Happy Christmas

as we wind down for a family Christmas break I have been attempting to catch up on a few long unfinished items. So first finished was Stars for Henry which was for his birth. Now Henry turns 2 on Jan 6th 2008 so Im not too late!!! I also shipped off Clancy's quilt with his Christmas present - it was the blue version of Skinny mini, now he is only 4 months old so I was good there wasnt I?
Stars for Henry was made using my blue stash = my first collection of fabrics was always blues, not sure why but I had heaps including many handdyeds from my dying days. Seem to have more blues than anything. I also used six star blocks which were given to me as my first and only birthday block swap. The colours were great, I'd always liked them but had never had time to make more to have enough for a quilt. I think it looks pretty good dont you. It is single bed size and he is still in a cot so it is perfect timing to give it to Henry anyway... reading about everyones beautifully decorated homes I took a look at ours. We proudly get the boxes down at the beginning of December and all take part in putting up the tree. This year Tilly was the best tree hanger, her patience lasted longer than everyones. Our new 'piece' for the year was our Advent calendar. I made this in 2007 for the Homespun Christmas in July magazine from lovely hand dyed wools from Highland quiltworks. Gee they were nice to work with. It took a lot of filling with three things each day for the children to seach for. This year we went for pens, stickers, scrapbooking items etc instead of sweets and chocolates every day.

as we unpack our boxes of decorations many memories come flooding back of the different places we have lived in Australia, the different schools and kindys they have attended and the many beautiful decorations brought home. All are stored carefully and hung each year which doesnt make for the most attractive tree but the most meaningful to us. We seem to have quite an assortment of angels over the years. I have posted just a few... arent they special?

mmmm angel or ghost?

our tree of memories...

notice that all the crisply wrapped packages are well poked, crumpled, prodded and peeked into... three girls and one dad.... patience is not a virtue in this household...

so to you and yours, with only 4 sleeps to go

have the most wonderful day of memories on Christmas day, spend it with special people, think of the special meaning of Christmas or what it means to you and thank whoever for being lucky enough to experience it this year.

hugs to you and yours

Helen

photo quilt

hi everyone, just got back from spending 2 hrs at the hairdressers whilst waiting my turn. Poor thing is so busy before Christmas and is so far behind as she just cant say no to all her regulars who demand to get in at the last minute. Anyway, whilst waiting I caught up on some trashy magazine reading and I just had to tell you this before I forgot. I was reading about all of the celebrity Christmases and the ridiculous amounts of money they spend eg. Victoria Beckam spent $55,000 on a Christmas decorator to deck out their UK mansion for their return to home for Christmas..... that could feed a whole country for Xmas I am sure.... anyway, I digress....

did you know that Katie Cruise made Tom a quilt with family photos on the fabric for his Christmas present last year and it is his most treasured gift still???? I wonder if she had a seamstress, designer, shopper, baster, binder to do it for her or if she did it all herself..... it rather sounded like she did, how nice for her to be able to experience hands on something as special as making a quilt for her husband....It would be good to see that one in a magazine to show that even 'famous celebrities' quilt. Maybe I'll send her a pattern or two for Christmas....

I do remember Judy from Punch with Judy snapped a shot of Nicole Kidman shopping at the Darling Harbour Quilt show this year - maybe Tom likes handmade things???

I often think of celebrities and feel quite sorry for them never being able to appreciate the 'normal' things in life like stitching and sewing, Its nice to think that maybe they do get to escape the cameras and enjoy our passion also...

just a tidbit of useless info for you for today..
hugs
Helen

and the winners are....

Friday was the day for the drawing of the Stitching in the Valley raffle quilt. First prize was the queen size 'Sweet Charity' quilt made by all of my wonderful friends on our charity day and kindly quilted by Esmes of Launceston. The Fabric was donated by Lloyd Curzon Textiles.

The beautiful queen sized quilt with crazy patch blocks was won by Barb Phillips of Glenorchy. I hope this quilt wraps her in warmth and comfort as she struggles with some life challenges at this time - a more charitable and sharing person you could never meet.... I am so glad she won..

second prize was an Ottlight desk lamp valued at $369 donated by SSS - Sydney Sewing Supplies. It was won by Eileen Wilson of Murdunna..... a very happy recipient. Thankyou to SSS.

I havent yet tallied the final total but I think it would be around $400 raised for the Snugglybug project and local charity. This will be more than enough to keep us going.

This week also saw the presentation of Paddy's Snugglybug quilt. Paddy (not his real name) is a 9year old boy who was recently diagnosed with cancer and has a long struggle and lots of treatment ahead of him. The 9 block makers from across Australia, the assembler Pamela Jones of QLD and Hilary of Fairfield Quilting Old Beach Tasmania all gave their time and materials to make a difference and offer some comfort to wrap Paddy 'as snug as a bug in a rug' in his footy teams colours.

Now while I am being in such a giving mood I will draw the lucky two winners for the Homespun magazines so they may have a chance of arriving for Christmas. The two drawn numbers are 3 and 7 so that means commenters Janellybelly and Judy B of California (Judy, sorry dont think yours will make it in time.)

So please send me your addresses and I'll get them in the mail as soon as I can.

are you in a giving mood today? What nice things can you do today to make a difference? It makes you feel 'good' to give something back so I am having a great day here.

hugs to all

Helen

Postcards from Cairo

I have just spent an hour reading the amazing descriptive adventures of our very own Jenny Bowker and her dream trip into the desert.... if you have the time grab a cuppa and sit and take it all in. My friend Virginia is currently in Cairo meeting up with her deployed husband and is hoping to catch up with Jenny who is such a welcoming ambassador for quilters and Aussies alike. (well ambassadors wife)...

Now I did mention another giveaway didnt I? I have an extra copy or two of Homespun magazine from the generous Angelos to give away. There are two shown here, one with a Christine Book DVD. And I actually have another spare DVD to go with the other issue, so two lucky recipients can have this if they leave a comment and I'll draw some names next week, I'll try and get them to you for Christmas so if like me you dont do adult presents, you will at least have one santa gift from the Postman.

hugs for now

Helen

its in the mail!

Corinna, Mary Jo and Beth, watch for the postie who is bringing you a little suprise for Christmas!

I have received another pic of a finished skinny mini. This time from Esmes of Launceston. It uses the Moda Fresh Air fabrics and the free cut version of the quilt. Lilian has added her own applique design to it to finish.

I will have another giveway soon, when I get time to put it up. I need to clear out my office a little!

hugs

Helen

and the winners are....

So Beth, Corinna and Mary Jo, please email me with your snail mail addresses and on my return from camping on Monday I will get some goodies straight to you in the mail. An early Chrissy present from me....

off to attach the trailer and put the esky in now before picking up the 3 kids from 3 schools and off on our way - and yes Murphy's Law in the Stubbings' Household when you mention camping - it hasnt stopped raining all day!!

hugs

Helen

The Drawing is near!

Yes, you would be pleased to hear that all my orders are packed and sent, promotional products sent and all is good to go. I will drawing the lucky winners today, right after I go to the Post Office, get a new towbar for our new camper trailer, pack the clothes and food for our camping weekend, pack the car, hook up the trailer, da di dah di dahh.. I promise I will do it today, then hopefully on my return Sunday night the recipients would have sent me their addresses.

Just while your waiting, check out this lovely Christmas Idea found on the Misadventures of Mama Blog - isnt it gorgeous, but she says it takes a lot of buttons and time...

and another great idea complete with tutorial here

Stacking Fabric Christmas Trees from the Small Object blog. Now I have to thank the Lazy Girl Blog for finding these goodies....

and these would be great for kids to do - snowflake sewing cards by goldtop

Does anyone else have some great Chrissy ideas or pics to share? Okay I'll go start my list of jobs now....

hugs until later today, Helen

wasting time

mmm today is my childcare day for the week so I am supposed to get lots of work done!!! Instead I have wasted the whole day working on a new header for the blog!!! Do you like it.... more to go but I really have to do some work... you could really get carried away with this digital scrapbooking stuff...... I cant figure out how to change the pink background both sides at the top and would like some buttons down the side still, but for another day.......
Oh- I'd like to thank computerscrapbook.com for wasting my day...and the use of their 'things'
H

Jen's skinny mini

hi all, (yes I am still packing orders!)
I recently released my new 'Skinny Mini' pattern at Quilt market in Melbourne, carrots and all.... Now Jennifer and Terry Minchinton have just bought Patchwork by Sea in Brighton, South Australia - right on the beautiful Brighton beach (well a couple of stores around the corner) and are full of enthusiasm. Look at the wonderful sample Jen has already finished and sent me a pic of. I love to get pics of projects made by others in different fabrics etc. Jen has already kitted this in this green colourway, pinks or blues. The beauty of the 'Skinny Mini' is that it uses just skinny quarters and the top can easily be finished in an hour. These are the three versions I made for the booth in Melbourne. The blue one also doubled as a long overdue baby gift for 'Clancy' - hopefully he'll get it by Christmas.

hugs for today

Helen