Crafty Pug

merry christmas!

2011-12-23T15:10:00.000+10:30

well, ive decided - i think my new years resolution will have to be to find some consistent time to blog each week.... anyone else need to join me in that :)

but in the mean time - MERRY CHRISTMAS! i hope you have a fantastic Christmas and a most joyful start to 2012.

here are my two seeing Father Christmas at the Magic Cave - too cute!

pugs and christmassy kisses
crafty
xx

favourite daughter in law for the day ;)

2011-12-21T15:20:00.000+10:30

i remembered that i hadn't given you an update on the presentation of my mother in law's 60th birthday quilt!

here is the story....

my mother in law turned 60 and didn't want a big party - she just wanted a holiday with her boys and their families. my hubby's brother lives in Melbourne with his wife and 3 cute kids and so we are not all together that often.

so they treated us all to a holiday in lovely Apollo Bay, Victoria. If you ever have the chance to go there, I completely recommend it! just stunning. i borrowed my dad's fancy camera for the weekend (i have put one on my christmas wish list, but i don't think santa's budget is going to stretch that far this year!) and took these shots

little human out exploring...

a quiet moment with dad....

learning to surf on uncle's surf board!

getting braver....its in the water!

and of course - the presentation of the quilt. my MIL loved it! she is not a quilter or crafty person, but loved the pictures and work of the grandkids of course, but she also took me aside and said how special it was to her, and that she knew so much work must have gone into it....just lovely!

so what can i say - it took me over a year to do, hours of cutting, piecing and quilting, driving to find matching fabric and was it worth it? i would do it again in a heartbeat.

a very special lady was made happy - what more can you ask for? :)

pugs and kisses

crafty

time has flown!

2011-11-28T15:04:00.001+10:30

hi all
time has flown by somehow - sorry for the inconsistent blogging!

here are some updates of what i have been up to in crafty land :)

block swaps....

received from Fiona

and two made - one for Fiona...

and one for Rosemary

A few of my cuties to update you with. The little human is closing in on 3 years old at a fast pace - this is him being a 'wok star' at Playgroup (he still has that gorgeous toddler accent!)

some of the proud and at times overwhelming big brother with his little puglet sister (now 6 and 1/2 months)

sometimes she gets some space and can smile and play by herself......but not often :)

and this one is for his 21st....the little human is too old for a nap now, if he has one he doesn't go to sleep at night until FOREVER.....but he now has a quiet time in his room for about an hour. most of this is spent by the door, waiting waiting waiting for the timer to go off so he can come out. every now and then, though, he still needs a bit of a sleep, but he fights it until the end!

hope you have had some cuties in your life too!
pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

I am alive!

2011-10-27T21:03:00.001+10:30

Just in case you were wondering ;)

and i have been crafting - but not blogging.
I am working one something a little bit big and exciting at the moment - not quite ready to share....but will let you know :)

That has been taking up some of my time.....along with general crafting, looking after the kids and hubby (and the house - why does it demand so much attention!?!? we can put a man on the moon, but we haven't invented the self-cleaning floor?!), and getting my teaching registration back up to date.

The plan is to go back one day a week next year, with hubby staying home that day to look after the kids. I am looking forward to getting back out there :)

crafty-wise i have been finishing off my mother-in-laws quilt, working on puglet's quilt (all the blocks are sewn, just have to join it up!) and some hand stitching

here are my blocks for this months swaps - this one for the regular swap with Larain

and this for the Christmas swap with Sue

and some of the kids! the little human on his fave ride at the shops (he doesn't know that money can go in them yet when he is with mummy!)

and then a lovely trip to hubby's uncle's farm - here is puglet on her first tractor ride!

the little human got into the swing of it a bit more...

and to finish with a trip to the local play cafe - puglet having her first time in a bouncer-thingo...

and the little human was moving so fast, this was the clearest picture i could get of him!

much love to all, and i hope you have found time to do crafting, and tell those around you that you love them
pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

a few more projects....

2011-10-01T15:48:00.001+09:30

my mother in law's 60th quilt top is finished! windy day, so little human is holding it steady for me :)

if you click to enlarge, you should be able to make out the drawing blocks from the grandkids (she has 5 - our 2, plus my hubby's brother's 3), plus the piccies of our kids and theirs, plus the stitcheries - the middle block, and the bottom block with her favourite bible verses.

just have to quilt it now.....

and these are the block for the puglets new quilt for her wall - still piecing them together from a charm pack and a jelly roll.....

and some pin wheel blocks - i LOVE pinwheels in all their various guises - but did these using Sue's tutorial that promised super-easy perfect pinwheels every time - sounds like a good promise to me!

so i had a go and followed her advice - and she was right!!! head over and try it yourself!

and one of my puglet to finish with - she has just worked out how to hold things and start to put them in her mouth - this is her current fave toy - a flat doggie with teether paws and a crinkly tummy

whatever takes your fancy!

pugs and kisses
xx

update on all things Crafty

2011-09-30T15:10:00.000+09:30

well, the first update is of course on my best creations (awwwwwwwwwwww) the cuties!

this is the little human (now 2 and 1/2) in his big boy pj's - thomas the tank of course. he was very proud to wear them (coz thats what big boys wear when they sleep in big boy beds apparently), but after a few minutes in bed there was much carry on. when i went in, he complained that he couldn't get comfy because of the buttons down the front ;) so back into his tshirt he went! but the boxers stayed!

and this is the puglet, now 4 months, DESPERATELY trying to roll over. i remember this stage with the little human - they get SO frustrated that they can't do it. she can get herself onto her side, and has managed all the way to the front once, but thats all - other than a lot of grunting, and then crying!

now onto my blocks that i received in the swap for September - lucky me!

this is my beautiful wonky star for the Christmas Block Swap from Janet

and this is my shooting star block from Terry for the Quilting Block Swap. im not sure if she did it on purpose, but the red star in the middle is great!

and finally, i finished the Cat in the Hat quilt for the little human a couple weeks ago. he loves it! he insists on sleeping with it so that the label is up near his face. i just wrote the normal details on it, but he says that i wrote that 'mummy made this quilt for me because she loves me'. im happy with that

pugs and kisses always
crafty
xx

block swaps for Sept done!

2011-09-10T18:03:00.000+09:30

here is the black, pink and grey block requested by Terry in the Quilting Block Swaps Australia Group

and here is the Christmas colours and snow block as requested by Janet in the Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia Group

i hope they like them!!
crafty
xx

crikey! where does the time go?

2011-09-06T11:06:00.000+09:30

wow - the last date in this blog is last month!

i have been crafting, but haven't been blogging - sorry!

here is what i have been working on in the evenings - the stitchery parts for my mother in laws 60th quilt. it is coming together nicely! one is her fave bible verse, and the other is the centre square for the quilt. i have also ordered the photos on fabric so hopefully they will be ready this week and i can piece it all together!

this is a photo of a quilt in use!! my mum always says 'but what do you do with all these quilts' and 'how many do you need!' etc, but she was happy to see how much little human loved having this one on his new big boy bed. there is something very special (and a bit emotional!) about seeing a little one that you love snuggled under something you have made especially for them with your own hands

and this is my final Pay It Forward gift - a tablerunner - on its way to Lana in the US. I hope it gets there safe and sound!

my projects for this week are to iron all the backing fabric for two quilts i have ready to go. the little human's cat in the hat quilt - which he is now begging for! and a jungle quilt for the puglet's bed.

also, now that i have finished the stitching for my mum in laws quilt, i am back onto the butterfly garden quilt - and really enjoying it!

a couple of quick photos of my cuties to finish with - somehow, puglet is now over 3 months old! she had her vaccinations yesterday and had a huge sleep last night and is still asleep for her morning nap now. this is very unusual for her - she is a catnapper because of her reflux. but i am happy to take it for today!!! i think i will go and make a cuppa and sit and watch the little human with his play dough :)

pugs and kisses always
crafty
xx

some crafty photos!

2011-08-19T17:04:00.004+09:30

i know! about time i show some craft on this so called crafty blog!!

here are my gorgeous mug rugs that i have received from lynne - i love them both, but especially the more modern one.

she also included these gorgeous reusable fabric gift bags! there is a tute on her blog if you want to create some too

now some blocks - this one is from robyn for me for last months christmas block swap

this i made for sharon in canada for this months swap

and this is my block for this month from the lovely leena for the quilting block swap

and the one that i made for her - man i found the mitred corners difficult!!

i also finished off my second Pay It Forward gift and that has been sent! this is for Linden - a table runner

phew! i think i am now up to date!
to finish a photo of the little human. he loves to help out with everything, and as anyone who has ever had a 2 year old knows, that help can mean a huge hassle!! he he

he is desperate to help mummy with her 'craft' as he says, but i don't let him touch my machine. so he found this hole puncher under my desk and a scrap of fabric and calls that his sewing machine. he pushes the lever up and down on the fabric and then holds it up and says 'mmmmm'. when i ask if he is happy with it, he says 'mmmm yes, very nice'.

such a cutie!!!!!

now tonight is FNSI, so i have to go and get everyone organised so i can sit down and sew!!! hope you get some done too

much love, pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

some photos of my cuties

2011-08-18T19:00:00.000+09:30

can't resist showing these off!

here are my two, last weekend. little human now nearly 2 and a half years old, and the puglet is now 12 weeks old

puglet has found her smile

and this is a series of photos from when we went to a cafe for my mum's birthday. we all got coffees afterwards, and the little human got a babycino and a gingerbread man (his fave)

look everyone, ive got a gingerbread man!

isn't he beautiful?!

hello gingerbread man

i will love you forever!

and smother you with kisses

he got so attached to the gingerbread man that he couldn't eat him. we had to take him home with us, and the little human held onto him in the car the whole way home!

too cute!

pugs and kisses
xx

giveaway at QBSA!

2011-08-17T19:15:00.000+09:30

well, we have done it - the group has reached over 100 - well done Sue!
she is celebrating with a giveaway, and you have to be a follower to be in it - so join up!
head over here for the info
pugs and kisses
xx

p.s. i have to get organised and download my photos so i can do a post with some crafty stuff - hopefully tomorrow (she says!)

Vignette heaven

2011-08-01T16:19:00.000+09:30

look what arrived in the post the other day!

this is the quartlery publication by my favourite design Leanne Beasley from Leanne's House. Her stuff is SOOOOOO beautiful. Maria was blogging about one of the great projects, and i had to get the latest issue, and the back issues (of course!)

and now i am hooked - i have read them over and over and over again, but stopped myself from starting anything until i have cleared some of my backlog of projects!

hope you have had some inspiration this week too

much love
crafty
xx

p.s. it was a lovely day in adelaide today, and so we went to the park to feed the ducks - a very underrated kiddie activity! here is the little human in full flight :)

Mug Rug received!

2011-07-25T17:49:00.001+09:30

just a quick one to show a picture of my mug rug - it was sent all the way to Lynne in Maryland USA and arrived safe and sound!

apologies for crappy picture - my phone is not so good at taking pictures in unnatural light i have discovered!

pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

Good news - my first PIF project received!

2011-07-23T15:26:00.000+09:30

just remporting that my first Pay it forward package was recieved by Sue!!
she has blogged about it here

i made here a Christmas table runner out of blocks that i had received in the swap. i wanted to do this because Sue is the person that runs Quilting block swaps Australia....and it was that group that really got me going with quilting, blogging and chatting with all you lovely ladies! anyhoo, i wanted to show my appreciation, so i am glad that she liked it!

gotta keep working on my other two PIF projects though!
pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

FNSI report! and a puglet smile

2011-07-23T13:46:00.001+09:30

hi all!
hope you had a good friday night and got some craftyness done

this is what i did...

after the puglet settled - quite quickly actually - whew! - i got out my hand stitching to keep working on my butterfly garden quilt - i am quite addicted at the moment!

my hubby's football team was on the telly - the adelaide crows - so we watched that. but they got THUMPED by 103 points....hubby unimpressed and went to bed early!

i finished this small block, but it has 4 small squares in the centre then with the long pieces, so took me a while to get it all correct....

shown here is the block, and my newest 'invention'! i bought an ironing board cover and cut it up so that i had a flat piece to put on my stable table with my travel iron! now i can iron my piecing and attach fusible web etc all from the comfort of my lounge room! no more lugging out the big ironing board each time

and to finish, the first photo of my puglet smiling! i finally caught one...

much love, smiles, pugs and kisses
crafty

FNSI TONIGHT!!!

2011-07-22T15:29:00.000+09:30

wow - i lost track of time
Friday night sew in is tonight!!!
sign up at Handmade by Heidi asap!
have fun
crafty
xx

handstitching project back on track

2011-07-19T16:31:00.000+09:30

hello!
i have been working hard on my machine piecing projects out in my sewing space in the back shed when i have time - but i have been wanting to get something on the go for the evening times. puglet is now going down at the same time as the little human in the evenings and then waking for feeds later - so i have a bit of down time

i rediscovered my love for this project in the last few days and really want to keep it moving. i looked back through the blog and found my last post about it over a year ago! crikey.

here are some pictures of what i have achieved in the last few days. my aim is to piece the entire quilt by hand. it is a good project for this because it is made of small blocks joined into larger ones, joined into the quilt

i just love the colours and the scrappy look of it. this is what the finished thing should look like!

ive finished the top 2 large squares only! gotta keep stitching :)

here is a sneak peek of something i made for a PIF person :) in the mail in the next couple of days - number 1 finished!

on the kids front, everything is going really well. puglet is starting to settle into a kind of pattern, so things a bit more predictable during the day now. she is a really placid baby, which is great for the energy of the little human!

much love pugs and kisses
crafty

positive feedback from the harshest critic!

2011-07-12T17:46:00.002+09:30

hi all!
good news! mum loved her pin cushion!

as i mentioned the other day, she can be a harsh critic of crafting pursuits! but she was impressed that i had met her need of not stabbing herself with pins in the leg by putting some card in the bottom :)

i also got to work on my blocks for this months Christmas Block swap. my partner Robyn requested christmas trees in either applique or patchwork. i wasnt sure the look she was going for, so i made two. here are sneak peeks....

this is some more work on my pay it forward project....can't give away too much :)

here is my next big project i need to get a move on with - this is my mother-in-laws 60th birthday quilt. it has pictures from all the grandkids on it. here are the first bits of it

her birthday isn't until novemeber, but i know that that time will fly! will show you more as it grows :)

pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

bits and pieces

2011-07-10T17:54:00.001+09:30

hi!
ive enjoyed a quick fly around some of my fave blogs just now - and people have been doing some really lovely things! i love the soft colours that people seem to be using at the moment - just beautiful!

well, here are the things that i have been working on....

this is a (dodgy) sneak peek photo of my Christmas in July Mug Rug Swap that we ran through the Christmas Block Swap.

the back...

the front....

just have to get some little pressies to put in and then send it off to my partner.

next is my finished cat in the hat quilt top! im really happy with it - the colours are great, and i like the way the four patches make a pattern diagonally. i am about to start work on the back - my dad has written out the story of cat in the hat on fabric for me (he has neat handwriting!) and i am going to cut it up and piece it into the back.

and my final creation is a pin cushion for my mum. she is a bit 'anti-craft' in that she thinks it is all a bit much (why would you cut up fabric just to sew it together again?.....and how many quilts does a person need anyway?). i gave her a pin cushion that i had made, but didn't have a use for and she said that she didn't want it because pins always go through pin cushions and prick her leg when she mends in front of the telly (her extent of craft work!).

so this one has a piece of cardboard sewn into the bottom piece of fabric, and then is stuffed with polyfill. i am going to see her on tuesday and will give it to her then - so i will let you know her thoughts :)

and to finish with - a piccie of the little human enjoying a day at the zoo - its always great when the get to interact with the animals!

much love and kisses
crafty

xx

I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny....

2011-07-04T16:15:00.000+09:30

but we can have lots of good fun that is funny!!!

yep, that's right, ive ben hard at work on the little human's Cat in the Hat quilt!
The piecing is done, just have to add the borders....

also been working on my Pay It Forward projects (the deadline for which is coming up fast! eeep!) but i can't give away too much, because it is a surprise!

Been using the jelly roll I bought - Lovely from the moda line......and it is indeed lovely! i think i will make a few more of the gifts with it!

pugs and kisses!
crafty
xx

lucky lucky me!

2011-07-02T13:49:00.001+09:30

hi!
while i was in hospital with the puglet, it was my 32nd birthday! my in laws know my love of craft and said that they would take me and let me loose in a craft shop! yay!

so i chose Hetties Patch because i hadn't been there before - and it was fantastic!!!! SO.....MUCH....FABRIC! so hard to choose.

but choose i did - this is a Sherbet Pips Jelly Roll - been dreaming of what to make Puglet with this while up at night feeding her

and this awesome Dr Seuss Cat in the Hat fabric pack to make a quilt for the little human - he loves Cat in the Hat (and then something went BUMP! how that BUMP made us JUMP!)

can't wait to make it!

speaking of the kids, here is a recent photo of the little human at the very cool adventure playground out Noarlunga way - this is him on the 'jungle drums' - man he loves to make noise! such a good day

and this is my little puglet - she is much more awake and alert now - 5 weeks old already! what a cutie (if i do say so myself!)

much love, pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

Toy Society drop two and three

2011-07-01T17:46:00.000+09:30

Hi!

DROP TWO
a while a go i was lucky enough to win a make your own stupid sock creatures box kit from Homespun.
very cool, because not something i would have bought myself - but a good thing to try!

so anyhoo, this is the finished product! I named him Stripy

he is a bit too fragile for my kids or for their mates, so thought Stripy would be a good Toy Society drop. This is him packaged up and ready to go

and as per my Toy Society project mentioned earlier, I am only dropping around our local council area of Playford. Here is Stripy ready to be found and loved!

DROP THREE
ages and ages ago, i started making Hilda the Hippo of Melly and Me. yesterday, i finally finished her! here she is in all her glory!

and again, i thought she would make a good Toy Society drop - something a bit different. I couldn't find a clear bag big enough to fit her - so this is her ready to go!

and because it was a bit rainy out here yesterday, i had to find somewhere undercover for her, seeing as she was unprotected! so this is her out the front of the local swimming pool.

hopefully, they both find good homes and someone to love them!

hope you have had a fun crafty few days too
many pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

And the winner is....

2011-06-27T19:38:00.000+09:30

Melody of The House on the Side of the Hill - thanks to random.org - chose number 31
CONGRATULATIONS!
Heading your way will be the Australian Quilter's Companion 'Quilts from Precut Fabrics'
Hope you enjoy and thank you to everyone for joining in
pugs and kisses
xx

Christmas in July Mug Rug Swap!

2011-06-23T11:16:00.001+09:30

Hi all!

Just letting you know that over at the Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia blog (of which i get the fun of being swap mummy) there is a new one-off side swap happening - the Christmas in July Mug Rug Swap!

It is open to all - not just members of the usual swap - so if you would like to get in on the action head to this post

You have to let me know that you want to join by the 4th of July, and you have til the 31st of July to post your mug rug

So head on over and join in the fun!

Christmassy kisses

Crafty

GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL(S)!!

2011-06-21T17:17:00.000+09:30

hi!
i decided at around 2am this morning whilst feeding the gorgeous puglet that i need to get some craft time into my days.
they are just flying by in a blur of activities, feeding, settling, driving, trampolining....:)
so....
i have set myself a goal of doing a bit of sewing every day....even if it is just 5 minutes. and also set myself the goal of blogging once a week.
I think otherwise it will all get away from me and it will be the end of the year before i know it!

so! my craft achievements from this week

i was lucky enough to win a Homespun competition and got a 'how to make a stupid sock creature' kit! so this is where i am up to with the little fella - he will go out as a Toy Society drop once he is finished

and this is the two buck block BOM from Kornacraft for this year - i chose the pink theme with the idea to make it into a quilt for puglet once i have finished them - i love the fabric!!

and i was lucky enough to go out to Quiltaholics yesterday and bought a jelly roll and some blue Christmas fabric (which is hard to come by!)

and for good measure, a cute shot of the little human loving his puglet sister

much love and happy crafting!

pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

p.s. don't forget to enter the competition if you haven't yet - closes monday 27th of june!!!

Pug family home!

2011-06-03T11:55:00.003+09:30

hi all!
i am happy to report that i am typing this post with one hand while holding my gorgeous new daughter in the other :)
Puglet was born by c-section on the 26th of may and weighed 7 lb 1oz and was 48 cm long
she is doing very well at home - feeding great, and settling in between, which is just lovely
the little human adores puglet with a capital A - they are very cute together

this is the puglet having her first bath in the hospital - she loved it

and this is her with her gorgeous presents from Fiona - a beautiful hand stitched kokeshi stuffie and some handmade breast pads for me - THANK YOU!

thank you to all for your lovely thoughts and warm messages of support over the last few weeks - i have felt the m lift me up when i was down

much love, pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

p.s. don't forget to enter the giveaway!!! you have til 6pm Monday 27th of june - you've got to be in to win it!

GIVEAWAY!!!

2011-05-16T09:56:00.000+09:30

This giveaway is a copy of this magazine from Australian Quilters Companion called 'Quilts from Precut Fabrics' complete with DVD called "Learn to use specialty rulers and templates".
It is still in its wrapper because I bought one at the shop, not realising it was part of my subscription - so now i have two! duh!

so if you want to win it - just leave a comment to this post! you don't have to be a member, you don't have to post about it on your blog, you can live anywhere, you just have to leave a comment to let me know that your name is in the draw.

Ill use random.org to choose the winner, and you have until the 27th of June 2011 at 6pm Central Australian Time to leave your comment!

spread the word - you've got to be in it to win it!

pugs and kisses
xx

p.s. 10 sleeps to go until puglet comes and joins our family. i CANT wait! very excited to have a new addition, and looking forward to the end of the pregnancy and the beginning of being a mum of 2. see you on the other side
xx

FNSI report

2011-04-16T17:50:00.000+09:30

hi all
no photos this time....i was slightly disheartened by my achievements :)
i did some english paper piecing in front of the telly, watching the footy with hubby
a lovely evening, but i am SO SLOW at doing the little tiny stitches that i only got about 4 hexagons attached to my flower!
never mind
hope you had a good time and achieved what you wanted to at your FNSI
pugs and kisses
xx

i am back in the world of the internet!

2011-04-14T10:36:00.001+09:30

oh my gosh! can you belive that i have not had internet since the 3rd of march (or a home phone for that matter)
what a nightmare - you can see why people never swap service providers for anything!!!!!!
but anyhoo, it is sorted now, and all is well

so to update all that has been happening.....

LITTLE HUMAN
- the little human just had his 2nd birthday - that went very fast somehow?
here with a pressie from his uncle

here having a good time at his birthday party, complete with bump on head from earlier fall :)

and the bob the builder cake i made him for the party

he has also discovered jumping......lots and lots. he loves it! he goes to kindergym and they had a photographer there last week - this is him in full happy flight

PUGLET
- pregnancy going well - now at 32 weeks and feeling HUGE and tired all the time. booked in for a mandatory c-section on the 26th of May, so only 6 weeks to go!!!! yay
all fine with the baby - one last scan next week to check on position of placenta, and then the count down is truly on!

CRAFT
all right - lets get to it!

- block swaps
this is a sneak peak of this months wonky star block to Minette for the quilting block swap

this is what i received last month from shauna - don't you just love this pattern! soooo awesome - can't wait to put together all the beautiful blocks that i am receiving

this is a sneak peak of the block i made for cheryl for the christmas quilting block swaps. she asked for a log cabin in christmas colours

and this is what i got last month from heather - the little stars and moons are actually santas - so cute!!

- easter swap
i was lucky enough to get in on Jewell's easter swap this year! this is the parcel i sent off to Portugal for my lovely lady - containing, as specified, some chocs (haighs of course, in a travel suitable package!), an easter flannel, a craft mag, and an easter tea towel (eggcellent easter - he he , still cracks me up!)

- stuff for baby
finally finished the wall quilts for puglets room!!!! they are up, but i still have a few ends to trim when i can be bothered :)
(for some reason my computer won't let me upload that photo to the blog...... not sure what that is about! will try again next post?)

before the little human was born, i made him a blanket, embroidered with a duck in wool. just a lovely project to make, but not overly practical once he was born. he was a chucker and i couldn't be bothered carefully washing the blanket every time etc etc, so i stopped using it all together. so this time, i decided to just make quilts.
i have finished the quilt top for both a boy, and a girl - ill find someone to give the other one to once we have had ours!

i have also made a nursing cover! big thanks to Freshly Picked for the tutorial. i am very happy with how it turned out. i couldn't find them for cheaper than $50 on the net, but the materials for this one cost about $11. very happy! for those not familiar with them, it is for breastfeeding in public. its like a wide apron with some boning in the front so you can keep on eye on the little one. ive put some terry cloth in both corners on the inside for cleaning up spew, and a pocket in the front, which i imagine will be used for the little human to keep his trains in :)

i am also working on a baby sling at the moment, so will let you know how that turns out!

- presents
my gorgeous friend nat had a baby girl a few weeks ago, and i made this little wiggle-around quilt for her

- hexie flowers
well, i have taken the plunge. after watching sue daly on a quilter's companion dvd, i thought i would like to have a go at paper piecing. so i found a pattern from a mag, and just decided to have a go! i have bought pre-cut papers, and a template for cutting the little hexies, and am finding it quite soothing. and such a portable project! i have taken them to my obstetrician's rooms many times to wait, and have found that before i know it, it is my turn! i think they will also be good for the hospital stay with the puglet.....they are saying 7 days in, and i know that hubby will be out and about with little human more this time, so i may have some down time......perhaps ill sleep though :)

so i have to make about 120 of these (see below) and then join them together with more hexies to make the quilt....i haven't picked the fabric to join them all up....any suggestions?

whew! i think that is it - all updated!
and internet still going strong - all good :)

thanks for reading and many pugs and kisses to you and yours
xx

winner winner winner!

2011-02-27T20:01:00.000+10:30

hi all!
just a quick one to let you know that Cheryll of Stitching Cubby Hole is the lucky winner of the magazines!
random.org picked out number 6 for us - thanks random.org :)

cheryll, they will be on the way to you asap
xx

panda post present!

2011-02-22T18:02:00.000+10:30

lucky lucky me
i got a pressie today in the post box from the lovely Sue

the package was panda themed - some lovely fabric, a haighs choccie panda (YUM!) and a lovely card.

i love it all - but even more because I LOVE PANDAS
in fact, the little human and i went to the first day that the pandas were on display at the adelaide zoo! we had to cue for ages, but it was worth it

the little human was 9 months old at the time, and i bought him a special outfit for the occasion...

we did eventually get to see the pandas - here he is, with the panda in the background. at the time they were still in quarantine so they couldn't come out into the open!

much cooler now, seeing them wander around - yes, we have been back another couple of times!

if you are ever in adelaide (well, in the next 10 years - that is how long we have them on loan for from China), they are well worth checking out.

so thanks again sue! will have to think long and hard about using that fabric!

pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

BEEN RECEIVED! Leena's Feb Christmas block

2011-02-20T15:36:00.000+10:30

hi!
leena let me know that she received my block - and she was very happy with it which is always great!

here is the whole thing

pugs and kisses
xx

FNSI report

2011-02-19T16:22:00.000+10:30

hi all!
i was very happy to get some good sewing in last night for FNSI. I did it all on the couch due to aforementioned little human injury :) but still got some good hand work done

i finished all the blanket stitch around the puglet's jungle quilt animals. i still have the lettering to go, SO fiddly! but all good. i haven't bothered with pictures because i haven't attached any more fabric or anything yet, so they don't look exciting :)

but i did manage to attach all the binding to the little human's first quilt to be used as a quilt! this is it - he 'picked out' the fabric at our LQS and then just added some green triangle print to break it up (he wasn't keen at all when i cut into his beloved fabric!!! but he came around when he saw the quilt top finished)

here it is all finished! we are preparing to transition him to his big boy bed sometime after puglet arrives (we have a bassinette in the meantime) and i am hoping that a quilt made with love from mum will help (fingers crossed!)

anyhoo, hope you had fun too

pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

p.s. don't forget to have a look at this link http://craftypug.blogspot.com/2011/02/some-craft-then-story.html if you want to be in the magazine giveaway!!! open to all
xx

BEEN RECEIVED! Jolanda's block for Feb

2011-02-19T16:12:00.000+10:30

i had the great pleasure of swapping with Jolanda in Portugal this month for the block swap
she let me know today that her block arrived
this is the whole thing

i was also lucky to get hers yesterday!
a beautiful wonky star, with gorgeous centre fabric, matching card and locally grown tea!
thanks Jolanda!!!

pugs and kisses
xx

some craft, then a story with rewards....

2011-02-18T10:28:00.002+10:30

hi all!
we have RAIN in adelaide today - actual proper rain, not just mist that makes everything muggy! it is lovely - little human and i have already been out to stand in it - ah!

well, as promised by the title, first some craft....

i have long promised the most favourite of all creatures, duckie, a quilt. little human picked two fat quarters from my 'kids' tub in the stash, and this is the outcome.

little human had to make sure duckie was ok. i made it double sided and machine stitched the binding on for hopeful added strength :)

i also used some of my winnings from Shauna's giveaway (thanks again!) to make this dolly quilt and pillow for the little human's friend Morgan. her 3rd birthday party is in a few weeks. (the model is the little human's dolly, known as baby)

and yesterday, i was lucky enough to get this gorgeous block from my swap partner for this month in the Christmas swap - Fiona. isn't it lovely!!! and complete with handmade christmas tag too

if you haven't been to the Christmas swap blog site in a while, head over there - there are some winnings to be won!

also, tonight is FNSI!!! check it out at Crafty Vegas Mom

i haven't found time to make my way around the blogs much lately - very disappointing. i hope to be inspired by everyone's creations soon!!!!

now to the story.....

i love my little human - i do. he is nearly 2 now, and is growing into a lovely kid with a good heart and a sense of humour.

but sometimes, the two year old comes out in him, and he is a cheeky monkey

you see, on wednesday, i was at the shops with the little human. he is now at the stage where the pram is apparently for babies and so he walks along side, holding onto the safety strap. when he gets tired he sits down and rides for while. all good. he occasionally gets distracted and lets go and wanders off a few metres, but is usually pretty good at coming back when threatened with having to sit in the pram!

so on wednesday, all is going as usual. in fact, he has been so good that when we have done all our jobs, i say that we can go to the shopping centre playground for a run around. great - he runs around like a crazy thing, jumping, sliding, climbing. runs in and out to me for hugs, all normal.

then, for some reason that is unknown to me, he decides that he should run out of the enclosure and down the mall at full speed without looking back. he gets about 10 m from me before i realise that if i don't get him, he might do a Forest Gump and just keep on runnin'. so i leave the pram, my handbag, the shopping and sprint after him.

thankfully i get him before he gets hit with anything or smashes into a little old lady etc, and i carry him back to the pram, strap him in and head for the door. he realises at this point that the play is over, and he goes into meltdown - 'more play, more play' at the top of his lungs, in between screams, sobs and cries. i calmly repeat the mantra - we don't run away from mummy, so no more play. we are going home. this of course does nothing to calm him down, everyone is staring at us and he is hysterical for the next 1/2 hour

eventually we get home, get playing something else and all is well. i smile my mum smile and laugh a little mum laugh at toddler behaviour. ha ha ha

i then realise that i am in EXTREME pain in my lower abdomen, and work out that i must have pulled muscles whilst in hot pursuit.......apparently the 6 month pregnant body is not designed to be quick over the 50 m dash.

so, i have spent thursday and today on the lounge, feet up, with the lovely hubby home from work and looking after the little human. the pain is getting less, and i am sure by the weekend i will be back to my normal self (just no running!)

the reason for telling the story - one, so you can laugh at me! and two, while resting, i have been having a look over some old magazines, and enjoying the different projects in them. i also realised though that i have quite a few, that while interesting, are full of things i will never make. and so.....

A GIVEAWAY IS IN ORDER!

the prize is 3 Australian Patchwork and Quilting magazines, complete with pattern sheets, delivered to your door (well, postal address anyway). for those interested, they are vol 18 no 11, vol 19 no 1, and the latest edition vol 20 no 1.

there are a few ways to enter the draw and have more than one chance to win....

entry one, just leave a comment to this post and say you would like to be in it to win it!
entry two, let me know you are a follower, or become a follower and let me know
entry three, make mention of this giveaway on your blog and then post that link in a comment

that easy really! open to all, and open until 5pm Sunday 27th of February 2011 ACDST (ie the time in Adelaide, SA, Australia). winner will be picked at random using random.org based on comment number

well, back to the couch to put the feet up again.....hope you get a chance to aswell at some stage today

pugs and kisses
crafty
xx

BEEN RECEIVED! Ann's block for Christmas swap

2011-02-11T17:43:00.001+10:30

i forgot to show the whole block that i sent ann last month
she said she received it safe and sound

pugs and many kisses
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(feeling smoochy today!)

sorry for my absence!

2011-02-10T15:40:00.000+10:30

hi all
apologise for my absense from blog land - we are all doing fine here - our state has not been affected by the fire or floods thankfully. thank you so much to all who have messaged or emailed to check on me and my family - i appreciate it so much

we have been having a few little human challenges as we take him off the medicine for his reflux....but we are hanging in there, poor little fella! the doctor has encouraged us to ride it out as he gets used to it all, so we are doing that, but he is suffering a bit. i think he is also been getting frustrated as he can't tell us exactly all he would like to.

but, i have been doing some crafty-related things too!

the first is an update on puglet's jungle themed wall quilt. this first picture you will recognise from last post as the centre panel of the whole quilt.

my mum, who is a WAY better draw-er than me, then copied a few of the animals so i could enlarge them as applique blocks for above and below the centre pane;. here is how they are progressing.

we are trying to get puglet's room in order at the moment, so it will be good to have this done soon, so we know how much wall space it will take up.

these are my sneak peeks of my swaps for the month of feb

this one is for Jolanda in Portugal - she asked for a star in shabby chick colours - i hope this is suitable, it is not really my palette and i had to ask mr google for help.

this one is for shauna in canada who asked for a churn dash, shoo fly or star in any colours. i went with a shooting star

i loved the shooting star so much, that i also used it for leena for her christmas swap! i hope she likes it

i am still working on a block for fiona, our newest member of the christmas swap, she asked for christmas trees in green and red, so i have made an applique block and just need to blanket stitch around the trees and stars to finish them off.

thanks so much for reading, and for caring
i love you all very much, and appreciate your friendship

pugs and sloppy kisses
crafty
xx

some goodies, some work...

2011-01-28T19:07:00.000+10:30

hello fellow crafters!
hope this blog finds you well today. we are heading for a hot spell here in adelaide, and today was quite warm out here

but happiness in the mail box!
i got this lovely package from melody for the regular block swap for jan.
she put in some iron ons for the little human, and a lovely 'crafty pig' tape measure that i LOVE!

and this is her block - a doggy block!

then a bit of my work. hubby decided that puglet HAD to have a quilt like the little human's and so the jungle quilt has started. the plan is to have this middle panel, the red, the yellow with 'little *****'s jungle' on it (the little human's says 'little ****'s farm) and then some blown up applique blocks with 6 of the animals from the panel.
so far, i have bought a lot of blending fabric.....and sewn on two pieces....better get a move on!

but in good news, i finished my friend's wedding quilt.....i am seeing her tomorrow, so that is great too. i am happy with how it turned out. i still have to sew the binding on the back..

and just for good measure, here is a photo of the little human and mickey. the little human has just realised that if he climbs onto the back of the couch, he can see from the lounge room into the kitchen - he is pretty pleased with himself, and thought that mickey needed to see too.

in the hot weather i am definitely feeling pregnant, and now i really look pregnant (which in some ways is better than just looking fat!). not looking forward to 39 tomorrow and then 40 degrees on sunday - but we are lucky because we have air con - so can't really complain (but i probably will!)

stay cool, or warm, depending on where you are in the world!

pugs and hot kisses
crafty
xx

whew - jan block swaps finished!

2011-01-22T16:01:00.000+10:30

i must admit i was slightly nervous there - but they came together not too bad (which doesn't always happen for me! he he)

the first is a sneak peak of the owl block made for melody in Vic

and this is the christmas block made for Ann in Canada

this is the pack that i put together in response to the project run by the lovely Jenny. if you want to contribute you can go here for the info.

the idea is that each pack would be a little re-starter for someone who lost all their sewing gear in the flood.

so each pack contains - a fat quarter, some needles, some scissors, an armchair caddy with pin cushion and 6 skiens of thread. a lovely idea, and the armchair caddy instructions they provided came together really quickly. you don't have to send it in a drawstring bag, but they appreciate it if you do.

only a small thing, but hopefully a ray of sunshine in someone otherwise crappy month

pregnancy update - puglet is moving around lots and i can feel it now. i forgot how cool that part is - makes it seem more real somehow, like im not just getting really fat :) we've started cleaning out the spare room to be puglet's room and we are having to be ruthless with what we had in there! so lots going to the op shop, hubby's hurting - he's a bit of a hoarder. but im loving it because im a chucker!!!!

ive designed a jungle themed quilt for puglet's room based around a panel that i bought at the craft fair - will show you some when i have a chance to make some blocks. also have to do the boring stuff like hemming curtains etc - blah! :)

hope the week is treating you well!

pugs and kisses always
crafty
xxx

i love the post man - lucky me!!!!

2011-01-17T13:20:00.000+10:30

lucky lucky me! i was the lucky winner in Shauna's prize draw!!!!!

that was back in october, and apparently she had a bit of trouble with the postman with a few of her deliveries that month and mine original prize went missing.....
i honestly thought that that was just one of those things that happens in life and my prize was being enjoyed by some postman's crafty wife ;)

but lucky me, Shauna reposted - AND CAN I SAY A BIG THANK YOU!!!!!

the pack contains 8 fat quarters, a great ruler, a lovely scrappy pattern, a needlepack and my fave, a me and my sisters charm pack in a tin with a lovely baby pattern enclosed - the fabric is splish splash - so birght and colourful
it has made my day - thank you again

pugs and lucky kisses
xx

crafty ways to help those in the Queensland floods

2011-01-14T18:27:00.000+10:30

hi ladies
i know that this has been posted on many blogs, put if anyone is interested in crafty ways to help out those affected by the Queensland floods here in Oz, here are two ladies organising projects

1. make a sewing kit with supplies to be given to someone who has lost theirs -
http://www.gumtree-designers.com/2011/01/we-need-your-help.html

2. send in QAYG blocks so that quilts can be made for those in need -
http://ozcomfortquilts.blogspot.com/2011/01/heartbreak-as-floods-spread.html

much love, pugs and kisses
xx

RECEIVED! Linda's block swap for December

2011-01-14T18:10:00.000+10:30

just heard from Linda that her block safely arrived to her! here is the whole thing! i really love the fabric - so cute

pugs and kisses
xx

Happy new year to all!!!!

2011-01-13T10:53:00.000+10:30

Hello!
i am finally sitting down at the computer and trying to get out of holiday mode and back into routine! so a quick update on the past few weeks. hubby is back at work, so no real excuse :)

first - christmas!
we had a great time, and this year, the little human 'got it'. he was terrified of santa, but LOVED opening presents. we had fun with both sides of our family in different ways and settings, and the little human was of course spoiled beyond belief!

this is a photo of him in the wading pool his grandparents gave him - he LOVES it. there has been much swimming, splashing, and jumping in it over the last week or so.

second - time away
we spent a week in the lovely SA seaside town of Robe. if you ever get the chance, i highly recommend spending some time there - very relaxing, not yet "over-touristy", and the beaches are gorgeous. the little human LOVED riding his bike, splashing in the waves, digging in the sand and generally running around.

the only problem was that he has this little habit when we go away on holidays. he wakes up progressively earlier, by around 1/2 hour per day.....so on the last day we were there, he woke up at 4.30am........not happy.
we have a caravan, so he was sitting in his bed, yelling 'mummy, up, mummy, up, beach, beach'. this is not a good way to win friends and influence people in a caravan park and so leaving him to cry was not an option. so by the time we got home, we were all very tired, and the little human has thankfully quickly got back into his routine -whew

third - crafty pressies!
i was well and truly spoiled with cards and gifts from my bloggy friends - thank you!

i received this beautiful card from "the Cat's mother" from our block swap group. the photo doesn't do it justice - it is the 12 days of christmas around the endges with the patridge in a pear tree in the middle - just gorgeous.

i got this lovely christmas coaster from Leena, also in the swap group - thank you!

the lovely Larain also sent me some gorgeous charms squares of the most whimical fabric - can't wait to make something lovely with them - thank you!

lastly - block updates!

i have received the most BEAUTIFUL blocks in the swaps for the month of december

first Christmas swaps - from Micki in Ireland - i think this might be my favourite ever block - i just love the pure white with the dark red - gorgeous

and then this beauty from Linda - its a north west south east block - with some spare fabric of the red holly - beautiful

then the regular swap - this from Gina all the way from Brazil - complete with lovely little crochet flowers! lucky me

a big thank you to all!!!!

now i have to get to work on my January block swaps - better get a wiggle on - i am sure it will be February before i know it!

pugs and kisses

crafty

p.s. i forgot a pregnancy update - i am now pretty much half way through the cooking puglet part :) my morning sickness has mostly stayed away - thankfully! i am now at that fat and uncomfortable stage where my back has gone and i can't sleep for more than a few hours at a time because i have to pee - he he. the little human has started saying he is going to be a big brother and comes up and kisses my tummy - but he has no idea what is about to rock his little world!!!! my 19 week ultrasound showed a normally developing little person - i just love seeing puglet on the screen, move around, wave etc. i worked out how to scan and insert a piccie of the puglet - isn't s/he cute!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

2010-12-23T12:36:00.000+10:30

hi all!!
merry christmas!!!!! with only a couple of sleeps to go, we are in full on mode with packing, wrapping, last minute shopping and general craziness going on!
the little human has decided that his fave christmas song is the one that goes 'ding dong, ding a ding a ding dong (and then repeat ad nausem)' by the Wiggles - so that has been sung at the top of his lungs for a while now

i won't be around for a couple of weeks, so wanted to say a big merry christmas and a happy new year to you all

thanks for sharing our adventures of late, and i look forward to more in the new year
pugs and sloppy kisses
crafty
xxx

how could i forget!

2010-12-15T16:21:00.000+10:30

i forgot to show off my winnings! the lovely Cheryll at http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com is having a 12 days of christmas giveaway - and i won DAY ONE!!!!!

i nicked this piccie of her webpage because it looks so much nicer than the one i took! it is a great mag, full of lovely different cushions. many future projects!

thanks so much cheryll!!!

pugs and kisses

crafty work!

2010-12-15T15:47:00.001+10:30

hello all!

happy wednesday - hope that you are having a great day! i am most pleased because i got all three of my block swap blocks completed and in the post - yay!

so some sneak peaks.....

this one is for Gina in Brazil who asked for any block in bright, happy colours!

this is for the christmas block swap and is for micki in ireland who asked for a star block

and this is for linda in WA who asked for a star block

i hope they all reach their destinations safe and sound!

on a sadder crafty note, i have had to admit defeat for my friend's wedding quilt. it is coming along nicely but will in no way be ready for the wedding this saturday. she was very understanding and said anytime would be fine - i will be aiming for early in the new year. i have put a couple of swatches of the fabric in the card to give at the wedding, so at least she doesn't think i am a complete slacker!!

on the puglet front, things are going well. i think i have definitely turned a corner with the morning sickness. i have only vomited once this week, and have had much more energy. i am still sleeping terribly, but i seem to remember that lasting most of the pregnancy with the little human.

speaking of the little human, he is going great, and getting excited about all the awesome christmas decorations in shops and in people's yards. he is still terrified of santa, but loves presents (of course!). he has now finished all his christmas parties - playgroup, kindergym, his little friends - so just us big people to go now.

he is starting to become more aware of the fact that something is happening to my body, and regularly lifts up my shirt to say 'baby' to my tummy. this is of course gorgeous, but slightly embarrassing in the check out queue at the shops. he is occasionally confused and thinks there is a baby in his tummy too, but i guess he will work that out over time :)

here is a recent pic of him in 'summer time attire' in adelaide - don't you just know he is plotting something behind that cheeky grin!

pugs and much love, many christmassy hugs and kisses
xxxx

quick update!

2010-12-08T18:03:00.000+10:30

hi all
so sorry for my absense from blog land in recent days! i had been hoping to post a lovely update today, but things have gotten away from me
hubby is away for the week for work and so the little human and i have been having many adventures. it also means i am a bit tired at the end of the days!!!!
all went well at my obs. appointment - puglet is going great, i am low risk for all troubles and immune to everything they worry about - so relieved and thankful (especially with hubby being away!)
on the craft front, i need to get a MOVE on, but things are in hand (so she says :)!)
much love to you all, and i hope to be back on the net reading blogs and blogging myself asap!
pugs and kisses
xx

crafty things update

2010-12-01T18:37:00.000+10:30

this arvo i got a chance to play in my craft area - and i really enjoyed it!
i got a wiggle on with the quilt for my friend's wedding - it is on the 18th of dec, so i better wiggle faster!!

im making the blueberry chocolate squares quilt from moda bake shop. today i finished all the half square triangles, and started sewing borders onto them

it is fairly repetitive, but it is coming together pretty quickly so that is great!

also, have received word that some blocks that have arrived safely! Sylvia's blue and yellow block

noelene's block, white and red log cabin

i was also very very blessed to receive a fantastic mag from my wonderful friend Leona, who sent me a copy of Quiltermaker's 100 blocks - it is fantastic!
thank you!!!!!

and to finish with - my little human being crafty all on his own. hubby was given some crappy old tables, which he painted to make waterproof for the little human's sandpit. little human was SO keen to help that hubby found some old tester pots and let him go for it! he is very happy with his work, and refers to them as his and daddy's tables.

thanks for reading and i hope your christmas preparations are going well!

pugs and kisses
xx

pregnancy update

2010-12-01T11:00:00.000+10:30

hi all!
i have decided to have the goal of blogging each wednesday - that way i keep my hand in, but also there is not the pressure to do more than i can. so today is my first wednesday update!
i thought i would do a pregnancy one (coz i want to complain) and then a craft one (with stuff to show off!)

so complaining first.....(but first the preface that i am EXTREMELY happy, blessed and excited to be expecting the puglet)
however, i am sick of feeling sick, sick of vomiting and my new favourite, sick of not being able to sleep! for some reason, i am falling asleep quickly and then waking up somewhere between midnight and 2am, and then not being able to get back to sleep until around 4am sometimes
i am so tired! and so frustrated!

the mornings are then the hardest to get through, somehow the little human has not worked out that it would be great if he could get himself up, change his own nappy, dress and feed himself, and casually wake me up with a nice cup of tea at around 10am - he he (i am just running a little movie of him doing all that through my head!).

ok, i feel much better now - thank you for letting me vent!

on the very plus side, i have an obstetricians appointment next tuesday and so i will get all my results from the blood tests and get to see the puglet on the screen again - i love that technology!

and also on the plus side, the little human is definitely tuned into the fact that something is happening - he is talking about the 'bebe' a lot, and carrying around the doll that we bought him with such tenderness it makes me cry every time. he always puts it down so gently and picks it up so carefully - amazing what they understand!

thank you lovely ladies and ill write a crafty update shortly
pugs and kisses
xx

FINISHED! November Christmas block swap - whew!

2010-11-24T12:13:00.000+10:30

this is a sneak peak of the block for the lovely Teena! she asked for a star in traditional colours - i hope she likes it!

on the puglet front, i had my 13 week scan today, so we got to the see the little person up close! already moving arms, legs, turning around and waving at us. unbelievable. got to see its little heart pumping away too - a true miracle.

thanks so much for all your kind thoughts re my morning sickness - i too hope it eases up soon.

pugs and kisses
xx

November FNSI report!

2010-11-20T10:47:00.000+10:30

so keen i was - this one was going to be sooooo great!
i had an average day on the morning sickness scale - 6 out of 10 - morning vomiting followed by all day nausea and dry retching.....not too good, but not too bad
i had been HANGING for the little human to get to bed and get to sewing

so the plan was
1. finish block swaps (2 to go)
2. finish Hilda the hippo for Toy Society Swap
3. start cross stitch birth sampler for puglet

ambitious, yes....but i thought i should be able to give it a fair shake. some new simpsons eps on the TV followed by Indiana Jones movie - all good!

so i sit down to make the lovely Sylvia a yellow and blue block in any style....

this is what i make

quite nice, im very happy with it, but then i realise it looks quite small for a 12" block
duh, im using a 9" pattern

ahh well, try again

this time i go for the 'beginners choice' block because that is CLEARLY what i am today!

argh - i realise after i have sewn the 4 square part that this is a 9" block too!!!! why do i have all these sooooo misfiled in my folder - soooo angry. decide that i might as well finish it now that it is all cut out

right. go onto the internet, print out a 12" block pattern - double check it. get hubby to double check it. right.
go back out and cut the material - triple check it. good. sew it together. measure - whew - it is 12.5". whew!

so sylvia will end up with a few extra missized blocks - i hope she can find a use for them. this is a sneak peak of what i sent officially.

and after all that i decided to call it quits. but i did get one block done - and that is an achievement worth celebrating!!!

on a different note, and one to blow the horn of my LQS, i went there on Friday to buy a 1/4" foot without the guide for my machine. the one with the guide drives me nuts because it always moves, it isn't quite 1/4" and it is easy to stuff up (which as we have seen i do quite well with no assistance thank you very much!).

anyhoo, they let me know that my normal general purpose foot will do the same thing if i choose the 'piecing' setting on my machine, which moves the needle over 1/4" from the edge of that foot - AWESOME! it is SO much easier to do a 1/4" seam now - i find that i am much more accurate that trying to line it up with something on the plate or some other line on my foot.

so thank you LQS - you did yourself out of a sale, but made a customer very happy!

hope you all enjoyed your FNSI and achieved something too :)

pugs and kisses
xx

FINISHED! November block swap - Oz and International!

2010-11-17T19:01:00.001+10:30

whew! glad i got these done today

the first is for Jen in the USA for the international swap. this month will be my last one - ive decided the oz one and the chrissie one are enough for me at the moment. but i have enjoyed swapping with the ladies in america.

Jen asked for a log cabin block in batiks. i must admit that i didn't know what that meant and when i went and found out i realised i had NONE in my stash! Jen said she was also happy with bright modern fabrics - so i used some of my funky pile!

here is a sneak peak....

this one is for nolene in NSW for the oz swap. she asked for my new fave of log cabin in black and white with red centre. here is a sneak peak..

i still have my christmas swap and another oz swap to do - they are on my list for FNSI!!! yay! can't wait!

pugs and kisses
xx

an announcement.....plus craft update

2010-11-08T21:07:00.000+10:30

sorry i have been absent for some time and i must admit i have been BLOWN AWAY by my bloggy friends' concern for me - thank you all so much

as some of you may have guessed, the doctor's know the reason for my unwellness of late - i am pregnant!

hubby and i are very excited (little human is still nonplussed) about the arrival of our little 'puglet'!

i have had a pretty bad bout of morning sickness (unfairly named as it doesn't just last the morning!) with lots of vomiting and nausea. this has upset the little human a lot, particularly over this past weekend when i was sick quite badly after possibly overdoing it at the craft fair (photos of purchases to follow!).

i still have to have my major scan (got to see puglet today though - already kicking its legs and moving around!) and have all the blood tests for the congenital defects (argh!), so won't know the 'low-risk, high-risk' stuff for another month.

but i have had my first appointment with obstetrician today, all is going well so far, and the morning sickness seems to be waning - whew! but enough puglet talk - here is the update on all things craft!

i received this lovely block from sylvia as my november block swap partner - with a lovely card and some beautiful flower tissue paper - thanks syvlia!!!!

this was the block i made for Sue for the Christmas Block Swap for October that she has now recieved

this is the block i received from Teena for the November Christmas Block swap, along with a beautiful William Morris card - i know i know, i need to get a wriggle on with my swaps for this month!!!

and now for the booty from the craft fair!!! i had a lovely time (until i barfed - luckily i made it to the loos - that would have been embarrassing!!!!!) my main aim was to get a new rotary cutter - i think i am happy with my new olfa! you can also see some fat 1/4's and a bag pattern from Kids Quilts

a close up of the fats - there was a stall there that had all fat 1/4's for $3.50, so at the end of the day i went there with all the money i had left over and spent up big!

so pre-packed material to make some of the melly and me softies, plus the turtle pattern - too cute!

and a tatty teddy birth sampler for the puglet! suitable for boy or girl

and lastly, what i bought with my winnings!! i won a $50 voucher for Blue Willow Cottage to spend online or at the show - and i got some cream fabric (always needed for swaps!) plus a kit for a great bag

and you will be happy to know i FINALLY finished the boy oh boy quilt (officially named 'and all things possible') for the Homespun design comp. i had it finished and at my mum's for photography when my dad rings and says quite innocently 'why did you write - and crazy tall talls?' after i fainted, i checked and sure enough - i had mistake in the spelling on the embroidery!!!! if you enlarge this piccie you can see it...

and here it is fixed - crazy tall tails!

and here are some of the nice ones i will be submitting for the competitions - cross your fingers for me!

thanks for reading and i hope to 'be around' more as the weeks and months progress. but please be patient with me if im not!!!!

pugs and many kisses
crafty
xxx

GET PSYCHED! November FNSI!!!

2010-10-27T12:27:00.002+10:30

i am pumped! nothing to stand in my way this time (i hope!)
get signed up for Friday Night Sew In at Handmade By Heidi's blog - there are some great prizes this time around too - cool!
19th of November - put it on the calendar
click on the button in my sidebar to take you straight there!

pugs and kisses
xx

BEEN RECEIVED! Brigitte's Block for Oct Aussie Swap

2010-10-26T10:44:00.000+10:30

the lovely brigitte has recieved her block - black and white log cabin with a red centre
i particularly like this one - can't wait to see her quilt when it is finished!

pugs and kisses
xx

BEEN RECEIVED! Virginia's Block for Quilt Block Swap

2010-10-25T19:53:00.000+10:30

i can reveal the block i made for the international block swap - virginia requested blue and white log cabin with a red centre - and it arrived safe and sound in the US

i also finished off a cross stitch with the personal information for a friend's baby and delivered that this week - he is a little cutie! i hope they enjoy the bears dancing along!

and the big news in our house this week is that the little human has worked out how to open the back door and come and go as he pleases! he thinks he is very impressive. lucky we have safe backyard and so i can spy on him from the kitchen window when he doesn't know i am looking (just to be sure!)

pugs and kisses
xx

p.s. thank you for all the well wishes about me not feeling well! i am still not up to scratch, but the doctor assures me it is nothing to worry about at this stage. so that is good!!! i appreciate all your warm and lovely thoughts coming my way - thank you!!!!

FINISHED! Blanket of Love

2010-10-21T13:03:00.000+10:30

whew!

i was running out of time, but managed to get the binding sewn on yesterday!
will be in the post today to the lovely Cheryll to help with her drive.

on a quilting note i am not happy with the precuts i used - the pattern in the pink fabric didn't run parallel to the edge (which emphasised my not always straight stitching!) i hope it is still suitable for Cheryll though..

on a little human note, this is the latest game....i hear 'mummy!!!!' and once he is found 'more!' for another round!

hope you are enjoying this beautiful Thursday
pugs and kisses
xx

feeling blah!

2010-10-19T12:44:00.000+10:30

hi all!
i have been feeling quite off colour for a week or so now and haven't felt like doing any craft (i know, i must be sick!!!!). i have just been getting through with the little human enjoying the better weather the last couple of days, and living vicariously through visiting everyone's blogs - thanks always for sharing!

i have two projects that i HAVE TO FINISH!!!!! i have made a blanket of love for Cheryll's drive - only 12 days to go the counter on her blog reminds me!! i have made the quilt and attached the binding, but i have to hand stitch it down onto the back......
and i have to quilt my Boy Oh Boy quilt in the next week or two to get it done in time for the competition!

perhaps while the little human naps today.... ill see how i go!

on another note, we need two more people to fill up our Christmas Swap group 2! if you are interested, or know someone who is, please send them to http://christmasquiltingblockswapsaustralia.blogspot.com or click on the button in my left side bar! will be great to have the group full and ready to swap the year away!

hope you are going splendidly!
pugs and kisses
xx

FNSI Flop :(

2010-10-16T09:23:00.001+10:30

unfortunately, FNSI did not happen for me this month!

it was my hubby's birthday on thursday and we were going to go with his family today (Sat) to the beach, but the weather has turned for the worse here in adelaide! (SO SICK OF RAIN! I know we need it, but the little human is CLIMBING THE WALLS!!) :)

so instead, they graciously invited us to dinner at their place last night - which was lovely
but no stitching (i did manage to come last in the card game though!)

hope yours went better!

pugs and kisses
xx

RECEIVED! Brigitte's block swap for October

2010-10-12T18:29:00.002+10:30

look what arrived for me today!

aren't they gorgeous!

i am in love with the designs - i think they are just lovely, and of course Brigitte's piecing is great!

thanks Brigitte! you've spoiled me!

pugs and kisses
xx

weekend "work"

2010-10-10T19:07:00.000+10:30

certainly not dreary work - that is for sure!
i got some crafting done in my nice tidy area - not soooo tidy now, but still very functional! i made sure i put my scissors away in their designated spot :)

this is a sneak peek of my block for the international block swap for Virginia in Washington - she requested a blue and white log cabin with a red centre

and this is a thank you block for a friend (who will probably be able to work it out!)

so still on the to do list for the next week - blanket of love for Cheryll's drive for the hospital, and FINISH the Boy O Boy quilt!

pugs and kisses
xx

organised pug!

2010-10-09T20:54:00.000+10:30

thought that i would share with you my craft area today!

we live in a 3 bedroom semi detached house - and every square inch of space is utilised! when they built our house in the 50's they obviously didn't believe in CUPBOARDS! :) anyhoo, it is cosy and has a great feel about it, and we love it!

we also have a large shed out the back, and when we bought the place it was unlined and unfloored, but we saw potential. hubby worked very hard to get it all up to a useable standard, and now it is awesome! we were storing a lot of 'stuff' in there (hubby loves to hoard - "but what if we need it one day??") but over the last couple of months we have been having a big clean out.

we now have space for a spare couch set, some exercise gear, a big run around space for the little human (handy when it is wet outside) and a great craft area for yours truly!

so here is a tour ....
- as you can see, a great cutting table made by my dad (thanks pug senior), fabric stash sorted into colours in tubs, my mags all on top of the filing cabinets

my beloved horn table that was my birthday pressie a couple of years back from my folks, ironing board so i don't get lazy in between piecing, and trusty machine

and of course lots of tubs for storage in an old bookshelf

very nice to have it all set up and ready to go for even 5 minutes of stitching

what a lucky puggy i am!

anyone else want to share where they create?

pugs and kisses for a happy saturday
xx

RECEIVED! Mary's block for Christmas swap

2010-10-08T18:47:00.000+10:30

this lovely block arrived today from Mary
Thanks so much!
xx

thought for today!

2010-10-08T14:29:00.001+10:30

i was clicking around some blogs during the little human's nap today (yep, that's right, i left the dishes in the sink!! don't tell my mother!) and i came across http://alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com

first of all, LOVE the name - very cute. then i saw this quote in her sidebar

"Do something today that doesn't have to be done again tomorrow."
- Author unknown

and it just spoke to me!

my little human is just over 18 months now, and so i haven't been at 'work' since then (i somehow seem to be doing more work than ever though!)

i was someone who always loved the working life - the people, the conversations, the challenge, the commute to and from, the preparation, the pressure, the friday night drinks....

i miss lots of things about 'working' - the differentiation between work life and home life, people seeing you as a person, and not just as a mother, the direct feeling of contributing to society, the mental stimulation, the friday night drinks....

i love lots of things about being home and raising our son too, but i don't love lots of things - and one of the main things is the DRUDGERY of doing jobs today that will have to be done again tomorrow - cooking, cleaning, washing, bathing a squirming wet monkey, wiping, changing, cleaning, dressing a whirlwind, cooking, food shopping, dishes, getting playdoh out of the carpet.....etc etc

but i love the idea of making sure that every day i do at least one thing that won't have to be done again tomorrow - craft provides that outlet for me and i am very thankful. even if it is only one thing (attach the binding, sew a few stitches, make one block, some free motion quilting) at least the outlet is there

i appreciate you all, my bloggy friends, and feel grateful to share this journey of life with you through this medium of the net.

pugs and thankful kisses
xx

Quilted Hugs for Alex

2010-10-07T18:34:00.000+10:30

i have been dying to share this post with you FOR AGES! but had to be patient so as not to ruin the surprise!

for readers of her blog, you will know that Alex is going through some rough times. Alex is a crafty gal, who is a very encouraging member of Quilting Block Swaps Australia.

a group of us from the block swap (Maria, Beth, Cathy, Cheryll, Sue and Larain - super chicks!) wanted to bless her by making her a quilt with blocks in the theme of 'hugs, kisses and hearts' in pink and cream. it took only 5 weeks from woe to go - amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it!

everyone did such a great job with the theme and in the end we named the quilt 'Quilted Hugs', which is the sign off for Sue, our block swap mummy.

Alex let us know that she received it today and said that she cried, and that it felt like getting a giant hug.
that makes it all worthwhile (and brings a tear to my eye while i type this - soppy pug!)

so these are the blocks i made!
this baby bunting to remind Alex of the block swap group (this is what she is collecting)

and this double cross block because it looked like a kiss!

but i have to admit that i didn't have these pink fabrics in my stash! i had no lady-like soft nice pink like Alex likes. only fluro, brights and spots! so oh well, a trip to the LQS was in order!! it is nice to look in different ranges that you don't normally choose - a step outside the comfort zone!

then to finish off, i thought something a bit different might be nice. this design was taken from Homepsun's BOM series and changed a little bit

and this is the whole thing - don't all the blocks look great!

and this is the 'craft magazine shot' - always wanted to do one ;)

whew! what a whirlwind!

so glad it made alex happy, and i hope it will keep her in quilted hugs for many years to come

pugs and slightly soppy kisses
xx

today i LOVE the postman!

2010-10-07T13:36:00.000+10:30

first thing i see when i get home today - a package from US Post on my doorstep

i open it up to find this package mostly ok from the long journey...

it is my gorgeous fabric winnings from Linda at Stray Stitches

they look so fresh and summery in real life - thanks again Linda!

Then i went to check my letter box and inside was my block swaps from Irene for September. because she was a little tardy, she made two! i say, irene, you can be late anytime!

isn't the fabric lovely?

then on my front bench was another delivery from the postie that didn't fit in my letter box - my Pure Layer Cake. i will be making a quilt for my friend's wedding from this pattern from Moda Bake Shop
i couldn't resist posting multiple photos of my fave fabrics!

lucky lucky me!
well, back to crafting
pugs and kisses
xx

crafty wednesday!

2010-10-06T19:15:00.000+10:30

whew - i feel like i am back on track now!

i have completed some of my block swaps for this month....
some sneak peeks...

for Christmas Quilting Block Swaps Australia this month, i am swapping with mary who requested a traditional block in white, burgundy and sparkly blue

for Quilting Block Swaps Australia, i am swapping with Brigitte, who requested a log cabin block in red, black and white

and then got to work on some blocks for Cat's quest to make quilts for those affected by the earthquakes in NZ. this is a DNP from the quilt that will be for my hubby....i love sharing that quilt around (but i am sure i will regret it when i need to make more blocks for it when i put it together!)

this is a Beginner's Choice block made with monochromatic fabric - love the contrasts

and my Pièce_de_résistance - i finished the quilt top for my Boy O Boy Quilt!!! yay!!! (it was a bit windy this arvo, so apologies for the low quality piccie!) now i just have to quilt it!

so all in all very satisfying!

hope you got some quilting done too!

pugs and kisses
xx

Two very exciting announcements!

2010-10-05T14:19:00.000+10:30

Number one exciting announcement
THE WINNER OF THE CRAFTY PUG GIVEAWAY IS............(drumroll)
Sue of Quilted Hugs and Other Nonsense
i asked random.org to select me a number and it chose 9 - well done Sue!
Your prize pack will be in the post this arvo.

Number two exciting announcement
CHRISTMAS QUILTING BLOCK SWAPS AUSTRALIA is up and running!
The above mentioned Sue also runs Quilting Block Swaps Australia and it has been so popular she has done me the honour of asking me to run a new Christmas Swap

people are already joining up, so please check out the blog and join in the fun! it is a group blog, so people from all over the world will be showcasing their christmas creations!

pugs and christmas-y kisses
xx

guard again Charity Burnout

2010-09-30T14:36:00.000+09:30

a while ago i posted about how Quilter's are Amazing - don't worry - i still think that!

i read something a while ago about 'charity burnout'. it is the phenomenon where good people are so bombarded with the suffering and need in the world and community around them, that they become burnt out by it. they become desensitized and decide it is easier to do nothing.

i know that this is tempting, and we all have so much going on in our own lives - but (yes, im up on my puggy soap box) can i encourage us all to guard again this!

i know we can't always be involved in everything we are asked to be - and that is fine!!!!!
but don't let your heart go hard.
if you can't be involved, still send an encouragement, or say a prayer, or hold love in your heart.

the reason i was thinking about all this is that i checked in on how Liz's quilt was going for her ill friend Sue. it turns out she has so many offers of blocks that she has enough to make TWO quilts! so cool!

so, she is redirecting people to send orphan or new blocks to the effort that is on Catalina's blog - she is making quilts for the kids affected by the NZ earthquake.

if you have the time, check it out and send some quilty love to our cousin's across the ditch as we say in Oz.

i have no more orphan blocks left (isn't it nice they are all adopted now!), but will post a piccie of what i make to send

don't forget the wonderful Cheryll's drive to make Blankets of Love for stillborn babies - check out her blog for info

ok, my puggy legs are off my soap box and back on the ground. in fact, they will carry me shortly into my sewing area for more quilting fun! hope you get some today too!

pugs and kisses
xx

trip to quiltaholics!

2010-09-29T20:26:00.001+09:30

lucky me! i had a training course to do this morning in magill, and once it had finished i thought.............hmmmmmmmmmmmmm................perhaps i should drop in on quiltaholics! they have a huge shop with tons of fabric and i love just wandering around!

i needed to get a border and backing for my Boy O Boy quilt, but i also got a little distracted - whoops!

i saw this lovely farmyard fabric and thought the little human would love an eye spy quilt using it! he is at that animal noise stage and i can imagine lots of moos, clucks, quacks, neighs and baas coming from this quilt (so i better get onto it before he is 10 and thinks it is SOOOOO uncool!)

but i did also find what i went for - i think this is a lovely contrast...

and the best bit..........the stars GLOW IN THE DARK!!!! how AWESOME is that!!! i love it! i took the little human into his room and turned out the lights. he appropriately said 'ooooooooooooooo'
good boy!

this is a close up of the stitching on the Boy O Boy quilt - it is definitely getting there!

gotta get a wiggle on though - not much time left!

it is a long weekend here in SA, and hubby, little human and i are taking the van out again (we are hoping for less wind this time!) so the plan is while we are away to finish the embroidery on the Boy O Boy quilt and hand stitch the binding on the back of another quilt - fingers crossed!

pugs and kisses to all
xx

who is the winner? - me!!!!

2010-09-29T15:24:00.000+09:30

lucky lucky me - i popped over to Linda's blog when my side bar showed the title 'who is the winner?' as her latest post. when i checked - it was me!!! wow!!!

this is my prize.... 8 x 1/2 yards (45 cm) of this fabric!

what a lucky puggy i am!!!!

THANK YOU LINDA!

don't forget to leave a comment at this post if you want to be in my giveaway - closes on Monday!

pugs and kisses
xx

Sunshine award from Sue!!

2010-09-27T19:33:00.001+09:30

a big thank you to Sue of Quilted Hugs and Other Nonsense for nominating me for the Sunshine award!
so lovely to know that people enjoy reading your blog - yay!!!!
and Sue was most generous in her words also - very much appreciated
so THANKS SUE!

i won't re-pass it on, but please see earlier post for more Sunshine nominated blogs

pugs and kisses

p.s. don't forget to comment to go in the draw for the Homespun mag and fat 1/4s!

crafty pug's first ever give away!

2010-09-27T15:40:00.001+09:30

today i opened the mail box and i stood in confusion for a moment, until my neighbour yelled hello to me, which snapped me out of it.

i had been waiting, waiting, waiting for my Homespun magazine to arrive, which it did last week. i have already chosen the projects i'll do (one day!) and entered the competitions (you've got to be in it to win it!).

but here was another copy.....

so i called the distributors, who said that there was some issue with the mail out for Homespun to SA and that i should keep the spare mag, or pass it along to someone else....

what a great idea i thought! that calls for a giveaway!

the prize is this month's Australian Homespun - The Pink Issue. Also 4 fat quarters of Hedgerow fabric by Lynette Anderson for good measure!

to enter all you have to do is leave a comment so i know you want to be in! followers and non-followers welcome, and you can live anywhere in the world that Australia Post will take my money to get it to you (im pretty sure that is everywhere!).

competition closes 5pm SA time (which by then will be Daylight Savings Central Standard Time for Australia) MONDAY 4th OCTOBER 2010.

winner will be selected by Random.org, the judges' decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into (ive always wanted to say that!).

so let me know that you want to win it!

pugs and kisses
xx

FNSI!!!

2010-09-27T14:47:00.001+09:30

get ready for October's Friday Night Sew in!

October 15th it is - so head over to Heidi's blog (click on the button in my side bar) to sign up for the crafty fun!!!

pugs and kisses
xx

whew! little monsters is hard work!

2010-09-23T19:05:00.001+09:30

this is the little monsters i am talking about - the image is from the Don't Look Now blog and i don't presume that mine will look anything like it!

at the moment it looks like this

so there is a lot of circle work to do!

the pattern says to do needleturn applique, but if i want to give it to the little human before he is a massive human, fusible web it is for me!

how many circles can you fit on one piece of web?

then cut them out and fuse them to the various colours

here they are ready for cutting!

but i need to get back to my Boy Oh Boy quilt for the Homespun design competition - the deadline is looming! i need to get stitching!

speaking of little monsters hard at work, here is my little monster hard at work with his toys. this is the very famous duckie - loved above all else. i feel like he is part of the family - he has his own bib at meal times, and drinks from the little human's cup. he must be involved in story time and has a special spot in the bathroom while the little human is in the bath so he doesn't get wet, but is still part of the action.

once i have a bit more time, i will have to make duckie his own quilt :)

pugs and kisses
xx

Stray Stitches giveaway

2010-09-23T13:14:00.000+09:30

as they say - you've got to be in it to win it!

Linda over at Stray Stitches
is having a giveaway with many chances to enter - check it out.

Linda is also a part of our quilting block swap group - have a look at all the fun we are having and join up!

pugs and kisses
xx

Sunshine award - wow!

2010-09-21T12:16:00.008+09:30

lucky me! the lovely Cheryll of Gone Stitchin' has nominated me for the Sunshine award! I get to pass it on to others too - Thanks Cheryll!!!

so - i've decided to nominate 4 more blogs that i love visiting and following
(ive tried to nominate blogs that haven't been nominated before!)

and the nominees are....

http://insane-about-jane.blogspot.com/
http://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com/
http://highlandhen.blogspot.com/
http://cathy-mysewingroom.blogspot.com/

ill email the ladies direct to let them know - but in the meantime, check out their great blogs

xx

BEEN RECEIVED! Mary's block for Sept Block Swap

2010-09-19T21:20:00.001+09:30

well it arrived in the USA in good nick, so i can let you all see it!

mary requested a friendship star in purple and white

this was my first swap in the international swap group - such fun to swap!

speaking of fun - do you want to get involved with the Pay It Forward fun? if you do, then Sue at Quilted Hugs and Other Nonsense and Linden at Lin Divine Designs are looking for people to bless! head on over there and join in

pugs and kisses
xx

September Friday Night Sew In Report!

2010-09-18T18:37:00.000+09:30

i did FNSI in front of the footy last night - big game between Geelong and Collingwood - both hubby and i were hoping for a great game, and we didn't get it :(

but i did get some embroidery done....

its only a sneak peak because it is part of a gift for a friend....and i don't want to spoil the surprise!

i will have to make sure that i am back out at my sewing machine for the october FNSI and get some serious sewing done

hope you had fun!

pugs and kisses
xx

Quilter's are amazing!

2010-09-17T13:20:00.000+09:30

this may sound weird, but i never knew quilter's were amazing :)

in the last few weeks i have been blown away by the way that quilter's come together and help each other. i also love that people are not afraid to ask for help, or encouraging others to get together to make quilts for others.

i randomly started quilting because i thought i might like it - it wasn't until the wonderful world of blogging that i started to find out how generous, kind, and universally great quilters are!

two recent examples:

Liz has requested orphan blocks for a quilt that she is making for her friend Sue - check it out at Liz's blog and then send the ones in your pile that you aren't using. very happy to send a couple i had lying around

also Leona is making a comfort quilt for her sister who is unwell - she is requesting 9" blocks, with a signature on them so her sister can see the love! see her blog for more details. i made...

and i very much hope her sister can feel the love

if you've got some time, or some spare blocks, why not send along and help out?

good work, fellow quilters! you all rock

pugs and kisses
xx

YAY to Linden!

2010-09-17T09:03:00.001+09:30

we have our 3rd PIF - woo hoo
the lovely Linden from Lin Divine Designs

so full up for round 1 - i guess we'll see how long it takes me to make these - perhaps there will be round 2 soon?

thanks for your interest ladies! i hope you enjoy being blessed and being a blessing

will post sneak peaks as i go along

if you are interested though in running your own - i encourage you to GO FOR IT! feel free to nick the button on my blog and change it to yours

pugs and kisses
xx

Lana - next PIF member and blog give away!

2010-09-16T16:47:00.000+09:30

Lana has signed up to be number 2 on Pay It Forward - so excited

also, she has a give away on her blog - you've got to be in it to win it - so head over there! Lana is in the International Quilt Block Swap that i am in - check out her blog

happy crafty arvo!

2010-09-15T20:32:00.000+09:30

happily i got to spend the arvo crafting today - yippee!!

i finished my block swap for Quilt Block Swap and my swapper this month is Mary from California! this is a sneak peak of the block i made for her (idea stolen from Cathy - thanks!). will post full block once Mary lets me know she has received it

i also spent some time working on Hilda the Hippo - a design from Melly and me - isn't she gorgeous! she doesn't have her face on yet, so will post when she is completely finished

and i got my little monsters quilt progressed to the next stage! id been putting it off for some reason....but am happy with the placement of the little guys, and started making circles for the rest of the background....that is going to be a slow process i think :)

so happy happy crafty pug tonight! hope you got some craft in too

pugs and kisses
xx

p.s. I'm still looking for two more people to be in my Pay It Forward crew - Be blessed and then Be a Blessing! - click on the button to the right to read the post
xx

Pay It Forward Crafty Style!

2010-09-15T12:13:00.002+09:30

very exciting!!! time to sign up

I have joined Chook's (aka Beth's) Pay It Forward!

the idea is that 3 people join her PIF (im one - yay!) and then she will send a hand made gift to those 3 people within 365 days.

Then, those 3 people must also host a PIF and aks for 3 people to join. To pay it forward!

So this is me, asking for 3 people to join my PIF - just leave a comment to this post, or email me direct at crafty.pug@hotmail.com.

i then undertake to send you a handmade gift (made with love, pugs and kisses!) within 365

you in turn undertake to set up your own PIF on your blog to pay it forward!

that's it - no catches!

i have put a button in my side bar that links to this post here - if people are interested, I can post about how to change the code so it links to your blog using the same image.

we can spread crafty goodness all over the globe!

please join and then start your own!!!

pugs and excited kisses
xx

FINISHED! September Two Buck Block

2010-09-13T18:40:00.000+09:30

this is the fifth in the series and apparently from here on in they are repeated, but in different materials

im not thrilled with this one - there were so many seams that my stitching went awry many times....

i think i may devise my own patterns rather than repeating the other ones... i guess we'll see

pugs and kisses
xx

so when we got back....

2010-09-10T19:01:00.000+09:30

my lovely mother in law had been collecting our mail and there was a great big pile of softy envelopes for ME!!!! yay!!!!

she of course knows me by my alias of housewife, mother and daughter-in-law, not the quilt-crazy Crafty Pug, so there were a few raised eyebrows :)

the first package opened was from block swap partner for this month Alicia from the US! she very graciously sent two blocks - the first i attempted to get the little human to 'hold up for mummy'..... this was the result

so this is what it actually looks like! very very beautiful

and this is the second - just gorgeous with immaculate piecing!

so a big THANKS to Alicia

then i opened a package from Maria and was greeted with this cheerful and lovely Christmas star block to open my collection of christmas blocks - beautiful!

thanks so much Maria!!

pugs and kisses
xx

away and back again!

2010-09-10T18:38:00.000+09:30

we had a few days away at Moana (South of Adelaide) in our campervan and had a lovely time!
we had to come back earlier than we wanted to because of the wind - not ideal for a campervan with an annexe with a toddler.....but we still had fun

nothing beats australian beaches - even on a windy day

pugs and kisses
xx

fellow swappers blogs!

2010-09-09T20:17:00.000+09:30

i have just had a lovely hour flicking around the internet looking at, and joining, the blogs of the creative people in our swap!
so great to see what people are doing, creating, dealing with and achieving! inspirational all around
if you too want to be inspired by these amazing ladies, check out the links on the left side of my blog - and enjoy!
thanks for sharing wonderful ladies!

pugs and kisses
xx

Boring footy game....

2010-09-04T21:23:00.000+09:30

can you tell? collingwood are THUMPING the western bulldogs - not what i was after :(
so i have been playing with my blog!
the weather in Adelaide has been so dreary and awful...i thought i should at least brighten my online world for a bit :)
not sure i will be able to handle the orange in the long term!

pugs and kisses
xx

Leona's giveaway!

2010-09-04T20:21:00.003+09:30

One of our fellow block swappers is having another giveaway - you've got to be in it to win it as they say, so check it out!

pugs and kisses
xx

Get ready to sew!

2010-09-04T20:12:00.000+09:30

September 17th - get in on the calendar, in your diary, on your hand, on the fridge, whatever
that's right - FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN
head to Heidi's blog to join and get ready for a night in of just sewing - heaven!

FINISHED! September Christmas Block Swap

2010-09-04T19:51:00.000+09:30

i think i forgot to mention...but the block swap group is also doing a Christmas themed block swap! very excited

i requested "star blocks" in traditional christmas colours on cream backgrounds....and i stole that idea from Maria! and it is that very Maria that I am swapping with first!

so here is the star block in traditional christmas colours on cream background that i made for her :)

i LOVE christmas fabric and am excited to be using it each month for the next while. i think there are 11 swappers, and so we should have enough blocks by this time next year to make a quilt ready for Christmas 2011.....can't even imagine that far ahead yet!

pugs and kisses
xx

FINISHED! September Block Swap

2010-09-04T19:45:00.002+09:30

have a mentioned that I LOVE being in this block swap!!!! so much fun! click on the link in the side bar to join up - US and Canada residents now welcomed :)

this month i had the lovely Irene and Alicia to swap with as the group is growing so fast! awesome!

Irene requested any block in autumn colours and so I made this "On the Oregon Trail" block

Alicia asked for any block in any colour - wow, talk about freedom! it made it a bit harder to choose! but i found some fabric in my stash that i had forgotten about but loved, and so thought i would use that. i made a "Chinese Puzzle" block...

but it is not good enough to send. the photo actually does it too much credit! it doesn't sit flat, the corners look terrible once i squared the block up and the points don't match. as they say on Top Gear - ambitious, but rubbish.

so take 2, and i tried a "Magic Cross" block using the same material...

which i am much happier with! so that will go in the post to Alicia tomorrow!

can't wait to see the blocks in return - have seen Alicia's on her blog (see my side bar) but have to wait for it to make the long journey from the US! will share with you when it arrives!

pugs and kisses
xx

FINISHED! Asher's pirate vest and bag

2010-09-01T18:39:00.000+09:30

whew - managed to finish it off today! took me AGES to get the lacing in the sides, but i think it was worth the fiddle

and here is everything that a pirate boy needs - vest, swords, patch, earring, periscope (is that what they are called? the extendable eye piece telescope thing? or is that on a submarine?) and hat!

and of course, what do you keep it in when you are not being a swash-buckling pirate? your pirate sack of course!

also good for keeping loot in.....

while i am typing this, hubby is giving the little human his bath and they are both making a lot of happy noise - lovely. thought i would share this photo with you of hubby mowing the grass of our front yard and the little human helping

very adorable - lots of cars slowing down for a look-see. glad to see i am not the only one who thinks he is cute :)

pugs and kisses

Asher's pirate vest and boy oh boy quilt

2010-08-29T18:47:00.000+09:30

where has this week gone?
im not really sure to be honest, but i know i haven't done a lot of craft-ing...

i have nearly finished hubby's nephew's pirate vest - can't you tell..... :)

not a great piccie, but it is a very simple vest with the shoelace type cord to go in the eyelets in each side, like a lace up effect

i am CRAP at dressmaking, so it is a very rudimentary vest, but should get the job done for dress ups!

have also been working on the boy oh boy quilt for the homespun design comp - im getting the embroidery done slowly. started thinking about how to quilt it too - think i will do some in the ditch and the some hand quilting of bigger perle cotton stitches....not sure yet

hope you are all finding time for some craftiness of your own

pugs and kisses
xx

FINISHED! Crafty Money Keeper

2010-08-24T11:47:00.000+09:30

we all are living in tough-er times and so it is appropriate (if unwanted) that crafty money is more tightly controlled......i think :)

see, this is what happens when opposites attract - picture young crafty pug, full of energy, conversation and craziness, meets future hubby, down to earth, stable, good listener, financial conservative. they fall in love and get married

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

anyhoo, as they say, you fall in love with the strengths, you go home with the problems :) that sounds much more dire than it actually is :) i love my husband and he is a wonderful husband, father and bloke! but....

and one of the big differences in our lives is the way that hubby and i deal with money - me, free wheeling and spending - you need money, here have it! i want that pretty thing, yes please! fabric is on sale, better buy 4 times as much!

of course, little human comes along, im now at home and income is less.....so! budget time. mind you, we always had a budget of course - hubby looks after that! but apparently, he just let the crazy craft spending go! but now, we can't do that anymore....

this is good for me - discipline in your life is not something to be sneered at (the pile of UFO's in my sewing area is laughing at me).

so i now get cash in hand to purchase craft gear - this again is good for me, because if i don't have the cash, i don't buy the gear. (the 'out' clause for me in this is that we have a separate budget line for 'presents' and often my creations fall into that category - whew!).

i didn't want to carry around the crafty money in my normal purse, and so i created a crafty money keeper!

fabo prints charming fabric from my not-LQS (that was in my stash) and a wooden button that my mum brought me back from Tassie, made from some kind of tree that is purpose grown for buttons (or something). they aren't washable, so limited in their use, but i thought a very appropriate addition to the money keeper.....a reminder that all things have a use for something (and i can picture my mother's stern 'telling off face' - argh!)

i just opened up a paper envelope and used it as a template...

i put the button hole off centre for the purse, but in the middle of the green-y semi-circle. not sure if i am happy with that look, but you can't redo button holes!!!!

but the best part of all - i have managed to be disciplined for 2 whole pays now....so there is some crafty money in the crafty money keeper, being saved up to buy backing, sashing and batting to finish off my Birdie Quilt

any frugal tips to pass on?

pugs and kisses
xx

Leona's give away!

2010-08-21T18:06:00.000+09:30

one of our fellow Block Swappers is having a give away - with some lovely things being given away!
this is the direct link to the post.
check it out - you've got to be in it to win it

pugs and kisses
xx

Friday night sew in August report!

2010-08-21T15:03:00.000+09:30

hubby and i managed to get the little human into bed before 7pm - so that meant i was off to my sewing space then! lucky me!

i was very disciplined, bordering on boring, this FNSI - i restricted myself to UFO's only.

first i finished off my mother in law's blocks for her 60th birthday quilt.

then i got to work on my hubby's requested tv watching quilt. his challenge was to make it entirely from my stash (he is a bit of a tight-arse!) as then he would enjoy it more. i decided on a disappearing 9 patch some time ago, as it would hide my mismatched points more easily!

i had kind of just been going along cutting 3" squares and piecing them together, but i thought i should get organised with some colours etc, otherwise there wouldn't be a spread of the fabrics....

so i got all my colours out and started cutting....

then grouped them into piles of 9 separted by the insert from some flat fats i had...

then i pieced a few together....

getting some idea of what it will look like...

then i called it a night!

much fun - it is nice to put a whole night aside and be out by myself doing craft. glad i have the excuse to do it once a month with FNSI!!!

pugs and kisses
xx

p.s. for those in Oz, don't forget to vote today!!! despite what our Mark Latham might think, making your vote count is more important that protesting by donkey voting. if you don't like what you are seeing in the major parties, consider a minor one or an independent. but whatever you do, make it count! people have fought and died for our right to choose our government

lucky me x 2!

2010-08-20T23:05:00.001+09:30

today, i love my postman. not that i don't normally love him, he is very nice and regularly brings things that are too big to fit in my letterbox to my front door - very thoughtful. but today, two special reasons for love!

1. my swap partner for this month, Cathy, 's block arrived!!! and it is lovely - such great piecing. and she included a fabo piece of fabric in the colours requested - can't wait to put this quilt together one day!

love it - and not only that, this beautiful card was included, that Cathy made herself! what a clever crafty lady! (please excuse my hand - holding it up was the only way i could stop the flash washing out the photo!)

2. the other reason to love the postie today was the arrival of a prize from Homespun! lucky lucky me! "dreaming of a white christmas" by kerry swain was my prize and it is a beautiful book full of recipes, craft and decorating tips for a tradition christmas.

off to bed now - hope you all had a great FNSI
will post update tomorrow morning with some sleep in me!

pugs and kisses
xx

FINISHED! Adeline's tagged blankie

2010-08-17T19:51:00.000+09:30

a lovely young couple that we know have had a baby prem - but thankfully everything is going ok for mum and bubs

they have called the little girl Adeline - a name i love!!!

anyhoo, here is the tagged blanket i made here - her name is embroidered in the middle using the curly font on my sewing machine.

so easy to make - this was 1/2 hour total!

hopefully it brings some joy

pugs and kisses
xx

p.s. don't forget FNSI sign ups!!!