A Finish and A Current Project

I actually finished something. It's from the 2010 GDITC at Nundle - Anni Downs' Birdsong Jewellery Box. The embroidery was finished ages ago. Why do we procrastinate about finishing a project? It was not hard. If I was doing it again though, I would use medium pellon (ie something firmer) in the body section, not the lid or bottom.
This is what I meant when I was talking about going out of my comfort zone. I saw the original 'Square Dance' by Sue Daley at the 2012 GDITC. Sue also showed a brighter version done by her friend. I thought too hard, but it's not. It is very portable and quick using Sue's method. I'm just the slow factor in this quilt.

 The comfort zone bit comes when choosing the colours. I wear bright colours and use bright colours in the baby quilts I make. Quilts for me though are more shabby chic. I've collected in the past, ranges like Paris Flea Market and Seaside Rose. These are softly coloured. BTW, did you know that Paris Flea Market has been released again! Yummy. I wonder if I need to restock any holes in my collection. LOL. I DON'T think so. I have enough for several quilts. Still.....It's the the type of range you get out of the cupboard to play with, fondle and then put back.
So for this quilt I bought some Kaffe Fassett and Friends FQs and a finely spotted background. Perhaps a bit too finely spotted, but the bigger spots didn't look right. I wanted to keep it in line with Sue's version.

 This has not been sewn down but it will give you the idea.

Here are some of my other colour combos. The photos look a bit dull and not quite the right colour, probably the table colour.

  Putting the colour combinations together has not been easy for me. I am trying very hard not to be matchy-matchy, my usual style.
Also on my 'want to do soon' list are 2 quilts from the Material Obsession books.  I have the background fabric already for one of them. The rest will be stash. They are scrappy and out there quilts.
Coming up soon is 'Girls' Stitch In' at Highfields, put on by Quilter's Angel. I'm looking forward to three of us going up the hill for a girly day out.
Back to work tomorrow, so all craft on the backburner until I settle back into a routine again.

Take care everyone,
Kayly

Plans for 2013

Well I think it's time to get my head out of la-la land to make some definite plans for 2013.

I opted out of Chookyblue's SAL this year. Though, the projects planned are wonderful and very tempting.  I was cleaning up my sewing area and found way too many projects half done or bought for and not even started.  So I decided I really did not need to start a another whole set of different things. (I just re-read what I typed and found I had left out 'not' in the last sentence. Do you think that was my subconscious telling me I really did want to stay in it?  Message to self - Stay strong.)

In order to keep myself in check and on task, I have been able to join the  'Sew Its Finished' blog - a blog dedicated to helping you get all those UFOs finished. Nothing like having others encourage you to stay on task.

So with this in mind, I need to put a list together. Sadly it is by no means complete. I didn't want to scare myself too much!

 Layer, quilt, bind
*X-block baby quilt
*Paddington Bear baby quilt
*Circus Animals
*SKoW
*Sunshine table runner

Put together, etc
*Jungle Animal baby quilt
*Love in a Mist lap quilt
*Head Over Heels lap quilt
*Starburst table runner

GDITC projects
*Birdsong Jewell Box
*Sunglasses case
*Wool purse
*Clamshell table runner

Stitcher's Day Out projects
*Bits and Bobs Sewing purse
*Cuppa Time Mug Bag

Freeform Crotchet/Knit Handbag

Plus all the new projects I have planned.

Oh! Dear! And I haven't even looked in the last cupboard. Might leave that one closed a bit longer.

Other plans for 2013 include my mother's and her twin brother's 80th birthdays, a trip back to England, a reorganisation at work, and a redecoration of my son's old bedroom. He moved out last July into a share house with friends; luckily it's not too far away as he still needs Mum and Dad sometimes for transport and help. He has survived quite well, even doing washing, cleaning and cooking - things he certainly never did at home! I hope I haven't jinxed it, now I've said it out loud. I wish him (and his housemates) well.

I may be able to cross one thing off the list soon. I dug it out to work on while thinking of my list.

Take care everyone - particularly those in the fire danger zones and areas where the high temps are expected.

Kayly

PS- Sorry no pics this post.

When you have a ...

...lot of these,

 you make chutney.

Considering our odd weather, we have a good crop this year. So more mango smoothies, sharing with neighbours and anything else I think of using them for.
Ours is only an old 'common'. One of my walking partners is eyeing off the tree in my back neighbour's yard - it's a 'Bowen'.  For those of you who don't know their mangoes, a Bowen (or to give its correct name - 'Kennsington Pride') is the pick of the crop. She's a north Queensland born and bred girl and my old 'common' is just that, common.  ;-)

Take care,
Kayly

SSCS 2012

Look what I was lucky enough to receive from Nancy 'Near Philadelphia'.

 Thank you Nancy for my runner, book, scissors, nailfile and notebook.  The colours in the runner are perfect for our outside-inside room. It's the 'back deck' you have when your husband doesn't like mosquitoes or too much wind. It has screened louvres for 2 walls and a large folding door to separate it from the original part of the house. We painted it in very bright out-there colours, opposite to the pale colours in the original part of the house. So the runner fits in perfectly!

 The above ornament and the runner below is what I sent Ulla in Sweden. Have a look at her blog - the runner looks great draped over a tree in snowy Sweden.

Thank you Chookyblue for running this swap in what I know was a very busy year for you.

I'll be back soon with some photos of the sewing I have been doing. The colours are not my 'normal' patchwork ones. I am trying to step out of my comfort zone.

Happy New Year
Kayly

To All

Merry Christmas

 

where ever you are

I wish peace for our Earth and its citizens at this time of year

and may it continue into 2013.

Love from Kayly and family

Bloggers Meet and SSCS

Last Sunday, we had another bloggers meet at The Wishing Well Cafe at Victoria Point.  Another blogger, Maria from 'The Next Stage', joined us for the first time.  There were ten, no make that 12 of us.
Peg and Dale came for lunch, to. We heard about their adventures cruising with Heavens to Bettsy. They are off with Maree now enjoying a bit of Gold Coast glitz.

 Here they are checking out the menu. They were trying to find the good options. I think they indulged a little too much on that cruise ship at the 'all you can eat' buffets.

 "What on earth is Kayly stitching?" asked Dale.
"Can you see the doll tree ornament that Susan made for everyone?"
"Yes, Peg, and Mardi made beautiful stars for everyone also."

 "Now, this is what I call a Devonshire Tea, Peg."

The others in our group loved meeting Peg and Dale, but said they would love to meet the real ones.

This is what was in my letterbox last Thursday.
It is my SSCS present from Nancy, all the way from 'near' Philadelphia, USA.

The beautifully embroidered ornament is now hanging on my tree and the presents are under it.
Thank you Nancy.

On a sadder note and speaking of America, I cannot finish without saying something of the events of recent days. My husband and I send our thoughts and prayers to all at Sandy Hook Elementary School and the town of Newtown. I commend the bravery of the staff and students. The ultimate sacrifices by the staff to protect their students will be remembered.

Take care everyone,
Kayly

In Santa's Sleigh...

That's where these are now...on their way to my SSCS partner all the way around the world in....shhh it's still a secret.

 Another finish this month is this long shawl. It's Tunisian crochet - a simple lacy pattern - just a slight variation on Tunisian simple stitch. I wanted a long shawl I could swish around my shoulders. Now I'm on the hunt for a wooden peg or pin to help keep it place. Only a season or two late.

At the recent Wine and Food Show, we bought a number of cheeses...well okay... a lot of cheese. DH put the expiry dates on the front so we eat them in the right order. This one didn't last long.
 It was DELICIOUS!!!! We thoroughly recommend it - creamy, buttery, smooth.

Now I have to find out where in Brisbane I can get it.

Wanted - suggestions.
We are putting in another garden bed. I hoping to screen out some neighbours and create an outdoor room. We went to the nursery this morning looking at possible plants. I need fast growers. I'm not young enough to wait years for my green screen to grow. So gardeners out there, what would recommend.

Have a good weekend everyone,
Kayly