Swap goodies

My advent gifts from Fee , this swap is such fun opening up 1 gift each day till Christmas day then main gift on Christmas day.

Just had too show a close up of the paper Fee made and wrapped my gifts in…

 

lots more days pressies..I was trying to keep them in order but going away fro a few days in the middle I got all mucked up, I love everything that I got…

                                       

My main day pressies, so gorgeous and the wall hanging with is lovely stitchery and buttons is up above my computer, thank you for being my partner Fee.& thank you for hosting this swap….lovely fabric mat with lavender is missing from the photos..

My main swap pressie from SSCS,thanks a zillion to Chooky for hosting this swap each year…. thank you so much Michelle for my lovely gifts.

                      

Lovely runner in glorious pinks with the cutest stitchery in the centre..

        And some soap made in New Zealand..

Sadly we have discovered Lavender gives me bad headaches if I am in the same room as it for any length of time..so we have stored lavender items in tubs that house items that  just need to be stored…

A very quiet Christmas for us this year, we did enjoy a couple of days sth before Christmas and that was  excellent  will post some pics nxt post..

Hope you all are having a safe festive season,

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by           

Am I a bad blogger…..

Hmm I feel bad for I have not posted..but truth is I am a worn out very tired blogger…

This week I received my SSCS package in the mail…

Isn’t that the most cutest mouse popping his head out of the stocking so dang cute….Michelle from allthingsrustyandfabric is my partner.

I also received my Advent swap from Fee..yep Fee was my partner..

Each day I get to rummage around in this gorgeous bag that my gifts came in to find the days number…

 

Above are my goodies I have opened so far..I love these swaps don’t you?

Cheers for now Vickie

Thanks for stopping by..

All wrapped up..

It is that time of year again where the SSCS parcels are getting finished ready too be mailed out next week, so I thought I’d share a photo..

of the parcel wrapped and ready to go-now c’mon I can’t be showing you the contents…

Cheers Vickie

Thanks fro stopping by…

I am around

Hmm not sure if that sounds correct, but that’s it I am around –I wander of into blog land when I am able, and if the blog does not think I am a robot well easy peasy I can leave a comment..

 

I have not been doing any sewing that I can show on my blog and I can’t show you on FB either, except for the nightie I made for a little girl last night.

And that’s it, I am too tired by the time I get home from work to do anything and spend the weekend catching up on sleep when possible,

goodness only 2 months till Christmas-seriously where has this year gone..

Thanks for stopping by

Cheers Vickie

Black & White bag swap

ohh wowsers you should see my bag I got from Maria in the black & white bag swap hosted by  Cheryll…it has been sitting on my table for a week as I was waiting for my packet to reach Maria before I opened mine(I nearly didn’t make it-but hubby kept to it)..

Isn’t it gorgeous and look at that beauty of a pink button..so much bigger then my current run down the street on a Sat bag-which also happens to be black and white..I will be able to fit more in now….

And these gorgeous goodies were inside..love everything very much Maria, thank you again. Thank you Cheryll.

 

thanks for stopping by

Cheers Vickie

wohoooooooooooo

I fixed it I fixed it..yipee Ijust clicked and deleted and deleted and changed this and that and truly did not care if I lost the lot I just wanted to be able to get into my blog and leave comments on others..and I done it..


Cheers Vickie Thanks for dropping in.

Kindness of others..

 

Kindness of others, truly helps you get through the shitty deals life throws at us at times.

Below is several photos of some of the items that have made their way to my PO Box..I have thanked all these people individually..being sooky and in some stupid pain this past week has made me look at my items lots..Please don’t be hurt if you have sent me something and it’s not pictured here. It just means it has been packed away..

Kept my knees warm on them early sleepless mornings.

Came to hospital with me and was on my bed sending me positive vibes and also kept my knees warm when sitting in the day chair. Took a close up of one of the blocks.

Lovely  items too adorn my lounge room with meaningful embroidery on them.

Collection of wonderful items that have made their way to me through the post.

Look at these tea bags what  laugh I got out of them..and each tag has it’s own saying.

Thankyou all my wonderful www friends, it is such a comfort to me to know that I can turn on my pc and there you are ..

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by

Pre-Cut Party

Weeeeeeeeell I had got myself all set yes I will join in and sew along all by my own self, knowing Sarah and others would be sewing as well..

Pfffty well 7.05pm and zilch the power goes out …tralahlah 29.9 deg inside and swat the mozzie outside..so sit and whinge.

Finally power back on 1hr &20 mins later so I get a late start to sew in and am all hot and niggly this will be interesting don’t you think?

Original idea was scrapped and quick and very easy on the brain kicked in..

So here is a couple of pics of so-far…

Take 1x Fancy Hill Farm charm pack, remove cardboard backing and trim the sides.

Quickly lay pieces out on table and begin to sew..

See ya later got to get on sewing,

EDIT>>>Update

Ok body is aching which means i must call it a night, I am happy with what I have managed to get done..

Hmmm which colour ric-rac to use, think I have decided on the cream..

Cheers Vickie

Umm Hello

Umm Hello, seriously sometimes I just am bamboozled for titles to my posts..am wondering if this is just some unique weird thing I have or do you maybe have it to at times?

Being back @ work for just the 4 hrs a day has helped my mental well being immensely.

Yeah I can use my sewing machine…..

I traced out all these blocks before I went into hospital, they all came from one of Jenny ‘s monthly magazines…

I used all fat eights of fabric that different people have given to me in swaps and like the mixture of colours…

I also managed to finish this stitchery,

which was gifted to me to assist me in behaving during my recovery…

AANND there is one more..

Yesterday whilst hubby was banging and clangin with the renovations… I was sooking in my sewing room looking for something to do I recalled a blog I had stumbled across a while ago- do you stumble across blogs that take your fancy and write a note and then go back later for a good look around- my note usually looks something like.. (I used to bookmark them or add to my read but tended to overlook them and found it easier to write the note..)

*View later-patchwork stuffs- awesome tutorials- found by a typo in my search,

So I found this tutorial over @ Crafty Fox ..ah yes perfect I need a cover for my cushion that is assisting my back pain at the moment…so off to the scrap bin I went and voila..very happy with the end result..

Is actually quite bright and happy looking…love a good tutorial don’t you..although I did not follow it 100% there is many possibilities with colour combos..

Okay enough nattering from me off to rest a bit.

Cheers Vickie
Thanks for dropping in.

Red Raspberry Quilts-Giveaway

Ohh looky here real quick..

Kylie is having her first giveaway..

Cheers Vickie
Thanks for dropping in.

Helllllllllllllllloooo

Firstly and foremost ((((((EVERYONE))))) for all the prayers and positive vibes.

I am going well Specialist is happy with healing progress..still tender to touch and pain is internal-specially the rib cage, he assures me it will improve overtime-just like my energy levels will improve overtime.

I am allowed to go back to work starting this Thurs but only for 4 hrs a day for 3 weeks, hello petrol bowser here I come, ekkkkk..I know it will help me greatly being back at work – as that dark cloud has been hovering around me for 2 weeks now.

Have been doing some hand stitching, yesterday I tried to sew with the machine but arghhh nope too early for that just yet…

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Coming Along

Thankyou all for your prayers & healing vibes they truly-ruly means heaps too me.

I am coming along with in expected times-so that’s good-still way too slow for my liking, but I understand the size of Op and what my poor body has been through—it’s just in my head it wasn’t that big (ok you can arrange to have me committed, I know I must be loopey)..I think this stems from when this first came to light-we just concentrated on 100% positivity to beat this and not the actual op..Can walk up and down the stairs on my own now…

Hubby took me to Target yesterday to get some clothes to wear as nighties 24/7 were bringing me down, and I’m still to swollen to wear anything I have.

Heaps and heaps of love and thanks too my friends, at the other end of my computer and telephone, love you all –you have helped days more then you probably realize…

Gazillions of love too my buddies who through one blow or another are not 100% at the moment-praying the fix it fairy sprinkles some dust your way real soon….

Cheers for now

Vickie

Overdue post

(I will do an update on  me post before the week is out)..

This post is way overdue on being published to blogger, my first swap for this year was the colour swap hosted by Lisa … my partner was Carol.

I took photos of my gifts from Carol then had camera issues – but finally now can post what I received from Carol.

Totally spoilt…am using the threads to do some stitching presently and the fabric has been teamed up with some more from my stash..watch this space for progress pictures.Thanks again Carol for being a great partner.

there is a picture on Carols Blog of the goodies I sent her…easy peasy when I get a partner who looves pink & girly just like me,

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by

I’m Home…

Hi everyone, thank you a million for all your prayers and positive vibes.  It would take me awhile to respond to each and every email,txt,snail mail so please accept this as my big heart felt thankyou.

Here is the brief.

Operation went well, even though I knew it would be a cut along the side under my rib cage, I was still a tad umm shocked at the size of it.

Report on removed Kidney came in on Monday Afternoon, and news was Clear Cell RCC all removed yipeee…

Arrived home yesterday afternoon.

Wonderful to be at home, now I will just watch all my bruising fade away  and the swelling disappear.  I have some lovely little packages that arrived in the mail to keep me firmly on my seat and out of trouble, thank you …anyone would think you all knows me hehehe,

Hubby is being an excellent nurse, I’m sure I will keep him.

Cheers for now

Vickie

Holden Shawlette

Hi all, and a BIG thankyou for all your prayers and positive vibes,we are both feeling 100% about the big op only 3 wee sleeps away now..recovering will be slow & steady and hopefully not too painful—main pain will be me being restricted, I don’t do restriction very well at all, however I promise you all that I will be a very obedient patient for my wonderful hubby.

At the moment when my mind is idle it wanders way too much so to keep busy after dinner these past couple of weeks I picked up knitting my Holden Shawlette again –I started this in Umm August last year I think it was, I got up to the start of lacy bit and pfft promptly stored it away.

I really needed to concentrate and keep count of where I was and what I was doing so this was the perfect project and last night I finished the knitting..and have just finished blocking it.

Not the best photo taken with my phone.

It is so comfy and cosy and sits beautifully. The pattern is free on Raverly (think that's how you spell it).

Not sure when I will be back on the computer again, please keep sending your vibes and emails and I will answer them when I can

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping By.

dREADED C word

Firstly I apologize for not blogging or leave any comments any where in bloggy land.

I have written this post so many times and each time it just seems out there, as I do not have everyone’s email address I felt the best option was too post here rather than leave people out…

I have kidney cancer –Left Kidney a CT Scan for Diverticulitis on the 19th May bought this to light, I have had several more scans and lots of blood tests and lots of  visits with specialists and much more tears and fears. We just found out this week that I am going into hospital on the 27th June to have my entire Left Kidney removed-my Right 1 is working well and will be able function well.

I am truly blessed and very fortunate that this has been discovered now whilst it is walnut size instead of fist size –which I’ve been told is when they are normally detected. It also is the perfect time of year to have to be spending time recovering after the op at home as it is our dry season and the weather is quite mild, if I need to snuggle in bed I can or just lounge with a blankey.

I realize this is a real brief post, but there is people out there suffering a lot worse, and I really am counting my blessings-I treasure my blog/www friends and felt this the best way to inform you all..

as for facebook umm well..it will appear on there eventually at the moment I am just asking that please don’t write anything on my wall-just send me a private message, many thanks…

Thanks for visiting

Cheers Vickie

Week of Aloofness

Not much of anything been done in my room this past week.

Sewing machine has not had it’s new cover taken off since I finished it and put it on..

The weather has cooled down just a tad in the evenings so I have got my knitting out again.

My umm I think it’s called Holden Shawlette, I am now up to the fancy smancy stitching..it’s going to take alooong time..

I also have been fondling some lovely fabric..

Bought these lovelies from TOMG’s (The Oz Material Girls)FB Auctions, have  a few things in mind but nothing concrete yet..love the vintage girls print..

Hope your all having a lovely weekend,

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by

Colour Swap

I still am shocked to realise this is my first swap for 2012…and boy have I had fun..This swap was hosted by Lisa…

Above are the goodies I am sending to my partner Carol, lets see how long it takes good ‘ol Aussie Post to get them there.

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Productive weekend

My plan was to get heaps of interior painting done this long weekend end but alas I was unable too..

However on the other hand,I have had managed to have such a productive weekend,  I can’t show you many pictures-because they are gifties…but hang on I can show you this one,

Cute pillow slip made for a wee girl who loves Dora..

And I can show you this one too…

Leave (lee for short) in her attacking position for when I enter or leave my room, she swipes me.

And due to today being a public holiday I decided I might sew something for me. I purchase some of  ok-  heaps of my fabric from TOMG on FB, great prices excellent service.

I got this cute little stash pack back in April.

And today a pulled some extra fabrics to make it go just the weeeeeee bit further and made …

Taadaaaaaaaaaa a new dress for sewing machine.

And the rear side..oops I should remember to iron things before I take photos.

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

I am here

ok Miss Slack blogger here, and thank you to those that have emailed me “are you Ok”..much appreciated. 

Life just gets in the way sometimes and a quick zip around some blogs and commenting were I can (seriously that blasted please confirm you’re not a robot verification drives me batty at times).

Adding a line here or there on Facebook seems easier than than actually doing a blog post..yes bad girl is me…

I have been struggling with m y needle turn applique –my silly arm keeps cramping up-so that project is becoming a very slow one.

Seems like it has taken me forever to finish these 2.

I purchased a Babushka stitched cushion kit  to make for my Sister in law to give to 1 of her granddaughters for her birthday in August.

 

It is quite a good size..oh yeah and I kinda  got some more red/black & white fabric too…hehehe

Stitching progress so far.

Have my thinking cap on for gifts for my partner in the COLOUR swap I joined- I am still shocked that this is the first swap  I have joined this year.

Cheers for now

Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

COLOUR Swap

This is the first swap I have joined for 2012, hosted by Lisa sound’s like fun and we share fun don’t we..just click the image below and pop on over and have a looky see.

 

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by

hmmmm Needles-be careful

When it comes to hand sewing I have different needles that I use depending of fabric thickness etc, I am quite sure I am not the only 1.

In particular when doing needle turn applique I use Hugs’n Kisses applique needles-lovely & fine and sharp if the fabric is a tad thick then I use Joan Shay appli-bond  needles I get from Calico Crossroads .

Anyways last Saturday evening I was doing some of my SKOW applique,using my one of needles from Helen-Hugs’ n Kisses when I was invaded by these little wriggly black bugs that bite (the joys of living rural), anyways they started biting me so I was slapping here there and everywhere like a total madwoman and jumped out of my chair..half a can a bug spray later I sat down to get back to my stitching…Oh dang where had my needle gone, I looked in my work nope on my chair nudahh..ok it must be on the floor I guess I’ll find it with my foot. So I promptly got up and got a new needle and re commenced sewing.

The short version goes like this..

-Monday afternoon sore right boob, Monday night ..omg is that were the needle is?

-Tuesday morning progresses and  right boob pain gets worse so from work I take myself to the hospital (oh yeah Hubby was working in Qld so home alone was I).

-Was seen to within 30 mins-sent for an x-ray- Dr viewed x-ray yes the needle is embedded in your breast-then told I was being admitted

-Cannula was put in and Antibiotics started right away, they said they were operating that night, ok I can handle this pffft.Then I notice my phone battery is nearly dead-no charger..then they tell me nope we want to get more antibiotics into you before we operate so will go to theatre in the morning.

-I manage to call one a friend (Mango)and see if he can organize someone to go feed out pets..well bless him he went and did it for me and kept going until he heard from me that I was home-mind you he just had a knee replacement done 15 days ago..I have a nice bottle of Chivas here for him he saved me extra worry about the pets bigtime..

-Phone has gone flat around 9.30pm, nurses asked around the ward too see if anyone had a charger-no luck..thankfully I had given them hubby’s number when I first arrived because I did not know it..so was able to phone him from the ward phone-but I had no-one else's numbers..

-Well by Tuesday evening late I turned into a emotional roller coaster, hubby out of town..ma & pa outta town..I felt isolated big time..then Wed morning they say ok you will be going in sometime today..pfft that didn’t happen..then they moved me to another ward close to theatre for surgery wed evening..nope did not happen then Thursday morning I told them if it wasn’t done by lunchtime ( this picture is  –I was bawling my eyes out and very distressed) that I was removing the cannula and leaving, my husband was due home on the midnight flight I fully intended to collect him from the airport. Dr tells me I can’t do that I say just watch me,he nicely ask me to calm down pfft yeah right and off he goes..I go to get a tissue out of my bag only to see that the nurses had taken it away..ok few deep breaths-just about to yell bring it back and the Dr walks in –asks me not to cry and then tells me that he has pulled some strings and I will be going into theatre before lunch..they bought my bag back to me-I be guessing they realized I was serious and that I would leave.

Here we have the needle in a nice surgical jar..hubby has renamed these needles of mine “surgical applique-so sharp you won’t even feel them go in”

Now I realize this post has ended up a bit long..but seriously I would not wish anyone to go through this-so please if you loose a needle find it..

Yes I collected hubby from the airport, and then yesterday he took me shopping to Big W and Spotlight (line was huge at Spotlight)-I said it’s ok we can go nope he patiently stood beside me and waited till we were served.

And he is keeping a close eye on me making sure I am not doing to much, I am not to lift or stretch much- seriously I never realised before how many bodily movements that the breast actually moves with (if that makes sense).

I have stitches now and a lovely bruised right one, stitches will be removed this Thursday..

If you managed to get this far thankyou & I wish you and yours a happy and safe Easter.

Cheers for Now

Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Comments not showing

Thank you thank you so much for the emails telling me my blog was not showing comments..hopefully I have remedied the problem now,  if you receive a reply that seems from way ago you will know why...

Cheers Vickie Thanks for dropping in.

Sewing photos

Yeah finally I am posting some pictures and it is an ungodly hour for me to be awake but I had a terrible dream so shot out of bed turned every light switch on that I passed & 2 tv’s & internet and pc’s had to turn pc’s on cause that is where all my friends are….

this jumble mess is a bag of zips I got from the local oppe for $1-I thought it would not hurt at that price to grab them as I seem to be getting back into sewing clothes lately and I just never know when I might need a zip.

Recently this The Oz Material Girls Pattern Shop had a special on , so I thought what better way to try some clothing  pdf patterns out. This one was a Fuddie Duddies-The Fuddie Duds Pant 3 length's in 1 pattern boys & girls great size range in the one pattern 6mnths to size 8.

I enjoyed making all these toddler boxer shorts that will cover the behinds of 5 different children, lucky little tykes if’n I do say so myself.

The little pinafore was so so easy fantastic pattern..I so wanted to see how good the pattern was I just quickly pulled some fabrics and made it up in a flash (ok 2 hours). Then ½ hour another night for the button holes..pattern from the same place and by Nanoo Designs..

Both these patterns were super easy to follow..

Oh and last photo for this post is my cover I made for Tabby..

Some pwetty fabric I found in the scrap bin @ Spotlight, and one of the crochet flowers I got in my advent swap from Julie and a gorgeous Riley Blake button for bling…

Tada the view when it is open..object here being that I wanted padding for the screen so that’s why I made it fold over upon itself.

I am endeavouring to get back to doing a blog post at least once a week.

Cheers Vickie

‘Thanks for stopping by