Mug Rug Swap

I was recently involved in a mug rug swap with my online quilting group.  I was lucky enough to recieve this gorgeous mug rug from Bec . I love the little bunny and the tents, so cute, thanks Bec!

This is the one I made for Rachel.  I forgot to take a photo of it finished so have grabbed this one from Rachels blog...hope thats ok Rach!    Pop over there if you would like to see some photos of it in action...her stunning photgraphs and captivating writing make it a lovely place to visit!

I really enjoyed the process of making such a small manageable project, so when it was my good friend Nells birthday this week, I knew exactly what I wanted to make for her - A mug rug of course!  I grabbed a pile of scraps in her favourite colour combo, and this is the result.  I love the effect of the echo quilting around the hand pieced star.  Happy Birthday Nell!

A finish for February - 12 WIP's in 2012

After failing to finish any thing for January, I'm excited to say I did get a finish for this month. "Sweet Dreams" is the quilt I made for Jacintas 4th birthday. It is a single bed size and she loves it <3

Partially quilted...

 Drying on the line...

She slept under it that night...

a beach holiday

Last week was spent relaxing at the beach house at Pt Elliott.  We all went down on the Saturday and Sunday, then because Craig had to work all week, he and Caleb came back home Monday.  I had a couple of very relaxing days with Nathn, Isaac & Jacinta and then met a friend a Strath and picked Caleb back up Wednesday afternoon.  Thursday Ali and the kids arrived, Friday night Craig returned and Saturday morning Peter finally made it.  I had lots of photos to share, but blogger wont play nice, so if you would like to see waht we got upto then here is a link to an album Ive upoaded to facebook - enjoy!!!
CLICK HERE to see the photos.

12 WIPs in 2012

WIP challenge 2012...getting some things finished.



AJ is hosting a challenge through her blog to get a some of our unfinished items done - one a month for this year - I'm up for the challenge. Click on the button above to get all the details on how to join up from her blog.

* Nathans train and animal quilt, top completed (was supposed to be for his 5th birthday...mmmmm he is now 13 oops!)
* Scrap bag quilt, top completed.
* Purple quilt, add borders to top (was destined for Quilts for QLD, so hurry up and finish and send it, or finish and donate it somewhere else)
* Hunky Dory D9P blocks to make into a quilt top
* Dark country fabric blocks (which I no longer like) - do something with!
* Jacinta's single bed quilt - already cut (try and finish for her birthday)
* Isaac's single bed quilt - designed and waiting for the final cutting to be done
* Crochet blanket...keep on slogging away!

edited to add
* Lily & Will charm square quilt - top needs borders added

I will add to this list as I come across more WIP !

One little word

Ive been thinking for days about which word to choose as my 'one little word' for 2012.   I'd almost decided to bring Balance through to this year, I still don't feel like Ive achieved what I set out to last year in regards to this word.  This morning I commented on another blog about her choice of word and joked that I was sure my word would probably find me.  Only a few hours later it did. My word for 2012 is
EXPLORE
ex·plore

   /ɪkˈsplɔr, -ˈsploʊr/ Show Spelled [ik-splawr, -splohr] 

verb 

1. to traverse or range over (a region, area, etc.) for the purpose of discovery: to explore the island.

2. to look into closely; scrutinize; examine: Let us explore the possibilities for improvement.

2012 will see Jacinta start at Kindergarten 2 full days a week, Isaac will be in year one, and both Caleb & Nathan will be at high school.  It will be the year I need to begin thinking about my transition from being a SAHM to eventually returning to some form of employment outside of my home.  It will be a year with big changes to my routines, and to those of the kids.

My intentions for 2012...

To explore ME...  To look at ways of being a better person - a wife, mother, friend and putting these into action.  Further building my relationships with family and friends - including taking part in '40 days of love' later this year with the group we did the very rewarding 'One month to live' with in 2011.
I want to put more of my thoughts into actions, things like actually making that meal and dropping it off to a friend having a busy week instead of just thinking about it!
To explore my future work opportunities by beginning some volunteer work at the kindy, and maybe even the school (I do have a bachelor of Teaching which I should eventually make use of again!)

To explore ways of organising myself better so that all that paperwork gets attended too, and that crafty time with friends gets made, and the kids all get the time they each need, and i get the time i need for me to keep going.