DAN'S CRICKET ALBUM

I'm keeping it simple due to the volume of pages I have to do. I think they've turned out okay. Daniel likes them so that's the main thing.

ORGANISING FOR SCRAPBOOKING

Today apart from cooking, I was really in the mood for scrapbooking. Well I didn't get quite that far but I did pick out, edit and get printed 170 photos and cut up 162 pages ready to scrap on.


Quite a job and it's all for my two amazing little cricketers who deserve an album each to show what they have achieved. This project has been on my mind for the last 4 years, luckly I have recorded all scores etc on little bits of paper and actually remembered where they all are.

ALL GOOD THINGS.....

sure do come to those who wait.

I have admired Heather Bailey's Freshcuts fabrics for ages and when I saw the designs in scrapbooking products I really wanted them. I'm so glad I waited though as I grabbed this lot for $18 instead of $42.50. I do love a bargain.

LOL!!!!!

Check out these new fabrics from Alexander Henry, these are for you Lisa!!!!








I would love to see a quilt made from these fabrics, I'm still laughing.

SOMETIMES......

It just happens, the quilting doesn't go as planned and I spend the rest of the night reverse stitching. (Don't you just love that phrase for unpicking, my old boss told me that one).

Hopefully I will get it right tomorrow night.

WHINGE TIME

Last year I was introduced to what seemed like a fantastic way of getting new release fabrics at a really cheap price. This site acted like a co-op, so I placed my order then waited until a quantity was reached then payed for my fabrics through paypal.
This was way back in November 2009.
I ordered all of the Hope Valley range from Fabfanatic Fabrics and still have not received a thing. I have sent countless emails and have not received one reply, so I can only assume that I have lost all of my money and will be getting nothing in return.
I am so angry that I was taken advantage of and will be extremely wary of any new places I buy my fabrics from in the future, luckily I do have some great sites that I order from and have never had a problem.

So there's my whinge, if you do ever hear of Fabfanatic Fabrics, I'd suggest to not even give them a second glance. Please don't waste your money.

AHHH PIN-WHEELS AND CRICKET

I'm loving doing these atm

I'm so proud of these boys, they have both worked so hard this season.
Dan's team in under 14's made it though to the grand final next week. It's been a hard slog to get there but they did it.

Lachie's team in under 12's were pushed out of the finals last week by the smallest amount of points. Considering his team didn't win a single game last year, they have done an amazing job.

SOPHIE'S REALLY HAPPY NOW!!!!

Yesterday's sewing produced an Insa Skirt, Riviera Leggings and Stripey Leggings.


What do you think?
I think 'Sewing Clothes Kids Love' is an awesome book full of hip, easy patterns. I think there will be more sewing this weekend.

SOPHIE'S EXCITED.....

about this book because that means Mum will be sewing for her.

here's a peek of what she wants me to make first.
Riviera leggings with frilly bottoms

Feliz party dress

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'

I'm in love. I can't wait to create with them.

PIN-WHEELS

I'm seeing them everywhere lately done in modern fresh fabrics. I really like seeing a traditional block made modern.
Here's a few of my pin-wheels done in leftover Denyse Schmidt fabrics.

SOMETHING RANDOM ABOUT ME

I love shoes!!!!! I love to look at shoes, to try shoes on but never seem to buy them.
Once upon a time before kids (and 2 incomes) I bought shoes all of the time. Now days I live in flip-flops and sneakers.
Today I went shopping and bought these. I love them all and they were sooooo cheap, only $18 each.





What can I say, I'm a sucker for a cute mary-jane.

I think I wear a pair of these when Darren and I go out on Saturday night. Yes, you heard right, we are going out to dinner (no children all night!!!!!) then off to see my favourite comedian, Ross Noble. It feels like it's been years since we went "on a date". I bought the tickets as an anniversary present, we have been married 17 years on March 20th.

NOW YOU SEE ME.... QUILT TUTORIAL

This simple quilt is made up of two alternating blocks with feature fabrics used in both blocks.

A total of 18 of each block is required to make a quilt measuring 48" x 48". Of course you can make the quilt as big or small as you like, you may also like to add a border to make the quilt larger.

FABRICS REQUIRED FOR A 48" X 48" QUILT

20cm feature fabric for block A (I used owls) You need enough fabric to fussy cut.
40cm feature fabric for block B
25cm of 4 different solid fabrics
25cm of 4 different patterned fabrics

TO MAKE 1 x BLOCK A
cut:
2 1/2" X 2 1/2" square from feature fabric
2" strip of solid fabric crosscut into 2 2" x 2 1/2"
2 2" x 5 1/2"
2" strip of patterned fabric crosscut into 2 2" x 5 1/2"
2 2" x 8 1/2"

Sew the two 2" x 2 1/2" to the sides of the feature fabric and press seams open.

Sew on the solid 2" x 5 1/2" pieces to the top and bottom of feature fabric and press.

Sew the 2" x 5 1/2" pieces of patterned fabric to the sides of the block and press.

Sew on the 2" x 8 1/2" strips to the top and bottom and press again.

Block A is now finished, now make 17 more blocks changing the solid and patterned fabrics for each block.

TO MAKE 1 x BLOCK B
cut:
1 x 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square of feature fabric
2" strip of solid fabric crosscut into 2 2" x 5 1/2"
2 2" x 8 1/2"

Sew block B together using the same method as block A


Block B is now finished, now make 17 more changing the colour of solid fabric for each block.

Lay out your blocks 6 blocks wide x 6 blocks length and move them around until you are happy with the layout.

Sew the blocks into rows and press your seams open as you go.


PINNING ROWS TO ACHIEVE A NEAT JOIN

I use this method to always get a neat join

1: place 2 rows together, right sides facing and butt up your seams. Put in a horizontal pin to hold in place.

2: Fold row back and check that seams are neat and straight.

3: If neat and straight, place rows back right sides facing and put a vertical pin either side of the seam. Take out the horizonal pin and sew, then press seams out.

Here is the finished join.


Sew your rows together using the pinning method above and your quilt top is finished.

Quilt and bind.