Facing my fears....

Hello....I'm a bit embarrassed, coz it has been a little while since I last posted, in fact, it's been a long while really. I've had a number of things that I've wanted to post about, but it's been so long, I wasn't sure how to get back into the swing of things - it's silly really, who ever heard of being scared to blog???

I've had some lovely messages of support from other bloggers saying that they missed my blog, and have been wondering what I've been up to. I can't begin to express how much these sentiments mean to me, it's heartwarming to know that I have been missed, and that my blog has been read and enjoyed. Thank you soooooooo much for your messages of encouragement and support.


A special thanks to Abbe, you are such a treasure Abs, I can't wait to meet you in a few days, I feel like we are old friends already. I was scared that if I didn't blog at least once this week, you might kick my butt at SIT! ;-)


So, this is my "facing the fear" blog post. I'll be back with more soon, but I just needed to make a start, and this is it!

K :-)

Sunday Stash - Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - Pt 2

G'day! I never say that by the way, but given the theme of today's Sunday Stash I thought I'd throw some Aussie slang around to add some flavour!

It's been awhile between posts coz I've been slack and now my computer has crashed and won't start!!!! I'm blogging on the kids computer, which is old as the hills and slow as! Anyway, I'm hoping I can access some photos that I uploaded previously, which I think are on a shared computer drive. If I can't this will be a very short post!

We're in luck, I've been able to access the photos - yay! :-)

First up, some gorgeous Ink & Spindle screenprinted fabric. The first two are by Lara, the blue one is by Bianca and the Blue Wrens are by Tegan. All three gals are incredibly talented!!!

Birch in Deep Red - Lara Cameron

Bonsai in Deep Red on Cream - Lara Cameron

Sumor in Teal - Hollabee

Blue Wrens in Teal - Tegan Rose

Now I'm going to show off the Kristen Doran loveliness I bought.


Don't you just LOVE this owl panel??? I DO!


All the loveliness above was in a scrap bag, a great way to get a few different pieces.

Check out Kristen's shop if you'd like to buy some of her fantastic designs. There is a list of retail stockists on her blog too. Kristen is not only super talented, she is super lovely too, it was such a pleasure to meet her at the Craft Fair, she even signed my "Meet me at Mikes" book, as did the gorgeous Lara from Ink & Spindle.

Okay, dinner's gone cold while I've played around with this post. I hope you love my gorgeous fabric as much as I do. If so, click on the links above and get yourself some homegrown, designed and printed Aussie fabric loveliness for yourself! Go on, you know you want to!

Bye for now,
Hugs,
Kelly :-)

Sewing Machine Meme - I love my Pfaff!

Hey all, I've decided to join in the Sew Mama Sew Sewing Machine Meme.  Sew Mama Sew will compile a list at the end and anyone in the market for a new/second hand sewing machine can check out what others have said about their machines, which might help them to choose what machine will suit them best.

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What brand and model do you have?
Pfaff creative 1475CD

How long have you had it?
Just over 3 years

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
This is an OLD machine.  The dealer thought it was about 10 years old when I bought it, so it would be 13+ now.  I paid $1200 for it.  I could have bought a new Pfaff for the same price, but it wouldn't have the features that mine has, coz it was top of the line when it was first released.  Once I got it home I wondered if I should've bought the less fancy, but brand new machine for the same price, but this machine works beautifully, so I have no regrets.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
I don't use the machine as much as I should, but I have made bags, purses, softies and bibs on it. I've pieced a few quilt tops (I've yet to quilt them - I'm a tad scared to do such large projects on my little machine. I have quilted smaller projects - bags etc), sewn binding onto blankets, made curtains and done general mending with the machine. It's definitely an all rounder.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
Not as much as I'd like to.  Sometimes I sew every night of the week and half days on the weekend.  Other times the machine can be neglected for weeks on end, like at the moment, coz I just learnt to crochet and am now knitting again too.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I love, LOVE, LOVE my machine!!! I'd highly recommend Pfaff to anyone and everyone, and am thankful that the dealer recommended it to me.  

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
Needle down feature, I love that sooooo much.  1 button push reversing feature. Lots of fancy stitches. Best of all, I love the IDT. That's Integrated Dual-feed technology, so an inbuilt walking foot that feeds the top and bottom fabric through evenly, preventing slippage - love it!

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Just the user mostly!!!  I sometimes have issues with getting my tension right, mostly because I'm a novice sewer really.  I did have a frustrating time one day with my machine constantly chewing my fabric and not moving it through, I couldn't understand what was wrong. I checked my bobbin, rethread the machine, cursed and almost cried!!! Then, aha, I realised what the issue was! I'd forgotten to raise the feed dogs after I'd cleaned the machine of lint. Told you, most issues are user related!!! :-)

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
I got great service from the shop where I bought it. They let me layby it on an extended layby. They were also very helpful when I went in to buy a machine. They sell used and new machines and multiple brands. They asked me what I wanted the machine for and sold me a machine that best fit my needs. Fabulous service. For any Brisbane-based blog readers, the shop is the sewing shop in the Aspley Hypermarket.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
I love this machine and would recommend Pfaff or Husqvarna machines to everyone as they come from the same manufacturer and have been impressing sewers around the world for years!!!

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
What you want to do with the machine, I think this is the key consideration. You don't need a machine with all the bells and whistles if you're just going to do a bit of occasional mending. Reliability/reputation of brand and cost are also important. Few of us have $5000 to spend on a machine, but it isn't worth buying an el cheapo either, it will cost you more in the long run. I have a fabulous little Elna machine that only cost me a couple hundred and is a beaut little machine.
I recommend buying a machine from a dealer who also services machines.  If you buy something second-hand, either on-line or from someone else, get it serviced straight away so it is in good condition when you start sewing with it.

Do you have a dream machine?
Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.0
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Well, that's my say, I hope you find it interesting.  I can't wait to read yours, let me know in the comments if you've written one and I'll pop over and have a look.

Hugs
Kelly :-)

Sunday Stash - Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

I'm back!!! I was planning to post my gorgeous stash of Aussie fabric much sooner; better late than never right? It isn't a HUGE stash, but I'm sure it will continue to grow! :-)

First up are some scrumptious Lara Cameron fabric packs that I bought from The Haby Goddess.  

Lara is one third of the very talented Ink & Spindle trio. If you haven't heard of them do go and check out their site - they're three amazing young women who are going places!!! 

I met Lara, Teegan & Bianca at the Stitches and Craft Fair in Brisbane a couple of weekends ago, they're lovely gals. Of course I indulged in a little bit of retail therapy at the show, something from each of the gals, I'll show you those purchases later on.

The fabrics below are from One Red Robin (aka Jhoanna Monte Aranez).  

Don't you just love the little mushroom girl?  I think she's adorable!  

Jhoanna makes gorgeous softies, brooches and other crafty stuff which you can buy in her etsy store.  She also sells patterns for her softies, I love the Cheery Chimp pattern, it is definitely on my wish list!

I have more photos to show you, but blogger won't let me upload any more in this post, so you'll have to wait for my next post to see the goodies I bought at the Stitches and Craft Fair.

Bye for now

Kelly

xoxo

Breathing freely thru both nostrils, yay!

Hey all, I'm feeling heaps better, not 100%, but nigh on 75%!  

THANK YOU for your well wishes, I'm sure you helped chase that nasty Mr Cold away.  Here's a pretty purple flower from me to you by way of thanks! :-)

So, just a very quick post to say I'll be back soon with some news about recent goings on and will show you some of the gorgeous Aussie designed and printed fabric I've acquired recently. Think Ink & Spindle, Kristen Doran and One Red Robin, yay!!! 

Before I go, did you see that gorgeous little owl perched proudly up on the right hand side of my blog???  That little owl is there because I'm now a member of the Brissie Brown Owls group. I'm soooooooo excited!!!! I've wanted to be a Brown Owl since I first read about them over at Meet Me at Mike's, and now I am!!!!  I'll tell you more about that later too.

Okay, I'm off to bed now, have to get up and haul myself into work tomorrow after two weeks at home sick, so really should get some sleep!!!

Bye for now...... xoxo

Still sick, and sooooooo over it!

Hey there bloggy friends, have you missed me?  I've been sick and still am, and I'm really sick of being sick!  

Nothing drastic, just a nasty sinus infection followed up by a yukky cold which I'm sure is trying to psych me into believing that it's killing me.  I'm hot, I'm cold, I'm sneezy, my throat, eyes and nose hurt, my voice is husky, I'm tired and I feel completely YUK!  

Please send me some get well wishes, perhaps we can out number this nasty cold and make it back off and leave me alone.  I need help people!!!!

I hope you are all healthy, happy and crafting up a storm!

Hugs

Kelly  :-)

You SEW Girl - Nicole Mallalieu Design

Love making bags?  Want to give bag making a try? 

Do yourself a favour and check out Nicole's blog.  Nicole makes gorgeous bags and shares fantastic bagmaking tips to help us create our own.  

Looking for a great pattern or the bits and pieces you need to give your bag those finishing touches?  Nicole also has an online shop stocking her own bag patterns, handles, magnetic clips, D rings, purse feet and all other essential bag making stuff!

I've purchased from Nicole before and she is very helpful and prompt.  I love her bags and am midway through making the scrumptious "Tickled Pink" bag featured in Australian Homespun early last year (No.57 -Vol 9.2 - Pages 60-65).  

Embarrassingly this as been a WIP since early last year.  I started unpicking an incorrectly sewn seam and accidentally unpicked another seam as well, so I put it aside in disgust.  I think a year of sulking is quite enough, it is time to finish it!

So, until next we meet, "You SEW Girl!"