Sunday Sewing & Happy Valentine's Day!!

Before you look at that title and the date on this post, let me just say that I KNOW it's not Sunday today ... I'm just a few days behind ... as usual! :0) Actually, we've been having some nasty storms here on top of our 'hill', so I've been turning the computer off more often than usual. In fact, the storm we had Saturday night knocked out electricity for about 9 hours ... starting at about 6:30pm!!! EEK!! Crackers and home-made pesto for dinner that night and a cold shower cos guess who had their hair all frothy and shampooed up when the power went off taking the hot water with it?!?!?! GRRRR!! Not fun. However ... I digress!!! :0)
Sunday I managed to spend some time in the sewing room, though it was one of those days where I didn't seem to be able to focus on doing just ONE thing. So, I played with some of these ...

Lots of scrappy 2" squares that will become new samples for this pattern ...

The Scrappy Hearts Bucket Bag and Shabby Chic Heart Swag appeared in two issues of "Handmade" last year and I'll release them as a combined pattern packet ... once I finish the new samples and take pattern cover photos ... stay tuned! :0) These projects are perfect for using up those little scraps of your fave fabrics that you just can't bear to throw away, so start collecting!

I made some good progress on these projects, but sort of got sidetracked when I decided to try something I'd seen Val and Fiona doing ... cutting some squares that will not only be my thread-savers, but will one day be able to be put together to make a quilt ...

Here's an action shot! :0) Do you use thread-savers? You might call them something different ... trailers, toppers ... the concept is that instead of having a long stretch of thread at the start and end of your seams, you run straight onto your thread-saver, then snip the thread that joins them ... less wasted thread, less loose threads to clean up AND ... if you take the time to cut some squares rather than just using a swatch of scrap fabric that eventually gets thrown out (like I was previously!) you can end up with some strips and squares to make a whole nother project without realising it! :0) Here's my thread-saver project ...

I'm obviously in a 'square' mood! :0) Actually, I've been hoarding saving these bright and cheerful fabrics for a while now with the intention of eventually making an Irish chain quilt. So ... I thought this was a good way to kick-start that. The fabrics are from Rosalie Quinlan's fabric range "Sweet Broderie" and teaming them with white Moda solids will really make them pop, I think. I didn't really enjoy cutting all those squares out ... measuring and cutting is not one of my strongest skills! But they look pretty in their little box ready to be grabbed in between seams and I like how the nine-patches are coming up. Will keep you posted on my progress.

Now ... today is February 14 and we all know what that means ...

St Valentine's Day!!

We don't always do much for Valentine's Day, but since he's away for some work training today, my Beloved Geek Boy arranged for a special delivery to me at work ...

AAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWW!!!! Isn't he a SWEETIE!!! I think I'll keep him a bit longer! :0) The flowers are GORGEOUS, but I felt like the orange paper and bright yellow box were overwhelming them a bit, so I had a little play and now I have ...

... some pretty pink flowers in my green Depression Glass vase on the hutch in the kitchen ...

... some lush red roses and delicate baby's-breathe between matching candles on the lounge room dresser and ...

... the luscious orange lilies and fluffy Australian native foliage have room to spread their petals and leaves on the floor in a bare corner of the lounge room. Somehow, there now seems like MORE flowers to enjoy! :0) Thank you, Sweetie!!! I love my surprise flowers ... and love you too!!! MMMMWWAAAAHHHH!!! :0)

OK ... soppy stuff is over now, you can uncover your eyes! Tee! Hee! Hee! I hope your week is off to a great start and even if you don't celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way, I hope you take the time to tell someone special that you love them. Life is short ... cram in all the "I Love You's!" that you can! :0) Til next time ...

VALENTINE  BEAR  HUGS!!!

CHEERS!
KRIS