lovely goodies.....

I was very excited when found I was one of the winners for OPAM April, and yesterday I received these lovely gifts from Peg -

this gorgeous and so cute thread holder - which is wonderful as I have recently started collecting Cottage Garden threads and I can keep them here, along with any small stitcheries I am working on -

I love the fabrics Peg used in making this 

ī

 the inside also held some very pretty DMC threads -

and also included was this Gail Pan table runner pattern which I am looking forward to making -

Thank you so much to Peg for for such lovely goodies, and to both Peg and Kris for all the time and effort they put into organising OPAM for us to enjoy.

Receiving this parcel from Peg reminded me.....

Last year I took part in Cheryll's Flower swap, and I was lucky enough to be the recipient of Peg's swap gifts.    At the time however, and over a period of several months, I ended up being without either a computer or internet connection, so had never posted Peg's sweet gifts. 

This was the gorgeous mini Peg sent me - I really love the stitchery

and this cute little mug rug, which some people might say suits me perfectly lol...

there were also a lovely mug, which I use often, some delicious teas and coffees and some lollies - which I must say between myself, my niece and my nephew, did not last long!

So although I am a bit behind the times, hopefully posting this now is a case of better late than never, and I did so appreciate the wonderful parcel that Peg sent to me, filled with such thoughtful and generous gifts.

Thank you Peg for all your beautiful gifts!

xx 

a sunday afternoon project.....

Just lately, I have decided it would be a good idea on the weekends to try and get some sewing preparation done so I can just sit down and sew during the week - cutting out blocks, preparing applique, tracing stitcheries and so on.

Today I planned to cut out the next 3 or 4 blocks for my Underground Railroad quilt, which got me to thinking about how I was going to store them, as some of them wouldn't be sewn for a few weeks.  I could have stored them in plastic ziplock bags, but didn't want them to get creased and/or start fraying.  

So, I made a folder/holder; 

Some time ago I bought two pieces of A4 board from Bunnings with the intention of making myself a sandpaper board, but was then given one, so the boards were just put aside.  I covered the boards with fabric, cut two pieces of batting and sewed them together down the middle and glued them to the board covers, and added some ribbon to tie it closed.

And now I can keep my cut pieces neat and tidy.

 xx

fnsi - may 2014.....

I hope everybody had a lovely Friday night, both FNSIers and non-FNSIers alike!

Last night I worked on the next block in the Underground Railroad quilt, our 'homework' block for this month, Basket -

and I also started some knitting, a new winter scarf.  I loved this wool when I saw it in the shop, but am not sure I like it knitted up, at least not in this pattern.  I might try just a plain 2x2 rib and see how that looks....

One of my OPAM finishes for March was a pair of fingerless gloves which I made for my niece.  I had not shown them before now as I had not given them to her.... but I still haven't caught up with her to pass them on, so here they are.  She loves the minions from Despicable Me (even though she is 22!), so minions they are!

Today I am off to our Mill Rosie Friends group at Mill Rose Cottage, Ballan, for lots of fun, probably not a lot of sewing, and a delicious lunch.  It is always a lovely day with much hilarity, and as I have missed the last two, am really looking forward to it.  Hopefully, I will remember to take some photos!

Have a lovely weekend

xx

OPAM - april 2014.....

 

A very quiet month on the OPAM front.....

 

 

I finished three items, this mug rug, and two secret Christmas sewing projects.

 

I'm aiming - again - for a better month next month; although, I guess three finishes is better

than none at all.....

xx

 

a small finish.....

Having recently got all my UFOs together in one place, it is so much easier to find projects to work on that are quick and easy.  A few years ago, maybe 7 or 8, I taught myself to foundation piece.  I made this block out of some lovely flannel fabric, and intended at the time to make more blocks and turn it into a cosy lap quilt.  That didn't happen, and this poor lonely little block had been tossed aside ever since.  

I pulled it out of my UFO pile yesterday, and immediately thought 'mug rug!', so now, that's what it is.

DON'T PANIC SHEZ, I promise I won't send it to you LOL!!

Happy Sunday!

OPAM - february 2014.....

OK, so I am bit behind the times, but my first month as an OPAMer was very quiet, due to some health issues.  However, I did finish a couple of small items - a tablerunner/candlemat and a knitted dishcloth, both for my home. 

I am trying to be a lot more productive this month - I have lots of 'secret sewing' to do throughout the year, and have started on a couple of those that I need to finish in the next couple of weeks.  I am also planning for the rest of the month to try and finish some of my smaller UFOs, as well as continue to work on one big quilt (a secret sewing project) I am making. 

Fingers crossed I have a few more finishes this month!

xxx

I am officially an OPAMer.....

I've signed up here, to give myself some motivation to get a few projects finished - particularly some smaller ones that have been UFOs for far too long.....

 

 

Just in time too, as the sign up has now closed.

 

Very generously and kindly organised by Peg and Kris, it's a fun way to join in and encourage some likeminded crafty friends and see what they are finishing too, as well as celebrating your own achievements. 

 

Now to get sewing.....

 

Tania & Ollie xxx