A Historical Visit

In the weekend we went to our local historical village for their live day - so much fun! I have been waiting for an excuse to make my daughter a pioneers costume for ages and I made my two sons black ties.
I did promise to show you what I have been up to lately, but I have run out of time this week I am afraid. I still haven't found the cable for my little snap shot camera - so annoying! So I have had to start lugging around my big SLR.

Well, it's a hub of activity here, I've got my course tonight so I have been cutting fabric all day so I can sew it there. And we are going away for the weekend so I have been trying to tidy and pack for that - but you know what's more important right...

Sunday Stash

This is one of my favourite fabrics - I love it! One day I will make my daughter a quilt from it - if I ever get the guts to cut it :)
More stashers at 1/4 of an Inch

I've Got Something To Show You...

It's my first ever quilt - finished! I love it! For the backing I used polarfleece, because I wanted it to be really snuggly for my Baby J. I was a bit dubious about the fabrics as I was making it, but now that the borders and binding are on, I really love it.
The Stacked Coins Baby Quilt pattern was from Crazy Mom Quilts. Thank you so much Kate for talking me into using a pattern, rather than just making something up, I think you saved me from a disaster.

Have a good weekend ladies. I am going to be busy, busy, busy making stuff. Lots of things to share with you next week.

The Quilt Show Bargain

Hi there, thank you so much to everyone who commented about overlockers. I am going to go and check out the one I want on Saturday.
The quilt show I went to on Saturday was good, some of the work was absolutely amazing.
And check out my major bargain. I got Rosalie Quinlan's "I Remember -5 Part Block of the Month" [Pattern - I forgot to say]. It was marked down from $100 to $40 - I couldn't believe it - I have been admiring this quilt for some time now. My grandmother-in-law, who I went with, bought it for me for Christmas - thanks Oma Lily!

Christmasy swappy ladies how are you going? I hear some of you are so organised you have posted already - wow!

Overlocker Advice

I am seriously considering buying an overlocker, but not sure what to buy.
Janome have some really good deals on at the moment. I really like the 1100DX which is 40% off. Or for a similar price I can buy a second hand Bernina 700D.
Does anyone have any advice?
Also, any advice on features that I need? I have never used an overlocker before.
I'm Looking forward to hearing what you lovely ladies have to say...

OMG - I'm Quilting!

That's what I was saying to myself as I was sewing along. I am just soooo excited! I am actually getting somewhere with my first ever quilt.
I haven't told you yet but, I enrolled in a local community course in patchwork/quilting, and it's fabulous! It's making me go through the steps that would usually scare me so much, that I would pack it away for another day - that never comes.
I just wanted to quickly share that with you. I better go and get dressed. I am off to New Zealand's biggest quilting show today "Calico Christmas". I am hoping to pick up some goodies.

I Need One More Swapper - Is That You?

Please help, I need one more person who would like to sign up for my Christmasy Swap.
I missed an email from a lovely blogger in Australia.
So if you're tempted, please send me your details so I can pair you up with her.

Swap Partners

Hello there swappy friends, this time around we are a small group. Below you'll see I have matched everyone up with a partner.
Can everyone please contact their swap partner directly from the links below? Don't forget to find out what their Christmas colours are. Also, can you please leave a comment so I know you have seen this post. Have fun! And I look forward to seeing what Chrismasy delights everyone comes up with.

Tiny White Daises and Rosa's Room
Sew Funky and Cassie's Cuddles
Rose and Ivy and D is for Dovey
Daley Star and Sewpatchwork
Mumble Bumblings and Daffy and Melis
Bright Red Cherries and Dotty Daisies
Me and Going Sew Crazy
Me and Birdy Lou Lou
Karens play time and Auntie Cake's
Gillybean and Emily Pickle
Peacocks and Dragonflies and Little Brown Dog
Nomes's brag-a-long! and Oma Lily (my grandmother in law)

PS Don't forget to stay in touch with me and let me know when you post what you made and received :)

Sunday Stash

Mmm...LOVE by Amy Butler.I feel like I'm showing off, I am aren't I?
I'm sorry! I could show you my credit card bill, that's not as smug.
More stashers at 1/4 of an Inch

Trick or Treat?

The kids had a blast trick or treating again this year. I spent the afternoon sewing like a mad woman to get their Dracula capes done in time. They weren't too bad really, quite a nice quick little costume.
Master K thought he looked pretty cool. Little Miss B was scared of him, even though I dressed them the same. She didn't like his face paint - lucky we didn't show her herself in the mirror. Little Miss B wanted to show you her kitty loot bag that I made last year, again a couple of hours before we went off trick or treating. I really am a last minute girl. I had packed it all away and when I pulled it out, I was pleasantly surprised at how cute it was. I am always my worst critic, and instead of enjoying things I have made, I point out my mistakes.
This is the loot bag I made for Master K last year. I got him to draw a ghost and then together we traced it onto felt and appliqued it on to the bag.

Happy Halloween ladies, for us NZers it's as good as over now, but for everyone on the other side of the world you have still got it to look forward to. Gee, I would love to be in America for Halloween one day.

Don't you just hate it when...

You've got lots of eye candy to share, but you can't find the cable that connects the camera to your laptop - arghh!

I just love this vintage British poster - what a nice simple message. I nearly bought a framed copy for my dining room in the weekend, but decided to think about it when it was $300 - yikes! Does anyone know where I can get a cheap print from?

Signs up for the Chrismasy Polka Dot Swap close on Friday - so hurry up and email me if you want to join in :)

It's A Christmas Polka Dot Swap!

Join me for a polka dot Christmasy swap! I know lots of you have already signed up for swaps, but if I can tempt you, then please do join me.

The Swap:

• At least three small items - these can be absolutely anything you want! But...
• One item must be something handmade and Christmasy (i.e. a Christmas apron, decoration, stocking, etc) and must include some polka dot fabric
• You must make the decoration including the colours your swap partner requests (this is because I know some of you will be like me, and have theme colours for Christmas)
  

The Details:
Anyone with a blog may join this swap
International swappers welcome
Please don’t sign up if you wont follow through - we don't want any sad faces in the midst of our swap
Your swap should have at least a $20.00 NZD value before shipping
Sign ups close on Friday 30 October
I will post all partners up on my blog by Monday 2 November
Swap packages must be posted by Monday 30 November -that gives you four weeks - but the earlier the better

Please feel free to take the Christmas Polka Dot Swap pic and put on your blog

Sign Up Now!
Email me at polkadotdaze@xtra.co.nz with the following:
Name
Country
Blog name
Your two favourite Christmas colours
Can I list your blog on my sidebar?
Are you willing to ship internationally or would you prefer I try to find someone from your country to partner you with?

Any questions email me or leave a comment!

Christmas Polka Dot Swap

Are any of you lovely ladies up for a Christmas Polka Dot Swap?
I am wondering if I have missed the boat here, and you have already signed up for others. I am reading some people have signed up for three or four Christmas swaps already.
This time I promise to be a bit more organised and link to all the swaps - sorry the last swap ended in a bit of a fizzle, it all got too much with moving etc.
Anyway, let me know if you would be interested.

And The Winner Is...

And the winner is . . . Tanya . . . a lovely new bloggy friend from Apple & Tangerine she is new to blogging, so if you've got a spare minute pop over and say hi. Tanya wasn't a follower (but is now), she says that "I get your new posts emailed to me through that rss linky thingo" - that sounded pretty convincing to me :) Congratulations Tanya, I'll post your goodies to you this weekend.

The stunning Matryoshka Quilt by Rosalie Quinlan above has now been added to my "To Do List". I just purchased the pattern, plus a few other goodies from Retro Mummy's Shop. My husband is off to Sydney for a few nights next week so I have had it sent to his apartment there, so at least there is one bonus to him going away - he can be my personal delivery guy :)

Anyway this weekend "I WILL" get back into making stuff, and it's going to be something for a friend who I have promised for a while now, she reads this blog avidly, so I can't say too much...

My Sewing Machine is Sick!

She has had to go to hospital and they say that she has to stay seven nights, and that it should be OK for her to come home again on Friday. I miss her terribly!
I spent the last week getting together my thoughts and a plan of attack on where to start with all my projects, and it all has to wait a little longer now...

I borrowed Cool Spaces for Kids from my local library and as soon as I get my machine back I'm going to make this gorgeous house for my dining table. I also borrowed Material Obsession 1 and 2 - my goodness they are inspiring - mostly in the to hard basket for me. But there are a couple that I think I can cope with. Oh and I bought myself the latest Cath Kidston Sew! - it should arrive this week - can't wait!

So what have you been reading lately? Any recommendations?

Thanks to eveyone that has entered my giveaway so far - your comments were so sweet!