Christmas In July 2012

Yes - it is that time of the year again - time to spend time with my patchwork friends from all over the world!
This is my third Christmas In July Online Retreat - run by Sarah of Quilt Fabric Delight 

Here is some information about it HERE

Even though I have not made lots of projects from Christmas In July, I have made some wonderful friends (and they have all signed up for Christmas In July 2012)

From Australia - Mhairi -  I recently met her "in real life" when her family were on holidays in my state. Our friendship began last year when I was warmly welcomed by her in the chat room (my very first chat room experience) and we haven't stopped talking since!!!!
From France - Florence -who I met at the first Christmas In July (and chat regularly to), and who I will hopefully meet "in real life" one day.
From USA - Deanna - we met through The Great Global Christmas Swap a few years ago and both signed up for Christmas In July and every year since!
From my suburb - Barb - who I had a cuppa with last week, who is in my Fat Quarter Swap group and also in the first Christmas In July.

And looking through the introduction thread - I see many more ladies who I chatted with last year and hope to chat to again.

Christmas Block going to Nova Scotia

This is the 12 inch block I made for my partner in the Christmas Block Swap Australia

She requested ANY Christmas block in traditional Christmas colours - so I made one of my all time favourite blocks - Log Cabin

Flying to Nova Scotia as we speak!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

To all my online friends - hope you have had / are having a wonderful Christmas with your families.

I have had the BEST day with my family!!!!

12 Weeks of Christmas - 4th Week of Christmas

Kathy from Sew-Happy House is hosting a series of 12 Weeks of Christmas on her blog.

I have been following along and visiting other blogs to see what others have been doing to prepare for Christmas - you can linkup with Sew-Happy House HERE

I am showing you some of my very favourite ornaments - the one's made by the children when they were younger.
These are so very special to me and I will still be putting them on our tree when they have grown up and moved out! Then I will be remembering the looks on their faces and their joy when we hung them on our Christmas Tree for the very first time.

Found these whilst looking for Christmas ideas at the Martha Stewart website

- Martha Stewart's Easiest Christmas: Easy Christmas Ideas from A to Z
From Angels at the Table to Zesty Garnish - lots of great ideas in this post.
- Christmas Tree Photo Card - will definately be making some of these!
 Could easily get lost on her site for an afternoon - there is so many great ideas there!

See you all next week

12 Weeks of Christmas -3rd Week of Christmas

I am following Kathy at Sew-Happy House for her 12 Weeks of Christmas countdown.

She is sharing all sorts of wonderful ideas with us and showing us what she is making for her "home-made Christmas Challenge"
This week I spent some time going though craft magazines and blog tutorials for some small gift ideas for Christmas.

Last year for an ornament swap I made a "Christmas Ornament Birdie" from a tutorial by Robyn at Daisy Quilts Have a look around her blog - it is full of all sorts of loveliness! Tutorials, recipes, online shop and more. And she has a gallery of scrappy quilts!
For my ornament swap I added a few more birdies to make this for my swap partner Sharon, and used some "feathery" wool at the bottom with the coloured bells

A string of birdies

Close up of the bottom birdie

Thought I might make some more this Christmas.
And Kathy - just in case you were wondering!

See you all next week.
Edited to add - Just had a Facebook post from Stay At Home Mum - the Secret to Living on One Wage about a FREE downloadable Christmas Ebook being released this week - sign up for the very first newsletter (top right hand side of the blog HERE) or on Facebook (VIP Specials & Bonuses)
You can see my post for the 2nd Week of Christmas about Stay At Home Mum

Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia

I joined this swap group in March 2011 and every month I have a new partner to sew for.
I have received seven beautiful 12 inch star blocks in traditional Christmas colours from my partners - thanks so very much ladies.

I have sewn different blocks for my parteners with Log Cabin being the most requested (who doesn't enjoy a log cabin block!)

I have made this Layout of my patchwork by using a free template from The Coffee Shop Blog called To the 9's Template and Loading Actions
I used the Black and the White templates in Photoshop CS4 and dragged my photos under the template and free transformed them to fit - really quick and really easy. There are instructions how to change the colour as well.

12 Weeks of Christmas - 1st Week of Christmas

12 Weeks of Christmas started today with Kathy at Sew-Happy House - go HERE to see what she has posted about today - there are only 12 more Mondays until Christmas - can you believe that?????

See my earlier blog post for a few more details

I think I am having a mini panic - thinking about this!!

I have subscribed to a website called 101 Days to Christmas  (started on September 15) which sends daily emails with ideas to help you get organised for Christmas - well worth a look! (only 83 days left  now!)

On Day 91 there is a "Gifts to Make Inventory List" - a printable PDF which can help you keep track of gift making.
Day 93 - set up a Gift Closet - and a printable PDF to help keep track of gifts already brought/made and stored in your "gift closet" (which if you are like me, is actually a box hidden in the cupboard!)
Day 99 - Christmas Planner  - with many printable PDF sheets to include in it. A great organisation tool - just need to remember to use it!
And many more ideas to help have an organised Christmas.
This week I will have a SERIOUS think about Christmas and share a bit more with you next week.

Confession - The other day I found some things from last Christmas which did not get into the "Christmas cupboard" after the Christmas Tree was taken down! Oops!

 Linking up with Kathy at Sew-Happy House 12 Weeks of Christmas - 1st Week of Christmas
Come and join in!

12 Week of Christmas with Kathy at Sew-Happy House

Kathy is having 12 Weeks of Christmas on her blog Sew-Happy House. She will be sharing some more information tomorrow (Sunday) and will be starting on Monday.

"no commitment, no snail mail - just lots of Christmas spirit and a community of sharing"

I'll be joining in with all the fun - hope you will too!

Kathy was my swap partner with Christmas Quilting Block Swap Mug Rug Swap http://whirlingbutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/08/mondays-show-and-tell_22.html )

Christmas Sew Along

I have just joined the Christmas Sew Along (SAL) with Lesley at Sew Happy.Me
It's starting tomorrow (Friday 23 September) so hurry over and have a look at this...

There is a Christmas stitchery (7" x 6") every week for seven weeks and then on the eighth week Lesley will post instructions how to put them all together to make Christmas bunting - you HAVE to have a look at this HERE

Here's a peek from Sew Happy.Me blog

And you can join up HERE

When I was talking on Skype with my friend Mhairi yesterday, she told me about this Christmas Sew Along that she had already joined -  because she knew I NEEDED another project to do!!!
So I joined up straight away! Today Joy came for our weekly Thursday sewing, and I told her about it and now she has signed up too! Then I FB messaged Florence and Maryse and Geniene, and emailed Kathy too!
When I read Lesley's blog tonight, she posted that she has about 600 participants already and the numbers are still rising! Wow!
Let me know if you join in and we can "Sew Along" together!

Monday's Show and Tell

I have been saving this to share with you for Monday's Show and Tell with Sandy at Cookies and Cream Craft.
This is my Santa Sack I received from my swap partner Geniene

Oh my goodness - what a lot of work she has done for me! I just LOVE my Santa Sack!
I am very impressed by her stitching and her colour choice. And he certainly is a Jolly Old St Nick!

I was VERY excited when I opened my parcel! Lots of presents (2 for July and 2 for August) which I did not poke or squeeze!
Look at these beautiful butterflies (and chocolates too!) - she knows me well
I have put my presents in my Santa Sack and will add more presents from Geniene every month until Christmas. Then I can open them all!!
If you missed my earlier post about the Santa Sack I sent to Geniene - it is HERE

Have a look at Cookies and Cream Craft to see who else has some Show and Tell today.

Christmas In July at QFD

Christmas In July 2011 is starting on 25th July at Quilt Fabric Delights


Projects from QFD Creative Team and guest designers Janelle Wind, Brenda Ryan, Melissa Grant and Bronwyn Hayes.

I joined in last year and had a great time - stitching, sewing, competitions and making friends (Hi Deanna and Florence!) It was my first time participating in an online event and it was certainly a learning experience. Can't believe a year has gone already! And how much more I know this time! Might even join in a chat.
You can have a look at the wall hanging I made for Christmas in July 2010  This Christmas Night by Gail Pan.

Let me know if you are joining and I can keep an eye out for you in the QFD forum

Monday's Show and Tell

Hi everyone - sorry I missed last Monday - I was have a mini "spur-of-the-moment" holiday with my beautiful family.

Today I am showing you the bag I made for my swap partner Deanna for the Great Global Christmas Swap 2010

Here is a close up of the stitchery (Becky the Bookworm) I put on the bag (stitchery pattern from "An Angel Story" by Anni Downs Hatched and Patched)

Have a look at Cookies and Cream Craft to see who else has Show and Tell today.

Cookies and Cream Craft Christmas Club 2011

Starting on July 1, 2011 Sandy of Cookies and Cream Craft is running her very first Christmas Club. The club will run for 5 months (July to November) and sounds very exciting (I know Sandy is excited!)

"Each month you will receive an exclusive paper pattern designed especially for you by one of our wonderful Aussie designers, along with a special gift, and a bit more." Sandy


Sign up has now commenced (April 16 until June 10) - I have signed up already - I think am the first one to join!!
For all the details visit Sandy at Cookies and Cream Craft and join in the fun.

Monday's Show and Tell

My first post for Cookie's and Cream Craft Monday's Show and Tell. I have been following this for ages too!
My Show and Tell is a Christmas Wall Hanging (18 inch square) called 'This Christmas Night' designed by Gail Pan. 

I participated in Christmas In July with Quilt Fabric Delight
This was a month long online class run by Sarah in July 2010 which had us all stitching lots of different projects from a variety of designers (Sarah Leak , Natalie Lymer , Gail Pan , Rachel Measham-Pywell  , Cheryl Goss , Amanda Bergamin, Melissa Goodsell , Natalie Ross , Rachael Merrick , Janelle Wind , Lisa Cox)
There was also competitions , a forum, chats, friends made (Deanna from USA, Florence from France and Sharon from Australia), a Flickr group and Sarah also organised a Christmas ornament swap for those who were interested for Christmas 2010.
Hoping Sarah is running this in July 2011 - I will definately join again.