The STASH Quilt project & competition!!!!!

Ok.... so I've been thinking about what would be a suitable competition to mark the achievement of 150 posts. Here is what I've come up with....

When I started my blog - I was all about patchwork quilts. I was selling them, I was making them, and I was cutting up alot of fabric for them...... I've even got RSI from them! But, like all good Emmaroseart projects, after I have made about 20 or 30 of them I get bored and move on to other things.... But I digress.....

To mark my achievement I have decided to make, and GIVE AWAY a lap quilt. Made entirely by me - an Emmaroseart special!!!! I have also decided to document the journey of the making of the quilt. So, for those of you who may have never attempted a quilt before - this will be a very (VERY) basic introduction to making a patchwork quilt. For those of you who are quite skilled at patchwork, you may scoff at my 'simple' version. But hey, it will be effective, and ACHIEVABLE, two criteria that HAVE to be filled in any of my projects.

So without further adue, let me kick off the STASH QUILT project! Feel free to join in, follow along with the posts and make one too, or send me some comments or questions. Remember, the finished project will be UP FOR GRABS on my 150th post.

THE BEGINNING
I always start by identifying the purpose of the project (quilt). In this case, I want it to be a lap quilt. In other words, a quilt made for snuggling under to watch the telly. I want it to be bright and cheerful. To provide some warmth, but suitable for year round usage. I want it to be machine washable. I want to use up my fabric stash (without cheeting and buying any new fabrics).

THE THEME
For me, I need a theme to motivate my colour schemes. At the moment, I am completely mesmerised by children's tv. Specifically - Charlie & Lola and Yo Gabba Gabba. So I have a feeling my colour choices are going to reflect some of the influences of these tv shows. I also have a feeling that I would like to incorporate some kind of applique. Perhaps some birds, or maybe some simple shapes? I really like silhouettes too at the moment, so maybe I'll go with a colourful background and some dark silhouettes's over the top. So it begins, the ideas are starting to flow..............

Stay tuned for next post when the STASH QUILT project continues!

Sorry it's been awhile since last post. I can't even think up a really good excuse either .....

Evie, Honey and I have returned to playgroup again, and Evie was soooo happy. Well I say happy, at first she spent all morning complaining that she didn't want to go. Then, when it was time to leave she complained about not wanting to come home! Typical two year old!

Honey was covered in fingerprints from all the toddlers wanting to poke and prod at her and coo 'ooooooo the baybee is sweeping!'. Luckily tiny H is used to sleeping through earthquakes and sticky fingered poking (due to our lovely noisy and cuddly home)......

I have been doing a little sewing, some for friends and some for tiny Honey. I had some scraps leftover from making an apron and I couldn't resist making her this tiny skirt. Tested out my new ruffler sewing foot - WHAT A FANTASTIC INVENTION!!!!

For those of you that read my little blog from time to time you may have noticed that I have been at it for some time now. I've yet to celebrate this achievement, so I'm planning a little giveaway to be posted on my 150th blog entry..... Stay tuned happy people.

The Sisterhood

I am delighted to find out that Amanda aka Polyclarific has awarded me for the 'Sisterhood' award. I am STOKED! To know that someone (far from my home) takes the time to stop in and read my blog and share my journey - really touched my heart. I have followed Amanda's journey through her amazing jewelery and blog for some time now, and even though we have never met, I know that we have a few things in common. We both share a love of arts, are wives and mothers, and value family and a sense of home. So to Amanda, I say a sincere thank you. It's nice to know you are out there listening, and sharing my journey.

To further carry out my responsibility of receiving this award, I in turn must award it to five other wonderful women, to join the ranks of the 'Sisterhood'. So, without further adue, I award the following:

Wild Things of Noosa

I admire Selina’s sewing and asthetic skills. I have watched her blog and followed the launch of her online boutique (green with envy). I have found her journey informative and inspiring. I love seeing the colour and design combinations she creates in her children’s fashion I enjoy reading about her successes and take comfort knowing that there is a deserving Mumma out there 'living the dream'.

Bespoke Press

Alischa’s pristine imagery and passion for her vintage printing press inspires perfection. Her presentation and photography inspire my asthetics, and I relate to her passion and love of ‘ancient things’ and the admiration of hand skills of the past. Her appreciation of flowers reminds me of me!

Kara Smith

Kara’s blog is one of the very first blogs I found and began to read. I was amazed by her unique handbags made from recycled fabrics, and yet, have an incredibly edgy modern feel. Even more amazing is hearing about the popularity and success that Kara has achieved in such a seemingly short space of time. Kara has recently had her first baby, and whilst experiencing the life changing whirlwind of motherhood, still manages to find time for her now award winning handbag designs!

Moobear’s Designs

Stephanie talks about her T-Shirt fashion designs, which she appliqués using recycled materials from original drawings and designs by her daughter ‘Moo’. Fun and Funky, I look forward to watching her journey and continued success.

Handmade bits & pieces

Leah is another mother of 4 who still finds time to make awesome stuffed toys from recycled vintage chenille, scrap and blog! Wow! I love her style and enjoy seeing her creations.

Welcome to the Sisterhood.

Cheers happy women.

Cubbyhouse Cuties

I haven't actually finished the cubbyhouse (started in Dec 08) but whilst the golden girls were on holidays I couldn't resist setting it up for them. It's a perfect design, because it's made to fit over the dining room table - which means the kids are stoked cause they can play cubby's and I'm stoked because it means TV dinners for a few days heheh.

Also I have made my first attempt at a onesie dress for baby Honey. Ok it's a bit rough on construction, and I need to sew on the ribbon better, but I am pleased with the overall effect. I am planning to make several, and I can see how they would work just as well for older girls, using a T-shirt. OOOOooh the excitement of it all!

Today's favourite Blog tutorial

Gosh I love crafty bloggers - they are so generous and not to mention super SUPER creative! In my Pj's this morning I was stumbling around blog world and LOOK WHAT I FOUND....

You can follow a tutorial to make them on this ever so sweet blog here.

I have also added the tutorial to my side bar under 'To do ron ron to do ron ron!' Shabby Raggy is also having a competition to win a pair of these ballet slippers...... oooooh my frozen little pink toes are wiggling with excitement!!!! Goodluck with the competition guys, only you can't have this pair....... coz I want them:)

Lookie Lookie - Shop & Swap for Baby

Here is my new fab website find of the week - for anyone who has children or shops for children what a great way to recycle your babe's clothes, and get new preloved clothes at a fraction of the price! Brilliant! Click on the picture for a link and shop in your pj's. Cheers happy crafters, oooh and let me know if you've shopped on this site before, and what you think of it!

Yay me!

I am feeling quite chuffed with myself! I have managed to have baby number 4 just over a month ago, and run my household - relatively smoothly (see last post about laundry and meatballs..... it's a long story) play, laugh, eat chocolate, and, as it turns out, I HAVE managed a little sewing!

Baby Bunting for Bella!

'Think Green' outfit for Darcy....

AND I have almost finished a baby quilt for my darling Honey.

Also in this picture you can see her Bell bird made by Billy boy & Mia and her Scotty dog made by Handmade bits & pieces! You can feel the handmade LOVE!