A Bit Belated.....(and probably a bit long)

 So I picked myself up last weekend from the sadness of giving that lovely quilt away- and moved onto the next one! I first saw this quilt at the first kid's class we did at Millrose Cottage, and wanted to make it pretty badly! So on Saturday just gone I went to my 4th (4th!) class at Ballan, and got started on it!

I'd asked for a fabric pack made up- the 'choosing of the fabrics' isn't my favourite bit! I like a pack, bundle, layer cake, anything that saves me too much 'thinking about it'. Unlucky for poor Liz working that day the fabric packs weren't there, but lucky for me she quickly helped me put my own together- and I helped too! So breaking me out of my comfort zone a bit....

 the original

 

mine

We all got a Dresden finished nearly finished  for the day- 2 girls were hand piecing (eek!) and us others were probably just chatting too much! A great bunch to sew with. Judy was a fantastic teacher, pulling us into line, great explanations, and I'm soooo not worried I can't finish this now. In fact, I got home and continued on, completing 180 Dresden 'petals' but bedtime. 

So why do I travel an hr from home to do a class when a) I can teach myself most things via the net or books and b) I always buy extra fabric and really shouldn't be let loose in that shop at all?

The class includes a great lunch, at the cafe next door, and you pretty much don't think about a thing for the whole time you are there. 'Would you like a coffee?' on arrival, to afternoon tea, at the perfect time you're getting snoozy from a big drive and longish day.

 

 menu

As an added bonus the farmer's market was on that day, so a 'breakfast' on a chicken sausage in bread was a great start to the day too! I think I'd have to do the Farmer's Market on a 'non-class' day, as I don't want to waste sewing time haha

I realised on the day I hadn't blogged about the 2nd 'kid's class' Little Miss and I did over the last school holidays! Nearly the same group...

 they all got on like a house on fire, as did us mums! 

 the 'workroom';

  half a rhino;

 and Humphrey aka Dozer

a 'loon' of rhino's??

bottoms (heeheehee)

and 'stacks on!'

A seriously awesome place!

An awesome day!

I've been anxiously waiting for this day to come....

the venue

the reason 

the pattern

and a hell of a lot of lollies!

The class was HEAPS of fun, great people and kids, and they all finished a toy (better than some adults Jodie said...)

lots of incentives (and distractions) to stop the kiddies from getting bored...

 little prompts to remind the kids about their softie making;

lunch; gosh, have to add a few pics of that! The class included ANYTHING off 

the amazing menu! Plus coffees, drinks and afternoon tea!

then back to it!

And at the end of the day there were 5 finished pups! From left to right;

 Dottie, Spottie, Raspberry, Kevin, and Sally!

(3 mums and 1 Nanna were the assistants)

And my daughter's badge for Jodie says it all......

'Jodie rules'

What a fabulous day!

(and more on Millrose in the next post.....)

Her Birthday Part 1

So a kid having a birthday on a Tuesday, in the middle of a full week of work was not what I call practical! and I din't want another big party, so planned some fun things for the Sunday before it.

We were lucky enough through Girl Guides to receive some free tickets to an advance screening of this movie. I knew nothing about it, and wasn't sure if the girl would like it, but- AWESOME! The only thing it doesn't have is romance, but as the 'tweenie' movies of boy-meets-girl are already are hit in this house, I was kinda glad! Jokes, action, thrills, we LOVED it, so do yourself a favour when it hits the screens!

The we headed home for 'afternoon tea' with a few close friends.

Preparation began last night...

sewing is my love, not baking anymore, but I realised I have a young girl to teach, who's a willing student....

and then the cutting!

2 sleeps until she's 8!

Ta Da!!! I have seen many of these in blogland over the year, and knew I had to try it. Mild panic last night had me ring my pal for advice- thanks Cathie!

I had a pavlova too, hey, why not?

I decided to give her an early treat, the (god damn) softie she's wanted for yonks. I had to buy a new printer to make him, as there were no inkjets at work, and my old one wouldn't work with the new laptop. Jodie's instructions were great; I still managed to stuff up the first one, and was so happy the 2nd one made it!

 (excuse the blue food colouring finger, that's nothing compared to the day before!!)

that says "you're awesome-sauce', by the way.

Stayed tuned for more....

Gifty McGifterson

So I had a little birthday...remember? I thought i'd share some handmade pressies from me mates.

B Fab put on Twitter she wanted to make this- so I offered she make it for me- yippee! In my new fave Terrain fabric. I think it's a Melly and Me pattern. I forgot, was too busy staring at it's cute puffy ears!

Also, this is what the surprise from Cam was! What an amazing job she's done, I'm pretty bloody lucky to have a friend like her!

 The back is so neat, but it unfortunately sat on my bed for about 5 secs before the stinky cat's fur covered it. Grrr....It will be coloured side up from now on!

Then on Sunday I hosted a crafty catch up with a few friends, due to the rain the day before, where we did a Kris Kringle. It was definitely a (happy) coincidence I scored more MsCurlypops stuff!

Here it is in action, with my specialty- tuna casserole! My 2nd love only to my child. (and to hear her say how much she loves it is music to my ears!)

I'm a pretty lucky girl!

Been a bit caught up.

Washing a pooch, only to give him a bone just as it gets wet;

teaching myself the 'new trick' of a chevron friendship bracelet for my girl;

Cutting piles of little 4 inch squares to make a scrappy quilt;

a custom order for a friend;

 and some funky zips from the oppy, to base a bag around.

Yep, been a bit caught up.