Tea parties and cupcakes

Was the very first thing that I thought of when I was posted this month's colour challenge from Clare at  http://clarescraftroom.blogspot.com/.     This the picture that I was sent

And this is the colour that I was given

I knew that I had the perfect piece of fabric in my stash which covered both the colour and the picture so with that in mind I decided to make some coasters for my son and daughter-in-law.     Here is how they turned out.

Thank you Clare for organising another fun challenge.   I  look forward to the next one in February.

In the meantime happy sewing.

FNSI

Is something that I have not done in such a long time.     I used to find by the end of the working week I was "brain dead" and could not concentrate on sewing or anything else for that matter.   Now that I am retired from the workforce, with the start of daylight saving the nights are brighter and warmer I feel like sitting down, sewing and seeing something finished at the end.     So I put my name down to join in the fun.  I made sure that all those mundane domestic chores were off the list by mid afternoon, dinner was well on the way to being prepared so that I could get myself going late afternoon without any interruptions.

I have been working on this project on and off over the last few weeks and took the opportunity last night to finish it off.     When I was at the Craft and Quilt Fair last year I spotted this cot panel hanging up.

I thought at the time that it would make a great cloth book.  I sat on it for sometime working out how I was going to chop it up and put it into book form.    After taking it out, looking at it from time to time then putting it away again the time had arrived to do something with it as bub really enjoys looking books and storytime with grandpa.   I decided that the best way to construct the book was to cut around each block then applique it onto a "double page" of fabric.  And this is how it ended up.

When it bought the panel I did not realise just how much detail was in each picture.    Each time I look at the pages I see something else.   I know that grandpa will enjoy looking at the book with bub, pointing out each object that starts with the letter and making up a story to go with the picture.

Now I am off to Sugarlane Quilts to check what everyone else has been up to during FNSI.  Thanks Wendy for organising last night and I will be back next month.

In the meantime happy sewing

Leura Garden Festival

Was were hubs and I ventured to on the weekend to hunt down some blossom trees and we were not disappointed.    The streets around the area are full of blossom trees

 I enjoyed walking among the gorgeous trees and taking photos

The photo below reminds me of ballerinas in their pretty dresses

Tulips and bluebells seem to enjoy the cold climate of the area

Time to head home and we found that we were not the only blossom hunters on the road.   Cannot go forward

Or backwards

Oh well turn up the music, sit back and reflect on the enjoyable day.     We eventually reached home safely.

Happy birthday

Yesterday was a big day for bubs.      It was her 1st birthday party and she enjoyed every minute of it. Being a 1st birthday and the only grandchild on both sides of the family she scored very well in the present department.

  
Checking out what is inside some of that wrapping paper with the help of mum and dad

The theme of the party was the Hungry caterpiller

Mingling with the guests.    In the photo below she is having a conversation with her great grandmother

At the end of a big day a girl needs a cuddle and  some downtime

Little dresses

This is the result of my not being able to  get out the door while the tree loppers were busy.  Four little dresses for my granddaughter.     I used the same basic pattern and put a different sleeve on each one.    Everytime I visit the fabric shop I manage to find a piece or two that would look pretty made up as a item of clothing for a little girl.

I have to say that I cringe when I look at what  shops charge for children's clothing.     All that it takes is less than a metre of fabric and a couple of hours to complete each dress.    I have a couple of other items that are cut out and ready to be fed into my machine.    

This weekend is the beginning of daylight saving and I am so looking forward to darker mornings and brighter nights.  

Back soon with a piccie of the other items and in the meantime happy sewing.