Stuff and THE GOLDEN QUILTERS AWARDS 2011

"Quilting is addictive. Proceed with caution. Adjust the rest of your life accordingly."

I don't think I've ever heard a statement more true of quilting! Jenny of The Wild Cards totally coined it!

Lately I've been thinking about 2 things. My new sewing machine (which I don't have yet) and improving my technique.

So before I can improve my technique I need a sewing machine. Let me introduce you to Astrid.

EMERALD™ 203
Embrace modern convenience

 SUPER EXCITED! I really can't wait to have my own machine!

1. Modern Basics: Easy Quilts to Fit Your Budget, Space, and Styleby Amy Ellis
   
2.  Simplify with Camille Roskelley: Quilts for the Modern Home
   by Camille Roskelley
   
3.  Countryside Softies: 28 Handmade Wool Creatures to Stitch
   by Amy Adams
4.  Material Obsession I and II
   
   by Sarah Fielke & Kathy Doughty
5.  Fresh Fabric Treats
   by The Moda Bake Shop Designers.
6.  Handmade Livingby Liz Deluca (and many other talented ladies)

This is all I've been able to find that suits my style and that I know are good quality. Feel free to recommend anything you like and think I might like too. 

My friend Liz (who is party to book 6) doesn't actually quilt but makes beautiful glass beads. You should totally check out her website and get some beautiful beads!

 

 

OK so on another note a friend of mine is hosting The Golden Quilters Awards 2011 Nominations open on March 1st, and will be accepted for 10 categories:

1. Best Designer,
2. Best Teacher/Instructor,
3. Best Author,
4. Best Quilt Store (physical)
5. Best Quilt Store (online)
6. Best long-arm quilter
7. Best Quilt Retreat (new category for 2011 Golden Quilter Awards)
8. Most Innovative new product (physical item)
9. Most Innovative new product (software item)
10. Most influential person in the world of quilting to-date, aka "Lifetime Achievement":

So make you nominate the peeps you think deserve to be recognized for the awesome things they have done. I know I will be putting a few name in myself ^_-

 

Presents and Prettiness

Mail.

Need I say more. I don't know about you but I love it so much I don't even mind getting bills crazy I know!?! BUT there is something just so warm and fuzzy about getting mail.

And today was an exceptionally good day for mail.

Much to my surprise this beautifully sweet pin cushion complete with "pin-bling" arrived from Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. I was on my way to a doctors appointment (which I was running late for) and I saw this tucked away beside our front door. I couldn't resist I had to open it. So I sat in the car shredded the box and squealed.

A month or so ago I found this totally cute pin cushion on Camille of Thimble-blossoms blog Simplify I had to have one of these  and if I couldn't buy one I had to have the pattern! I contacted Carrie about it and she replied telling me she would send me one just because and that I didn't have to buy it ( :O ) amazing I know.

 

This is what I received. For someone who is a self confessed pincushion-aholic this is my first one...EVER well ok the second after a little owly (who is more about decoration then anything).

So Miss Carrie THANK YOU! I truly appreciate what you have done for me, and your kind words of guidance. THANK YOU.

BasicGrey & Ruby

I can't help but share. I am so looking forward to BasicGrey's Sweet Threads 

(I think more because of the pictures then the actually scrapping stuff). 

 

And Ruby by Camille

I am so excited about these new lines. 

Ok back to work ^_^

 Ok so SugarLoaf is done...well mostly. I haven't done the outlines but I've done everything else.

Pretty cute hey??? Well I think so! AND to add to the cuteness I have started a truffle.  This little guy is going to sit on my pin keeper that was inspired by PaperFish who I found on Etsy.

This little Truffley is on cross stitched on felt using water soluble aida AWESOME I have been using DMC threads but am dying dying dying to use Cosmo. And today I have accomplished a great triumph. I found a place that sells them in Australia. Mill Rose Cottage Fine food & Quilt gallery and since I'm on this subject what a cool idea food and quilting...who could ask for more?!?!?! Can't wait to go to Vicky to check this place out!

OK so all that awesomeness aside if you haven't found Etsy yet you aren't living. I found a friend on Twitter today and guess what she makes the most adorable beautiful and totally to die for earrings. 

I know right?!?! Miss Bailey Belle you are a very talented woman!

And last but not least me ^_^

More Giveaways

Ok so after my post the other day I was sent some more links to websites having giveaways:

Maiden Jane

Wine and Chocolate Giveaway! - This is for US residents ONLY 

Will be drawn on 14th of Feb

The next two will be drawn on the 18th of Feb

Ryan Walsh Quilts

Tidbits by Kari Ramsay | { Fat Quarter Shop Fridays Sponsored Post }

Olive and ollie

{ inspired to sew by bari j and a giveaway! }

This one I am sharing just because I love you...but if you will it and I don't I might just stop blogging out of shear disappointment...*glare*

The Modern Quilt Quild

Your second chance to win the Janome Horizon!

Also shout out to Amanda at msmcporkchop she is doing an online quilt shop which I desperately want to join and will when I have more time. But that should stop you so head on over and sign up.

Let me know if you come across any more and I'll add them on ^_^

Giveaway's Galore

I am the first one to admit I'm a give-away hound. I'm there all the time trying my hardest to win stuff. Unfortunately Lady Luck is not on my side of the line if you know what I mean.

Either way there is a huge amount of give-aways going on at the moment so go on over and win some mega cool fabrics and STUFF!

http://stashresolution.blogspot.com/2011/02/delilah-give-away.html

http://done-well.blogspot.com/2011/02/give-it-up.html

I promise to TRY keep you updated about the give-aways and not keep them all to myself...*shifty eyes*

OHH and while you are out there go check out The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery's new patterns ULTRA CUTE!

Friends and Finishes

So my MBQ is finally finished! With some help from a bestie Kelli I was able to get it all done this week.

Wanna see???

Sorry about the pictures I'm not that great at photography. I'd welcome any tips anyone has on how to take good photos of finished fabric projects.

Anyway I am so excited to have finished my first quilt!! This quilt has taught me a lot of things...

1. DON'T sew your fingers it's kind of inconvenient.

2. You don't always have to have a plan with you are FMQ but be confident.

3. Make binding an 1" wider then you think you need.

WELL now I've learnt a few things I'm moving on the the next project. BUT not before I introduce you to my new bestie.

This is Kelli Karren for Eugene Oregon.

This lovely young lady finished my binding on my quilt, was willing to listen to my whining and is just about to finish her 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

YAY Kelli!

OK...so I'm really moving on now. These are the only Batiks I have. Until recently I didn't even know what Batik was but now my eyes have been opened. SO back on track I am making a Log Cabin block for my Quilt Block Swap, and my partner like Batiks. My only problem is I need one more colour...AHHH.

I am making a 12.5 x 12.5 finished square and I only have 11 colours. Oh if only I knew how to dye my own fabrics.

  

That aside I have chosen 4 of these and will put them together is a non-traditional Log Cabin formation.

Stay tuned for updates.

 

Tanted Love & Excitment

Ok I'm the first one to admit this is a little weird but for some reason I just adore it. The art work is just beautiful and so original!

This is a wall sticker by Anthony Clarkson for blik which is a wall art company. They even print designs form Threadless...which is one of my favourite places to shop for Tees.

I don't think I would ever put it on my wall but I'm seriously in love with it anyway. 

Ok so now for a change of pace. How about the country...too slow well how about we speed it up a little with some sewing namely from the Countryside Softies by Amy Adams.

 
These adorable little critters are just too cute, I can't get enough of them. So when the book comes out in April I'm going to be Stash Books new best friend.

I am also involved in a few swaps at the moment. So I will need to get a wiggle on those. One Log cabin block and 2 free Piecing Blocks coming right up.

Getting Personal

OK so I got like this awesome travel mug today like it's totally awesome!

LOL so that's not really how I am but I am pretty excited about this mug. It's leak proof and you can personalize it. I don't know how to explain it so I'll just show you some pictures.

They didn't quite work out as well as I wanted them too but hey to quote my friend Mrs Porkchop "WIP's" works in progress. 

Pumpkin Face

I think the pumpkins have to be my least favorite food in the whole world.  In the words of my Pa 'pumpkin is pig food' AND to make it worse they are yellow/orange and I don't like those colours...

...until recently that is. 

Thanks to The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery (and Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics) I've been having a bit of a summer fling with Yellow and Orange. 

Here is the result so far...but summer if far from over in OZ so I'll keep loving yellow and orange till my sky turns gray.

In my previous post I spoke about my cross stitch that I was working on here is the work in progress.

I am using a linen adia and I'm really struggling. I like that it has that natural beige look but the holes are uneven and hard to see while stitching...hrmm. Any ideas on what I could use instead...that can be bought in Australia??? I need a little help with this because I haven't cross stitched much.

 

p.s. I am also hoping to get my quilt done today. So Later I will post about that.