Hip hip hooray!!

Look what arrived in my letterbox today!!



I was so excited I had to have some of this while I read it.



Because aside from it being a completely refreshing and lovely crafty magazine filled to the brim with wonderful projects and profiles of fabulous people, it has this...........



How cool is that!!

I have to say that when Manda emailed me to ask if she could review one of our patterns I nearly fell off my chair having been a big fan of hers from way back. Who would not want to be involved in such a great new publication! And she wants more! So look out for some exclusive Audrey and Maude projects coming up in future issues.

And buy the magazine - it really is fantastic.

Project upon project upon project upon.....

I have finally found time to sit down and write a little. I have been madly working to get a special project done that has to be in the UK asap. It took off today and I can breathe a sigh of relief for at least a couple of days. I have several other really important projects on at the moment with fairly tight deadlines and some days it's a struggle to keep up. I'm glad to be able to tick one off the rather long list. And if I owe you an email or something in the mail - I apologise and promise you it's coming!!

Here's a little sneak peak at a small element of the special project but that's all for now!!



Squeezed in between everything else I finally found time to get stuck into Chloe's quilt. Can you believe I have only ever made one quilt for my children which was Daphne's cot quilt! I have the fabric and designs worked out for all three but of course to be fair, I have to start Chloe's first.

And I'm loving it so far.



And so is Chloe!



So once all the blocks are done I will work out what to put with them. Any ideas??

The other project I took away with me was my Mum's quilt. That has also been languishing in the pile. I had decided to have a hand quilting night each week but it hasn't eventuated.



I did about six blocks which isn't a lot but at least I have reacquainted myself with this lovely quilt and can try to do a little each week.

So have you seen this? A very special thank you to Angela and her lovely staff at Living Creatively - their support is endless and wonderful!!

And guess what!! I have had one of my little quilts accepted for a Lark Books book called Pretty Little Mini Quilts. I'm absolutely thrilled! Again the deadline is very soon so if you don't see much of me you'll know what I'm doing!

But this week sees me finishing two presents for two very special people who have been waiting and waiting and waiting. They have been tied up with the whole project for the UK thing but they'll be on their way this week, sweetened with some other goodies I promise!!

Which reminds me of something else I must get started on for Audrey and Maude! Sigh........ but I love it, really I do!!

A little break in transmission!

It has been a busy school holidays with lots of projects on the go.

I have many, many things to show you and won't attempt to do it all in one post.

For now I will leave you with a few photos from our very relaxing holiday last week.

We went to one of my favourite places in the world.



This was our house.







And this was our backyard.



We had visits from friendly locals.



And did lots of amazing walks.











We even did a little crafting.





And the girls favourite thing?



Patting a dingo puppy!

So thank you Grampians, we are all feeling refreshed and ready for the rest of the year!

She's Apples!

I have been waiting to do a post on this for ages but wanted it to be received first. Then I ran out of time as I had to get away for a girly weekend in Sydney. I'm completely exhausted but really want to show off my latest creation.

Some of you may have already seen this over on Fi's blog and on her Flickr photos.



I can't tell you how excited I was to get Fiona as a partner. It was quite funny considering she had just had me as a partner for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap.

I had all sorts of ideas for Fi who likes a bit of the vintage look. Then one afternoon while I was busy tidying up the kids toys I picked up a little plastic tree. Within minutes I was cutting up a heap of greens from my stash. And an hour later the quilt pieces were cut and ready for sewing.

I love how this turned out but it's actually the second version. The first I used vliesofix to attach the leaves before I appliqued it and it was way too stiff. It wasn't Fiona at all. Soooo, I redid it and just sewed around the leaves using a straight stitch. I like how it is fraying a bit around the edge. I also changed the background fabric to blue for the sky and green for the grass and I think overall it has a much softer feel.





After coming up with the original idea I decided I wanted a lovely vintagey novelty fabric for the back. And look what I found at work. Lovely new fabric just perfect for the back.





To add a bit more detail under the tree I used the little flower pattern from the back.



Then it was just a couple of hours work with my little yoyo maker and I had lots of little red apples.



Finished off with a little label.



And all packed up ready to go to my lovely friend Fi!



And to finish, here's a snap from yesterday. Enjoying a glorious Sydney day with my Goddaughter Sophie.

A doll bag, a doll quilt and my little doll!

I have a little bit of crafty stuff to show you that is completely unrelated to a swap or Audrey and Maude.

Chloe was invited to a Birthday party tonight at a ceramic painting shop. They had to wear their pj's and make icecream sundaes! So what to buy an eight year old girl that is not Smiggle or Build a Bear?? After wandering around for ages I suddenly realised it would be quicker and easier to go home and make something.

So, inspired by a top of Chloe's, I whipped up this little number this afternoon and I LOVE it!!



Chloe and I went through the ribbon jar, the button jar and the fabric stash and together came up with this colour combination.

You can see I was interrupted - check out how I sewed on the buttons!



I added some ribbon to the straps for a bit more detail.



And gave her a little happy face.



I might have to make some more of these!

But that was just a little break from doing my doll quilt for Doll Quilt Swap Four and creating my latest Audrey and Maude pattern. The latter is a secret but here is a teaser of the doll quilt.



It is due to be finished this weekend so other than going to work tomorrow, you know what I'll be doing.......

I leave with you with a snap of my other little doll who just looooves the camera!



How I wish I had those eyelashes!!

The full Reveal!

Just a quick one tonight.

Here is a full reveal of that little project I was working on.



I was invited to participate in a 'white bag' challenge for a Living Creatively installation at the Sydney Stitches and Craft show. The brief was to decorate it in any way you like without changing the shape of the bag. I couldn't resist doing little aprons!

We had a fantastic time at the show. Look here.

Now I have a doll quilt to complete!

A sneak peak!

You must be wondering if I've decided to pack it all in! Sorry, I didn't realise it had been quite so long.

I have been very busy with a couple of bits and pieces and of course whipping up some more designs for Audrey and Maude which will hopefully be out pretty soon.

In the meantime, here's a sneaky peak at a little project I have been working on that will be a part of the Living Creatively stand this weekend at the Sydney Stitches and Craft Show.



Cathy and I are flying out very, very early in the morning so I'm off to bed!