Treats and Avairy!

Have you been doing the Verandah Views BOM that Cheryl from Willowberry has been offering... well you must see the finished quilt it is divine.....
And while you are having a look pop down to Cheryl's post about her giveaway... to enter is easy...and look what you win....

2 x Willowberry Designs patterns - 'Christmas Treats' and the 'Sampler Embroidery Folder',

a bundle of gorgeous vintage print fabrics in muddy mauves and pinks, laces, buttons and other bits n pieces of mushy stuff that's just lovely to look at....

Your very own personalised needle book.... it's almost finished, just waiting for Cheryl to stitch your name on it :-) the little inset photo is the embroidered front panel.... and Cheryl's using her Aviary stash with you. That's pretty big you know...

cos everyone I know loves 'Aviary'. I have just ordered some more... he he..
Well almost everyone... he he he.
Hugs and Sweet Blessings
Dawn x x

Another Gum Tree Designers Giveaway!

Vikki one of my fellow Gum Tree Designers has an amazing giveaway at her place.. I would love to win. Go for a visit....click the button below to go over and enter before time runs out. Be quick.....

Hugs and Blessings
Dawn x x

Chocolate Cake anyone? +Tozz's Giveaway!

Today I thought you might like a peice of cake so I made some for you to have!


I am sharing my cake with you to download here.
I do hope you enjoy this Chocolate Cake stitchery design as much as I did making it.... Yumm ..Yumm.

Tozz is having a Giveaway.

There are 5 FQ’s in different prints and a little pin cushion she made, a Christmas table mat with cinnamon inside so that when a warm casserole is put on it, it lets off a lovely aroma ( she made this also). Also two Australian magazines and if I find some other things to add to it then I will put them in the bundle. So pop over Here to put your name in the draw for an amazing bundle of goodies.
Hugs and Blessings
Dawn x x

Cookies! Yum Yum

Today the girls and I did some baking... they are so funny they love to bake and get their hands in the bowl and lick the spoon... well today I asked them what did they want to do for mummy and both echoed... " the dishes'... so we got out there plastic cooking stuff.. made it dirty so they could make it clean again... and they were happy... so I made these



from this recipe here.. plus I added chocolate chips.... yum yum... my family liked them so much... the teenager especially that there is only seven left out of 30 ( the recipe says it makes 40ish and I made them a little bigger than they said)

This is adorable....have a look over here!

Paula is having a giveaway, a Christmas strippy quilt pattern by Annie Downs of Hatched and Patched fame! Annie is an amazing designers who combines stitcherys with applique and quilts and wool felt and any other technique you can imagine.....
Plus
Pattern and fabric kit of this adorable Chickadee pincushion! This includes pretty much everything you need to make an adorable wool felt pincushion! I am going to have to get one of these for myself, It's just too cute!

Go on if you haven't already.... got to be in it to win it...click this button.....GIVEAWAY

I am off to bed now as we have a busy day tomorrow,
we are off to the Fairies Concert.
The girls are so excited and me too.
It will be such fun! I take some pics for you to see.
Hugs and Blessings Dawn x x

A Little Bit of This and That!

A little bit of sewing and and little bit of stitching is all I have managed to do this past week..

this is a new design made from'A Waters Edge' by Moda
wonder what it will be... umm...... you'll have to wait and see.

Yesterday I also got this out to have a think what I might do with it. 'Spring Magic' by Moda.
Now that it is spring, mild sunny days and all the lovely things that happen in the garden.....

he he... (yet it was very wet and wintery yesterday here in Adelaide).... we had storms and lots of rain... I loved it actually, the rain and cold weather that is....
I don't like the summer heat,way to hot for me...

Now last night I was sitting on the couch sketching for a new design I had been thinking about the last few days when.... knock knock on my front door.... it was my neighbor with some christmas mince tarts... yum yum...

and it doesn't even have to be Christmas for me to eat them... they are so yummy...
homemade and just so light...
not like shop bought ones that I think are sickly sweet....
So we had them with a cuppa and a chat.....nice end to a busy busy day.....

Now for a question?
Have you been to visit Judith @ Creative Studios........
Judith does the most amazing designs.....
I have often seen her designs in the magazines that I have bought.
I do know that she has a cute Christmas bag in the latest Handmade Christmas issue...
Judith is one of my fellow Gum Tree Designers.... and also is having a Giveaway... have a look what Judith is giving away to one lucky reader....

~A pattern by Australian Designer 'Lynette Anderson'
with a packet of Lynette's handmade wooden buttons to use in the pattern,
3 fat eights to start you on your way with the delightful stitchery cushion in the pattern and;
one of my pieces of hand work;
a calico baking throwover cloth, with a prim design.~
Now that is worth a visit click HERE to have a look...
Good Luck!

Do Not Leave a message on here for Judith's Giveaway...
You must leave it on Judith's post for her Giveaway..Thanks

It is 18 degress celcius today... lovely and cold.... good for sitting in front of the fire and stitching.....
the rain is coming down in bucket loads again... yeah we need it
so I had better go and pick up my teenage son who said he would walk home from work
to save me some time.......I don't want him drenched....
Hugs and Blessings
Dawn x x

Joy oh Joy!

Look at what Joy has for her Giveaway...

OH Wow... I'd love to win this as I just LUV Joy's patterns.. they are divine to look at and so easy to read and sew.........



You'll get 4 of Joy's own designed quilt-as-you-go patterns - "Diamonds and Braids", "Dragonflight", "Jelly Charm" and "Slice and Dice" ........
She also is including these gorgeous charm squares to get you started from the Moda Fig Tree Quilts range - "Gypsy Rose"!!! I love these fabrics!!!....Don't you?

have you been for a visit yet...click HERE... to enter and leave Joy a message...

I would love to introduce you to a few newies to the blogging world......Sugarlane Quilts ........and Judes Stuff........and Beachside Dreams... Please pop over and welcome them to the wonderful blogging community.. don't forget to leave a message as this is the part that I like best and I am sure you do to..

Hugs and Blessings
Until Next time
Dawn x x

Wow Jenny what a giveaway! + non reply bloggers

Would you like to see what Jenny of Elefantz is giving away

and you could win just by popping by her blog and entering her Giveaway!

Have a look at this!

( wish I could enter..ssh.. don't tell Jenny...

I could say be umm... 'Freda Floss'.... hehe)

1. A pattern pack for my "Shabby Roses Beaded Cushion", complete with gorgeous Gutermann beads!

2. A copy of my favourite quilt book, the newly released (and not released yet in some countries!) "Material Obsession Two"!

3. Two fat quarters from the gorgeous new "Birdie" range from Me and My Sister!

4. A huge Sandy Gervais panel from her Celebrate Spring range, complete with 3 pretty quilt labels!!

NOW THAT IS WORTH HAVING A LOOK AT AND ENTERING!

NON-REPLY BLOGGERS

Now it has come to my attention that some of you wonderful commenters are

Non- Reply bloggers..... What does this mean?

It means that when you make a comment to a blog we can not

reply to your comment through email...

or if you enter my Giveaway I can not add your comment to it unless you have written in your comment your email address.

How to make sure that you can get replies to your comments via email........

1. go to your Dashboard of your blog or your Account

2. then go to Edit Profile

3. click on this... then...you will be in Edit User Profile

4.Go down to where there is a box called 'Show my Email address' make sure there is a tick in this box
THEN SCROLL DOWN AND CLICK SAVE PROFILE
and when you comment now you can receive replies........

the only time anyone sees this address is when you comment on a blog, the blog owner then gets an email and they can reply to you.

Also when viewers go to your profile and they click on email me...

It does not mean that the whole world will see your address when your blog is looked at

I have never had a problem

In fact I have met some very dear blogging friendsjust

by leaving a comment on a blog and them replying.

Like Joypatch, we have known each other for a fair while now because I left a message on a blog and the blog owner could reply to me and hooked me up to Joypatch for a swap.

Hope this helps some of you!

Hugs and blessings Dawn x x

Check Out Fiona Too!

Thought I would remind you to visit another wonderful 'Gum Tree Designer'
Fiona at Mothers Cupboard
for a fantastic giveaway too...
This is what Fiona is giving away:
a complete kit to make my "Family Love" wall quilt. The kit includes :- stitchery fabric, border and binding fabric, backing fabric plus easy to follow instructions and a pack of Madeira Variegated Rayon Thread.

What a wonderful Giveaway!
I'd like to enter but I am not allowed... Lol
So pop over and enter Fiona's Giveaway now!

Don't forget to enter mine also if you haven't already...

Comments to be left on post before this one.
And please remember to leave your email if you are a non- reply blogger.
See Post Below

Gum Tree Designers GIVEAWAY!

Today all of the 'Gum Tree Designers' are rolling out Giveaways to celebrate the launch of our new blog 'Among The Gum Tree's' that means 9 Giveaways for you to enter. Yes you can enter all 9 of them!

What am I giving away........

A 'Millies Market Day Bag' pattern by Janelle Wind, 1/2 mt (.45yd) of blue floral fabric, 2 fat quarters 1pink spots, 1 blue allover paisley, 3 skeins of DMC vareigated thread, 1/2 doz vintage wooden pegs, 2mt (1.8yd) of blue ricrac + a few little surprises because I love surprises don't you!

This bundle of goodies would love to come to your house!

How to enter?

1 entry : Leave a comment on my blog - if you do not have a blog you MUST leave your email address or I cannot contact you and your entry will not be counted.

1 entry : Put the Gum Tree Designers button on your blog sidebar and link it back to Gum Tree Designers(you can copy the button from my previous post - just alternate click on it and 'save image as.." to your computer)

1 entry : Become my follower and a follower of Among the Gum Trees!

That's 3 entries if you do all that I've asked. Please leave ONE comment for EACH entry...so if you are eligible for 3 entries leave 3 comments. If you are eligible for 1 entry only leave 1 comment.TELL me in your comments if you have added the button to your blog, if you have become a follower etc.

There are 9 Gum Tree Designers and we will be checking all blogs and entries over the giveaway time frame.

You have until 3oth september 10pm( Adelaide South Australia time) to enter my Giveaway!

All Giveaways will be announced on October 1st!

HUGS AND BLESSINGS

Dawn x x

Exciting Launch of Among The Gum Tress!

This exciting day has finally arrived!

Today 'our' big SECRET is revealed and we can now share with all of you our fantastic new blog Among the Gum Trees

In a (gum) nut-shell this is what were about:

We are a merry band of Australian Designers sharing a few of our original and varied designs freely for your personal use.

'Among the Gum Trees' is the brainchild of Jenny of Elefantz, who has bought together 9 established and emerging designers to offer something new and exciting to the world......their own original designs... to download free of charge. Free of charge?! Are we mad?!

Well no, but we do affectionately refer to each other as ' the Nutters'... he he... and we look forward to sharing our designs, our news and our 'nutty journey' along the way with you, and among the gum trees!

SO when is this happening?

Starting on Monday 5th October and each Monday after that for 8 weeks, there will be a FREE Christmas themed design for you to download. With a free Christmas design offered to you weekly you will have your handmade Christmas all wrapped up with time to spare!

Then after Christmas, on the 7th of each month, starting 7th January 2010 there will be one FREE design a month from one of the 9 'Gumtree Designers'. So that means one FREE design a month for 9 months FREE for your personal use to download. As well as free designs, you will be able to read monthly news from our editor and notification of all new for sale pattern releases.

Now please let me introduce to you the rest of my fellow 'Nutters'

Creative Studio ( Judith),Elefantz ( Jenny), Joypatch ( Joy), Mothers Cupboard ( Fiona), Sew Much Time, Sew Little Fabric( Paula), Sew Useful Designs ( Vikki), Tozz's corner (Vicki) Willowberry Designs ( Cheryl )

NOW because we are a generous bunch of nuts, we are EACH HAVING A GIVEAWAY to celebrate the launch of Among the Gum Trees. And you can enter all 9 of them!...... But as we have become good at teasing..... We will be launching our ' GIVEAWAYS' tomorrow!!!!

So in the meantime please start spreading the word and add our Among the Gum Trees button to your blog! I look forward to launching my 'Giveaway' tomorrow and if you become a follower of my blog I will give you an extra entry!

Hugs and Blessings

Dawn x x x

Apron Challenge!

Today I discovered a fellow Adelaidian's blog and found out Shontelle is having a excellent challenge.... to design and make an apron in the month of September...
I joined as I am in desperate need of a new apron... so this coming week I am going to look out for that perfect apron pattern and get sewing......

Maybe this type of style? .......

Or this type of style?.......


So many different styles and looks to choose from.... ricrac or not, frill or not... umm what type do I like.....bright or practical....Would you want to join in... click on the link on my sidebar and let Shontelle know that you'll join in her fun challenge.

Don't forget not long now till blogging world goes 'Nutty'

Hugs and Blessings
Dawn x x

Time Out!

Today we took some 'family' time out.... and went to feed the ducks! My DD's loved it...So did we, watching them have so much fun, giggling and 'sharing' the stale bread with the ducks ... how sweet. Up the path over the bridge they walked with Daddy

and they couldn't get that bread into the pond quick enough...
there was lots of little baby ducklings...with there mummy

and now the bread has all gone they just had to watch them... 'the veiw is better if we climb'

And all for no cost... just some stale bread and a short car ride...... it was nice and relaxing sitting on a bench watching them enjoying something so simple like 'feeding the ducks'.

They are all tucked up in bed... tuckered out.... fast asleep... mummy is going to stitch away with a nice smile on her face knowing that today was just 'Family'.

Have you noticed the decorating that I have done to my blog.... well actually Paula has done... I just think it is so me now... Thanks Paula.......I love it!..

All because on Tuesday I have a secret to share and so wanted the place all dressed, nice and neat.... So check back on Tuesday for a Big surprise!

I had a lovely email comment from....mandapanda.....lol so cute! Do you know what kind of ducks they are? They're Pacific Black Ducks. Did you happen to notice the colour on any of the adults wings? They have purple and green and blue. So sweet!.............Thankyou mandapanda x x

Hugs and Blessings

Dawn x

Charms, Jelly rolls and Handmade Home!

I got mail today! And I am excited!

I had ordered from Soule Mama this book and it is so beautiful.... Amanda even signed it as well... I have had a flick through and can't wait for a day real soon when I can sit in my chair with a lovely cuppa and read and read and read some more... and get totally lost in it......... and not be disturbed for a little while.

Oh I just love new fabric, the feel, the smell and love to imagine what it will become of this.

The 2nd parcel was this from the Fat Quarter Shop....... I ordered some Moda Charms..... Astor Manor and Mill House Inn... also a Wonderland Honey Bun ....and a Legacy Jelly Roll.... I am excited and have a few things to finish before I start to sew with these but I can look at them for a little while and dream.....

There was 3 parcels but in the 3rd was fabric for a couple of friends from Fat Quarter Shop.....I wish it was for me as the fabric they chose was delightful........ We had decided to share on the postage costs, but I am sure we will order again.

You might have noticed the time counter on my sidebar..... well I am keeping a secret and can't reveal any details yet. It is something exciting, a real surprise and you will be delighted so check back soon and all will be revealed!

Hugs and Blessings

Dawn x x

Legacy, Snugglepot and Cuddlepie!

Life seems to be that way for our family at the moment.......... With visiting my Dad in the hospital every day this week...( Thanks for your prayers). He is doing really well considering the operation he had was major.... only 5% of people actually make it to the hospital alive...... He survived... thanks to the quick thinking of some wonderful doctors and ambo's...... Thank you God, I can still can enjoy my Dad and that we live in a great nation! My brother was over from Perth to keep a check on Dad... that was good to catch up ( not the usual way to see each other) and for him to see his darling neices and nephew..... they loved their uncle Mark..... I loved seeing them connect too.............

I have tried to unwind by catching up on this...... I have deadline and it needed some finishing touches.......

and here is another sneak peek:

Don't you just love that fabric.... it is 'Legacy' by Moda and I am in love with it..... It is so fresh and crisp........ a darling to work with!

Now have you heard of 'May Gibbs', she wrote the book 'The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie'.... here is one of the illustrations.... absolutely gorgeous..... I always loved reading this story when I was a little girl....... 'The Adventures of Gumnuts'... he he

The drawings are so amazing. I love them. It's Spring time here and all the blossom's are coming out to show their beauty, a beauty that you can not get anywhere else in the world....... Australian Gum tree blossom in pink.......... that will become a GumNut!

Now speaking of spring and all things Australian........ Little blossoms and gumnuts...... Watch this space......... for something very exciting and special!

Have a wonderful week,

Hugs and Blessings

Dawn x

AN UPDATE!

Thankyou for your prayers and support, it meant so much to me to know that all of my blogging friends are there caring....X X X....This is my Darling Dad..... An update for all of you!.... His operation to restore his Aorta... 'abdominal aortic aneurysm'.... this was a success and we now need for his heart to stabilize and blood pressure to come to normality.. and any infection to cease, his temp is high now and again...... and his heart races a bit fast.... he is in the best of places and the hospital and staff are wonderful... .. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HIM.....

Hugs and Blessings
Dawn x x