Sweet little bird

This sweet little (baby?) bird has been singing all morning - and I was lucky enough to get a picture of him swinging on his branch. How can you work with such glorious distractions outside your window? Time for a contemplative coffee I think...

Another Pink!

Kay of Qld, has created this In The Pink quilt top and has made it even better by adding an extra pillow top border. What a great idea.  The colours just 'sing' and I love the green. It's so harmonised, thank you for sharing this Kay.

This is the final month for In The Pink, (hasn't it just flown by?)Have you finished yours?

Crochet converted bag

Talk about brainless sewing. Because I don't have enough to do...

Sometimes I am struck with ideas and simply have to carry them out on the spot. This is such a project.

This tote bag came with the weekend newspaper a few months ago and I was impressed with the impenetrable fibre it is made from - a suprisingly good quality plastic woven fabric. Just what I was after.

Why?? I hear you ask.

Yes, it's true I have a few hundred beautiful fabric bags but I needed a quick bag I could use for my crochet tube. Something that wouldn't be affected by rain or smells (the plastic is perfect for this) and a bag I could throw about (not that I abuse my bags generally) or be too precious about. A practical bag that I could sling over my shoulder and carry in the car and just generally out and about so I can manage to fit in a few lines of knitting without carrying a whole cache around.

I am often struck with the thought of carrying out a few lines of knitting when stuck in bank queues, supermarket queues, etc. But I needed a slimline tote.

Obviously I don't want to advertise David Jones as I go about my business so a fabric print was necessary.

The only thing this tote was missing was a good sturdy zip which I added. I selected a charming bird print. Unpicked the lot. Attached the print. Stitched it back togeher...and voila....!

Now, I know there are better things I could have done with that hour...but I have got a bag to show for it, so it wasn't completely bad.

And I managed to stash bust and give these sweet birds a use.

Ok... back to real work...

Roseville Album

Roseville by Kim Mclean arrived a month ago. I'm only just getting around to it now (the usual story).

It looks good. I can't wait to start. I have already pulled some stash fabric out to see if it will do. I think I might have to buy some new Fassett fabrics. It shares some design elements with The Civil War Bride Quilt (which is also on my UFO shelf) so I will have 2 similiar in style - but they are both beautiful in their own way. I think that if you see something you know you will love making and having, it has to find a home...somewhere in your studio...

Is anyone else making this quilt?

I will post updates as I go through making this quilt. I don't know when as I have a lot of my own to get through. But it can sit on my UFO shelf. I have hungry eyes!

This quilt can be purchased here: http://www.gloriouscolor.com/

a Sneaky Peak

Pull out your Christmas stash ( I know you must have one)

Buy a packet of little christmas bells in gold or silver (you'll be needing them)

Wait (im)patiently.... this BOM is COMING SOON

 

 Here's a sneaky peak of what my design wall looked like as I worked on the next BOM.

Above is my Christmas stash box, full with fabric waiting to be used.  Next to it are the greens I will be using. The lighting has made them 'greyish' - they have more green vibrancy in true light.

It's a Christmas theme and it will be released quickly to allow it to be finished well before Christmas (who needs December sewing??? Not me!)

Fear not - these pics were taken early in the process. The BOM is just about ready to launch...

A Quilt for Sue

We can do no great things, only small things with great love. ~Mother Teresa

If you have the time, please make the time to put together a block in any size and any colour -ASAP

Please visit Lizzie's blog for more info: http://nanalizzie.blogspot.com/

Have a block? email Lizzie for the postal address to send it to: elizabethmcmahon1950@gmail.com

In The Pink Part 6 is launched

Doesn't time fly by when you're having fun?

In the Pink finishes up this month. This last installment is short and sweet consisting of only finishing up instructions... although many of you went ahead and finished it with your own steam and they all look different and wonderful. Time to say goodbye to afternoons appliquing tulips....

I was really pleased to hear from Chris of http://cocoandpip.blogspot.com/ who is crocheting the same afghan as I am. She is working it in lilacs and I can't wait to see how hers turns out. It's always interesting to compare. Especially as I was in two minds over my final colour choice. I would love to see it worked up in different colours. 

I've had a busy month but still managed to stay on track with this afghan and am 18 blocks down. *Only* 90 need to be made so I am still some way off yet. Actually I would love to hear from anyone making this blanket as I am just a bit *tired* of the repetition already which is not a great sign. I will not allow it to become a crochet UFO (there simply isn't room) so I will persevere. But the more the merrier I say...

I  found a daphne bush which was a nice suprise and cut the rain drenched buds into bowls and my chaotic house smells like rain falling across rose gardens....lovely and calming...just what I need as I get myself organised for the Boms ahead and a few other ongoing projects.

 

Here I am toiling away at the kitchen table (well, my studio is full!) and my DD snapped a pic of me having a bad hair and paperwork day. Dream Fountain is on the table as I was writing up a piece about it.

Yes, In The Pink is finished, however it is not the last BOM on offer this year. Stay tuned...