I heart my new home...

Last year I contemplated a house move from my weatherboard cottage . Hubby and I took the plunge moved and bought a new home in November last year. 2010 was crazy with major events happening: a premmie baby, husband sitting professional exams and a house move! We survived it all and are really enjoying the change of home. The house is only 8 years old compared with our previous 95 year old cottage. Looking through eucalypt canopies we have a beautiful view of our local harbour.

What's more? I have a large block to transform into a beautiful garden. I am loving the challenge! More photos to come of this transformation...

Hope you enjoyed visiting my blog, Jan

Fun Hexagonal Quilt

I delighted in paper piecing this quilt last year. I handstitched it for my then baby son as a floor mat. Happily it has progressed from the floor to the sofa as Tom has become a toddler. He now sits on it to have a bottle or quiet time. It is made with a combination of retro prints, fun kiddy prints and scrap fabric. I couldn't believe how quickly it hand quilted. I had fun designing the star design used to quilt the border.

Thanks for visiting, Jan

Cute cross stitch sheep...

Aren't these sheep cute? They're so quick and easy to stitch. They graze on the "Reed'" (which will be "Tom" when it's finished) Shepherd's bush Christmas stocking. I am delighted the stocking will be finished soon with plenty of time spare before it is hung for Christmas.

Spooky...My First Halloween cross stitch sampler...

Isn't October a fun month with decorations of Jack-o-lanterns, witches' hats and owls? In keeping with this fun I have finished my inaugural Halloween cross stitch sampler. It is called Hallow Sampler by The Primitive Needle. I stitched it using 32 ct linen with Weeks flosses.

It is the first sampler of many. My plan is to stitch one every year. I can visualise the collection of Halloween samplers that will decorate my wall every October. My next sampler is by The Prairie Schooler in my hot little hands called Pumpkin Patch.

My Halloween obsession began in England 2006 while touring during the witching season. Every shop and house we visited were decked out. My eldest two children are also in love with the season (probably cos they were also there in England). We always try to have a little H'ween fun in our house and it coincides nicely with DS's birthday!

Progress on a Shepherd's Bush Stocking

Now I have an iPhone it's so much easier to upload pics. I don't have to look all over the house for the digital camera cord. Here is the progress of baby Tom's Xmas stocking. I'm not quite prepared to say he is a toddler quite yet as he's not toddling independently. I'll keep him a baby for as long as possible! I love the periwinkle blue with the fresh greens. Half way there with the stocking. The large cross stitches of these stockings make it so easy to pick up in front of the TV. Yes I do watch a lot of TV in the evenings as my last two posts have exposed.

Back on blog

I get so caught up in the excitement of a new project I start lots and don't seem to get many finishes. Therefore I'm being hard on myself; no new quilts or craft projects (except Lynette Anderson's Scandinavian Xmas quilt but that was an exception) until I have 5x finishes.

So here is a piccie of the progress I have made on one of my "to finish" quilts. I have finished the quilting on the 64 blocks. It's "Shaggy Linen Quilt" by Quilters Barn. I love the Frenchy linen look. It will be a throwover on wintry Tassie nights watching TV.

Seashell cupcakes for my birthday...

I drooled over the seashell cupcakes I found at Sweetopia. I made my version of them to share with friends for my (cough, cough) 40th birthday morning tea. Instead of making the chocolates I cut the Guylian ones in half to use as decoration. The cupcake recipe is vanilla. The sand is simply brown sugar. I was delighted with the effect.

i heart my home...

I heart my home. Over the last 13 years I've put my heart & soul into the interior & garden. Problem is baby no. 3 has really made this home more squishy so we will need to move in the next year or so :(

I'm sure I'll love my next home just as much but part of me will always be in this home

- our first home.

Nice people, nice things and nice plants!

I bought the Hugs 'n Kisses Nice People, Nice Things quilt pattern last year and have been hunting for the right fabrics ever since. As soon as I saw the name of this bundle, Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey from Fresh Fabrics at the Hobart Quilt & Craft Fair I knew I'd found the perfect fabrics. Luckily for me I had a craft weekend away (baby in tow) so was able to make a start on tracing the pattern when baby allowed. Another quilt in progress....I'm losing count!

For something different in my cottage garden I use euphorbias. I've got quite a collection. I love the featheriness of their foliage and the "punch" the flowers bring to a Wintry garden. This black one my latest. My garden is going through its gothic phase with black plants. I've forgotten its name so will have to hunt for the label.

Christmas stitching in July

My husband and I were on team Green when expecting baby number 3 this year. I have cross stitched Shepherd's Bush Christmas stockings for my other two children so aimed to do one for my third baby in time for his/her's first Christmas December 2010. I took a punt last year and started stitching a "girly" one called Elisabeth. What was a woman to do with a girly one when she has just had a baby boy? Stitch it for herself of course. Here is a photo of the unironed stitchery (the photo is skewed as holding a baby makes taking a photo hard) awaiting charms and to be sewn into a stocking. So now I'm going to be the proud owner of my own Christmas stocking. I have to get busy now and stitch Tom's one which is titled "Reed" in time for Christmas.

Thre weeks ago I had to farewell our beloved cat, Lily. She was 13years and her body gave up on her. She was our first baby and my constant companion. I miss you puss!