Revamping some new (old) finds!

Wow – thank you for the fantastic response to my surprise giveaway! I have enjoyed reading your comments and listening to your stories of gift-giving and receiving!

It seems like quite a number of you like to squeeze and shake your parcels, and ask the gift-giver lots of questions. I have a very expressionate face that gives away everything… so it’s a good job there’s no web-cam here!

Okay! So here’s a cryptic clue: You don’t need to be a General to enjoy this textured bliss!

Has that got you thinking??

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On to other ‘doings’! I am SO excited because I recently purchased a pre-loved desk from my local charity shop.

I love it! What do you think? It looks in great condition but does need a new paint-job; so I’ve left it in our family room until I get around to doing the messy jobs of sanding and painting. I need to get some good lighting for it too – as that’s one essential element that is missing from my current work space.

My friends know only too well how I feel about my creative area – I refer to it as “the teenage boys’ den”. I only have one teenager but my husband counts for at least two more!!! The room is cluttered and untidy with chip packets wafting around the room like tumbleweed… oh okay… I’m exaggerating about the chip packets but you get the picture?!

When I spotted this desk I thought I could live in shabby chic heaven… even if the rest of the room is covered in Xbox games and controllers… at least I can look directly in front of me at the country-style desk, and lose myself in it! I’ll show you step-by-step as I make my sewing-space transformation!

While at the charity shop I also picked up this little wooden crib:

I have started base-coating it in white, and look forward to making some sweet bedding to fit it. It’s a surprise Easter gift for my daughter! Talking of Easter, I also need to make a bunny costume for an Easter-themed day at school this Friday… wish me luck!

Until next time – hugs! Vikki xx

ps. My giveaway is open until next Wednesday – so if you haven’t done so already – you can still enter!

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A Giveaway full of surprise!!

Do you like surprises?

Are you one of those people who surreptitiously rips the wrapping paper of a parcel to peek at what’s inside? Or - on the contrary – would you look away sharpish if you thought that the surprise might be accidentally revealed before it’s time???

I fall in to the second category – I don’t like to know what’s inside a parcel until it’s time to open it! My sister in England, on the other hand, can guess what’s inside a parcel at ten paces! Over the years, my brother and I have tried to disguise gifts within oversized boxes, and she will even guess that we’ve done just that. She’s a little minx!

So this is where YOU come in! I’d like to surprise one of you with a giveaway – but I’m not going to tell you what it is! Does that sound fair? <giggle>

It’s easy to enter – all you have to do is leave me one comment for one entry. If you are a follower of my blog, or become a follower, please leave a comment for a second entry. Simple as that! The only condition is that you leave me a way of getting in contact with you, should you be the winner! If you like, I’d love to hear about any funny gift-giving stories you may have! Or you could share what your all-time-favourite-gift has been?!

This giveaway is open until Wednesday 13 April, 12:00 noon, Melbourne time. THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

You know – I’m feeling in a very impish mood – I think I’ll be giving you some teasers over the next 12 days!!!!

I look forward to hearing from you!

Hugs! Vikki

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New Beginnings kits and some warmth for Japan

I have been sat here reflecting so much on world events that I didn’t know where to begin to write this post. I have written and re-written it several times… because when it comes to matters of the heart, words fail me.

I feel heartbroken for the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as all of us do. And so often we feel a very human need to help in any way we can, especially on a practical level.

Today, I read on Superbuzzy’s blog that an American sleeping bag manufacturer is supplying winter weight sleeping bags to those who greatly need them in Japan, for only $6 US dollars, each.

So I purchased sleeping bags… and if you would like to do the same please click here. You can read about the initiative in Superbuzzy’s March newsletter, here.

To anyone reading this post who has been affected by the global natural disasters around the world, I’d like you to know that I am holding you in my prayers. xx

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I had a sort through my sewing patterns recently and had a pile of them sitting on my sideboard ready to go to the Op shop… and then I discovered the perfect place for them – Queensland. I got the details and address from the Among the Gum Trees blog!

This pile of patterns:

Will be heading here…

Who knows, maybe one of those patterns is one that a fellow sewer has always wanted, or perhaps even lost. I was thinking that if I lost my craft patterns and magazines, I’d be most sad at losing those that were no longer available to purchase. Opportunity shops are a great source for buying old magazines to add to your collection, or to fill any gaps. I never throw magazines out – they always go to the charity shop!

The Gum Tree Designers have done a wonderful job coordinating ‘New Beginnings kits’ (their own initiative) to be sent to quilters and sewers in Queensland, NSW and Victoria townships that have been affected by floods. I read on the blog today that approx. 450 kits have been received from lovely sewers, along with donations for postage and other craft supplies. That sure would have kept those angel co-coordinators busy! Thank you SO much Gum Tree gals!!!

I made two kits, both containing needle cases and scissor keepers that I made from patterns in Lynette Anderson’s book, It’s Quilting Cats and Dogs. Want to see?

The little animals are retractable tape measures – if you look at the pig you can see the tape measure coming out of his ear! (So if you make a mistake with your measuring – you can honestly say – “I made a real pigs ear of that!” Ha!)

Well guys, I will leave you on a very happy note because this is my 150th blog post! So I will be having a giveaway…. the thinking cap is on and I shall give full details in my next post!

Until next time – hugs!

Vikki :-) x

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The Fairy Park

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a pretty little princess named Rosie…

“Welcome to my Kingdom!” exclaimed the little princess! “Let me take you on a tour!”

In to the castle we wander

Prince Aaron mounts his noble steed…

While the little princess takes the snail trail!

King Toad watches over the kingdom to make sure there are no villains…

…because if caught, they are placed in the stocks for later questioning. (Nb. Prisoners who are generous with lollies/candy have been known to be released without charge *wink*!)

The kingdom is vast and plentiful…

With houses just the right size for little princesses!

And 1930’s play equipment that is so much fun!

If you are very quiet and listen carefully… you can hear the fairies singing in the beautiful gardens!

Would you like to visit too? Head on over here to find out more!

Until next time…

Love and hugs from the Regal SUDs!

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Polka dots… you know I love you!

I have gone super-crazy, stark raving bonkers and wild with passion over red and white polka dots! (As some might say… I don’t get out much! Ha!)

The love affair began a few months ago when I started collecting kitchenware items for the gorgeous Deb in NZ. Deb is doing up her kitchen (hence the theme) and I wanted to surprise her with a special package because she’s such a sweet friend. A friend who has really made a difference and has put a smile on my dial more times than I can shake a stick at! :-)

(There you go Deb – some wonderful mental imagery for you – me looking in the mirror and shaking a stick while I smile!!!)

Egg cups, tea bag saucer, apron, mushroom decorations, buttons, chocolates and a very special item designed especially for Deb – that I am yet to be able to show you – so there’s just a sneak peek in the photo.

Deb also won the Christmas-themed photo album cover that I gave away after designing it for ‘Simply Christmas’ over at the Shabby Art Boutique (talking of which – have you seen Kerryanne’s recent sneak peeks? GAWJUS!!)

Back to the polka dots! The love affair has been in full swing, and I recently succumbed again when making a bag for my friends’ birthday…

I created this bag using the Bella bag pattern by Moonshine Designs, and the pattern is absolutely fabulous! :-) Easy to follow with great instructions to get that professional finish.

I added a key fob to the inside of the bag so that keys or a mobile phone holder (in this instance) could be attached. To the inside pocket I added a love-heart shaped zipper pull manufactured by Birch. Very easy to do with only a couple of minor ‘naughty’ words uttered during the installation process!

I then put together a mobile phone holder and in true Vikki fashion, I was still sewing half an hour before I left for the party. Due to my panic, I wound up making it too small. Mr SUDs very helpfully contributed: “You should have got the dimensions for the phone!”…

…to which I replied, “I DID!”

We both had a good giggle, with Mr SUDs obviously thinking that he should have seen that one coming!!!

But hey – I bet no-one else has a lipstick holder attached to a key fob in their hand bag????!!!! Ah yes – that’s what it was intended for all along!!!! <cheeky grin> :-)

My friend really loves to coordinate her attire, and I love to make coordinating ‘everything’, so I purchased a wooden bangle and covered it in strips of fabric, adhering them to the inside edge of the bangle using a hot glue gun. It was quick and easy to make… and as a dear friend of mine in England would say, “Yeah – it looks it n’all!!” LOL

Well that’s enough spotty dotty news for one day… but I’m sure there will be future instalments!

Till next time – don’t forget to have some fun!

Hugs! Vikki :-)

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