New Shiny...

 Home for Nomee - the sewing machine.

A little over a month ago this nifty little number came to live at my house making things just a little tidier in my creating space.

A tidy creating space creates a conundrum for me - do I want to make it messy again?

Sometimes I delay working on things for this reason.

So, Nomee has been getting used to living in the dark space and all has been tidy...

Until it was time to take her out for a little sewing.

Yay! Another almost complete bag - really just needs ironing and a button, 

Maybe this week? 

The bags seem to have been multiplying  - all of these are just waiting for a button.

Guess I'd better get the buttons out and make a bigger mess!

Do you accumulate projects for button choosing/sewing? - seems to be a common occurrence for me, I have two garments awaiting buttons as well as this collection. Ooops.

Do you like your creating space tidy?

Have a  bright week.

Cutting, sewing and clicking...

Cutting some of the fabric that has been collecting dust on my shelves this past year (or more)!

I like all the colours and the fun prints I found there. Sure I made a big mess pulling things out and rearranging the fabrics to find nice complimentary or contrasting colours and prints.

Sewing some of the previously cut fabrics, it sure was nice to get reacquainted with my sewing machine and this extra long weekend means I may make even more progress on this lot.

The needles are still clicking away in the evening, I'm working on two more socks - one of which will be the Mother's Christmas present.

Bendigo woollen mills Luxury 4 ply in Cerise and Athena 4 ply in Heather - a little pinker in real life than it appears here next to the deep pink.

Hope your week shows all the colours.

It was all about the sewing...

at the start.

I used my FNSI time last night to finish my bag that I started working on earlier this month, because it seems I only sit and sew with company lately. 

Pattern is Afternoon Tea bag by Anne Francene from an old Handmade magazine.

I started early and finished this (it still needs some buttons) early, and Nomee was up for more action so machine sewing it was.

All these little squares were hanging out in a basket minding their own business until I started playing with them! Now I have them all stitched into groups of 24, I may even get this together later. Or not?

As I still had tea to drink when I turned the machine off, I decided that I really should get my other needles clicking on the hood. It is coming along nicely as far as the shape is concerned but I think there may be just a little too much blank space between those cables?

Anyone have any opinions about that?

Thanks Wendy for hosting FNSI.

Hope your FNSI was successful and your weekend is a relaxing one in your favourite space.

Sewing on Friday

Before starting my sewing on Friday I spent a little time in the kitchen whipping up a treat to share.

Fresh meringue. Yum. My evening was spent cutting and sewing pretty fabric just for me. As Saturday was my local knit group and today will be mostly spent visiting I'm glad for the bonus weekend day Monday when this should be converted to a finish. Wishing you all a relaxing Sunday.

Fabric with Friends

Ooh, look I found the fabric I went looking for.

All I accomplished with the fabric on Friday night was to cut the pieces required and then I reverted to sitting on the couch.

I pulled out this project too. The fabric and pattern were collected back in 2009. It is true I have pondered the instructions (all 45 pages of them) on a number of occasions since the purchases were made, but I am still missing some of the important bits required to get this lovely useful bag together.

I may have just the excuse looming in the not too distant future to use this type of bag so I need to collect the remainder of the requirements to get construction under way. It was lovely reacquainting myself with this array of Ink and Spindle fabrics and I am looking forward to getting back to my sewing machine regularly.

There was a little knitting last night and today at my local knit group, but I think you've probably all seen those two socks often enough lately. I can report though that the burgundy sock has progressed to the foot and the purple sock going in the opposite direction is up to the leg.

When I got back from socialising this afternoon I turned on Nomee for a little run through. Since the last time I used her, about a year ago, she has spent a little time visiting first 'the old people' and then the sewing machine doctor. All's good and she's quite positively purring again. I started with something small and it is almost done, just some finishing touches to add. I will have evidence soon.

Thanks Cheryll for having us round, it's so much fun to create with friends.

Wishing you all a creative Sunday.

In the craft room...

definitely a PJ day here as the weather was not suitable for outside activities.

I made some progress with the cat projects - after cutting all the fabric in the right shapes and sizes. I succeeded in attaching the pocket to the front of the bag and sewing the outer bag pieces together. I feel like I am almost done!

The pouch pieces are still waiting to be sewn but they are all cut out.

A large portion of the day was spent on the couch with my new hooky project.

I know you can't see it very well here but I have made good progress and it is even the right shape and everything so far. The yarn is a super soft Acrylic/wool blend in a pretty green colour.

Not sure about the plastic crochet hook though - when did they change? All my others are old and they are metal, it actually feels like you are holding onto something when working with them.

Will be looking for a more solid alternative as I didn't buy just one new lot of yarn yesterday, how could I when it was on special?

Playing along in Pyjama party Sunday over here.

Hope your weekend was a creative one.

Almost...

I didn't get distracted by new projects last night and made good progress on the bags.

The Googy Bag from Bronwyn over at Red Brolly just needs it's handle - there was a thought that it may get attached today but that has not happened so here it is so far.

The two of Us bag from Rosalie Quinlan designs is complete.

This was a kit from the Immerse retreat, September 2010, so I guess there are a whole bunch of these that look like the pattern picture using the red check that was supplied. I didn't need to find something in the stash to complete it and there was just the right amount of fabric so no little leftovers either.

I am very happy with my progress and while these are small bags they are very pretty and will be handy.

Thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting the Friday Night Sew In - sure is fun imagining sewing with a whole lot of like minded creative people in the comfort of my own lounge room.

Hope your Saturday is sunshiny.

Stitching along...

With all the ladies who play along in the Friday Night Sew In - hop on over and see Heidi to join.

Some progress has been made with the crosses - and after much nagging from a member of my weekly craft group I have stitched the Wolf's eyes - it is a bit disconcerting having him watch my every move now - lucky I'm almost there.

This week I got totally distracted by this free project from Bronwyn over at Red Brolly for the Easter Googy Bag.

And I finished stitching this design for The two of Us bag from Rosalie Quinlan designs.

If I don't get distracted by any new projects tonight I should be able to make up these two little bags. That is my plan, you will have to come by tomorrow to see if I stayed with the plan.

Have a fabulous stitchy weekend.

It's all about the bag!

Or bags...

This pretty blue one with polka dots and flowers.

I found another way to use some of the apple cores that I have been cutting - they are perfect for a simple decoration.

A Christmas bag waiting to be filled.

My tree is complete and it adorns another bag - just perfect for Christmas treats.

A couple of friends hiding in this bag waiting to be delivered to their new home.

Hope you are enjoying the week so far, I have spent most of mine in the sewing room.

Happy Creating

Shopping - Cake - More Shopping

Saturday dawned sunshiny - perfect for a drive in the country.

First stop at Ballarat Patchwork for a spot of Sale shopping and collected these pretties.

On to cake for a spot of afternoon tea with some of local bloggers.

Lots of chatting and laughing,

And delicious cake and tea.

Then after cake we went to Ballarat Patchwork to check out the sale

And collected these goodies - they are much brighter in real life than they look here.

Yes, that is a set of apple core templates hiding under there - I may use them one day.

The lovely Jodie generously gave me a copy of her Monty and Pearl pattern - I really want to have a play with that, but it is back to work tomorrow.

Jindi's mum generously gave me the gorgeous little bag and the lanyard with the strawberries attached - how cute a little pin cushion and scissor pouch.

Look what was inside the bag - all this yummy!

A lovely way to spend a wintery afternoon - good company, good food and drink, and fabulous fabric - oh and on sale too!

Hope you spent the weekend doing something fun.

Happy Crafting

It wasn't all about recieving..

A little design from Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly, this one is from her Flower Bed book.

Instead of using it in a quilt -

I made a bag - which accomanied this little Angel to the home of Mrs P.

This is the Owl block which I sent to Naomi - yes those are the eyes that peeked out at you a few weeks ago.

Swapping in cyber space is such fun. Happy Crafting

I'm outta here...

All those promises to get me on my way to my new home were just idle chatter, and I really was eager to be on my way. So today I gathered my things and jumped in the bag at the front door, no chance I'd get left behind that way. Have fun in your new home little Angel. (See how long it takes the mailman this time??)

Sweet Project Bag

As I had a late afternoon job Friday I got my sewing things prepared before I left - good thing really as I decided my project bag really needed more green. Successful shopping at Bargain Box in Melton, perfect greens to complete my project bag. What did I acheive at Friday Night Sew-In? I prepared the back - the girls stitchery is the main part of the pocket,

and the front - it took me the longest time to get that circle on their with the ric rac sitting flat - I am sure there is an easier way to do it but I just couldn't figure it out last night.

Thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting the Friday Night Sew-In, it is fun to see what everybody sews up.

I continued to work on the Project bag today and now it is done - Yay!

The front ...

and the back.

While the bag is not very deep, the wide gusset makes it quite roomy. The design is from the talented Bronwyn Hayes of Red Brolly, could just be my new favourite bag to take to cafe craft nights. What's next? I'm working on the Sweet Needlecase that matches - another stitched group of girls on the outside, but first I need to go find me some cake.

Happy Creating

Challenge...

Back in February Fiona over at Mothers Cupboard issued a challenge and provided a simply gorgeous stitchery design - The challenge to make something for Easter using the stitchery. .........................

Well I didn't start in February or even early March, no - I waited until there was only one week to go until Easter and then I started. .................................

Now I am finished - I reduced the pattern and made these three gift bags to send to my sister and nieces interstate.

The Challenge now is can the Post People deliver before Easter? ..................

Oh, yes that is one of those Annie Angels with messy hair in the blue bag.

The latest Annie Angel ready to take flight with two sisters. There are more in production so she won't be the last one here. ....................

Hope you had a fantastic Saturday - I certainly did! .......................

Tomorrow I am off to the Ballan Quilt show to check out all the amazing work of the talented people in that part of the state. Enjoy whatever you get up to. ......................

Happy Crafting

You Didn't?

Of course I did! It all started a lot of years ago when our oldest nephews were young, it was the 1980's. I was making the young boys very bright outfits and my brother asked for something bright to wear at camp and when hiking. He still enjoys outdoor hobbies like hiking and four wheel driving so about every year or so he requests new ones. All wrapped up... but what? (I must have got the bag shape right as The Father who had no prior knowledge of the conversation I had with my bro early in the week - said straight up it was a money bag)

Shorts of course.

Yes, he asked for a new pair - I get to choose the fabric and he has worn all the ones I have made over the years - some of which SILJ has been kind enough to mend for him as he liked them that much! Bro liked his shorts and I was lucky enough to find a card with a pirate picture so the entire greeting was in the pirate theme. Hope your weekend was a good one with lots of creative space. Happy Crafting

Stitching the day(night) away

This bucket bag featuring a serious shopper from the Loralie Harris Sewphisticates panel is winging its way across the waves to Jantine as the winner of my recent giveaway. You'll have to wait for the post people to do their jobs as I did not take pictures of the sewing treats included. Played with my new thread acquired on my travels around the state earlier this month. Just a peek at this design from Red Brolly found in the Miss Millies Flower Patch book. The thread is from Cottage Garden Threads and the colour way is Muscat, it was fun to stitch.

I got distracted last night and completed this stitchery. Remember how bad I am at following instructions - this design is the Butterfly on My Heart design which Vicki of Tozz's Corner shared on her blog, I know, I know it is supposed to be an applique pattern, I hope she doesn't get upset with me? The thread is DMC 4220 and the background is light green. Pushing things to the limit - I have packed my bag and will be sending this lot out to my Secret Stitcher tomorrow - yes, that is the last day for posting. My package just needs to cross a state border, no waves this time so I shouldn't have to wait too long for the post people to do their thing.

Thanks to Helen for organising a fun swap and to all the generous designers who freely gave the designs for us to play with. Hope their is time in your day for some creativity.

Happy Crafting