The final days of 2013 are being spent in the studio as I put the finishing touches on the BOM's for the year.  Last night the binding and hanging sleeve were sewn down on the Alphabet Sampler Quilt.

It is now hanging in my studio and I keep glancing over at it with gushes of love as I write the final pattern for it.  

The idea was born when I purchased a pre-cut hexagon honeycomb and I quickly drew up the letters along with little birdies and flowers.  I enjoyed stitching each one and it made completing the quilt a breeze when you are enjoying the process.

All 4 parts of the pattern are now in the CRAFTSY STORE for just $6.50 US each.  I can imagine this quilt hanging in a nursery or larger final borders could easily be added to make it single bed sized.  This would be a true heirloom once finished.

This will be my last blog post for 2013 so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy & Safe New Year.  Bring on 2014 - I'm ready for a fantastic fun filled year.

Love and Hugs,

Fee xx

Christmas Wishes

It has taken me longer to get back here than I thought.  Each year I seem to under estimate how busy life is going to get for me with working in the hospitality industry.  No matter how well organised I am something always crops up to steal my time.  This year has been no different although all of my shopping and wrapping was done nice and early.  I just have the fresh food shopping to do on Christmas Eve and some baking to do today and then I am done.

On the sewing front I have been working on the first block of A Woodland Christmas.  This quilt features these adorable raccoons - Aren't they sweet? 

I have also spent some time preparing some paper piecing so I can continue throughout 2014 with my Confetti Quilt.  I have chosen some different Fig Tree ranges of fabric so my quilt will be done in pastels.  This is one of my long term projects which I fit in between lots of others.  I am hoping that 2014 will see at lest one or two of my long term projects finished - That would be really great if I can achieve it.

The pattern is by Focus On Quilts and is just gorgeous the little hexies are just 10mm (1cm) so they are tiny !

The house is finally decorated and we are all set for our 18 guests for lunch on Christmas Day.  I will take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.  

I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a great year, I do hope you join me then here at my little piece of cyber space.

Love and Hugs,

Fee x

The Party is Over

The party is over and what a lovely day we had.  Lots of giggles and fun and way too much indulging !

 I made each of the ladies a Christmas Stocking with their name embroidered on the front and also made each of them a cookie jar which were a real hit.  All 4 ladies went home with print outs of the labels and recipes to make some for their friends and family.  They are so easy to do and look so effective.

This was our last get together until late February and was such a relaxing day - I managed to get the binding sewn down on 3 quilts so I was very productive in between chatting and eating !

Before I go I wanted to show you my latest Christmas decoration purchase - Just $10 from Coles.  Isn't it gorgeous?

Hugs - Fee x

A Christmas Party

Good morning, How are you on this gorgeous day?

I am in the final stages of getting ready for our sewing groups Christmas Break-Up day.  The girls come each Wednesday night throughout the year but because I work in the hospitality industry we close the group down for approximately 8 weeks every year so that I can work the long hours I am required to.  Before we do that we have a Christmas break-up day on a Saturday which is tomorrow!

I have made each one of them some gifts which I finally finished last night.  I can't show you yet in case one of them pops by the blog but I am happy with them and hopefully they will like them

We are all bringing a course for lunch and I am making some bits for morning tea.  I will take some progress shots tonight whilst I am getting it all together.

How about you, do you have lots of different Christmas functions to attend?  I love a party !

I have my Christmas hat and I'm ready !

I'll be back tomorrow to show you what I made for the girls.

Hugs - Fee xx

Christmas Cookies - A Freebie

This is my 500th post.  To celebrate I thought that I would have a give away - But a downloadable give away of some labels for everyone to enjoy.  I have just created these adorable cookie mixes in a jar to give to some friends this Christmas.  They are a great idea and are so easy to put together.

Firstly you will need to download the labels that I have created from HERE.  There is a circular label for the front and an instruction label for the back.

Print them out,  there are 3 sets per sheet and then cut out ready for adhering to the jars later.

I purchased 1100ml jars from my local cheap shop for just under $2.00 - They fit the mix perfectly.

Then you need to add the ingredients in the same order as they are listed.  To make it easier I made a funnel from some cardboard and gave the jar a steady thump on the kitchen bench after each layer to settle it.

1 & 1/3 Cup of Plain Flour

1 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Salt

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1 Cup of M & M's

3/4 Cup Milk Choc Chips

1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of Castor Sugar

1/2 Cup of Desiccated Coconut

Screw the lid on and tie with a pretty Christmas ribbon.

With some craft glue adhere the circular label to the front of the jar

And the instructions to the back.

And there you have the perfect gift for that special person in your life who has everything.

Hugs,

Fee x

I haven't been idle

Firstly a huge thank you to those people who have called, left messages or e-mailed me.  I am slowly catching up on them all and will reply in the next few days your encouragement and support means the world to me.

I have always enjoyed stitching the work of others - Far more than I enjoy stitching my own designs (that speaks volumes)  I think it is the fact that you can just sew without thinking about writing down instructions or thread colours as you go - There is no critiquing of your work on a daily basis as you question yourself or change your mind and end up reverse sewing.  

So for my relaxation I joined 2 Block of the Months this year and this is my progress on the 1st one ":Chick Jubilee" designed by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs.  There are 6 blocks photographed here and I am currently working on Blocks 7 and 8.  Block 9 will be out soon and then I will be in the home straight with this one.  It is a gorgeous quilt and I have enjoyed stitching it each month.  So much that I have signed up for the next Anne Sutton one which is Woodland Christmas - The first block of that one has arrived too and I have made a start on it.

I also signed up for Fat Quarter Shop's Mystery Block of the Month.  Month 6 has just arrived but I have only put together 2 blocks at this stage.  I hope to catch up over the Christmas break.  I am not really a piecer so I signed up for this to challenge myself.

A few weekends ago I decided to use up the remainder of a Jelly Roll that I had sitting around - After just a few hours I had a flimsy finished.  I am really pleased with it.

Then I decided to make another easy flimsy from a charm pack and 1/2.  This time in Scrumptious.  Both of these quilts have arrived back from quilting so I have to pop the binding on this week.  So glad to have them finished !

And last week I put together these key rings to use as little christmas gifts for some of my cat loving friends.  They were so easy to make but look so gorgeous !

And finally I am currently working on stitching up some gifts for my Wednesday night sewing girls.  It is our Christmas Break Up day on Saturday and this is when we exchange gifts - I will be sure to take a photo before I gift them.  What about you are you on track with your christmas sewing?

Hugs - Fee xx