Santa Sack Swap & a Birthday

Birthday Cushion

One of Lily's friends was having her 8th birthday and she didn't know what to give her as a gift so she decided  that I could make her a cushion. She chose all the fabrics herself and told me what she wanted and this is the end result. Sade likes butterflies so Lily went with that fabric for the lettering and a sparkly star fabric for the main cushion. I love how it turned out and may be doing a few more of these.

Santa Sack Swap

I received my Christmas parcel from Pauline . It contained a beautiful Stocking and 4 parcels (for July & August as she will be away for the post out in August. So will I so Pauline will be getting 4 too).

Pauline couldn't have known that the colours she had chosen were perfect for my bedroom :) Here it is hanging on the end of my bed. Not for long though away they go until it's time to open them. Mind you I have had a feel.

Home Sweet Home

I felt like a bit of a change this week so I got my cross stitching out, I had begun my Home Sweet Home by Country Cottage Needleworks last year. I got halfway through and put it down so I was determined to finish it this week. Now it's done I am not sure whether to frame it or make it into a cushion. Any ideas will be gratefully appreciated. I have also done two more small cross stitch projects this week but they are for a swap so I will post pictures of those when the swap is done.

I am just starting to think about beginning a Halloween Quilt/Wall Hanging but I am undecided which one to do as I have quiet a few patterns, perhaps I will have decided by the time I next post. 

Happy Stitching 

Melanie x

Two New Swaps

I was going to show you some photos of a few Christmas things I have finished and started over the past week, but my memory card has been misplaced (by me). I took it to print out some photos and didn't put it back in. Now I can't find it anywhere. :(  So it is off to town for me tomorrow to get a new one. I hope it stops raining soon it hasn't hardly stopped in 2 days and I got soaked today. So I don't want to do that again.


I have joined 2 new Swaps this week so at least there will be some pictures.


The first one is being run by Katie at Booty-ful Things it's the Jar Of Love Swap . I am really looking forward to getting lots of bits and pieces together and seeing how much I can actually fit into the Jar including a handmade gift.

The second one is run by Lynda at Hookin' with Laalaa  called All Things British. So I am on the lookout for all things British now . I can't believe how much there is out there the choices are endless. Decisions  decisions :)  

It's running at the same time as the Jar of Love swap so I'm going to be a very busy Melanie for the next couple of months. At least I am quiet well along with my Santa Sack Swap gifts.

Jubilee Time

It's getting very busy here at the moment with the Jubilee celebrations being this weekend. I'm helping with the Garden Party at my youngest daughter Lily's school, and trying to get my house all patriotic too. I have been making red white and blue bunting all week and have just hung some of it in the garden.  Just got the front to do now :s

Here is my DD Rowan sitting in the garden waiting for her lunch . It has been so sunny here for the past few weeks. I hope it isn't too dull for the weekend . Fingers crossed. 

I really should have trimmed the loose cotton off  before I took the photo but that has been remedied now. 

This is what my DD was waiting for Salad a glass of Wine and  Strawberry Chocolate Cake, freshly made this morning before work I was quite industrious really. 

A New Project

Hello everyone. I have been busy this week making bunting for Jubilee Weekend . I used the free tutorial fromGrace Designs I found it alot easier to press the bunting into shape using a card template. It's nearly finished only need to sew it onto the bias tape now. I thought I had enough but as normal I was 4 ft short. This means a trip into town which I could do without to be honest, but I will be up with the Lark in the morning and off to town.

I am also doing theSanta Sack Swap hosted by Cheryll. So I have been busy making a Santa Sack. Photos later when Pauline has received it along with her other gifts. I'm not sure how I have managed it this week as Lily was off school ill on Monday and Tuesday. She's fighting fit now and back to her usual mischievous self.

My friend Margaret gave me a kit she bought ages ago and decided she was never going to do. I love it and can't wait to get it started, but I need to finish a few other things before I start something new  :(

Forgetful Me

I had myself all organized on Saturday for the Local Oakwood Quilt Show. It was their first one so I wasn't sure what to expect.
But it was very good, they were well organized and the quilts were beautiful.
I had planned to take some photos to put on my blog, I made sure that I put my camera in full view on Friday so I would remember to pick it up.
Yes you know what is coming next I FORGOT it so no pictures!

I did buy a really cute patchwork bag which I thought I might use it as a new make up bag I fell in love with it and at the bargin price of  £4  I couldn't say no.

On the way home I thought I would call in to the new T K Maxx store and I saw this gardening bag for £5.  I'm going to use it for carrying my quilting tools etc. Lots of etc....... in as my other one is far too small. 

What can I say two bargins in one day how lucky am I.

Friends With Benefits Swap

Kathy from Sew Happy House received her swap parcel that I mailed. So I can post the photos now. I really enjoyed making the cushion and choosing the other gifts. I'm glad she liked them.

These two photos I borrowed from Kathy's Blog. I didn't take any close-ups( I sometimes wonder about myself ! ) 

I picked these buttons up when I went for some fabric to Quiltessential . A beautiful quilt shop located in the historic Armstrong's Mill in the Derwent Valley. With a very helpful and knowledgeable owner Ann Mayner.

A new shop had opened opposite Arum Lilie Designs selling handmade pewter items, Georgian accessories and giftware. So I thought I must pop in to see what they sold and fell in love with these buttons straight away. I think I might have to return and buy some for myself.