A taste...

Very soon now Stampin' Up Australia launches its 2011/12 catalogue. One of the marvellous things that will be available in the new catalogue is FABRIC. The fabric patters coordinate with stamp sets and papers as well as using the delicious colour ranges only available with Stampin' Up products. Happily, I attended a team weekend retreat where everyone played with new products. The following picture features a bag I made based on card-bag pattern demonstrated by Joanna Wassens (not sure where Jo discovered the pattern). I am so glad I took my sewing machine along to the team weekend. I had loads of fun doing this bag - although some refinements are required. When I tackle the bag once again, I'll post instructions for how I made it.

Sudoku Cushion

Wow! Interest in my cushion... Here's a better picture of the cushion. Essentially, I picked out 9 contrasting fabrics from a Moda "Sultry" Layer Cake and cut 9 x 2.5" squares from each pattern. I then did a Sudoku in the newspaper and used it as a template to make the cushion top. When I stitched it together there was a little too much brown. Creative Opportunity! I used the Stampin' Up! heart punch to make my heart shape, made some appliqué pieces and stitched them on top. As I love a good Sudoku, I also enjoyed the whimsy of including the heart in the pattern.

Easter

Invitation out to the Gibbs' side of the family for an egg-hunt at ours on Sunday. Hunting eggs duly purchased and I searched for likely items for a basket for the kids. I couldn't find anything that appealed, so went to the fabric store and bought some calico. In the interests of environmental responsibility, I decided to make six little bags for the munchkins to use to collect eggs. Girls had flowers stitched on, Ryan and Toby had stars and elephants respectively. I took the photo seconds before the hunt happened and obviously didn't focus it at all. To one side you'll also see I finished my sudoku cushion - didn't come out quite as expected.
The Hunt is On! Here's the kids towards the end of the egg hunt. Kids loved their bags! And, of course, once Easter is over, they can be re-used!

A little bit different

Quilting/Patchwork has long been on my "to do" list as something I'd like to try. Stephanie, a lovely, lovely former manager of our school canteen, who I used to help on a more or less monthly basis gave me a gorgeous Moda fabric "Blush" charm pack just before she moved to greener pastures. Its been calling me for ages and this morning I went and found this fabulous website: www.modabakeshop.com which inspired me to finally drag out the sewing machine and create.
Don't pay attention to how off-square this is - this is my very first attempt at patchwork. I pieced together nine-squares and then cut them in half vertically and horizontally to make the squares. I then laid them out on the table and moved them around til I was happy with the pattern. Then I wanted to expand the whole thing a bit - after finding no joy in my fabric scraps, I delved into my Stampin' stash and pulled out the 1 1/4" pink pirouette grosgrain ribbon from Stampin' Up's Autumn mini. I cut the ribbon and singed the edges using a candle to stop them fraying. I've now had to order more fabric so I'll be able to make this a decent size. The fabrics are just delicious and some of the "recipes" on the ModaBakeshop website are sweet! I'll be making at least one more quilt once I get better at making things square!!