The Great Aussie Name Tag Swap

I recently participated in the #GreatAussieNameTagSwap on Instagram which was hosted by Angie Wilson @GnomeAngel  

Participants were assigned partners and we were required to make a quilted name tag that needed to include the person's first name and their Instagram name.  The minimum size was 5" x 3" and it had to be quilted.  Making a lanyard was optional. It was a fast turnaround swap so we only had approximately 3-weeks to make our creation and to pop it in the post.

WHAT I SENT

Sadly the partner that I was assigned has failed to check in throughout this swap or to acknowledge that she has received what I sent her.  According to Australia Post she received it last Friday, so I can only assume that she did not appreciate my handmade gift.  Anyway, I thought that I did a good job and that I met her brief as best as I could.  I don't know her or her circumstances.  All that I knew about her (apart from her name) was that her favourite colours were blue, purple & teal; she likes Tula Pink fabric; and she likes squirrels & stars. No other information was provided. 

This is what I sent her together with some chocolate:

The Name Tag, Lanyard & Tula Pink Key Fob that I sent together with some chocolates.

A close up of the front of the Name Tag.

This was the back of the Name Tag

WHAT I RECEIVED

As we just had a long weekend, our mail delivery was delayed so I only received my parcel on Wednesday, but I am so completely and utterly blown away with what I received!!

Alison Goodall @quiltalicious was the person who made for me and she totally & utterly excelled.  She made me the most amazing name tag & lanyard which is so "me"!!  I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!!!! 

I'm not sure if you can see the detail, but she has used some Tula Pink and Emma Jean Jansen fabrics in the lions mane, and the lanyard is made from "Terra Australis" by Emma Jean Jansen.  Her embroidery work is also perfect!  Seriously I am just totally blown away with the exquisiteness of her work! 

Here is a close up of the Name Tag & the Lanyard.  The lion pattern is foundation paper pieced and is a pattern by @QuietPlay

I also received some rather yummy chocolates

Isn't it utterly gorgeous!!!!  I'm going to Craft Alive on Friday & I am going to wear this with pride!  If you see me, please come & say hi.

They call me Bruce!

Meet Bruce...

 

No, not THAT Bruce, THIS Bruce,
 

 

Bruce is a funky little crafty carrier designed by the super dooper talented Australian designer - Jodie Carleton of Ric Rac.  Bruce has pockets back and front and enough room for a project or two.  He carries everything and you will never hear a word of complaint.  Every girl needs a Bruce in their lives! 

 


This is my personal Bruce.  He sits next to my chair and looks after my hand sewing equipment.

 


Here are some Tula Pink Bruces that I made for Ashleigh & Julie.

 


Bruce comes in many colours.  The pink Bruce was part of the prize for my "1000 Followers" giveaway & the orange Bruce was for Cassie.

 

This is the Bruce that I made for my Schnitzel & Boo swap partner.

 

Greenie the Bilby likes Bruce's buttons and often "minds" them for me whilst a Bruce is in construction.  He is especially fond of the green ones as they remind him of his Aunty Alison.



A ladder of Bruces!

 

Carol's Bruce

Go on, you know you want to make one too.  Bruce is an easy pattern to make.  He only uses 2 fat quarters, some interfacing, 55" of binding and a self covered button.  Just watch that Greenie the Bilby doesn't run off with the button, he's lightning fast!!

 

Click on the logo above to purchase the Bruce pattern

 

Bee Hive Wall Quilt for sweet Carolyn

Bee Hive Wall Quilt. 21"

 

Earlier this year I was privileged to meet a lovely sister on Instagram via the "Quilty Sisters Instabee".  I recently had some challenges to face and my sweet sister Carolyn had truly been a "loving friend and sister during times of distress" (Proverbs 17:17).  I knew that Carolyn was my bee block recipient for December and I intended to include some extra special loving in her parcel as my way of thanking her for what she has done for me. 

 

I know that Carolyn loves orange and that she loves bees.  I had slowly been squirrelling away some items for her over the past months, but when I discovered this pattern on Craftsy, I knew that I had to make it for her (pattern link below). 

 

I headed off to my local quilt store as I remembered seeing some bee related fabric the last time that I was there.  The light brown background fabric & the small hearts is "Secret Garden" by Lynette Anderson Designs (printed by Lecien); and I have used "Bees Pls" by Saffron Craig on the back (purchased from Spotlight).  I believe both are Australian Designers.

 



Laying out my fabric selections for piecing.

 


Machine sewing the borders and background pieces.

 


The flowers, beehive and bees were all hand sewn using needle turn applique.

 


This quilt just cried out to be hand quilted with Perle 8.

 


The back of the quilt.

 


A close up of the hand quilting detail.  I colour echoed a 1/4" outside of the applique.

 


I hand quilted the borders in orange and yellow 1/4" inside the top and bottom solid triangles.

 


A close up of the hand quilting detail.  I colour echoed a 1/4" outside of the applique.

 


The bees' flight path was hand quilted in black perle 8.

 


Cards by "Willow Fox Design" in Bendigo

 

 

It is no longer a secret that I have been making each of my Quilty Sisters a bible cover which I am sending out with their bee blocks. I had a bit of a giggle when I discovered some orange Tula Pink bee fabric amongst my stash and found some bee ribbon to match, therefore Carolyn also ended up with a specially tailor made bible cover.

 

The bible cover that I made for Carolyn featuring Tula Pink fabric

~ ~ ~

 

As this bundle of love has now safely arrived with Carolyn in America, I can now share all of these photos with you.

 

The Quilty Sisters portion of the parcel contained: Carolyn's Quilty Sisters Bee Bock, a Bendigo magnet, some Australian Tea tea bags, ANZAC biscuits, a Caramello Koala, my signature block & her bible cover.

 

Oh yes I can assure you the bible covers fit - I personally test each one before I send them off!

 

Some extra loving for this special sweetheart!

~ ~ ~

Bee Hive Wall Quilt Pattern by The Patchsmith. 
Please click on the Craftsy logo above to access the pattern.

Mini "Norway" for Sharon

 

What do you give a quilting friend who loves Bonnie & Camille?  A Thimble Blossoms mini quilt made out of Bonnie & Camille fabric of course!  Last week I visitted my dear friend Sharon @lilabellelane and I surprised her with this little mini.

  

"Norway" mini by Thimble Blossoms made out of "Miss Kate" fabric

 

"Norway" mini by Thimble Blossoms made out of "Miss Kate" fabric



 

View Sharon's Blog Post here.

 

Whilst at her house I was able to view her Bonnie & Camille fabric collection - apart from all her yardage (not pictured), she has a jelly roll and layer cake in each fabric range.

 

Bonnie & Camille jelly rolls - she has one of every collection!

Her Bonnie & Camille folded layer cakes - also one of each collection.

 

I was also fortunate to view her La Passacaglia project in person although this photo just doesn't do it justice.  It has all been hand pieced by her (English Paper Piecing) and is made out of Tula Pink fabrics. 

 

 

Still a work in progress, Sharon's "La Passacaglia"

a close up of her double headed Tasmanian squirrels ;)

a close up of her racoons

 

 If you would like to see more photos of this masterpiece, type #lilabellelanelapassacaglia into your Instagram search.  Her work will just blow you away!