Friday, June 22, 2012

SIT 2012...Name Badge Swap

Sew it Together is an annual get together of craft-bloggers organised by the amazing, albeit very humble Sheridan aka Chaletgirl and her fantastic assistant Donna the Creative Controller. The first SIT was held in Melbourne in 2010 then Sydney in 2011 and this year it is was held over the June long weekend in Canberra.

Each year there are a few traditions, including the highly anticipated swaps. Prior to the event is a name badge swap and during the SIT weekend a sample swap.

This year the effervescent Gillian of Silly Gilly raised her hand to co-ordinate the name badge swap. Everyone is given the name of another person attending the event to make a name tag in specified colours. Colours for 2012 were red, white and blue. All must be kept secret until the recipient has received their badge.

My lovely recipient Susie of Yarnplanner is versed in all things yarn, a sewer and recently started quilting. When a woman can accomplish a pattern such as this what else could I do but make something yarny!

Here is the badge I made for Susie...complete with Perle 8 thread knitted onto toothpicks!


This is the beautiful badge I received from Lily of Cascade Lily in the most delighful package of pink and green (my absolute favourite)!


My model declared as we opened it at the Post Office..."Oh, mummy it is beautiful". She was right, thank you Lily - I love it!


More SIT Canberra 2012 posts to come!


What is the smallest item you have ever created?

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Friends...


When we arrived in Melbourne 15 months ago I had one person I could call friend who had also recently moved from Sydney. Just prior to moving the lovely Cass introduced me to Karen at Sew It Together Sydney 2011, we arranged I would call Karen when we settled in and organise a craft catch up.

Little did I know that Karen was in the process of organising a new craft group Stitch and Yarn (SAY) and I arrived in time to make the first get together. Over the last year through SAY I have been so priveleged to call these four women my friends. Karen, Judy, Cas and Wendy meeting through our shared love of all things crafty and thrifty has made my Melbourne experience so much sweeter and I can't thank each of you enough.

These very special women made me the most amazing gift as a farewell to Melbourne.

Can you believe it.....a quilt!!!!!!


This is made even more special as Karen described it "they crossed over to the dark side" as Judy and Karen had never quilted before! The ever convincing and extremely talented Wendy assured them a Wonky Stars quilt was achieveble and they secret squirrelled away on a few nights without out me to create the most coveted quilt you ever did see! Using their combined stash scraps of pink and green (my all-time favourite colours) the blocks were made and pieced together and then machine and hand quilted by these gorgeous gals! Some fabrics were even purchased right under my nose...on an Op shop adventure I commented to Judy the pink and green apron she just purchased was gorgeous...not knowing it would become part of my quilt.

Here are some shots of my reaction when opening this beautiful gift!





Gorgeous label made by Karen

 This quilt is...
more than a very generous gift...
more than beautiful quilting...
more than thoughtfulness...
more than crafty creativeness...
more than kindness...
more than friendship...
more than something to keep me warm on a cold winter night...
it is a beautiful representation of four amazing women I am so proud to call my friends.

Thank you...treasured forever.


Also, loving the panel in the centre back with pictures of all things Melbourne!

What beautiful gifts have you received from friends?