Healing Hands

On Monday I went to drop Kira off at daycare. One of her carers has not been well for awhile. We were all aware that she was scheduled for surgery on an ulcer. In Kira's pocket was a letter that let us know the devastating news that J had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. And it has spread. My heart broke. J is a gorgeous woman, and while I don't know her age, I would be surprised if she is 30. The kids love her, as do the staff and the parents. Even worse, she had an infection from the ulcer surgery meaning they need to delay her cancer surgery. I cried.
My thoughts immediately turned to a quilt. Something quick, that I could get to her before her next surgery. My first thought was a stacked coins quilt in greens as that is J's favourite colour. But then I thought I would like to include the kids who a knew were missing her. I drove back to daycare to talk to K, J's partner in the preschool room. "I have an idea," I said, "but I need your help." At the end of the day, I picked up Kira and a stack of traced around kids and staff hands. And this is what I have done with them.

I have another 6-7 kids hands to collect on Monday. They will then be surrounded by the staff hands. The backing will be green and it will be stippled in white. It will be called Healing Hands. I hope it works.

Sudoku top finished

So the sudoku top is finished, but I am not entirely happy with it. (not unhappy enough to undo it mind you!) I just seem to have issues getting things properly square!

Don't have enough batting to sandwich it, so that will have to happen another day. In the meantime, I think I'll hit the couch with a book!

Shopping for a Sewing Machine

As those of you who read my blogs would know, I rather sadly lost both of my grandmothers recently. One in December, and the other in early February. They were both wonderful women who unbeknownst to me, left me a small amount of money. I have decided to use the money to buy a new sewing machine. So, keeping in mind I have around between three and four thousand to spend, what do you recommend?

I currently have a Pfaff which I love. I am pretty brand loyal, but can be swayed. It will be used for piecing and quilting. Below is a list of things I know I want. What else would you suggest?

I want:
Automatic needle down
knee life on the needle
some pretty quilting stitches
a larger space to fit bigger quilts
an extension table

So, what are your suggestions??

I'm Back!!

Long time no blog and really must hang my head in shame! If for no other reason than way back in April I won one of the OPAM draws. Kris from Tag Along Teddies sent a lovely prize my way.

A lovely little note book, a bag of scrumptious buttons, a delectable mini jelly roll from Moda and a cute heart button.

So, a big belated thank you to Kris for a gorgeous gift.

Since the end of April there hasn't been a lot of sewing going on. A few pencil rolls, but nothing else. My problem has been lots to be started, nothing to go on with! I was struggling to get motivated. Figuring sewing was about enjoyment, I decided to just let it go for awhile, but in the past couple of days, I've had the urge! So today I started a sudoku quilt for a friend's son.

It has a transport theme. Be prepared for more of this in the coming days!

Giveaway!!

Head over to the Rowe Timson Photography blog for the chance to win a mini session! Lovely photos for a Sydney or Gold Coast family! Just what mine needs at the moment.

Good luck!

A few last minute April finishes!

Drum roll please!!!

 (image from: http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_2504_basic-drum-strokes.html)

The quilt 7 - 8 years in the making has been finished!!

Still unnamed, but finally finished!! There was much cheering. It's not perfect, it won't win any awards, but it is done. This is where it will live.

Although it has already been dragged off the back of the couch by my 4 year old.

I also get to add another pencil roll, made with the Maisy fabric. This one was for my daughter's best friends 4th birthday. They are travelling to Bali for a holiday soon so hopefully it will be useful on the plane.

A friend who is travelling to Europe in about eight weeks with her two sons and her nephew has asked for some for them so expect to see a few more in the coming months!

Sewing hasn't been the only creating going on here. I've also taken to baking. It's a new thing for me, but my husband is pleased I am expanding my domestic skills! (Please read that with a very, very lighthearted tone!)

Retromummy posted a recipe for an very easy and yummy pear flan. She scored it off Frills in the Hills. I must say, the first time I made it, I didn't have enough pears so added some apple as well. This worked a treat and I am tempted to try it with apples only. This was my second attempt.

I seriously had this prepared and in the oven in no more than 30 minutes! So easy and very yummy warm or cold.

I also discovered a recipe from in a Donna Hay magazine that looked delicious and easy. It was called Apple and Caramel Dumplings. So I had to have a go.

I must say, yummo!! The recipe can be found at Donna Hay's website, here!

I will tell you though, don't think you can prepare the dumplings in advance and put them in the caramel sauce until it's time to put it in the oven. Makes for very large dumplings! Oops.

Another Pencil Roll

Expect to see a few of these this year! I have decided it is the birthday present to give!

A friend's daughter had her birthday yesterday and I forgot! So I quickly whipped up a pencil roll, added some crayola pencils and a drawing book and...

(Guess what her name is!)

I am so loving these pencil rolls. Another huge thanks to tutorial over at Little Munchkins for making it sooooooo easy!

I have another one to whip up today for my daughter's best friend who turns 4 on ANZAC day. I plan to use this fabric I bought when we were away over Easter.

I've bought a Maisy colouring book and story book to go with them. I plan to use the white middle fabric for the back, the blue for the pocket and the green for the front.

That wasn't all I bought while I was away. There is also this Maisy panel

There is also some transport themed fabric to make another sudoku quilt with. The mum of the little boy I made the Sporting Sudoku for asked if I could make another for her other son. We decided on a transport theme.

I've ordered the rest of what I will need from Equilter so am now waiting on squishy mail! The mum is a teacher like me and a wonderful friend, so I am going to make her an eye spy quilt as well. These caught my eye as being good for that!

Finally, I spotted this panel and just had to have it!

I had no idea what I was going to do with it until I was talking to my niece about what her favourite colours are and she said hot pink and lime green. She turns 18 next year and after a trip to Europe last year has caught the travel bug. I'm thinking this will be the basis of a quilt for her.

I've finished quilting this sampler quilt and am currently sewing the ends in. Hope to get the binding on sometime today!

What's your weekend hold?