Tartankiwi

BUZZZZzzzz!

2013-06-19T06:30:00.000+12:00

Having already designed butterfly, and ladybird blocks, it seemed only right that I design a bumble bee too.

Here's what I came up with:

I must admit that I haven't had a chance to make this one up myself yet, but Angela, one of my lovely pattern testers has and here's what she came up with:

Isn't it good that I got it tested as this bumble bee is facing the wrong direction (oops!)

The pattern is for a 12 inch block, but as Angela chose to make it up as a 6 inch block, it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to include formulas so that you can reduce the size if you want.

You can find the bumble bee pattern in my Craftsy Store. It will be free for the first month and then I'll probably start charging a minimal amount for it.

Make sure that you hop over to Dee's blog today for a spot of winter crafting for children

The Little Red Hottie!

2013-06-18T14:05:00.000+12:00

I should have been at work yesterday, selling fabrics, but instead I was at home with a miserable little boy who was full of the cold. I just couldn't send him to preschool, it wouldn't have been fair... on anyone!

So instead, we snuggled on the sofa together and I read story after story after story to him.

Then while he slept, I found myself with some unexpected sewing time. Ah the luxury!

I made a start on a project that I have been wanting to get around to ever since I heard about it! A hottie for the Hottie Project.

I made it using Adrianne's pattern. She has written a great tutorial if you need it too! Its easy to make and creates a cute hottie cover don't you think.

I decided to use this first hottie for quilting practise. I reasoned that the recipient was unlikely to be the quilting police and a small quilt sandwich was perfect to help get my free motion quilting confidence back up. My quilting definitely got better as the afternoon wore on... I think I might just have to do some more quilting practise in the next few days to consolidate the progress that I made.

Last night I splashed out and bought a batch of good quality thread. With that in the house there will be no excuse but to try more free motion quilting (it turns out that my sewing machine is a thread snob and will only do decent FMQ with the most expensive thread- just my luck!)

Right, guess what's next on my makes list?

Yes, you guessed it- more hotties!

Have you been following along with Matariki Crafting. Laura wrote the cutest tutorial yesterday for a hottie dog and Rhiannon has made the most adorable upcycled merino tops today- We have some seriously talented crafters in New Zealand don't you think?!

Quilted Goodness

2013-06-14T06:30:00.000+12:00

There's nothing quite like snuggling under a lovely soft quilt on a cold wet winters day!
There's something about it that brightens the world.

Its not just the physical warmth that you get from it.

There's the warmth that you get from knowing that the whole thing was lovingly stitched together piece by piece. The thought that someone spent hours of their time designing, choosing fabrics, piecing and quilting it.

Somebody recently said to me that its impossible to put a monetary value on a quilt and they were so so right!

I made this quilt for Scallywag. My intention was to put it on his bed when we are finally brave enough to move him from his cot into a bed (it won't happen any time soon if I have my way, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared!)

I seriously love the fabrics in this quilt. The colours, the designs, the combinations. The majority of the fabrics were bought at the same time but I didn't have a specific project for them and I didn't really intend to combine them all in this way. A few other random fabrics somehow made their way into the mix and we have a great combination!

Even the foxes on the back are amazing!

This is the second tumbler quilt that I have made and as I've said before, I adore this way of arranging the fabrics.
All in all I am really really happy with how will this quilt turned out.

The only thing is that its a wee bit narrower than I intended, and, it just so happens to looks amazing draped over the back of our sofa, don't you think?

Please excuse the dodgy photo, it was a pretty grey day today

So here's my dilemma...
Do I keep it for the sofa where it can be grabbed by any small child or adult who feels the need for a snuggle?
Do I store it on the sofa until Scallywag makes the transition to his big boy bed at which time I am big and mature and move it over to his room?
Or do I hide it away for now (to avoid temptation) and follow my original plan to put it on Scallywag's big boy bed when he makes the move?

(If I do decide to keep it for the quilt for the sofa, never fear, I would definitely make a new quilt for Scallywag, I'm not that mean a mum, I wouldn't have the poor boy missing out completely!)

Hmmm decisions decisions!

Don't forget to stop by Make. Life. Beautiful today for the next stop on Matariki Crafting

Just Swanning Around...

2013-06-13T06:30:00.000+12:00

While we were in Golden Bay, we went up to Farewell Spit. This is a long narrow sand spit which makes up the northernmost point of New Zealands South Island.

When we arrived it was grey, dull and threatening to rain, but we put on our waterproofs and wandered down to the beach.

There in the bay in front of us were countless pairs of black swans. I was immediately struck by their beauty and the elegance of their silhouette. The beginnings of a paper piecing design were born in that moment.

That night, I doodled a sketch of a swan (don't laugh, I'm not great at drawing) and then set to work designing a pattern.

Once the pattern was finished I was really really excited.

I loved it and without printing the pattern or even really seriously looking at the pattern pieces I sent it to a pattern tester.

About a week later I decided to have a go at piecing it. I printed it and panicked. The pieces were tiny and without sewing a stitch I knew that it would be really difficult to stitch well.

I emailed the pattern tester (keeping my fingers crossed that she hadn't already started on it) and asked her not to start work on the pattern. Luckily she hadn't started.
I set to work redesigning.

This time I didn't muck around and I pieced what I had designed straight away.
I can't help feeling that I didn't have the fabrics to make the most of the pattern, but I still love the results. It needs a bit more texture.

I'm debating what to do with it... I'm thinking that it will probably be turned into another paper pieced cushion to join our kiwi and bluebird.

I have some ideas for the quilting... we'll see if I can achieve what is in my head!

Although the swan works well on its own, I think it would be even better as a pair.

Mr Tartankiwi HATES (I mean REALLY hates) this version, but if you were of romantic disposition you could accentuate the central heart shape in your fabric choices...

I must admit that I'm jumping the gun on this one, its not back from the pattern tester yet... I just couldn't wait to show you all.. I'll let you know when its available, but in the meantime,

What do you think?

Today's stop on Matariki Crafting is The Golden Adventures of a Very Dark Horse. Make sure you don't miss it as Stella has an awesome tutorial to share!

Oops! I almost forgot to say that I am linking up with WIP Wednesday and Show and Tell

Knitted Wrist Warmers

2013-06-11T06:30:00.000+12:00

Having as good as finished Mr Tartankiwi's (as yet unphotographed) jumper while we were away on holiday, I found myself searching for new projects to start with a couple of days of holiday left.

The main raw material that I had near at hand was leftover wool from the jumper, so I decided to have a bit of an experiment and design my own pattern for a pair of wrist warmers.

My original intention was to make them for myself, but when Mr Tartankiwi realised what I was doing, he used his logic to point out that it was leftover wool from HIS jumper so anything made with it should be for him!

What can I say, I must've been feeling generous because I caved to his will!

I must admit that they didn't turn out quite as well as I had hoped- they're a bit baggy at the wrist (I won't be sharing my pattern on here any time soon!) But, Mr Tartankiwi has been wearing them and seems happy enough, so I guess they count as a success!

They look so snuggly and warm when Mr Tartankiwi wears them that I am definitely going to have to knit a pair to keep my own wrists warm this winter. The advantage of having generously caved to Mr Tartankiwi's will is that when I make a pair for myself, I can improve on the pattern and get some that really fit properly!

Now before you go, please don't forget to drop over to Big Little today. The Hottie Project is such a great initiative and I really hope that we see lots of hottie covers linking up at the end of the Blog Hop!

Matariki Crafting... And So It Begins!

2013-06-10T06:30:00.000+12:00

Hello and welcome to Matariki Crafting!
Don't you find that during the cold dark days of winter it can be difficult to stay inspired.
Its cold, dark, dull- not exactly inspiring stuff!
But yet, in many ways, Winter is a perfect time to craft.

I mean, what better way to spend your time than to snuggle up under a quilt or blanket next to a roaring fire and do a stroke of knitting, crochet or quilting?

What better way to spend your evenings than to have a craft night and invite your friends round for some coffee, cake and crafting?

To me, the key to successful winter crafting more than at any other season of the year lies with the social aspect of crafting, so I thought I'd invite a few friends to help keep you all inspired during the coming winter season.

We've set up a little blog hop to give you some ideas for winter crafting projects. Make sure you visit the following people on their days:

Tuesday 11^th June- Lisa - Big Little

Wednesday 12^th June - Louana - NZ Green Buttons

Thursday 13^th June - Stella - The Golden Adventures of a Very Dark Horse

Friday 14^th - Nin - Make. Life. Beautiful

We'll have a wee break over the weekend so you can catch up on anything that you missed!

Monday 17^th June - Laura - HOOTNZ

Tuesday 18^th June – Rhiannon - Toast and Life

Wednesday 19^th June - Dee - Dee*Construction

Thursday 20^th June – Miriam – Create Hope Inspire

Friday 21^st June - Leonie – Sunshine x 3

Another break over the weekend

Monday 24^nd June - Roz - Squiltz

Tuesday 25^d June – Holly- Hollymayb

Wednesday 26^th June - Juliet- Right here! Final round-up and Linky Party!!!

Wednesday 10^th July- Linky Party Closes

Friday 12^th July- Prize winners announced

I'll try to keep up the winter theme here at Tartankiwi as much as I can during the blog hop (I've got a few wee projects ready to share with you) and I will post occasional reminders as to where you should be heading each day.

Now once you have visited all those talented people its your turn.

I am hoping that you will all be feeling super inspired and will have started on your own winter crafting projects.

I'd love for you to link up and show us what you've been up to and what you are working on.

It can be something that you started from scratch this year, or something that has lain in a cupboard unloved since last winter- I'm not fussy!

Projects should preferably be finished, but if it is a massive project (such as a crocheted blanket or a quilt) and you need some encouragement, feel free to show us what you've achieved so far.

Prizes will be handed out on a random basis to those who link up (so saying that your crafting is "not good enough" is no excuse!). This is about inspiring, supporting and encouraging each other - the more the merrier!

Each person can enter up to 3 projects (of which at least 2 should be finished). They should have been completed recently. Please mention Matariki Crafting in your post so that others can find us and join in the fun too.

By now I guess you are wondering what prizes are on offer. Here's the line up:

Firstly, what better way to start the prizes off than with a great bit of Kiwi crafting inspiration?!
Melissa Wastney of Tiny Happy has generously offered a signed copy of her new book.
(For rave reviews of this book see here and here!)

3 people can win a voucher from The Make Cafe each worth $20

Whatever your creative passion you should easily find something to catch your fancy here- fabric, books and magazines, yarn, general craft and scrapbooking supplies or (if you're based in Christchurch) workshops, yummy freshly baked food and great coffee)

Nicola from Buttons for Benji has kindly donated two sets of her beautiful handmade buttons.

The winner can choose any two sets from the ready right now section of her site.

Go have a look- she has some gorgeous stock!

If sewing is your thing, then I've got just the thing for you. Lisa from Big Little has offered three people the chance to win one of her beautiful patterns.

Her childrens clothes patterns are so beautiful and inspirational- I know that I for one would love to give some of them a try!

Finally the lovely and multi talented Nin of Larks Wing has put together a gorgeous Winter crafting package to keep you smiling as you craft through the winter! It consists of :

heart handwarmers (These miniature wheat bags are just the right size to pop into overcoat pockets and hold onto on chilly mornings. They are made of thick wool/polyester blend fabric which is soft to the touch and will stay warm in your pockets for hours. )
An upcycled wool/applique pincushion
the latest copy of homestyle.

So what are you waiting for? Go and get your thinking caps on, and I look forward to seeing your winter craft projects in a few weeks time. I can't wait to see what you will all get up to!

Everyone is welcome to link up, but prizes will only be sent to NZ addresses- sorry!

<div align="center"><a href="http://craftandnappies.blogspot.com" title="Tartankiwi" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r743/Tartankiwi1/matarikicraftingbutton_zps52228c69.png" alt="Tartankiwi" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

This event is proudly supporting the Hottie Project, a sister winter crafting project which is really really worth supporting.

4 Point Star

2013-06-07T06:30:00.000+12:00

Now before you tell me off for and send me back to my knitting, can I just say that Mr Tartankiwi's jumper is FINISHED! I have yet to take pictures but when I have them, I'll let you see.

Scallywag's quilt is also finished and also in need of some photos to be taken.

... So much to share with you after a good photo session!

As a reward for having finished those two projects, I allowed myself to test one of my own patterns. Its one that I designed a while ago, but for some reason it remained in the half finished pile for a long long time. While I was away, I went through and resurrected it. I'm glad I did!

Its been a while, but hopefully you will recognise the colours in this block and realise that I am continuing my good work, by returning to another long term WIP - the Sampler Quilt.

I was pretty excited to think that once this block was complete I would only need to do 2 more blocks, but I laid the whole lot out last night and realistically I need another 9 more blocks... Grrr... I'd better keep working eh!

I must admit that I have had to make a few wee alterations to the pattern since testing it, but I love the way that it came together.

Its a simple pattern which comes together easily.

Caroline from Quilting in the Cold was kind enough to also test the pattern for me. She did a great job. Here is her block, don't you just love the fabrics that she chose!

If you want to give the 4 point star pattern a try, its available now from my Craftsy store.

And the good news is that I will hopefully have a few more patterns available for you all over the next few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled!

I'm joining in with Show and Tell and Paper Piecing Party

Sometimes...

2013-06-06T06:30:00.000+12:00

Sometimes it takes all the discipline that you possess to actually finish your ongoing projects before starting on the new and exciting ones.

While I was recharging myself on holiday in Golden Bay, I dreamt up all sorts of new and exciting patterns and projects.

I came home raring to go, wanting to jump into these new projects with both feet.

But...

I've been a good girl (for a change!)

The boredom is KILLING me, but first I am finishing the knitted jumper that I started for Mr Tartankiwi last year. The colour is dull, the knitting was uninspiring and the sewing together is painfully tedious.

I'm on the final stretch now and I can't wait to finish.

The end of this project cannot come too soon!!!

After that, I've got a quilt to finish. I love this quilt, so I really shouldn't complain.

To be honest I tend to enjoy hand stitching binding on, but this time, I just want to do other stuff.

I'm really really hoping that I have a few finishes to show you soon... Keep your fingers crossed that I don't pass away from the boredom before they are finished though!

Announcing... Matariki Crafting

2013-05-31T06:30:00.000+12:00

As we drove from Golden Bay to Christchurch the other day, it seemed as if in the space of a few short hours we drove from Autumn into Winter. We left beautiful amber shades of Autumn behind us; drove through the stunning snow dusted mountains of The Lewis Pass; only to be met by black skies and sleet in Christchurch.

I had been worrying a bit that my Winter Themed Crafting event was going to he happening too early in the season, but as the car wove its way through the tranquil snowscene and an excited voice perked up from the back of the car saying "Daddy, I was hoping that we'd see snow today!", I realised that my timing is perfect!

Starting on 10th June, I am going to be hosting Matariki Crafting.

A New Year, New Inspiration!
A crafting journey taking us to new places.

A place where crafters can beat the crafting and winter blues.

A place where we can encourage and hopefully inspire each other to try new things.

I have invited 11 of my kiwi blogging crafting buddies to join me in a blog hop. Each person will have their own winter project for you to try. I have tried to ensure that there is a mixture of projects, something for as many different crafty types as possible.

But a word of warning! Don't just sit of the sidelines! Get your thinking caps on and start on your own winter projects. It could be a hottie; scrapbooking; a quilt; knitting, crocheting or a children's crafting project. The possibilities are endless!

Just make sure that you link up your winter project here at the end of the blog hop...
I promise to make it worth your while... There will be prizes!!!

Feel free to start spreading the word- here is a button for the event.

<div align="center"><a href="http://craftandnappies.blogspot.com" title="Tartankiwi" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r743/Tartankiwi1/matarikicraftingbutton_zps52228c69.png" alt="Tartankiwi" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I'll see you back here on 10 June... If not before!

**International people are welcome to link up there winter projects and I really hope that they will follow along with the blog hop, but due to the fact that the majority of the prizes are being donated by small New Zealand companies and postage costs are high, prizes will only be sent to New Zealand addresses- I'm sorry! I promise to look after the international contingent in my next giveaway**

Sammy the Snail

2013-05-30T06:30:00.000+12:00

This has been a long time coming, but I designed another paper pieced block for you guys.

Its a wee snail.

I think he's rather cute.

In my head his snail shell is in ombre colours, starting light in the centre and getting darker as it radiates out.

Other times I see his shell is in rainbow colours.

As usual I asked a couple of girls to test the pattern.

As usual, Chrissie D was the first to put her hand up and she did an awesome job.

Jeifner was a new pattern tester for me. Not only did she come back with some awesome feedback, but she also suggested a great way to improve the pattern.

Thank you Chrissie and Jeifner for your great work!

If you're looking at the pattern and thinking “You've got to be kidding, all those eensy teensy little pieces!”, then please don't be put off till you hear what Jennifer had to say:

"When I first saw all those tiny little pieces I was scared! I had never paper pieced such small pieces. I thought 'this can't be real, this can't be right.' Hahaha, they were real and they were right. And they were so simple to sew with your pattern. I was so impressed that you made it so usable and that I was able to do it!"

So what are you waiting for? Go and paper piece yourself a snail!

The pattern is available from my Craftsy store now. I will make it free for at least the first month and then I'll probably start charging for it.

I'm linking in with Show and Tell over at Sunshine x 3

Well, I really needed that!

2013-05-29T06:30:00.000+12:00

My family and I spent the last ten days in a basic cottage in Golden Bay.

The weather may not always have been perfect, but it didn't matter.

We were together, we were on holiday and that was the important bit.

We went for early morning walks on the beach and stepped in every puddle that we could find.

We played games - our own personalised version of "Who is it?" with pictures of members of Mr Tartankiwi's family was the absolute favourite. It was a parting gift given to us when we left the Netherlands and it had never been played until now! Rascal LOVES it and begs to play all the time!

Happy families was another favourite game (you wouldn't believe how many different games you can create from that one set of cards!)

We read books.

We went for long walks, played Pooh Sticks and had lots and lots of fun imaginative play.

We played on amazing golden beaches- this one in the Abel Tasman Park

We relaxed and I saw inspiration everywhere!

We made friends with the locals

Yes, that Cheeky fantail was standing on Mr Tartankiwi's shades!

IT. WAS. GOOD!

And now... I have loads of new patterns virtually ready to be tested. Some new, some rescued from the scrap heap.

I have a few projects almost ready to blog, but we'll see how things go. It MAY be a wee bit quiet around here as I prepare for my Winter Crafting Event- watch this space for more details!
... Or then again, I may just blog everything as and when I feel like it- we'll see what happens shall we?

Tartankiwi on Flickr

2013-05-25T22:01:00.000+12:00

I finally plucked up the courage to start a tartankiwi flickr group.

A Place where you guys can share photos of the things that you have made using my patterns and tutorials. I really love seeing the ways that you use my patterns. The way they turn out with different fabrics and to know that all my hard work is not going to waste!

Can't wait to see what you've all been up to!

Around the (Virtual) Crafting Table

2013-05-16T14:28:00.000+12:00

After the excitement of Around the Table, I know that a lot of New Zealand bloggers are feeling a bit flat.

Some question whether they are writing the right content.

Others wonder whether they are reaching the right audience.

There are those who have started questioning their photography and writing style.

Some question whether they are ready to take the next step and start making money from their blog.

...and finally there are those who are just lacking in inspiration.

I may have dabbled in some of these doubts myself, but I think I'm coming out the other side and am ready for some serious blogging and crafting. And it struck me. Why don't we inspire each other! Why don't we help each other out of our crafting and blogging funk!

We've had the IRL event, why not follow it up with an online event? Lets cement those friendships, inspire and support each other.

I was thinking that maybe we could have a one-off crafting challenge, one that you can enter no matter your skill set (or lack thereof...) A challenge that the crocheters, knitters, quilters, scrapbookers, jewellery makers, sewers (or is that sewists) can all enter

(Did I miss anyone out?- if I did, please forgive me because all are welcome).

I was thinking that we could make the theme "Winter", which you are welcome to interpret however you like.

I'm sure that I can rustle together a few prizes if I knock on the right doors, but to be honest this isn't really about the prizes, its about rediscovering the joys of crafting and blogging. Share your inspiration for your project (is it something that you love doing in the winter; is it something that you wear in the winter; is it something you love eating in Winter, is it a representation of a winter scene?) share the process of making your item and finally share the results of your crafting. Lets get the New Zealand crafting world buzzing again!

Are you in?

If you think its a good idea let me know and I'll get started on organising the nitty gritty.
Don't worry I'll give you lots of time to come up with a plan... hence the winter theme!
Oh and you don't have to have attended Around the Table to take part!

Take Two Tumbling!

2013-05-15T06:30:00.000+12:00

I mentioned the other day that I had cut out the pieces for another quilt.
A tumbler quilt for Scallywag.
One that we can put on his bed when we finally are brave enough to move him into a big boy bed.

I've had the fabrics for this quilt for about a year, but couldn't quite decide what I kind of quilt I should sew to make the most of them.
Then last week when I had the Accuquilt Go Cutter home for the weekend I had a sudden impulse to cut out a quilt and these fabrics seemed like the natural choice.

I have been taking lots of photos of the process of making this quilt as somehow I was talked into teaching a tumbler quilt class at the Make Cafe.

I must admit that the first time that I chain pieced a tumbler quilt, I got a few of the pieces muddled up, so I was determined to be careful this time and make sure that everything ended up in the right spot first time round.

I am glad to report that I succeeded! No unpicking was required at all and I have documented my process well so that I can reproduce it. I'm looking forward to teaching the ladies how to make a smaller version of this quilt.

I must say that I adore how this quilt is coming together.
The top came together so quickly- got to love that!

I love the fun fabrics- a combination of Lucy's Crab Shack and Children at Play.
I love the colours.

I love the tumbler shapes and how different they look when the fabrics are organised in this pattern compared to the pattern that I used last time. (This time the pattern reminds me of a brick wall, but then prettier!)
I love that the majority of the fabrics are boyish (ok there are a few flowers in there!) without being the usual cars, pirates or dinosaurs.

I hope that Scallywag loves the quilt, although I fear that to get his attention I should have made a quilt with diggers, tractors, trains or some other kind of motor vehicle!

Hmmm... Maybe I should put those on the back!!!

Next step to choose backing and binding fabrics. I'll check my stash first, but I have actually been pretty good at using stash fabrics recently and I suspect that I'll have to buy something for the job.

Linking in with WIP Wednesday and Show and Tell

Winner!

2013-05-12T23:52:00.001+12:00

Thank you to everyone who entered my wee giveaway.

The winner is Amanda from Fabric Fixation

Congratulations Amanda, I will be in touch for your address!

Tumbling!

2013-05-09T09:12:00.000+12:00

This week I've been playing with the Accuquilt Go Cutter. I must say that its amazing how quickly a quilt comes together when you use one! I started on Friday and finished on Tuesday, but could have got it finished a lot quicker if I'd had more time.

It was my first tumbler quilt and I love the result. I take no credit for choosing the fabrics- they were given to me for the purpose, but I can maybe take a little bit of credit for having made them work (the addition of extra stripes calmed the whole thing down as it was looking a bit too busy without them!)

In fact, I was so pleased with it that I cut out a few extra tumblers to make a quilt for Scallyway when he finally moves to a big bed. I've had the fabrics for Scallywag's quilt for a while and have been looking for the right way to use them- I reckon I've found it! I'll take some photos of Scallywag's quilt soon and show you!

Sorry for the dodgy phone photos. They were snapped very quickly at work before I handed the quilt over. I'll try and get some better photos sometime in the next few days.

I'm joining in over at 3 x Sunshine today.
Edited to say:
There have been lots of comments on the fabric- its So Happy Together by Riley Blake

Double Trouble

2013-05-07T06:30:00.000+12:00

*** GIVEAWAY CLOSED ***

Not so long ago, I returned home to find a book from the book depository on the front doorstep. There was nothing inside to say who the book was from, but I knew- it was from Deb. I had won a copy of this very same book from her a few weeks previously on instagram.

I promptly left a message for Deb on instagram thanking her.

About 10 minutes later the phone rang... it was Deb!

"We have a mystery" she announced and then proceeded to tell me that she had my copy of the book in the back of her car.

Although I am dying to know who sent the mystery copy, I am being a good girl and not contacting the Book Depository to find out. If the person wants to be a mystery donor, I will respect their wishes (even if curiosity kills me!), if it was a mistake and they want to own up, I'd love to hear from them. If they sent it and are wondering why I haven't been in touch to say thank you, its because I don't know who to thank (sorry!)

Anyway, you may be wondering why I am telling you this.

Deb and I thought that it would be nice for me to pay it forward, so I am giving away one copy of 'Hand Quilted with Love' by Sarah Fiekle to a lucky blog follower.

To be in the draw, just leave a comment on this post by 5:00pm on Sunday 12th May.

Sorry but this giveaway is only open to those with a NZ address.

** I will do my best to contact the winner of the giveaway, but if I have not heard back from them within a week, I will draw a new winner **

*** GIVEAWAY CLOSED ***

'Flexing' My Creative Muscles!

2013-05-06T21:22:00.001+12:00

Its amazing what a difference a few short days can make!

I wouldn't say that my blogging mojo is back full force yet, but I am definitely beginning to enjoy sewing again and new ideas are popping into my head all the time!

First off I've started work on a new class for the Make Cafe. I am adapting the guest tutorial that I did a while ago on Make. Life. Beautiful.

My plan is for people in the class to have a choice between making a glasses case or a coin purse.

I am especially loving the wee coin purse, but I am slightly worried that its a bit too fiddly and complicated for the class. I'll make another one up sometime in the next few days and make a decisions. I showed the purse and the glasses case to a few people today at work and had very enthusiastic reactions, so hopefully there will be lots of interest in the class

There's plenty more to share, but I think I'll keep that for another day!

It feels great to be sewing so much again!

Slump!

2013-04-30T11:08:00.003+12:00

Half composed blog posts swim around my head.

Half finished and half thought out sewing projects fight for attention.

I'm not sure what has happened but my blogging and sewing seem to be suffering at the moment.

Maybe the projects that are waiting to be worked on feel stale.

Maybe I'm putting too much pressure on myself

Maybe sewing is becoming a chore instead of a love and I need a frivolous project

Maybe I need a holiday

Maybe I'm just trying to squeeze too much into my day!

... I don't know!!!

After Around the Table, I thought I'd seize my new found free time and start on some awesome sewing, but the projects that I have done have either been less than satisfactory or not blog worthy (the days that I blog about absolutely everything that I sew are long gone!)

Its not for lack of desire, I'd dearly love to start a new awesome project but at the moment I just can't work out where to begin!

In the meantime I'm off to proof-read my class notes for tonight's paper piecing class- maybe the ladies there will inspire me! After that I might just have to leaf through my amazing new book - there MUST be some inspiration in there! (There's a story behind this book but I'll share that another day!)

Anybody have any great ideas to kick start me out of this slump?

Sorry for whinging

Practising

2013-04-25T20:56:00.002+12:00

The next time that I promise you guys a tutorial, please remind me to do it immediately!

You may remember that a few months ago I made up pattern for a craft caddy and a vanity case. I was so pleased with it that I promised to write a tutorial. Unfortunately life sort of got in the way and after scribbling down some rough dimensions and even rougher instructions, the project was laid aside.

The other night, I sat down in my sewing room, determined to finally get my act together and write the long promised tutorial.

I started off well,

but as the evening progressed my photos got worse,

... I forgot to take photos

... and finally I realised that I had done various important steps in the wrong order (oops!)
Laminated cotton is not very forgiving of mistakes- unpicked stitches leave a series of small punctures in the fabric.
I gave up in disgust for the night!

The next day I carried on and managed to finish my craft caddy.
When I was about ninety percent finished I was in despair at the rough and ready sewing, but by the end I managed to salvage most of the crumby workmanship. Needless to say, the tutorial will have to wait!!!

I am hoping that I have learnt from my mistakes and perfected my method.

I'll try to get some more supplies as soon as possible so that I can have another crack at it...
Watch this space!

I'm linking up with Show and Tell over at Sunshine x 3

Swaps and Goodies!

2013-04-18T15:09:00.000+12:00

One of the icebreakers at Around the Table was a name tag swap.

Everyone who attended was given a swap partner, some inspiration and set to work.

My partner was the beautiful and bubbly Nickie-Jean of Stuff NJ Says. Just have a look at the cute tartankiwi that she made for me!

To be honest, I was a bit stumped as to what to make for her, but then thought about the fact that she is a writer and I remembered some awesome fabric that I have with typewriters and typewriter keys.

I quickly appliquéd, straight line quilted and then bound a name tag. It was rather huge when it was finished so I suggested that she can take the pin off the back and turn it into a coaster if she wants.

In the haze that was the pre-conference weeks I was pretty amazed that mine wasn't made the night before the event. I'm not so impressed that I was totally dozey and completely forgot to take a photo of the completed item (oops!) All I have is a wee teaser photo that I put on instagram.

Luckily, Roz, took a better photo of my award winning nametag.

What's that? Yes, award winning! Three secret judges had the job of choosing their favourite name tags and one of them chose mine!

My prize was this amazing print from Erupt Prints. I MAY have joked in the weeks before the conference that I wanted to get my sticky hands on this, but I promise that it was not a fix!

Home Sweet Home!

This is going to take pride of place in my hall!

While we're on the subject of being spoilt, did I show you the awesome goodies that were in our goodie bags? A huge thanks to (among others) Emma Makes for the awesome, notebook and pencil; Piece for the cute pack of needles; Rose in Thorns for the gorgeous scented tealight; Lush for the rockstar soap (sing as you wash and be a star in your own bathroom!); The Make Cafe for the awesome coordinating fabric and bakers twine and Naomi Ferguson for the beautiful tunes.

Aargh! Missing from this photo is the really cool card that the uber talented and totally gorgeous Stella designed specially for the event... hmmm might have to share that for another day as there are VERY loud shouts coming from the cot telling me that a certain wee boy has woken up after his lunchtime sleep!

See you soon!

It happened at the weekend!- Bloggers Connecting

2013-04-17T06:30:00.000+12:00

Gosh! Where to start?!?
So much happened at the weekend.
After months of preparation, Around the Table finally happened.

I have started to write this post lots of times but each time it just doesn't seem to do justice to the amount of fun that we had.

We'll start at the very beginning shall we?

Once upon a time Miriam had a dream...

To get all her favourite bloggers from around New Zealand together in one place.

To have fun, and build on the friendships that we had all started online.

One day, she shared her dream with some other Christchurch bloggers and slowly the seed of a plan was planted. We started to plot and scheme and make plans.

Treena-Marie and me

I am pretty sure that I'm going to miss the Thursday night meetings with Miriam and Treena-Marie which have become a regular part of my week. It often amazed me how much organising we managed to squeeze in amongst the chat and laughter.

We discussed so many different aspects of the weekend, but our main hope was that it would be warm, welcoming and inclusive... I am pretty sure that we succeeded in this aim, as every time that I looked around everybody was chatting enthusiastically. I did my very best to talk to as many people as possible, sorry if I missed you.

Miriam, Treena-Marie, me (yes all my hair disappeared!) and Sophie

It was very special getting to know people whose blogs I have been following for years, as well as meeting and connecting with Christchurch bloggers who I had never met or only briefly met in passing. So many new real life friends!

It was amazing having so many talented New Zealand bloggers all together in one place. I hope we can do it again soon!

I must admit that every time that I think about the weekend, a huge big grin crosses my face. I think of the laughter, the friendships and generally marvel at the fact that we did it!
We pulled it off!
I still can't quite believe that it all came together as well as it did.
I keep saying this but I really must say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along, who got into the spirit of the event and who helped out in whatever way they could. We couldn't have done it without you!
Stay posted for more details of the weekend...

I decided to experience this weekend fully rather than from behind a camera, I only have a handful of photos that were taken on my phone on Sunday morning. All the photos on this post are from the photo booth that was set up at the meal on Saturday- so much fun!

The Bloggers Hug Quilt

2013-04-15T06:30:00.000+12:00

What an amazing weekend we had at Around the Table! It exceeded my wildest expectations. Thank you so much to everyone who came along and threw themselves into the spirit of it.

I've got so so much to tell you all, but first I want to let it all sink in, to digest it and to sleeeeep!
In the meantime I thought I'd show you this finished quilt which I handed over this weekend.

I gave you a sneak peak of a quilt top the other week and suggested that it was a very special quilt.

It is!!!

You see, a while back I read this post on Sammy's (old) blog. I could totally relate to the sentiments expressed and decided that I wanted to do something for her... but what?

I played with a few different ideas, but most of them just weren't right. Then I discussed it with Cat and we came up with a plan.

A quilt.

Made by Sammy's blogging friends.

To give her comfort and support in difficult times.

Cat helped me to rally the troups.
Leonie, Laura, Miriam, Deb, Cat, Treena, Leonie, Leeanne and Meghan answered our call.

Then I sat and waited for the blocks to arrive.

As they trickled in, I became more and more excited. People had really thought about why they were making these blocks. They were not only beautiful, but also thoughtful and heartfelt. I began to feel the pressure to bring them together as well as I could.

I have named this quilt The Bloggers Hug.The name originates from the back of the quilt. You see Cat had a whole lot of siggie blocks, made by people from all around the world. She had the idea to incorporate these into the quilt back and asked those contributing to the quilt to provide siggie blocks too.

My initial reaction was "WHAAAT!", followed closely by "HEEELP!" and "what on earth am I going to do with those in the timescale that I have?!!"
But I took a deep breathe and told Cat to send them to me - I promised to do my best with them.

Once they arrived, I ignored them and quietly panicked to myself for a while, but slowly an idea took seed in the back of my mind. I decided to use them as a border (a sort of international hug from the blogging world) on the back of the quilt.

Inside the hug, I featured the siggie blocks of those who helped to create the quilt.
I am really pleased how well it all turned out. The text on most of the personal siggie blocks is beautiful and very emotional.

I was going to quilt this myself, but when one of the girls offered to have it professionally quilted, I considered the timescale, my very busy schedule and almost immediately said "yes please".

I'm so glad that I did as the quilting is amazing! I love the heart and koru motif.

Dearest Sammy, please accept this gesture of love and support from your blogging friends. May this quilt make you smile even in the most difficult of times.

We are here for you.

A Rite Of Passage

2013-04-05T06:30:00.000+13:00

Rascal and Scallywag are thumb-suckers. They both started when they were about 4 months old and have used it as a way to help get themselves to sleep ever since. I'll admit that its not something that I am particularly happy about, but I have accepted it and have made a conscious decision not to turn into one of those parents who is constantly nagging their child about their thumb.

Rascal is now four and a half. She will start school in November. Although she does not tend to suck her thumb in public (it is very much something that she does in the evening when she is tired), I'd hate for thumb-sucking to turn into a source of teasing for her at school and for some time I have been putting quite a lot of thought into how to help her to stop.

Then a few of months ago I read about how my friend Deb's daughter had a special visit from Santa Claus at Christmas. Her daughter gave her dummy to Santa and he, in turn, gave her a special doll... It got me thinking! I loved the idea of not punishing the child and completely taking away their comfort (lets face it, the children of Christchurch have needed comfort more than most over the last couple of years!), but instead just replacing it with something else. Gentle but yet effective.

For Rascal, thumb sucking is very closely associated with her piglet comforter. I reasoned that if we could get rid of piglet, then perhaps the thumb-sucking would disappear too (or at least be minimised)!

Preschool Piglet; Piglet and Winnie the Pooh

So I sat down and had a wee chat with Rascal. I asked her if she would like a really special doll, but I made it clear that the doll would come at a price. We would trade the doll for Piglet; Preschool Piglet and Winnie the Pooh (her three comforters). I also told her that the doll was not for little girls who suck their thumbs.

Rascal had a think about it and told me that she would like the new doll and accepted the conditions.

All that was a couple of months ago, and while the doll was being specially made for Rascal by Dee, we had a special visit from preschool. Lightening is a special teddy bear who is given to children to take home for the night as a reward for good behaviour. Rascal was super super proud to have Lightening home for a visit and as Mr Tartankiwi tucked her in to sleep that night she whispered to him that she was going to cuddle Lightening instead of sucking her thumb.

Lightening and Pooh

Our hearts swelled with pride and we realised that maybe, just maybe, our tactic was going to pay off!

Rascal's new doll arrived this week. She is a complete hit! Although Rascal has admitted to sucking her thumb "just a little bit" at night, I have not once seen her sucking her thumb during the day! She is really really proud of her achievement and I truly believe that she is doing her best to stop sucking her thumb.

It seems to me that stopping thumb-sucking is a Rite of Passage that Rascal is going through. I think it deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated. It is a huge milestone for and it feels like we have marked her achievement in a respectful, fun and loving way.

Thank you Deb for inspiring me to be a better parent and thanks again Dee for making such a beautiful new friend for my daughter.

I'm joining in with Miriam and Becoming the Mama You want to Be.

The Finish(or should that be Fail?)-a-long First Quarter!

2013-04-04T09:50:00.000+13:00

Oh dear oh dear!

Way back in January I wrote a list of sewing projects to do in the next three months... and about 3 days after I posted I was drafted in to the organising committee of Around the Table AND my 4 year old dropped her day sleep and needed constant supervision at lunchtime (without it she would put herself to bed, but then be up till all hours at night!) In one fell swoop my sewing time was reduced to virtually nothing *sob!*

In addition to all of this, my sewing machine slowly started playing up more and more and I gradually stopped trusting it to do a good job.

With these things in mind, please don't be too tough on me and my lack of progress.

The Sunshine Quilt
Progress has been made- but not too much!

The quilt has been basted and I am using this quilt to test and expand my FMQ skills. So far I have discovered that my machine is a thread snob and will only behave properly with expensive thread *sigh!*

This was when I was still experimenting with different kinds of thread!

I would say that the quilt is now about half quilted. I hope to finish it in the not too distant future and now that I have discovered how to get my machine to behave properly this aim may even me achievable!!!

The Sampler Quilt
When I posted about this quilt in January, I only had 5 blocks to make before completing the top. Now I only have three to go.. I know, I know, not great progress but at least there has been some...

Polaroids
Ummm, shall we move on quickly???

Baby Quilt

Done, dusted and sent to its owner who loves it! (Phew, at least I have one finished project to show for myself) I really love how this one turned out, especially as I was completely making it up as I went along!

Tutorial for my Box Bag
Still a random list of measurements I'm afraid, BUT I really want to get onto this one in the near future. Hopefully I'll have something to show you soon.

I'm really trying not to be too hard on myself, because this last quarter of a year has been BU-SY! I can't wait to get back behind my sewing machine in the not too distant future! Maybe I'll have more success next quarter!

Oh and with the help of my friends I have finished another king single sized quilt (so I have not been a complete sewing failure), but I'm not sharing any more details until it has been safely handed over!

Oh ...and there was the hexagon cushion too!

Maybe I was a bit more productive than I give myself credit for!!!

Hanging my head in shame and linking in with Leeanne at She Can Quilt.