I spent the whole day yesterday down in Sydney with my Mum, Jack and his friend Michael. It is the school holidays here at the moment and last week was raining most days and I was without my car. So I thought I had better put down needle and thread and do some holiday fun stuff, so off we went down to the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour. I hadn't been there for about 4 years.
We had a fab day, a little tired and sore legs from all the walking. Don't do much of that these days....hmmmmm...wonder why! 8-) But it was great. I have heaps of pics to show but I will save those for my next post as i have a few adorable things to share this time.
Firstly, I love the names coming in for my bag. Nighty Night is really cute, thanks Clare and no it's not terrible. LOL!! Now there is something else that partners this bag and the general idea for this design is a quilt to take to Nanna's house when staying over and a lovely big bag to put the quilt in along with all the essentials.
However, I thought it doesn't really need to be so much just for a visit to Nanna's but maybe just a quilt and bag that anyone can make for themselves or for someone special so that they can take it wherever they want. So I am still going to stick to the whole staying over at a friends house theme. So "Slumber Party" was suggested by my friend Janelle. Thanks pet xx. And I think that it is just right. Don't you think??
The quilt measures 1.5 metres square (60 inches squares) The bag is a generous 19 1/2 inches square so the jimmy jams (pyjama's), tooth brush and slippy's have plenty of room as well. Oh and the knickers!!!! A girl should not forget those..........8-)
Just the pattern to write now. I am hoping the pattern will be ready for release by early next week.
As mentioned in my last post I received 2 emails recently from Amanda and Bev. Bev was one of the winners of my last giveaway and she sent me a pic of her completed "Flutterby Stitches" armchair caddy. Thanks so much for sharing Bev. It looks so gorgeous. Here it is fully open.
Bev decided to add some of the butterflies to the back instead of pieceing it. That's a really nice personal touch. 8-)
And here it is all folded up after a stitching session. Ready for travel. Good on ya Bev. I hope you enjoyed every minute of making your armchair caddy. Thankyou 8-)
Now Amanda is a regular visit to my blog also and she is also a fanatical Ladybird lover like myself so if it has a ladybird on it then it's on her list. Amanda has a gorgeous little Ladybird of her own called "Lucy". And Lucy is turning 1 this weekend and Amanda has shared with me the details of the amazing birthday party that she had organised for her little girl. Firstly she has made my "Ladybirds on Patrol" quilt for her to enjoy throughout her life. It is just so beautiful Amanda. you should be so proud. Lucy will LOVE it.
There is also going to be Ladybird cupcakes, Ladybird Birthday cake, Ladybird shaped biscuits....everything Ladybirds!!! If I didn't live in another state, I would be the worlds biggest party crasher and rock on over dressed of course in my ladybird attire! LOL
Amanda added something really special to the back of the quilt for Lucy. A beautiful poem that she wrote herself............now before you read it remove your hand from the mouse and go and get the biggest box of tissues you can find and then proceed. 8-)
How many tissues did you go through???? sniff sniff sniff. Hang on I have to blow my nose.................................Ahhhh that's better. Isn't it precious. And to add to the sweetness check out these crackers.
They are just the most fantastic crackers I have ever seen. YUMMY!
Hopefully we will see more pics after the party is over. Now I am running a giveaway for my "Wishful Thinking" pattern. I have 3 patterns to giveaway so just leave a comment on this post to be in it to win it!!! You can just say gidday or maybe you have a yummy tale to tell about a birthday party theme.
Mine is when I made a "Gumby" cake for Jack for his 2nd birthday. It was about 1 metre (40 inches) long and looked excellent. I have a photo somewhere but that's before digital camera days. Do you remember Gumby? Is is an American claymation kids show and Gumby was green and had big eyes. He didn't really resemble anything that we know. Kind of weird and he had a friend named Pokey (a horse) and his Dad's name was Gumbo. I can't remember the other characters but Jack was obsessed with it.
I shall announce the winners a week from today or there abouts. 8-)
So until next time..........
Celebrate with Lucy “In Stitches” Natalie
Hello Natalie, my special news is that I am a grandmother for the 2nd time. A little boy this time, 13 months after our granddaughter was born Sept. 2008. Mum and dad will be run off their feet I fear. Baby is just so kissable xxxxxx. Can I go in your pattern giveaway pleeeeeeeeese?
Posted by: Maryanne P | October 15, 2009 at 06:35 PM
Hello Natalie,
(I think that Janelle is a very clever girl!!)
All I can remember is my daughters 8th birthday. It was a sleepover with 15 girls!!!!! and a pool party. It was the hottest day ever and just I brought a beautiful ice cream cake (it was a pretty butterfly) and yes it melted as soon as I took it outside...
I love your new design....
Sandy N
Posted by: SandyN | October 15, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Thanks Natalie for such lovely words....I am looking forwrd to the big day and yes am very proud of how Lucy's quilt turned out!
Will sned you some pics of her with her quilt soon.
Hugs
Amanda xxx
P.S. you can crash my party anytime. LOL
Posted by: Amanda | October 15, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Hi Natalie
My daughter is turning 10 next year and her b'day party is turning into a whole production(aagghh! what was i thinking). My girl has decided she wants to have a rock star party (she thinks she is a bit of a rock star). We are having a DJ to play all the cool music and making the coolest VIP invitations. Should be fun, am I crazy?
Posted by: Michelle Duncan | October 15, 2009 at 08:18 PM
what a wonderful newsy post, thanks! The little ladybug crackers are so cute, Slumber Party looks great, but then I really enjoy all your patterns!
Posted by: Shiree Johnston | October 15, 2009 at 09:33 PM
as usual lots of lovilnees Natalie.
Posted by: betsy | October 15, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Que maravilla todo esta tan lindo, sus patrones son realmente encantadores y las ideas de la fiesta con las mariquitas todo un espectaculo, que ingeniosa ha sido su amiga, muchas felicidades para ti y todas las fans de sus diseños tan preciosos.
Por supuesto que seria fantastico poder ganar en su sorteo..
Saludos desde Chile
Odette
Posted by: Odette | October 15, 2009 at 09:41 PM
G'day !
Posted by: clare's craftroom | October 15, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Ha ha you thought I wasn't going to stop for a chat ! Thankyou for your kind words today I do really appreciate it . Your slumber party design is gorgeous and I really love to win it , thankyou !
Nighty night , lol !
Posted by: clare's craftroom | October 15, 2009 at 10:23 PM
such a lovely post Natalie so many goodies and I am loving all the ladybirds too! Such a GORGEOUS new pattern too!!
Posted by: Linda | October 15, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Hi Natalie
I would love to win one of your patterns of your very cute quilt! When I do birthday parties for my children (four of them!) every second year I usually do a theme party and have lots of fun making the special birthday cake and all the themed party food. You can take a look at my blog (birthday cake link to the right) and see all the interesting cakes I have made over the years. I have another to make on Monday, straight after I get back from a wonderful weekend away at a craft retreat!
Posted by: Janelle | October 15, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Love those crackers. A friend of mine found this local bakery that is amazing and can create the most amazing cupcakes. One year it was ladybugs and this year it was hedgehogs. SOOO cute!
Posted by: Robyn Brown | October 15, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Another lovely pattern!!
Posted by: Pat | October 16, 2009 at 02:49 AM
I just *heart* the new Slumber Party pattern! Way too cute ^_^
Posted by: Gert | October 16, 2009 at 05:24 AM
Hi Natalie.
I would love to win a copy of your "Wishful Thinking" pattern. I remember my daughters 1st birthday. Had a lovely party with lots of friends. Come time for the birthday cake, placed it in front of her, got a couple of happy snaps of her trying to blow out the candle and putting her fingers in the cake and then all of a sudden she threw up all over the cake. So no one got any cake!
I felt so sorry for her.
Posted by: Leanne Erbs | October 16, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Hello. I just got my pattern from your last giveaway, and I will try it very soon. Thank you very much. I love your patterns, and I'm so inspired from your colourful quilts. May be I have more luck, I'll try at least. Should really like to have more of your patterns. As for the birthday cakes, I once made a Barbie cake for my daughter. And I think I have made a ladybird cake also. If I'm lucky, I may find a picture of it. Have a nice week end.
Posted by: tubakk | October 16, 2009 at 08:20 AM
I just love those ladybird crackers. Would love to win "Wishful Thinking"
Posted by: Lyn Smith | October 16, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Yes I remember Gumby. My 23 y/o son loved it. He used to have a rubbery toy of him and 2 xmas's ago I got him a t-shirt with Gumby on it from Jay Jays and a dvd off ebay!! Love your Slumber Party quilt and bag. Just gorgeous. Can't wait to see photos of Lucy's Ladybird party. Amanda did a great job of your 'Ladybirds on Patrol' quilt. Another idea I saw on a blog for a little girls party is eddible cup & saucer. Use a Tic Toc biscuit for the saucer, stick a marshmallow on top with icing, then a freckle on top of that and cut a musk lifesaver lolly in half and stick that to the side for a handle. Just sweet. I made them for my ladies craft group!!! They're quite yummy too. Have fun. xx Sue
Posted by: Sue Benson | October 16, 2009 at 09:52 AM
Hi Natalie,
What a really cute pattern, and the new one - Slumber Party is a winner too. I don't know how you designers can keep coming up with such beautiful treats for us stitchers! Thanks so much!
Posted by: kerry | October 16, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Gosh those ladybirds are certainly breeding. The saying on the back of the quilt was just lovely. Those biscuits are so damn cute. Now I just need some of the ladybirds to come to my roses.Happy days.
Posted by: Bev C | October 16, 2009 at 01:30 PM
What a fabulous giveaway. I love all your patterns. The ladybugs are so cute.
Posted by: Janice | October 16, 2009 at 02:15 PM
I always bake & decorate a special cake from the Women's Weekly Birthday Cake book. The kids never know which one it will be, I always make it a surprise for them. I then write in the book who the cake was made for, how old they were & the year, it might be interesting to someone one day... Love your designs, Love Jo xxx
Posted by: Jo from the farm | October 16, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Oh what a fun post. I did enjoy reading it. Recently my daughter made horse cupcakes for a friend's birthday party that had a horsey theme. She also made mini cupcakes that looked like hamburgers and another time it was owl cupcakes.I love you patterns and the crackers were so cute.
Posted by: Dolores | October 16, 2009 at 03:05 PM
What a big hit the slumber party pattern. My oldest daughter will be 17 this Sunday. I would be thrilled to make it. Great colors! Your patterns make me happy.
Posted by: Gerda Hartman | October 16, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Hiya Natalie,
how cute are those ladybird crackers....what a shame I don't have a little girl....lol...mmmm but I do have a neice whose birthday is in Feb,so maybe...
Love your designs,& the show & tell gorgeous..
Hugs Catherine x
Posted by: Catherine | October 16, 2009 at 06:01 PM