June 2012 Retreat

 

Earlier this month I attended a wonderful retreat with 15 other like minded girls.

 The main building where we laughed, ate and sewed up a storm.

 Our Cabin, which had 3 twin single ensuited rooms complete with shared kitchenette and lounge / dining room. I shared with new friend Jeanette.

 This was what I made on the 3 day weekend. Five small make-up bags, a new handbag in browns and the big squares bag which was a project several of us did.  Oh, and I made the little owl purse to, my own creation that one.

 Here are Sue (all the way from NZ), Deb & Julie hard at work. Who said we ate, laughed and had too much fun?  See, we were working!

 On my arrival at home, I found my ‘cheeky’ boy had found a new friend too. 

Creating with Beads

 Tricia, my talented creative friend who introduced me to my very first Craft Show (which is where my foray into patchwork all began) sent me these pretty beads with some instructions and thankfully a couple of photo’s of what they could become!

This pretty bracelet and ‘heart’ necklace, which I now see  I didn’t take a photo of with the other loose beads, is what became of some of them. Very girly aren’t they?…..how to keep them safe from my daughters! There is still one bracelet to make with the pearl beads.  Thanks Tricia!

Handy idea for Sewing Caddy’s

Lots of sewing girls have an Arm Chair Caddy. This is one I made which was a kit by Abbey Lane Quilts called The Abbey Bag and purchased from the lovely girls at Iddy Biddy in QLD.

I was particularly impressed with their idea of adding a circle of Rubberised Shelf Liner to the underside of the pincushion which really does stop it from sliding off the table, chair etc.  What a great idea.  I hope you like it to!

Sweet Little Pouches

These two little cuties are a Lazy Girl Designs Pattern.  Big enough to hold the small ipod or a box of tic tacs, it’s a lovely addition to a handbag and so quick to make.

New Mug Bag & Satchel

This lovely Leesa Chandler Designs mug bag came as a kit and was given to me by Julie when we went to Melbourne together last year to attend AQC.  With the 2012 ACQ on this month, it was timely that I hit my UFO jobs over my lovely Easter break and made this very useful little project, complete with main fabric insert on the included tile.  Thank you Julie   xx

 Another pre Easter sewing project is my new handy satchel.  With the strap long enough to go across my body or wear over my shoulder, it’s perfect to fit my sunnies, long wallet, mobile and a few extra’s for work or play.  The pattern is my own (meaning there really isn’t one haha) and I’m quite happy with the outcome. Zips, pockets and all!

Gifts from afar

 My dear friend Julie was in Hawaii recently and returned with these lovely gifts, all for me. The little zippered purse has 3 zip compartments.

Spoilt is fast becoming my middle name!…maybe that’s what the “S” key-ring really stands for lol.

Beady Spiders

 These two were purchased at a craft show last year as a kit. I finally got to make them this Easter long weekend.

 Lucky they don’t have a use by date?

Easter 2012

   No little kids eagerly waiting for the Easter Bunny to arrive in this house any more but a lot of chocolate was gifted. It was on the bikes for a ride to Wellington Point later in the afternoon for Dad & youngest Daughter.

A little sewing

 What do you think these may turn into?

Gifts from my Girls

  Jewellery and Flowers…

Chocolate coated Pavlova

And a fun morning of Southbank Market shopping.

Spoilt

This lovely scarf made by and from Jenny.  I have such clever friends!

Spoilt again

This lovely hand made oriental fabric bag by and from my jet setting dear friend Julie arrived for my birthday also, along with a lovely handmade card and a cake tester!  I guess I no longer have to ‘stab’ my baking with a sharp knife to see if they’re cooked! 

Gifted with Paper Art

My dear friend Annette surprises me each year with the most beautiful hand made birthday card. Isn’t it lovely!

xx

Craft Show March 2012

Just a couple of purchases, I was still battling to be well last weekend following a flu virus that had zapped my energy so my usual enthusiasm to shop was missing….

Accompanied by my youngest daughter (17) we sat in on a make and take class, painting the kimono blossom girls on the folders with a quick make and take in the brother sewing machine class afterwards to make the little bag.

Sewing & Baking

Our youngest daughter (17) made these cupcakes for her sister’s 23rd birthday!

These little guys they made together, sharing a ton of laughs at the outcome.

And to end our birthday celebrations, we had an afternoon making miniature owls.

It’s so lovely that although they are young adults, they’re still such fun and good friends.

Tassie Getaway

Up high on Mt Wellington looking over Hobart in the afternoon….  perfect. 

Lovely unspoilt beach on the way to Wineglass Bay.  It gets better than this?

2012 clear out

This pile of magazines and one and a bit bags of fabric are off to new homes….and it’s a liberating feeling to have this little clear out…..  And there are more to go yet!