More mail.. QATW & teabag strings & some knitting

 I received an envelope one day from someone I don’t know. It turns out that Brenda had seen my posts about knitting with teabag strings and after a few emails sent me some. I was very happy with them. 

I have rolled them on to an icy pole stick that someone had given me with some already on there. 

But I still have a few to tie and roll up.

These will make another lovely scarf for a gift.

The kindness of fellow crafters gives me a smile and makes me feel good.

Thank you Brenda.

XMAS IN JULY - QATW

How about this happy mail from my swap partner Dorian from QATW. 

This was our Xmas in July swap. It didn’t make it in July but it did the first week of August. Yes, I am a bit slack and this is a catch up post. Anyway… here is my lovely parcel that arrived.

I opened up my parcel and some were wrapped and others not. I thought the postie had had a look inside but it was confirmed that this was how it was sent. Some wrapped to tease me.

There were a pack of magnetic bookmarks, heart shaped tape measure, sewing shaped buttons, a framed stitchery in a hoop, lollies and chocolate. Last of all a quilt themed novel which I will enjoy reading. I have all the Elm Creek novels and loved them too so I am looking forward to this read.

Thank you so much Dorian. It was a great surprise..

KNITTING

I have got my act together and finished sewing these knitted cot hanger covers on the hangers.

They have been knitted for over 12 months now. I thought it was time to finish them off.

OPAM & BINDING BLITZ for JULY

here are the snapshots of what I got up to this month. I have been busy doing many projects. Among them was my Aussie Hero quilts, a Postcard swap, Christmas in July and a Dishcloth swap. This was a first. What a great way to try different things...

So I am linking up with
OPAM with Peg & Kris

BINDING BLITZ with Julie... My total was 1060"... What a lot of stitching

My XMAS in JULY parcel I sent

I had  fun working on these gifts. Last month I showed a sneak peak of my progress.
It went from this

To this... H is for HELPER 

I found this pattern in HANDMADE Vol.24. no 11.. called.. ELF WISH LIST

And then this

To this.........


Then I added...... T is for TREE. On a cushion.

And for no.. 3 gift. It was ...... S is for SNOWMAN. It's a candle holder. Well it started as a wine glass. Turn it upside down, paint it up and put a candle on it. Hope it gets to you Cheryl in one piece..

As well as these extra goodies. A knitted Dishcloth and a box of chockies to have with a cuppa..

My partner was Cheryl from
http://cherylsstitchings.blogspot.com.au

I hope she loves them as much as I do. I had a friend tell my that you love anything Xmas so I hope I have filled a spot in your celebrations...

Have a look here to see what others have made....
http://christmasinjulyswap.blogspot.com.au

I am linking up with Peg and Kris and adding to my growing list of finishes for OPAM.

Then will be adding my binding to my total for BINDING BLITZ with Julie

And I will also add a few more Xmas items with others for 1XiAM
http://1xmasitemamonth.blogspot.com.au

A finish and a trip to the post office

yesterday I went for they day at NOTY quilt group. My friend Kris drive and I met up with Ann & Christine. Boy did we laugh. I think we were at either the  noisy or the naughty end of the table again.
Haha. Fun fun fun...
I was sewing my binding down and today it is all finished and in the box is all taped up.

I also got all my CHISTMAS IN JULY parcels wrapped.

Now off to the POST OFFICE....
I watched Bonnie Hunter over at Quiltville live today. She has a quiltcam which can be watched anytime. Occasionally I get to see her live. Today was one of those days. While I was watching I started sorting out some scraps and cutting TUMBLERS for this years Leader and Ender challenge.

I am waiting for a friend to arrive, then out for dinner and a great catch up...

My Xmas in July parcel is nearly ready..

Here is where I am so far
I have been working very hard on my gifts but it is very hard to show you.

I'm sorry it's blurry  but I had to crop it.

He is cute though....

Oh to finish it off and get it in the mail before Friday......

Happy mail

wow.. My postie has delivered some happy mail.
So first up I received a parcel from the UK. I had no idea what it was but was very excited to open it.
I have been talking to Linda from http://linda-koshka2quilts.blogspot.com.au
We have swapped many emails and it is very nice to talk to someone who lives near where you have holidayed or been through the same as you.
I have been working on crazy patchwork projects and Linda thought she would clean her stash. Wasn't I lucky...
Here is what she sent me.... Now to use it.

 Look at these beautiful Laces. I am sure I can use them in my CRAZY PATCHWORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH LINDA

Then on the same day I received my parcel from ???!???
It was from CIJ.
My Xmas in July partner....
I recognise the address. I have sent something to her before. Do I snoop... No... RELAX.
WAIT UNTIL THE 25th....... OK
I have not opened the package. Yes, I will wait.....

my day at NOTY

Today I went to the NOTY group & I joined as member. I hope to get there once a month due to the drive, even though they meet every week. It takes about 1 1/2 hours for me to get there but it's a great day out. The ladies are so friendly and welcoming.
I have even booked in for my first class next month. How exciting.....
Thanks Kris for taking me.
It was also great that I met a few people I have crossed paths with.
Rosalie from Kilmore quilters. Can't ever remember meeting her but it was great to talk today. I know she follows my blog.. (thanks Liz).
Carmen, I met at the Phillip Island retreat in the same workshop as me.
June, who was at a retreat last year in my home town.
Jackie, who I have emailed a few times. Can't wait for the school holidays to have a real chat.
Lastly, I caught up with Anita. Can't wait for my first class.
Sorry if I missed anyone. It is very hard to remember names, especially for the first time. It was great meeting you all.
Anyway, I took some hand sewing... Hexies. Mmmmm but what will I be doing with them. you will all have to wait and see.

I had a busy day yesterday doing my homework for my next QUILT AS YOU GO class.
We had to complete all the blocks we required. For me I need a total of 32 blocks. 4x8 blocks.
It is a strange size but I will be making this for an AUSSIE HERO quilt.
To get the length I am putting a strip across the centre.
Guess who it is be made for..  Hi request was green..... I know I have put in florals but I have used up a lot of scraps.... It is still a quilt to be used.

My blocks, borders and batting are all ready to go. The best part is I'm not doing it at the last minute. Plenty of time to spare. Class date is the 24th June...

I am linking this post with

http://www.freshlypieced.com/2015/06/wip-wednesday-dyi-ing.html

http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/ntt-oops-and-two-june-giveaways.html

http://sarahdidit.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/help-for-hexie-aholics-61715.html

FNWF Secret sewing for Xmas in July

I have had so many ideas of what to make but what do I actually get started on.
I thought, take it slowly and simply, don't be overwhelmed, calm down.
So that's what I did and here is the start. A sneak preview.

Isn't he so cute

I also did a little bit of this too.

These projects are all finished but will not include them in OPAM or 1XiaM until July. After the reveal.

So this was how I spent my FNWF. Thanks Chez for organising.
Go over HERE to see who else joined in.

MY XMAS IN JULY PRESENT IS OPEN

I just got home from being away with my daughter. We had a great time making so many Xmas cards. More about that in my next post. This post is about the great presents I just got to open. I was super excited to be able to rip them apart. I had these presents sitting there, for what felt like forever, and now such joy.

These are now a pile of papers and beautiful gifts.

TREE....  Xmas tree bells in a frame

SNOWMAN.... Mat and gorgeous door hanger. Isn't he so cute

HEARTS..... 3 Felt Holly Heart hangers for decoration

CHOCOLATE.... Yummy Lindt

DECORATIONS...... 2 Glitter snowflake hangers

Thank you so much Roz from A Touch of Heart

Here they are.....

Cheryll over at Gone Stitchin' organises the most amazing swaps. Have a look at http://christmasinjulyswap.blogspot.com.au to see what everyone else got.

Thankyou once again.....

Here are the gifts I sent to my partner Sharon at http://lilabellelane.blogspot.com.au

XMAS STOCKING

XMAS TREE

CANDLE & MAT

because Sharon is learning to crochet I added a few little crafty things too... I didn't get a group photo of these together so here is a photo of the ones I still have here.

Snowing , the postie & FNSI

Well, yesterday was so cold, I spent the day with my daughter.

We had a lot of laughs.

Then it was so trying to snow. Light sleet fell.

This photo isn't as good as the real thing but was exciting for us.

Then the postie arrived.

I received my parcel from an elf

My XMAS IN JULY package.

Look HERE to see what it is about.

How am I going to let it sit there until the 25th.  Mmmmm

Thankyou elf.

There was also my parcel from my Paper Piece swap partner over at Sue's group

My Hunters Star 12" block in green & white from Kerry. Thankyou.

Have a look at Quilters Cache for heaps of free quilt block patterns.

Quilt blocks galore

Just getting set up for today & tonight and linking up with SUGARLANE QUILTS and enjoying the Friday Night Sew In with Wendy & anyone else who wants to join in

4 day retreat with friends PART 2

To continue with more sewing....

I was able to get another 7 Wonky stars blocks done to add to the collection.

I now have a total of  34 blocks out of the 48 I need.

Can't wait for the next month to start then we can get a new colour from Angela over at Soscrappy 

We also had one of our members, Andrea, show how to make the 3d Bow Tie block. Quite a few ladies worked on these for the weekend.

I also worked on my Xmas in July Swap projects. I can't show you full pictures yet but here is a sample. I manage to get 1 finished, another ones machining done & the 3rd cut out and started.

Here  is all my little squares put together with more to come.

There is a nice range of fabrics that look great together. 

A close up of some corners.

What is it?  Mmmmmmmmmmm

Then I have something with embellished stars