The stitching strategies of a desperate woman

I get a bit stir-crazy if I don't find time to stitch in a day. It's not pretty! To save myself & everyone around me, I devise little strategies to squeeze in some sewing amongst the busy-ness of the every day. I have been making these blocks. 

Even if I only get one made per day, I feel satisfied to have at least accomplished something!

I keep a small plastic box of 1" scrappy strips readily accessible. I use Melly & Me's scrappy challenge tutorial, but employ freezer-paper foundation piecing as it is infinitely quicker. I can make one of these 5" blocks in 20 minutes flat!

And slowly, but surely, these little blocks are accumulating. They make me happy!

I have even taken to using some selvage strips in the blocks which is fun -  Ric Rac, the selvedge queen, would be so proud!

What tricks do you have to scratch the stitching itch on a busy day?

Coin quilt quandry

I am inspired by the many beautiful coin quilts that are appearing around blogland, and am sorely tempted to make one! 1. Coin Quilt, 2. stacked coins baby quilt, 3. The Back of Zig Zag Quilt, 4. ava coin quilt If you are tempted too, Orangeflower Sketchbook is organising a Coin Quilt Piece-a-long so that you can share your progress. The group's Flickr page is here.

And Crazy Mom Quilts has a fantastic pattern made from charm squares, just posted at Moda Bakeshop.

But of course, I will not be swayed from my resolution to finish some of the quilts I've started ... I will not be swayed ... or even slightly tempted to start something new, fresh & beautiful ... I will not ... will I?!!

Giveaway winner

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway. It has been great fun reading your comments & my list of blogs to read is even longer now! I would love to have made each & every one of you something special, but of course, there can only be one winner. My trusty random number generator has come up with comment #98:

By my calculation, this corresponds to: edward and lilly who said... I'm in Brisbane, Australia and giving makes me happy. The sight of your bags makes me happy too, they're fabulous! FEBRUARY 18, 2009 6:19 PM Congratulations to Rebecca of Edward & Lilly who makes the most delightful stitched creations with linen. Be sure to go over & visit her - but no naughty comments about her winning & you not!

Rebecca is also making 'Bushfire Bunnies' for children who have lost their toys in the Victorian bushfires. For every $20 donated to Red Cross on her community fundraising page, she has pledged to make a very cute bunny like this:

What a brilliant initiative! If you are keen to support the Bushfire Appeal in this way, you will need to be quick as Rebecca is fast approaching her $500 target. Details here.

Thank you girls! The giveaway has been lots of fun. Will have to do it all again soon!

Giveaway finishing in less than 24 hours!

At last, some sun today to take some more photos of the giveaway bags. Please comment on the previous post to enter. I am overwhelmed & humbled by the response to my giveaway. Thank you, each & every one of you. I am having a lovely time reading all your comments & visiting your blogs. So much fun!

I will be back tomorrow to draw the winner. Stay tuned!

Give them away Bloom!

Awww, do I have to?! I've yet to make a Frilly Dilly bag that I haven't loved, and these are no exception. But give them away I must! Here is the deal for my giveaway: 1. The winner will choose one of the two bags I have made. 2. The remaining bag will be auctioned on eBay, with the proceeds to be donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire appeal. 3. The giveaway winner will be chosen at random, 4pm, Saturday 21st February. To enter, please leave a comment on this post, telling me where in the world you live and one thing that makes you happy! Choice #1 - Winter Frilly Dilly, made from reproduction fabrics, The Old Sturbridge Village Collection by Judie Rothermel.

Choice #2: Spring Frilly Dilly, lots of spots, stripes & checks, including a very cute Woodland Bloom print by Lila Tueller. The photos are not very good as it is a grey & miserable day here. I will replace them when the light is better. Something that makes me happy? Fresh flowers ... preferably in a clean house!

Frill seeker!

No shortage of frills to be found at my place today. I am cooking up a giveaway. Watch this space!

Valentine flowers for me ...

... and for you! Enjoy.

These are the only flowers I will see for Valentine's day! Yes, I am married to a man who thinks it is all a lot of commercial rubbish! But that's OK. I'd rather have a man who sticks to his principles, than one who bows to pressure. I gave him one of these cards, just for a stir!

1. Pin Heart, 2. waiting, 3. Embroidery on linen, 4. Untitled, 5. Magnolia, 6. stitch by stitch, 7. Pink Hydrangea, 8. Amazing colors, 9. Pure White, 10. Flora Wall Wear - 2, 11. Thinking "June", 12. Quilt Festival, 13. Astronomia

Journal cover tutorial

Thank you for your interest in my tutorial. The tutorial has moved and is available in its entirety at this link. Best wishes, Bloom.

Victorian bushfires - ways to help

I find myself wandering aimlessly about the house today, unable to focus on anything as my mind keeps returning to reports of the horrific loss of life in the Victorian bushfires. Authorities are saying the most immediate way of helping is to contribute financially and to give blood. There is also desperate need for spare generators and fuel. Red Cross is adamant that 'items' not be donated purely because distribution is logistically difficult at this stage.

For stitchers keen to help, there are many plans afoot amongst the wonderfully generous Australian blogging community:

• Melly & Rosie of Melly & Me are auctioning many of their beautifully handcrafted samples here, the total proceeds of which will be donated to the Bushfire Appeal.
• Gillian of Silly Gilly is offering to coordinate a combined auction of handmade items on Ebay on Friday 6th March. Details here.
• Cindy of bugandpop has set up a blog called Handmade Help which will list handmade items being auctioned on Ebay or sold through Etsy for the Appeal. Click on the Handmade Help button to the right to take you there directly.
• Janet of Wildcraft Farm is selling stitchery patterns & kits, the entire proceeds of which will be donated to the CFA (Country Fire Authority. Details here.

Thank you for your kind concern for me & my family expressed in your comments. How lovely you all are! I am many hours from the fires, but the smoky haze when I go outside is a constant reminder of the suffering further south.

Victorian bushfires

It somehow seems inappropriate today to prattle on about stitching or gardening when so many in Victoria are suffering such loss of loved ones or property in horrendous bushfires. My thoughts and prayers are with the many families who have been affected. Hoping for a change in the weather soon to alleviate the atrocious conditions.