Angels and Dreams...

 "Sweet Dreams" is the theme for all my designs in the July 5th issue of Elefantz HOME e-zine.

Yesterday I showed you "Owlish Dreams", the next block in my Shabby Roses Beauty BOM, but today I have another dreamy design finished.

The "dream a little dream" cushion...

 

 

 I've used my Tanya Whelan "Delilah" stash for the rose borders, and made sure to cut five kits for those subscribers who would like to make their pillow the same - details on that in tomorrow's newsletter. 

I even found some spotty buttons for the back!

 

 Also in yesterday's post I showed you my progress making Kerryanne's sweet "Pincushion Angel" (see the post below this one).

At the time I had to take a break half-way through to get my housework done - and honestly, it was a joy!

I have held off buying a steam mop for years because I just didn't think it would be very good.

Wrong.

It's the new love of my life...

 

Honest, my floors shone like polished stone. I have officially warned Blossom and Mr E to keep their hands off my new BFF. Swoon.

Okay, back to the Pincushion Angel...

Well, I thought after the housework was done that I'd only need another hour to finish it. Wrong again!

It was sooooooooo fiddly. Those wee little arms were sooooooo tiny.

BUT, when it was all together, and looking so beautiful, I felt it was well worth the effort.

 

 I made my angel a bit differently to Kerryanne's original (you can see hers here). Because I'd used Tilda fabrics I wanted to add a sweet Scandinavian look, so I plaited wool for her hair, and left a long braid over her shoulder...

Isn't she gorgeous!?

This morning she went to live next to my sewing chair, where she'll lovingly hold my pins, needles and scissors...

Taking two days 'just for me' this week has been revitalising to my spirit and soul.

I know I cannot do this very often, but the lesson for me is that I'm important too.

I love my family, and they truly do get the best of me, but when I am worn out and exhausted, I simply don't have 'the best' to give anymore.

Are you in need of some time to refresh your heart and mind?

Schedule it in. 

Indulge.

You'll be a better wife, mumma, friend, and woman, if you do.

hugs,

Jenny

xx

 

PS: Apparently you won't be able to read my blog posts in Google Reader soon, so why not join my Circle? Up on the right hand side there is a place to follow me on Google+Followers. 

I'd hate for you to miss out on the happenings in Elefantz Land.

Block 3 of BEAUTY...

Most of you guessed that my sneak peek the other day was an owl. Well done!

The final stitches were embroidered on Monday night, so Block 3 of Shabby Roses ~Beauty~ is complete.

...Owlish Dreams...

 

 

This block will be in the next issue of Elefantz HOME e-zine, published on July 5th. 

The first two blocks are in the last two issues, or available as a single purchase HERE in my shop.

These three are looking gorgeous so far...

There are five feature blocks in all, and some simply pieced patchwork blocks too.

Last night I finished sewing down the binding on the two table runners I made yesterday. I love them! 

Making something 'just for fun' can be slightly addictive, so I was naughty and gave myself another day off work today to finally make Kerryanne's gorgeous Pincushion Angel!

I'm about half way through at the moment...

Do you like the pretty Tilda fabrics I'm using?

They have been in my stash for years and I thought they would be perfect for this project...

Another hour later today and I should have the cutest pincushion angel in the world. Pictures to follow tomorrow...

But first, I have some vacuuming, washing, and mopping to do.

Somehow I haven't found the knack of taking a day off household duties, yet.

Bother.

Enjoy your Wednesday,

hugs

Jenny

xx

My day off...

As I have shared before, working from home has it's advantages, and also some disadvantages. 

No matter what time of the day, or what day of the week, *work* is all around me, whispering loudly to come be industrious.

Just recently (yesterday!) I decided it was time to have a designated 'play' day once every couple of weeks; a day where no *work* is allowed, and I can indulge in the hobby side of sewing.

As I showed you in last night's blog post, I had pieces prepared and waiting to sew Dawn's "One, Two Charms" pattern today.

It's such a pretty design, and as our home is in dire need of some fresh table centres it was the perfect project for my play day.

Using an Avalon charm pack I pieced the centre of one table runner and added the cream borders...

Then I machine quilted...

...and added the aqua pindot binding from my stash of Bliss. 

The runner was ready to have the binding sewn down tonight whilst watching Masterchef with Mr E.

BUT...

...it wasn't even lunch time yet, so I decided to make another!

There was still half the charm square pack cut into 2.5" x 5" rectangles, so I made the little pieced blocks into two rows this time...

 ...and added a strip of Bliss down the centre. This table runner is more of a table topper - nice and square. I added some more Bliss for the binding...

So tonight I have two lots of pretty binding to stitch down...

...and tomorrow my table will look gorgeous!

The whole time I was sewing there were two visitors sitting in the corner...

All round, it's been a really sweet day.

Hope yours was too.

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Monday's Monogram and other stuff...

I'm quite excited that we're so close to the end of the alphabet with Monogram Mondays!

Today I'm sharing ~T~...

We only have six letters left, but these will be shared over the next two weeks so we can finish in the middle of the year.

Next Monday I'll share U, V and W.

On July 1st, we'll stitch the final three, X, Y and Z.

Download today's letter, ~T~ here.

Today I met with some girlfriends at the Tumbetin Tearooms for a luscious morning tea of coffee...

..and cakes!

 

 

The Tearooms are part of the beautiful Palmetum Gardens here in Townsville, and one of my favourite cafes. You might remember THIS blog post last year when I took my grandson Cal there for a 'just the two of us' date before Kezzie and Bert's wedding.

As I work from home it's always a lovely treat to get out of the house and not be surrounded by all the business side of things! I relax easily when I am out in nature, and the Palmetum offers that (as well as the delectable food!). It's my second favourite place to be. My first choice is always up the mountain.

Tell me, where is your favourite place to chill out? Are you a nature lover like me, or do you prefer a different atmosphere?

I've been stitching up a storm this weekend, and have now finished Block 3 of Beauty. 

As much as I enjoy stitching my new designs, I also try to take some time out every month or two (depending on how busy I get), and stitch someone else's pattern.

Late Saturday night I decided to make a start on Dawn's pretty set of table-runners. With just one charm square pack, and some solid yardage, I will have two lovely long runners when I finish!

I chose an "Avalon" charm pack...

...and had the pieces cut, pinned, and ready to sew, by the time Mr E called 'lights out' just before midnight.

 On Sunday we went for a long bike ride, and today I met up with the girls, so I didn't get the first runner machine pieced until after dinner tonight. 

I'll sandwich it in the morning, and hopefully have some machine quilting finished by morning tea so I can show you in tomorrow's blog post.

It's rare that I make a project with no embroidery, but this is very relaxing, and I'm enjoying the discipline of machine piecing.

Mr E is calling. I'm turning into such a night owl!

Hugs

Jenny

xx

My Pop and his wonky world; a free block...

In early 2009 I sketched a cute little house and proceeded to stitch it simply. 

I called it my 'wonky' house because it reminded me of my Pop, the step-grandfather who along with my Nana, raised me as his own child. He was as blood kin to me, loving me with a pure and fierce protectiveness. 

 ~ Eric John Matchett ~

Pop passed away in early 1985, unable to push on any longer after Nana's passing a couple of years earlier,  and I still miss his gentle and assuring presence in my life - especially when something triggers a memory of him.

Recently a number of emails have come through requesting that old Wonky Houses pattern again, and so I have been taken back in my mind to this dear man and his declaration that anything a bit 'out of kelter' was quite simply, a "wonky". 

My Wonky House design from back in 2009 was directly inspired by this wonderful man, and grew to be four different 'wonky' houses that I displayed in a simple pieced wall hanging.

As an answer to those email requests, and in tribute once again to my Pop, I'm going to share a block a week for the next few Fridays. Perhaps if you never made this 'way back when', you might like to stitch it now?

Block 1 

Download it free HERE in my shop. 

(I don't own the original any more, because my daughter Kezzie ran away with it a few years back and will never part with it. I'm so glad. Pop loved that little girl to pieces, too!)

If you've been after some of the white hanky linen I sell in my shop, more was listed this morning. It sells out very fast, so if you miss out don't worry, I'll be re-ordering more today...

 Hanky Linen can be purchased HERE.

It's Friday and I am home alone, which is nice after such a busy week. I have a floor to mop, parcels to post, washing to do, and some general household catch-up chores before I sit down to stitch more of Block 3 from my Shabby Roses 'Beauty' BOM....

This block will be in the "Sweet Dreams" issue of Elefantz HOME e-zine, or as single PDF purchase in my shop, on July 5th. 

Can you guess what it is?

God bless you and hold you close,

hugs,

Jenny

xx

 

Blossom in pink...

She has grown up.

Okay, I knew this day was coming, but it always seemed 'a way in the distance...'

Blossom bought her first car today.

And it's pink.

Please say hello to 'Crystal Montgomery' (because all cars have a name!)...

 

Now, is that a happy smile on my girl!?

Even Bob-the-dog is grinning from ear to ear!

It even has crystals all around the rear-view mirror...

But best of all?

It's all Blossom's and it's all pink.

I have been chauffeured around all day, and *loved* it.

I think my smile is almost as wide as Blossom's.

Once home again, I had a parcel waiting for me!

Michelle Ridgeway was my guest in the current issue of Elefantz HOME e-zine, and the parcel bore her name as the sender.

You see, in Australia every year two of our states, New South Wales and Queensland, go head to head in rugby league football for the "State of Origin" trophy. They play three games, each two weeks apart, and the teams are made up of players from their 'state of origin' - either New South Wales or Queensland.

New South Wales are known as the BLUES, and Queensland is known as the MAROONS.

Now, Michelle is a Maroon, and I am a Blue, so we had a wager on who would win the first of the three games this month. The loser was to post the winner a block of Cadbury Chocolate. 

Can you guess who won that first game?

The BLUES! \o/

So my parcel contained...

But cheeky Michelle had wrapped the chocolate in maroon ribbons! 

I'll forgive her though, because also in the parcel was one of her gorgeous patterns that I bought last week...

...and these beautiful fabrics as a gift.

Thanks Michelle. xxx

I wonder who'll be posting the chocolate away after game 2?????

 

I think after a couple of big days with Blossom I need to get back to work.

It was fun while it lasted, but now it's time to earn a living again.

(it sure helps that I have some chocolate!)

Before I go, I have a frequently requested pattern as a freebie in my Free Friday Newsletter tomorrow.

If you haven't signed up for it you can do so HERE.

Hugs

Jenny

xx