I am a 1.5...I think!

Maree & Chookyblue have recently had a discussion about there being two types of crafters.Type 1 is super organised, efficient & focused, perhaps a tad annoying(!)...Type 2 is more casual, laid back, tends to be a little disorganised. Hints were made that I might be a bit stuffy...tending to be  more Type 1 than most... hmmm... lucky I am not overly thin skinned...I could see their thinly veiled point...LOL...sometimes a chill pill may be in order in Cardy world...even I can see it! I responded that I think a 1.5 may be in order as we all know that procrastination is big at my place! Especially when it comes to binding...aaargh!

So, after finishing my Christmas stitching, writing Christmas cards & spraying the magnificent crop of weeds that have flourished since our recent rain....I decided to bite the bullet & stitch the binding on this disappearing 9 patch from Kate Spain's Christmas fabric. My table looks quite festive!

Cardygirl xx

Christmas tree cuteness

Lots of things to do at the moment...like you I am madly trying to get Christmas organised...but I am easily distracted...I know the cards need to be written....the windows need cleaning...those cobwebs really need to go...those quilts need to be bound!

BUT, instead I was distracted by this bit of gorgeous-ness! A free pattern from here...inspiration from here... made as a mini using 3"squares to make prairie points...looks lovely in my Christmassy house. Made with leftovers of Figgy Pudding, Fruitcake & Winter. It is our December project with Le Petite, but I couldn't resist sharing it with you...quick, easy & super cute!

Cardygirl xx

Festive stitching!

Recently I purchased some Fruitcake fabric, supplemented it with a bit of Figgy Pudding & today added the borders to my new Christmas decoration for 2010. Each year I add something new & I really loved this pattern from Kate Conklin. I had never tried the "stack & whack" method before, but it was great fun & there were really quick results...just need to quilt it & I am done! Even better was that I could buy the pattern as a PDF...not happy with mail order at present...things seem to go missing...glad to do it as a file instead!

It was really scary when Chookyblue blogged on Wednesday that it is only four months 'til Christmas...eek! This year is whizzing by too fast! Oh well, at least there will be a nice new quilt hanging in my entry! Just need to quilt it!!!!

Cardygirl xx

Well...could you resist?

Which of us can ignore that little four letter word....SALE!

Our local fabric shop had a three day one last week...it doesn't happen too often...and there was 50% off fabric!

I was planning to do a Christmas project and so I hot footed it up there as I knew they had some Fruitcake fabric by Basic Grey that would be perfect for it. The pattern is by Kate Conklin..."Pine for You"...and it is super cute...you can buy it directly off Kate's blog as a PDF...so convenient & no waiting!

As happens with sales, you grab a bit of something else that has been catching your eye as well.

This yellow sock monkey fabric has been calling my name for some time...I have had the pink (from another sale) for a while...and at the recent Sydney Quilt Show I bought this Sock Monkey kit...really cute but I am a bit nervous to chop into my socks!Also picked up these remnants very cheaply. And to make it even better I was able to use a voucher towards it & it was all VERY cheap indeed! YAY!

A glorious sunny day here today after a few days of rain...hope to get some stitching done later!

Cardygirl xx

Christmas stash!

I was one very spoilt Cardygirl this year...

books, fabrics, little treats...a very loved girl!

Fabric as delicious as turkish delight...

books to inspire & savour...

 a huge pincushion that will be hard to lose (thanks Lea!).

Some bloggers were asking about a Christmas quilt pattern...

from the blog Festive Fun 20 on December 21st...

it is Past Times by Threads of Time/ Lyn Wilson.

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Cardygirl xx

Thankyou Cheryl!

Christmas morning meant I was at last able to open my SSCS pressie!

It came all the way from Cheryl in the US...

she is so clever and made me this beautiful Christmas table topper...

it is very special to know that she had been "stalking" my blog

& spent the time to make something just for me!

Go & visit her at polkadotsandrickrack.blogspot.com....

she is lots of fun!

Thankyou Cheryl...it is now a special Christmas treasure for me!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun Finale!

I hope everyone has a safe & happy Christmas.

Enjoy, relax & reminisce!

I am having a lovely quiet time with my dear ones.

I am still trying to finish a present...

this old stitchery pattern sums me up!

A Joyous Christmas to you all.

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.22

A pleasant evening with friends...a late night post!

You have seen my gorgeous nativity...

here are some lovely santa's....

and DD made this stocking...

the pattern is in a recent Homespun mag.

It's nearly Christmas!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.21

There are some lovely nativities out there...

here's mine.

A corner of the family room...

a wine bottle gift bag from a Janelle Wind pattern...

more redwork from a Helen Stubbings pattern.

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.20

Not many sleeps now until Christmas!

Most of our festivities are organised...but there are thingsthat may not get done.Oh well...no point getting stressed out about it!

Three days of paid employment then a few off....

hopefully might get some stitching done!

A festive quilt from a Lyn Wilson design.

Love the reds & greens.

The leftovers made the Santa sack posted earlier!

do you like this one?

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.19

Blogging every day is hard!

Slowly (or rapidly dependant on current state of mind!!!) heading to Christmas...

a few more decorations to go still.

A stocking from a Leanne Beasley pattern...

typically me I added lots of satin stitch.

I have a couple more to do in my WIP basket!

If you stop by, leave me a Christmas message please...

I know you are out there!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.18

Cross stitch mini wall quilts

Shepherds Bush designs & buttons.

They were fun to make as the linen is coarse & 4 strands of thread were used.

They are cheerful & bright.

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.17

A little different today.

Last night was "Craft" Christmas.

A small group that sew weekly, or as you can, throught the year,

met to have nibbles, chat & have fun!

Identities have been suppressed ...LOL! They are shy!

Here are the remains of the nibblies...

DD made a little house inspired by Lisa's post...

here is my tree...note the tree skirt I made a few years back...

it was from a pattern in an AP&Q mag.

Lastly a decoration made by my daughter in aged 7yrs...love it!

Hopeyou are having festive fun with your stitching pals!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.16

By now you are wondering...how much Christmas stuff does she have?????

Sadly I am a bit of a Christmas tragic...

not the Griswald's sort of scary Christmas freak with a power grid worth of lights...

no, I just like to have pretty stuff at Christmas!

Still a bit to go....

I have even scared DH...note his comment a couple of days ago...LOL!

Today's offering is a little wall quilt...

DH went to Arizona a few years back & came home with the pattern & fabric for this little gem.

I like it because he chose it!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.15

A cushion...from a pattern by Piccaninni Patchwork.

Makes you feel Christmas-sy!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.14

A wall quilt, "Christmas Truffles" by Helen Stubbings.

My craft group all made one...they all look great.

I used  fabrics from my stash...I love reds.

This is a great pattern book....and it is full of yummy truffle recipes!

Choc peppermint balls & Creamy white macadamia truffles...mmmm!

Delish!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.13

An enormous stocking...another Christine Book pattern.

It hangs in our entry...

I jokingly told DH to fill it...

he offered a beach umbrella...

LOL!

What would you put in it?

It has lots of felt appliques, beads & ricrac...it was nice to be able to use bells & buttons...just have fun with it really!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.12

And still she goes on!

A little cross stitch...love the reindeer!

This is a pattern called "The Reindeer Sampler" by Sweet Nothings.

Completed in 2002.

It has lovely Mill Hill Treasure hearts on the reindeer...

always reminds me of Rudolph!

Aaah...young heart at heart!

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.11

A small cushion made for my daughter...

inspired by a saying...it was on her bed in the Christmas season.

The buttons were  made by a girl who was a neighbour years ago.

She is too old for it now...but it is a nice tradition.

Cardygirl xx

Festive Fun No.10

Quick & fun today.

To Newcastle yesterday Christmas shopping & visiting the folks!

Phew...but getting organised.

A little cushion inspired by a Stephanie Simes pattern.

I satin stitched the little pears (you know how I love this stitch)...

and was really happy with it...I thought it was cute...

until my dear children said that it didn't look like a partridge in a pear tree...

more like "a bird in a bum tree!"
Every year that makes me laugh...priceless!

Cardygirl xx