FNSI 1/23

My FNSI didn’t involve fabric - I spent it crocheting flowers and then sewing them up. Not sure they’re really my thing and I can definitely say daffodils from tinsel yarn don’t work 😅 I have a peony WIP to finish today and then I have all I need. They’re part of a Uni assignment & probably won’t be repeated!

Hugz
Mel

xxx 

Where does time go?

Such a lot has happened since I last blogged, some of it too raw to share right now.

But as a way of healing it was suggested I write things down. I will just not yet.

I’m going to try to join in F.N.S.I - it’s so long since I did, way overdue. Keeping my hands busy may help healing too, if not cuddles from Charlee help.
Hope to see you there. 

Hugz
Mel
xxx 

Ta Dah

The owl stitchery is finished and I turned it into a little pouch...thinking it may be put away to gift later in the year :)

Have a wonderful week...catch you all later 

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

FNSI...a day late

Well last night didn't quite go to plan...stitching prepared but I didn't account for Miss Charlee....she may look cute and inobtrusive but if you attempt to stitch... a little paw strokes your hand to stop you... she was probably just trying to make me stop and relax...mission accomplished lol

While Miss Charlee was otherwise occupied I did my stitching today, truthfully I was at a market and it was a bit quiet so I used my time wisely...this stitchery was in my goodie bag from last weekends retreat...I've not decided what I'm going to do with it but I'm really pleased with how it's turned out.

Time for me to go and check what everyone else got up to at FNSI


Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

A long time again between posts... time just runs away..but after a wonderful weekend of fun catching up with friends I hadn't seen for 2 years I've decided I need to make more of an effort and make time for "me" sewing not just business sewing. 

With that said tonight I'm joining Wendy and friends for ...



Friday Night Sew In

Project picked from last weekend...car packed ready for this weekends market so I've no reason not to join in :)

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Can't believe it's 18months since I last visited my blog such a lot has happened some very sad and some happy -  I'll share over the next few days but first I must do some visiting and see what you've all been up to.

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

FNSI.....

On Friday I linked up with Wendy and lots of others around the world for a virtual sew in.... I worked on my Natures Journey SAL - all the small blocks for Feb finished and the March ones started (and the folder reorganised)....

Best get back to them ..... April is fast approaching...

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Still here.....

I don't know where the last few weeks have gone. It's 2 weeks since LGS in Brisbane - I had the best time, made new friends, met bloggers I've been following for ages (not brave enough to have a conversation with some though - next time maybe) and then got to spend a few days with Deb from Sweet Little Cottage (I'll tell you all about that in a separate post). 

At LGS I noticed lots of ladies had a wonderful bag called a Sew Together Bag, well I decided I was missing out and needed one but I needed one a little bigger so after a little trial and error here it is .......

I used the longest zip I had but next time I'll go buy a longer one (too impatient to wait until I went could go to Spotlight)....

DH thinks the binding is not very practical as it will get dirty but I bought this fabric and the brown flowers when I was in Brisbane and it has happy memories.

I haven't read any blogs for sooooo long so that's where I'm going now....
Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

How am I????????????

Truthfully ......... not great. I was travelling along OK and then the dreaded Work Cover emailed me one evening (well it was when I checked my email) asking me to attend a psychiatric review in 3 days time (my claims consultant had forgotten to send out a letter informing me of the appointment). To say this sent my anxiety off the scale is an under statement. Very little sleep that night worrying about contacting him to explain I'd already made arrangements to take DD1 to an appointment that I wouldn't be able to reschedule. He was OK about it as it was his mistake and he told me he'd make a new appointment for me and let me know.........

Still no appointment after 2 weeks............ mentioned it at my GP appointment and she rang him there and then - lo and behold I had an appointment date within 10 minutes (he rang while I was still with my GP)..........

Another 2 weeks waiting and I finally had the review last Tuesday. Not sure how it went really, told her I really don't think I'll ever nurse again and for me I think the best option is a redemption and then I can really focus on a return to health rather than a return to work (without stressing about Work cover and what they'll expect of me next). 
More waiting now for the report (they usually take 4 weeks) - more stressing while I wait ......... I do have lots I could be doing...... the SAL with Chooky for one - I have made a start, a slow one but a start. Even catching up with blogs is a struggle.....

Motivation is none existent, enthusiasm for anything is lacking too....... I know I have many, many things to be grateful for but I would just like some closure on this chapter of my life and be able to move onto the next......


Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

FNSI..... I remembered to post

I joined in with Wendy and lots of others on Friday for FNSI and I've remembered to post about before the weekend's over woo hoo.......
I spent the day with a friend and we made some wine totes - we made 3 in total until we were pleased with the design and sewing process; what do you think wine drinkers think? Would you be pleased to receive one as a gift?

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

My Valentine......

I took part in Cheryll's initial swap for Valentines Day. I had the most amazing valentine.... My parcel arrived on a particularly down day (more on those later) but when I opened the love put into it was evident from the way each gift was beautifully wrapped to the thought in each one when opened... Thank you so much Kate and to Cheryll for organising this swap.

I made my partner a cute little cushion - it has arrived safely and she likes it.....

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

FNSI, OPAM and Stitch-a-long

Happy Australia Day

On Friday I joined Wendy and 63 others for the first FNSI for 2015. It was a great night stitching with everyone all over the world. I finished the stitching on my January challenge for the Stitch-a-long and today I finished the binding. Which makes this my first finish for 2015 (feeling quite proud of myself). 

That brings me nicely to OPAM. This is the first year I'm joining in. Peg and Kris are the wonderful ladies who keep everything in order. If you want to join in you need to be quick signup finishes 1st Feb. 

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Meeting a bloggy friend.......

I met a bloggy friend today - Jo. We were partnered in Cheryll's Santa Sack Swap and have got to know each other a little over the last 6 months. Jo and her friend Victoria came over to SA for a short visit so we arranged to meet for lunch. We had a great time getting to know each other a bit more (very delicious food and coffee). Such a warm, bubbly person, full of fun. We visited Lincraft and Noni B where some bargains were found before I had to go and collect children. 

I didn't take any photo's but Jo did and I'm sure she'll post them when she gets home. A new friend most definitely - I'm sure we'll meet up again...

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Something different.....

I've been making bags lately. Can't say I've enjoyed making them as I found the vinyl a tad challenging (any tips greatly appreciated) ..... We were asked to make these for the Strathalbyn Community Craft Market - hoping they will sell after all my struggles...

So today I set out to make something completely different blackboard rolls but as I hadn't used this type of fabric before I was a bit nervous. I changed my mind and made a noughts and crosses board instead. I will definitely make more of these way easier than vinyl..... plus the fabric was free :)

I will tackle some blackboard rolls tomorrow or maybe some more microwave bowls as I enjoyed making those.
Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

A pledge and some sewing for others....

My swap pledge for 2015.....

MAKE THE 7 STEP PLEDGE

I Melanie Keen will try my utmost...

·        To always swap on time.

·        To always email a THANK YOU to my partner.

·        To be considerate and thoughtful when choosing a gift.

·        To give my partner the quality of gift that I would like to receive.

·        To communicate when it’s required.

·        To NEVER over commit and let a partner down.

·        To advise the swap mama when I receive my gift.

This I sewomly pledge....

I did some different sort of sewing this week..... We've had some horrendous fires here in SA not too far away which are now controlled thanks to the wonderful volunteer firies. Their work is not over and they'll be here for a while yet. A call went out on FB for some "care bags" - these are just small fabric bags that "Shoe boxes of Love" fill with bits and pieces (toothpaste, hand gel, tissues, pack of cards and other essential and not so essential items). 

The other items needed were for koala's. Many have burnt paws from the fire which will require frequent dressings for many months. To keep the bandages in place the carers put mittens on their paws.... 

Sewing for me tomorrow.....

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Stitch along

I'm joining in with Chooky, Susan and lots of others to do the 2015 Stitch a-long. We're all going to stitch Anni Downs new pattern (not yet released but will be soon) Natures Journey. This is the first stitch along I've joined in with and could be a bit of a challenge as I'll have to learn new techniques but it's good to stretch yourself once in a while isn't it?

http://stitch-a-long.blogspot.com.au/

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

2015 is here...

Happy New Year everyone. 

Wishing you all a year filled with health, happiness, friendship, opportunities and bloggy love xx

My resolution for 2015 is to follow my heart and do what I enjoy and to make some changes so the first change is here on my blog with a new look; needs a bit of tweaking...

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Table runners for Christmas 2015....

I took part in Wendy's Let's Start Christmas Stitch Along that started in August with the last stitchery in Ocotber! I managed to get the stitching and piecing done before Christmas but not the quilting and binding. I was determined to finish them this year and here they are......

The blue one is for use most of the year - it's going to be used for the first time on New Years Day.

And the red one is for Christmas 2015. I did have a slight mishap quilting this one - I couldn't work out why it "felt" different - only stitched a serviette to the back!!! At least it was paper and easy to remove the stitching acted as perforations lol.

I love both of them and am pleased I persevered with them and didn't let them join the growing pile of UFO's....
Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Chooky's SSCS 2014

The other swap I took part in this Christmas was Chooky's SSCS. My parcel was sent by Lynn. Again I was truly spoiled with 3 gifts...

A calendar tea towel (there is a colony of bees that I walk past every day so this just reminds me of them)...

Some bunting (this will be a perfect replacement for the Christmas bunting we've been using at markets).....

And a fabric holder for a very cute Santa Spatula and a gingerbread man cookie cutter.


Thank you Lynn for the gifts and Chooky for organising this worldwide swap.

Hugz
Melanie
xxx 

Santa Sack Swap 2014

I took part in Cheryll's Santa Sack Swap. My partner was Jo, one of the best things about this swap is getting to know your partner a little (fingers crossed I'll get to meet Jo early next year). Jo certainly made some perfect gifts for me....

A bag, a table runner, oven gloves and a pot holder, dishcloths, necklace, buttons, decorations, brooches, basket with goodies......

 A beautiful stitchery in the middle of my table runner reminds me of the mittens I used to wear as a child in England; love the traditional colours...

Jo is very talented; a crotched Santa, a cross stitch song sheet, a knitted bell, a beaded garland and a dolly peg angel (I did forget her as she was already on the tree)...

Everything I need to make a delicious cup of hot chocolate (really appreciated as I'm trying very hard not to drink coffee at the moment)....

Knitted dish cloths (I'm going to ask Jo for the pattern for these as they are awesome)...

A button necklace and some Lynette Anderson buttons (I just looove buttons so this is extra special. Lynette Anderson is a favourite designer too)....

A fabric basket filled with chocolate goodness (haven't yet fathomed how Jo made this but I will).....

A Christmas pot holder and oven gloves to match....... and finally a new bag 

this is such a happy bag (if a bag can be happy) - yellow just happens to be my favourite colour.

Thank you so much Jo you really, really spoiled me. Also a big thank you to Cheryll for organising this swap. You can check what others sent and received here....

Hugz
Melanie
xxx