mumistitches

Pick me up...

2009-03-01T18:55:00.002+11:00

How delicious is this fabric....mmm....I just love it...so pretty...

I have been busy whipping up this quilt for a lovely lady but to be honest I'm in a bit of a crafty rut...I have just taken a Management position at work and I think I'm feeling a little overwhelmed about how I'm going to squeeze everything in to my week...

Hopefully a upcoming visit to crafty heaven will be just what the doctor ordered!!

:: thank you to all who contacted me it's very much appreciated - Leah could you email me again as you came up without an email address, thanks

picking up the pieces...

2009-02-19T21:53:00.002+11:00

wow...it's hard to get back into the swing of everyday life after such an emotional few weeks...

everywhere you turn it's another sad story of loss and grief...one of the young girls I work with has had to say goodbye to two of her loved ones who unfortunately didn't survive the fires...

I have also just found out that my sisters lovely friend has lost her beautiful home in the Kinglake bushfires...This particular girl is not unlike myself, a bit of a homebody with young children, she loves her craft...sewing, cross stitch, teddy bear making...she had beautiful tapestries that she worked on for hours on end, her home was so cosy and inviting...

she has lost it all...and my heart breaks for her...don't get me wrong there are a lot who have far worse stories to tell, but it really hits home when it's someone you know....

so in an effort to turn it all around I am going to put together a few things for her and her little boys...not the practical things we all use every day but those little things she won't be able to replace for some time to come, needles and thread, fabric and books, I think I'll even try to whip up a quilt and some home sewn goodies...

what would you miss the most if it was all taken from you in an instant???

:: if anyone has any crafty goodies laying about that they would like to donate to this lovey lady please send me an email

tears....

2009-02-10T21:53:00.002+11:00

What a terrible few days we have endured....the worst bushfire's in Australian history are sweeping through our state destroying everything in their path...

So many people have lost loved ones, entire towns have been wiped out, hundreds are now homeless...

I can't even begin to image the pain and sorrow of those affected....

My brother and his family had to evacuate their home but luckily it was spared....My parents have their car loaded with treasured possessions just in case...My sister and her beautiful family moved out of their Kinglake home only a short while ago....

It seems there is someone watching over for us...keeping us safe...for this I will always be grateful...

An overdue facelift...

2009-02-02T21:53:00.003+11:00

I have been overcome by an irresistible urge to repaint the whole house...We've lived here with white walls for six years now and I have put it off long enough...

so I'm tossing up between Buckaroo, Wheat Cake and Rolling Pebble...Gee who comes up with these names, don't you think that would be a crazy job??

Heat Wave....

2009-01-30T07:43:00.003+11:00

Ugggghhhh....we're in the midst of a heat wave...we're talking four days with the temperature above 40 degrees, the last two days it's reached 43 degrees...ouch!!

I have tried working on this baby quilt but our air conditioner just isn't cutting it any more so I have been spending a bit of time on the web and have found some great sites...

If you love a good giveaway have a peek here....
Or you need a new project to sink your teeth into this site has a huge list of free tutorials...

Hopefully the cool change will arrive before I melt into a puddle on the floor!!

Snags, Pav and Ramsey St...

2009-01-26T21:11:00.002+11:00

What a fabulous Australia Day weekend....blue skies...wonderful company...snags cooked on the BBQ...yummy pav....

And...
a trip to Ramsay St...Ohh my...Luka was in heaven....didn't see Zeke though!!

button bonanza...

2009-01-25T13:18:00.002+11:00

If you have a bit of a button fetish and love a good giveaway then pop on over to by Gorgeous Sister in Laws blog....

she has buttons coming out of her ears at the moment...and unfortunately can't take them with her to the USA when she heads home this week...hurry giveaway ends Tuesday Melbourne time...GOOD LUCK!!

the six of us in black and white...

2009-01-24T22:18:00.002+11:00

This year I'd really like to focus on improving my photography...I've always loved taking photos and have even studied it briefly many moons ago...way before the digital age arrived...

I have been attempting some take some creative shots and so far these have made it onto our walls...I wanted to record our family at the beginning of 2009...and I think each photo captures our personalities perfectly...

Nest...

2009-01-20T16:50:00.003+11:00

Here it is...my Nest quilt top waiting to be quilted...

I have really enjoyed using white fabric to enhance the colours...it's so simple but effective...

I think there may be some similar quilts on the horizon....

quilting like a mad woman...

2009-01-19T17:43:00.004+11:00

Woo Hoo...Yippee...Horray...It's all finished, well the top is anyway...

I love it ...and it looks perfect in my bedroom, which is where is will be residing...

so with one project out of the way, I just had to start another one right?

I spent this afternoon playing with my new Nest fabric, I really like it but somethings not right...hmm maybe the white has to go...what do you think???

bits and bobs...

2009-01-18T17:28:00.005+11:00

I have quite a fondness for vintage children's books as you know, and while on holidays I found some gorgeous little golden books to add to my ever growing collection...

now, I can tell you the little fat policeman is hilarious...what a find!!!

I also picked up a few old ladybird readers and even a romper room book....I think I paid about 20cents to $1 for them...bargains!!

today I have been trying to focus on finishing off a few projects before tackling one or two of the new ones swimming around in my head....

this is my 6ft plus husband standing on a chair holding half of my Summer Palace quilt....YIKES...it touches the ceiling....I knew it was going to be huge but...it's BLOODY ENORMOUS!!!

I'm still stitching away at my Truly Scrumptious BOM too...

I'm a little bit behind...this is block four and block eight arrived last week so I guess I'd better get moving...

eye candy...

2009-01-17T22:31:00.004+11:00

It didn't take me long to discover a little quilt shop in Portland with the most scrumptious selection of fabrics...choc a block full of jelly rolls...sweet rolls...turn overs...mmmm....

of course what holiday would be complete without a souvenir or two right?

you all know by now that I love...love...love Tula Pink fabrics and I have been obsessing over Nest for a while now...I have seen it alot online but really wanted to see it in the flesh, so to speak, to see how rich the colours are...well...it's gorgeous, so bright and funky, I am just bursting to start sewing with it...

I also couldn't resist Swanky, I'd never come across it before...but it's so fun and cute I had to have it..how about the sweet roll, a little mini jelly roll...

I also picked up some vibrant spots and florals on my travels...but I think the best bargain I found was in this cheap discount store, you know the kind that sells everything under about $10...they sold fabric...yes fabric...and not just any kind...quilt fabric...lakehouse...kaufman...all for $9 per mt...

I tell you what, I have soooo many projects buzzing around in my head I can hardly think straight...but I'm going to be extra good and get a few unfinished projects finished first...well that's the plan...we'll see how I go!!

there and back again...

2009-01-17T21:50:00.006+11:00

we arrived back home today from our sensational beach getaway....

how gorgeous is this little house we stayed in...this is the second time we have stayed there, it's so homely and comfy...

with such a beautiful garden...I didn't want to leave...

the weather was perfect for frolicking at the beach...

we all had such a wonderful time...

it was hard to say goodbye to those white sandy beaches...but I'm sure we'll visit again soon!

We're all going on a Summer holiday...

2009-01-09T21:24:00.002+11:00

beach bum...the official term for one who lounges about, soaking up the suns rays, enjoying the warm sand between their toes and the cool sea lapping at their feet...that's what we'll be this week....

all the essentials are packed...a great book...funky music...needles and thread...what more could a girl want?

See you in a week....if I decided to come back that is...

unexpected quilting...

2009-01-08T14:33:00.003+11:00

I arrived at work bright and early this morning to find out there had been a mix up with the roster and that I had the day off...woo hooo...

I skipped all the way home because I was itching to do this....

the second panel of my Summer Palace quilt...

as I've said before this one is going to be huge...hopefully I'll have the top finished today and then I'll start looking around to get it professionally quilted, if there are any machine quilters out there feel free to drop me a line..

WIP part two...

2009-01-07T15:12:00.003+11:00

Well as you can see my Flutterby quilt top is zooming along nicely...after much umming and ahhing I decided to go ahead with my first choice and not to use any white sashing....

which I'm quiet happy about...I have however stored this idea away for a new baby quilt I'm planning to make with the flutterby scraps...

We are totally immersed in school holidays now...and it's nice to have some extra hands when you need them...

If anyone can tell me how to take a good photo of a quilt I'd love to hear it....

WIP #39997....

2009-01-07T12:57:00.003+11:00

I have been carefully storing this beautiful Tula Pink fabric waiting for inspiration to take hold....

I started piecing a few squares before Christmas and have finished the rest this morning...I love the bold colours and too cute little insects hidden here and there...

but I'm in not sure if I should go ahead and sew the blocks together as shown in the photo or if it would have more impact if each square was bordered in white...

hmmm...I may have to dig out some white fabric and have a wee play I think...

New Beginnings...

2009-01-06T14:43:00.002+11:00

2009 is finally here, and it's about time too...

After a frantic year of ups and downs, twists and turns I was only too eager to welcome in the New Year....

A year that is bound to be filled to the brim with all things wonderful....

My creative juices seem to be warming up along with the Summer heat and I have a long list of projects I can't wait to sink my teeth into now that the Christmas craziness is all over....

Oh...and did you spot my beautiful Christmas present?

how many turtledoves?

2008-12-11T06:42:00.005+11:00

wow....has it really been one month since my last post? I have been so busy with work and everyday mum stuff that my poor old blog took the back burner....

Whilst I was gone Christmas has arrived and I seemed to have developed an extreme fondness for all things bird like...

Much to Patchouli's delight....

They have crept into every corner of our home...

Perching here and there...

They have even started nesting in my sewing room....

Exactly how many turtledoves is too many???

desperately seeking sun, sand and serentity...

2008-11-08T00:06:00.004+11:00

Wow... I can't believe November upon us and we're staring down the barrel of the silly season...

And just between you and me, I'll be glad when this year is done and dusted...we've been on a nightmarish rollercoaster ride this year and I have decided today that our little family is in desperate need of....

FUN....

for the last couple of days I have been hunting high and low, so to speak, looking for the perfect beachy holiday getaway to no avail....

So I'm calling for ideas....Do you have a favourite holiday spot...Somewhere to unwind and blow the cobwebs off...I'd love your suggestions...

Family....

2008-11-04T20:49:00.003+11:00

I spent today hanging around with two of my most favourite people in the world....

And because I love giving pressies, there is going to be a super cute 2 year old strutting about in a super cute tape measure lady tee...

And come February a new bundle wrapped up tighter than a silk worm in a very flowery, very girlie muslin wrap....which by the way was inspired by one of my other fave people....

Beauty....

2008-11-02T14:23:00.001+11:00

just because they are so beautiful...welcome November....

Unexpected Delights...

2008-11-02T14:05:00.007+11:00

We visited our local market this morning to buy some yummy pesto and bread, and to my surprise I found these instead.....

I love vintage Little Golden Books and have quite a few now, does anyone remember these....

But my absolute favourite is The Happy Family.....

Ohh, how I wished I was blonde haired, blue eyed Peggy.....

Have you ever seen a happier looking family...

Who knew washing dishes could be so much fun....

Aren't the pictures just divine...

Batter Up....

2008-10-24T22:15:00.002+11:00

We have a new Friday night hang out....

I know nothing about it but I'm loving it...

Yes...I'm now a baseball mum...

Gee...just when I thought I couldn't possibly squeeze anything else into my schedule Finn decided baseball sounded like fun...

So now we have basketball on Monday, Thursday and Sunday...Baseball on Thursday and Friday...Bowling on Wednesday...I just wish I was coordinated enough to sew and cheer at the same time...

Step Back In Time...

2008-10-14T21:37:00.015+11:00

How hilarious is this site...Year Book Yourself....if you have ever wondered what you would look like in the 60's, what your children would look like with Afro's or what your husband would look like with a comb over, then this is the site for you!

We had sooo much fun on the weekend uploading our photos, you really should check it out, I'd love to see your yearbook photos....

This is myself, John, Sian and Finn in the 60's...I just love that bob!!

Us in the 50's...the scary thing is I look just like my Nana!!

And...wait for it....

Help...it's the hair bear bunch!!!!

I laughed till I cried....I plan on making my own Christmas cards...much to Blaine and Luka's horror...