OFF TO AUSTRALIA IN THE MORNING

Soooo I am off to Australia in the morning for two weeks.........OMG I hate flying but I will soldier on LOL

Have not been able to post my sewing recently as its going with me to Australia but expect a power of pictures to be put up when I can get to a computer or when I get home.  I am going to meet up with my internet friends for the first time and it is going to be an absolute blast I can tell already - see you when I get back or if I can get to a computer I will show you the fun............hehe

Doll Club

My monthly club meeting was today, its always been called a "cloth doll club" but really we all do all sorts of crafts, from cloth dolls, quilting, embroidery and lace making. We always have a really fun time and lots of laughs, food and coffee LOL........ so below are some pics of the show and tell from today, I cant show mine as its secret stuff LOL.......

Some pincushions Pam made, they are really lovely and are cross stitched and then made, I cant remember the name of the pincushion but its all funny angles when finished and really different.

heres the ladies deep in conversation, we were all discussing doll faces here as a new lady thought you just brought the faces already done so we were explaining that nope you have to make em yourself.

Jill Mas pattern Beryl had made up and brought in to show


Two gollies that Margaret our resident gollie lady made, shes now making a golly teacosy



A gorgeous quilt that Beryl has made for her grandaughter - its just so pretty and parts of the border are done with a sparkly material so its just perfect for a wee girl.

Pressies - yipeeeeee

Some of you might know that I am off for a big adventure in three weeks - I am off to Australia for approx 10 days and am going to meet some of the girls from my yahoo group CRAFT , its so exciting but also very scary as I hate - hate - hate flying so its a big deal for me to do this LOL..

Yesterday I opened my mailbox and there was a parcel in there from Australia, from my friend Naomi, and below is what was in it, it was like she read my mind or similar LOL, I have borrowed a lovely big suitcase from my friends which is black and was pondering how the heck I would find my one in amongst all the others - just a small stress LOL.... and low and behold I now have the most gorgeous luggage tags in the world which no one else will have so no problem at all identifying which bag is mine.. hehe also in my parcel was the wee pouch which is what the tags were in and a neat bag which can go across my body, this has so many pockets in it its not funny - I just love it, I love the whole lot, not to mention the colours are just me to a tee, and the sewing on these is simply superb I have to tell you - they look much better up close and personal than in the photos I can promise you. I feel so very lucky to have received this - THANKS SO MUCH NAOMI - see you in three weeks my girl LOL

And heres another photo of my wee giraffe - everyone though it was blue and green, NO WAY this baby is purple and green - hehe.........

Baby Giraffe

I have been working on some "secret" sewing which cant be revealed for a while yet, but I have been sewing I can assure you all. Yesterday I decided to take a break from what I had been doing and run up one of these Giraffes which are easy and very cute. I reduced this pattern down to just under 50% so the wee horns are about as thick as two toothpicks put together LOL, I found a way to get them turned and attached after much @@@**** etc LOL (must admit the eyes need adjusting, I think in hindsight doing it this small I would have not used felt for the eyes and would have drawn them on, anyways it was a fun project to do and very cute.) size of baby giraffe would be approx 8.5 - 9 inches tall.

Pics from Doll Club

Last month I was really tired and didnt go to Doll Club but went this month and have a few pics for you, still working on the needlecase, have the pattern drawn out nicely on the computer now so need to make another one up from the pattern - I am a slow poke, mainly because working full time cramps my style sometimes - mind the weather is starting to pick up here so that always lifts the spirits somewhat and also gives more creating daylight after work, after hunkering down in the cold winter months.

Mother of the bride - Jill Maas

I went and brought this pattern after seeing this doll made up, must have a go at it as its pretty funky LOL

Wee teddy bear one of the girls was making

All working hard, hmm looks like a lot of reading going on hehe

One of the members is hand appliquing this quilt, its wonderful and she is doing an awesome job of it - its got fantails in the border and they look really great

Promise - I will be back soon LOL

Things have taken a bit of time to settle down after the visit and with heaps going on at work at the moment, we are full on. I have been playing a bit today to try and get back into the sewing groove again and will have a small needlecase tutorial to put up as soon as I can get it to a decent standard.

Anyone interested in a needlecase tutorial albiet a small one, but a good size to pop into a handbag etc

Biggest Surprise Ever

Its been a week of big things happening for us, had the MIL’s 80th and knew all the family were coming from overseas and all over New Zealand to catch up with her (further pictures in the post below)

BUT……… last Monday evening just as we were going to have an early night (phew lucky we didn't) we had a knock on our door and nearly had a heart attack there and then – these two below were at our door and had come all the way from Australia to surprise their Dad…… who had not seen them in years…….. to say he's the happiest Dad in the world would be the biggest understatement of the year LOL……  Its been the best time and we have another week yet so expect a few photos to go up on the blog, I think there might be many tears when they head out on their plane next weekend (me included) its been awesome…….

Daniel and Amy with their Nana who cried buckets when she saw them for the first time in a very long time, was the perfect birthday present for her.

I call this picture The Happiest Dad in the world……….

Pictures of MIL’s 80th Birthday

Sorry to be away from the blog for so long, but the quilt I was making was for my MIL’s 80th birthday and I needed to spend every bit of time after work to get it finished in time. Below are some pictures of the finished quilt and of her opening the parcel at her birthday bash… not a great pic of the quilt as it was a very sunny day when I took it and it got washed out, will take some more of it on her bed when I go up and see her at the home.

Quilt finished and washed and dried in the dryer

This was a classic she opened the parcel and opened her mouth then closed the parcel up again LOL….in shock

Parcel opened and quilt being held up to show everyone

Me with MIL and the quilt, was bending way down here for the photo LOL as she was sitting in a wheelchair

Nearly an update to come LOL

Sorry everyone, been so busy at work the past few weeks and needing to work on the quilt in any spare time there has been little time to update the blog.

I have been to my monthly doll club meeting today though so look for some pictures tomorrow, also am nearly finished the quilt just need to do the hand sewing on the binding and all good to go. THEN.......... I shall continue with the faces and get those up for you and back into doll making...........

What got started last weekend

Well sorry girls, no doll face updates so far, have a sewing job I need to concentrate on for the next wee bit, a bit of pressure to get this done as a gift so am winging another quilt LOL.... nearly got the top finished just need to get the final borders on this weekend and then backing and wadding - phew...........fingers crossed I can get it to that stage so I can start the quilting as that takes me a bit of time indeed. Above is the progress so far.