Embarrassed

I'm embarrassed to say but I won Corrie's 'Most Embarrassing Giveaway'.

(Yes, Pam, I won another one)

If you want to read my embarrassing story, I'm afraid you'll have to trawl through all the comments yourself!! I'm NOT putting it out there twice!

Anyway, what did I win?

This delicious pile of fabric goodness.


Thank you so much Corrie.

Andi :-)

Daylesford

I had the loveliest day yesterday.
Mary and I drove (make that 'ambled') to the Daylesford Makers Market yesterday.

I made my first ever yoyo's so I could join in with Julie and Jodie's blog-meet-up fun.


At the actual market, there were so many lovely stalls and stall holders. I neglected to take any photos but I can show you my loot .....

Some gorgeous music boxes from Kirsty:


Kirsty was so generous .... she insisted I take a freebie: a gorgeous children's writing activity made with the most beautiful details:



Some heavenly, divinely detailed (and completely underpriced) softies from Jodie:






These will all make great end of year presents for some small people I know.

And I actually bought a couple of things for 'moi'.

A gorgeous Curly Pops brooch:


And we also visited Lark around the corner from the market which is such a divine little space.
I absolutely HAD to purchase something, so I bought an Auntie Cookie alphabet panel.


In the course of the day, I managed to meet up (though at times very briefly) with :

Mary, Bec, Holly, Justine, Fi, Nic, Kate, Meg, Kirsty, Jodie, Annie, Julie, Abbe, Allison and Cam.

SUCH a lovely day.

Hope you are having a lovely day too.

Andi :-)

4

Lovely Ella Bella turned 4 today.


Your rainbow party was rather exhausting (what with the wet weather, road works in the street, masses of kids and their parents in our living room and the late entertainers) but you had a great time.


You had:

• a fairy and a wizard
  
• 2 cakes
• 3 party dresses
• 25 small friends
• many loving grown-ups
  
• 80 helium balloons
  
• countless presents
• loads of laughter, birthday wishes and kisses
  

Happy birthday beautiful gingie girl!!

My son the conductor

No .... not that kind of conductor (although he does still adore all things train related).


This kind .....


Our family went to a children's orchestral concert this morning and MY SON got to conduct the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. (Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos so I have none to share).

He conducted with such joy. His father and I both had tears in our eyes. We were proud and chuffed and completely amazed.

(Ella had tears in her eyes too but that was because she wasn't chosen).

The conductor, the members of the orchestra and many members of the audience approached us afterwards to congratulate Jake on being so wonderful.

These are moments to cherish always.

Andi :-)

PS Check out Dan's post about this experience. He's a much better writer than I am!

Catching moments

Catching Jake reading himself a book ...


Catching Ella's nectarine love heart ...


Catching a shared moment at Kinder ....


Have a great weekend.

Andi :-)

Beehive November block

For Meg who asked for a beachy improv mosaic feel.



Andi :-)

Thank you

... to all the lovely commenters from yesterday's post. I do feel the love!!!

Well, here's some photos of my first completed commission pieces.
(Remember the little premmie twins?)

For Tal:




For Ben:




All done. Phew!!!



Next!!!!!

Andi :-)

An announcement

I have been checking out local markets and trade shows in recent weeks.

"Why?" you ask ...... Well, I have taken the plunge, taken a leave of absence from my job, and decided to turn Patch Andi into some kind of business.

Wheeeeeee!!!!!! (just a little bit excited)

I still need to decide on what kind of business to do and I would love your suggestions and words of wisdom and experience and advice in general.

(There may be other crafters involved in this business but nothing set in concrete yet).

_________________________________________

One of the shows I went to was the Australian Quilt Market.

I had a ball meeting loads of fellow bloggers.

Here I am with Rosie and Melly (well half of her anyway).


And with the lovely and oh-so-talented Kellie.


Here are Annie, Jodie, Kerri and Julie.


And me with Karen and (half of) Rita.


And Corrie and Julie having a gasbag.


I've said it before but I'll say it again: I so love this new community of crafters that I have met online and occasionally have the chance to meet in person.

It was so lovely meeting and catching up with you all.

It makes me feel so supported in my new adventure.

I don't think I could have taken this step if not for blogging and the wonderful community I have entered as a result.

Thanks!!

Andi :-)

Inspired

Last week at Perle 8's, Fi had a gorgeous covered notebook that had been gifted to her.
I was inspired to make one myself.




I wonder what I'll be inspired by at Perle's tonight!!

Andi :-)

Book crazy ... and a fabric win!!

I've been a bit obsessed with book buying of late.
In addition to these books already blogged, I have purchased this heavenly stack of bedside reading:


They are:

'Color Your Cloth' by the amazing Malka Dubrawsky. So far, I am loving this book. Full of amazing eye candy and seemingly (because I haven't tried them yet) very easy to follow instructions.


'Handmade Home' by the one and only Soule Mama. Great inspiration for thrifting, creating and living a life inspired by all the best things about past crafty generations.


'Intuitive Color and Design' by Jean Wells. This is a wonderful book about letting go of what you thought you 'ought to do' with quilting and discovering new ways to create great works of art.

Kaffe's new book 'Quilt Romance'. I wasn't going to buy this at first but was convinced by Rita's review that it was a worthwhile purchase. And she was right ... as usual.


And lastly, but by no means leastly, 'The Well Dressed Home' by Annette Tatum. This lovely book talks to the fashionista in all of us and helps put together an interior design aesthetic based on our personal fashion sense. I am so definitely a 'bohemian'.


And to top off an excellent week, I won a 'Kelani Creative Customer' competition.
Here's what I bought with my winnings ....

I decided to buy some small pieces of a few fabrics that caught my eye.
From L-R:

• Alexander Henry Senor Burrito Bright
• Sandi Henderson Apple Dot in Spring
• Wildwood Wallflower Grey and
  
• Alexander Henry Birdsong

Not for anything in particular. Just adding to the ever increasing stash!!! Thanks so much Kelani Girls!!!

Happy stitching.

Andi :-)

100 posts!!

A traditional 100th blog post comes with a giveaway.
Well, this WILL be a giveaway .... but with a difference.

I have signed up in recent months for 3 'Pay It Forward's:

• Cherri's
• Michele's and
  
• Kerri's

Which means I am supposed to offer handmade gifts to NINE lovely readers.

Here is the deal ..... the first 9 commenters will receive a handmade item from me within the next 365 days.
In turn, you must each commit to offering a 'Pay It Forward' on your own blog to 3 other people who must then offer to 3 others, etc.

Please do NOT leave a comment if you are not willing to follow through with this.

Also, please make sure I have some way of contacting you.

And just because I can't leave a post without some photos, here is the cushion I made for Ella's kinder teacher Peter who left her child care centre last week.



Apparently, the only colours he uses in his furnishings at home are: white, cream and occasionally off-white. Hard work!!


Have a stitchin' week!

Andi :-)

EDIT 9/11/09: One more spot available. One of the first nine commenters was not signing up for the PIF!!

Little girls and boys

My little girl:


And a little boy's quilt top to go with this one:




They are a commission for twin boys born recently at only 30 weeks gestation.


Much loved little miracles.

Andi :-)


PS: Next post will be my 100th. You know what that means!!!