It's a Party & a Pattern giveaway!

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

Comments

[Laura in Stitches]

Hi Natalie

The lady bird crackers are sensational!

Love the slumber party quilt idea. My little girl turns 9 tomorrow (just happening way to fast), so just of the age where a slumber party quilt would get a great work out! My baby turned 7 yesterday - so we are in frantic cupcake mode... terrible bad planning 2 birthdays in 2 days - it's always a minimum 72 cup cake week!

Love your work with the slumber party quilt. Churn dash is my favourite block and set on point my fave setting. It's a lot of fun... layercake?

No free patterns for me! Happy to buy them...

Laura

[Jess]

Great name!Well done Janelle.
Yes, I remember Gumby, I had a rubber gumby he was about 6inches tall and had a moveable body. Brings back memories.

[Christine M]

Hi Natalie, I just love your fantastic ladybird crackers. What a great idea for a party! Regards, Christine M

[Ina]

I love the ladybird crackers!! That is just too creative! ;0

[Christine M]

Hi Natalie, I just love the ladybird crackers. What a clever idea! Regards, Christine M

[michal]

I love your work!!! Thanks for the chance of wining the pattern :-)

[Christine M]

Hi Natalie, I was sure I had sent you a comment but it seems to have disappeared! I just love the ladybird crackers. What a great idea. I hope I'm not too late to go into the draw for your slumber party pattern. Cheers, Christine

[Linda]

Hi Natalie,
Your Gumby cake story reminds me of me making our daughter a yellow and green Caterpillar cake for her 4th birthday. Then when I asked her what sort of cake she wanted for her 18th she replied a Caterpillar Cake....so that's what I made.....I think a mudcake would have been easier! Linda :)

[Kym]

Love your post - had a good laugh (& a little cry) at the beautiful poem. It's the perfect message to add to quilt labels! Lost count of the different cakes I've made over the years, from teddies to tip trucks, barbies, lions & butterflies...my 1st had more made for him than my subsequent children (as they often remind me). He'll be 18 soon, maybe I should make him another for old times sake!

[Judy Morton]

Hi Natalie

"Wishful thinking" my cat's would be thinking because of the mice that are scattered over the quilt, I love the colours and especially Clarice and her umbrella
Judy

[Denise Barrett]

Hi Natalie,
I too love all things ladybird. I just recently had a holiday in Canberra and found the dustpan and broom with the ladybirds on so I had to buy that. I had hunted high and low in West Aust to find one like yours and had never seen them so when I saw it I just had to buy it. It did arrive home safe and sound in my suitcase. My husband thought I was completely off my rocker buying that while on holidays.

[Tina]

I am still amazed, every time I visit your page you have designed something new and exciting.
And of course I would love to win this beautiful pattern. :o))))))

[Caitlin]

Please enter me!!! :)

[SarahF]

Hey Nat!
Great to hear you all had a great time with your Mum!
How cute is the Ladybird crackers! I am REALLY looking forward to seeing more pics the party!
Dont you just love kids b'day parties! I used to make my brothers cakes (I am 10yrs older than him).... I usually I made what I liked - not what he would have liked LOL... One year I made him a Black Board cake (from one of the Womens Day books) just because I LOVE coffee cake - but I must say the kids didnt like the taste of it - they were about 4 or 5!! LOL
x Sarah
PS: Love your new quilt pattern :+)