Sunday Stash - #1 2015

Unlike last year - I am not putting myself on a self imposed no new fabric ban (which I will point out that only lasted around 6 months anyway). But in saying that I am going to try and make a conscious effort to use what is in my stash - only buying new fabric for an actual project that I am currently working on, when there is nothing in my stash that is suitable. 

A few new goodies this week that snuck in.....

Some softer reds, greys and a black n white. These lovely FQ's are destined to be a quilt for one of my Aunts.The pattern I have decided to use is Short & Sweet from the September 2014 issue of Homespun, which is a gorgeous quilt by Sue Bellini featuring Dachshunds. As my aunt owns a Dachshund called nothing other then Schnitzel von Krum, I thought this was only fitting. Her favourite colour is also red and last time I visited, her new black leather lounge was looking very plain and screaming for a fun and funky quilt to be loving drapped over it. Seeing this is a combined Christmas and Birthday present (and her birthday is in May), I had better get a wriggle on this one. 

Would you believe that I found these two gorgeous prints on the clearance table at Spotlight in Port Macquarie???? Despite being marked $8 and $10 respectively, I held my ground, waiving my SL catalogue and pointed to the only sign on the table stating that all clearance fabric was now only $4 per metre. The result - I got 1.7m of the pink birdcages and 3m of the flying birds for the bargain basement price of only $4m.  Mind you Miss almost 11 has claimed the flying birds for a pair of PJ pants and cushion once she learns how to sew - LOL.

This Cat in the Hat Panel was also only $4, so I snavelled up one of these to put with my growing collection of Seuss fabric which will one day be made up into a cot quilt.

I know, I know - my first paragraph said no new fabric unless it was for a current project - but how could I walk past these lovelies at such a fantastic price.

Anyway, linking up with the fabulous Molli Sparkles - Sunday Stash and the #SewMyStash 2015!

Lovely Year of Finishes - Jan '15 Goals

Despite fizziling out early on last year - I am determined to give the Fiber of All Sorts - Lovely Year of Finishes another go!  Why? Do I hear you ask - well frankly I need the motivation to complete some of the projects that I have envisioned, brought the materials for and then just sat them on the cutting table thinking, yeah I must make that.

So without further ado, here is what I am planning on FINISHING this January.....

#1 - I have already cut out hubby a pair of sleeps shorts in this fabric - but am yet to sew them up. I have made so many PJ bottoms both short and long in my life that I can sew them in my sleep - but the thought of having to change the overlocker thread from white to black stopped me from making these. I had to change it to make a pair for my brother for Christmas - so no excuses now.

#2 - Both of my kidlets are fox mad (they may have inherited this love from a friend of my sister's who introduced us to the song..... What did the FOX say?) and when I saw this pattern from Me and My Red Boots, I knew we had to get it. Anyway, Mr 5 1/2 is currently staying with my parents for a couple of weeks as a holiday before he starts big school. My plan is to make one of the fox blocks into a cushion and send it to him as a surprise. He has no idea!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait!

#3 - The Bonnie & Camille Charm Swap Quilt - I only have a few more rows to sew on before I can sandwich and then quilt in the ditch. If I can finish this one this month at least it would be one less UFO WIP. 

#4 - The dreaded Everyday Angels quilt! I have been making this quilt for the past *Sigh* 10 years now - so this is the year that I plan to make one block each month until it is done.  This quilt belongs to my Mum - so I am planning on giving it to her for her birthday in September, unless I surprise myself and can have it done in time for Mother's Day! As much as the block comes together quickly - I am hand appliqueing it - so it is taking a while to complete.

Linking up to January 2015 - Goal Setting Party

and to

#SEWMYSTASH2015

Busy Busy Busy

Once again I have been missing in action for quite some time - but this time it has been due to extreme busyness! 

I have been busy sewing away for a recent local Homemade Market and then it was also onto my Christmas sewing.

Did everybody have a good Christmas???? Are you gearing up for a big New Year, or are you like me and planning on staying home with the family and if I am lucky do some sewing?????

Here are a few photos of what I have been up too......

I made 4 snuggle blankets from Polar Fleece/Minky. Next time I make one I really should write up a tute for it as they are so simple to make. These four are currently for sale on my FB page - Made By Kelly .They make perfect Baby shower or newborn baby gifts and the beauty of these is that when they get dirty you just chuck it in the washing machine and then in the dryer and you have a gorgeous soft fluffy snuggle blanket again.

A Mickey Mouse Coffee Snugglie and matching keyfob for one of my SIL's. 

A Lego bellied Dinosaur (using the Dolls and Daydreams pattern) for one of my nephews. I also made an Orange Dinosaur for my other nephew and a hedgehog for my niece.

An Organizer for my MIL - perfect for holding all important bits and pieces in your handbag.

I made heaps more - including Coaster Chooks, Pencil rolls, Fabric Keyfobs and laynyards, Sleep shorts, diary covers etc etc - it just seems in all my haste to get everything done, I forgot to take photos. OH well - next time!!!!!

Bonnie & Camille Charm Along

Hi All!

A couple of weeks ago I participated in the Bonnie & Camille Charm Along that the delightful Ms Midge hosted. Camille Rosskelly is one of my Top 5 designers - so not participating would have been like not having that much needed cuppa of the morning.  

Despite my best effort - I wasn't able to complete my whole top in time for the linky signups - but at least I had made a good attempt - much better than my Kate Spain Charms, which are currently sitting in a plastic snap lock bag waiting to be made into squares.

I used the Moda Bake Shop pattern called interwoven - I saw it somewhere in Blog land and just fell in love with it straight away!

I have another 8 rows to add to the bottom before adding a white border. I snavelled up some red n white minky for the backing from my local Spotlight at a crazy $3 per metre. 

This quilt is an over sized lap quilt - perfect for our white iron day bed that is now in our lounge room - all because the kids underbed Lego table didn't fit under the futon bed that we already had, but that is another story altogether. 

Anyway, so linking up to Bonnie & Camille Charm Along over at Ms Midge.

A super quick SNUGGLE quilt.....

3 HOURS!!!!!

Yep you read that right - it took me just under 3 hours to whip this little snuggle quilt up for a friends 40th recently. Honestly it took me longer to measure the squares out then it did to sew it all up.

Please excuse the mess in the background and just focus on the quilt - LOL.

This is the first time that I have ever used minkie as the backing on a quilt and I must say that I am now a convert.

Despite having perfectly met corners - I still added some button features, which also gave a bit more stability to the quilt sandwhich and will ensure that the backing won't move about over time!

The recipient just loved it and immediately went and put it on her new black leather lounge.  So I am super chuffed - not to mention I am still on a high for making this super quick and the fact that I have my sewjo back! 

LOST - My Mojo!

Does this happen to any one else???? I have the afternoon to myself and had planned on sewing - but I just can't seem to find my Mojo!

I even have my blinkers on and am ignoring the dirty dishes in the sink, the dishwasher that needs emptying, the overflowing washing basket and a small pile of recycling that nobody has bothered to carry out to the recycling bin. Oh and I think the fire has gone out and we are out of kindling.

I have music, I have caffeine and chocolate and I have a variety of projects to choose from being quilts, pencil rolls, PJ's etc etc all at various stages begging to be finished - but I just can't seem to find the energy to get going. I even have an adorable Owl softie that is only waiting to have a small seam stitched closed before it can go to its new home.

Living with a chronic illness, I should be used to running out of steam when I am having a flare up, but now I am just finding that I am bitterly disappointed with myself and even on the verge of tears. Oh dear!

Has anybody got any suggestions on how I can get myself out of this slump and reclaim my MOJO!!!!!!

A birthday gift.....

Hi All!

I recently found myself in a position where I either had to pull my socks up pretty quick and 

finish a rather large project for a birthday present or create a new and much smaller project. Over a much needed cup of Earl Grey Tea, I decided to make my friend a mini quilt to use both as a trivet under her teapot when she uses it or hung as a wall hanging when not in use.

I adored the Sew Kitchy pattern range the moment that Kristy released it and make sure that I grab them whilst they are in their "Free" month. You can check out more over on Kristy's blog Quiet Play.

It truly was a dream pattern to put together - even for this very Paper Pieced Challenged person! LOL I stuck to a very retro colouring that I knew would suit my friend's Kitchen area. 

Actually I am kind of sad that I have given this away - as I am very pleased with myself for how it turned out. Although my friends just adores it and used it straight away!

Linking up with this week's Paper Piecing party over on Kristy's blog here!