Two little birdies, sitting in a tree....

I made an applique tea towel just like this one last year as part of a birthday present for my sister in law Tracy, and it was really hard to give it away! (You can check her blog 'The Pickled Owl' out here). So I have finally got around to making one for myself and a spare, because if you're making one you might as well make two.  It was so easy using the iron on visoline and blanket stich on my sewing machine.

 

I got the tea towels from Freedom, they always have a big bin of tea towels for only $2 each and there's heaps to choose from too. The fabric I used in the applique was out of my stash.

And while I was at it I thought I'ld try an owly pot holder too, which turned out looking cute but a bit psychedelic due to all the different patterned fabrics put together.

Cheers, hope it's been a good weekend Jenni xx

Dribs and Drabs

You may recall a couple of posts ago I was swooning over this quilt and so wanted to make one, after buying the pattern (which just called for a jellyroll) and the 'Bliss' charm square pack; I decided what I really liked about the quilt was the colour combo "A Spoonful of Sugar" had used in theirs. Big mistake, big, big, big mistake! It has been an absolute mission identifing and ordering the fabric to make this quilt since this range has so many fabric designs in it.

I have heard of people getting sick of the fabric they're working with through the making of a quilt, but I tell ya I really felt over it just through the process of ordering it for this one!  It was impossible to order all the different designs I wanted from one shop, so I had to buy what I could here there and everywhere; and in the process I fear I have bought way too much fabric and it's probably cost me three times as much as a jellyroll. Lesson learnt there:(  I think I'll just go the jellyroll next time! Also I have had parcels of fabric coming in dribs and drabs.

Enter plan B. I probably have enough fabric to back the quilt and more to boot.  I'm making this quilt for my daughter's bed, and I do really like this fabric range, so I'll have to put that little charm square pack and any leftovers to good use too and have found the perfect shabby edge quilt to try here on Bloom.  It is a full raw-edge layer cake quilt toutorial. Ironicaly it happens to be made from the same 'Bliss' fabric!  Jen xx

Right Now

Right now I am working on two lap quilts for birthday presents.  These are the second and third quilts I have made, and I have kept to the same pattern, simple blocks. This is an ideal pattern to start quilting and so easy to make for a gift; and perfectly suited for lap quilts.  I just need to buy some fabric for the sashing and the backs and then I'll be back with some more progress pics.

This is the first quilt I made. It is a lap quilt with bamboo fibre wadding, which is surprisingly warm! The fabric and pattern are both from Spotlight, last year's winter season - very owly.

Anyway have a good weekend! Jenni xx

Learning Crochet

Over Easter I learnt to crochet from my awesome Aunty Annie. It was just basic crochet but it wasn't as hard as I imagined; and I don't know why I'd put so many road blocks in the way. Before you read any further I have to warn you I'm a Blythe doll tragic! And my bank account is looking rather tragic due to these cute little dolls!  I actually made a doll hat (for my Blythe of course!), which I was most happy with for my first project.

Still I'd love to be able to make something like this. Such nice stiching and look at all those delicious colours. I think I'll have to work my way up to that one day! However the lovely Lucy of Attic24 has provided a very detailed tutorial for anyone interested in making this georgeous hexie creation.....

 I so heart this! Jenni xx

Birthday Bliss

Some more happy mail has been finding it's way to my door. First up is a 'June Bug' quilt pattern created by Camille Roskelley and a bliss charm square pack. I'm really loving this fabric range and been drooling over and totally inspired by this quilt by Spoon full of Sugar.

Next are these mini Tag Books from erinzam on etsy, the turquoise one was an extra gift, a lovely birthday  surprise thanks Erin!

I also treated myself to these scrapbook bits and pieces from Gail at Greatest View. I have bought from her etsy store before and her products are so beautifully made and equally packaged. She can be found here.

 

 And I bought myself some lovely earrings from Sara's Creations on etsy; and she also gifted me the pendant to match, thank you Sarah :). Her jewellery is so beautifully made and can be found here

 

I love buying from etsy knowing that someone has hand crafted the item or that it's someone's little home business, and it's always a buzz getting it in the mail!

Something that's not from etsy but recently bought and have wanted for ages is this kitchen trolley. All I need now is a big old country kitchen to put it in! Sigh...oh well I can always keep dreaming:)   x Jen

Birthday Card Calendar

Every month some girlfriends and I get together and have a card making night. Last month was the first time I've made it this year, how slack is that! My gorgeous, wonderful and lovely talented friend Narelle whose house we get together at, also happens to be a Stampin' Up demonstrator, and had got the girls to make one of these:-

Its a book to hold all your cards, month to month so you can have them ready for up coming birthdays. Well when I laid my eyes on it I just had to make one too, and it is surprisingly easy to put together.  All you need is six double sided 12"x12" papers for the pages and a couple more to cover the front and back cover. Two pieces of card for the front and back covers and four jump rings to bind it. Then any embellishments to decorate it to your taste.
The first step is to fold four inches up along the bottom of your 12" square paper and then fold that in half, creating a double sided page with pockets to hold your cards, do that for all six pages. Come in about 1cm and measure and mark every 4cm along the sides, there should be 4 marks for you to punch holes for the jump rings.

 
Next cut two pieces of card, can be from recycled breakfast cereal packets, to measure 6.5" x 8.5". Cover them with papers, creating something special for the front cover. Then use one of the pages to line up along the side, with even amounts at the top and bottom of the page to mark holes for the  jump rings.
Print a month to month calendar or email me for the pdf one I used here; and cut and paste to the pages, I also lined the front cover and created a pocket for extra cards. Finish off embellishing front cover, creating a title. I called mine 'birthday card calendar'.

Then attach the jump rings and yippee! you're finished, you have a place to put all your cards and you can see whose birthday is coming up. x Jen