Bye, bye birdies

Now here is a quick gift idea I can share with you. I made these seven writing compendiums up for my work colleagues yesterday. I bought the felt folder which included a pad of lined paper, built in pencil case and another useful pocket from an office supplies shop. I used felt and Heat'n'Bond to fuse on this sweet birdie design that I saw on a skaters bag. I embellished with free motion machine stitching and some beads. These gifts were well received last night at our Christmas function which was held at a waterfront restaurant on a deck overlooking the Bay. We saw fish and stingrays swimming around below us just metres from our table, it was a lovely evening for outdoor dining and the food was superb! So sorry to tell you I forgot to take my camera.

Bye,

Nana bag

I have been thinking of my little 4'10" Nana today, it's just gone 10 years since she passed away and I miss her. We could chat so easily and fill in many hours pottering around her garden, working together in the kitchen or crafting together in the evening. This bag I made a year or so back is made from some bits and pieces from Nana's collection over the years. I love the antique crazy patchwork look of it and the soft colours I know Nana would love. I use this bag to hold unfinished embroidery projects or sometimes it even goes shopping with me.

Here she is Louisa Lily, she was born in 1913 in March, Cambridgeshire, England. She was the youngest child in the family and her mother tragically passed away at 45 from Tuberculosis when Nana was only 7. She was raised by different siblings until she was 16 when her father decided to bring her to Australia to look after him and one of his sons. They lived in a tent and then a slab hut, not quite what Nana was used to, life was hard. Nana met and married a few years later and raised her own family of four in the NE of Victoria.

Sausage boys

Two little boys squabbling over a string of plastic sausages with smiley faces and neither were giving them up.

A quick birthday gift

Another friend is a year older and is also a fabulous cook so thought she might like a new apron to make her feel special while she goes about her tasks of cooking for her family and friends.

My friends are all turning 40

I do make things other than bags. Here is an apron and mit made for a friend in NZ who has recently turned 40, as I did 3 months ago today. I have Denyse Schmidt's book 'Quilts' and based this gift on the apron and mit she designed. As I am too lazy to make templates I just pieced as I went to make the pocket and then the mit cuff. Her book has 30 colourful projects, some quilts and many smaller gift items. I am sure you will find great inspiration on her page and I recommend her book to anyone wanting to have a go a patchwork.