Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

I hope you make time to enjoy your family, friends and hobbies in 2011.  I certainly plan to ...

Take care
Judy

Breast Cancer Drain Bags

A local lady has been talking to me about making drain bags for Breast Cancer Patients

Photo is property of bagmakingpatterns.com

See email below:


I have been asked to be the contact person for Wagga Base and Calvary Hospitals, so if you know anyone who would be interested in sewing some of the bags please pass the pattern on to them.


The hospitals in Wagga need 25 a month, so any help I can get is most appreciative. They don't have to make a lot even one or two each would be helpful. The ladies have just put out their January online magazine and have mentioned in there if anyone lives near the Wagga area and wants to help out to contact them, so hopefully I will get a few more helpers there as well. Any fabric will do for them, however they do suggest a heavy weight fabric so it can handle the weight that will be carried in them. I have made a few where I have used some light weight fabric and lined it with the heavy weight fabric. They take about an hour at the most to make one bag.
Thanks for your help Judy.

http://www.quiltblockofthemonthclub.com/download.php?file=breast-cancer-bag-appeal-pattern.pdf

Let me know if you have any trouble downloading the pattern.
Cheers
Belinda
 
If anyone wishes to help out, please email me, and I will pass on your details to Belinda.  This is such a worthwhile cause, and if you can spare 1 hour a month to make a bag it will be greatly appreciated.
If you do not live in the Riverina area, but wish to help out, just contact the lady in the PDF document (via the link above) or contact your local hospital to see if they need any.
 
Have a great week
Judy

Candy Cane Cuties

This weekend has been a fun weekend making these cute candy cane ornaments.  They were made for my "thank you" gift for December Online orders, but as they turned out so great I decided to also add them to the online store.

Wouldn't they look great hanging from your Christmas Tree.. I wish I had mine up already so that I could photograph them on it .. hopefully I can start on the christmas decorating by the end of this month.

These candy cane cuties would also look great as a gift tag or even given as a fun gift ...

I also completed making up 10 reindeer kits for a workshop I am teaching next weekend in Narrandera .. my reindeer is always popular this time of year, and is an absolute delight to make.  The finished product is so sweet, that you will not want to put him into storage until the next year... I must admit mine stays out in the studio all year around.

Until next time, happy crafting
Judy

A Month Has Passed

Well despite my good intentions on updating this blog regularly, I am finding it harder to maintain.  It has been a month since my last update, sorry.

The web business has been busy as well as lots of happenings around the home, but I do not believe that I am the only one that struggles to find time to fit everything in. Or at least I hope that is the case!

I did manage to make a snowman head ornie using a table tennis ball as per my last post .. what do you think?  I was really happy with the result.

While I was playing I also converted some mint containers into snowman gifts .. I think these will be great for Kris Kringle gifts..

I was reading that we only have 82 days until Christmas, I had better get a move on with my Christmas gifts.  I love making the actual decorations, like Santas, Snowmen and ornies, but find that making something practical is a little "intimidating".  Will they like it?  Will they use it?  All the usual questions, that haunt us!

I am looking forward to seeing the wonderful freebies that the ladies at "Among The Gum Trees" have planned for their second annual Christmas season.  Pop across and check out these talented ladies.

Until next time, take care, and I hope you are enjoying your long weekend if you are in NSW and any other state that celebrates this Labour Day long weekend.

Xmas Fridge Magnet

I found these really large clothes pegs in a discount store, they measure approximately 15cm in length and are 3cm wide.  Ideal to make into fridge magnets.  The Snowman and Santa fit nicely on the peg.

I will be adding these two to my web store today ... now off to make some snowman Xmas tree ornies using table tennis balls - intrigued, check back again to see if I was successful.

I'm Hooked

After reading a lot of my favourite blogs I have discovered the Tilda range of books which feature Tone Finnanger's designs .  Add to that the discovery of the Book Depository in the UK which ships to Australia FREE, I am in heaven (and in debt)  - they really do have a great range of books! 
 
I received my first order last week, and it only took 11 days from date of order until it was delivered to me  in regional NSW - how fantastic is that?

This is one of her first books and it is filled with some wonderful Christmas projects.  I especially love the idea of the "wall bags" - a great alternative to the traditional Christmas stocking.

I have to admit that I did pre-order two of her new books, and cannot wait for them to be published and in the post to me, but in the interim I did go back to the Book Depository store and ordered a couple more of her books for Christmas gifts.  I wonder if this is can be counted in the "handmade" gifts category?

Moving on - does anyone else loose items in their craft room, or are you all terribly organised and everything has a place?  I have a habit of buying supplies and then putting them somewhere (logical) for ease of access.  Unfortunately it may be many months until I need to use it, and then the "logical" place has gone into hiding.  I try and sort supplies into groupings, but because I work on a great variety of projects, it can sometimes get overwhelming (and I must admit I am a bower bird).  I have (wasted) spent a couple of hours this evening searching for my container which holds my zips, I was planning to sew some little budget envelopes.  I had chosen  the fabric and lining, and then when I went looking for the zips, they were no-where to be found, frustrating is the mildest work I can think of to use. 

Therefore no sewing this evening, and a shopping trip planned for tomorrow - I suppose that will not be too bad.

Till then

Judy

New products for the web store kept me busy

I have been busy today, adding new products to my web store.  I received some wonderful patterns from Amy Bradley Designs in the USA.  She is well known for the "Quilt Diva" trademark.
Two of her new patterns are "Fabric Addict Doll" and "Fabric Addict Wall Hanging", they are so cute ... when will I have time to try them out?

Do you agree?  Are these cute or what?  Time oh time, where can I purchase some more of this valuable resource? 

I did make some pin cushions for gifts, however they are very light in colour, so they do not photograph very well. I will try again tomorrow in the sunlight, if we have any.  Today it was a very cloudy, cold 10 degrees... good day to be on the computer.

Have a great weekend

 

Farewell July, Welcome August

Another month has quickly passed me by this year, although I must admit I am glad to see the end of July.  I would be even happier if I could say goodbye to this dreaded "cold" that has been my constant companion for the last 10 days.  It has left me feeling very lethargic, and has squashed any creative vibes in my body.

Today I have the options of :

• Updating my neglected blog
• Surfing the web for inspiration
• Sending out a store newsletter
• Household chores, particulary 'IRONING'

Well as you can see, as the first option, I had to go with updating my blog.  Just to let you know that I was still alive (just) and kicking.  Hopefully there will more interesting news to talk about as the week goes by...

Wonder what Judith's challenge will be for August in the "Early Bird" challenge.  Did you check out the July winners?  I loved the "Dresdon Plate Clock".  Congratulations to all the winners. 

No Craft Weekend

Unfortunately I did not get around to doing any craft this weekend.  Sick family members to care for, shopping trip in near by Griffith, and household chores.

Although one of my sisters did drop off a big garbage bag of fabric offcuts.  (Thanks, Sue) These were all from a furnishing store, so there are some absolutely gorgeous textured pieces in the collection.  Drooled for a little while, before sorting into colours and putting away.  I can foresee some lovely victorian style pin cushions in a couple of the pieces.  I also put some other pieces to one side to make a christmas bell pull, now all I need is the time.

Some of my rose bushes were pruned, but there are still more to be tackled.  The weather was great to be outside in the garden, not too cold, and the garden needs some tender loving care this time of the year.

Fingers crossed, some photos of finished items later in the week.

Have a great week
Judy

As planned!

It is not often that when I plan to do something on a particular day, it happens.  But today it did!
I spent the morning in the studio and then had time for a walk and household chores this afternoon. 
A Great Day! 
 
I made two hanging handtowels based on the instructions found here.  I changed it a little bit, by using my towel doubled for added volume.  I also surprised myself with how easy it was to make a buttonhole.  My Janome sewing machine is about 10 years old, and I was sure it had an automatic buttonhole function.  Found the book, and yes, there it was, and how simple to use.  (reminder to self, to find more projects using buttonholes).

Then as planned I made three bookmarks.  I will definitely be making more, as most of my family are avid readers, so this will be a gift that will be well received.  These are a good way to use up scraps, and I think a scrappy one is worth a try.  Hopefully they will not be too bulky to turn out and use.  These bookmarks were based on instructions found here

Now off to email Judith from Creative Studio to update my Early Bird Christmas Gift total.  What next, I hear you ask?  Well, I have been thinking of making some backpacks for my nieces and nephews?

Till next time

Judy

Easy Folder From A Placemat

This is what I made today. I cannot take the credit for it, as I found the idea on someone else's blog, but I am sorry I cannot remember where.  I have searched, but cannot find it, so if this idea belongs to you, please let me know so that I can give you the credit.

 
It is a handy folder made from a place mat, into which you sew various sized zip lock bags.  I finished mine off with a button, but you could just use ribbon ties.

I made this so that I can put all my little buttons, seed beads, embroidery thread and other important little accessories in it when I go to workshops. There is also one bag big enough to store your pattern as well. This will mean I can keep everything together in one folder in separate compartments.  Very quick and easy to make, not to mention very inexpensive.

My sister has requested one to put all her card making paraphernalia into, so I think it could be used for many purposes.

My list for tomorrow includes:

• Fabric bookmarks
• Hanging handtowels

Once finished these will be added to my Early Bird Christmas Gift box.

Xmas In July Crafting

More Christmas in July Crafting ... both made from felt. Two cute reindeer and one very warm snowman in his adorable red jumper.

 

The smaller reindeer and the snowman's nose have been made out of sculpty clay. This is the first time I have used this clay and I am really happy about the results.

I really should be organising kits for a Christmas in July workshop, but my computer was calling. Store to update, emails to reply to, invoices and labels to print, and many other tasks that the computer can do....not to mention checking out all the interesting blogs and other sites.

Hope you have a productive crafty weekend, myself included

Judy

Snowman Peg Ornaments

Continuing with the winter theme, I have made a couple of snowman peg ornaments, this is a free pattern available on the The Olde Country Cupboard blog. These were very quick and easy to make, and I am sure to make some more this week. Tonight was just a trial run, you know how it is?

It is so hard to take a photo of white, the flash seems to bounce back off it, and as you can tell from my photos, I still have an awful lot to learn but please bear with me. I wonder when I will find the time to learn how to do it?

Does anyone in Australia put up a Christmas tree for "Christmas In July"? Wouldn't one look great adorned with snowflakes and snowman ornaments?

Food for thought!

Judy

Brr... It's Cold

The title says it all - it is really cold today with a good frost... which is appropriate for the new mint books and tea packets I have been making over the weekend.

These are sweet to use as thank you gifts, or for your Christmas in July celebrations ... I have many winter designs in store and will be adding to this range in the future.

How to make mint books can be found here and then just choose your graphics and text. There are many online stores that sell graphics that you can use for any occasion or just experiment with your clipart or even family photos. All you need to do, once you have designed your mint book or tea packet is print them out on your printer and you're done.

For some free printable tea packets, go here

Enjoy

Judy

So Sweet

I found these sweet wine glasses at my Op Shop yesterday ($2.00 for three), and picked the camellias from my garden, how sweet do they look displayed on my window sill? They are situated above my kitchen sink and look so fresh and pretty.

I have been making some Christmas items for the shop, snowmen, gingerbread man, and another variation of a reindeer. These are all made from felt and are quick and easy. The photo shows them waiting for their individual photos on my sideboard.

Photos at last

OK, do not act surprised, I have actually taken photos of my mini gifts for the early bird challenge.

I have made a iPod cover as well as two mobile phone purses




I must admit most of my time as been taken up with trying out the new blog template designs. It has been so long since I have blogged that everything has changed. New challenges ahead I forsee.

Early Bird Christmas Crafters

Well, I have joined an Australian Early Bird Christmas Crafters group and I should be showing photos of the small gifts I have started making for Christmas ... Well, hold on, I will upload some photos soon.

For family members, you will need to guess which ones are for you, or else "put in an order" that will make life easier .... you all know how much I love Christmas, so this group is ideal for me

This is what I have started making:

1. iPod cover
2. Mobile phone covers
3. Christmas ornaments

Now if only someone could teach me how to take "great" photos it would be a help. I also have trouble taking photos of products for my online store ... there must be a easy way. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Photos will be loaded before the end of the week, I promise (fingers crossed)

Judy

Easter crafts

Photo of items I have been making for Easter - all fantastic patterns. Sorry the photo is not better, but it gives an idea of the variety.

The rooster and hen is a favourite, it is a Farm Studio pattern. I have this pattern in my online store and it was so easy to make..... check out the store at http://www.catncartcrafts.com/

Still here

Well you may have thought I had gone missing, since this blog has not been updated since 2008 - still here but not a lot of time to update this.

Another Christmas has been and gone, with no children present it was very quiet, although we will be back to normal again next year.

Thomas & Clay will be starting school in another weeks time, so I wish them great fun, new friends and lots of learning.. hope I will get some photos to upload. Hint, hint Stephen & Wayne is you are reading this.

Another statesman car has joined the ranks, first Pam, then Renee and now Wayne ... and they all absolutely love them ... lots of room and plenty of extras .... My camry is still going strong, even if it is over 10 years old ...

I have started sewing some Easter goodies, bunnies, eggs, chickens etc ... all very cute - I will post some photos soon

Well, at least I have popped up one post for 2010, fingers crossed more to follow.