Stitching with Helen of Hugs n Kisses

On Friday I had the best day.

1st - I finally had a day off work to do something fun

2nd - I spent the day with Helen from Hugs n Kisses & 7 others stitchers doing what we love best - stitching, laughing & learning new techniques.

Helen came all the way to Perth from the Promise Land - Hobart, Tasmania, to teach classes for the WA Quilters Guild. The Friday class I went to was a workshop on embroidery & specifically her lovely 'Sewing Chatelaine' projects.

Before even the first stitch I learnt heaps about needles, working with threads & specifically why my thread tends to get fuzzy & knot (I'm using too small a needle with too small an eye - Crewel No 7s for me from now on!).

We started with the large medallion on the needle case. Here's my effort for the day;

The blue areas are the iron on pattern, such a time saver & a feature of Helen's patterns. You get an iron on transfer that will work several times as well as the printed page for tracing if that is your preference. The blue petals are now filled with satin stitch in a delicate pink.

Even though that is as far as most of us got, Helen went through all the tips & hints for finishing off the set. I can't wait to try the leather stitching on the sides of the scissor case, tape measure holder & fob, it is such an easy, strong & decorative stitch. Helen showed us how to make the cord & tassel to finish off our little masterpieces.

As you can see behind Helen, there was a display of her work & I was so happy to see her new project 'Home Sweet Home' up close. The scallops are larger than I expected & the stitcheries in them so vintage & sweet.

Check out some of the stitcheries up close;

and of course there has to be a kitty;

So naturally a copy of this glorious Home Sweet Home pattern & the acrylic templates had to come home with me. The fabrics in this quilt are Helen's first fabric line 'Life is Beautiful' in conjunction with Red Rooster fabrics.

They are available at Quilt Fabric Delights ($5 a fat quarter - great price for Aussie) and I read on Leanne's Blog yesterday that Esme's in Launceston is stocking Helen's fabrics too. Check out the needle cases Leanne has made for the shop out of Helen's Life is Beautiful panel. In Perth, Quintessential Quilts in Morley are stocking the range too, so we can see them, touch them & play before we buy.

A big thank you to the WA Quilters Guild for bringing Helen all the way West for us & to the lovely & talented Helen for her fantastic teaching, generous sharing of her wealth of knowledge and sweet ways that made the days such fun.

I read something recently that gave me a giggle, on a blog or Facebook, can't remember which, 'I'm going to a workshop to learn how to make another UFO!' I can so relate to that but this sewing set is just so pretty & useful that I am determined to get them finished - soon!

Happy stitching
Tracee xx

Black & White Bag Swap

Hi all

I have recently taken part in the Black & White Bag swap, part of Cheryll's 'Lets Exchange' series of swaps. Cheryll is a great Swap Mama, so thanks again for all your hard work Cheryll xx

Boy was I glad I did when I got matched with Sharon from Lilabelle Lane. I am just amazed by her beautiful creations & how finished quilts & smaller items come out thick & fast. Her sewing machine must have smoke coming off the feeddogs!

This swap was no exception. The parcels arrived about a week before the post date so I sat them on the table & tried not to look at them, touch them, smell them or rip into them.

I hadn't even posted mine but that was soon remedied so I waited for Sharon to receive my parcel on Friday before I opened them. A nice start to a Friday night after the work week.

My bag is beautiful. It's roomy, has great inside pocket & I love the conversation print lining.

An added bonus is the embellishment is on a brooch pin or hair clip so can be moved or taken off the bag & used else where. It is very pretty close up.

The fragrant part of my present is a gorgeous set of lavender & chamomile body wash & body lotion. They are all naturally derived ingredients and beautifully packaged. Spoilt!

Thanks again Sharon, loving my swap pressies! xx

Here are my presents to Sharon; the black & white bag.

I have been saving that white & black swirly print for just the right project - it's a favourite & I think looks very posh in this little bag.

I also sent a glasses case made to match. I have been meaning to make one of these for ages & was pleased how easily it came together. It is from my favourite US magazine, Quilts and More.

It fitted my sunglasses very nicely. Here are both gifts together.

As you can see the pics are taken aboove my sewing table - no fancy settings for me, I just don't have the knack for doing that!

I forgot to take a pic of the smellies & extra but you can see them on Sharon's blog. I sent Blueberry & Raspberry Body Butter, Soap & Hand Sanitiser and a chocolate with a spoon in it all ready to make decadent real hot chocolate. Maybe I should trial things like that before I send them.........

My bag came from this great UK magazine filled with lots of great bag patterns.

Shez also used this magazine for the pattern to her amazing knitting bag that she made for Maria. If you haven't seen it, check it out, it's a beauty & on my 'to do' list. We both made a slight change by adding pellon to the bags but otherwise even though both patterns introduced us to something new, they worked a treat and gave excellent results.

Here's the original of my bag in the magazine. I think the pellon making it a more formal looking bag suited the colours & fabrics used. I have one cut out for me in red & black. I'm sure I will make it one day soon........

Happy stitching
Tracee xx

FNSI - Little Things

Last night I had a Friday Night Sew In along with many of you worldwide. It was a great Friday night for a sew in in Perth. The weather was stormy, the temperature had dropped dramatically & the rain was falling. A night in front of the TV watching the AFL footy semi-final, then 2 ABC police & forensics programmes while stitching was perfect.

For once there was no stitchery happening, just lots of little things coming together. I made these hexies on Thursday night.

And Friday night sewed them together. Little Brun helped by supervising which fabrics to put in what order.

Next it was cut up lots of little squares.

That orange circle is the large size clover yo-yo maker. And by bed time I had 15 lovely little yo-yos made.

Another 10 were made during the second semi-final footy game today so only 5 more to make. The yo-yo maker certainly makes it easy.

To see what everyone else did on their FNSI, go to Heidi's blog, Handmade by Heidi, where there are 127 bloggers signed up for last nights sew in. It's a great way to find new blogs & bloggers whose work we can ohhh & ahhh over.

Happy stitching

Tracee xx

Stitchery Queen!

Hi all

Now that I am back stitching, I am more than living up to my self proclaimed 'stitchery queen' tag. There has been so many stitchery projects in recent magazines that I just love.


In the latest Country Threads Jennifer Reynolds from Elefantz had a design for gorgeous 'On Christmas Day' Postcards. They have a cute pocket that you can put a tea bag in (or I was thinking a coffee sachet & a chocolate!) & send to a friend. The words are lovely. Today I finally managed to find a pack of little buttons & stars to decorate the trees with.

Here's a copy of Jenny's design & what mine will loosely end up looking like.

I have also finished my stitchery for my first mini quilt made for me but like most of my projects it is now in line for the machine sewing borders etc. It has turned out gorgeous already though. I'm sorry I can't tell you whose design it is as I found the stitchery traced on the white cotton in my UFO box & the pattern or magazine it came from no where to be seen.

 

 

The latest issue of Homespun definately had me swooning. See the table runner design on the cover (hanging off the table), it & the stitchery in the middle by Lisa Pyke of Cubby House Crafts is definately my cup of tea.

 

 

 

 I love the whole table runner design but decided to make the stitchery a bit bigger & stitch it for the Spring Mini Swap I am doing, organised by swap mama Cheryll from Gone Stitchin. Are you in the Spring swap? I wonder if I am stitching it for you??? I am definately going to have to duplicate this one & do one for me too.

 

 

Something else that took my eye when I saw the Homespun cover on Lisa's blog was naturally the colourful kitties. What could be more purrfect to add to the Quiltkitty household than a lemon stitchery kitten with pink ears? Of course he won't be an only kitty & there are plans for a whole litter in the fabric pile on my sewing desk.

 

 

 

So as always, there is a backup at the sewing machine of projects to be finished. My audit days at work start tomorrow so will soon be over. Even though there is catch up work to do I am already feeling a lot more relaxed. Soon there will be more time & energy for lots of machine sewing!

 

 

The last 2 weekends there have been big yard cleanup days to coincide with the verge pickup. Brutus coped by napping on the bed as usual, while Hun-bun tried to help but found it much more fun to sit in the neighbours rockery and watch the work being done. I'm sure he thinks he looks like a big, tough savannah lion. It's a good thing his honoury 'Uncle Neveille' doesn't mind him making himself at home in his yard.

 

 

Happy stitching

Tracee xx

Tuesday Treasures

Here's a funny treasure but one close to my heart in winter, even in Perth. The Bureau of Meteorology says we are having a low of  6 this week & highs between 17 & 21 with lots more rain until next Sunday when a nice fine 24 is due. The temps will have to rise dramatically before I put this treasure away in the drawer until next year.

I do like a good pair of fluffy slippers & warm socks but my winter treasure is a nice comfy pair of flannel pjs. Nothing flimsy, frilly or flirty for my winter attire!

I have brought two new pairs. A French theme, slightly woolley as worn & washed already....

And my new favourite - Dancing Moo Cows!

Little Brun & Hun-bun were a little put out - where's the kitty prints muma. They soon forgot about it, once snoozing in front of their favourite winter treasure - the gas fire.

To read about other treasures of join in go to Melody's blog, The House On The Side Of The Hill.

Keep warm friends!
Tracee xx Brun xx Hun-bun xx

Stitching Up A Storm....

Hand stitching that is & maybe less of a storm & more so just a passing front that I hope will lead to big things...

When at my most frenzied I always revert back to knitting & scarves, due to no thought required but accomplishing something. Here's the model of the family Hermione with the most recent creations;

At last Spotlight had in a few balls of the black Honeycomb yarn though I had to get the one with the bobbles on it. I stopped myself from knitting until the end of the ball too so this scarf doesn't quite hang to my knees like the others of this type do.

My new favourite, another single ball of wool from Spotlight & Moda Vera. The pattern was on the band & the wool is soft & elasticated. The colours in this one are just perfect for me. I went looking for more but they only have a blue one left & I really wanted girly colours for a change.

Needless to say in the rush of 9-10 hour working days I had forgotten how relaxing I find hand stitching so am pleased to now be stitching again on a regular basis.

Now for the projects that have resulted from my rediscoved stitching joy!

Lovely Leanne from Lizzie the Quilter & I did  birthday swap & not long ago I did a post on my gorgeous tumbler table runner & other gifts I received. Yesterday was Leanne's birthday & below are the pressies I sent her.

A little felt friendship heart with lots of baby buttons & pretty fabric.

The main present was a mini wall hanging that came with its own wire stand. The stitchery is an enlargement of Natalie Bird's True Friends stitchery from her Red Home Book. A few borders & a nice little peeper and this is the end result.

I was so happy (& relieved!) when the stands arrived from the USA in time to post Leanne's parcel to her. I meant to order them weeks ago when I did the Welcome mini swap, run by Cheryl of Gone Stitchin but didn't get around to it so fingers & toes were crossed they would get here in time for the birthday. The parcel did get to Tassie in time & Leanne posted she is very happy with the present. A great swap between friends - thanks again Leanne! xx

As for my stands (yes plural - quite a few of them & lots of headers), I will take pics when I have a mini quilt to show off on them. My Welcome Swap quilt has never been sent to me & sadder still I never got a thank you or even an acknowledgment for my birdy quilt.

Never mind, as I well know life sometimes gets in the way of crafting, so I am busy stitching my own mini quilt also with the birdy theme. Here's a peek & when I finish it I will post pics of my lovely hangers.

Happy Fathers Day to all our men!

Tracee xx

Machine Sewing - yes ME!

Hi all,

At last I have done a little machine sewing, only 3 blocks & I was motivated by a very good cause.

I did my usual roller cutting in the middle of the night - it just seems to be when I feel like cutting fabric....

During the daylight hours I chain pieced...

I drew very nice straight lines...

I did more roller cutting.....

More chain piecing & lots of pressing...

And my results are Block 1 made to be part of a quilt for a little 3 year old girl....

Block 2 which is part of a quilt for an 11 year old girl...

And my favourite, Block 3 for a 3 & half year old little boy....

These are part of the Snugglybug Rug Project that is run by Helen Stubbing of Hugs & Kisses in Hobart. Thanks to Helen & her bugettes from all around Australia, the Snugglybug Rug Project runs as a way to provide a snuggle quilt to each child diagnosed with either a terminal illness or a long term disease requiring treatment in Tasmania.

Go to the link above & have a look at past quilts we have made & the standard pattern used. If you too have a hour here & there to help these wonderful kids then please sign up. There is always new quilters needed & it is such a caring idea for brave kids fighting big battles.

Happy sewing
Tracee xx

Tuesday Treasures

Hi all

Here's my little treasure....

She is Anabella, nine weeks old & the beautiful second child of my dear friend Regina.

Along with her birthday suit, she is wearing her 'Wee Willie Winkie Hat' that I knitted for her. It's times like this I am very thankful for the craftiness I have been given & being able to share it with those around me.

Of course I am tickled how cute she looks in her kitty hat too....

To see more treasures or share your own, go to Melody's blog, The House On The Side Of The Hill.

Happy stitching
Tracee xx

Bad, Bad, Bad.....

Not Brunnie, not Hun-bun (well yes maybe Hun-bun too), its me & I am a bad, bad, bad friend!

I received a lovely birthday gift from my friend Leanne from Lizzie Quilts in Tassie & while Leanne knows I absolutely love it & it is proudly displayed in my home, I have let work get in the way of blogging about how gorgeous it is & how lucky I am.

Inside was the most beautiful tumblers table runner in perfect colours & prints for my home. As you can see it was made to perfectly fit one of my coffee tables too. I admire it every day as I walk past.

Here's a close up & isn't it beautifully quilted too.

The handmade card is so cute and still on display & I received a lovely pack of charm squares - Looking Back by Moda.

So hows that for a wonderful birthday gift! You already knew privately I loved it Leanne but it's long overdue time I shouted it to the world too!


So I am about half way through the busy period for me at work, working full time again & 9-10 hour days too. Tomorrow I have the pleasure of working in the afternoon at the Poo & Prams Expo - the real name is the Pregnancy, Baby & Childrens Expo but in my first year at this work I was warned by the old hands of the pram traffic jams & to expect the overwhelming smell of dirty nappies from all the younger attendees. It can be quite fun but they were true on both accounts!

With all this extra work bed time is a lot earlier & there is a lot more sleeping going on. There are no complaints about that except from me. Brunnie is doing a lot more sleeping....

Hun-bun is doing a lot more sleeping...

& I'm doing a lot more sleeping too & missing out on my valuable blogging & stitching time. Funnily enough this week while I am the busiest I have been, I have started stitching again & staying up a bit later just to get a few more stitches in. Maybe that is because someone special is having a birthday soon too????

Miss you all & great to see so many of you now on Facebook.

Happy sleeping!
Tracee xx  Brunnie xx  Hun-Bun xx