Hello everyone, I’m hoping this newsletter is finding you well and coping with the madness that is the lead up to the holidays. For a lot of you, I know you’re suffering in very bad weather, especially in the northern hemisphere, and closer to home, I know I have many readers who are under the threat of flooding as I write this. My heart goes out to each and every one of you who are suffering from the forces of Mother Nature. Good ol’ Mother Nature is having a hoot reminding us that human kind might be able to micro and macro manage everything in the universe (well, just about), but we can’t do a thing about Mother Nature. And over the past few years she seems to delight in reminding us, often.

This will be my final newsletter to you for 2010. I have written a newsletter every week through 2010 and have delighted in receiving your lovely emails and comments. This newsletter was commenced by me in 2007, to remind you of the latest article that I’d written the previous week, but has grown into something completely different and much more special. I love that you allow me to drop by each week and say hello and I am thrilled that you like the little “gifts” I leave with you, to peruse at your leisure.

So, over the past week I’ve been having a ball surfing all over the net for some interesting little snippets for you to enjoy over the holiday break. I’m going to give you not 5, or 10, but 20 little links to things I have found that I think might be useful, informative or just plain fun for you to absorb during your break. I do hope you enjoy them. Here we go!!

http://pm-betweenthelines.blogspot.com/2010/03/quick-fix-grocery-bag-tutorial.html an old t shirt becomes a grocery bag. Very clever.

http://myfourmonkeysproductreviews.blogspot.com/2010/07/teach-me-tuesday-727-clock-pillow.html a clock pillow tutorial

http://placetobloom.blogspot.com/2010/03/foldover-bag-tutorial-from-anna.html a fold over bag tutorial

http://sew4home.com/projects/kitchen-linens/658-fat-quarter-apron a great pattern called a Fat Quarter Apron (I’ve got lots of fat quarters, but you won’t find them in my fabric stash!@!)

http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-friday-freebie-12.html a hussif needle case, very pretty

http://nikkiinstitches.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/five-unconventional-unprofessional-and-somewhat-provocative-tips-for-perfect-hand-applique/for the needle turn appliqué artists out there

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/08/sewing-tips-clipping-corners-and-curves.html clipping corners and curves technique

http://thenewnew.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-make-catnip-mouse.html a little mouse to make for the moggy in your life.

http://www.themotherhuddle.com/hanging-fabric-storage-baskets/ love these hanging baskets that you can make

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/08/technique-tuesday-wellwednesday-buttons.html using your sewing machine to sew on buttons

http://vermillionrules.blogspot.com/2010/08/anyone-in.html a great idea for keeping your baby clothes and still using them

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/08/pinwheels-in-house-quilt.html a very pretty quilt from Moda Bake shop

http://www.minieco.co.uk/printable-sewing-cards/ make these pretty sewing cards for the grandies

http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2009/06/tutorial-colorful-flip-flops.html gotta make some for the summer!!

http://www.shawkl.com/2010/06/spiderweb-tutorial.html for those Crazy Quilters out there, a tutorial on spider webs

http://pennyshands.blogspot.com/2010/08/hexagon-totealong-pouch.html I’ve seen these drawstring bags around, so happy to have found a pattern

http://freebiesforcrafters.blogspot.com/2010/08/printable-thread-card-bobbins.html Printable Thread card Bobbins, great idea

http://pickupsomecreativity.blogspot.com/2010/09/repurposed-fabric-lined-can-tutorial.html a sooper dooper idea, and one I’m going to try.

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2008/11/tutorialhow-to-make-nine-patch.html nine patch tutorial

http://weefolkart.com/content/pixies-rainbow-coiled-rag-bowl a different way to wrap a cord and make a lovely rag bowl

Whew!! That should keep you entertained for a little while.

I’ve probably told you, I’m having my three sisters (blisters DH calls them!) here at Christmas, and I’ve already had my sister Anthea here for a week. We’ve been having a great time sewing and chatting and doing the odd bit of shopping. Jennifer arrives tomorrow and then we’ll all be together with Lyn (my little sister) who lives here in Brisbane on Christmas Day. Our DH’s are very patient with us because we make an awful lot of noise when we’re together, usually with four different conversations going at the same time, but fully comprehending each one!! For those who know me personally, know that I can get a bit noisy at times. Well, I’m here to tell you my other three sisters make me look and sound COMATOSED!!!

Well dear friends, I’ll be off now. This newsletter comes from me to you with all my best wishes to you and yours over this holiday season. I wish you all a wonderful year ahead, filled with all that is good and delightful for you all.
Cheerio for now, will pop in again on the 5th January 2011! Group hug……… ahhhh!!


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

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com