Civil War Blocks .

Finally I remember to post my recent 7 civil war blocks.

42 H is for Hospital

43 Right Hand of Friendship

44 Union

45 Port & Starboard

46 Apple tree

47 Dixie Tea

48 West Virginia

I am over the moon that I have managed to keep on track with this and not lost interest, know in my head how I want to sew them all together and hoping it will work..I think we are blessed to have people like Barbara who openly share their passions with us..I find the stories that are published with these blocks each week are very thought provoking.

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Thank you for the past 12 months

I have been tad under the weather these past 4½ days and am hoping this feeling I have inside me means that I am on the mend..

So I thought what better way to cheer myself up than to do a random “Christmas Cheers” draw –due to the cost of postage I apologize to all my overseas visitors but I had to limit it to Australian visitors only.

I have sent emails to those who were lucky in the draw and asked for their mailing address,  and you just never know who will get a surprise.

Have lots of pictures to post and type about, but just not got the strength at the moment,

Cheers for now

Thanks for stopping by.

Oh no & its’ so pretty.

I came home tonight to start making a wall hanging for my daughter for Christmas, and I cannot find it-oh I found one but that is not it-I have a horrid feeling I have accidently wrapped it up and sent it in one of my advent packages, I guess that is what happens when you try and work with such disarray grr to me..

Oh  brighter note I received my Once  season swap from Sue ,

I opened my package to find this inside

such a gorgeous cushion cover-I don’t have an insert yet..

here is a picture from Sues blog.

Isn’t it truly beautiful..I love it, there also was a wee pin cushion –some handmade tape a cross stitch card to make,a book mark made from selvages (sp),some tea and fabric

Thankyou so much Sue, I loved having you as my partner and I am glad you like your gifts too..

 

I enjoyed making some items for Sue..I flicked through several months of her blog and found out she liked dragonflies..hmmm yep I got fabric that’s perfect.

This is the table runner that I made and then I found some more fabric with dragonflies on it so I made something else.And I forgot to take a picture so here is the one from Sue’s blog.

A needles case and pin cushion and some scissors with a dragon fly attached…

Wonderful swap all around.

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Untidy State

My room had got to such a state that opening the door made me want to shut it real quick, so this morning it was time to do something about it.

the Left side and the right side, my room is just 3 meters wide. Yes see stuff piled everywhere and anywhere….well after several hours it now looks like it should.

A place for everything and everything now in it’s place, ok now I am going to do some sewing..and I will not let every surface become so cluttered, I hadn’t even realised how much of it was spreading onto my computer station area.

Hoping you have all had a nice relaxing weekend,

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Busy Busy Busy

Yep I/ we have been busy around the yard, it is lovely to sit back after the hard work and enjoy the view…no pics as the rain was on and off all day..

On a another front I must show you a item I won from Sarah , it is truly gorgeous and I will be safely popping it away till I have finished some other items I have on the go-so that when I start it I can give it my full attention.

 

Its the whole kaboodle to make a cushion, truly lovely.

Advent swaps have all been wrapped and are ready to go in the mail on Monday, I so enjoy these swaps sometimes I get a bit thingy about what I have got for my partner but then I think of it the other way round would I like to receive this-and the answer is always yes..I also suggest to my swap partners in any swap that if they receive something from me that just is not them”please do not leave it sitting in a drawer by all means pass it on to someone else”..

These goodies are going to Melody.

And this one is going to  Jules, I so enjoy these swaps don’t you?

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Free Fabric arrived

yeee haaahhh, remember this POST well I was one of the lucky ones and look what arrived in my po box today…

Look at these lovely fabrics..the bright yellow one with –yep you guessed it chooks on it..I have already ear marked for a project..the dark yellow one with girls mopping will end up in some of my Farmers Wife blocks..the one in front with the roses will be sent to a special lady..oh such a packet of use fullness…

They have some gorgeous fabrics @ fabrictraders.com.au and they don’t charge inflated postage either…hmm and in case your wondering yep I done did order some Farmdale Crossing Roosters by Alexander Henry

Cheers for now

Vickie

Thanks for stopping by

Sewing much

Aww but what a shame I can’t show you any photos as they are gifts…oh ok hang on I’ll get a sneak peek pic..

There isn’t that better, oh so pretty and fresh looking.

I looove  pink and I just could not resist this when I saw it at an awesome price…

Lots of pinkness,

Just look at this stack of “Bubblegum” fat quarters all 20 of them, I think I’m going to just let it sit on my work table so I can admire it for awhile.

Cheers for now Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Free Fabric

No not from me but from fabric traders.com.au, open to the first 50 who blog about it (hmm no way to tell how many have already blogged) so what’s the harm eh..I get to show you a gorgeous fabric I looove..

Ok how did you guess it would have a rooster or maybe a chook on it…This gorgeous fabric is by Alexander Henry and is called Farmdale Crossing..and can be found here..

Cheers Vickie

Bad Blogger

I am bad bad bad…ermm actually I am very forgetful of late.

I joined Sandy’s Keeper Swap and it was a great swap..

this is what I received from my swap Partner Cath.

Gorgeous needle case , snazzy scissor fob..and some super magnets

Isn’t the fabric lovely..

Cath also included some Hatched and Patched Quilt labels and a Hatched and Patched Aunt Nell’s Cottage Stitchery(complete with fabric and threads)..So spoilt thanks again Cath..

This is the set I made for Cath minus the scissors with their cute fob..bought the scissors specially for the wee pouch and then they got buried on my cutting table, hubby called me a ninny when I found them and realized I had not sent them, but rest assured Cath has them now..

I loved how this wee jelly roll inspired me to make the set…

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Newest Fabric Purchase

I just had to have this…

This truly yummy fabric is some of the ruby range by bonnie and camille..have you bought some new fabric lately? Why not share and you could win a prize from Kim.
EDIT....I Have decided this fabric will be made into a new frock for my sewing machine---oh yes she will stand out from the crowd, but what a pretty lass she will be.
Cheers Vickie
Thanks for stopping by..

Advent Swaps

I love a crafty swap like many others, and have been asked by a few lately where I come up with ideas for 24 little gifts for the advent swaps. So I thought I would share with you all the way I compile my swap items..

I make a note of any distinctive likes I see on my partners blog..like things she collects-lets face it a lot of us are collectors ..

I don’t have much time to visit stores to purchase items so I purchase a lot of my wares on line..

I go to places like…Nancy’s notions…tiny deal..ebay…fat quarter shop..deals direct, you getting the picture?

Items I purchase are ..buttons..thread, wool, fat¼’s, pins, needles,notebooks, notecards, scrapbooking stuffs (if my partner is into that), christmas stuffs the list is endless…you can even wrap your gifts in bits of fabric as well

Whilst browsing these online stores I think of my partner and also if I would like to receive this or that as one of my gifts..every now and then I throw a curly one in just for the fun of it..these swaps are not about who can buy the best of what it’s all about the giving.  A guideline could be a minimum of a couple of dollars per item and if you get one item for next too nicks then another item might cost a bit more…and IF you are really clever like some people and have the time you can make so many wee gifts..

I collect all my gifts and pop them in a container or bag then when the time comes to mail out I just wrap them all..you can wrap a candy cane with a gift..or another kind of chrsitmas sweet..but I advise you to inform your partner if you have done this..I had one year and my box of goodies ended up full of ants after the sugared sweets..

An example of a collection beginning, anyways I hope that has helped at least 1 person…

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Umaaaaaaaaaah

I could hardly believe it when I looked and saw that I had not  blogged since the 14th of October..so not me..

All is good. have been doing my SKOW applique and am getting there with the needle turn-kinda like feeling my way and finding what works and what doesn’t work for me.

Sadly this is a pictureless post, but I promise the next post will have some pics of yummyness..

Hope you all got to do something you enjoy on the weekend.

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Some Kind Of WONDERFUL

Oh yes that was my mail this afternoon..Lots of packages were waiting at the post office for me..I had my arms full when I walked out of the Post Office and just popped everything on the back seat. I’m not sure how I waited till we got home to open them..

Anyways this bundle of yumminess was in one of the packages and I wasn’t going to post about it till the other part came..I emailed Sarah to say the yumminess and arrived and she told me the other part was on the way too yipeee ..I can 100% recommend the service from Sarah @ Patchworks Plus…anyways I went down to hubby’s car to get the new collars we bought for the dogs on the way home and lo and behold there was an envelope on the floor poking out from under the front seat..woohoo yes it was the other part..THE BOOK-so I quickly took some pics so I could share..

Never have I spent money on a bundle of designer fabric before-but I just had to have it for the next SAL which is Anni Downs My Favourite things quilt ( I tried to take a photo but it just wouldn’t work..

This is some of the creams/beige prints I will be using for the applique blocks and assembly..

This is a big project with lots of   which I will take my time and stitch along with the others in the group, I have no intention of rushing as I feel I might dislike the process.

Will be back over the weekend with some more of my goodies that came in the mail..

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Elefantz super 1500 followers giveaway.

 

Ok I know I am such a  nice person and this just proves it, sharing with you this awesome giveaway.

Go run on over,

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Cathy's Giveaway

Yes look a giveaway ..oohhh I just had to share...

Pop on over to Cathy's blog



Cheers Vickie

Thanks for dropping in.

Civil War Block 41

The weeks are passing very quickly aren't they this weeks Civil War Block by Barbara Brackman was just wee bit tricky for my hands.
This block is a tad very much screw-iffy, but that’s ok It’s my block for me and I think once sewn together with all the others you won’t notice-well that’s my story and I’m sticking to it…

Oh yes some secret sewing has been happening as well..

Well gee you didn’t think I’d show you a bigger sneak peek surely..
Cheers Vickie
Thanks for stopping by..

Block 40

Woohoo Block 40 of Barbara Brackman’s Civil War QUilt block of the week is done..hmm now as I typed that it ran through my mind eeekkk that means it isn’t far till Christmas…

Block 40 Order Number Eleven, was very hard to get a good photo, the centre does stand out a bit more in real life..

I have also cut out 4 more FW blocks to sew up during the week,and that’s it for my energy levels are terribly low with this horrid wog I have. Hope you all managed to do some form of crafting on your weekend.

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

Civil War blocks & a swap item.

Finally got block 38 &39 from Barbara Brackmans Civil War Quilt blocks done.

Block 38- Ohio Star.

Block 39 – Hovering Hawks..oh bugger I have made a boo-be back later..

EDIT

Ahh that’s better ..

Swap item received from Kirrily for the Spring swap on FB hosted by Clare.

              

Spring item I made for Kirrily a shopping tote that has it’s own bag, the one hanging up has 2 loaves of bread in it to give you an idea of the size…

 

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for sopping by.

Smile a mile wide

Yep that’s what you do when you send a blog giveaway win to someone and then you read their post about it and you see what I just did..

 

What a champ you are  Tracy, this lady is in an inspiration in  soo many ways, but when I saw this post it just made my day so I am sharing with you cause I know you too will look and go aww so clever…

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by…

OOps

 

Oops been sewing away on my swap item for the Scissor Keep Swap, umm lets just say I got a bit carried away…I for 1 am thinking my partner will be delighted.

Sneak peek, cause I am a sharing person like that…..

It is stinking hot here today,so I will be putting the aircon on soon and sewing till my hearts content (think I am in sewing overdrive).

Catch you all later.

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.

This’n’That

I received my gorgeous win items from the lovely Lyn formerly from bluebirdquilts-lyn..
Gorgeous name escapes me of the ribbon..some lovely embellishments,so cute scissors.so cute shaped like a bag notebook….lovely bookmark..yummy fabrics and very handy sewing pouch/caddy. Thank you so much Lyn and all the ladies that made Lyn’s design as well, it was lovely to see the different varieties.
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And 2 more FW blocks made this week.

No CW block yet as been to hot and lots of smoke in the air to bother trying to sew.
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Way way last year I made a lovely doily from this pattern by Fee,

There is a picture of the one I made on this POST. So why am I gabbing about this now, well today in the massive clean up I re found the pattern (was only temporarily lost). Anyways back when I made this my intention was to hand the pattern onto someone else so that they may enjoy it too..So please if you would like to make this lovely doily-gorgeous for a gift. Please mention it in your comment.First in best dressed.
Cheers Vickie
Thanks for stopping by.

Package Exchange Project

I recently participated in the Magic Garden Swap hosted by Teresa the theme for this swap was The   Secret Garden (as in the book)..and you were to send your partner 5 items.
Now it took me a bit to work out what to make for my partner but once I got into it I had a ball..
My partner was a new to me blogger Shez.
I ended up grabbing some pictures on line and printing them onto the special fabric-then they sat for couple of days whilst something came to mind to make out of them.

Photo’s courtesy of Shez’s blog thank you.
I ended up making a journal cover out of one picture and an umbrella cover out of the other..hmm do you know how hard it is to buy an umbrella up here when it’s not wet season yet..but I hunted and found one phew…

I also included fabric and pattern for a pin cushion, some gorgeous wood buttons with flowers on them and some charms,a variety of floral ribbon and a small roll of Moda patisserie-I’m sure they have some delicious name they are 1½”strips.
Today my package arrived from Shez..

Look at that so awesome all wrapped in pink…

The contents of my package, some beautiful Holyhocks seeds.A lovely pattern 3 different fabrics and some special items made for me with the most gorgeous chooky fabric.

The hand Towel , it looks to good to use..

And the Tea Towel, I think this one will be used for show.They are truly gorgeous and I feel very blessed to of had Shez for my partner,thank you so much I love my package immensely.
Cheers Vickie
thanks for stopping by.

Some more blocks made

I took some time out this afternoon to make some more Farmers Wife blocks.

Yes you–Look I made a blue one…

I also made this weeks Civil War by Barbara .

Block 37 Confederate Rose..

Cheers Vickie

Thanks for stopping by.