed.

although the button does need to be sewn on.

And just to keep the holidays real I did start a new project which will hopefully be donated for the school fundraiser, a Scroll Lace scarf from Ysolda Teague made of some Debbie Bliss alpaca silk which has also been languishing at the end of the bed.

I'm now stuck at a point of 28 lace repeats because am not sure which is the right or wrong side. But I hope to work it out because I see a finished project in my sights.

And also must start that ice cream dress!

Perfect timing..

2010-07-12T23:00:00.001+10:00

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to win a yard of lovely Little Folks voile from Andi in her blog giveaway. Thank you Andi- it is beautiful, so silky and soft.
Then at the craft show I bought a little bit more ...the red one...whilst having a great time fabric perusing with Sheridan and Amy.

Then a couple of weeks later Amy decided to run the the Ice Cream Social . It just seems a perfect time to use the voile...

..so a pattern was bought. Now to aim for the perfect fit!!

The ice cream dress sew along kicks off on the 18th of July. Check out the flickr group for more info and inspiration.

Green tea and sweet beans progress

2010-06-27T21:45:00.002+10:00

Tulip block 1, originally uploaded by beeware70.

A Little Morning Music

2010-06-27T10:06:00.001+10:00

Some people I know grooving along!

Catching up..

2010-06-18T23:09:00.005+10:00

In May Julie sent out beautiful Kaffe shot cottons and prints for log cabin/ squares blocks with interesting details in the Beehive block swap. I loved the colour mix I received - different greens and a touch of orange.

She wanted lots of white space too. I hope these fit the bill.

Speaking of the Beehive, Isak's quilt is progressing. Here tis quilt top completed.

And this is the boy..mad about planes!

Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair

2010-06-07T13:34:00.002+10:00

Friday fabric shopping SIT, originally uploaded by beeware70.

June...the weather is cold (certainly today it is). Must be time to think about craft (well I do all year but anyway....) and yes the craft and quilt fair is coming to Darling Harbour next week. I do love the craft fair & seeing all the quilts on display. I also love checking out the shops new and old. The fabrics above come from Amitie and Patchwork on Central Park, favourite shops from Melbourne who both come to the show.

So I've booked my day off & I plan to be there on Wednesday- let me know if you'll be there too and we can say hello whilst gazing at fabrics!

March Beehive block in May

2010-05-29T11:39:00.002+10:00

March block in May, originally uploaded by beeware70.

I had a real block about doing this block. Ho ho. I'm not sure why- the fabrics were a bit delayed in the post but they arrived some time ago & they are beautiful. I think I thought that it would take longer than it did to do this block! And would involve lots of packing up & unpacking etc etc to fit it into my sewing time!
Anyway ...to cut a long story short (& let my impatient 10 yo take over this machine!) it was a joy & only took me one sewing sitting!

Blogger's quilt festival

2010-05-27T13:32:00.003+10:00

I love the idea of this...checking out a wide variety of lovely quilts on the web....so I thought it would be good to join the fun :)

http://www.amyscreativeside.com/2010/05/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2010.html

This quilt evolved out of new found love of vintage chenille when I was pregnant with my third child in 2006. I had a strong inkling that it was a girl. I sewed the chenille squares (from Jodie of vintage ric rac) to some remnant English children's print that was in my cupboard. There it sat...eventually it was finished ?early 2008 when some perfect Prints Charming backing was found at Fabric Remnant Warehouse. My mum quilted it and it now lives happily with my nearly 4 year old

It is a bright sight on a dull rainy day!

Sewing Delights of Melbourne

2010-05-21T15:05:00.001+10:00

It was positively wonderful to attend Sew it Together last weekend in Melbourne. Sheridan did a stupendously tremendous job of organising this event and she deserves many thanks (very likely) & a big rest (maybe not so likely after seeing the photo of her mostly sweet one year old!).
Being a not very good blogger my photos are few & far between. Just this...Jodie's toys above and the blocks I finished for Tanya. Tanya is one of the Beehive quilters and it was lovely to meet her IRL!

More talking than sewing I think!! Here is the other block I did for her (not at SIT!)

If you would like to see more photos of SIT check out retromummy's blog (see sidebar for link) Scroll back a bit cos she blogs a lot more than me! If you look hard you will see me balancing too many bolts of fabric at Amitie..eek.

Melbourne was a lovely place & a great weekend. A highlight was the drinks at Nikki's studio-big thanks to Nikki for that. She has lots of great photos in her blog too.

I did get to enjoy some other great spots in Melbourne too including the Skirt & Shirt Markets, a fairtrade market at Victoria Markets, and last but never least a very comfortable part of West Brunswick (!).

Stay tuned for Sew it Together 2011

Life...in a blur!

2010-05-07T13:52:00.002+10:00

It's been more than a month since my last post. (Goodness this is sounding like a confession!) Time flies and all that.
My excuses:
1. School holidays- always a little relaxing and a bit busy at the same time. Very pleasant to absorb the change in routine at these times I think. It was during this time that I received the cutest treat in my letterbox.

The sweetest little nametag for Sew it Together made by Two Cheese Please. I love it. (I hear a rumour she is at the Melbourne Stitches & Craft as we speak). Speaking of SIT, it is rapidly approaching. Yay! How lucky am I- a long weekend in Melbourne without kids!!

2. Last minute trips to Canberra to check out some art and catch up with some old friends.

The kids room at this exhibition was a winner. Fantastic- all 3 of my children really got a lot from this.

3. First double digit birthday of my oldest daughter.

Accompanying this was some special scary excitement.

I think these are about all my excuses although there was a bit of singing in a cave last weekend & a shocking case of inability to move after yoga (now resolved but wondering about tomorrow!!)

Various small amounts of stitching have been done but not much completed in any 'complete' way. I did finish a circle square (finally) for the Beehive just yesterday and I will post a photo later....

Perhaps I had better go & count my number of ongoing projects...on reflection perhaps not...probably would lose count!

Happy Friday!

And this weekend is the Finders Keepers market in Sydney which I hope to go to tomorrow. (I have to admit some jealousy about those going to the S&C in Melbourne but 2 weekends in a row would be really pushing my luck!)

Sew it Together

2010-04-10T11:34:00.002+10:00

There are lots of interesting nametags popping up for Sew it Together . I managed to get mine done sort of on deadline.

One of the reasons it was sort of on deadline was the first one turned out too big (bit of random planning here!) so my swaperee will get a bonus personalised coaster too!

Shopping because of an Easter Bun

2010-04-02T23:24:00.001+11:00

Well I was picking up bread at my local favourite haunt. Yes they know me by name. Anyway whilst waiting for the delivery of hot cross buns (very good) the 3 yo was getting itchy feet, babycino finished & handbag patchwork completed, I remembered the tip from a friend that another local favourite was moving and everything was half price. Now I really do not need more fabric but can't resist a bargain & did think there was probably something there that would be useful.

Yes lots of Fqs for 2.50 & a bit of vlisofix etc.

Just Remnants Marrickville is moving next to the Fabric Remnant Warehouse at Alexandria. Its worth a look if you are in the area before April 7th.

Earth hour and other quandaries

2010-03-28T00:54:00.001+11:00

As March is drawing to a close, I thought I should pop in. I've been working on a sweet quilt kit from Amitie lately. It is called Ginas Nina. I think it was the start of my attachment to the kei honeycomb fabric. I bought it last year at Stitches & Craft. It supposedly is for my 3 yo...

altho who knows?! Anyway here are some of the little nine patches in progress.

Did you know it was Earth Hour tonight? Obviously I've been on another planet coz I was in the dark about it.......luckily R read about it in the paper hence the candle! Where was the publicity this year? Not a media event this year.

Another birthday, another bag!

2010-03-14T23:59:00.001+11:00

The denim from the Fabric Store worked well for this. (It was going to be for a quilt but not soft enough really) I do love the way the prints highlight against the denim. I think I might have to make another of these to keep!

Beehive February block

2010-03-05T14:51:00.002+11:00

Beehive February block, originally uploaded by beeware70.

Into March now so I am glad the Beehive block for February is finished & posted back to Rebecca of missi mu. She is making a quilt for her mother-in-law based on a lovely Material Obsession II design Playground Days. I love her choice of fabrics- florals, stripes and spots in blues and yellows witha smattering of orange.
This block was not too hard to make although I did unpick one row 3 times. This may have been because it was 11 o'clock at night.....

Time, time, time....

2010-02-27T07:26:00.001+11:00

Well...I'm not too good at popping things in this blog too often. Maybe I'll get better...but life just seems to move very quickly. Monday turns into Friday in a flash. And it seems the only time I get around to writing a post is when I should be in bed. Some fine-tuning required!

I started off doing the lovely Amitie Block-of-the-Month with gusto way back in June.

I have now met with some procrastination & the more recent months are being neglected. I have been doing this all by hand which is beautifully meditative but a little slow.

However I must get on with it because when on holidays in Melbourne earlier this year I had a sneak peak of the next Amitie BOM and it looks very nice. Lots more handpiecing....to come.

I'm going to the Kino craft fair today to while away my time looking through Japanese craft books and to say hi to Amy. What a great way to spend a Saturday arvo!

We love bags!

2010-02-12T23:06:00.001+11:00

I have a 9 year old daughter who seems to have lots of friends. Who have birthdays. So I've started making bags for them (after some initial help from KT!). If I'm particularly tardy with them I like to add a bit of Audrey sweetness (love these books!) Bronte thinks bags are a bit old hat now- what should I do next?!

I suppose I could at least branch out and do a different style!!

Faceless & Nameless....

2010-02-01T18:08:00.001+11:00

Sometimes we can all feel a bit like that.
However we must remember that tomorrow is another day and it is a transient state of affairs.

This little boy was made from Jodie's pattern after much encouragement (read hassling) by my eldest daughter in the school holidays. Unfortunately he has been faceless & nameless for more than a day but there are plans ahead...

(And he is loved already in any case)

Beehive Rocket quilt

2010-01-22T00:01:00.002+11:00

the Beehive space quilt
Originally uploaded by beeware70
Not the best photo...pity about the camera strap. I was lucky enough to be the recipient for October's blocks for The Beehive. I decided that a stack of fabrics I mostly had collected previously and were destined for a quilt for my 6 year old son should actually be cut up! Revolutionary really! Especially a good idea before he turns 16!

Really he is still 6 and I hope this quilt is finished by his 7th birthday!! It is based on the Retrostarbust in the Material Obsession 1 book and uses some great Prints Charming fabric amongst others. One of the benefits of living in Sydney's inner west! The clever Beehivers sewed up the BIG blocks for this quilt. It is very vibrant.

circle of geese

2010-01-10T23:54:00.002+11:00

circle of geese
Originally uploaded by beeware70
One creative thing that i have been doing lately is being part of the Beehive which is a quilting bee through flickr organised by the industrious Chaletgirl.
This is the most recent block I have done which is a circle of geese! How about that?! It has been my only attempt at foundation piecing. Kind of cool really. Sparklygreenknickers was the instigator of this task. What a good idea and I really enjoyed the challenge.

Flickr

2010-01-10T23:26:00.001+11:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Somewhere to start.....

2010-01-10T23:08:00.000+11:00

Hello...here we are in 2010. I've decided after some consideration, lots of reading and being blown away with inspiration to start a blog. I'm not really sure what this blog will be --- no doubt it will evolve with time.

I'd like it to be a blog primarily dedicated to creative pursuits. Mind you I'm not sure of my computer capabilities so even posting photos may be a problem altho I do manage to put photos on Flickr. Well we'll see! It would be great to have a bit of a diary for these things in any case.

So...here we go!!!!!