My favourite colours!

Can you guess my favourite colour palette at the moment?

Yes - Green and Pink!

Literally, every project I have made over the last few months has been in this colour palette - and until I started writing a blog - I hadn't even realised!

Pictured above are the costume fabrics I have chosen for my (WIP) Madame la Chat doll that I posted about here. This dame is still coming along, slowly but surely. But you know the way with cats... sleeping all day n'all... !! :-)

She is much happier now that she has a face... even though it's not yet attached to her body!!! Ahhh... Minor details! Minor details! :-)

So here is something a bit different...

The fabric choices and colours I am using for my Puff the Magic Dragon quilt! What do you think? I've got my green "fix"... but where is the pink?!!

So I'd love to know - what are your favourite colours to work with at the moment?

Happy creating!! Vikki :-)

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Simply Stylish Designs Giveaway!

This is The Kimberly Bag... Don't you just love it?

Would you like to win it?


Then go enter Kristie's giveaway here! Be quick - the closing date is 31st May!

Good luck!

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Pincushion swap!

How exciting - a parcel arrived for me unexpectedly early - from The Netherlands!




Gosh! Lots of parcels! Two for me, and one each for my children... awwww... how sweet and thoughtful! :-)

WOWSERS!!!

This stunningly cute and tactile pincushion (chatelaine) was made for me by Mai. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAI!!! The cute tail pulls out to become a measuring tape... and a secret button inhales it back in again.

The little rose you see is a pin! And the scissors have a beautiful design on them which co-ordinates with the pins and the heart button. It is all just so beautiful, not to mention beautifully-made! Mai and I decided to do a private pincushion swap a few weeks ago, and I am still in the process of making one for her, but will of course do the big reveal once Mai has received it!

If you would like to discover where Mai found this pattern, just click here to view her blog entitled, Handmade by Mai. Mai is a talented patchworker and quilter and makes exquisite bags... I'm sure you'd enjoy your visit!

I would photograph my children's gifts, but they are "in use" at the moment! :-) But I can tell you Mai, that Aaron and Rosie are very grateful!

Have a great day! I'm looking forward to an evening of sewing with my new woolly companion!

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Birthday weekend!

Hello blogging buddies! I hope you all had a wonderful relaxing weekend? I say this on Tuesday because it feels like my weekend has lasted for four days - what with Mr SUDs being home with me, having taken a couple of days leave from work! :-)

It was my birthday on Saturday! I just thought I'd share these few pics with you!

The day began with breakfast in bed on Saturday morning, and a little bundle of pressies from my partner and children! We had a wonderful relaxing day... we mooched around and spent time together, not doing anything in particular... just enjoying good company! Mr SUDs and I had planned to go out in the evening, but he wasn't very well, so we stayed home and shared the evening with his parents. They bought me the beautiful flowers you see above!

My gorgeous friend, Narelle, popped in for a surprise visit and brought me this stunning rose. Isn't she a darling? We then caught up on Sunday and toured the Mount Dandenong Ranges - one of our favourite places!!

First stop was in my favourite cafe where we indulged in coffee and cake!

We went for a little walk around Olinda and I took this pic of Miss Marples tea rooms - this is where I spent my last birthday!!

This is one of the gifts that Narelle gave me. It is a ribbon-dispenser and she made it herself! Isn't she clever? Inside was a lovely personal message, encouraging me to believe in myself. It brought a tear to my eye...

And this is a fantastic magazine that Mr SUDs gave me! It is an American magazine and can't be bought in Australia... so bless him, he searched ebay for it!! I was so touched!


Isn't this bag divine? If you want to make one, check out the Better Homes & Gardens website www.bhg.com for the free download. There are lots of free downloads on this site, so be sure to have a good look around!

Until next time - happy creating! xx

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Little Pink Bike

I've had a reflective few days... as happens from time to time. You know how it is... sometimes you just wind up wandering around the garden of your own thoughts for a little bit longer than usual. Life is just as busy as ever, but in your head it kind of slows down!

Life ebbs and flows, and I think it's good that we have these reflective moments because it is often during these times that we stumble over little nuggets of wisdom that help us to grow and discover something new. And often in the most unexpected of places!

Here is a short story about what I learned today:

My nearly-four-year-old daughter, Rosie, and I went to the park this afternoon. It was a beautiful fresh and sunny day, and we had great fun playing. There were so many other children playing about, sharing picnics with their friends, and taking their dogs for walks. And there was a little boy on a trike, and a little girl on a pink bicycle.

The two children cycled around in circles while Rosie and I pretended to be shop-keepers in a little wooden hut. We used wood-chips for money and fallen leaves for 'goods'. We played really happily, and then Rosie decided that she wanted to ride on a bike as well. The fact that we did not have a bike with us didn't waver her confidence, and instead she asked me to hold the back of her coat while she trotted along in front of me with her arms out in front holding on to imaginary handlebars. Even though she did not own a vehicle... the L plates were off and we joined in with the other two kids!

And the lesson I learned today... from my innocent young daughter?

We have everything we need for life already inside of us. Whether we have a little pink bike or not... we can still choose to enjoy the same pleasures, we can still play, join in, and have fun. All it takes is imagination... creativity... and the belief in ourselves that WE CAN DO IT!

To my gorgeous young Rosie I say thank you for teaching your old mum something new! To the rest of you I say... I'm off for a drive in my new Ferrari!!! Watch out! I do 5km per hour!!!! Tops!!!! he he he...

Love and hugs to all, Vikki x

Image courtesy and copyright of Rodolfo Clix

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Exciting elefantz and Autumnal delight!!!

Autumnal Perfection!

Those are the two words that described the weather in Melbourne today! I was sitting on my front door-step, enjoying the morning sunshine and giggling away at my DD, Rosie, as she ran around the front yard!

And then my DP (Dear Postman!) drove up on his little moped! (For those of you who live overseas, postmen drive on small motorbikes {called mopeds} on the pavements in Australia, delivering post into the mailboxes at the end of each driveway!)

And just look what he delivered:

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! For me? Could it be? The inaugural pattern that I purchased from Jenny of elefantz? Of course it is - it says so on the envelope!! he he he...

Oh WOW! I can't wait to get sewing on this project!! And I feel so privileged, because I was the first person to have bought Jenny's paper pattern packet (she also has a downloadable PDF version!) One day it will be worth a fortune!!! :-) Eh, Jenny? (giggle)

Would you like to know where I bought it? Just click on the link below!

I think a lot of you already know, or know of, Jenny. She is a very talented designer and a beautiful lady... I feel very blessed to be able to call her my friend! :-)

So, to Jenny I say: Thank you SO much for sharing your creativity with the rest of the world, thank you also for the beauty you are bringing into our lives, and for the inspiration that you sprinkle like fairy dust... but thank you most of all... for your friendship! {hugz}!

Before I go, I wanted to share another Autumn pic with you. This is one of my favourite trees in the garden, but it lost nearly all its leaves during the summer months due to Melbourne's intense heat and drought. However, those that remained are turning yellow (not quite as vivid as the photo, thanks to a touch of editing!) and falling to the ground. I really love Autumn - it is my favourite season - did you guess?!!

Until next time - happy creating! Vikki x

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More free bag patterns, anyone?

Today in my email inbox, I received a little gift from Quilting Arts magazine. A free downloadable e-book containing not one... not two... but SEVEN bag patterns! How is that for apt timing when I just posted about bags yesterday?!

So I thought I'd pass on the gift to you too, on behalf of Quilting Arts, of course! Click on this link to take you to the page where you can join the mailing list and download the free book. If you are not already a subscriber to the Quilting Arts e-newsletter then I am sure you will enjoy receiving them! They're good for finding out about new products and books, especially if you are interested in art quilts and mixed-media.

It has a sister publication called Cloth Paper Scissors, which is equally as intriguing if you like to add 'paper' into the mix. It is as quirky as it is inspiring, so I wouldn't describe it as catering for all tastes! But I like it! :-)

Oh, and Rae (of Made by Rae) has very kindly agreed to allow me to publish a photo of her Buttercup bag pattern - you know, the one I told you about yesterday? Here it is - isn't it sublime?

Until next time - happy bag-making! he he he...

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You learn something new every day!

You learn something new every day, so the saying goes! And yesterday I learned that if you write a 'draft' blog entry and leave it for a couple of weeks, and then decide to finish writing it and PUBLISH it.... it doesn't appear at the forefront of your blog! It appears two weeks ago when you started drafting it!!

Silly me!!

So if you would like to see what this picture is all about, click on this link to see my post entitled "Bags of Inspiration"! Doh! I've just given it away now haven't I?! I've said it before, and I'll say it again.... Silly me! he he he...

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Fairy houses and Leprechauns!

When I began drafting this post it occurred to me that it is all about mythical beings! So, I have "cut and pasted" and scrabbled around to get it in some kind of order!

First of all, I would like to share with you two fairy houses that I made a couple of years ago. The green one was made for my son, Aaron. He chose the fabrics himself from my stash - I think he has a great eye for colour!

I made the pink one for my friend's daughter for her First birthday and am in the process of making another for my little Rosie, in the same pink fabrics. I'm going to try some silk ribbon embroidery on that one. :-)

If you are interested, the pattern is by Julie McCullough of Magic Threads. It is very straightforward and, to date, has been the only project I have quilted - and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I would highly recommend the pattern to a beginner, it is quicker and easier than it looks! :-)

I have been playing with fabrics the past day or so in preparation for putting together a dragon quilt for my sister's niece. Actually, my sister (Linda) is my SIL... but she is too close to my heart to call her SIL... hence she is my "sister"! I just need to explain that because when I introduce her as being married to my brother, eyebrows begin to raise!! he he he... Anyway! Linda's niece turns One next month so I'm making a special gift - a "Puff the magic dragon" quilt. I shall show you my progress over the weekend!

The final Doll of the Day!

This happy little Leprechaun was made by Club member, Trish! He's such a joyful fellow isn't he? His love for life almost jumps out of the computer screen and dances with your spirit! (Insert Irish accent here and apologise for cliche!) Ahhh to be sure! To be sure!

Trish is a fabulous doll-maker and her faces are the happiest, prettiest and most cheerful that you could ever hope to see on a doll! :-)

I am off to my "dolly club" tomorrow, and then hopefully I'll get to catch up with some sewing in the evening.

Until next time - happy creating! x

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Doll of the day! #2

This trendy go-go dancer - made by club member, Beverley - enjoys a little rest and relaxation in her comfy beanbag!

I wonder what she's thinking?

I would hesitate a guess that she's thinking about how much she is enjoying her evening, that dancing is the love of her life, and that Austin Powers is looking really cute tonight!! he he he...

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Doll of the day!

This tranquil little elf is playing with some spiders' web... it's just difficult to see it in the photo. She was made by Club member, Julianne, from a pattern by Lotus L Vele. :-)

If you click the image to see it larger, you can see the extensive beading work on this doll - just beautiful! (Thank you for pointing that out,Dolores! :-) )

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Well hello Dolly!

A picture tells a thousand words... so I won't ramble on too much today! Instead I shall show you some of the amazing polymer and cloth dolls that were on display yesterday at the ACDA "From cloth to clay" exhibition.

Get ready to be awed!!!

Above: Some of the "Frumpy Grumps" from a Club workshop with Jill Maas.

The full party of Grumps and their neighbours!

A general view from inside the exhibition room. I decorated an old washing line to create the white tree, from which polymer fairies hang. The fairies were made at a Club workshop with Conny Deylen.

How cute is this gorgeous girl? I believe she was made by our club member, Maureen, but please don't quote me on that!

If you read my last post you will be familiar with my Fairy challenge doll. Here are a few others...

Below is Helen's take on a Linda Misa doll named Emer. Helen hand-painted the dress - isn't it stunning?

A few posts back (here) I shared the process of creating Madame le Chat... that process still continues (giggle)!! Let's just say that my madame is a little bit shy and takes a while getting ready... yes, that sounds better than: "I couldn't work out how to make the costume and didn't want to rush her!"

Here is Marny's version of Madame... isn't she groovy? (Just between me and you, I think this feline dame likes the odd tipple... I could smell Brandy on her breath! Shhh!)

And this is Doreen's family of Le Chat's... aren't they adorable??? I fell in love instantly with the child cat, I could have easily cat-napped her and taken her home with me... but she would have missed her mum and dad too much (and Doreen, of course!!) Awwww... just look at her sweet face - can you blame me?!

Oh, and this is one of Doreen's incredible creations with cloth and polymer clay. The Gent is studying a captured fairy under a magnifying glass. Incredible! Doreen is an amazing artist, if you would like to check out more of her fantasy and figurative work, have a look at her website here.

Pictured above is the "Out of Africa" challenge dolls.

The "Under the Big Top" display. All but one of these clowns and acrobats are the designs of club member, Denise. One very talented lady!

The "Black & White... and one other colour" display:

Oh, and above is a pic of Sue's coral paradise... can you believe that Sue made this as a scratching post for her pet cats to play with?!! Lucky kitties! :-)

Now for the internationally-acclaimed work of Jenny Romano. Hold on to your jaw as it may well drop!

Here is Jenny with her award-winning fantasy piece - which took her two years to make! If you would like to see more of her fabulous work, she has a gallery here. All of the creations you see are made out of wool felt, and the detail and character in each piece is incredible.

I shall finish up by saying it was a truly beautiful day and I regret not taking pics of the venue to show you. I had so much fun and feel truly blessed and proud to be a part of such a wonderful club with such creative, generous, and inspiring members!

So is that enough piccies for you - or would you like me to do 'doll of the day' for the next few days? I don't want to bore you so you must be honest and let me know if you are interested.

Now I need to get on and start making a cot quilt for my SIL's niece. So back to the sewing machine for me - after I spend lots of time with my children having been away from them most of the weekend! :-)

Until next time - happy creating! :-)

ps. And you believed me when I said I wasn't going to ramble? he he he...

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