Secret Santa Soiree 2012

I really didn't want to post about Santa at the start of the New Year so luckily all swap parcels have been sent and received so here we go with a few hours left of 2012!!!
This was my first year taking part in the Secret Santa Soiree organised by Suzanne at Colorodolady and I would definitely take part in or organise something like this again as it was so much fun!!
After a short time of trying to get to know my secret partner without leaving too many comments or liking too many photos I put together a parcel that included a mixture of fabric, shop bought goodies, hand made treats and of course chocolate! The parcel had a long way to go and I was somewhat impressed with the Royal Mail that the parcel actually arrived before Christmas! Little did I know that when it arrived on the shores of New Zealand it would be the hottest day they have had and therefore the chocolate was a little worse for wear!! Fortunately to say that my partner Michell managed to salvage the treats and everything else arrived safely!!

A few days after my trip to the post office a parcel arrived for me - in a huge box!! Boy was I spoilt!
I couldn't wait until Christmas so after a hard day at work this was a lovely treat to come home to. It was also quite funny that my secret Santa was Pip whom I met at the Fat Quarterly retreat this year!! (and will be seeing again in 29 weeks!!!!)
Just look at all these goodies!! I was/am overwhelmed by Pip's generosity - thanks mate!!!

 Gorgeous fabrics, yummy goodies, a new pen for quilty things, notebook, a cute mug ....

 Gorgeous scarf, more yummy goodies, wonderful felt box, Lu Summers tape (!!!!) and cute little Santa's!!

Think I might need to organise some kind of Seasons swap!? Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall? Any takers!?
Right off to see if I can stay awake til the wee hours of 2013!!!

Merry belated Christmas!

So yes it is Friday the 28th of December, and some of you may have taken down the tree and decorations but I'm only 3 days late and I put it down to still having this horrible bug, but Merry belated Christmas!!

Hoping everyone had a lovely time with friends, family and lots of treats!

December

Not long to go til Christmas and the feeling of not being prepared is slowly coming over me!! For the past 5 days Lemsip, Vicks, tissues and my bed have been my favourite companion!! Come on cold I'm soooo over you now!!!
I have received some lovely mail which has cheered me up (which I will get round to posting about!) but for now here are some other buddies that are keeping me happy!

A little bit of creativity

So I got a little bit creative at the weekend! Nothing too mad but in an attempt to kick start the crafty mojo this was nice and easy.  One step closer to getting the sewing machine back out again!!

I recently purchased a set of Martha Stewart chalkboard labels at Staples and was then waiting eagerly for a nice, white and crisp chalk pen to arrive that I bought off e Bay. I decided to try out a chalk pen rather than the old fashioned normal chalk as I'm left handed and whenever I've used chalk in the past I just smudge it too easily. The pen is great! It dries very quickly, does not smudge and is easily removed with a damp cloth. Would definitely recommend!
Not great photos I know but at the moment I seem to be living through Instagram!!!

The best thing about these labels? They are re positionable and reusable so if you (OK me!) don't get it right the first time just try again!

Martha Stewart @ Staples!!

So I finally managed to make a trip to Staples to have a look at the new range of Martha Stewart Home Office goodies and boy was I in for a treat! Loving the range and the assortment of labels, notebooks and files and gorgeous colours.
Now I could open my own stationary store with all the note books, pens, files etc I have stashed away but I can never resist buying more!! However tempted I was I did however resist and only came away with a couple of items!!

Goings on

Not too many crafty / sewing goings on around here!!
I'm hoping to have time this weekend to catch up on my Bee blocks and a few other projects that are being stored in my mind at the moment!!
I have however signed up to a really exciting swap over at Coloradolady:

 

Off to stalk my partner and start writing my shopping list!!

Catch up .....

Bee blocks

I am now finally up to date with my Bee Europa blocks! Yay!

First up Floh asked for a block that reminded her of tea time, so I went with my favourite tea - chai! This was a fun block to make and I am really looking forward to seeing how all the blocks will look together!

Next was a lovely block - converging corners for Muriel, this was a great block to make and when they are all put together it makes a really striking effect

Quilting bee's are so much fun!!

I got a ticket!!

So if you haven't heard the tickets for the 2013 Fat Quarterly retreat are now on sale!

After waiting patiently at my computer for 12 noon yesterday I had one of these safely in the little shopping cart!

I can now breathe and relax! Last year I was a bit slow learning about the retreat and purchased my ticket last minute, which also meant no hotel. I had a wonderful time meeting lots of lovely people from my quilting bees and blog buddies but missed out on a few things due to all the train travel back and forth! So for next year I am determined to stay somewhere near by and take part in all the fun! In steps the lovely Pippa and asks me if I want to be a roomie! YES PLEASE!!! We met at the retreat last year, had a few classes and giggles together whilst watching everyone else at the retreat win lots of lovely raffle prizes except what felt like us!!!

I can't wait! If you're going to the retreat, look forward to seeing you there!!

Pretty {little} pouch swap 5 sent

I have been waiting patiently to show this pouch, waiting until my partner had received it and finally it arrived safely and my partner liked it!

This was definitely a hard make to giveaway!!
After much planning and changing my mind I went with a zippered pouch and although the plan was for bright rainbow colours when I started pulling fabrics for the front quilt as you go I could see a colour theme forming - one that I am happy with!!

I used a navy linen for the lining and the back and applique my partners initial on the back.

I also sent some other goodies that I picked up at an Oxfam Fair trade stall, and some colour catchers that I noticed on my partners profile she finds them hard to get.

I do love me a good swap - just need to sign up to another one now!!

Gathering dust

This weekend I am on mission!

These poor neglected quilt blocks have been gathering dust!! Some of them are from quilt bees that are now growing in age and they need to be paid attention to!! So they have been dusted down and are now in a great storage box ready to be tackled. Fingers crossed that they will turn into something wonderful even maybe my first quilt!!

Would love to know what your craft plans are for the weekend - it will soon be here!!

Pretty {little} pouch swap 5

It was a happy mail day today!!!
This arrived ~

A gorgeous pouch from synnovekri as part of the Pretty {little} pouch swap 5 over at Flickr.
It is so cute! Wonderful bright fabrics, great fussy cuts and amazing hand embroidery - plus some extra goodies as well!

Thank you synnovekri!!

It has been getting lots of love over on Instagram! Since I got myself an iPhone I am addicted!!
You can find me there as Pink_Stitches

Frame purse love!

A while ago I took part in "In the frame purse swap" over on Flickr and was lucky enough to receive this gorgeous purse from ValMiller and a lovely assortment of goodies. I am always amazed and overwhelmed by the loveliness and generosity of the on line quilting and blogging world!!
Just look at this awesomeness!!!

Quilts, quilts and even mini quilts!

A little over a month ago (yep, that's how far behind I am with my blog updates!!) I managed to take a last minute visit to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham.
I managed to spend a few pennies and see lots of amazing quilts and quilting.
Here's a little recap!
Amazing whole cloth quilting ~

 Gorgeous quilt designs ~

Hexies ~

 Stunning quilts ~

 Gorgeous use of modern fabrics ~

 A quick glimpse of Tula Pink!!

 I spy a stunning Lu Summers quilt!

 Wonderful quilting ~

 And just look at this mini quilt!! Yes this was mini!!

Look backing at some of the photos just reminds me that I've really missed using the sewing machine and I must get on and make my first quilt. Can someone please point me in the direction of where I can buy extra time!!