Oops! Oh no....

This week I had a ball putting together the top for the 'Tis the season hanging. Yesterday I went to Jemima's to buy border fabric so I could finish the top altogether. I bought a Glace pre cut (honey bun I think) that had just the tonal fabrics from the range. I would be able to get the borders out but I would have to be very precise and careful. Well that should have told me that I was doomed to fail, but being a half full type of girl, no worries!

Yeah, right...

I did the first border fine and then the second border... You betcha I stuffed it up. I was frantic now- my side border would have three pieces sewn together to make a border. I googled till I was googled out and replacement fabric is out of the question as it is an old range and the chances of finding it are 'Buckley's or none'.

So what to do... Do I sew them the way they are, get a different red fabric or keep trying to get the red tonal fabric that I really want to use, or finally add some embellishment to cover the errors (thanks for the idea mum)? 

I am going to take it all to Mum's to get her opinion but I know I need to be happy with the result, especially after all that work..

Any suggestions would be welcome or if you know of anyone who has perhaps 7inches of the red tonal Glace fabric?

Here is the top so far.....

see how perfect the red fabric looks, 

this has to be my favourite stitchery block

On a less disastrous note... I made this little door hanger for a friend at work who is leaving us. It just needs a little stuffing.  It's from the Quilt a gift book that Carine sent me in exchange for a Boys story quilt book. It has some lovely designs in it. I used some of my vintage shell buttons for the corners.

For the past two weeks I have been also trying to hand quilt my Tisket Tasket Top and I am down to the last block and then I will just machine quilt around the border. It will be a relief to cross this off the list .

This arrived in the mail yesterday and I have put my thinking cap to decide what my addition to Janet's garden themed pincushion will be. I think I have just the thing!

Boy talk about lots of pics.. 

Just one last sneak peak at something I am making. Not too many clues at the moment. Someone may be peaking! I have been having issues with my stitching at the moment, the stitches seem to be huge and I had big issues with the curves on this stitchery. I had to unpick them all and redo them. Much better second time around. Some of my 'tis the season stitcheries had stitches that seemed to be doing their own thing. Luckily they don't look too bad.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend...

I am off to make some hexies for my May swap partner.

Second finals of Eurovision tonight and the Finals tomorrow. Am I the only sad person watching?

My children seem to think so!

Cheers

Marina

ps I have reinstated any lost comments for the Betty boop fabric. I will draw it tomorrow as there are a few people who would like to give it a new home. If you are interested leave a comment on the previous post and I will draw a new home tomorrow.

making a list....

Thanks to some computer issues that have been fixed, I am not able to compress my pics at the moment to post them on my blog and I have some to share too!
Lots of people seem to be making lists of things they need to get finished and projects they would like to start this year.
I usually have a holiday list that I make when I start holidays but I haven't done it these holidays. Christmas and New year got in the way of doing that so what better time than now!
Here goes....

• quilt my Tisket tasket blocks top... (basted and ready to start)
• continue to add to my hexie tops  ( scrappy and Park Avenue)
• Try to get my Life is Beautiful top quilted or attempt to quilt it myself
• maintain the goal of making a Christmas project or gift each month
• try not to over commit to swaps (yeah right!)
• find a nice project for my Rural Jardin and Bliss jelly rolls.
• put the Sweet Nostalgia top together
• Make some more blue disappearing 9 patch blocks
• Make some more Boys story blocks and stitcheries

I will hope to revisit the list in a month's time and see if I can cross anything off.
My first tasks will be to quilt my tisket tasket top. It is already basted ready to quilt.
I am looking forward to this... It's nice to revisit the pics for inspiration.

pretty as a picture...
Hope the weekend has been a good one...
cheers
Marina

me again.....

I went to Jemima's this morning for their sale to buy fabric for my tisket a tasket bom top.
This is my last 'to do' for the holidays and I was waiting for the sale to go and splash out on the fabric I needed, I also was hoping the girls would help me pick some fabrics to finish this top. I get a bit overwhelmed with deciding which colourings to go with and they are always so helpful suggesting different colour ranges that may complement my blocks. I came straight home and didn't move from the sewing machine till the top was finished. Just to add the embellishments required and it is ready to quilt. Lucky there wasn't anyone wanting to be fed or tended to. (Iwould've ignored them anyway!)
I think I need that drum roll again.....



I can now return to work having finished all the things on my check list that I had earmarked for these holidays. The only problem is that 2010 will have to be the 'Year of Quilting' as I have too many tops needing quilting.
Have also managed to make a start on my Life is Beautiful stitcheries. I am stitching in a very dark brown, though I may add some lighter threads depending on the applique in that particular block as I am doing them.
I am a bit disappointed with my stitching as it doesn't seem as neat as I would like- I think the fabric piece is a bit small and I can't get a good hold on it, but the time has passed for unpicking so it will have to do. I have altered some little bits and pieces as I like to do.

The new Sweet Nostalgia block is up and I have traced it ready to start. It has a lovely snowman in the design and my favourite little dog is in on the act again.
best sign off for now, two posts in one day is extravagant but I am so happy to have finished the basket top. Woo hoo!
Have a great weekend!
Marina
(I know it is me now)

day one.....

day one of holidays all I can say is YAHOO!
I got all enthusiastic last night and got block 12 of tisket tasket and the latest summer nostalgia block ready to go. I got so into the basket block that I actually finished it off this morning. I finally got to make a 'blue' christmas item.

Now I can start on block 4 of Dorothy's summer nostalgia bom.
tomorrow is my craft group break up lunch. Here is what I made for my kris kindle.

I also made a pot holder and am throwing in a few tea towels. I also made a second one to give her but I love it so much I don't think I can part with it-thus the need for the tea towels.
Each apron is made from two fat quarters. As the fabric seemed a bit soft I lined the apron with some homespun. I couldn't find a pattern so just winged it. they should pass the test. I just wish they were a little more slimming! (I think it shows how much chocolate I have been eating this last week)
Does my butt look big in this?
Have a lovely weekend
Marina

some craft catch up...

Here is one of the first raspberries on No 1 sons raspberry bush. He has discovered a green thumb. Last season he didn't get one fruit but this time around it has heaps. Well done.

Last night I finally started block three of Dorothy's summer nostalgia designs. I was so looking forward to starting. I took a little artistic license by adding a nest for the bird and changing him a little to resemble a cardinal bird. They look so elegant. I hope you don't mind Dorothy?

Here is my November basket block. I think this block is so cute I couldn't wait to do it. I have appliqued but am having issues with the handle. I had stitched it but it puckered too much so I had to undo it all. I was quite annoyed. I will need to redo it.

Here is last months block with the applique completed.

Have completed my Handmade Christmas swap too! I was feeling a little stressed about that I can tell you. Deadlines! Will send it off this week to Lorraine in the UK, so keep a look out for that postie Lorraine.
I will post a pic once it has reached its destination.
Have a lovely week.
Only four weeks to go till Christmas holidays!! Woo hoo.
cheers
Marina

Saturday crafting....

Here is block ten of the Tisket Tasket block of the month all ready to applique. The original block had a halloween theme but as we don't celebrate Halloween in Australia I thought I would alter it a little to include a ginger cat. If they had tortoiseshell fabric it would have been so, but Maisie will have to be happy with this! she was quite put out after the last block had a dog on it so only fair one should have a cat.
While at tennis this morning I managed to make a good start on my stitching of the Dorothy Baker bom called Summer Nostalgia. I just can't wait to stitch the little dog but I want to leave him till last. I am toying whether to fill in the leaves or not. I did one and am not convinced as yet -will sit on it and see what happens (not literally lol).

I also got this in the mail yesterday- Block one of my heart and home bom. Aren't these fabrics just gorgeous. I just love them.
I read the pattern and am hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. This pattern will have to have all my concentration so that I don't muck it up. I will leave it till I have a whole day to potter. There should be one of them before next months block comes, shouldn't there.
Off to a trivia night tonight with my good friend and her hubbie and kids. We love a challenge, shame there is no buzzer! only joking..
Happy weekend
Marina
ps parcel no 2 has arrived in the US, only one more to go! Apparently Kymberly hasn't received swap packages for the last two swaps she entered so she is very happy to have received my goodies.

productive sunday

the new block for the Tisket tasket bom is out. It has a gorgeous Scotty dog and was just the inspiration I needed to get up to date with these blocks. Last month I cut it all out enthusiastically then fizzled away. I just love this month's block and am happy I will have two to work on. I Have been doing ric rac for the handles of the baskets and have had difficulties keeping the ends tucked under the basket top. I had a major brain wave to put a thin strip of vliesofix on the underside of the ric rac to hold it in place till I stitch it in place. It worked a treat on these two handles. Now to get stuck into the applique and stitchery.
Here are all the blocks so far......

Here is a Christmas stitchery I have nearly finished (ran out of cotton!). The little birds' eyes are small crosses but it makes it looks like they are dead lol. I think I may have to make it a circle or it will bug me forever!


Here are my first two Stitcher's angel swap gifts for Kymberly. At least the new journal cover will fit the journal I bought. I am stitching the little needle case stitchery and it should be done by tomorrow- except some bright bunny dropped a sauce droplet right in the middle of the stitching. There was almost a murder in the house!! I managed to sponge it off and hopefully it won't stain. Gotta love the piglets!

Hope you have had an equally productive weekend. Tonight my parents are coming
over for tea for Father's day. I have attempted a soup made with Jerusalem artichokes, traditional roast and veges. Should be interesting.
cheers
Marina

going great guns

Well it is that time of the week again.

Did pennance at tennis this morning. If you end up on the bottom of the ladder you have to host the finals and man the canteen and umpire- so I spent the morning handing out hot dogs and dim sims as I can't handle the pressure of umpiring. At least there is a four week break between seasons.

Have managed to finish my May and June basket blocks. They are so easy to just pick up and do. I love them. I am up to date with them now so roll on next month.

One of the blocks was meant to have a little bird at the bottom. I didn't add it in but I may if I find some fabric that will suit.
I am anxiously awaiting my paper bag swap which Helen sent last week. I can't wait- she has picked some lovely fabric will post a pic once it arrives.

Two weeks to school holidays.........can you tell I am hanging out!
cheers
Marina

a new swap!

Here are pics of my Tisket Tasket blocks. I have only done them with blanket stitch applique and cheated by using ric rac for the handles. I love ric rac! This last night I finished the easter block and have also embroidered the handle for the snowman block. Got a bit carried away when I started it and didn't realise to put the ric rac on before ironing on the other pieces-duh!

The patterns are very sweet and you can download them from

http://bunnyhilldesigns.com/dynamic/?page=Free%20Patterns

I have found a great new swap at http://sewprimkhris.blogspot.com/. It is a Friends swap. You have to send your swap partner something that starts with each of the letters in the word Friends. Seeing as my red work cushion has to be sent next week and I have had it finished for ages I can commit to a new swap.

Have lost my family and have had the longest turn on the computer!!

Have been surfing the net and checking out heaps of blogs.

It's good to be the King.

All good fun!

cheers for now

Marina