A Fabric Basket

Recently I participated in a fabric basket swap over on Flickr and this is what I sent to my partner filled with goodies.  I know she has received it and loves it.

One thing I noted after I had made it was the handles were so long and could not fathom out why, but packaged it up and sent it on its merry way anyway.  I then had another look at the pattern and then realized that instead of chopping the handles in half, I made two of them from the pattern.  Pays not to sew sometimes late at night.  

The pattern was made from Pink Penguins tutorial which can be found here

Lots and Lots Of Blocks

I have been a a sewing mission and have been catching up with Block of the Months and Block swaps in the past week, so this post is going to go block crazy.

First here are the latest blocks made and received for the block swaps I am in.

This month for CQBSA I sent to Fiona and she asked for any yellow star with a Christmas background.

For the May swap I received this block from Vicki called a Coffin Block

Then for the 6"QBSA I sent to Ann and she asked for any star in blue and white.

For QBSA I received from Sue not one but two lovely blocks in my new colour and block preference.

Over at Our Craft Forum I am again this year participating in the Monthly Sampler BOM and finally made my blocks, so all caught up now.  These are being made with Riley Blake Designs "Paris & Company"

Then over at Quilt Doodle Designs I am collecting each month her BOM patterns. I made the first one at the start of the year and now have made up to Mays one. I am using for this one Best Wishes by Dawn Heese of Linen Closet Designs for Henry Glass Fabrics

Then I am also participating in Barbara Brackmans Dixie Diary BOM over at Civil War Quilts and have also made up to Mays block. For this BOM I am using Old Glory Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings for Moda Fabrics.

My Latest Swap Blocks Received And Sign Up Is Open For SSS 2013

This week I received two lots of blocks for swaps I am in.  First were my blocks from Janet in Canada for the 6"Block Swap Australia.

Then from CrafteeCC aka Cathy I received this lovely Churndash for the QBSA made in reproduction fabric.

Finally sign ups are now open for 2013 Secret Santa Swap.  The rules are slightly different this year, so go here to sign up.

Block Swaps Are Up To Date

I have been sewing up a storm in the last week before going away making sure I finished my swap blocks.  I done all apart from one as I need some black material which I finally found. And now they are complete.  So here is the update of what I have sent and received.

First this block was sent to CrafteeCC for QBSA for the May swap.

Then for the CQBSA I sent this block to Vicki in Australia

I had Janet from Canada for the 6" Block Swap and sent her these two postage stamp blocks

A while ago an angel call was sent out and I have finally sent this Christmas Tree block out to Chris in the USA

 Then for the March 6" block swap I received these lovely blocks from Robyn

And then for the CQBSA April swap I received this lovely block from Lori

Now I need to get onto it and complete my BOM blocks I am in and then I will truely be upto date.  Just happy have the block swaps out of the way for now.

Queenstown

Last weekend I went with hubby and son down to Queenstown for a few nights.  Apart from the flights either being cancelled on the way down or delayed on the way home, everything went well.

Queenstown at this time of year is wonderful with all the autumn colours, especially in Arrowtown. We were also lucky that it wasn't that cold either and made it before the big snow which is sure to happen soon.

The view from our hotel room

Arrowtown

Arrowtown centre

Arrowtown

Glenorchy

TSS Earnslaw

Old Cromwell Town

The Famous Cardrona Hotel

At the top of Cardrona Road looking towards Queenstown

Looking down towards Queenstown from the Skyline Gondala

Looking over the lake toward the TSS Earnslaw and Queenstown

Looking back twoards Queenstown from on the TSS Earnslaw

Walter Peak Station

If you ever make it to us over here in little old New Zealand you have to make sure you visit Queenstown and its surrounding towns.  And yes I found two little patchwork shops I visited, much to hubby's despair.

FNWF Check-in

So what did I do this time round?  A little bit of cross-stitch.  I bought a Celtic Knot Scissor Keep kit a couple of months ago and have started stitching it.   This FNWF I completed the rest of the outer and inner border, then last night done some of the inside pattern.  Would probably have finished last night to if I did not have to unpick some.

FNWF Reminder

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow night over at Gone Stitchin' is FNWF, so go over here and sign up.