Hey, Mr Postman brought some goodies for me...

The mail has been really great this week!
Look at all the lovely goodies that have arrived.


First, these beautiful treasures arived as a gift from the lovely Lyn. I love reading Lyn's blog. She always has interesting posts and makes so many beautiful things. Go and visit when you've finished here.

Then, 2 DVDs that I had ordered from the ABC shop arrived: "Lost in Austen" and "Cranford". L in A was so enjoyable, I had to buy it, and as I only saw one episode of Cranford, I thought I might as well buy it too. Judy Dench was, as always, so delightful in her role (the little bit I saw) that it was a case of 'must have'.

Next was the first issue of this new magazine. Erica wrote about on her blog and after checking it out here, I decided to subscribe. It really is as good as it looks and sounds. Lots of creative talent by artists who are pushing themselves to go beyond the usual expectations. Very inspirational.
Get hold of a copy if you can, even if only from the library. I've only perused it so far, and I'm looking forward to settling in and having a really good read.



Then today, the 3rd (and final) ATC in the Black and Yellow swap I was in, arrived from LeeAllan. The other one from Rowan arrived a couple of weeks ago.

From the top: Rowan's ATC made with a lovely soft textured black background and bright, clear yellow ricrac. Rowan has only recently started making ATCs and his finish is superb.

On the left: LeeAllan's "Tiger Tail" ATC. Pieced background, machine stitched, with the addition of braided black and yellow embroidery thread. Very original thinking.

On the right: My Guitar ATC. Fussy cut guitar appliqued onto a yellow background using a fancy zigzag machine embroidery stitch, with our first initial and a star written on in ink. (Rowan's had an R and LeeAllan's had an L-A)


LeeAllan's ATC came protected by a card, which seems very appropriate this week. I had to show you, because it has given me ideas for a quilt using my collection of Australian Aboriginal designed fabrics. I won't be doing it any time soon, though, as I have enough on the table at the moment.

Y

Procrastination is the name of the game...

It seems as though this word gets used a lot at this time of year.
P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N
What a mouthful of a word! It's a wonder we procrastinators haven't come up with a shortened version. But then, that would mean less time talking and more time to actually do something, wouldn't it?

Well, I admit it. I am a Procrastinator. Big time!

My most recent example of this began on New Year's Eve about midday....

DH and I had decided not to go to any of the tempting parties we were invited to, so that we could get an early night and an early start on NYDay, instead of sleeping 'til midday and then just lying around all day. DH headed off to work on the Set of a filming project he is involved with, while I decided to make a start on the tax bookwork. (Yeah, right!)

I really wanted to start a new quilt project, but after having started the UFO Challenge , I had already decided that only UFOs were going to be done for the next 3 months, at least (apart from Christmas Challenge commitments).

I had also decided, no quilting until the books were done!

So, just to stop me from quilting, I decided our old bathroom needed a good scrub. I have hated that bathroom for years now, but between weddings and other things, we haven't been able to allocate money to a complete renovation. With the thought in mind that "one day", scrubbing regularly is about all I have committed to.

BUT, this particular day was different!

Until 3am Jan 1st, then again all NYDay, and on and off since,
I have scrubbed the bathroom twice,
scraped out all the old grungy grout from the wall tiles,
regrouted them,
scraped out old glue on the shower screens and re done them,
and have started to regrout the bathroom floor!

Next, I'm going to repaint the remaining part of the walls,
sand back the painted parts of the vanity and repaint,
attach new handles to said vanity
buy a new mirrored medicine cabinet or get new mirrors put on the old one,
then call in the plumber to do new taps,
and then ,get the bath recoated!

If I can't have a new renovation, then at least I'll have a revampation! (sounded funkier than just revamp!)

How's that for procrastination? ROFL

Anyway, here's a photo of the old floor tiles, followed by a photo of the newly regrouted ones. I forgot to take before and after photos of the other stuff.

As if that wasn't enough to keep me from the books, I have also spent time on the computer, reading blogs and shopping for bargains. (of course!)

I bought these 2 patterns from Christine. She was having a cull. "Gidget" was one of the first quilts that I fell in love with, but the local Shop only had the pattern available to those doing the class. I didn't really want to make he whole thing, just learn the techniques. Besides, I didn't really have the time to do the classes. I had forgotten about it, until I saw Christine's pattern for sale.






I also bought 2 new bag patterns to join all the other bag patterns I have yet to make up! DD wants both of these...

And a pattern for the Noriko bag that I downloaded from Lazygirldesigns.

I had bought a few copies of this pattern from Elizabeth in Canada, in December, so I have also been looking at fabric with this in mind. (One copy went to my Angel in the SCQ swap, and one copy is going to be a giveaway on this blog later)


I haven't chosen the fabric yet, but while I was searching, I did find these 2 lovely Fairy Frost FQ bundles from The Fatquartershop in the States. They really needed to be seen to be auditioned, so I had to order them. No, really... I did need to see them before buying yardage! Stop laughing!

This bundle is called 'Blushing',

and this one, 'Iris'.

(Shshsh....I have also ordered the Green bundle and the Yellow bundle.....)

And what am I doing today? Well, I should be finishing the bathroom floor, but, instead, I am busy scanning patterns and fabric and posting on my blog!

Happy Procrastinating Everyone!

Chickens and Canvas

I have been internet shopping for Christmas presents. Such fun! I get to sit here in my jammies and spend money without a guilty conscience. hahaha

Anyway, I had a brilliant idea for presents this year. I am giving lots of people on my list, a chook! Yep, you heard right. A chook, chicken, hen ~ of the feathered variety. Real live ones, too! Now before you think I've gone mad (well madder than normal) click here, then click on the Smiles section. It takes a little while for the video clip to upload, but it's good.

I have been buying other things for presents, too. Got some good discounts as well, but I can't show you them, in case peoples are watching ... shshshshsh....

Of course, old habits die hard and I have found some things for myself. But I've only bought absolute essentials. Things I needed. Honest!

Like these lovely light weight cotton canvas fabrics. Ordered them from Shanghai, (with some trepidation). Aren't they great? Wonderful for bags. I seriously want to get into bag making next year.

Merry Christmas (in Shanghaianese)

Teaser

Do you like them? They are for my next project. I'm cutting them out tonight.

Can you guess what I am making with them?

***

Fabric Draw Winners!

6.35am and I'm ready to draw 3 names out of the hat. How shall I do this? Let's see...it's Christmas...I don't have the 3 Wise Men unpacked yet, but I did buy a lovely little Jim Shore Santa the other day...

Aha! Here's what I'll do...write each name on a little piece of paper...all 12 names...roll them into little balls...then throw them at Santa...the 3 that land the closest will be the winners!

My, how they bounce off Santa and bounce on the carpet! This is a great random way to get the winners!

And the winners are............

Di, AbbyKat (in New Zealand) and Jackie! Congratulations, ladies!

If you 3 ladies would like to email me at lindijanej at gmail dot com, I will post your fabric off to you.

Thanks for participating everyone. Keep an eye on my blog, you never know when I might get the urge to do this again! LOL

Fabric giveaway

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the last day for you to leave a comment, to go in the draw for one of the 3 pieces of fabric I am giving away. They won't be favourites of mine, of course, as I am trying to cull my fabic collection, not get rid of it entirely, but they won't be awful, either! Every comment since I announced the giveaway will go in the draw, even if you live overseas!

So leave a comment. Even if it's just "hi!"

Santa's getting ready...

...and I wish I was!
I'm still (very desperately, now) trying to get the house back in order after renovations. The office has almost completely been done, and now I am moving into my new craft room. It's not entirely mine... I have to share with a winter clothes wardrobe and another storage cupboard, but I'm getting there, I think!
But oh my! I had no idea I had collected so much fabric over the nearly 3 years that I have been quilting!
At the moment I am packing it where DH won't see it, but I must do something about it after Christmas.
(Note to self, don't let him read this post! LOL)
So watch for giveaways in the new year, and maybe I'll start selling on ebay instead of buying!!!

Hmmm.... just realised, I am awaiting 3 parcels in the mail. You'd never guess what's in them!
So, fabric up for grabs, now! Leave a comment and go in a draw. Let's see.... 3 winners I think, for the 3 Wise Men. (although did you know that the Bible does not say there were 3?)

Recent purchases from BeBeBold

While I was away at Mum's, there was a local Arts and Crafts Exhibition which I took time to visit. Had a lovely time there, checking out the things for sale and spending my money. I also met fellow SCQuilter Jane McD, (a really lovely lady!) who owns BeBeBold. She specializes in Japanese textiles, and I just couldn't resist these...
Cheeki is a doll kit and is really cute! The fabric for her kimino has a lovely purple background.

I also bought a bundle of 10 fat eighths of Vintage Japanese Yukata. Gorgeous fabrics! Lovely patterns with some having a beautiful texture. I have to decide what to do with them now. When I do, I know Jane has lots of yummy fabrics to go with them.

Another quilt?!!!

I can't believe I've started another quilt when I am in the middle of so many! (Yes, I can believe it, actually). And no Sis, it's not yours. This one is for Minka (Minka Shadow Dancer, to give her her full title). Minka is the gorgeous black cat you see on the right.
As the weather gets cooler, she is curling up wherever there is a quilt or blanket left lying, and I am getting tired of washing cat hairs out, so.......
What's to bet she won't even like it!
I'd love to keep working on it today, but bookwork and BAS are enticing me (NOT!)

Last night I joined a SCQuilters side group (fatquarters) where everyone encourages and supports each other in their goals of weight loss. I have chosen my fabrics to put aside (each piece represents a kilo of my target for the next 6 months), and now I have to earn them back! Any not earned get donated to a worthwhile cause. I deliberately chose absolute favourites for which I have plans. It will really hurt if I lose them! I'm putting them everywhere that food is stored!