Good Friends...

Just dropping in quickly to Thank all my new blog friends I've made this year, for their kind words and encouragement, for their inspiration and also to those who read my blog... I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Strawberry Bag Tutorial

I hope you all enjoy this easy peasy tutorial, any queries please let me know, Drum roll please...

Delve into your scraps and find two contrasting fabrics measuring about 9" (it really doesn't matter what size, but we will just go with this for the sake of this tutorial) 

Lay the squares right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam around the square remembering to leave a gap to turn it through...

Next clip the corners and turn the square so the right sides are facing out, then press flat...

Now you can either slip stitch the opening closed by hand or stitch it closed by machine(as close as you can to the edge).  Then fold the corners into the middle, I have measured 4" but once again it really doesn't matter too much. I like to press them flat but you can just pin it in place instead...

Now stitch the folds down leaving  a casing wide enough to thread some thin cord...

Stitch all four corners and trim threads.  You are almost there! Now you will need to cut two lengths of thin cord, (to show how to thread the bags I have used more cord than necessary, but once you understand the concept you can use less cord it just might be a teensie weensie bit trickier)  Ok now tie one end onto a small safety pin...

Pull the thread through all four casing triangles so it looks like this...

Now do the same with the second piece of cord only start threading at the opposite side so they look like this...

Hmm not the best photo but I hope you can all see  the thread ends. Ok knot the two ends together on each side, flip the square(maybe I should say octagon now) over, and pull the strings and...

have a little fiddle and a wriggle and Ta Da...

Perhaps you can see why I call it a strawberry bag(for want of a better name) Made in Christmas fabrics, I fill them with Mackintosh Lollies, or maybe hair ties for a girl, or marbles for a boy? and tie them on the Christmas tree, and each guest gets to take one home.  I have used them to wrap a nice soap for a friend or a smelly candle to use in my clothes drawers...

Or you could try making a casserole carrier...

I made this one out of two fat quarters and some batting(try insulbrite), it will hold a small casserole dish, though next time I think I will try quilting it first. If you have any other ideas, please let me know.

Have fun!

Christmas Swap

I belong to an online quilting group called Back Porch Friends, they are such a lovely bunch of ladies, caring and friendly, just like bloggers:o)) Anyway they were having a Christmas swap and being that most of them live in America  I didn't bother joining in until Michelle(such a good name Lol) posted that she would like to join in too but lived too far away.  Well Michelle(no blogger) also loves in New Zealand, so I contacted her and as they say the rest is history.  Here are my new very special decorations...

All packaged so nicely I almost didn't want to open them and some yummy chocolate truffles!

Just look at the lovely blues stars and...

This gorgeous fabric!

And don't they look great on our tree...

Thank you so much Michelle I adore them and will think of you every Christmas!

Michelle also liked the decorations I sent her(she is so kind) and asked if I would share with her how I made them, so tomorrow I will post a tutorial, I know it is a bit late for this year, but I also use them for other things throughout the year... Intrigued? I will reveal all tomorrow and best of all they are quick and easy.  I actually think I have seen one in a magazine to hold sewing bits and pieces.  Until then keep safe and enjoy your friends and family throughout the holiday season.

PS. The chocolate truffles suffered a terrible fate they never made it til Christmas day! Lol!

Where did it go?

I can hardly believe it's been 18 days since I last posted, where has the month gone??? I suppose I should start by telling you what I've been up to. Well... maybe not perhaps I should just start a fresh instead of boring y'all! Okay just a quick recap of the highlights...
We are now in school holiday mode, time to wind down a little. We had prize giving last night and my children made me proud! Michael was MC for the evening and he did a great job especially since he didn't know he was doing it until the day!  Last weekend we went on a Church Family Camp, and what a lovely relaxing funfilled time we had! I really enjoyed the meetings that were held and cant wait til next year. The rest of the month was filled with allsorts of things. I hardly feel like I've been home at all lately, so today has been dedicated to catching up on some much needed chores.
This is my sewing room at the moment...

Hopefully I will tackle this mess tonight, I don't work well in this sort of environment, I can handle only so much!

I have been working on a few gifts for Christmas and my Sudoku Quilt, my family have all made the comment that the colours are not my normal choice, but I love it! So does Little Miss Olivia, she waltzes into my sewing room glances at my design wall and with hands on hips announces "This is my quilt, it will be going on my bed!" I hadn't sewn one seam at this stage, she has told everyone it's hers! Well at least I know it will be loved! And just maybe she might let me snuggle under it from time to time Lol! So here's a peak...

I have used 1/1/2" sashing strips, but I think they are too narrow, I will probably make them 2" instead. What do you think? I will probably do a 2" border as well, then a 6" border using the light pink print with the circles. I am not sure how to quilt it either at the moment, Any ideas? I am leaning towards straight lines or would it look better with some curves?

Okay I better go do some more chores, I will try to post more often;o)))

Random Inspiration...

I wanted to share some photo's my DD1 took a few weeks ago...

Don't they just make you wanna go find a colouring in book Lol! I think my inner child is calling...

And here is another photo I forgot to share...

Not really sure why(do I need a reason) but i fell for these place mats unfortunately they already belong to Kingfisher Cottage, I figure it's just another great reason to go back for a visit!!!

PS Don't forget to keep a lookout for clues...