Greetings to you all. It’s Boxing Day here and we’re all taking it softly softly after a great Christmas Day celebration. The weather was hot and humid, so salads and cold meats were to order of the day. Far too much food was consumed, and now of course, there’s leftovers, lots of leftovers. So we’ll be eating ham in forty different ways I’m guessing, between now and new year! LOL.

Anyway, if you celebrated the day I hope it was a good one for you. If not, Happy Holidays to you. Unfortunately we were unable to have our children home this year, but we did manage to have a long phone conversation with each of them. It’s not the same for sure, but nice to speak with them on the day. We’ve just had news that our daughter and her husband are on the move again – this time to far north Queensland - to Cairns. So it looks like we’ll be travelling to FNQ in the near future.

I’ve been busy finishing a Hardanger Table Runner for my daughter. She has a lovely dressing table (we call it a Duchess in Queensland), and it has a very dark red wood, so the cream on cream runner should look pretty good. I really love making things using this needlework genre, and although they’re never perfect, they give me a lot of joy. I’ll post a photo on my blog – here’s the link:
http://whenlifehandsyouscraps.blogspot.com.au/

I’m also making the most of the “down time” over the next few weeks to get some more of my blue and white quilt made. I’ve completed the 115 x 4 ½” reverse appliqué squares (each one different design and fabric), and now I’ve got to work out a centre panel for them to surround. I tend to do all my designing on the trot. Probably not a good idea, but I find it enjoyable working out a solution to my problem. I know I could make it a whole lot easier by working it out on paper, or computer, but hey, that would take the angst out of it!!

I posted another article in the Color Theory for Quilters series. This one is titled Complimentary Color Schemes for Quilts. Here’s the link: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178959.asp

I’ve got some interesting bits and pieces for you this week to browse through. I’ll add a few extra, because I suspect you just might find a little more time to indulge this week. Have fun won’t you!

(Oh, BTW, thank you to Sandra for emailing me and pointing out that I missed out on my usual pincushion pattern in the goodies list last week. That’s the first time since I’ve been sending newsletters out (5 years), that I’ve missed one, so please forgive me. I’ll include a couple of extras to make up.)

http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/cutting-corners/2012/08/03/traveling-pincushion/ a rather outrageous pincushion

http://coatsandclarksewingsecrets.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/project-2-humbugs-sewing-corners.html a nice little game to make for toddlers

http://maker-land.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/hedgehog-pincushion-tutorial.html soooo cute

http://www.soubelles.com/2012/04/diy-luggage-tag-pattern-tutorial.html cut luggage tags for easy recognition whilst spinning at 20 miles per hour!!

http://dmc-threads.com/bon-voyage-en-france/ ever wondered how your floss or embroidery threads are made?

http://www.doodlecraft.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/super-sci-fi-rocket-fueled-jet-pack.html not patchwork but love these jet packs for your mini astronaut

http://dornob.com/moving-day-10-insane-space-saving-chinese-bike-courierS/ I’ll never complain again about my car boot being too small!

http://www.oliveandollie.com/2011/05/tutorial-how-to-paint-modern-barn-quilt.html I love the barn quilt concept

http://cqjp2012.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/sandy-l-ar-usa.html a little crazy inspiration

http://mimikirchner.com/blog/archives/2012/03/a-new-pincushion-for-me/ what can I say?

http://katiesquiltingcorner.com/2011/12/corded-fabric-bowl-video-tutorial.html I’ve used this technique to make a gorgeous bag

http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2012/1/8/mollys-sketchbook-the-purl-bee-penguin.html Penguin softies to make

http://www.1designperday.com/2012/02/15/urban-faces-by-nomerz/ some people are so inventive!!

http://www.moillusions.com/2011/11/then-and-now-photo-fusion.html these are a blast from the past – literally

http://shimmerkai.com/?p=901 pretty serviette holders to make using left over floss.

http://mightydistractible.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/log-cabin-block.html a pretty log cabin block

Well, I think I’d better stop there. I hope you’ve had some fun going through these little treasures. I’ll say farewell to you all for this week. Stay warm and well and cool and happy (that should just about cover everyone!), and I’ll pop in again next week. Don’t forget if you’d like to be in touch – here’s my email: quilting@bellaonline.com

Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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