May Bee Block

I am so proud of myself at the moment - I have finally caught up on all my outstanding Bee Blocks!

It feels so good!

May's Queen Bee was inspired by a placemat tutorial that she found over at Art Gallery Fabrics.

The tutorial can be found here!

This is the first time I have ever sewn with this colour combo - I don't mind it, but not sure if I would make a quilt in these colours.

My mind started to wander, wondering what June's Queen Bee block would be like, until I relised that I am Queen Bee for that month. I think I have finally settled on one - but I want to change the background colour to light grey instead of the white. So I will do up a sample block in the next few days and see if I like it before I make up my mind.

Happy Creating    xxxx

Sunday Stash #63

OMG - I am putting myself on a strict fabric diet!

 I have just pulled out all the yummy stuff that came into my possession last week so I could take some photos and I nearly died! So without further notice, I am on a ban with only the basic essentials to be added - until I have managed to at least complete the Must make soon pile which is stacked up next to my cutting table.

I was lucky enough to win not one lot of fabric yumminess - but TWO!!!!

This was a FB prize from the lovely Bella Patchwork store in Orange NSW.

I was lucky enough to choose two FQ's from the new Chevron range. My plan for these beauties will be a fabric basket for each of my children. The photo really doesn't do this fabric justice as each chevron has a textured weave look to it!

Secondly were these gorgeous FQ's from Fi over at Finding Fifth! I won these simply for linking up to Sunday Stash! So super easy!  Look how cute the tag is - I am planning on upcycling this to use on a card. As for the FQ's - the elephant fabric has already been earmarked for a coffee snuggly and matching tissue cover!

Any fabric in the mail is just heaven - but to receive such total yumminess without having to pay for it is just bliss.

OK, so now on to all the newly homed goodness that I had to pay for! LOL

I discovered the fantastic mag whilst I was back home visiting in the school holidays. It is a UK mag - but it is jammed packed with lots of cute stuff to make. I spotted the macaroon issue on a destash page on FB and just had to grab it. Mind you they were so popular that these were the only two left. 

The next lot of photos are my purchase from the Spotlight Sewing day, although the demonstrations at my store were fun and insightful  I was very disappointed that I was not allowed to use my spend $100 get $40 off voucher - despite the voucher stating that it included all sales items. There has since been an interesting thread on FB about how some stores let it go through, whilst other didn't. Actually all in all, it has left a bad taste in my mouth and I won't be heading back to Spotlight soon - which is a shame for my store in particular as I was in there at least once a week and I always tidied the quilting section up whilst I browsed. OH well! 

Some Polar Fleece to make some beanies, scarves and gloves for the kids

These patterns were 5 for $10 - so I stocked up on some new summer patterns for Miss 9.

I added some more Dr Seuss fabric to my collection - this is destined to be an oversized lap quilt for Mr 4 who is currently obsessed with The Lorax! I am searching for some of the Cat In The Hat books to read with him of a night time.

2 gorgeous bright FQ's that landed in my basket - I am hoping that these will be OK to use for the May Bee block.

This one is a little pure indulgence - but also a very special present for a friend.

I was reading my blog list last week and stumbled across a Modern Block QAL over at And Sew we craft - I really liked the look of some of the blocks and the fact that a lot of solids had also been used. It really struck a chord and at the same time I thought about how it would look fantastic draped over the back of the lounge of an extra special friend of mine who has helped me out more than she will ever know or I can tell her. So anyway, heres hoping that I can make each block and have this ready for her birthday next year. The photo does not show the true colours of the fabric - as they are light grey for the background, Hot fuchsia, Lime Green, Yam Orange and Coffee bean brown.

Well I had better get back to some Mummy duties, Mr 4 had some needles yesterday - so is resting in front of the tellie, but is demanding some lunch! LOL

Anyway, linking up to Sunday Stash over at Sew Happily Ever After!

Hope you all have a great week!

Bee Block Catch Up!

I am sew proud of myself - despite having such a yukky weekend thanks to family problems, misbehaving children and cows that didn't want to stay in their paddocks, I still managed to sew up 3 belated Bee blocks. This now brings me up to date with only May needing to be done!

I thought I would quickly share with you all the gorgeous blocks that I have made. I really enjoy being involved in a quilting bee - as not only do I get to help ladies make their quilts, but I also get to learn new techniques, colour combos and blocks.

Anyway, onto the blocks......

January's block - Winged Squares

You can find a tutorial for this block over at During Quiet Time here!

February's block - Polaroid 9 Patch

These amazing blocks were part of a quilt which is being donated to the Bushfire Relief.

You can find the tutorial for this block over at Finding Fifth here!

March's block - Sliced Scrappy block

The tutorial for this block can be found at Don't Call me Betsy here!

  April's block - Garden Fence block

You can find the tutorial for this block at Hyacinth Quilt Design here!

I have to smile at this block - it is this particular Queen Bee's second year of this one. Check out the quilt here she made using this block last year in Grey, Black, Yellow & White. It is just amazing. 

I am still yet to work out how to take great photos inside! The individual ones below are more true to colour. 

Card sale over at Made By Kelly

My Cards for sale box if overflowing and I have no space for these new cards so....

Over on Made By Kelly on Facebook I am having a

BUY TWO CARDS - GET THE THIRD FOR FREE!

(Free card is to be of the lesser value)

Snaffle up a bargain today and not to mention help me tidy up the box!

Sunday Stash #62

I hope everybody had a lovely day yesterday - it was Mother's day here in Australia, so after been woken rather early by some very excited kidlets thrusting presents in my face, I got to relax all day watching series 1 of Alias (again) and being looked after. I did also manage to find some time to wonder in to the Rotary Book Fair that is currently running in Coffs Harbour where I treated myself to the Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean Auel. I have read this series twice now, so I was really stoked to have been able to pick up last year's issue of the series for $15.00ish all up.

Anyway, onto another belated Sunday Stash - seriously I am sure you will all totally die of shock if I manage to post a stash on the actual day! LOL

Last SS post - I told you to stay tuned for more Op Shop goodies that I had acquired.

These are two gorgeous pieces of fabric that I think someone was intending to make a blanket with as they were rolled up with backs together. It is a massive piece. I don't have anything planned for them - I just loved how intense the colours were. Would make a really cute bib, burp cloth etc.

Some precut flannelette squares - the two on the right are 5" charms from Moda. I am thinking some nice snuggly baby blankets!!!!

I am sure you will all recognise by the next two photos where I have been of late!!!!!!

Yep that's right - Spotlight. Lots of Flat Fat goodness. They had a sale on a couple of months ago when they were $2 something each - so I stocked up on some and popped them on layby with my Mother's Day present. The three in the bottom photo came about on my last visit when I tidied up their Flat Fat area for them as it was just a bombshell. 

Plus I also stocked up on some Homespun and Broadcloth solids for a project that I am working on! I am just waiting on some fabric to arrive from Spoonflower before I can finish it.\

And last but not least is a gorgeous Melly & Me toy softie book and seam ripper that I got for Mother's Day. YAY - just waiting for some kid free me time so I can create some of these cuties.

Anyway, as usual I am linking up with the fabulous Fi from Finding Fifth's Sunday Stash!

Sunday Stash on a Thursday!

I know I know - I have been missing in action for soooo long and then all of a sudden I turn up with a Sunday Stash post on a Thursday! The hide of me! 

I am sure you all understand how life just gets in the way some times - unfortunately for me, it was a couple of months worth all together! Plus not to mention that I happened to stumble across the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway week - which took me what seemed like a whole 100 bag box of tea to go through.  Fingers crossed that I win something.  If you haven't entered, head on over to the Sew Mama Sew page and enter one or two or hundreds - but be quick cause it ends soon.

Anyway, enough rambling Kel - get to all the good stuff that you have been shoving into the already overflowing cupboards of fabric of late.

Just a little warning that this post is very heavy on photos!

My Pezzy Print Jelly Roll arrived from Busy Thimbles - so now I can start the Squared Out pattern designed by the owner - Judy Hansen! Not quite sure who this one will be fore - but it was just one of those quilts that I just had to do!

A new revamped Australian Homespun arrived as well. I got a subscription as a Christmas present and I am totally loving the fact that it arrives in the mail and I don't have to go in to town to buy it. I am still not sure on the recycled paper feel of the pages though - but it is still brim full of total inspiration. 

These two lots were brought from The Wellington Patchwork store when the kidlets and I were down that way for the school holidays. The two Marmalade Charm packs are flannelette and I am hoping to team it with some plain flannelette to make a nice lap quilt. The bag pattern and FQ - were just too cute to resist. LOL

This butterfly fabric and matching button is destined to be a new Coffee Snuggly, as it seems my darling sister has lost the one that I had previously made for her. 

OK - now are you ready to see what $50 in an Op Shop can buy you?????

I am still over the moon with my bargain buys.

2mts of light pink pattern & 1mtr of the monkey print - both are quilting cotton weight. 

All of the above are FQ's and came in a bag for only $6.00 including the Strawberry Shortcake ones!

Some more quilting weight cotton and flannelette - all FQ size or bigger.

Some Mary Engelbreit fabrics - all well over the 1mtr mark.

Some red velcro (both sides), some wooden cotton reels to add to my collection, purple guiterman thread and some patterns.

More flannelette - 1 mtr of the monkeys and 2mtrs of the turtles.

and last but not least, 2mtrs plus of some bright red terry toweling, which I am going to use to back some bibs with etc.

I am pretty stoked with all my goodies, all of this was from 2 different Op Shops! 

I did go back again this Monday - but I will save those goodies for the next Sunday Stash.

I am linking this Sunday Stash post up to the lovely Fiona from Finding Fifth. 

Sew Seasonal Blog Hop!

Hi! My name is Kelly Gleeson and I am proud to say that I am a PAPER PIECING ADDICT!

And it is all due to Kristy from Quiet Play and Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts!

Back in November these two lovely ladies co-hosted the Sew Seasonal Blog Hop which saw them each design some Christmas themed paper piecing patterns which they shared with us. I was lucky enough to get both lots of patterns whilst they were free (YAY) - but don't fret, you can still purchase them through their Craftsy Pattern stores.

Anyway, on the very first day Kristy made the sweetest cushions for her kidlets, which I just fell in love with.

So, being the fantastic Big Sis that I am, I decided to make a Candy Cane Cushion for my sister as party of her Christmas present! My idea/plan is that she can keep the little pocket stocked with edible Candy Canes, so that when her friends come over, they can help themselves and get into the Christmas Spirit too. 

I have to share too - that I posted this parcel to my sister in Bathurst from Coffs Harbour late Friday arvo and she received it yesterday (MOnday)! So a little of my faith has been restored in Australia Post.

Anyway, enough gabbering - now to share some photos of this cushion!

It really is easier than it looks and way too addictive as well.

The pocket all stitched on complete with a fussy cut candy cane on the stocking.

The front and back pieces ready to be sewn together! 

And viola the completed cushion.

I had so much fun making this cushion and can happily report that my sister just loves it.  Not to mention that is goes in perfectly with her Christmas colours of Hot Pink, Hot Purple and Lime Green!

If you would like to see more of the blocks that Kristy and Alyce made, head on over to their blogs. There is even a linky party happening, where others have shared their fantastic projects as well, not to mention some awesome prizes on offer.

Hmmm, if only I had more time to do some more paper piecing - but alas, I had better keep going with sewing some Christmas presents.

Have a great day, Kel!