Swaps sent and received and made....

Warning - this is quite a long post showing off thing's I've received; sent or made in the last week. I received squishy mail today - blocks from Joanne my November partner in the Quilting Block Swaps Australia - both beautiful and a label too. 

I've been working on and sent my January block (QBSA) to Brenda in Ohio. I've not made a card trick before but I'm pleased with how it turned out- Brenda asked for this block in blacks/whites on a white background.

For the Christmas Block Swap Australia Deborah in Michigan asked for any block in traditional colours - again a new block to me (can't remember it's name) but loved making it.

I've also sent out my fat quarters to LeAnne my January partner and the January birthday girls (won't show the photo's just yet).

I'm also taking part in a swap on FB - 12 blocks (but I made 13 - someone else may still join) in black and whit with one accent colour; I chose red; here's the results - 

pleased with some and not others. I won't recieve my "pile" back until Marchish; which gives me time to work on my New Years Day Mystery Quilt (again run through FB). I've finished the mystery but think I need to add borders and then quilt it. I got a bargain at the OP shop today; a QS wool blanket for $10 that I'll use as wadding. 

DH has taken up sewing (he's made table cloths for the tables he uses at the local farmers markets and a thread catcher) which is fantastic but he's not the best at putting things back where he found them so I made him a scissor keeper for his very own scissors (fabric only LOL). "Manly" colours but with a hint of girly in the flower...........

Last but not least - Kaye sent me a purse to make as part of my Secret Santa Parcel - well here is the finished item (it fits beautifully in my new handbag) only problem is DD2 keeps hinting that it would be much better for her LOL.

I think that's all for now - I'm working on a clutch bag (quite a challenge) but I'll post that when I finish it.

Travelling Treasures

Look what came in the mail today.............

Travelling Treasures from Aunti Marti - the packet was overflowing as you can see. Very definitely spoilt for choice; haven't decided what to take and what to add but I've a few days before I need to make up my mind. Also not sure how to decide where it goes to next so stay tuned and I'll post again with the plan! 

Grow your blog

As you've seen in my earlier post I'm planning big changes for 2014! My first step is to join Vicki on 25th January to grow my blog. My followers have more than doubled since Chookyblue helped me with some technical problems but I need to expand further. Check Vicki's post and join in the fun......

2014 New Beginnings.

Well 2014 is well underway; lots of reflection on 2013. It wasn't the best year for me; I've been off work since August with work related stress (and very high blood pressure) - I'm a lot better than I was and plan to return to work on a graduated return plan in February but my heart is just not there anymore. I'm a registered nurse with some management responsibilities and for 20+ years have loved my work but now I feel "emotionally" empty; too many hoops to jump through; way too much paperwork and no end in sight to the bureaucracy. Time for some soul searching and to head down a different path. 

My mam lives with us and is only 67 years young but has ??skin lymphoma (due to all the holidays the results of a biopsy still aren't available); both my girls are growing and will soon have flown the nest and I feel I need to spend more time with all of them while I can. A change in career is what's needed but as yet I don't know what.

I would love to be able to work from home and incorporate my craft in some way so with this in mind I'm asking how others set off on this journey.........

any advice you can give me? What is the most important thing to consider; where did you start?. I know that the first step will be the hardest but I think it's time. 

Pledge Taken.........

It's that time of year again to pledge commitments to swaps with Cheryl over at Gone Stitchin; here's my pledge

I Melanie 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....

Happy dance - I've got my partners details for the Valentines Swap and have already made a start.

I know I'm late but I would still like to wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy 2014.