Finally gifted!

I made a quilt for a friend- well, her mum and I are friends, and Little Miss and her are friends- a mum and daughter (like us) that we met in a group, and went on a few camping trips with. Sue made a big move at the end of last year, a new suburb and school, and further to travel to work. So I wanted to make Sue (the mum) a quilt for the new house, and as I was gifted some gorgeous fabric at Xmas time, I thought I'd use some of the stash for some gift quilts. However, knowing what 10yr old girls are like (probably like my 9yr old) I thought I'd keep the child (Sam) happy first with her own quilt (so mum has a chance of keeping hers- smart, hey?)

Inspiration was from one of my fave blogs here, and then I found a tutorial. I have wanted to try some new-to-me blocks, oldies but goodies, and give them a modern twist! The quilting was also a Crazy Mom technique...

Of, course I forgot to take some close ups or outside shots, but these will do....

  

I have to give my girl a bit of credit, for helping with some fabric choices, and layout and balance! (She has a eye already...)

And they had some typical tweenie silliness...

(Hmmm, that trick doesn't work with iPhone)

Perfect for cubbies!

 I really hope she likes it!

Ahhh, The Retreat!

Yay, I'm back, baby! Gosh, computer problems are a pain, aren't they? I seem to have sorted them out, well, I paid a couple of 'geeks' to, so hope it stays working!

There's heaps to catch up on, less computer time means producing, but my first post is all about this place! My Internet/ IRL friend Abbe has opened this amazing place- 45mins from Melbourne! Fully renovated and beautifully styled, I was lucky enough to stay one of the nights over the opening weekend, and was spoilt rotten! Thanks to Abbe, and Julie, Fi and Blogless Faith, as well as a few other visitors, I had a ball.

As usual, I forgot to charge my camera battery, so I've borrowed some pics from Cam and Julie.

There is a fully equipped sewing room;

Gorgeous and inviting kitchen; plenty of space for everyone to accumulate in there, as often happens!

See? huge.

with an adjoining living area. Good for naps apparently.

 and a 2nd living space. (Bowl put there for size comparison haha or more likely it's a 'hiding from the others to eat the chips' room!)

 There are five bedrooms, each with 2 double beds, and built in robes. Linen and towels are all provided, so you only need to pack your craft! (Just sew new clothes!)

Another bedroom;

Another bedroom. This has a walk in robe and ensuite off it, just beautiful!

the downstairs bathroom has a tub, and a shower BETTER than mine at home, making it very hard to get out. I don't know many places that can claim that!

Other pics and reviews over here, with Nic and Bronwyn.

Abbe is having an awesome giveaway; it has my name all over it and I plan on winning (full marks for confidence, right?) but is free for anyone to enter, either by blogging about it or booking a stay. And with a 20% discount at the moment, anyone crazy enough NOT to do it?

Just remember to invite me, 'kay?

A while ago....

So a few weeks ago I got hold of this lovely stretch fabric from Karen. Remember the Tova that didn't fit? Yep, we swapped!

It actually looks black, but is a dark navy. 

I thought I'd try it with this pattern. I think I like it.

It is quite a thick knit, so I think a lighter knit would drape a little better. But this is super warm!

I finished it in the morning and wore it out that afternoon. Karen was there and snapped a pic! 

I also made a few bags. I have left a job (and started at a new one, don't worry) and wanted to give a few of my fave colleagues a little something. Boy, it's hard finding something to make 6 of (I ended up keeping one teehee) that are quick and easy!

I went with this tutorial- and used up quite a few scraps!

The most fun was choosing the colour combos

and the linings! They look great, and were very well received! For anyone wanting to try it, do it- clear instructions, and only used fabric and batting. It stated fusible batting, but I joined my scraps together of cotton batting from quilts, spray basted them on, and then quilted around the patchwork squares to keep them in place. Once it was all sewn up the batting is in position!

Sunday snippets

OK, so not today's snippets, but the last few Sundays I haven't posted in! 

Or just a collection of pics making me have a smiley Sunday!

Babies sun hats have been finished off;

the kid keeps getting longer legs;

this little lady has come to live here; I haven't thought of a name yet, any ideas?

and out with the old- this trusty old cabinet has seen me improve my sewing by miles.

 Now off to help someone else get creative! Listing here.

Joining over here with Tinniegirl

blogtoberfest day 10

On the way to camp on Friday, we stopped in for a quick 'howdy' to a few friends.

Nikki had organised the most amazing idea....

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Every corner of the studio/townhouse was utilized; lots of yummy food (ensuring leftovers for Nikki of course). Typical bloggers and sewers, Karen, Lara and I all had girls in the Jump Rope Dress! So cute!

I also got lots of cuddle of this little girl, and coveted her outfit; her adorability doesn't come through fully over the blog. She's a cutie patootie!

My girl had a ball, and the 1/2 an hr turned into many; can't wait to do it again, so I'm off to blunt my scissors haha

a few things

Making Brianna a wrap skirt;

I was gifted one of the small clocks...and the kid got made a big one!

and someone's liking learning to knit!

Finally some craft camp pics....

Well, I had to sort through the pics so I didn't double up and you wouldn't want to go here and read Brianna's awesome post! (Don't rush over there, though, there is a great animation of a terrible me being greedy!) As the other 2 pals are a bit behind in their blogging, we have to give them a memento too!

Essentials were packed (Coffee machine not in pic!). However, awesome meals were

also consumed.

Brownies kept us full of energy (and a chance to use my vintage Bessemer plate!)

My driver and sewing 'sister'

The beautiful sun on Saturday was a bit of a pest.....it only seemed to hit my machine!

And for anyone else that goes to or wants to go to Sewjourn, this is THE best bed.

Mel finished a quilt.....

and Brianna brought along her finished Sherbert Pips quilt

Brianna started and finished this quilt top....

And I finally got into my 'It's a Hoot' quilt 

Liesel struggled with a badly written pattern most of the time, but on the first night dressed the dressmaker's dummy, and introduced us to baked doughnuts.......mmmmmm, doughnuts!

And then 'visual merchandiser" Brianna styled us up and we all went 'awwwwww'.

Thanks for an awesome weekend girls, I loved every minute!