2012 PIF....Wanna Play???

(Pic found on google images) I'm hoping some of you want to play the Pay It Forward game with me....Here are the rules:

I will send a surprise gift to the first three people to comment on this post. This gift will be made by me and I will send it sometime within the next year. Exactly when you will receive it will be a surprise (it will probably be a surprise to me too :-D).

Of course there are some rules in this game. Here it goes:

Rules:1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people that comment on this post. It will be a surprise and may arrive at any time in the next 365 days (yes, a year).

2. To sign up to receive a gift from me you must play along too. Share the giving love on your blog by promising to send a handmade goodie to the first three people that comment on your blog post.

3. You must have a blog.

4. After commenting on my post, you have to post this (or similar) on your blog to spread the love. If you haven't posted in 48 hours then the next commenter will be chosen

Would you like to play?? I'm itching to make you something special!

Edited on Friday 20th April 2012: All spots are now filled in my PIF, but maybe if you're still keen to play along, click on either of my recipients below and sign up for theirs if they've not got 3 people yet....or click on one of theirs etc etc, it could take you a while, but you might just get to meet a new friend in the process. Oh, and another thing you can do is do a Google search for Pay It Forwards in 2012.

We have a winner

I know this was to be drawn on the 31st March, but as I haven't been to bed yet, and on the other side of the planet, it's still Saturday, so I just did the draw, and Mr Random.org selected Number 5, which is Cathy. Alas my Mozilla had a hiccup and shut down just as I went to do a screen shot of the number draw, thankfully I remembered which number it was.

I have notified Cathy by email and will be passing her details onto Rana as soon as I publish this post.

I'll be posting again later today, as I have lots to show you, but had been holding off so that I didn't distract anyone from the giveaway. I'll be having another giveaway soon, as part of One World, Our Art (link in my sidebar)...which reminds me, I must go see when that's happening, so there's a nice treat for anyone participating in the expedition. Till later

Pincushion Pattern Review and a nice surprise for my readers

Back in February, I contacted Rana regarding doing a review on one of her pincushion patterns that are part of her Pincushion Of The Month programme. She accepted my offer, and it was agreed that I would do the March POM, which happens to be a Daffodil Pincushion, and as you can see from the pic above, it's a cute one.

The pattern is very well written and even though I admit that I looked at the pic on it and panicked, all my fears and panic were shoved aside as I read the instructions and managed to produce a pincushion that I love. (I've actually given mine to a friend who is a cancer survivor, seens as though Daffodils are a symbol for the Cancer Council of Sth Australia)

All up, from sorting through (read finding amongst my rather large collection of fabric) suitable fabrics, to the time I took the photo of the completed pincushion, it took 90 mins, yes, just 1 & 1/2 hours to complete this little beauty.

The image above is borrowed from Rana's pattern & Kit information page, just to show how hers look and how similar mine came out when following the pattern.

The pattern called for crushed walnut shells, but as I don't have any, mine is just stuffed with poly fill, but I don't believe that distracts at all from the pincushions overall attractiveness, right?

Following the pattern (yes I know, shock, horror and amazement that I actually do follow patterns to the letter from time to time) you will be amazed at how thorough, yet simplistic, Rana's pattern is. Given that the instructions in the pattern are so exact, that even an advanced beginner could make these and have them turn out exactly like the picture on the pattern.

I still can't believe that the pincushion was made as easily as it was...who knew I could read how to make it, and that it would look how it was supposed to!

Now onto the surprise for my readers, Rana (thank you by the way hun) has very generously offered a free pattern for one of my lucky readers, because believe me, you'll love making the Daffodil Pincushion. All you need to do is:

1. Leave a comment, it can be any comment, but it would be nice for Rana if you left a comment about the Daffodil pincushion I made.
2. Make sure I have a way to contact you, as Rana will organise to get the pattern to you direct. If I can't contact you, then I can't provide contact details to Rana. If you don't leave a way of being contacted, I will just do the draw again until I find someone who I'm able to contact.

I'll use Mr Random.org to pick the lucky winner on March 31st, 2012 and announce the winner on here and also via email directly to the winner. Good luck You don't have to, but if you'd like to share the giveaway either on your blog, Facebook or Twitter, that would be really swell, thanks.

If you aren't lucky enough to win a copy of the pattern, they are available here, also available are kits which include enough to make 2 pincushions...how cool is that?

Swap Reveal & Show 'n' Tell

Recently I entered a Notebook/Journal Cover swap here...and tonight I got confirmation that my partner has received her cover, so I can share pics of it.....I did actually buy a pattern similar to the one I made, but alas, the person I got it from is away for a few more days, so it wouldn't have arrived in time for the deadline, so I cut and sewed the BG Notebook cover. I've written down the measurements, so it'll be interesting to see how close to the mark my measurements were hey?

This is the front of the notebook/journal cover. I even managed to stitch the flap in the right way round and on the correct piece when I attached the binding...do I sound pretty chuffed with myself? You betcha!

This shows how I set up the interior for Barb. She has a choice of notebooks, depending on what she's wanting to use them for....both notebooks are easily replaced, and readily available here in Australia. Glad you like it Barb.

Now for the Show & Tell part of this post.....I'm a member of a craft forum, which you too can join, by clicking here. This year, Vicki is hosting a Sampler BOM experience....so I'm participating....I've done 2 of the 6 blocks so far....one each month, but, in my defence that is all I HAVE to do, the other 2 a month are bonus ones....if I say it often enough, I'll believe it, lol

I don't think I put last months on here yet, so I'll put that one up first. This one is the Baby Bud block, and you can find the tutorial for it here.

Then with this months', the Balkan Puzzle block, which you can find the tutorial for, here. I decided to sew 1/2" away from the 'sewed on' line and cut between the two rows of stitching....thus giving me 16 hst's, which I trimmed to 2 & 1/2" HST's and played around with layouts until I found one I liked....and tah-dah...if anyone happens to know the name of the smaller block, can they please leave a comment with the name of it? Thanks.

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll have more swappy type show and tell soon, as the Easter swap parcel is on it's way to it's new owner and should arrive soon. Please leave a comment, even if it's just to say hi, it's nice to know that someone is reading my blog still!

B-I-N-G-O

I've played a couple of rounds of Quilt Bingo in the past, but this is something new.....You make your own BINGO card and supply it to Tonya before April 22nd to be eligible. If you want to find out more or sign up for it yourself, then click on the Fabric bingo card above. You will notice that there's a link for a tutorial to make your own BINGO card, but I've also put that link HERE for you. My Mum (RIP Jannyman) loved going to Bingo, and was quite lucky, so I like to play in her memory....wish me luck!

Fun and Done QAYG YouTube video

I'm not sure if this is going to work, but I have everything crossed. I love the simplicity and speed of this method and the fact that there's no hand sewing (lol) and it's all quilted and ready to be used (unless you're going to wash it that is) the minute you stitch the last stitch. Gonna have a go at making one of these....I don't have the ruler she uses, and have had a quick squizz on the net for one, but it proved too hard so I've given up and will just 'wing it' lol

Stay tuned to see how I go, as I'll post progress pics when I do try it.

My first Friday Night Sew In (March 16th)

I've been wanting to do this for a while now, but timing hasn't been right (like how I make it sound like I'm always uber busy lol?) however, this time I'll be there and will be sewing. If you want to join the others, and there's people from everywhere participating, then click on the button above to go sign up.....it's this Friday crafty guys and gals! Now I'll have to work out the time difference so I don't prematurely sew in!

18 blocks ready to mail off for AHQ

Late last night, ok, you got me, it was more than likely the early hours of this morning, I started cutting into some of my birthday fabric to make some quick and easy 9 patch blocks for Aussie Hero Quilts as the deadline to get them in for the first mail off for the year is 29th Feb. I ended up with enough cut out to make 18 blocks.

I couldn't put them all up on my mobile design wall (thanks for the idea for one Diana) so had to take pics in two lots. Don't inspect them too closely....I got told the other day, that the Quilt Police are an urban myth started by pedantic picky particular (!) people to annoy those less fussy, like me...SO, I overlooked any boo boos as they're only slight and wont be so bad unless you line all the 'bad' ones up together in a quilt (Please note that Jan-Maree!)


If you'd like to get involved with helping Jan-Maree and her AHQ Angels, then please click here to find out what you can do to help.....remember our Soldiers are overseas doing their job for us...doesn't hurt to do a little to let them know we appreciate what they're doing and that people back home care.

Some birthday pressies, Valentines Swap & winnings

Look at all the uber cute pressies I got in one of the Valentines Swaps I went into. You're not supposed to notice that it's an empty chocolate bar wrapper, but OMG that was soooooooo good....it was made in Finland, and I made sure it's "Finnish-ed" lol Did you however notice the owl in the knitted cloth? Below I've put a close up of the owl....cute huh?
Then, along with all of the above, Carin also had snuck in a little something for my birthday....wasn't that sweet of her? Thanks heaps Carin.
Being that it arrived a few days before my birthday, I was a good girl, and put it to one side to wait until 22nd February to open it.
And above is what it contained.....how hooty cute is it? I've made keyrings with this size owl before, but never had I thought of putting them onto a pincushion......thank you so much Carin xx
My friend from Adelaide, Yvonne (no blog), sent me a pressie too....when I opened the box, I was met by Annie Have-A-Chat owl in the above pic....oh and a bag of assorted buttons, which I forgot to take a pic of before I put them in their respective coloured button jars! Thanks heaps Yvonne.
Then, Sharina, who from now on will just be referred to on my blog as Polly! got me the above haul of goodliness for my birthday. Her daughter Kaitlyn, found the owl fabrics, so thanks Kaitlyn. But don't check out the close up of the fabric below just yet, make sure you check out the uber cute owl Polly made just for me....hoot hoot hooray, another owl to add to my collection!
Ok, you can check out the fabric now!
In addition to all the above goodies, Polly also got me the plastic container and the owl statue...how cute are the faces on those owlets??? Thanks Polly (and how rude of me, thanks Mr B too)....I love it all.

I'm sure that I have other stuff to share....but at the moment, I can't for the life of me find any new pics, so I'll post as I find stuff.

Oh wait, I do have something else to share with you. I got a package today, and initially I couldn't think why I was getting such a bit stash of pressies in a swap....but then idiot me, remembered I'd won a giveaway from Ida, see here for pics of what I got today. Thanks so much Ida, and even though it took me a moment, I did remember where the goodies were from!

Now whilst you go check out what I won, check out her post here, which is her latest giveaway....dare I be cheeky and enter it too? You know I'm going to already don't you? lol Y'all know me so well! You have until March 1st to enter it.

I also got a $30 Spotlight gift card....another owl one, so that's two in my collection now....maybe I'll use them for props whenever I make business card holders or wallets! (Thanks to Marion & Grant for that)

Valentines Initial Heart Swap

Above shows the goodies I sent to Lyn for the swap. The heart shape is actually a needlecase/pincushion. I was a wee bit late sending the swap off, so made a zippered pouch as well. I borrowed Lyns' pic as the one I took isn't as nice, and doesn't show the couple of extra's I popped in. If you have some spare time, hop over to Lyns blog by clicking on her name...she's got lots of quilting eye candy to feast your eyes on.

Chris W has a FREEBIE bag pattern for you

Click on the pic above to head on over and get your free copy of Chris W's first free pattern, the Coco bag. Wouldn't this be a great everyday handbag? I think so.

What you can expect from Chris's patterns, is plenty of instructions to help you at each step of the process, masses of pics which are really handy if you're a visual person and more importantly, prompt email support from Chris herself....what more can you ask? I myself, along with several other pattern testers, work with Chris to ensure that you get to make bags that come out looking like the pattern! (I also get to help pick the names for the bags which is a real honour to me - thanks Chris)

Missing blog entry ***Long Post***

I received an email earlier today, asking if I'd received my swap gift from this swap...yes I have and yes I'd blogged about it, yet when I came over here to check, it was gone...not even in my drafts.....I'd love to find the internet "black hole" and retrieve all my lost in cyber space info one day....lol

Anyhow, that email in turn reminded me that I have a few other 'reveals' that I hadn't yet blogged about, so go grab yourself a cuppa and come back and have a squizz at what I've been making and receiving (via swaps)....see you back right here once you have your cuppa....no it's ok, go make it, I'll wait!

Whilst I wait for you to come back, I thought I'd take the opportunity to tell you about another swap that Cheryll is hosting here . It's for a journal cover & writing implement (such as a pen!) She has some example pics so you can see what you might be making for your partner, and links (I do loves links!) for some tutorials too. You still have until 25th Feb to decide if you want to sign up, at which point, sign ups will end, and partners will be allocated.

Ok, you're back? Sorry, I was just talking to myself about a swap happening here while you were away!

Getting back to the Initial Heart swap, here's a pic of what I received from my partner (Help, not only have I lost the original post, I've also disposed of the envelope that the swap gift came in so don't remember who sent it....please leave a comment partner so you can get the credit you so rightly deserve) I got the heart, and CHOCCIES!

I've also taken a close up of the heart for you, so you can see the great stitching. You might need to click on the photo to enlarge it so you can see it better.

A short while ago, weeks in fact, I came across a blog called Fat Quarter Swap, which at this stage, is for us Aussies, but there's talk of it ending up International (which is fine too!) so being that I don't have much fabric (ducking lightening bolts as I type!) I managed to make it in time to sign up for the February swap and here's what I got from Narelle. Nice hey? Thanks heaps Narelle.

Talking of Narelle, I don't know if y'all noticed, but on my sidebar I had a link for an Accessory Bag swap, which of course I participated in, and my partner was Narelle! Here's a pic of what she sent me....hoot hoot alert!

On opening the pretty parcel, here's what it revealed:

AND, wait, there's more...look what was inside it, even more goodliness!


I'm still waiting on a couple of other swap gifts, and when they come in I'll post pics of them. I have some more things to share with you, but not all have been received by my swap partners yet...coz I mailed them late...bad me, but I honestly thought I had longer for some reason or another....anyhoo, they're on their way so sorry for my tardiness to my partners.

I've got a blog button....YAY

I'm quite chuffed with myself...and whilst I'll more than likely change the pic in the button eventually....I used a tutorial from here to create and put the button together (I used Picasa to edit my chosen pic, and I have hosted it at Flickr, just so you know) and Voila....over there on the right, you can see my new blog button in all it's glory.....now to see what else I can come up with for the image on the button.....because that's going to be whatever I use as my blog button for a little online business venture I'm planning! Please feel free to grab the code and pop my button on your blog. If you do, please come and leave a comment so I can get excited all over again!

I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you so much for the tutorial Heidi, the only thing I had a few issues with, was getting the box of html below the button...but once I got over my laziness, and typed it in (you can't copy and paste one line from an image....who knew? lol) it worked.

Aussie Hero Quilts (and laundry bags): Time to get going!

Yesterday in Facebook, I saw a post by Jan-Maree about a whole bunch of quilts that she'd pinned and were awaiting quilting...for OUR Aussie soldiers who are o/s.....being that I'm a HUGE believer that charity begins at home....I left her a message asking her for the blog address and this morning I checked and below is the link to the site.

Aussie Hero Quilts (and laundry bags): Time to get going!: Thanks for visiting and I hope you will spread the word and come back often. This blog is dedicated to all our Aussie serving members in ...

Yes, it may be a long read, BUT, it's a very worthwhile read if you are looking for a way to 'do something'.

Hugs
Naomi

Hooty Keyrings & Pollys' Towel

I was looking around on the internet earlier today (shock horror I know....I hardly spend anytime on the internet.....*ducking from lightening bolts here!*) and came across a tutorial on Ravelry for a crocheted owl and a knitted one all in the same tutorial....but I made a slight change to it, and added a strap/loop so I could turn it into a keyring. Pretty hoot hoot cute aren't they? I printed off the tutorial, but do you think I can now find the tutorial link again? I'll add the link when I find it again, in case anyone would like to make one of their own.

My next door neighbour, Sharina a.k.a Polly (as in Polly put the kettle on!) went shopping in my stash fabric collection and found some offcuts so she could applique a tea towel. The above is what she came up with, pretty good huh?

Woo Hoo, or should I say Whoo Hoot! I found the link for the owls on Ravelry, click here to grab the pdf for yourself.

Folded Fabric Flowers | Angie's Bits 'n Pieces

Folded Fabric Flowers | Angie's Bits 'n Pieces

Some time ago, I posted a link for a video to make origami hexies...today a friend (thanks Sue) sent me the link I'm sharing with you.....that has no dog barking in the background and is in English.

Hugs
Naomi

The Duchess Bag

Front View

Back view

Just recently I took part in a Doll swap over on Vicki's Craft Forum. My partner was Duchess, aka Glenys, who told me she wasn't fussed what she received...as we could make whatever, as long as it had a doll on it, or was a doll.....as she mentioned a bag, I remembered seeing some Raggedy fabric in my friend Khristina's stash...and before she moved back to Queensland, I bought it off her. As you can see, even though the fabric was quite big, I managed to get it to work with the pattern.

I drew up the pattern pieces myself and in honour of the person the first bag was made for using them, I've named it The Duchess Bag....and if you'd like a copy of the pattern pieces, please email me and I'll send you the pdf (3 pages). I'll try and get a full tutorial done soon though.

The bag arrived at Duchesses house today, so I no longer have to sneak around and show people! She'd been having one of 'those' days, so it cheered her up when she got the parcel in the post.

Surprise package in the mail from over the ditch & Blogger update

Oh my gosh, look at all the lovely goodies that came in the mail to me yesterday. Purple fabric and something hooty, be still my beating heart! My friend Cat, from NZ, (according to the card) had been going through her sewing room and found some purple fabrics which she thought I could put to use.....you betcha I can *smiles* Thank you so much hun, I love it all....and out of all of them, I only had one of them....which is quite surprising really....but stay tuned to see what I make with them!

On a completely different note, have any other Aussie Blogspot bloggers' noticed that the address has changed on your blog???? We now seem to have .au at the end....go on, tell me it happened months ago, and I'm only just noticing it now! lol However, I just went to Cats' blog to get the correct address to put in the link above, and even though I know where she's at, it also says .au at the end....maybe Blogspot doesn't recognise that NZ isn't part of AU perhaps???