Check it check it check it out!

This is the very first ever item I have made for myself to wear and I am pretty chuffed with it!



It is a Toni Coward versatile wrap from Make It Perfect Pattern.



This will be my last finished for 2010. Roll on 2011.

crafty time...

I am so pleased with this journal cover. It surpassed my vision. So easy. 3/4 inch hexagons stitched together...



then using these instructions... wala



I was so spoilt this Christmas - hope you were too.

Merry Christmas to one and all

(cannot find the link for the idea!- sorry)

Hexy crazy

While the stitching hexagon group have a Christmas break I have moved on to 1/2 inch hexagons. Will be making a journal cover with these little ones. So relaxing to do in front of the box in the evenings...

We still have not got our Christmas Tree up! Christmas cooking gifts starts this week and cards/letters are all mailed so we are going good. How are you going?

Healing Hearts for New Zealand

When a total stranger offers some empathy it has a big effect. I love the healing heart quilt idea so I have contributed to Shirley's Healing Heart Block call out. Thanks to Jo who brought it to my attention.

Red tie

I made this for the Little Man. For Christmas morning - how cute is this!

Ta da!

How good is that?

I have finished the Little Mans lap quilt. Kinda wished I made it bigger now...

Thank you to Allison on Cluck. Cluck. Sew who shared this Raw Edge Circle Quilt Tutorial on her site.

Oh gollygosh!

I was at The Craft Hive last week teaching how to make this bag - it was a GREAT class. Kits are really popular at the shop at the moment. SO while Mum (bless her!) had the little man for six hours I put together five kits to make these bags! I finished this bag so I could do photos for the kits and also finished quilting the Little Mans lap quilt. What a really productive day.

School Fair

I never really have been big in helping out with the school fair. Last year I made a few things. I just did not get organised enough this year so I have baked instead. Creamy Lemon Slice, Almond and Pistachio and Chocolate Slice. You got to reward yourself when you achieved something - especially when it is hard to do something for yourself!

Breast Cancer Research for all Australians

Please visit this website.

They are trying to recruit 1,000,000 Australians to assist with breast cancer study. You do not need to have breast cancer, or a family history of it. They urge all women in Australia - aged 18 and over to register.

Please will you...

ANSWERS. CURE. FUTURE. LIFE

Hoot Hoot

It is so nice to finally finish something crafty.

This is one of those no purpose - just for fun - crafty projects I did at The Craft Hive - just for the heck of doing something I liked - for me - with no purpose (I know - sinfull)...

More parts from the book...

"Purposeful giving is not as apt to deplete one's resource, it belongs to that natural order of giving that seems to renew itself even in the act of depletion... Today...many women hardly feel indispensable any more, either in primitive struggle to survive or as the cultural font of the home. No longer fed by a feeling of indispensability or purposefulness, we are hungry, and not knowing what we are hungry for, we fill up the void with endless distractions, always at hand - unnecessary errands, compulsive duties, social niceties. And for the most part, to little purpose. Suddenly the spring is dry, the well is empty.

...she must be replenished too... Solitude... being alone sometime during the year...some part of the week, and each day..."

Do you see yourself doing this? Do you fill your 'voids' with endless distractions? I do. I wish I value my 'empty' voids as important as my busy 'voids'. Do you give yourself permission to have some time to yourself? Do you put it high on your daily agenda? I wish I did.

I am reading...

I cannot remember who suggested to read this book on her blog many many months ago. Finally I have started...

Here is a text from it that rang loud to me... maybe it will do the same for you.

"All her instincts in a woman-the eternal nourisher of children, of men, of society-demands that she give. Her time, her energy, her creativeness drain out into these channels...Traditionally we are taught, and instinctively we long, to give where it is needed-and immediately. Eternally, women spills herself away in driblets to the thirsty, seldom being allowed the time, the quiet, the peace, to let the pincher fill up to the brim."

"Women instinctively wants to give, yet resents ... her energy going 'down the drain'. We do not see the results of our giving as concretely as man does in his work. In the job of home-keeping there is no raise from the boss, and seldom praise from others to show us we have hit the mark. Except for the child, women's creation is so often invisible, especially today."

and this is only half way through chapter 3...

Wannanother hint?

We went bush this weekend with them. Was AWSOME.

OMG 19 days till launch!

Hint

You want to know what new business we are pulling together here? Our brains are seriously exploding with the volume of interest and work...



Can you guess? Or is this to cryptic?

The Hexagon Club

I have joined a Tuesday evening stitchers group at The Quilted Crow - open for ANYONE to join. It has been a lot of fun and some seriously crazy women (sorry guys but all good!)! Just what a mama needs. It has re-fired my stitching groove. Leonie and Deirdre have started a Hexagon Quilt Club. We are waiting for 'the committee' to decide on an official name. I am actually rather excited about this project. It uses fabrics I love but also it is so extremely manageable for me. Each week we cut 12 hexagons which we then tack on to the hexagon paper piece. We keep six and take the remaining six back to the next get together to swap. We then sew the pieces we collected, to the growing quilt. I have never done a hexagon quilt so this is a great way for me to learn and produce.

Hello hello hello!

I finished Gail Pans A Christmas Wish BOM from last year.

FINALLY and I am really pleased with it.



Despite winter coming to a close I finished this scarf to go with my brown top I wear a lot with jeans.



Like the wool for the scarf, I also picked this half cross stitch pattern at the Melbourne Stitches and Craft show. It is an easy and simple project. Not sure what I will do with her. i have two more of Anette Eriksson's kits to do.




I have already started a lap quilt for the Little Man. Using blue reproduction fabrics. Loving it already.

Life has been all consumed by the building of the new business. It is getting SO CLOSE to the launch. I will let you in on it real soon. Promise.

The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap

I received my post card today!

I think it is VERY cool.

all the way from Florida.

Thank you Pam!

Thank you so much Beth for organising this!

Just for the moment

As I reach my two years of blogging - I am feeling the need to redirect my energy back here at petite chateau. Been avoiding writing this in hope I can rescue it all now but that is not the case.

All is very good here. Overwhelmed feelings heightened due to life here.

Oldest boy is a bit full on at the moment - broke some serious rules at home and school so just trying to ride that wave.

Middle boy - needing more time for just him - not taken over by other two brothers.

Little Man turned one - thank you to all who left a little note. It was a quiet day celebrated by us. The picture is the cake the two older boys made - the best first birthday cake I recon. He is such a sweet soul and very active and inquisitive!

Hubby business is doing very well and he is a fantastic solid rock for me.

The house is suffering an ant invasion - one heck of an invasion. Trying desperately to get the plans for extension happening to fit this big family in a little cottage. Weather has cooled considerably.

The Barn Market went SUPER DUPPER well and I throughly enjoyed it. Hope to do more soon. Finished the Mystery Quilt (hip hip horray) and on the road to getting the Gail Pans BOM Christmas Quilt finished. Been asked to teach in a brand new craft store opening here - which is flattering. I am starting up a new business (with hubbies big support) which is very exciting but lots to do and little head space left for much. Will let you know in due course about it. Crafting for therapy when I can. Aiming to keep the house afloat and being present with me and the family. Reading Buddhism for Mothers and so far it has been just what I need. I will keep reading blogs and envy in everyone exciting makes and adventures but this is where I am now and I will have plenty of time one day to do the same.

Will be back... like many of us in blog land we have moments when we need to redirect our energies for a little while...

Some what occupied

Getting Ready for The Barn Market this Saturday. I look forward to another fun day!



Made a name fabric book for a first birthday gift. Will give today at the collective 1 year old party. My boy is one year old in a week - I am speechless! ONE YEAR - we have survived, loved, changed nappies, kissed, rocked, laughed, and much more!



I continue to work on my quilt which is now at binding stage - so close to being finished!



Trying to get a bit of scrapping done - this craft has been seriously neglected this year and I miss it.



Been cooking - it is the school holidays here. But always remember when your mum tells you not use a metal knife to scrap down the bowl - listen to her! NO EXCUSE!



Have not done a swap for a while so joining in the Stitched Postcard Swap. Should be fun. See icon on right side. Closes today!

We are all in the mist of setting up another business. More on this later - it has been ever consuming.

That was not so hard...

Do you recall that Mystery Summer Quilt Helen from Hugs n Kisses organised way back in um January (cough cough) last year? I have avoided quilting this quilt. Quite frankly I could not decide how I wanted to quilt it - but I WANTED to seriously quilt it using patterns and free motion. It was kinda like a challenge for me.

I had every excuse under the sun not to do it and let it sit on my desk pestering me loudly. Finally, now I can do things when the little man is asleep and the market stall makings are not demanding time. Hurrah. I went solidly for about three hours last night. Have LOTS more to do (see I said seriously quilt!).

It is SO NICE to finally tackle my own stuff and things that I really wanted to do.

The Market!

Wow what a great day! I was really excited but about an hour and a half before - the nerves started to kick in. Then I had my first sale and I was right. No one laughed at me - well actually Molly - who was back to back with me did but she was good value and kept me (an helper son in the morning) entertained all day.

Marita was opposite me so kept me full of smiles and support. Lots of other lovely store owners cheered me on and made me feel super dupper good about the stall and goodies. Thank you all so much! I will make a few changes and set out a little different at The Barn Market on the 5th of June. Lets hope this days is twice as busy!

I have plenty of stock I can now get back to doing my own thing which will be so nice for a change. I have my sisters pressie to finish (March - shame I know), a quilt to quilt (I have been avoiding for a long time) and another quilt on my table before I will even look in my bulging craft-to-do suitcase.

Hang Out with us...

The Handmade Hobart Market is TOMORROW!!!!

I also did the random generator drawing for last weeks Stitches and Craft Show mini collection - and what do you know Sonia from Sunday's child won! I will be meeting Sonia tomorrow as she will be having her stall there as well - how convenient is that (or is my generator bias to Tassie girls?)

I am now going to do some stall planning...

Wish me a sell out ladies!

I am almost there...

I am almost ready for the Handmade Hobart Market.

More bags made.


More belts made.


A bit of locket love...


Oh and for some fun...


My favourite for me


Now I need to decide prices and print out some business cards...

I need your thoughts... again

As you know I have lots planned for the stall... and more I have not shown you... Do you think this loopy softies would be a goer as well? I am happy to make a few for the stall if you think they are a goer. Cute but will they sell for $15 - $20?

Stitches and Craft Show

It was an EARLY day (3 am actually) and then a late arrival home. It was not as busy as I was expecting and there was SO MUCH goodness - it was a great flight/day out.

Here is a run down...

Kits to add to the to do list...



These are the fabrics I bought. Wool from Miss Jodie for this project and the red wool for a project in this book and LOTS of yummy scrummy fabric - my main purpose for the trip!



Had a go at all the make and takes sections - REALLY wanted to learn crochet - have got started - got to get the hold of the wool right before I graduate to the next step!




Patterns! Hats for boys and skirt for me!



I thought it would be nice if I picked up some goodies from the fair for my lovely blogger friends who do not make it to the show. Just leave a comment and I will draw the lucky winner this time next week!



It was SO GOOD to catch up with Miss Jodie - I nearly did not actually because... well... she is a busy lady and had lots of fans swamping her all day! I hope your mums eye is okay Jodie...

Boy I am weary today...

Little market goodies

I am really trying to have a range of goodies for the stall - including price ranges. I have lots of these in my house and I love them - gives some character to the fridge and our cork board.

More for the market!

I am going to have my FIRST stall at Handmade Hobart market on 15th of May - I am lucky as Yarn and Kisses will run the stall spot on Sunday. Gives us both a chance to have a stall but not overwealm our families with a full weekend away!

I designed these bags - and I really like my final pattern. One more to stitch up and then I can get on with other goodies!

I am coming to Stitches and Craft Show!!!

Yes siree I will be flying up at the crack of dawn to Melbourne just to see the Stitches and Craft Show - how decedent does that sound? Thursday is a date.

It is blue and carries goodies

She is the size of a lunch box. I could not resist her. Ummm I think she will look just perfect on the table at the market! Been thinking as most of my stuff is fun and fabricy (like that word?) - I am going for a clean coutry look. The balls/wands even flowers in wooden weaved baskets as for the other tiny things I am still stuck...

At it again

20 Fabric flowers for the market! Already on to the next project. Starting to think about presentation and stall set up - to hard!

Belt up!

Keeping the momentum up at the moment (ie many late nights)...

Belts for the market stall... Will make more if I have time once I finish the rest of the projects... these have been really satisfying...