We were struck down!

It has been a little while since my last post and with good reason!  You see it was one of those weeks!  My Little Miss E was struck down!!!! 

Last Saturday Little Miss E had a runny nose - Not another cold (summer colds are the worst!).  On Sunday night the runny nose turned in to a vomit or two same again on Monday night - poor little Miss E (and I do mean little she is 2 years old and is very slight only 11kg, not much to her!)

Tuesday it got a little interesting - vomiting gone, runs start, you know, the nuclear type kida like the No. 3's babies have!  Wednesday rolls around I am tired (Master N is yet to master sleeping through the night) and Little Miss E still has the runs!

So Wednesday we head to the doctors all 4 of us.  Little Miss E drops a bomb (am I mean nuclear) no changing facility, Miss S pulls a toy out of the rocking horse's bum and decleares this to the whole waiting room, with a hearty "look what I got from up the horses bum!" (whole waiting room bursts into laughter as do I).  Finally see the Dr and the conculsion is go home and hydrate with artifical bubblegum flavoured peadalite (yummo, I mean gross!) and head to A&E if it gets worse.

Thurday Little Miss E is dropping nuclear bombs everytime she has a drink, was loosing a heap of fluid,  and I had to clean a number of accidents off the carpet (I have a weak stomach, concentrating on nice things, quilts, sewing, fluffy bunnies ... that sCRAP doesn't work, I just grined and bared it!).  It is here that I admitted defeat!  We, me and 4 kids head to A&E, picking up hubby on they way.

We got seen immediately and for this I am truley grateful!!! 

Conclusion: we measure in and out at the hospital giving Little Miss E 5ml of fluid every 1min and weigh the nappies.  Did I mention I had done this at home and was loosing?!

In the end Little Miss E is getting addmitted and a gastro tube put down to hydrate her while she sleeps.  Mr Sew Stitched Up has to stay with Little Miss E the night.  Little Miss S is still amazed at what she can pull out of bums (well if I found a toy up a horses bum I would be too, lol).  And me like a big baby I am just wanted my Mum.

It took two nights in hospital for the run's to stop and Little Miss E to get hydrated.  Little Miss E is fine now, 2kg lighter, but fine, the evil little virsus that caused all of this was a rota virsus, which struck my little girl down like .... (thinking of something witty)... kryptonite (not that witty) ... well you get the idea.

Thanks for reading I needed to get that off my chest!  Now to the interesting sewing type things....

Christmas decorations for teachers and those I forget, (here is the link for the patterns, from Button Bliss)

My personal fav!

I love using variegated thread!  It's so fun!

In our house Santa is very generous and leaves some lollies - This is Miss S's Lollie Bag, I made today, Miss E and Miss J's are coming.  I am yet to make the little name tag.

Here is the tutorial if you are interested.

And last but not least this... (yes, kids eating just left of shot, keeping it real baby!)

This is a tutorial find people! Mommy Blessings has this fairy wing tutorial.  Glitter and fairies people, how could you go wrong (is it wrong that I may try them on when done)!  Go check her out! There are some neat tuts over there!

Right I am off to partake in ... fairy wing shaping!  Have a great week!

Amelia

I Heart...

Hear that?  Zoom Zoom Zoom.  That was me this week!  Man oh man. 

You know those weeks where you just run and run and run, from one thing to another, dropping kids off, picking kids up, Plunket appointment (3month old Master N weighs 6.4kgs (14.1lb)!!  last minute freaky friday costume, helping at Miss J's school, and lets not forget a Birthday Present to make ... ZOOM.  I feel like The Flash no Wonderwoman Batman (with out the Wayne fortune, but with the cool utility belt!)

Last minute Freaky Friday Costume for Miss J - The Queen of Hearts, Made the night before in an hour.  All I have to say is " I heart eleastic"  Please don't look closely the sewing is TERRIBLE!

What I would give for a little more heads up!  Miss J likes to tell me things at the last minute!  Boy I hope she grows out of that, and soon!

Then Miss J was Invited to a Birthday Party... what to do... Tissue box cover!

"I Heart Mod Podge!!!!"

And then there is this, I call it "Space Cowboy"  Made using this tutorial from Kellie,  Its for Master N for Christmas.  My sewing machine didn't really want to play while I was making this.  It was a bit of a practice before I have a crack at Megs Garden.  I don't heart my sewing machine at the moment!  A phone call to Mum and a chat about the feed dogs hopefully has me on the right track now.  "I Heart My Mum" and people who take the time to share and make tutorials, you rock!

And there is this, made from another tutorial from Kellie (I swear i'm not a stalker)

Which I needed for this...(really, i'm not a stalker!)

I am bang on target with The DLN Quilt Along, and this fills me with a great sense of achievement!  I am enjoying plodding along with this! But it did cause this...

Time for me to use this ...

I use this because I can't can't use a thimble, I am thimble challenged!  So I use this leather-finger-sock thimble, and it works a treat!  I was using a little leather thimble pad but as the weather warms so do my hands (i suffer from sweaty hands) and it just doesn't stick to my finger.

So now I am off to Heart MYSELF!  Put my feet up and have a look at all those wonderful blogs out there! 

But before I do that I wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks to those who comment on my posts and follow me I really appreciate it!  I try very hard to respond to every comment, but sometimes I may miss one or two - this is because I have 3 Kids under 5 and 1 big 10yo, my life can get very ... ZOOM =)

I also wanted to say thanks for the support!  I am a newborn quilter, and all the help and encouragement means alot!  You all inspire me.

Have a great week

Amelia

FYI

This post is FYI and to get me another entry to a giveaway -  If you read my last post you would have seen and not so subtle hint directed at my beloved to obtain the new Piece O' Cake Desgins book Applique Outside the Lines.  Lekaquilt has lost the plot and giving a copy away! - Yep you heard right giving away!  I know, my chin is on the floor too!  Click the button below to head to her site to enter!

Best of luck to all those that enter!

Have a great weekend - I am off to prep some more bits for my Jo's Coat!

Amelia

Blowing My Trumpet

This post is about me blowing my own trumpet, hehe.  Today I think  I am 'da bomb'.  Miss S and Miss E are just not interested in my little achievement.  Master N is just too young to appreciate anything that doesn't produce milk.

Well I was just so proud of myself I has to share this...

And this...

I have never attempted applique before this,  Infact the thought of applique scared me!  Imagine colds sweats and the likes!  And as I have mentioned before I am not the best at following instructions.  But boy I think I am pretty darn special right now, lol.

Now, I have seen some beautiful applique patterns that I have dribbled over.  Applique Outside the Lines book by Piece O' Cake Designs, has this quilt in it called tree of life

I would kill to be able to make this quilt!  (And if a certain Husband is reading this blog a certain wife would love this book for an upcoming celebration!  I know so subtle but this book doen't appear in junk mail love!)

Kellie's Little Quilt Along has opened a door for me!  Jo's Coat is only the begining!  Of what my become an obsessive, unhealthy relationship with applique!

Amelia

The C word

Wow, what a busy week!  After seeing on a blog a Chrismas countdown, and having Christmas junk mail arrive, I had a Christmas meltdown.  The one that happens when you realise that Christmas is only just around the corner, screaming head on toward you, and you now have very little time to make those little things you wanted to gift to people ... breathe! 

It's not that I don't like Christmas, I enjoy it very much!  What I don't enjoy is the onslaught of junk mail (which just gets dumped in the recycling) and consumerism that comes with it.  So this year I have decided to make the kids something each.  Nothing huge that will require a herculean effort, but something special just for them, made for by their Mum.  I quite like that idea!

So with the C word in mind out came a stash of Australian Homespun mags.  I found so many things I wanted to make... but I was strong and stayed on target. Here is a sneak peek of what I have been up to (white cotton not the best choice, oh well never mind)...

and the chopstick incident... enough said!  Smaller stitches next time.

And then there is this.  Something just for me, from me, to help me keept my sanity!

Any guess as to what that's about??  Oh you got it!  I am doing a quilt along,  As I am sure many of you are aware Kellie from Don't Look Now has very generously come up with this fantastic Joseph's Coat quilt along.  This is so super exciting for me!!  I have never ever participated in a quilt along! Or attempted applique.  Here is a colour sneek peek...

I am not naturally drawn to these colours, so I hope this will offer a challenge for me!

Last but not least this is the bit where I say look at what my husband and Miss J made me for my Birthday!  Aren't they cleaver!

Impressive isn't it!  Let me tell you it was delish!

Right I am off, I am sorry if there are terrible spelling mistakes I am posting rather late at night, and would you believe I have been trying to post this since Friday!
Till next time, enjoy yourselves and have fun!
Amelia

READ INSTRUCTIONS

Today was not a good quilting day!  After seeing Cathy's  Wave Runner quilt I thought I would have a crack at it. 

I got this fabric...

and cut these bits

and it turns out I am a bit of a spaz when it comes to all things wavy!  You know there are just somethings in this world that aren't ment to be and this was one of them! 

I think the problem may have been that some of my waves were a little too ambitious, and at this point I will admit I am not the best at following instrcutions.  What was that? oh, you want me to say it a little louder?  Ok.  I am not the best at following instructions. 

So today I learnt an all important lesson lessons.  Read the instructions, follow the instructions, become one with the instructions.  Or you end up with piece of fabric that resembles a bra rather than a quilt top or anything that could be cut and made into a quilt top!  Oh well, never mind chalk this one up to experience. 

Here is the pic for those of you wondering what a bra quilt top thing looks like.

So for the moment I have waved bye to the waves and went a googling, and I found this bandana skirt tutorial from V and Co.  What perfect timing!  This month, Canteen have been selling bandanas to rasie for money for teenagers with cancer.  This happens every year and with three girls we now have a little collection.  And every year I think "that would make a cool quilt or something or other"  And every year I do ... nothing.  This year I turned this...

into this (well not quite Miss S had to keep that one on her head)

And all I had to do was read the instrustions! 

All spured on, I churned out these for Miss J (my little enviro warrior),  I like the hearts, don't really fancy the enviro skirt.

and this for Miss E, a mini version of Miss J's (wow look at that size difference!)

Miss S wasn't left out and is the proud owner of what she calls the "pirate skirt."
Bye for now
Amelia

Late Night Flower Arranging

This weekend just gone was a long weekend for us in New Zealand.  No early morning school start - so I decided to take advantage of this and partake in some flower arranging.  Meg's Garden got pulled out last night and was spread across the lounge floor.

It wasn't till the clock struck 1am that I realised I had become totally involved in arranging these flowers, peeling and sticking, re-sticking, moving, standing back and admiring, then hitting repeat.  This is my little floral jigsaw and I am having so much fun with it.  Right down to the "oh no that won't do"

I really am pleased with how this is turning out - however I will admit to being slightly nervous when I think about the raw edge applique.  This is because my sewing machine isn't my best friend at the moment.  It's on the way out, dying a slow and painful death.  The doctors aren't too sure what the problem is, perhaps just old age. 


I think it's because I am cursed!  I have never had a new sewing machine, mine have all been second hand (except the little blue toy sewing machine I had when I was little, it did chain stitch and was reliable!) and they just don't love me like they should. 

My newest old machine was given to me by my mum, which was given to her by her mum which was given to her by you guessed it ... my mum.  It's done full cirlce but after sewing a stack of nappies on it and some other little bits and pieces it is now missing stiches!  Occasionally it makes a clunk sound and then the other day needles started breaking!  It has been well looked after and serviced etc - it just hates me!

So I think I may have to do the raw edge applique on this beauty ...

Oh don't laugh.  No, have a laugh, I am!  She has an air of reliablity about her don't you think!  So to get in her good graces I am going to name her ... any ideas?  I was thinking Mabel.  Able Mabel.


As a result of this development  I have decidied that next weekend I will win lotto and with the winnings I am going to buy new sewing machine!

So till next time
Amelia

PS
I had a couple of comments asking what size hexagon I use.  I use a 1½ inch - that is a side is 1½ inch.

What's Your Favourite Shape?

Mine is a hexagon.  Of course my favourite shape has evolved over the years.  When I was younger it was a heart.  I would write letters to my friends and sign off  " ♥ Amelia"  and yes the i in my name had a little heart to dot it.  That was my pink-heart-love-anything with glitter phase.  Then I moved to the star phase the whole celestial thing, the sun the moon and all of that.  I still like stars (not so much the whole celestial thing), I even made a star quilt for Miss E (DD3), made from the scraps out of my Mum's scrap bin, she has the best scrap bin filled with the most delicious tid-bits!!

But back to hexagons.  I like how they are even.  They fit together in just the right way, you can make flowers with them, they break down in to triangles and diamonds, throw in a petagon and you can make a ball endless inspiration. 

This shape started my affair with quilting.  My first quilt, still unfinished, was started when I was pregnant with Miss S (DD2) you guessed it - hexagons, a variation on a grandmothers flower garden.

It is made Mostly from my Mum's scrap bin and many generous donation's from her stash (she has a wicked cool stash!).  This is not the whole quilt.  It has 99 flower hexagons and has been quilted using a vergiated perle cotton, big stitch styles.  It has the tinest bit of quilting left to do on the border, which I really should finish, i'll get there, it just won't be this week. Or next for that matter.

Have a look what I have left over...

Yep I got a bit carried away with the cutting and the basting.  But was just so much fun!

And then there are these...

These are a super long term swap I have going with my Mum, made from fun bright fabrics lots and lots of colour, taking a leaf from Freddy Moran's books (is there such thing as too much colour?)  The fun thing about these blocks is the fussy cutting - one piece of fabric could have the potential to look oh so different depending on how you cut it.

We decided to english paper piece, to aviod the descrepencies which can occur between quilters.  The orginal inspiration came from a quilt called Candied Hexagons,  Quiltsalott has a post here if you want more information including information about the pattern.  

So I ♥ Hexagons.  What shape do you ♥ ?


Amelia

Sew here we go

Here we go, or start, as the case may be. Sew Stitched Up is about me, my stitching sometimes my family and what ever else tickles my fancy at the time.


Hopefully starting this will help me find the time start the projects I dream about, finish the ones I have started and receive inspiration for those yet to come (no small order).


So I guess this is the point where I 'insert photo here'




The above (Meg's Garden, designed by Kellie from Don't Look Now) is my most recent project I have on the go. Lots and lots of pretty flowers in delicious Kaffe fabrics, donated to my worthy cause from my mum's impressive stash. I love Kellie's designs and with three girls I need to make this. Yes need, want has nothing to do with it.
Untill next time
Amelia