What A Week !!

It has been such a busy week that I have not checked in to blog land very much at all but will spend a little while this afternoon catching up with everybody.

Do you remember this box which contained my "secret" project?

It was a quilt for "Pattern Press" called Hickory Dickory Dock designed by Chitter Chatter Designs.

Here is my version ......... If you want to make it for the little one in your life ask your store to get in touch with Pattern Press to order it in for you. Or alternatively they can see all of Pattern Press's Designs in Sydney next week.

This is the little table runner that I made for the Breast Cancer Luncheon last weekend. It was a a silent auction item. The luncheon raised over $33,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation which was fantastic. It is an annual event at my workplace and continues to grow.

I have so many projects that I wish to at least start in the next week or two but also have lots of work to put into my new web site which is almost ready to launch. Fabric has been arriving as well as patterns, books and sewing bits so it has been lots of fun unpacking it all. I have decided to launch the web site before the backyard store as it could be a few months before it is completely finished. I will let you know about the launch of the web store and the giveaway which will be happening to celebrate it.

I hope that you have all been keeping warm and have been productive. It is the first day of winter tomorrow so rug up and stay healthy !!

Hugs,

Sunday Catch Up

It has been a really busy week both at work and at home with a few of life's little "hiccups" thrown in for a bit of variety..... Nothing too major but hiccups all the same.

The picture above is of Maddie asleep on my chest. She is growing so fast and is now almost 11 weeks old and around 9 pounds. She giggles and smiles all of the time and is just the sweetest little thing - Of course I am not biased in any way. She should only be 3 weeks but you really wouldn't know that she was a premmie now.

The shop walls have been filled, sanded and sealed with an undercoat so progress is happening but a little slow for my liking. But I will just have to be patient.

The web site is almost ready to launch and I am busy putting stock into it and waiting for further supplies to arrive. Did you notice that my logo has changed a little? Donna (My web designer) has done a lovely job capturing exactly what I wanted and in the colours I wanted too.

I have not achieved very much on the sewing front over the past few days as I have been unwell, but hopefully after a planned visit to the doctors this week I should be back on track very soon.

This picture was taken on Wednesday morning at the front of our house. It was so foggy that it was almost like a scene from a horror movie. We will get more and more days like this in the coming months, a reminder that winter is just around the corner (1st June)

I am off now to get in an hour or two of hand stitching before heading off to bed for a reaonably early night. We had a breast cancer fundraiser at work today with around 550 luncheon diners and my feet are very sore and tired. I did manage to make a table runner for the silent auction section which raised a few dollars for them so I am happy that I contributed in some way.

Before I go - Thanks to all of you that have e-mailed me regarding the advent swap - We have around 30 swappers so far in the first week which is fantastic - Don't forget to blog about it. Sign ups do not close until 1st October.

Have a great week.

Hugs,

Brand New Swap On The Way

With a little help from Julie and Jo I am running a Christmas Advent Swap for 2009.

The swap is open for sign ups now and closes on the 1st October 2009. Parcels must be mailed by 9th November 2009 and to be received by 30th November 2009.

How does it work?

The idea is to put together a package containing 24 small gifts around the $2 - $3 mark ie measuring tape, some DMC threads, hand cream, pack of needles, fat quarter etc.

Each one of these parcels is wrapped and numbered 2 - 25. A handmade major gift must also be made and wrapped and included. The major gift must be numbered No 1. Ideas could be a Tote Bag, Mini Quilt etc

On the 1st December - The first gift numbered 25 is opened, On the 2nd December the gift numbered 24 is opened and so on until christmas morning when the major gift is opened.

This will be a direct swap and communication with your partner is encouraged. Participants must have a blog.

If you would like to join please e-mail me at goldwen at bigpond dot com with the following information :-

Name

Address

E-Mail Address

Blog Address

Prepared to send overseas? - Yes or No

Favourite Colours :-

Favourite Sweet/Chocolate :

It will be so much fun - I hope that you decide to join in. Feel free to use the Advent Swap Logo above.

Hugs -

Give Away

Click Here for a neat giveaway over at Crafty Girls Workshop. Tell her Fiona sent you. It is part of the All Sewn Up Launch party.

Hugs,

Fiona

Fabric and More fabric

Sorry for the shortness of post but I am having a very busy time at the moment with lots of projects on the go and trying to get things ready for the launch of my shop. I met with a fabric rep today and ordered lots of delicious fabrics to arrive in the coming months. It is very exciting !!!

A couple of them are destined to be my favourites and I am brimming with ideas on what to make with them. I also managed to buy some Spring Magic meterage as used in the table runner above. I have 3 other projects on the go at the moment in this range. All of which are almost at finishing point but just need to write the patterns up.

So here at Mothers Cupboard we will soon have some Moda, Maywood Studios, Charles Parsons, Lecien, Southsea Imports & Willmington Prints.

Oh and guess what ........ baby Maddie now weighs 8 Pound 2 Ounces....... Here she is at 9 weeks.

She has actually grown out of some of her clothes. which we are thrilled about.

Hugs,

Creative Update

Did you have a lovely mothers day? My daughters spoilt me and cooked me a lovely dinner and gave me some lovely gifts. I feel quiet blessed to have not 1 but 3 lovely daughters.

I have been pottering away in my little studio in the past few weeks doing a little of this and a little of that....... Above are the first 2 blocks from Jenny's Shabby BOM. I have really enjoyed stitching them and they look so lovely. I can't wait to see what she has instore for us next month. Jenny is designing some lovely stuff at the moment. Go and check out her blog.

Here is a project that I have been designing. I am waiting for some fabric to arrive to finish it off and then I can reveal it to you. It is from the Moda April Cornell range - "Spring Magic". I have used this fabric a bit lately and am really liking it.

These are a few other bits that I have made for gifts. Not sure of the names of the ranges but these were in the "Moda" mystery scrap bags.

This is my "Secret" box......... It contains a secret project that I am currently working on. This box will be getting my full attention tonight for a few hours - I will also be taking it to my stitching day on Sunday so look out Jo I am thinking I am going to need help with it by then....

I have so many projects on my wish list at the moment and need to find some focus. I think I need to make a list and put things in order and stick to it. Why is it that I just keep adding to my pile of started projects? And why is it that I decided today that I needed some more fabrics and ordered a total of 19 metres of various pieces? I think I have been hanging around with Lizzie too long - She is even more wicked than I.

Have a great week,

Hugs,

Come On In .......

I thought that this weekend that I would invite you all over and give you a quick trip around our nest and introduce you to a few other family members. Above is Toby aka Tobias (When he has been naughty) Some of you may remember when we brough Toby home at 6 weeks of age on New Years Day. He is 6 months old now and a dashing young man.

His best friend is "Billy" aka William (Also only called that when he has been naughty). Rod (DH) calls them Milo and Otis when they have little adventures in the garden together - They are so funny to watch. They are both treasured members of our household.

Our roses in the garden are just lovely at the moment and are giving us a final burst before winter.

A lovely Iceburg Rose with a delicious scent.

Double pink which smells like fairy floss.

Gorgeous Apricot

Another Double Rose

I bring fresh flowers into the house every weekend - this lovely little bunch have a very sweet aroma.

Here are the 2 items that I purchased last Sunday from the new little shop I found at Pontville. Both are going to be used in my new shop. The pram is perfect for holding bolts of fabric and the wooden box will hold fat quarters. They are currently living in our breeze through waiting for the shop to be painted so that they can start their new life

Here is my favourite room in the house our "Family Room". This is the room where I sit and stitch in my bean bag in front of the telly. It is the room just off the kitchen and dining area and the heart of our home.

This is my little studio room which I should be hiding from you because it is just so messy at the moment but I do have a fair idea where most things are. There are 2 large double door storage cupboards just out of the photo which hold all of my fabric and bits - They are another story - I am definetely not showing you them.

I will show you around a little more another time. Hopefully I can also show you some painted walls in our shop also.

Happy Mothers Day to all mums out there - I hope that you get thoroughly spoilt and have an enjoyable relaxing day.

HUGS,

"Gathering" My Thoughts - Image Heavy Post

What a gorgeous sunny day we have here in Brighton although something tells me that there won't be too many more of these types of autumn days so I am enjoying the sunshine streaming into the house whilst I can. We rose early today and went off to the markets and a new little antique shop that I have discovered nearby. I brought home some treasures but I will leave them to show you another day because I have so much to show you and tell you about from the Quilted Crow's Autumn Gathering which was held at Campania yesterday.

Here is the lovely Cathy and Sarah stitching away. I didn't take any other photo's of the other bloggers because time just flew, by the time I realised I hadn't taken many it was time to go home - But I do know that others have heaps of shots - Some not so glamorous - So keep an eye on the other Tassie Bloggers sites.

This was our arrival parcel. A lovely cup cake, dish towel, box of sweets and our pattern packs.

This is the lovely Doiley for Deidre by Helen Stubbings . Jo created a beautiful version of this on the day. I can't wait to see it completely finished.

Helen also created these gorgeous needle turned dish towels

And a cup cake mug bag - I purchased the kit for this one

Here is an oven mitt designed by Natalie Ross - It is gorgeous. This is the project that I chose to start on the day.

Natalie also designed a lovely apron and pot holder (trivet) to go with it. They are stunning !!

Here are the designs from Deidre (Quilted Crow) - Backpacks, Dolly and Tea Cosy.

Leonie also had a gorgeous table runner which I forgot to photograph - It was called Oh My Stars

Here is my little needleturned cup cake for my oven mitt.

Both Helen and Natalie were super helpful and were both lovely ladies and so generous with their time.

And now to the most important part of the day - The purchases. I did ask Lenoie (Quilted Crow) to tie me to my seat after my 4th visit to the shop area - It was a little ridiculous - I kept seeing things I liked - You know how it is............

Above is all of the yummy fabric and Mug Carry Bag Kit.

And the patterns .......

It was a lovely day with great company and many laughs. I am already looking forward to the next one.

HUGS,

50th Post Give Away and Catch-Up

Well here it is my long awaited 50th post...... I have been so busy this week and haven't had a chance until now to blog. Here is a parcel that landed in my post box this week. It is from the lovely Jenny. I just love it. Jenny is a beautiful stitcher.

Jenny sent to me in Maree's Redowrk Cushion Swap. Isn't the cushion gorgeous? The candle is too - it smells beautiful.

Here is the Redwork Cushion which I sent off to my partner. My partner, Pat, does not have a blog but she has sent me a lovely e-mail telling me that she had received the cushion and goodies so I am glad that they have arrived safely.

This is Amy (10Yo DD) the major reason for my busy week........ Amy has broken her ankle (Long Story) and is now in a back slab cast until the swelling goes down. We will get the verdict from the Orthapedic Surgeon on Thursday as to what happens next which is likely to be a full cast for 6 weeks.

And here is the Spring Swap gift which I sent to my partner, Kris in Linda's Spring Swap.

I made her a table runner and journal cover and sent a few other goodies.


The shop development is going okay - Slowly but surely. It is totally lined now and the new wall is up along with the front glass doors. My next major task is to paint and clean. But I am off to the Quilted Crow's Autumn Gathering tomorrow so those tasks will have to wait until Sunday to be started. My new "web shop" is currently being constructed and hopefully will be up and running within the next few weeks.

And now to my 50th post give away. It has come around so fast. Here are 5 Blender fat quarters which will be stocked in my shop (when it finally opens) and also 6 packs of Madeira Metallic Embroidery Thread (Which I also have in stock) in some yummy colours.

Now for the *rules* :-

You must leave a comment by 9pm Friday 8th May AEST

All comments will receive 1 entry.

If you are a follower you will receive 1 additional entry

If you blog about my give away you will receive another additional entry.

Overseas bloggers are welcome to enter - Good Luck to you all and thanks for making my first 50 posts fun and entertaining.

I am off now to get ready for tomorrow's gathering - I must remember to pack my camera. For those of you that are going I am looking forward to meeting you.



HUGS,

Fiona