Mini's on hold - to re-learn sewing!

My sewing machine is old, and very simple, so I decided to buy a new one! Managed to get a new machine from eBay (LOVE eBay) for half the shop price.  Lucky for me, a lady had received one as a gift and didn't want it, the box was unopened! It's a brother NX200QE - oh dear.. *quilters edition*

It has a few fancy stitches which I LOVE and have worked out how to use, but the *QE* bit in the name had me curious.  I tried quilting by hand many MANY years ago, have lost that project, but though, perhaps I could make a simple cot quilt..

So I bought this 'cheater panel' (I have since discovered this is what it's known as), batting, some backing and extra for a border - but I LIKE the border already around it! Oh well.. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet

I chose the cat & the fiddle, because I come from Tasmania and we have Cat & Fiddle Square in the heart of Hobart. Here's a Youtube link: Watch here

And here is baby Mia <3

While I'm doing this project.. my practice ones are in miniature - so.. stay tuned, I may have a thing or two to show in the next week.  Hope to have it done by the end of next week so I can go back to mini'ing!.

2013 Best Miniatures Blog Nominations

I beleive there are many blogs worthy of an award, have nominated my favorite today!

Nominate your favorite blog here!

Lingerie....

Oh wow!!! Check these out!! My undies went missing in my gift from Kez - and look what she did!! Aren't they exquisite!! Such a talented lady! I am in awe!!! Also the next Mystery Box stuff has arrived.. along with other trinkets :) <3 my Sis! xxxx Thank you! 

Mystery Box - fianlly some pics! Doh!

It all started with this.. even I (the filler of the box) didn't put much thought into it when I collected stuff.. it was SOO difficult GRRR LOL

Simple.. (and shows a bit more progress in the other project) - bottle brushes LOL

A bag.. I had a clasp thing on it but took it off.. decided it was better as a book sachel or something :/

The sideways grinch strikes again - part of the other project.. making the mirrored wall.. and shelf :) Am very happy with it so far! Ok.. nothing to do with the mb.. but wanted to share..

This is a tag from a tshirt one of my boys got for Christmas - goes perfectly with my theme :) Again nothing to do with the mb - but it's so interesting what you can put to use! 

A stool.. I have made 2.. 

This is a bench top.. with the little flowers from the fabric cut out to use as coasters

I can't paint for nuts.. but one thing we had to do was paint a plate out of the monitor stickies.

That horrid big round bit of metal.. made into a wall clock - as you can see it's still drying LOL I didn't want the hearts 'uniform'..

So.. the room is going to be.... ;-) The bar runner is part of the mb..

A filthy ashtray!

Looking through the window :) the bar is far from finished!

Runner again

This hasn't been quite finished so it's just sitting against the wall LOL But you get the general idea..

Oh.. Some straws :) The black bit is part of the mb :)

Onward.. still a couple of things I need to do.. at least there's a few things posted at last!

I failed with some clear plastic 'tape' stuff - was making one of those 'fly doors' to keep flies out.. it just didn't work - plus in reality it was way too thick - so that stuff didn't get used.  More to follow when I get it ready!

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas day is well and truely over here in Australia - it's now 'Boxing Day' :) Had a fantastic day, my 2 boys & my niece (daughter of Kez) & her bf came over for lunch - delish!

A post isn't a post unless there is a photo LOL Below is a gorgeous gift Kez made for me - so much detail - I just love it!  Even the box it all came in was hand made! Thank you! xxx

I bought this little fibre optic tree for $2 at KMart - thought I'd take a pic - so cute!

My gifts were mostly about mini'ing!  This is a tool chest on wheels (like a travel bag) for all my dremel bits!

2 craft totes from my parents :) They will be SO useful!

The big one opens up into sections with pockets

Caliper from my younger Son :) This also will be very very handy!

The upside-down fairy strikes again.. no matter how many times I try to get it the right way up.. it ends up like this! Oh well.. this is from my niece! <3 Dremel stuff!

I was very proud of my first ever attempt at cooking a turkey - sooo good!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

XXX

Things that make you go hmmm.....

LOL ok.. false heading.. perhaps.  I'm still around.. and working on my project.. but because it's a bit of a surprise.. I'm not going to show any more pics for a little bit.. :) Been doing bits here and there, but of course with Christmas on the way, my job is keeping me really busy.

Monday (yesterday to me) was SOOO busy, everyone must have decided last weekend that Christmas cards needed to go out!! We are getting SO many! But.. ordinary postie mail delivery isn't where the company money is at.. seems that everyone is shopping online.  The parcel load is insane!

Thankfully, my job doesn't involve either of these things at the moment, however I work with mail redirections and customer complaints primarily - oh wow.. they're coming in thick and fast!! Yes.. people are going away for Christmas.. OR moving house (that reminds me.. got a place i need to look up with a massive garage!).  Keeping me busy but at least *I* get to come home early.. unlike the posties who are working very very long days in any weather.

Don't forget to tip your postman for Christmas!!! they're not paid a huge wage.. they deliver every single day :)

My tree is finally up and decorated and I have the Xmas club savings voucher for Xmas lunch - it's looking good so far :)

Happy silly season!!

Back to work :(

Back at work, and the building is not complete.. however a nice little package arrived from England today :) I have only displayed 'some' of the items.. love them!! 

:)