Friends Having Fun Swap

As soon as I opened the post envelope all pulled out this parcel,

I was so excited!

I didn't want to open it!

(ok maybe a little)

But the wrapping alone was perfect - look at that colour combination!

I did open it and found all of this!

Fabric, thread, coffee and chocolate.

This is me to a T!

The label on the back was just beautiful and something

I will cherish every time I touch it.

Knowing that it was made for me, just me...

I spread it out to find this.

Is this not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

Michelle has given me the most perfect gifts

and I just can't thank her enough.

This has been a lovely swap - thanks to both 

Shez and Peg for organising it.

As for me, well I was to make for Peg.

That made me sweat - have you seen what she produces???

Anyway as it turns out...

 I am fairly hopeless and forgot, yet again to take

photos of what I sent to Peg.

I did take a photo of this little pouch

(I hope Peg appreciates hoe hard it was for me to part

with some of my beloved Bonnie and Camille), lol.

This is the beginnings of the Dresden I made for Peg.

It ended up on a white back ground and in 

a giant embroidery hoop for Peg to hang.

(According to my husband, it was a dumb thing

because it didn't fit properly into any of the normal

post bags and he had to super-size it.)

Poor love...men.

Hopefully Peg has taken super photos.

Red Letter Day

As many of you would know, 

Camille from Bonnie and Camille

and Thimbleblossoms recently released 

some new patterns, one of them called

"Red Letter Day".

Her version was made using their new line 

"Miss Kate".

Unfortunately I don't have any Miss Kate in my stash just yet,

so I decided to use some of the fabric that I've been collecting

on my trip around the colour wheel.

Pink

Orange

Red for the centre

Green

Aqua

Navy

Yellow

 Purple

And here is the whole thing sewn together.

It's a big one - the husband complained about his arms

while I tried to take photos.

 Home-made Baptist Fans.

There was a lot of line marking on this top.

Then the quilting part.

It was surprisingly easy and fairly quick.

It has been used in the lounge room by the whole family.

I love how it crinkled after being washed and tumble dried.

I think I will make another one as I enjoyed this one so much.

So that's it,

my Red Letter Day.

ANZAC

What is Anzac Day?

ANZAC Day – 25 April – is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

What does ANZAC stand for?

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.

Why is this day special to Australians?

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.

The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.

Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “Anzac legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

We ventured out for the dawn service here, my youngest joining my husband and eldest son for 

the first time.  This year he has been particularly interested and I think

it is due to the work he has done at school this week on ANZAC Day and WW1.

For this, I thank his teacher.

We will also go to the morning service, my eldest is marching with Venturers.

Lest we forget.

Enchanted

I recently, along with a few others had the opportunity 

to help out and sew for Sarah Fielke

for spring market in the U.S., using her new fabric range,

"Enchanted"

I was asked to make a paper pieced dolly quilt from her new book

Little Quilts

Below is the picture and instructions I was sent.

 This is the little pile of fabric that Sarah sent.

I have to say, that it is bright, happy and very sweet.

It would be perfect for a little girl or a big girl at heart.

Out came my special paper...

I needed my trusty ruler too.

(I have to say I think it is a brilliant invention)

It was very quick and easy to put together.

In fact, the piecing I did all in one evening.

It was fun to watch it all come together.

This is the backing fabric

and if you look carefully, you can see a tiny little star in the centre.

It's the beginning of my quilting.

It was such a pleasure to quilt this on my machine!

So different from the last few quilts I've done,

given its small size.

Here is the finished product.

I can honestly say, that if you are looking for a quick and easy

pattern to make in a short amount of time, for a little girl and her doll,

then this is it.

It really was super quick and easy too.

The end result was rather sweet, I think.

So if you need dolly quilts, then Sarah's new book might just be what you need.

(Thanks Sarah for the opportunity to sew for you.)

Swoon

I'm not sure of exactly when, but a couple of years ago

Katy from I'm a ginger monkey hosted a Swoonalong on flickr.

I signed up and jumped in boots and all...

and never touched it for about 2 years.

Well Sharon has been on my case for an eternity to finish it.

I decided these holidays it was time.

I decided to free motion quilt a large stipple all over -

I'm still getting used to my new machine.

I love the Bernina BSR but the foot I'm not so sure of.

I managed to dew my quilting glove 3 times.

 There was a Downton marathon while I stitched the binding down

I'm happy with the end result...

just not sure why it took me so long to finish it.

Yes - I did in the end sew my own finger.

Not fun.

It hurt - a lot!

And after all that was said and done, what did I find in the cupboard?

A backing set for it.

Oh well, I have a lovely amount of Ruby fabric for something else now.

Craft finds

I discovered a beautiful little shop at Phillip Island called

Petite Collections.

The owner describes it as

"A gorgeous range of products including Australian designers,

locally handmade fair trade"

There were so many beautiful items in this shop!

I could have quite easily gone nuts and spent plenty.

I so wanted this giant ruler for my classroom...

but didn't.

I did purchase a lovely set of retro scissors.

A wooden spool holder - complete with a lovely ball of string.

And the best thing of all - this giant wooden

spool of twine, complete with scissors.

It's amazing!

I may or may not have also purchased hand cream.

a note book, a pencil, a head band and a book mark...

If you ever visit Phillip Island then you must visit Petite Collections -

you wont be disappointed.  I only wish my kids were smaller as she had a

divine selection of children's wear for 0 - 6 y.o.

Phillip Island

We had a little visit here for a few days

and it was heavenly!

Phillip Island

Island in Australia

Phillip Island is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. Named after Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of Western Port. Wikipedia

Population: 7,071 (2001)

We went with 3 other families and had a very relaxing time.

We ate, walked, shopped and even did a little crafting.

4 of my most favorite people posing at The Nobbies.

We of course had a trip to Phillip Island Raceway for a race.

The helmet baby bear 3 wore was almost bigger than him.
 

I never realised just how much baby bear 2 looked like her father until this photo.

Baby bear 1 - complete with hair net, to keep those nasty critters away.

Baby bear 3 is still too small to drive by himself so he went with his dad.

It is a beautiful place to visit and there is plenty to do,

if ever you feel inclined to visit.