Starry paper fun

After reading about this lovely star tutorial on Whipup this morning, of course I had to try one.

So much fun. I used scrapbooking paper, which was a mistake since it is only printed on one side. Such fun - I'll be making more before Christmas for sure.


Oh, and LDH is having a star giveaway on her site, so do go and visit!

Lovely mail!

A while ago, I was lucky enough to win a giveaway from Xena, and my bundle of goodies arrived yesterday.


My favourite thing is the bag - it's just the perfect size for a magazine and a bit more... - straight to my handbag for shopping trips, I think!

I've also been sending some mail... to my stitcher's angel.

The first stitched item I sent wasn't wonderful, but I figured I could only improve. I didn't. After several projects I tried, I gave up on embroidery, and fell back on trusted skills. Which I didn't photograph. But here is the link to Carol's lovely blog where you can see the bags I sent her.

Christmas Angels

Christmas craft is well underway at preschool, where I volunteered my time last Thursday. I loved these little angels - so simple and effective.

First draw up this template and cut out of very light card. Cut the outer circle with fancy scissors, to give an edged effect, and the short lines and inner shape with straight scissors. The preschool then painted their shapes, but I just used scrapbooking paper.


The simply curve the paper around and slide the short cuts on opposite sides of the circle together to form the cone, with the left over sections forming the wings. Sounds tricky, but really is straightforward.



I'm planning to make some out of fabric next...

Christmas Quilt

I signed up for the latest round of the Four Seasons Quilt Swap because it was a holiday theme. Specifically, Christmas, unless requested otherwise.

My swap partner didn't have any criteria, but from reading her blog it became apparent that she prefers precise, traditional style quilts.

Now, I don't think I've ever been described as precise, but this is what I came up with.

It's in the style of a paper cut snowflake, including Christmas trees. My first few tries including much more detailed papercuts, including holly leaves, berries and presents. I simply couldn't cut through the layers of fabrics, so it instead I simplified the design to just be trees, which I think is still effective.

I vleisofixed the design on, and stitched the edges down as part of my quilting.


I was quite happy with this little quilt (15 inches square) and hope my recipient likes it too.

My creative space

This week my creative space involves quilting;

and gift selection - it's Christmas list season for me.

I can quite easily get swept away when compiling Santa sacks.. which made it a big day when Lucas came home and told me his best friend doesn't get presents from Santa, 'because you only get presents if you believe in him'.



After a pause, Lucas added 'I believe in Santa.' I do too, sweetheart, I do too.

Summery sunset

We're wilting in the heat... but the sunsets have been spectacular.

Spotty Dolly

On Thursday, I received my EB swap doll quilt from the lovely Adds;



Isn’t it lovely?

She catered for all my requests (which is a very unusual thing in a swap) and I am just delighted.

Thank you, Adds – it will look great on my wall.

Springtime

Actually, it feels more like summer lately. These little chicks definitely suggest spring though...

I'm really hoping they're hen-chicks, not like last years rooster.

EB DQS

It's opening day for the third annual EB Doll Quilt Swap. I know my recipient has her quilt, so thought I'd publish, and show off what I made.


My first plan was to make a ploughed field by strip piecing the red fabrics, thicker for up close, and thinner strips for further away to give a sense of perspective. I then freehand cut curves in both to represent slight hills, and pieced with my new curved piecing foot (which worked just like it did in the demonstrations.)

The ploughing effect didn't really work (I think the quilt would have had to be bigger to show this properly.)

Next I attached the sky and started appliqueing. The black lines are meant to represent a barbed wire fence, with the silhouette of a blue wren perched upon it.

I hand quilted the entire quilt quite heavily, with variegated perle 8 threads, and loved the effect their shimmer gave.


I was very happy with this little quilt, and hope Mands likes it too.

Tropical break

and it was lovely.

We visited Seaworld;


Currumbin;

the Big Pineapple, where we rode in the nutmobile

and Australia Zoo.

As well as strawberry picking,

playing on the beach,

swimming,

and generally not relaxing. But my we had some fun!