Lydias Treasures

The winner is....

2012-01-31T13:12:00.001+13:00

The winner of the Strawberry Frenzy pattern is

GAYLE

from

Emboriderymad

Congratulations Gayle!!!

Please email me on lydiastreasures.blogspot.com with you address details and I will send you the pattern.

I used Random Number Generator but was unable to copy and paste the image. So sorry about this.

Thank you to all you lovely ladies for your encouraging comments. It was so wonderful to hear from you all. There were a few of you I recognised as first readers of my blog..it was lovely to hear from you. I would have replied to all of your comments but was unable to as I have been away on holiday and did not have internet connection.

While I was away I wrote out a number of ideas for the year

. Im quite excited about what I have planned ahead for my little blog. I have an interesting year happening with my baby off to school in 3 months. Lets hope this gives me more time to make and create.

I have had some wonderful times over the holiday period. My husband and I went down to Wellington for a couple of days. I love Wellington. It is so pretty down by the waterfront. We had beautiful weather.

Over the last week we went to our favourite camping spot in Northland.

The kids feeding the seagulls.. this is the view from our tent.

A very rare picture of me... I guess you'd like to put a face to who is behind the words written.

This is me with my 'big' catch... I LOVE fishing. I caught this approx 5lb Pig Fish... very yummy to eat!

This is me by the camp fire making my New Zealand version of S'mores!

Yummy is the best way to describe those tasty morsels.

This is a photo taken on our trip home... WOW ... Just beautiful don't you think.

Hugs to you all

until next time

Giveaway ... Its my 3rd Blogging Birthday

2012-01-21T21:14:00.001+13:00

On the 20th of January it was my 3 year blogging birthday

I look back at my first post.. the photos, the creations and what I was talking about... boy how things change in 3 years.

I would like to celebrate with a giveaway pattern.

This pattern is Strawberry Frenzy by Natalie Ross

Im sure there are many of you out there that just LOVE strawberries. You lovely ladies over there in the freezing cold of winter would be pleased to be reminded of some summer with a strawberry pattern Im sure..

The pattern consists of all in the above photo.

All you have to do is leave a comment. It is as simple as that. I will draw the winner on the 1st of February. I am happy to send anywhere in the world.

Welcome to my new readers!! Lovely to have you join.

Good luck!!

Custom Paper Tape Tutorial

2012-01-17T17:44:00.002+13:00

I have just recently discovered Washi Tape... A printed masking tape used for wrapping, cardmaking and other things.

While going through different sites online reading up about it I discovered this tutorial. Cathe uses wrapping paper. I thought fabric could work too.

The blog is called Just Something I made.

A very clever lady called Cathe Holden.

I think this is a fantastic idea and I wanted to share it with you.

Click HERE to visit Cathe's blog and learn how to make this.

PS... The link for HERE wasnt working Ive fixed it now.... so click away

Fabric Covered Notebook

2012-01-16T15:11:00.001+13:00

Back in the late1980's and in the '90's I used to make alot of fabric covered photo frames, tissue box covers and photo albums.. Im sure there is alot of you out there that remember that craft fad. I made so many for gifts and to sell back in the days.

I made this a couple of days ago. Inspiration came from a thought for a quilt. I had a picture in my mind and this is what I came up with.
A Shabby Chic Notebook.
Tilda fabrics used for the bunting applique
I love notebooks. I love to keep notes of all sorts in notebooks.... so maybe this will go into my bag for 'gifts' or Ill pop it into my handbag.

Have a great day

Block 8 Full of Hearts BOM

2012-01-14T11:55:00.001+13:00

Block 8

Full of Hearts BOM

One more block to go.

If you have missed any blocks I will rerun this BOM at another time so keep an eye out for it.

I have another BOM in the pipeline for this year.

Click HERE to take you to the Full of Hearts Post to download the pattern

Enjoy

My love of Tilda

2012-01-14T11:33:00.000+13:00

As many of you readers know I love Tilda designed by Tonne Finnanger.

The above book is her latest - as far as I am aware. I purchased it from the UK a few weeks before Christmas. I had every intention to create the house and the cute angels before Christmas but the rush of the season got the better of me.

Here is a page from Tilda Winter Ideas

Just beautiful... all of it.. Tonne never disappoints with her creative ideas

I just love the ribbon holder idea..the cones, the angels, the house.. in fact the book is just gorgeous.

I highly recommend it.

Just wanted to share this book with you all..

I plan on doing more Sew Alongs and put up some tutorials to make some of Tonne's creations over 2012.

I hope your holidays are going well.

A New Year

2012-01-02T16:04:00.001+13:00

This is a creation I have come up with over the Christmas period.

It is a pincushion/sewing keeper.

I had two Quilt As You Go blocks leftover from a quilt I made for my little girl for Christmas. I had a brain wave to make it into some type of 'thing'.. I really didnt know what. After playing around with some bias... and putting my thinking cap on I came up with the above idea.

inside is the pincushion

This is made from the other Quilt As You Go Block.
I will put a tutorial up for this in the next little while. I just want to get a holiday in so Im fresh and ready for a new start this year.

Over the Christmas time I was very busy.
Our son Matt turned 21. So I had to organise a dinner for him. He didnt want to have anything too big so I cooked dinner for 18 people . in amongst our daughter turning 29 so it was a very busy month for me.

I did manage to get some creating done though

Some Christmas Trees from my Christmas Tree Tutorial on the sidebar as well as some other things

This year on my blog I am hoping to run another Colour Swap. I did this a couple of years ago so keep an eye out for this. I also have a new Block Of the Month I have been working on that I will have available. I plan to give you some more tutorials and some more patterns. I also plan to create to make as the inspiration comes over me...

So I hope this year is kind to you and you have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends

Hugs

Full O Hearts Block 7

2011-12-19T09:38:00.000+13:00

Well ladies I have been extremely busy in the last number of weeks.

I have had alot going on.

I have much I could post about of things I have been creating but I just havent the time to upload photos and write about it. So I am so sorry for being rather slack.

I made a Quick and Easy Santa Sack I wanted to do a tutorial for but just no time so I will have to do that next year.

I hope all your Christmas plans are going well.

Click HERE for Block Seven

Enjoy!!

and

Welcome to my new readers

and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas spending time with family and freinds

Hugs

Free Pattern - Hanging Doorknob Bag

2011-11-25T10:59:00.000+13:00

I have a number of patterns that I have designed over time that I am going to share with you
This is my Hanging Doorknob Bag Pattern.
These a a cute little size that can be made to hang from the Christmas tree or doorknob

I would like to have made a linen and red one for this post but I have been too busy.
Ill try and get some pressies made this week and put them up for you to see some variations.

Why do I give away my patterns?

I used to make and create gift lines for a couple of shops.
One of these shops the owner would give me an idea of what she was wanting and I would
go away and create it for her.
I began to gain confidence in designing. Hence where my Christmas Pudding pattern, Twirly Cupcake and others have come from. This is something I really enjoyed. Unfortunatley she sold her business and that part of my business stopped.

I also used to teach embroidery classes for a number of years. A couple of classes a week. This had to stop due to me becoming unwell.

I also used to make and create my own line of baby clothes with embroidery on them. This started to get too too demanding. I was needing to get sewers and embroiders so I stopped that too. I was finding the demand of sewing and embroidering it all myself too much.

I went on to have two more children.. which made it six little blessings. SMILE SMILE
So my creating went onto the back burner of life for quite some time.

I then started to write up my own patterns and sold a few but then decided I just wanted to give them away for free... selling, tax etc was a slight hassle so...
there is the story.

Now..

My inspiration comes when I make a gift for a family member or a friend.

So I want to give you something for nothing and if you enjoy well Im very happy about that.

Just please respect the fact that they are my designs and give me the credit when it is due.. thats all I ask.
SMILE SMILE.

Have a great day

Click HERE to go to the Free Pattern page

Mini Wreath Tutorial

2011-11-22T14:53:00.000+13:00

This wreath is made from a small poly wreath

The flower arrangement is made from felt roses and leaves.

Strips are cut 2" wide.

Glue the fabric on the back of the wreath and wind around

and

around until the poly wreath is covered. I leaved the edges frayed.

I then added some braid - ric rac and wound that around too

I then made some felt roses from my tutorials

Felt Rose Tutorial HERE

and Folded Rose Tutorial HERE

I also made a tiny rolled rose. This is made starting the same way as the folded rose...

roll it and then fold it back when you have made it the desired size. Stitch.

The mini rolled felt rose is the small pale pink rose..

A closer look at the rolled rose

A closer look at the folded rose.

I thought it was a great idea to make these out of felt. Ive never thought of this idea until yesterday.

Any questions dont hesitate to email me.

My Stitchery Bag Tutorial

2011-11-21T16:59:00.000+13:00

My much long awaited stitchery bag.

The stitchery in the above bag is coming I just have to make up the PDF for it.

This is a larger version

This is a smaller version

I created this bag for my stitcheries last year but just havnt got around to doing up the tutorial.

Well here it is.

This bag is made from 2 1/2" strips.

The length for the strips is the same as the length of your stitchery.

This bag had seven strips. I put 4 on one side and 3 on the other.

I then made a scrappy 2 1/1" strip piece that was the same length horizontally across for the bottom and the top, as shown in the photo

Cut the inside fabric approx 1/2" larger than the size as the stitchery piece that has been pieced together

Cut out the pellon of your choice the same size as the front stitchery piece.

Sew the stichery piece and the pellon together creating a cylinder

Do the same with the inside fabric piece.

Now place the inside piece around the pellon as pictured above... ( I HOPE this makes sense)!

Now for the bottom of the bag.

Place the bag on top of a piece of paper... as pictured. As a cylinder and trace around the bottom inside the bag.. this creates a pattern piece for the bottom of the bag.

Use a compass or freehand drawing to make a circle.. when cutting out the inside fabric, and outside fabric

add extra for the seam allowance. Cut the pellon the same size as the pattern piece.

Pictured ... pattern piece ... as you can see Im not a perfectionist.

Sandwich together the three layers

Pin in quarters so the bottom piece can fit evenly inside the bag.

With bag wrong sides facing pin the bottom to the bag

Put tucks in where needed so the bottom will fit

Sew around the circle a couple of times for extra strength.

Make the strap. For this bag I made a 30" strap

It is scrappy

Fold it as pictured

Fold again

Pin the handle as pictured on the right side of the bag.

Make a binding out of 2 1/2"strips.

Pin onto the top of the bag.

Make sure where ends meet you fold as pictured

Fold over as you do when binding a quilt. Hand stitch or sew on the machine

Inside the bag

Finished bag

I hope you like it

Free Stitcheries, Cake Pops and......

2011-11-18T09:56:00.004+13:00

Well Im on a creative roll at the moment and I have to 'strike as the iron's hot' so the saying goes

I was so excited about the inspiration I got yesterday with these little Santa Sacks I had to make some more.

They are all made from felt and I have used Tilda fabrics and braids

White

Pink... and the red one I made yesterday of course...

I am a lover of red, white and pink together, hence the reason these are all in those colours.

Im off to buy some larger felt pieces today to make some more.

The Tutorial for the Felt Santa Sacks is in the below post.. or go to the sidebar and click on the photo.

Also I love cake decorating.. if you follow me on Pinterest you will see this.

I just love decorating for parties and making things extra special.

I had to have a go at these Cake Pops.

A White Christmas Tree

and my favorite Christmas Puds... I just love these cuties...

Also ladies I am so excited to offer you two new stitchery pages.

I am a very busy lady and I would LOVE it if there is someone out there that would stitch them up for me so I can put some sample photos on my blog... I will link it back to you. I totally understand if you carnt.. we all have busy lives. :-)

PLEASE NOTE.. THE PDF PATTERN IS AVAILABLE.
Click the word HERE below to go to the page to download the PDF.
You dont have to right click to save image... I have noticed a number of people have been doing this.
SMILE SMILE

A Christmas Tree

Stars

Christmas Pudding

Two Little Gingerbread House

Click HERE to go to the page to download the PDF

Have a great weekend

Felt Santa Sack Tutorial

2011-11-17T12:42:00.001+13:00

I have been in my sewing room today trying to find inspiration for christmas gifts.

I was ramaging through my box of felt and came up with an idea for a santa sack.

So while I was sewing it up I took photos so I could give you the following tutorial.

Decide on the size of the bag which you would like to make by folding your felt in half. Make sure the length is long enough for you to turn the top over.

Sewing with right sides together

Fold the felt making sure the seam is in the middle.. this is the back of the bag

Sew across the bottom of the bag

Fold the bottom corner of the bag as pictured.. this is the inside seam at the bottom. Do this to both corners

As picture... the corners are sewn up

This is what the bottom of the sack looks like when folded out right.

Sew some braid around the inside of the sack. So when it is turned over it shows on the right side.

I used some Tilda Christmas Fabric to make the yoyo.. Tilda heart and Tilda braid for the cuff of the sack

Your sack is finished

I hope you make some of these .. they are QUICK AND EASY... thats my motto!..

Add some stitichery to the front.. I promise these are coming.

I have drawn up some cute gingerbread houses.

Also

I have started a BOM I purchased last year from The Fat Quarter Shop

Block ONE completed! LOL finally

Hugs to all

Block Six Full of Hearts

2011-11-16T12:16:00.002+13:00

Block Six is ready to download.

Click HERE to take you to the post

I would love to hear from you ladies that are downloading these patterns. I would love to know if anyone is stitching this quilt. There appears to be a number of visitors from Holland. I found a Quilting Forum that has the link on it for the Full of Hearts Patterns. When I hear from you ladies it just keeps me motivated to keep putting the patterns on my blog.

As I said in my last post I am working on some free Christmas Stitchery patterns. The photo above is a free stitchery that is available on my FREE STITCHERY page. I am also working on a tutorial for my christmas bag, in the above photo. I made this last year for a swap. It is very simple and can be made in many different sizes. I will try to get this up next week for you.

The below photo is of the same bag but made bigger

This stitchery is available too from the FREE STITCHERY page.

I use this bag and it is large. A duffle bag is what I would call it. It fits perfectly on my shoulder and is a great depth... it also is a great size.

Also

if you received the Christmas Pudding pattern from my recent giveaway the above photo is one made larger.

I just made the pattern pieces bigger.

I have been busy sorting out Christmas gifts. What Im going to make and for who. Yesterday I made some cake pops. I have to decorate them today. I LOVE making these kinds of things.

Have a great day

Some of the Sew Along Dolls

2011-11-10T13:55:00.001+13:00

I have received two emails from ladies that participated in the Sew Along Tilda Doll.

The above photo is of Wendys doll.

I just love the fabrics she has chosen. Also, Wendy has made a different dress for her angel. This dress is in the same book.

A full length photo... isnt she lovely.

And Anita from Holland took part too.

This is her Tilda Angel.

Dont you just love those quilts in the background... look at the stitchery!!

I am waiting on photos to be emailed from the other participants.

Thanks to those who took part.

It was alot of fun.

I am working on some free stitchery patterns for Christmas. Will have them up soon.

Hugs to all

Tilda Sew Along Part 5

2011-11-01T17:13:00.000+13:00

Well ladies... my angel is finished!! She is adorable in my eyes!

Below is the final stage of the Sew Along.

Sew the two layers of fabric together to form a tube.

Fold over the raw edge and do a gather stitch on your machine.

Gather up

Sew the pantaloons

Right sides together to make them look like the photo above

Sew the inside seam

Put them on your doll.

Fold over top edge and pin down.

Hand sew them to the doll so they do not come off

Put skirt on your doll

Gather in as much as you can

Pin to the doll

Hand sew the skirt to the doll

Trace wings onto the fabric

Sew through the double thickness leaving the largest round edge

of the wing open

Turn in the right way

Stuff slightly then sew the lines as shown above

Turn the open seam inside the wing

I handstitched them onto the back of the angel gathering them in.

I liked the finished look this gave.. but it is up to you if you want to finish the wings this way

The back of my angel

Now to embellish.

I LOVE embellishing and finishing the things I create.

I made here some little shoes.

These are made with felt on the sole of her foot and a ribbon rose for the top.

Click HERE to take a look at another Tilda doll I made. This gives more of an idea of how to make them. They are very simple and effective.

I added a rosebud to the top right of her dress and off course some ribbon and the crown. I purchased the crown from Puddlecrafts in the UK. Click HERE to visit their website

A closer look

I have really enjoyed putting this Sew Along together..

Thank you for taking part.

I would LOVE to see some photos. Please email them to me so I can show them on my blog.

I hope you enjoyed it and have learnt something.

I hope to do another in the future... Maybe not a doll but something else

Have a great week

Tilda Sew Along Doll Part 4 and other things

2011-10-28T10:43:00.001+13:00

Well ladies....

I have had a busy week.

I am involved in a Christmas Challenge on the weekend. This challenge involves me teaching one of the activities. Cookies iced with royal icing. I have been baking and decorating samples..

So the Tilda Doll is on a go slow.

Face....
Use a water proof marker. Mark with a pencil where you want the eyes to go.

Use the black marker to mark eyes

Get a blush and small eye shadow brush

I start in the middle of the cheek ... with a circular motion I move it around so that the blush fades out
Do this with both cheeks

DONE

Now

Cut out the panaloons
Skirt
and petticoat

Cut out the wings

Sew the braid and the lace to the pantaloons and skirt piece

Next week we will finish the skirt, pants and dress her

Just to prove that I have been busy

A candy cane Christmas Tree ... A lovely centre piece for Christmas

I found this tutorial online.. I will have to put the link up when I have a spare 5 mins to search for it.

Eatible glitter on the candy canes and the icing

Samples

To be iced for samples

Have a great weekend

Tilda Sew Along Doll Part 3

2011-10-19T13:48:00.001+13:00

Sorry ladies on the delay for this. I have been busy with the kids... school holiday time.

Make sure the fabric is folded to the inside to create a folded each, so the arm fits snuggly onto the body.

I use double thread for extra strength.
Stitch to the underarm of the arm piece

Then

Take the needle to the body and do a stitch to secure, as shown in the photo.

Make sure your stitches are close to the edge of the arm and the body so they can be an invisible as possible.

Make sure the seams match

One arm stitched on... now do the other.

Now stitch the bottom of the body. Make sure the fabric is folded in. Stitch as you wish. This stitching gets covered my the legs so it doesnt really matter how tidy it is.

Legs..... make sure the top edge is folded in....

The below method is my method of doing the legs.. not necessarily the way it is done in the book

Put right sides together, as per the photo. Make sure the edges match and are as even as you can get them. Stitch through all thicknesses with smallish stitiches

Finished stitching her together.

Now for the hair... this is the method in the book.. I normally do a different method.

Place pins on the top of the head in a straight line going down the back of the head. Also put two on the side of the head which the hairbuns will go.

Now thread without securing from one side to the other going over the pins

I added more pins for more cover. This method is a bit like weaving.

When you have covered enough... as you desire thread a needle and secure the hair down with little stitches. Take the pins out as you go.

Roll some wool up to make hairballs. Secure these in place with needle and thread.

Your doll is now ready for the face and the clothes.

AND

Block Five is ready to download for the Full of Hearts Quilt
This has been one of the most popular blocks in this quilt.
Enjoy!!

Click HERE to go to the post for download

Tilda Sew Along Part 2

2011-10-11T17:38:00.000+13:00

Turn out all the sewn pieces right sides out

Press all the sewn pieces

Take a small piece of stuffing

Press onto the end of a skewer stick

Push stuffing in with skewer stick or stuffing tool

Push stuffing to the end of the arm.(finger part) add small bits a bit at a time till all stuffed

The stuffing at the end of the arm......

Turn over the ends of the arms... this is the opening.... and will be handsewn to the body next week.

Take a larger amount of stuffing

Stuff leg to the knee

Sew across sewing line

Now stuff leg to the top

Stuff body with smaller amounts of stuffing and then a larger amount as you go....

The parts are now all stuffed for handsewing for next week.

PS.... the above process is time consuming

Tilda Cupcake Angel

2011-10-10T16:17:00.001+13:00

Hello all.

This is my latest creation. I made her on Friday.

This little cutie is out of the latest Tilda book Tilda's Studio. The Cupcake Angel.
She was very simple and easy to make.
She is too big to be made into a brooch. I decided to put her on a skewer so I can put the stick into a pot plant or something. In the book she has a ribbon coming out of the top of her head so she can be hung from something.

Welcome to my new readers.
Thanks to all who emailed and left a comment for my giveaway. It was lovely to receive and email from some of my regular readers that dont have blogs.... it was also lovely to hear from readers that do have them too.

I am hoping to have the second stage of the Sew Along up tomorrow on my blog. I have my children off school for the school holidays. So it may be later in the day tomorrow before I can get to it.

Take care

Mini Christmas Pudding Pattern Giveaway

2011-10-05T16:43:00.003+13:00

These little cuties are one of my favourite patterns.

I used to sell my patterns but decided not to sell them any more but give some of them away free on my blog. My free patterns are on my pages or you click on the sidebar photos to go to them to download.

These little cuties are a design I made up a couple of years ago. I am going to give this pattern away to you as a celebration for having over 400 followers. There is a catch you must email me and I will send you the link to download. The pattern and instructions come in PDF format... there is also an idea sheet included.

These are mini Christmas puds. They are very cute and lovely stuffed with some cinnamon or christmas spices. They look delightful wrapped up in cellophane and given for a christmas gift. I will make this offer available for a short time, then you will have plenty of time to get some made for Christmas.

Email me on lydia.nz.00@gmail.com or leave a comment.

Everyone that leaves a comment or sends an email gets a free pattern.

Hugs to you all

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO ENTERED.
THERE ARE SOME OF YOU THAT ARE ON no-reply BLOGGER... THIS MEANS I CANNOT SEND YOU A PATTERN
PLEASE BEAR WITH ME AS I WORK MY WAY THROUGH MY EMAILS I WILL SEND THEM TO YOU OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

Tilda Sew Along Doll Part 1

2011-10-04T14:37:00.001+13:00

How exciting!! Here is the first post for the much awaited Tilda Sew Along Doll

There are not that many ladies taking part but never mind, this can always be a great reference for people wanting to know techniques for sewing a Tilda Doll.

Glue all patterns onto cardboard and cut out, or as one of the Sew Along ladies suggested use freezer paper. This is a fantastic method... How to: trace pattern pieces onto freezer paper... iron onto the right side of the fabric and sew. The remove the freezer paper... this way you dont get left with drawn lines on you fabric. If you dont know what freezer paper is, this is a special paper used for quilters and is available and quilting shops. It can be used more than once which is a beauty of the product.

Cut two pieces of the top of the dress fabric and two pieces of skin fabric. When cutting these out make sure they will fit the head and shoulders for the skin fabric and the body for the dress fabric.

Sew these together across the top as shown in the photo.

Now place together the head and shoulder pattern piece and the body along the dotted line. Put the sewn pieces wrong sides together.

Make sure where they join is across the top of where the two fabric pieces join. This is going to make the head, shoulders and body of the doll.

Now trace all around the pattern pieces.

Pin the fabric in place so it does not move when you sew.

Now fold the skin fabric in two and trace the pattern pieces on to the fabric.

Sew around the trace lines.. these are the sewing lines. Make sure that the bottom of the body, the top of the arms and the top of the legs are kept open, as we need to turn the pieces in the right way.

Now cut a little out from the sewing line. all the way around every piece.

That is all your pattern pieces ready for next week when we will turn and stuff.

Happy sewing and any questions I am happy to answer.

Tilda Sew Along Doll

2011-09-27T15:00:00.000+13:00

Today I got together the requirements for the Tilda Sew Along Doll I will be doing on my blog

The front doll is the one we will be making.

For my angel doll I am using a pink vintage satin for the skirt, a flesh linen colour for the skin, Tilda lace for the pataloons, Tilda ribbon for the skirt, a Tilda crown, a special type of wool thread for the hair and a cute little pink rose for an embellishment.

I have copied and pasted the patterns onto cardboard and they are all cut out ready to go.

I am thinking that we will get started next week or the week after depending on when people feel they can do it. Im rearing to go now gals! LOL! Im looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Hugs

My new purchase

2011-09-26T19:02:00.000+13:00

Well as alot of my readers know I am a Tilda Fan

I love Tilda books and products

The above book is a recent purchase... well Ive had it for a number of weeks but I just havent got to posting about it.

I LOVE it

Purchased from The Book Depository ..... of course!!

The elephant and the giraffe are so very cute

I love the quilt. So simple but so effective

and of course a gorgeous Tilda doll with a sash and large rosette.

Well, these will have be put onto the to do list.

Thank you to all who left a comment in my last post. I will be replying to you in the next couple of days.

Hugs

Farewell

2011-09-23T17:55:00.000+12:00

This week we said goodbye my my father-in-law.

He died and the grand age of 80.

I have known him for 29 years of his life.

He suffered from alzheimers. A terrible disease that attacks the brain. We have seen him decline at a very rapid rate over recent months. We are so pleased to see him released from his suffering.

Amazing how things come crashing down on you all at once sometimes. If it doesn't rain it pours. Last week there were three things that came our way that were big things to deal with., one being the loss of my father in law. Things sometimes just happen out of the blue when you least expect it. I am hoping that next week will be a better week....

I am desperate to get into the Tilda Sew Along.. All the participants have probably given up on me, which is totally understandable.. I had every good intention to go ahead with it a number of weeks ago. Just life happened. As you can tell I am beating around the bush. I really dont like to spout of my issues in life over my blog ... Im not into going down a pity trip... I have been very hurt by cypher world in the past and Im not about to get hurt like that again.

So if any of you ladies that signed up for the Tilda Sew Along are still interested please let me know so we can work out a date that will work for everyone..... or if you would like to join in leave a comment. I was intending to do it this week but that didnt happen as I was having to support my hubby and help out with other things.

Have a good weekend

Tilda Teapot Cosy

2011-09-16T08:49:00.002+12:00

I joined up a Tilda Swap on Catherine's blog a number of weeks ago.

As I have been under a bit of stress I was unable to finish the swap on time. Cat was very understanding and patient with me. Yesterday I finished the parcel and hand delivered it to her.

The above photo is of the teapot cosy I made. It is Tilda. I used the Tilda template for the teapot and added some gorgeous lace .. I used 100% linen...which I love. I decided not to do the handstitiching that was in the pattern, as the lace was enough

And of course the addition of my label .... These labels are amazing... They just give a gift a professional finish.....

If you are after the Block 4 for Full of Hearts go to the post below.....

Have a great day

Full of Hearts Block Four

2011-09-15T09:34:00.002+12:00

Well ladies it has been a month since I have updated my blog. Ive had abit of stress going down in my personal life so blogging has been on a total go slow for me. I want to thank you lovely ladies for your emails and kind words... it is so nice to get some positive feedback about my designs. It is very inspiring to continue designing and blessing others. I have another BOM I have been working on... well not for a few months but all the block designs are pinned and drawn up. It is very similar to Full of Hearts but it is with flowers. I have made it with French General fabrics and Im very happy with how it looks so far.

Anyhow, I can feel the creative thing coming back so watch the space for some new creations over recent weeks... My favourite time of the year is coming .... I love creating for Christmas.

Welcome to my new readers!! Wow 400 followers I cannot believe it! I will be having giveaway soon to celebrate this milestone.

I have had an incredible response to The Full of Hearts BOM this time around. There is alot of you out there that love it... this is so encouraging for me! Thank you!

Click HERE to download Block 4

This link will take you to the Full of Hearts Post... I have posted the links on there. Just follow the instructions to download.

Full Of Hearts Block 3

2011-08-18T17:22:00.001+12:00

Hi all...

Well I have been very quite lately. I have had alot going on in my home life and I have had NO motivation to create. I have had no motivation to blog. Im on a go slow.

I am using the original Post for the Full of Hearts download. I just change the link month to month.

Full of Hearts BOM - Block Two

2011-07-16T22:12:00.001+12:00

Tilda Sew Along - SAL

2011-07-13T12:04:00.003+12:00

This is the book you need to have to take part. in the SAL (Stitch Along)

It is available from

The Book Depository

Amazon

McCalls Patterns

Click on the names and you will go to the link

Remember that The Book Depository have Free Postage Worldwide.

Just one of the patterns in this beautiful book

The doll that Im thinking of making for the SAL is the angel on the bottom righthand corner.

The SAL will commence on the 22 August. I am wanting to give you time to get the book and the necessary materials required to make this doll.

Tilda fabrics are available from

Puddlecrafts UK

Panduro Hobby UK

Coast and Country UK (sorry I dont have a link for this)

You dont have to use Tilda fabrics for this SAL.

If you would like to take part please leave a comment on this post

Start Date 22 August

I will post a tutorial one day per week until the doll is completed.

This will probably be over 3 weeks

If you are unable to leave a comment then email me on

lydiastreasures@gmail.com

This is one of my Tilda dolls that I made for a SAL that took place at an Italian blog.

It is so much fun and very inspring

and this doll I created for a competition on an Italian blog

I just want to inspire you

and I also want you to experiment and be creative

I used calico for the body of this doll and tea dyed the fabric

I was also creative with her hair as well.

So it will be freestyle SAL

You will have to send a photo to me via email of each stage so I can put them up on my blog

It will be inspiring to see what people create

Take the button and spread the word

I look forward to hearing from you

Also

Catherine is having a Tilda Tea Party Swap. Catherine is a new friend in my life that shares the love of Tilda, sewing and creating

Want to join in on a pretty tea party....

Click HERE to sign up

Pincushions

2011-07-05T13:37:00.000+12:00

I went to visit Catherine yesterday....

Everytime I visit her I come away so inpsired.

I didnt take any handwork with me, as we were going to have a craft day... I was just too tired after a weekend with a sick boy.. lots of sleepless nights. Catherine showed me some books and we talked about blogland and handcrafts. Very inspiring to meet up with people with similar interests!

So I came away feeling like I wanted to make some more gifts for my Christmas stash that Im in the process of buiding up. These pincushions are inspired from the book Scandinavian Stitches. I didnt use the pattern I just looked at the photo and created from there.
They are different sizes and I have added some of the little square to the back of the pincushion too.. just for a nice little touch.

and

and of course

I had to add my new labels....

and

I just love adding those little tags... they give such a professional look.

Welcome to my new readers! What a compliment it is when I see you have added me to your following list.

The next Full of Hearts block will be up on Thurs/Fri 14th, 15th July... depending where you are living.

Happy sewing

Humbag Tutorial and....

2011-07-04T14:36:00.000+12:00

I have been enjoying making these bags of late.

The above bag is made from Tilda fabrics

I love the idea of the bead tassel. So with this bag I decided to do something abit different

I used Tilda felt. I made a little heart and did a bullion stitch rose on it. I have attached it to the zip

with some wire and beads... just makes a nice touch to finish it of

A closer look

This is also made from Tilda fabrics

Im on a roll making up a Christmas present stash

The embroidered roses are done with Tilda threads too

A closer look at the fabric and the simple free motion quilting

If you want the tutorial

click HERE to go to the page

Happy sewing

Creation for today

2011-06-24T16:50:00.000+12:00

I made this up today and took photos as I created. I think these are called Humbug Bags? not sure.

The tutorial for this will be up next week. I haven't the time to do it today.

The fabric I used for this is a story of fabrics I purchased from Annie Downs last year when we were in Australia. The inside fabric is a similar colour to the outside but has a old sampler cross-stitch pattern printed on it... Ill show that in the tutorial.

The back of the bag.... with my little tags I made recently... just had to show you that. :0)

Have a great weekend.

Some sweeties

2011-06-21T16:35:00.001+12:00

I have made a special friend in blogland.

Cat is her name.

You can visit her blog HERE

We have done the Tilda Swaps together.

Today I went for lunch with Catherine (Cat) is her nickname. I made her the above cupcakes in her favourite colours. Pink, red, mint green and aqua blue. The box was an old shoe box that I kept. I covered it with paper and it fitted 4 cupcakes in perfectly....

I LOVE to decorate cupcakes.

I purchased the little roses from a specialised cake shop

I also made Cat this little bag.

I have one and use it for my scissors, cutters etc. I used a vintage zipper and Tanya Whelan fabrics

I made a bead tassel ( I guess you would call it) to hold when opening

These are very easy to make with wire and abit of twisting.

My new little tags

The inside.

I am going to do up a tutorial for this bag soon.... on the to do list.

Also, I didnt win the competition for Favecrafts... but I was so very happy to have made it into the Top 10.

Take care

How exciting!!

2011-06-18T10:54:00.000+12:00

I entered a competition a few weeks back

I have just been on to the blog of Favecrafts

and seen the I am one of the top 10 blogs chosen for the competition.

I have been receiving the email newsletters from Favecrafts for sometime now.

You will find heaps of ideas, patterns etc on this site

Click HERE to visit if you want to check it out

Also click HERE if you want to see the other blogs in the compeition

If I win I will be very happy, if I dont I will still be happy because I got into the top 10... what a compliment.!

So I guess I will find out soon who the winner is

I have had a fantastic response to the Full of Hearts BOM

Click on the button on the sidebar to take you to the post for the free download.

Have a great weekend

Full of Hearts BOM

2011-06-15T17:32:00.012+12:00

I have decided to rerun the Full of Hearts BOM

There is nine blocks in all

I will put the patterns up every month for download

BLOCK EIGHT

Click HERE for instructions

Click HERE for Page ONE of Stitchery pattern
Click HERE for Page TWO of Stitchery pattern

Tilda Heart made from linen

2011-06-14T14:34:00.001+12:00

Some of the linen I purchased yesterday made into a Tilda Heart.

This is embellished with vintage buttons and lace.

I LOVE it.

I came across a tutorial on how to do my own tags for my creations

Click HERE to visit Lyns blog for the tutorial.

A very simple easy thing to do

These will be added to my gifts and creations in the future.

P.S I am feeling for all the people in Christchurch just now.

How very very hard for them at this time. It is so cold down in that part of New Zealand at this time of the year.

Tilda and Cath Kidston inspired ....

2011-06-13T15:36:00.002+12:00

I have found a new sense of inspiration recently

This purse is inspired by Tilda and Cath Kidston designs,

It is the Tilda purse pattern made with felt and Cath Kidston fabric inside and for the heart.

I used Tilda thread to do the bullion rose

Neddlefelted cherries with hand embroidery

The inside with a Tilda heart attached on the side

and my new purchased,..

linen

DMC thread

zips

I have a number of ideas for this... watch the space.

Knitted Pincushion Tutorial

2011-06-11T10:47:00.000+12:00

I just discovered this gorgeous pincushion pattern

click HERE to get it

I just LOVE this... on the ever growing 'to do list'

I was unable to sleep last night I had all this creative ideas flowing in my head.

I must sketch them down and get making I think

Im addicted!!! .....

2011-06-03T10:11:00.000+12:00

Teatowel inspired by Scandinavian Stitches

This week has been a week of inspiration for me

Some of my 'to do list' is now being conquered.

Things I have been wanting to make and just havent been able to find the 'get up and go' to do it are now getting done. I have done crochet, stitching, sewing and I have gone through my numerous BOM pile and felt inspired to pick the Clown BOM and finish it...

A few months back I purchased the book

Scandinavian Stitches by Kajsa Wikman

The teatowel above was inspired by the picture on the front cover of this book.

I used a ribbon or chimney and just cut out the pieces freehand.

I just LOVED doing this. Im a real freedom girl when it comes to being creative. I just love to do my own thing. I just love the little house and the hanging angel on the front cover too.... they will be on my 'to do list' for Christmas.

This teatowel will either go into my 'present stash' that I want to build up or I will keep it for myself.

Have a great weekend

Crochet and some placemats

2011-06-02T14:18:00.001+12:00

I am a self taught crocheter

This wool is a mixture of bamboo, cashmere and cotton, a number of balls of all sorts. I use these colours to knit up the bunny soft toys I have posted about before.

I have a rather large bag of this wool so I have decided to crochet myself something.

A bag

A blanket

Im not sure just yet... but Im sure I will decide at some stage

My latest make.

Six placemats made with Blush from Basic Grey

The inspiration for these came from.........

A tutorial at Moda Bake Shop

click HERE to visit

I am terrible at following a pattern. I hardly ever do it. I use the pattern and alot of the time end up doing my own thing.

A closer look

and again

These are a gift for a friend. Its here birthday in a week or so.

Some new finds

2011-06-01T16:26:00.001+12:00

I was blog surfing last night and I came across these

The above tutorial is at Aesthetic Nest. A crochet dishcloth.

Click HERE to see

and a method I saw twice online last night and I have never heard of before

Starch Applique method. It looks fantastic and I am going to give it a try

This tutorial was at Sew Mama Sew

Click HERE to visit.

I have made six placemats. I have nearly finished them. Maybe they will be finished before the weekend.

They are round with appliqued daisies on them. They are looking pretty good.

I am feeling very inspired after visiting Catherine on Monday. I am now on a roll to sew, crochet and knit. I have reconnected with my creative inspiration which as been lost since December last year

Tea Cup Purse

2011-05-31T10:30:00.002+12:00

Yesterday I went and had a sewing day with Catherine from Catalina's Cottage.

I was feeling rather unwell so I sat on her couch and did a crochet square while she made a Tilda Lavendar Wing. I have a virus of some sort and I was enjoying very much sitting in front of her fire, chatting and watching the movie Enid.

When I got home I took some Brufen to dull the incredible unwell feeling I had. I felt rather inspired by Catherine.. her love of sewing and creating, last night I decided to make something that has been on my to do list for a very long time.

I spotted a tutorial for these teacup purses about 18months ago. You know how it goes, you download these patterns and never get around to making them. Well, this wasnt a pattern, you had to draw that up yourself. I just think they are so cute. This one is made from a Timeless Treasures fabric. The Teacup has teacups and the little bag has cakes. Inside the little bag is teabags.

This could be used as a coin purse for a little girl

I decided to make this as I didnt have any teabags wrapped separately. Just a very simple bag with a ribbon attached.

The inside of the little purse.

I will be making some more. They are quick and simple to make. I just wish I had alot more friends that liked to have cups of tea.

I have been doing a bit of crochet as I said. I am making 4in squares with crochet flowers in the middle.. These will probably be made into a bag. Watch the space for that.

Take care

Tilda Bird

2011-05-26T14:23:00.001+12:00

My latest creation

A Tilda Bird

I used a kebab stick so I can poke it into some soil in a pot plant.
I made the wings differently to in the book
I stuffed them and then sewed them... then hand sewed them in place

The bird is made from Tilda fabric. This story of fabric is my favourite in the Tilda range. Purchased from the UK.

Its a raining old day here today

Happy sewing

Little Quilt

2011-05-21T16:36:00.000+12:00

Ive been sewing today

This little quilt is for a girlfriends little baby boy.

These are a kind of 'signature' pressie I give when friends have babies.

These are designed to be used in their carseats. They are the perfect size. They are also great for a changing mat.

I hope you are having a great weekend

Cupcake Wristlet Pincushion Pattern Free to download

2011-05-19T10:55:00.000+12:00

Here is another of my designs

This is a Cupcake Wristlet pattern pincushion.

I hope you like it.

Click HERE to go to the page to Download

New Free Pattern to Download

2011-05-17T19:55:00.000+12:00

I have decided to offer you my patterns for free

I used to sell them.

Please respect me as the designer and not take them as your own designs. If you post it on your blog please link it back to me. Thank you so much

This is one of my designs.

The Parcel of Pins pattern. It consists of a pincushion and a needle case.

Click HERE to download.

Welcome to all my new readers

Enjoy

Felt Flower Paperclip Tutorial back again

2011-05-15T22:37:00.000+12:00

Click HERE for the tutorial

The first Tutorial disappeared...

I hope you enjoy

Look what I made today..

2011-05-05T14:39:00.001+12:00

I had some wool felt that I purchased from Annie's Downs shop when I was in Australia last year.

I had a look through my stash and this is what I have come up with.

The post below has the links for the free pattern.

This is a Heather Bailey design.

I havnt been able to print Heather's pattern off as I carnt get my printer to work on my new laptop. I had the pincushion pattern printed already from another time I downloaded it so that was good.

I just made this by looking at the photo. So please be aware that my leaves are not like the ones on the pattern.

I am now off to make a friend one of my carseat blankies for her new baby. This is one of 'trademarks'... something I love to make any new baby. They are quick, easy (here I go again) Miss Quick and Easy that I am. I have some Paddington Bear fabric that I will be using. Hopefully I will have it made so I can show you tomorrow.

Also, welcome to my new readers... lovely to have you. Thanks for chosing to follow me.. I take that as a compliment.

Happy sewing and loads of inspiration

Check this out!

2011-05-04T20:46:00.000+12:00

I love Heather Bailey

I receive her emails. Today one came through saying that the above pattern is available free. I just love it. In her Webstore she is having a sale on her new felt colours.. be sure to check them out.. they are divine!

Click HERE to get the free pattern for the violets

Click HERE to download the square pincushion pattern

Thanks Heather for your generosity.

A Catch Up

2011-05-03T15:01:00.001+12:00

I made this little bag for my daughter. I was trialing the pattern to put up onto my "Free Sewing Tutorials" page. Keep an eye out for this tutorial if you are interested. Im into quick and easy designs. Im always trying to work out shortcuts. This cute little drawstring bag is quick and easy.

I also want to share with you my Tilda Easter Swap goodies.

As I mentioned a couple of posts back I have a new laptop.. it is not the best at uploading photos to blogger. It takes alot of time. So I have to find a better way.... anyhow... photos below

This are so cute.. made from a poly eggs and wrapped with vintage fabrics. The drawstring bag is made from vintage chenille... I love it... This were made for me by Sena from the USA...

Also

Sena made me a Hare

So cute with wire in the ears.. just love here to bits.. Her dress is made from vintage fabric too.

I also had Ana Maria as my other swap partner

Ana Maria made me the most lovely bag and eggs... three hanging ones. With Tilda buttons on them.. just love these to bits

She was so kind and also sent me some fabrics and buttons

Love these too.... Thanks Ana Maria... and Sena for your kindness and going the extra mile.

I also forgot... I got some chocolate yum yum... well that is gone!! havnt photographed that..

My son's 4th birthday cake.

Spiderman was his request.

I havnt made the best job of the icing ... but it will do.. He loves it and that is the main thing

We got away for a few days last week. We camped at this lovely place we go to up at the Bay of Islands here in New Zealand

We had the most amazing weather.

It was pouring down with rain in Auckland and we had sunshine and no wind.

We had a fire in the evening and cooked our dinner on it.

It was great and we had a lovely time together... my hubby, me and our two youngest children

Happy sewing!

The Winner is!!!!!

2011-04-25T11:06:00.000+12:00

A number of weeks ago I put this giveaway up. This is little lady has been packed and ready to go for quite a few weeks.

This morning I got onto Random.org to get a random number. I have tried to copy and paste and download the number so you could see it for yourself but I couldnt get it to work.. so Im sorry about this....

Anyhow the lucky lady that will recieve this Pocket Angel is

Lyn

from

Happiness is Cross-stitching.

I am sure Pocket Angel is off to a good home... way over the other side of the world in the UK.

Lyn, if you are reading this please email me you address details so I can get her in the post.

I just love Lyn's blog. She does the most gorgeous cross-stitch work and she has free patterns available on her blog.. be sure to check her blog out.

... I still havnt had a chance to upload my photos of my Easter Swaps... but I will get to it soon...

Happy Easter!

2011-04-21T20:35:00.000+12:00

Hi everyone

Well you have probably been wondering where I had got to? My laptop died and I have had no way of updating my blog.

My lovely new laptop arrived today.. what a great time to arrive just in time for Easter. We have a long weekend here in NZ, so I will be learning how to use it.

I have received my swap gifts from Ana-Maria and Sena. I love all of what I have received. I will put the photos up on my blog just as soon as I learned how to use my laptop..hopefullyl it will be over the weekend.

Have a great weekend

Happy Easter

Gift for a friend

2011-03-31T11:52:00.000+13:00

A very good friend of mine is having a crisis in her life at the moment.

I was going to give her the Pink QAYG quilt but purple is her colour.

So I decided to make this Turning Twenty Quilt. I have made these quilts before. They are very quick and easy to put together.

This one is made from nine fat quarters... not the usual twenty.

It is a lap quilt.

I thought I had cut up nine fat quarters but had only cut up eight so I had to add the middle block adding some hearts to it.

I have stipple quilted it myself and bound it with a scrappy binding.

I used a variegated thread for the quilting

I hope she likes it.

I will be drawing the giveaway in a few days.

Sweet Little Bag and other things....

2011-03-24T11:19:00.001+13:00

I purchased this bag pattern a little while ago from Geta's Quilting

This cute little bag is made from one of the patterns.. Bella I think the pattern is called.

My little girl took it to school for news and the teacher put an order in for Easter.

I thought the little side pockets would fit a couple of caramel eggs inside and of course the inside of the bag would have to have some too!

The yoyo centre is a vintage button from my button collection

The little bunny is one I made last year for Easter. I made a pink one and a blue one.

The pattern for these little cuties is from a Homespun Magazine. The designer was Cath.

Click HERE to see the larger bag made from this pattern I made a little while ago.

Also

I decided to have a go at a QAYG quilt.

Here are the blocks made up

As you can see it is made from one of my favourite colours PINK!

I may be giving this away to a dear friend that is going through a major crisis. I just have to find out if she likes pink!

Last week I attended the craft show. In New Zealand we have a dress designer called Annah Stretton. I have had an eye on her wrap dress and skirt for sometime but didnt want to buy the price for it. Well at the show they were selling the kit sets to make these amazing dresses.

Guess what...??

I bought one

Received it yesterday in the post

and finished it last night.

It took me about 8 hours to make... at times I was finding it very hard to make and was going to give up. I am useless at reading patterns.. but I forced myself to do so..

The final outcome is amazing.. and I cannot believe I actually sewed it myself..

It looks exactly like this

and it can be worn all sorts of ways

If you are interested in entering the giveaway for a Jill Mass doll Pocket Angel then go to the below post and to go into the draw I will draw it early next week.

Happy sewing

Tilda Hare and a giveaway

2011-03-16T12:18:00.002+13:00

This is the Tilda Hare for my other swap partner. I have two..

This swap partner likes red. So I decided to make her a Hare with red overalls. I hope that she likes him.

He wasnt too difficult to make. I just needed to have the stuffing tool, as the stuffing isnt easy to get into the arms and legs.

The ears have wire in them. I was so pleased I had some wire in my stash of crafty items. It worked so well.

Ok, this is an edited post...

I have decided on a giveaway.

It is a Jill Maas Doll

POCKET ANGEL

She is not loved in my home. I love her and want to keep her but she is not loved by others

She has to go.

She is handmade by me. I made her sometime back.

Her halo is made from vintage french braid...made in France.

Her face is sculptered with a needle and thread.

I will send anywhere around the world

Just leave me a comment and I will put you in the draw.

This giveaway is to mark over 300 readers, my 2nd blog birthday nearly 80,000 hits..

and welcome to my new readers!

Happy sewing

QAYG Tutorial

2011-03-15T17:27:00.000+13:00

I have been admiring these gorgeous quilts lately. A number of people have been making them for Christchurch Earthquake victims and also Queensland Flood victims. I have admired many I have seen. I would like to make one myself. Looks quick, simple and easy which is me!

I did a google search and came across this link... click HERE to visit. It is a great tutorial for QAYG quilts and gives very easy instructions... even a PDF for you to download. Also at the same blog I came across the Heartstring Quilt..which is the pink photo I have used above...I just love it ... PDF for this is available too... click HERE to check the pink quilt out

I have cut out my Tilda Hare... looking good I must say. I will try to get to sewing it this week.

Take Care

Tilda Sweet Bag with Tilda Fabric Eggs

2011-03-11T17:13:00.000+13:00

I really enjoyed making this gorgeous bag.

This little gift is for my Easter Swap Partner. I love it so much it is hard to part with.

I will put some yummy chocolate easter eggs into the bag as well.

This is a Tilda Pattern from the Spring Book written by Tonne Finnager

This is the bunny applique on the front of the bag

Welcome to my new readers

I havent had a giveaway for a while so I will have to get organised.

I have passed my 2nd bloggy birthday, over 300 readers and nearly 80,000 hits

So, watch the space and I will get something together.

Have a lovely weekend

Tilda Eggs

2011-03-10T13:28:00.001+13:00

These are the eggs I have made for my swap partner.

These are Tilda eggs... made from Tilda fabrics and linen.

I just purchased Linen from a dress fabric shop. They just look adorable. I now have to make the sweet bag, which is going to look very cute with the bunny applique on it.

Ive been sewing....

2011-02-24T16:57:00.002+13:00

I saw a post on Geta's blog recently of these cute little bags

I purchased the pattern to make the above bag and two other styles. The patterns also came with the patterns pieces to make mini ones.. when I say mini I mean about 4" wide... very cute. I have cut some out already.

The pattern instructions are very clear with lots of photos. Highly recommended.

This is the yoyo with a vintage button in the middle

A closer look

I have also been buying books from The Book Depository

Oh dear that place is dangerous! LOL

As I have been cameraless I havent posted my purchases which have been over a number of months

So below are .....

I love to knit... I love to knit flowers... so I purchased a couple of knitted flower books and this lovely book called Gifted... I love the little hearts... in this book there is a number of felted projects which is something I want to try... knitting something with pure wool and washing it in the washing machine.

and

I sew these two books on Clare's blog last year... great books for swap and giveaway ideas

Another book I saw on Clare's blog... this has great gifts for swaps and giveaways too

This is a book I have been waiting eagerly for.... and Im looking forward to having a go at this technique. I love the free motion idea of applique

The Home Sweet Sewn book is one I have had my eye on for a very long time. I love the idea of making things out of old woollen jumpers.. The teacosy and the egg cups are just that. The other book has a bag made out of an old jumper too.

So these are the latest additions to my library...

I guess in the months to come you will be seeing some projects come from these book's.. well hopefully...

As for our beloved Christchurch. I cannot bring myself to post any photos of rubble on my blog. It is devastating to see these photos. I had a cry about it this afternoon. Seeing the anguish on peoples faces as they are told that their loved ones are not alive. Mum's that were at work and are now dead. Oh dear friends, it is just so sad. New Zealand has never had such a natural disaster. It is affecting the whole country in different ways. I was so sad to read and hear today of people that have been stealing. One lady, whom is believed to have perished, her children were down waiting for news of there mum... someone went to their home and stole possessions. Their home was damaged by the earthquake and they couldnt lock doors and windows... and someone did this...!!!!! How disgusting is that? How terrible! How disrepectful! Also, 35 generators supplied by our Telecom people were stolen. These were going to be used to get phonelines up and running... The gaul of some people.. it makes me very upset.

Hugs

Easter Ideas

2011-02-18T22:36:00.000+13:00

I just came across this site... Great Easter Idea Links

Click HERE to go to Tipnut to view all the Easter links.

and if would like to join an Easter Swap go to the below post and join up.

If you arent confident to make a rabbit you can make 1/2 doz eggs, there are many options. So Read below and be sure to email me

Hugs

Tilda Egg-Cellent Easter Softie Swap

2011-02-17T10:35:00.007+13:00

As you all know I am a Tilda Lover. I just love the dolls, animals, bags, embellishments, fabrics, braids etc. If you love Tilda too join in the fun. Be sure to check out this beautiful website HERE to visit Tilda's World. Tonne Finnanger has amazing taste and I just love her simply written books and designs.

So read below on how you can join in on some more Tilda fun.

If you would like to check out more of Tonne and Tilda click:
HERE

Easter Is Hopping Around The Corner So Lets Make This Tilda Swap Egg-stra Special

After a very successful Secret Valentines Tilda Heart Swap and with Easter hopping around the corner we've decided to host a Tilda Egg-Cellent Easter Softie Swap

You will need to have an active crafting blog, be a follower of either Lydia's Treasures or Catalina' s Cottage OR participated in one of our previous swaps.

Please do not sign up unless you can honour this swap and make it Egg-stra special.

Your Swap Parcel Will Contain

* A Tilda Easter/Spring Softie

Tilda Softie Options Include But Are Not Limited To

*Hare

*Bunny

*Lamb

*Chicken

*1/2 doz eggs In A Basket/Bag

(please contact one of us if you require a pattern)

* A Gift Card Offering Easter Greetings

* A Gift Of Chocolate

Keeping in mind this is a secret swap go check out your partners blog and learn more about her and gift her with a Tilda Egg-Cellent Easter

themed swap she will love receiving. The golden rule to swaps is "give like you would like to receive" and to have FUN

Swap partners assigned no later than March 07th 2011

Deadline to ship your lovely gifts will be 01st April 2011 allowing time for your secret partner to have her Easter decorations up in time for Easter.

When you receive your package, please dedicate a blog post to what you received from your partner

Take our button and put it up on your blog.

Creative Blessings

Cat & Lisa

Please email me (Lisa) on swapsatlydiastreasures@gmail.com if you would like to take part. I now am using this email only for swaps and you must email this address to participate. I just want no room for confusion on my part this time, as I get so many emails at my other email addresses. So please take note of this. It is very important that you use the above email address for swaps Thanks so much

I have done two posts in one day and below is the post of a package I sent to Berit for Valentine's. Also a glimpse at my new BOM that I will have up on my blog as a free pattern in the near future.

Look forward to hearing from you

A glimpse at my BOM and other things

2011-02-17T10:05:00.000+13:00

A glimpse at one of the blocks of my new BOM

This is made from French General fabrics

My package arrived at my partners home..Berit

The Tilda Heart

Some little wooden Tilda hearts and some Tilda ribbon and some other braid

A Tilda scented Strawberry

Some Rose soaps and some shower soap

A covered notebook in Tilda fabrics

Toberlone Chocolate bar

This is the back of the heart, the pocket with a peg with a Tilda heart on the top

A closer look

Also

Cat sent me some more Tilda heart swap gifts...

She can tell you the reason for this :-)

The package

The gorgeous wrapping

A Modged Podged Plate with Tilda.. I just love this

Modge Podged Costers... I love these too!

Whats this???

Oh... a quilted mat ... made with Tilda fabrics and Cat gave me some charms square in Tilda fabric too..

Thanks again Cat

You are such a sweetie

Hugs

Thanks Cat!!!

2011-02-09T17:47:00.001+13:00

Dear Ca,t from Catalina's Cottage sent this package to me

This was a total surprise...as this was an extra package she made up for me out of the kindness of her heart

Cat knows how much I love Tilda.. oh yes I do!

There were extra's that are not pictured... a handknitted facecloth and a gorgeous smelling soap and a heart candle.

The handmade heart... made out of Tilda fabric

A needle case made from Tilda fabric

A notebook and bookmark made from Tilda fabric.

The notebook was plain and I added the heart and ribbon... I told

Cat I just wanted to pretty it up ... I just love the simple ideas that she used... very inspirational

Thanks Cat

also,

The camera issue

A friend has kindly let me use their camera until we can buy a new one.... I am so relieved I have the use of a camera for a while... thanks my friend ....

I am looking forward to the year ahead.. I have much planned for my blog ... more Tilda swaps in the pipeline ... Cat has made a fantastic effort with the Heart Swap. Cat has an idea for a Spring/Easter Swap which will be happening soon. The ladies in the heart swap have made a fantastic effort and the gifts that they have sent are just fantastic. Thanks ladies for making it such a wonderful experience. It makes all the difference and we all enjoy giving to one another.

Take care all

FULL OF HEARTS PATTERNS READY FOR DOWNLOAD

2010-12-15T14:54:00.000+13:00

Merry Christmas

I have decided to give you the last three blocks to download at once.

I am so sorry that this has taken me so long to do for you wonderful ladies.

I am so pleased to tell you that I have had well over 3,000 downloads of Full of Hearts so far. Next year I have another Stitchery Quilt that will be a free download too. This quilt is made from French General Fabrics. It is coming along very nicely but I will not show it until it is finished and all patterns are written up.

I would really love it if you ladies that are doing this quilt would email me a photo of the finished creation. I realise that there are a number of you that do not have a blog.. but could you please email me a photo...if you have a blog please let me know when you post it on your blog as I would LOVE to see it.

Thank you

Here is the photo of the last three blocks.

Block Seven

Block Eight

Block Nine

and I am feeling alot better this afternoon.

Thanks and Hugs

Another Free Christmas Stitchery

2010-12-10T15:50:00.001+13:00

Free Christmas Tree Stitchery

I recently was a feature designer on Snickerdoodles.

This is the free stitchery that I gave for the members.

I have decided to add it to my free stitchery page

This is the gift bag that I made with the stitchery. It is made from Figgy Pudding by Basic Grey - Moda.

Click HERE to go to the free stitchery page to download

I hope you get some enjoyment out of stitching this up. If you do stitch any of my designs please email me a photo and I will put it on my blog linking back to your blog.

Thanks

Christmas Wreath with a difference

2010-12-09T18:29:00.000+13:00

A Christmas Wreath with a difference.

I am helping with the decorations for a supper at our church on Sunday. We are doing the light blue and silver theme. This wreath is made from the seed fronds of a Bangalo Palm Tree. I have had it in the weather drying out for about 18 months. I had an idea to make it into a Christmas wreath.

I sprayed painted it with silver paint then glued the balls on. I also added little bits of tinsel by swirling them around the twigs. It is definatley a wreath with a difference.

More photos...

It is very hard to photograph. It looks alot better in real life.

Also I have made a lolly tree with snack sized chocolate bars.

Snack bar Topiary Trees

And the cookies are all wrapped up ready to give out to the receivers.

I hope all your Christmas plans are coming together.

Hugs

Swap Angels and ...

2010-12-09T16:00:00.000+13:00

I did a swap recently at Snickerdoodles, link is on the sidebar. My swap partner lives in Australia but doesnt have a blog. We had to do a box or bag full of crafty goodies. I made a number of things for the bag.

The above photo is of an address book I covered for Ruth. The fabric I used is from Blush by Moda, as Ruth loves Moda fabrics. I hand stiched FRIENDS on to the front.

Here is Ruth's photo of the goodies I sent her.

I made her some yoyo's out of my new fabric

I made a tiny yoyo and put a Tilda heart in the middle for one of the clip pegs

A cupcake pincushion

Loralie fabric

Black background fabrics - which Ruth also likes

A bookmark for her project book (if she has a project book) :-)

Ruth likes to make clutch purses and bags, so I sent her a Melly and Me pattern

and as you can see there were other non handmade goodies

Also, the first Colour Swap gift has arrived to its destination

The gifts in this package were sent to Carol, who doesnt have her own blog.

Carol emailed me to say that she had received it.

The angels for this package were Cat from Catlina's Cottage

and

Veronicah from Intuitive Textile Journeys

The other angels have yet to be mentioned. I will do so when the gifts arrive at their destination.

I had three ladies fail to send out their swaps. This was a huge disappointment to me. I have other ideas for swaps next year but I am now very weary of doing another one because this happened. In future I will have very strict rules.

Also, dont forget the Free Stitchery page I now have available to those who are interested.

I have some more Christmas goodies that I have been making to show you.. I am just waiting for my batteries to charge for my camera.

Hugs

FREE STITCHERY PATTERNS

2010-12-07T18:02:00.016+13:00

Please note:

If you are a collector of the Full of Hearts BOM I will have the last three blocks up for download early next week.

Sorry about the delay....

I have drawn up some designs to share with you. I now have a new page.. Free Stitcheries. The I Love Fabric Stitchery was so popular that I have now decided to have it as a free download. So all my free stitchery patterns will be on the page from now on.

This is Little Lady

Christmas Stitcheries

I Love Fabric

I Love Fabric was a stitchery I designed for a bag
Christmas Stitcheries consists of four little designs that can be used on napkins, bags, cushions etc
Little Lady is a new design just drawn up recently. She is quaint and cute holding a bouquet of flowers
If you stitch any of my designs up I would love a photo so I can put it on my Free Stitchery page, I will link the photo back to your blog.

Click HERE to visit the page for these Free Stitcheries and download them

Have a great day

A larger tree now made up

2010-12-03T19:59:00.001+13:00

Well, I managed to find a larger polystyrene cone a couple of days ago. Just what I was looking for but unable to buy at Spotlight as they had none in stock. I had one left over from last year so I was very very happy when I found it.

This tree is made the same as the tutorial HERE I posted up on my blog a couple of days ago. I just used more tinsel and lot more balls.... and of course I added a star at the top.

The other little trees are another idea... soooo simple I know but they just look so great together.

This is all for a Christmas supper evening at our church in a weeks time. I have made these for the food table that we decorate.

Also, if you are keen on trying a new recipe for Christmas cookies I highly recommend the one in the last post I put up this morning. I gave a cookie to my girlfriend this afternoon and she loved them. It is an easy recipe and I highly recommend that you give it a try. Click HERE to visit

My Christmas Cookies

2010-12-03T10:29:00.000+13:00

I have been busy making Christmas Cookies.. These are snowflakes iced with royal icing.

For the recipe visit my other blog HERE. This recipe is quick and easy and my family love them! my hubby isnt much of a sweet tooth but he finds these too yummy to resist! so try them out if you like.

Mini Christmas Tree Cone Tutorial

2010-12-01T13:05:00.000+13:00

I am helping dress up tables for a function in our church in just over a week. I had this idea of cone christmas trees on the table made from christmas balls.. well I have searched the internet and just couldnt find what I was looking for so I came up with this idea myself.

I was looking for the large poly cones but couldnt find them anywhere, all I could find was these mini 3" - 4" long ones.... so the below tutorial is what I came up with..

Very simple

Very effective

The finished tree

You will need

a box of mini Christmas ball

a box of the next size up balls

a mini poly cone - approx 4" high

tinsel to match the balls

glue

Glue is a spiral around the cone

I use quick drying craft glue or you could use a glue gun

Do you like my cappacino?

Now put the tinsel on the tree by folllowing where you have glued in a spiral

Now cut the threads off the balls, add some glue and glue the balls in place

all over the tree

For the top of the tree I used the next sized up ball

I cut the thread and took off the hanging loop

and glued it to the top

Another idea I had was to make a handmade white felt star and embroider it with blue glitter thread and add some sequins... just an idea

Finished...

Enjoy

Tilda Purse and A new quilt in progress

2010-11-26T08:17:00.002+13:00

I am making Christmas gifts...

Another Tilda purse.. I came across the fabric this is made of the other day

it was a 'couldnt resist' fabric. The yoyo is made from the fabric in a previous post.

I am enjoying wrapping the beads with wire on my purses. I have looked in the shops for wire wrapped beads and I just cannot find them.. so I have decided to just do it myself.. not that professional looking but creative I guess.

The yoyo

Now... I have had the Frolic charm pack for some months and yesterday I got some fresh inspiration.

I was blog hopping,as you do and I came across this quilt on Piece n Quilt click HERE, to view it.... I love the quilting she has done on the quilt.. just gorgeous.

So I decided to have a go at doing some circles. I like circles and I have been thinking of ways I could do something with them for a while.

So I used the charm pack and made the centre of the quilt.

I have yardage that I will use

A closer look

Hugs

Hexie Christmas Tablecloth

2010-11-25T09:33:00.005+13:00

This is a Christmas Tablecloth for the little white wrought iron table and chair set we have sitting on our deck.

My husband and I sit out on our deck nearly everyday and have a coffee together. I thought that this would be nice to have on this little table for Christmas.

The fabrics used are the latest and also last years Christmas fabrics from Basic Grey, Fruitcake and Figgy Pudding

A closer look

Before they were attached together.

And thanks to you all for your comments regarding out miners, also thanks for praying for the families and friends.. We are a nation in mourning. It is so very very sad. All over our country we have little towns. These towns are like little communities. When crisis comes these communities stick together.

Shirley Goodwin is organising Healing Heart blocks for quilts for these families.. if you would like to contribute a block or blocks please click HERE to get the details from her blog.

This is Greymouth, New Zealand - a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand. This is the town where the mine is situated.

Candles are burning in churches around the country

Praying for the family and friends

Hugs