Vintage Christmas Angel

It is a time for new rituals!  When my grand-daughter realised that we would be home for Christmas, her first question was - 'Are you putting up a Christmas tree?'  Her second question was - 'Do you have a Christmas tree?'  LOL!!!  When the answer was yes - she asked could she help?  My response was 'absolutely'!

So, last Sunday, after French toast for brunch (another tradition) we dragged the boxes out of the upstairs cupboard, coughing and sneezing from all the dust. 

Once the tree was assembled, we decided on a red and gold theme and let my grand-daughter go to town!  She wanted all of the decorations to be hung, with no rhyme nor reason. 

However, when we unearthed our vintage Angel, Tasha had to attach her to the top of the tree. 

(I was not very happy about this - as I do not celebrate Christmas!  But I would do anything for my cherub!  My mother informs me that I picked this lovely Angel out when I was three.  She also told me that I would not let any other angel be used instead for the top of the tree. Do I sound like a spoiled brat?)

We hung apples, presents, mushrooms, gold and red beads, santas, everything but the kitchen sink.  But no tinsel as Nanna does not approve! The result is a joyous mish-mash but it makes us smile every time we look at it. Thanks chook!

This may be our last post before January, 2011, so we would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you.  Thanks to all the supporters of the shop and the website and this blog.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  (Happy Summer Solstice too!)

Till next time,

Therese and Tasha

When Good Ideas Go Bad

Why is it that some ideas sound fantastic at the time - but in reality do not meet your expectations?

I participate in a Kris Kringle each year at work.  My lucky recipient this year was going to receive a beautiful pincushion.  Not just any pincushion though - a circular one with a paper pieced pie on it. 

The fabrics were chosen with great care, the buttons were selected, I had all the ingredients necessary to finish the pincushion. 

So, I made the pie; I attached it to the background; I quilted the pie and the background; I cut the circles out; I sewed it together and then I snipped the edges so the seams would lie flat.  So far, so good!

I turned it out the right way and I thought it was ok.  Not fabulous, but ok.  Hmmm, maybe it will improve when I stuff it.  So, out came the stuffing, all was well in the world.  I had enough stuffing!  Stuff the cushion firmly.  Wow!  Dog's breakfast is all I can say.  The quilting was wonky, the edges didn't sit properly.  This was a disaster.  Why?  Well, in my certainty that this would be a huge success I was finishing it the day of the Kris Kringle dinner!  For those who know me, this is not unusual.

What was I going to do?  I had about two hours to prepare something else.  I made a rectangular pincushion with a 'pie' on it.  The most frustrating part - it was gorgeous.  Simple, elegant, lovely colour combination.  I didn't want to give it away but I had to.  So, Kris Kringle recipient - I hope you love it as much as I did.

All I have for show and tell is the unpicked pincushion.

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U.F.O or WISP?

I decided to clean out my fabric cupboard the other day!  What was I thinking?  I thought I had finished all of my U.F.O's - but not so!  I found two.  For most people that is not a lot - for me it is!  LOL!

So, I opened one of the boxes and there was 16 blocks, the sashing and setting squares all ready to go - why hadn't I put it together?  I put all of the blocks up on my design wall and I love the quilt.  So falling out of love with it wasn't the problem.  Maybe I ran out of time to put it all together.  Well this weekend, the top will be finished and then I can send it to the quilter for her to work her magic on it.  This is one of the blocks - what do you think?  Love or hate it?

That leaves one U.F.O - this one is a bit trickier as I do not know what I want to do with it.  I have made a Costa Rican Cartwheel and cannot decide if I want a plain border or a printed one.  I might have to put this aside again while I contemplate the next move.

Till next time,
Tasha

Family

We often take our family for granted until they are no longer there.  I would love to be able to pick up the phone and talk to my mum again.  Just to say hello and talk about the weather and what everyone is doing.  Nothing world shattering - just the trivial things from everyday life.  I miss her.

The world seems to be in such a state of turmoil and change and doom and gloom. 

Sewing helps me cope with whatever life throws at me.  As long as I can find some time each day to do some stitching, I feel more positive about the future.  I look at the handmade quilt I have pulled over my knees to warm my toes and adjust the cushion behind my back that was a gift from a friend.  I pick up the needlecase I made and get out my favourite scissors with the silk ribbon scissorkeep I stitched, hanging from them.  I look to see if there are some pins in the pin cushion of my couch clutter controller that sits on the arm of my chair and I am ready to sew for a while.

What gets you into the sewing groove?

Till next time

Therese

Declutter or Sew?

I have been in the mood to declutter and decided the 'whatnot' in the office was my next victim!  (Before photo not included as it was too embarrassing)

During

After

Can we spell procrastination?  Hopefully, I can now concentrate on the pile of UFO's that I want to finish by the end of the year.

Till next time, Tasha

Blah, blah, blah

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like you are chasing your tail? 

Therese and I have been working on a joint project and I have to say it is looking fabulous!

I am in awe of my mother.  She is working on several projects at the moment and still doubts her creative talent.  I would be happy if I had a quarter of her abilities. 

This sneak preview is for a new BOM design - don't the colours look gorgeous?

Our First Post

Woo hoo!  We have joined the blogging revolution.  I am dragging my mother, Therese, kicking and screaming into the 21st century. 

We will endeavour to post a couple of times a week with sneak previews of new designs, both successful and unsuccessful ones!  Nothing like a bit of reverse sewing - we are both experts at it.

Till next time, Tasha