A mini "Frock Quilt"

After making Amelia's Frock quilt I had a small panel left of the 'frock fabric' which I was going to make into another cushion for her room but when I finished the top I decided that it was too pretty to be sat on and would make a nice little wallhanging to match her quilt. I don't normally buy panels like this frock fabric but I just couldn't resist the cuteness of these little frocks and also the pretty pastel colours. I love the tiny squares of fabric in the border too.

Anyway this is my finish for the week and I now have to rush around and pack for yet another weekend away.  We are going up to Auckland for a wedding and staying with friends that we don't see very often and have 2 girls the same age as our girls. Looks like another fine and sunny weekend too! Sorry to rub it in to those in the northern hemisphere. Have a great weekend!!

Edited to add : Go check out Amber's blog 'A little bit biased' for another great giveaway of one of her patterns AND some Lila Tueller goodness too.' Seriously you won't be dissappointed!!

All the way from Texas!

I won these goodies in a giveaway on Diane's blog a couple of weeks ago. Four scrummy fabrics, a redwork panel plus embroidery thread and needles so I have no excuse to start this. I have always admired redwork so am quite keen to have a go. It will be my next handwork project to do in front of the TV in the evenings. Diane also made a cute little zippered pouch with some pretty cherry fabric and hidden inside were 2 bracelets perfect for my girls although they might have to share them with me sometimes. Also included was a copy of "Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks" collectors edition which is I was very pleased to recieve. So thank you so much Diane, you generosity made my day!

A sneak peek......

A little peek of what I've been working on this week. This is a border made up of 1 inch squares made with 1 1/2" strips so a great way to use up a honey bun although I used scraps. Quite easy, a little time consuming but I love the result. Not sure what this is going to turn into yet.

It will have to wait till Monday as we are going to stay with friends for the weekend and I'm participating in a cycling event on Saturday. The weather is predicted to be fine and sunny so I'm predicting lots of swims in our friends pool and perhaps a soak in their spa after my ride.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Stumbled upon ............

Whilst cruising through my blog reading list last night I stumbled upon a blog by the lovely Amber called "A little bit biased". She has just launched her first set of quilt patterns and I've got to say they are quite beautiful! She has written a lovely background story of how she got to where she is today and how her Grandmother inspired her and continues to do so. Also a few posts down on her blog she has done a 'keeping it real' post so you can get to know her a little bit more, PLUS she is having a giveaway to celebrate the pattern launch. So head on over to her blog and check out her pretty patterns. She gets an extra vote from me because she has a New Zealand connection!

My husband just earned himself brownie points this morning by texting me to wish me Happy Anniversary!!! I had completely forgotten although I knew it was coming up. We have been married  16 years today! Wow that sure went quickly.

In honour of Valentines Day....

This is what I've been working on every night for the last week while watching TV ( I hate to have idle hands!). I started off with a basic wooden heart purchased on a whim from Spotlight with no fixed idea how I was going to decorate it. I found some leftover red bias binding with tiny white hearts and wound it all the way around. Got out some red and white fabrics plus a little pink and started adding some yo yo flowers with buttons on one side. 

Then on the other side I made some felt beaded flowers and another with fabric, felt and a button centre.

To finish it off I made a felt heart ornament studded with beads to hang in the centre.

I'm really pleased with how this turned out and it was fun to make. We don't exchange Valentines gifts anymore but when my husband packed his bag to go away this week I snuck in a little surprise present for him. Sometimes its the little gestures that mean more. What did you do for Valentines this year??

And the winners are................

Okay so I got together with my random generators also known as my daughters  Amelia and Caitlin. Amelia helped me write out all the names and the extra entries for all your lovely comments then they both took turns in pulling out names.

Congratulations to Debbie aka Marblesbestfriend, Diane of Life Scraps, and Ariane of Ariane's Crafts.

Debbie wins the 6 fat quarters and flower brooch.

Diane wins the Charm Squares and apple pincushion

Ariane wins the honey bun and pear pincushion

Congratulations ladies I shall email you to confirm and post out your gifts ASAP. Thanks to all who entered and left comments and welcome to all my new followers.

One sweet cushion!

This afternoon I made this cushion from a tutorial found on the Moda Bakeshop. It's designed by Roslyn Mirrington of Bloom. The original cushion is made with a honeybun but I already had some 1 1/2" strips leftover from Amelia's Frock quilt that I wanted to use up. I also added strips at both ends and omitted the button trim as I think mine is busy enough. This was a great tutorial with easy to follow instructions.

I love the ric rac trim just peeking through and the piping gives it a nice finished look. This is a great project to use up scraps and create matching cushions for your quilts.

And on the back its tied with 2 sweet bows. I havn't made an inner for it yet as I've run out of stuffing. Off to the big city of Auckland tomorrow to do some shopping and I have quite a list of sewing needs to get. This also means I won't get time to draw my giveaway till Sunday. (Sorry!)

Oh and I'm linking up with Amy's Sew 'n' tell Friday so click on the button over their on the right and check out all the other great finishes for this week.