Wallhanging

I’ve been working on two rag dolls this week. The ‘Tilda’ doll that I made for Katarina for the Easter Swap turned out to be quite popular with a few other ladies who make lovely cards with the ‘Tilda’ rubber stamps and, as a consequence, I have received two orders for a doll and have been busy with those.

So, the only thing that I can show this week is a wall hanging that I started over the Easter break. I’ve used some of the absolutely gorgeous Moda ‘Harvest Home’ fabric, which I just love (a lot)!! I decided to have a go at the pinwheel pattern (that is what it’s called, right?!). I haven’t attempted it before and had thought it would be relatively easy, but, for goodness sake, trying to sew all eight corners together is a bit of a pig (sorry, challenge)!!! Then I’m going to have a go at some proper needle turn appliqué – I’ve only ever done it with ‘Heat n’ Bond’, i.e. no hems and I shall do some simple appliqué on the side borders, but not until I’ve finished my ‘Tilda’ doll orders!!

Hope everyone has had a good weekend - back to the grindstone tomorrow!!!

2 more Giveaways!!

I've come across 2 more Giveaways!

Thearica at Pigtails and Quilts is very generously giving away 30 FQ's in celebration of her daughter's 30th birthday - and you can say which sort of fabrics you would like to receive if you're lucky enough to win - sounds great!

....... and then over at My Little Raggedy Blessings, Renae is hosting a surprise Giveaway. Renae make lovely things using really beautiful vintage images.

Go and check them both out and tell them I sent you!!

Happy Easter:0)

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY!!!

That means eating loads and loads of chocolate until you feel sick - Right?!! Well, OK, that's not the true meaning of Easter (tis to me!!) - "oh, heathen" I hear you say!!!!

Here are a few piccies of my Easter display - I've not done one before, but felt inspired to after seeing other bloggers displays - reminds me that summer will be on its way soon (hopefully anyway). Have a lovely time with your families - I'm going to my brother's. And despite the fact that my nephews are now 22 & 19 years old respectively, they still want an Easter egg from Auntie Julia ...... and of course I can't say no to them!!

Have fun!!!

Weekend Easter project

Yippee – no more work for the next 7 days:0) I’ve got an extended Easter break – what a relief :0)

I spent last weekend making these Easter/Spring cones for some friends (hope they like them!!) and filled them with a little bag of Cadbury’s mini eggs – yummy (nearly didn’t get given away though, as I love Cadbury’s mini eggs!!!). The cones are from Nancy Halvorsen’s ‘Easy Does It For Spring’ Art to Heart pattern book. I have several of her books, but this is the first thing I've made from them!!

Easter Swap goodies and much excitement!!!

I had received my Easter swap package on Tuesday when I got home from work, but wasn’t sure whether I was allowed to open it straight away or whether we had to wait until Easter – nevertheless, by the end of the evening, it had, of course, been opened!!!! I simply couldn’t wait.

And this is what was inside, all the way from the very talented Kymberly from Oregon, USA – a really beautiful stitchery made up into a cushion pad using a beautiful lilac, floral fabric. I can’t believe how tiny the stitching is and SO neat – it put’s my embroidery skills to shame! THANK YOU SO MUCH Kymberly, I love my gift and will display it somewhere prominent. Kymberly also included a sweet little chick, which will go on my Easter tree (when I get/make one), some bunny tissues and some Easter chocolates ........ which were delicious !!!!!!!! Oh, flippin heck, was I supposed to save them until Easter Sunday ........ too late now I’m afraid!!!!!

And now, like so many other ladies, I can show what I’ve been working on recently for my Easter swap partner, Katarina from Sweden. When I first received the details of my gift recipient, I found it a bit of a challenge to know what to make as Katarina’s main craft is rubber stamping and she makes the most beautiful cards (she sews too from time to time, but mostly makes cards). I saw that she seemed to like the image of a sweet little girl called Tilda (not the Tone Finnegar one) made by Magnolia, which Katarina has used to make some really nice cards, and that’s where my inspiration came from. I love making rag dolls (as if you didn’t know), so I decided to design and make a rag doll based on the Tilda image. These are a couple of the Tilda rubber stamp images:-

Aren't they sweet? And this is my rag doll version of her:-

I was pleased with her, but still a bit apprehensive as to whether or not Katarina would like her too – not everyone loves rag dolls after all. Well, to say that Katarina was happy with her gift is an understatement – I had the most wonderful email from her to say thank you and how much she loves her ...... and that makes it all worth the while doesn’t it – putting a smile on somebody’s face?

This has been my first swap and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it – many thanks to Julie for organising it for us all – it must have been a bit of a nightmare!!