my Kitchen KAPERS swap parcel is done

Over at NO FUSS SWAPS there is a KITCHEN KAPERS SWAP going on that I have joined..
http://nofussswappers.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/kitchen-kapers-swap_26.html
I have watched some of these swaps and when Shez was here we both signed up... Well guess what.
My partner is Shez.....
I have done my parcel and just a little tease of photos.

We had to add a tea towel, made or bought...
A spatula,
A individually wrapped cookie....
A cookie cutter,
And a recipe.....


I will pass it on to Shez when I see her next and she will have to hold on to it for 2 weeks before she
 can open it... Oh the suspense...

LETS ALL JOIN CHOOKYBLUE BLUE ON THE 4-5th JUNE FOR HER ANNUAL SEWING PARTY..

https://chookyblue.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/party-time-almost.html

Some finishes for May...

I have been busy this month. I have actually got some things finished....
My Wool felt elf from a Debbie Busby workshop.

My little wool felt ELF

My felt toy.. When we were told to make a felt toy I struggled with what to do.. I don't do the normal thing. I like unexpected strange or different items... I haven't the need for a toy but I know that's what I'll get. I can pass it on to the grandkids. Now I have boys and girls... For me to enjoy what I make it needs to be different.
I hope it was liked...

Rabbit Stew

He's just hanging there

You can see the veggies

A skinned rabbit

The top of the Carrot, onion and herb pouch

If you want the pattern it is in HANDMADE  Vol  21.. No 11
Pattern by Helen Woods

My knitting needles are working

This cold weather snap sees me doing some knitting....
My brother gave me a box of wool that belongs to my SIL. When they moved they came across a mixture of items. About 6 jumpers that had been started. Not completed. Not all bits there and not much wool to finish them. A pile of odd wool and a heap of patterns...
So I have put my thinking cap on to see what I can come up with...
Here is project no. 1...

The front and back were done and a little bit of a sleeve.
I joined a shoulder seam and have done the neckband

This is all the wool that was with it.
Not enough cream to do the sleeves.

The pattern book is ATTITUDES....by Patons. BOOK 784
This is the design that has been knitted across the bottom above the band

This is the pattern that is being followed because it is a 12 ply CHARM with Mohair by PATONS that is being used

Let's see what I can do...

I thought I might start with black bands.

Work some stripes then continue with purple.

Add some more stopes and finish off with the cream.

I won't be adding a fairaisle band at the top of the sleeve. The graph is not in the book and I really don't want to use all the yarn carried at the back of work....

My SPLENDID SAMPLER blocks...

wow, do I have a lot of blocks to show you. I haven't done a post with these for a while...
I would do the machine work on one day and leave the hand stitching for whenever. There has been so many that have needed hand work...
I am still going but here is where I am at so far....
I am making these blocks in scraps. So whatever fabrics I am using the week I make the blocks is what I use in completing them. It is real scrappy....
I love these colours.

Block 22

Another block that went together quickly....

Block 24

This block went together really easy. I like the 3 d piece. I'm happy with it..

Block 23

Block 21

Block 20

The last of Aprils Dear Jane blocks

Here is my last block for April... Now I have to catch up on my posts and do Mays... Block...
OMG. it is nearly June

F 13.... Dear Jane

APRILS DEAR JANE BLOCKS...

Yes, we are given 4 block numbers one month to do by the next meeting...
So in April these were the 4 blocks to have done by the May meeting..... I got them done...
I am still very happy with making it in my scrap Browns...
I have changed the cream tone on tone background... Oops. So now I will use any tone on tone creams.... That's an easy fix....

K3 Dear Jane

I 2. Dear Jane

 This block is a bit wonky. I did it late at night. Oh well I am still happy with it....

E 2....

My 4 days retreat & FNSI

I have had a great 4 days away with 31 other women.... The Kilmore Quilters were on retreat at CAMP TOOLANGI. The company was great as was the weather. The food was amazing and there was plenty of it....
So my FNSI started a day early and finished on Sunday.... How fantastic.
It was very successful... I got 4 quilt tops finished and a small quilt quilted and bound...
I still haven't got a photo of the 4th quilt top I finished. It was the Spring Row by Row SAL with Deana over at         http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au
Clearer photos will be shown when I have finished them completely...

My spring quilt

My Australiana quilt

WILL BE FOR AN AUSSIE HERO

Americana/Australiana row QAL
http://dodmystery.blogspot.com.au

Have a look at when I started this quilt..October 2014
Glad it's finally a finish.

http://jobutterfield.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/fnsimy-test-pattern-quilt.html
http://thecolorfulfabriholic.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/successful-pattern-test.html
http://thecolorfulfabriholic.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/plus-dash-tutorial-draft-pattern.html

Completed small quilt, trellis quilt by Andrea,
 Australiana quilt, curve quilt. 

FNSI

AUSSIE HERO AUSTRALIANA QUILT & LAUNDRY BAG

My friend Rhonda made this great Aboriginal / Australiana themed quilt.
She has done a great job.

Australiana AUSSIE HERO QUILT.

I had to add the propeller to make it more personalised.

The propeller 

Then I had a tea towel I had bought during one of my travels. Perfect to make into a laundry bag....

Australian tea towel come laundry bag

Finally a FINISH

With what I have been going through lately. Being sick, stressed, sore foot, bad sore throat and dreaded cold . Then of course, dealing with my husbands health. It's any wonder after my last 4 years that I have fallen apart and lost the plot for a while.... Anyway, who wants to listen to me feeling sorry for myself...
Onto the good stuff.... I FINALLY HAVE A FINISH.....

Crossroad to Jerricho Quilt

This shows the quilting 

This was Marchs resolution project and it is done.....

http://jobutterfield.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/oh-my-i-missed-1st-of-march.html

Don't forget this Friday is    FRIDAY NIGHT SEW IN. Sign up and join in the sewing fun with Wendy and lots of others over at http://www.sugarlane-designs.com

I'll be at a retreat with about 30 ladies from the Kilmore Quilt group.

I will be sewing away...

OPAM WIN

I was the lucky winner of OPAM for the month of February

Kris sent me a lovely parcel.

Kris from    http://tagalongteddies.blogspot.com.au

& 

Peg from.   http://happyinquilting.blogspot.com.au

Thanks ladies for the push we need to keep track of our finishes....

Stranded cotton thread, fabric and Kris' own pattern.
SWEETLY SHABBY CHRISTMAS.

This pattern has a Bauble Bag, Stocking & Bunting.

These will be great for gifts... They might get done if I start now.....

THANKYOU....

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my dear daughter KRISTY......

This is a little late putting up photos of our cruise. Kristy has only just celebrated her 30th birthday.

I took Kristy away on a cruise to celebrate. She really deserves it. It was at a time when we both needed some time away from home and some time together.

She was so excited because she has never been out of Australia before.

So we flew to Brisbane from Melbourne, onto a ship to Vanuato, LIFO & New Caledonia....

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY KRISTY.

luv you lots

Starting our celebrations of with a drink while waiting to board the plane....

Enjoying the flight

A glorious sunset on the flight to Brisbane

A beautiful breakfast to start our day

Getting a cuddle from a kangaroo in Brisbane Town Square

Contemplating what we are going to be doing in Brisbane

First sight of our ship that will be home for the next week

There's our ship in the port of Brisbane

Soaking up some sun by the ships pool 

Relaxing in the sun

How peaceful is the water