Paper piecing...the scary version?

Work has started back after the Christmas break, but there are still a few things to catch up on.

Here is Lea's sewing bag that I made her for Christmas...I ran out of time, so gave it to her with my needle, thread and scissors inside...then completed sewing in the base after she had opened it...she had a good laugh!

Not really knowing why, I started collecting the ends of my sewing threads in a jar beside my chair a few months back...it is amazing what a big clump there is, so I have started collecting again for this year...now I know I must have been sewing even if I don't feel I have achieved anything very much.

A few months ago I began a paper piecing club, starting with civil war repros (which were lovely), I craved a bit more colour. So now I am piecing with brighter fabrics and having lots of fun...

 this fun fabric was purchased on my recent trip to MO (Lea thinks it is a bit scary but I love it!)...

and some others.

Heading off to have dinner with some dear friends tonight...lovely to catch up as it has been MONTHS since I last saw them...really looking forward to it.

Hope all is well at your place!

Cardygirl xx

A little break away...

...with friends miles and miles away from anywhere (it felt like it anyway!).

A couple of days on the farm with just some very dear friends and a herd of cows for company.

Lots of stitching...

walking up hill and down dale...

cow spotting...

and trying to keep Ben out of my stitching!

A really nice time...

drinks at sunset....

 and stitching until the light disappeared...

Cardygirl xx

Goodbye 2011!

 Evening is falling here...and 2011 is almost over. 

Whilst each year has it's highs and lows, this one has been a bit taxing! Long absences of loved ones with the subsequent hardships of managing daily life without support, the challenges of parenting young adults who experience adult problems, supporting parents finding their way alone again and the myriad of worries that seem to pervade our lives. Whilst this all adds resilience and colour to life, I would hope 2012 may be a little calmer in my household.

In 2012 I look forward to DD starting her new life and job on the coast full of hope and love, DS continuing with his studies and further maturing into a young man who is truly lovely to know, and that dear SB will see some reward for his very consuming work commitments which will enhance life for us all. Decisions need to be made about relocating from our rural home of more than twenty years as work and family commitments are no longer here. Moving back to the city of my youth I feel some trepidation...will I fit in...do I wish to settle back here? Family and friends are keen for my return...I feel becalmed and unsure. As one wise friend assured me...time will reveal which way to go. So I must be patient.

Fortunately  I have my pressure release valve which always keeps me sane(?) or perhaps at least anchored! Stitching takes me away and calms my head...I think designated time each day will be the key. My boss laughs about the little bag of fabric, hexies and gluestick on my desk...he calls it my security blanket! Small and achievable projects...lots of bright colours...stretching some boundaries....that will keep me grounded.

My last finish for this year was an apron for DD...super cute and very retro in 30's repro...for her new kitchen (a late Christmas present)...

and some inspiration for 2012 comes from Lise, some lovely "Friendship" charm squares that I think will become a new version of this...

I need to do it before we meet at GDITC in March...thankyou!

Thank you for being my blog friends in 2011, each comment is appreciated and your support valued. 

Have a Happy New Year and may 2012 be kind to you and yours!

Cardygirl xx

Hexies, books & Sugar Baby!

That lovely post Christmas lull has found us...I was a bit worried that I had missed it!

So I was able to find my way back to the pile of WIP's sitting near my chair, and find something fun to do!

This is stage one of a Hexagon embellished cushion cover...a purchase from Material Obsession on my recent visit. I love hexies and it was fun to fiddle with it last night. I think the bottom row of hexies will be placed straight as they do draw the eye a bit! It came in a little box with everything but thread & the cushion insert...pattern, needle, glue stick, papers, clip for hexie holding & gorgeous ribbon to trim the back as well as the fabric in your choice of contemporary, pretty or festive!

This lovely book was a gift for Christmas...I am loving it!

I made four of these little bags, from Anni's book, as presents...but forgot to take pics...oops! I will try & get them back for a photo shoot as they are all different colours & designs to suit their recipients. This one was inspired by a cute pattern of Stephanie's called Sugar Baby...I love Dresdens!

More tomorrow...

Cardygirl xx

Memories of another Christmas too quickly passed...

That is probably the worst thing about Christmas...before you know it, it has whizzed on by!

All the preparation, planning and lead-up, then it flies past in a flurry of paper, ribbons, laughter and celebration. Whilst I always love this season, I always find time to reflect on the year that has been and what I hope for the year ahead. 

Back to this year though, a small family gathering...just us and my mum...I have always wondered what a big boisterous family Christmas would be like...we are just a small unit...but we always have a lovely time together. This year we were joined for part of the day by DD's very lovely boyfriend...how lucky we were to have him share our day. 

Lovely gifts were given and received...memories shared.

And a special part was the lovely gift I received from Anita in the SSCS...a beautifully embroidered mini quilt and fun cow calendar...watch out Chookyblue as I will be "spot on" at identifying Dutch cows now! The stitching is lovely...I felt very spoilt!

So I look to the year ahead...DD is about to move away to a new position on the coast (she is super excited)...I need to make decisions about where our family is based...and I hope to finish my study in 2012.

Are you looking forward too? 

Cardygirl xx

Have the happiest Christmas!

As usual, the week leading up to Christmas has zipped by...work...social events...collecting family from Sydney Airport...the best of intentions to blog...and the rush to finish gifts!

Tuesday was a quick trip to Sydney and the opportunity to visit with Kathy and her inspiring team at Material Obsession...even met the lovely Wendy Williams of Flying Fish fame.

It was like the proverbial kid in a candy store...so much lovely fabric...not sure what to do!

In the end I bought some quirky bits that will fussy cut beautifully!

Hope everyone has a joyous Christmas with those you love...and if those you love are far away, may you have time to reflect on when you will be together again.

We are having a quiet family Christmas, nice sharing some peaceful time.

Cardygirl xx

Almost looked like snow!

But not quite! In the midst of my pre-Christmas mayhem I made an ottoman for DS...he requested black, bright blue & green and some robot fabric I had used in a quilt for him.

From a pattern by Kathy at Material Obsession (Turban Ottoman I think) that was also in a Quilters Companion magazine...super easy and quick & really looks smart (I think!). We decided to fill it with bean bag beans...they were everywhere!!!! I believe they have minds of their own!!! If I wasn't in Australia I might think there was a blizzard coming!

So now while I am running around like a mad woman, DS can chill out with his tootsies up! That is, after the lawns are mowed and his room is tidy...and he has walked the dog...and swept the path....and....

 Cardygirl xx

A Sewing Christmas nightmare...

'Twas two weeks before Christmas in Cardygirl's house, 

Cardy was sewing,  she daren't leave the house.

She needed to hang the stockings, but no chimney there...

please, please don't let St Nick soon be ANYWHERE near there!

Sound familiar?????

All was going well after work this morning, washing done, house fairly tidy...time to finish those presents!

I was going SO WELL...I was really impressed by myself actually...I could handle any pressure the festive season wanted to throw at me...far too smug I say in hindsight.

Things looked like this...very happy creating...just a peek...then this happened...

a rotary cutter injury...ow...ow...ow! Nice slice off the old fingernail...ow! Not good!

And naturally not a bandaid in the house!

So what did I do? May as well do the groceries while I am out buying bandaids...then cook a cake for a lunch I am going to tomorrow...may as well blog about my poor coordination.

Lesson of the day...when you are rushing, remember to move your fingers!

 Might get back to those pressies tomorrow?

Cardygirl xx

Ho Ho Ho!

 Christmas tree up and  decorated!

Santas arranged!

Quilt hung in the entry!

Now just need to finish those pressies!

Wish me luck!

Cardygirl xx

SSCS swap surprise!

My SSCS swap for 2011 has arrived...all the way from Anita in the Netherlands!

I was REALLY excited!!! 

I have placed my gift under the tree for Christmas (no peeking, squeezing or shaking!), but opened my ornament and a couple of treats that Anita sent. I waited until we were all home to do this (mutter, mutter from the kids) as I wanted to share this lovely surprise.

Delicious and beautifully stitched gingerbread men to hang on my tree...

and cute dutch treats...clogs and coffee sweets in a cute tin!

Thankyou Anita...I love them!

 Feeling festive, I made a gift bag...

and caught up with some cross stitch!

I am now feeling quite festive...how about you?

Cardygirl xx