Thursday, 31 March 2011

Birdhouse block

I have finished the Birdhouse block for the Vignette mystery quilt, so now onto the small flower stitcheries and then the long one.  It's so nice to see progress!

Birdhouse block
Happy stitching.

Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Crafty beginnings

We had a very wet weekend, especially Saturday, but despite this my husband and children, along with about 20 others, floated down the Waikato River on tyre tubes!  I will post some photos if I am able to get some ok ones.  I was very fortunate to be able to stay at home, warm and dry, and get some stitching done.  I have almost completed the Birdhouse block stitchery for the Vignette mystery quilt but don't have a photo at this stage.
Although I have always loved crafts and had made some quilts before, I hadn't made time for it for quite a few years, but in December 2009 I caught the crafty bug again so I thought it would be fun to document my 'makings' since then on this blog! 
So in December 2009 the first thing I made was this Folk Santa from a kit I purchased at the annual Needlecraft Fair.
Folk Santa
That was enough to get me inspired, so next I made two Christmas stockings for the kids which had been on my to do list for years!  I used a Tilda pattern from the book "Crafting Christmas Gifts".
Christmas stockings - Crafting Christmas Gifts by Tilda
January 2010 makings will be next ...
Happy stitching.







Sunday, 20 March 2011

Boys Story block three and Vignette sewing

I managed to finish the Boys Story block three, this was a much smaller block than the first two so it went together pretty quickly.

Kite applique


Block 3
I have put this to the side for a while to get started on the Vignette mystery quilt blocks two and three.  I have managed to complete all the piecing so now I am up to the applique, then lots of tracing and lots of stitching.

Because I am using different fabrics from the magazine, I find it quite difficult choosing which fabric to use and where!  I do not have a lot of experience in this!  However I love the birds that I was able to fussy cut, here is one of them:
So I had a really productive weekend sewing and I love that I am now up to the hand stitching (well, once I do the tracing) so I can take it with me where I go!
Happy stitching, Wendy

Saturday, 19 March 2011

Saturday baking and home made Easter eggs

We have a thanksgiving service at church tomorrow so I baked some anzac biscuits to give away, and some mini carrot cake muffins for the shared morning tea.

Then, just for fun and because I had been wanting to try these for Easter, I made some marshmallow easter eggs.  A big fiddly and time consuming but very yummy!

Setting the marshmallow in flour

Home made Easter eggs!!
I have almost finished block 3 for the Boys Story quilt so I will post my pictures of it tomorrow.
Happy stitching, Wendy

Thursday, 17 March 2011

Cross Stitch and Guitar Licks!

My mum taught me to cross stitch when I was five, and I have progressively got better and better. I have done some random ones before and have made a Fairy cross stitch for my Nana. This time I am doing the Seasonal Fairies. I am half way through my Autumn fairy and when I am done all the rest, I hope to put them into a quilt!! This is my Autumn Fairy:
My Daddy is talented to. He plays the Electric Guitar and writes his own songs. Here is a sample to convince you to buy his album if he ever publishes.

ENJOY!!

Boys Story block two and crochet

I have finished block two!  I am really enjoying making this quilt, I love to take the appliqué with me and stitch when I have to wait somewhere, like waiting for Charlie's bus in the afternoon or visiting with the grandparents, thankfully I can stitch and talk! 

Boat applique

Block 2

I have started the appliqué for block three, this time a kite, and I am now using Silk thread, thank you to Nicky from Farm Girl Stitching for your helpful advice!!  The Silk thread is lovely to use and it does seem to disappear into the fabric.
I also dusted off the crochet hook last week and made some flowers to hide some holes in one of Charlie's tops, quite a cute result!

I had some difficulty photographing today as Barney, our cat, kept lying on the samples!
  
Happy stitching, Wendy
                                                  

Tuesday, 15 March 2011

Charlotte's Web's New Look

After looking at all your awesome blogs, mum decided to make a header using a montage of photos of our arts and crafts. Of course she needed my help :)!!! So I put together this collection of pictures!!
You like?