Say "Hello Nelson"

Years ago my hubby, (well before he was my hubby), encouraged me to go on a Teddy Bear making day.  I went and made a teddy.  I then had plans on making lots, but nearly 20 years down the track I have made now three. 

I am not that great on making them but enjoyed finishing this one finally, though I had specks of crimson fluff on me all the time.  This one was started about three years ago and had been in the cut out stage for a while.  It is all hand stitched.  I have fur for one more teddy so one day may make one again.

Say "Hello" to Nelson.

Block Update

I have been a bit lapse the last few months with my updates with QBSA, but here they are now

First I will start with the missing received ones.

Back in July Ann was my partner and the parcel went AWOL and ended back with her so she has resent it and this is what I received this weekend

Then I had the lovely Traci again for my November swap 

Then for the September swap I had Tarniya and she sent me this lovely block

 And then back in August I had Fiona and here is what I received from her

I can say I have been a lot better at posting what I have sent, so only have Octobers block to show.

Here is what I sent Joanne

A Xmas Mug Rug

I recently participated in a Mug Rug swap over at a Facebook group I am part of called Let's Get Hexied.  The Mug Rug could be any type, not just hexagons so I made this one for my partner Squeakie.

Another Basket Swap

I again participated in a basket swap over on Flickr and here is what I sent my partner. When I saw pink in her preferences this is the fabric I knew I had to use.

I put in some goodies too.

November Blocks Are On Their Way

My November blocks are completed and are currently in a plane heading to other countries.  I will have to work out my blocks from the last few months too and post about them, but at the moment I will just leave it at these two.

First for QBSA I had Traci as my partner and she requested this Lover's Knot in 1930's themed fabric

I liked sewing this block so much I also used the pattern for Erin for the CQBSA

One other thing is, a few months ago I saw on the QBSA a post Sue B had made on a very useful tool called 'The Quick and Easy Block Tool'.  Well I saw it, liked it and had to get it and it is very handy. Mine was ordered online from The Book Depository.

My Baby Girl Is Going Again

Some of you would recall that Miss 17 went in the Army back in July and then was home with a injury 3 weeks later.  Well she is off again next week.  Basic Training does not start until the start of February but they have recalled some back to rehash what they have learnt apparently.  We have no idea why, and Miss 17 went and saw the recruitment officer here in town and he is also surprised they are calling her back seeing as she spent so little time there.  We think is must be her determined, stubborn attitude they are wanting back.  Her platoon leader said to me before she left that she has got exactly what they want.

When Miss 17 found out she turned up at my work place bawling her eyes out and not wanting to go back.  She said had given her an ultimatum, come back or she has to resign and then reapply.  Problem was she starts on the 12th and on the 11th she was booked for her first trip to Australia for a holiday (apparently this was a no-no as she has to get permission from the Defence Force first ...... she now knows this). Anyway after a couple of hours she was fine and she said yes to them.  She told me if she had been given more than two weeks notice she would have been ok, but was a shock to the system.

Incidentally, the day she found out was her old intakes March Out and she was super excited that one in her platoon got top recruit.  There have been a few from her platoon that have gone on leave and so far she knows of none that are going back with her.  I have found out through the wonderful internet of one other person going back (not from her intake), so Miss 17 stated "at least she is not going to be the only one there".

So its going to be another sad time watching my baby girl going again, but at least I know she will be back for Christmas break.  

2013 Monthly Block Experience Blocks Are Finished

I have finally finished all my blocks for the year on time...yay. So here are the last ones.

July's block was Ruins of Jericho.  This block was started with a different colour combination but alas cut something wrong and had to change.  It does look better in the flesh than this photo.

Ruins of Jericho

For August Castle In the Air was the chosen block

Castle In The Air

September was  the Double T block

DoubleT

Then finally for October I made the Shooting Star 2 block.

Shooting Star 2

Now just to plan on how I will put all these together. Also a big thanks to Vicki Tucek from The Pickledish Patch and Our Craft Forum for organizing it all.

A Pleated Tote

I have been in another swap and this time it was for a Tote bag.  My partner was Karen all the way from Canada.  I got close to her favorite colours and made the handles a bit longer which she wanted.

The pattern I found right here at The Long Threads and it was nice and easy to make.

I still have not got my tote yest but have been told it is in the mail.

Secret Santa Soiree 2013 Sign Up Opens Soon

Yes, Colorado Lady is again hosting this fabulous swap and sign up starts on October 11 (or 12th for me here in New Zealand).  So head on over to her blog here on sign up day and join in with the fun.

The Scientists Great Stocking Swap 2013 Sign Ups Are Open

I've just signed up to The Scientists Great Stocking Swap.  It is looking good, so go over  HERE and sign up to it too.

More Blocks

Here is a little update on my block swaps.

First up here are the 6" Block Swap  June blocks from Margaret.  They are delightful. I also got some gorgeous fabric too.

These are the blocks I sent to Sue for August

Then these are my September Blocks I am sending out to Brenda using some of my 1930's stash.

Here is my QBSA September block I have made this month for Tarnyia

For the CQBSA this is the block I sent Traci

And finally I have also joined a Paper Piecers Block Swap too and here are the first two blocks I have made for Cathy.

Sheep Virtues - Hope

Hope is the first of the Sheep Virtues series, designed by Little House Needleworks, I have started.

It is stitched on 30 Count Dark Chino Linen Fabric which I found hard at first but now have got a lot more use to it. Still to add is the cute little button.

Currently I am slowly working on the second design Love .

F-R-I-E-N-D-S- Swap Sent

I now know that Cecile in France has received my parcel so here is what I sent her

F - Fabric and Frixon pen

R - Recipe Book

I - Inspirational Quote

E - Egg Cups

N - New Zealand Items

D - DMC cottons

S - Soap

Another fabulous swap completed so off to complete another I am on.

F-R-I-E-N-D-S Swap Received

I have been recently participating in the F-R-I-E-N-D-S Swap over at Sew Prim Kris.  I have received my parcel from Cecile in France last week and got some lovely gifts.

F - for blue Fabric

R - Ribbon in a small box

I - a small touch of Indigo 

E - Embriodery Review mag

N - Necklace

D Darjeeling Tea

S Surprises (French specialities - Nougat, 4 coloured pen and a gorgeous soap)

Everyone Loves An Apron

I know everyone loves an apron. They are so good protecting your clothes from all that food you might splash when cooking, or with me I have a habit of wiping my hands on my thighs. Naughty I know. So when the opportunity to participate in an Apron Swap over at Sew Swapit came along I jumped in eagerly.  

I now know that my partner has received her apron, so here are the results.

I sent mine over to Ruth in the US.  The material I found at Spotlight when away a month ago and I thought perfect.  Apron patterned material for the apron, so I had to get it.  Instead of hemming the apron I lined it instead which turned out perfect.

Miss 17 loved being the model...lol for this one and then again for the one I received from my partner Sara.

August Hexagons

This month I had Lynette for my hexagon swap over at Our Craft Forum.  These are what we sent each other.

From Lyn

Sent to Lyn