Meet Pearl

When I was a young girl, I was totally into dressing up, fabulous thrifted outfits and making stuff.
Surprise, surprise!!

So when I turned 12 (my Bat-Mitzvah year), my siblings wanted to get me a special gift.
The thing I wanted more than anything in the world was a mannequin to show off the girly stuff in my room.

So, I got Pearl (so named because of her earliest accessory choices).

Here she is modelling a fabulous selection of necklaces (including my favourite pasta necklace made by Jake) and a bag I just made for my neice who is currently into wearing "olive".


And here's the other side of the bag ...


and the inside pocket ...


complete with a 'patchandi' label.

For those of you interested in how I do my labels, check out this great tutorial.

Have a stitchin' Thursday.

Andi :-)

PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway!!

Happy Blogiversary to me!!! And something for you too!

It's my first blogiversary and my very first giveaway!!!

I would like to make the winner a bag like this one:


Completely reversible ...


With pockets inside and out ...


But the winner would get to choose their favourite colours and I will make the bag to suit!!!

Here's the deal:

1. You get one entry by leaving a comment on this post. Please include your email address so I will know how to get in touch with you if you win.

2. You get a second entry by blogging about this giveaway… please leave a new comment to let me know you have done this (with a link so I can make sure you're not cheating ;))

3. You get another chance by becoming a follower of this blog and leaving a separate comment. Already a follower? Just leave a comment to let me know.

(Please note, I will be using a random number generator to select one comment for a winner so please leave SEPARATE comments for each of the allowed entries to maximise your chances).

International entries welcome as well as Aussies.

Entries close Monday, 12th October, 9am Melbourne time.


I hope this is an appealing prize. I have been so very grateful for the warmth and friendship I have received via this blog in the past year and I really want to reciprocate as best I can.

Thanks to all of you who have supported / commented / followed over the past year. It has truly made a big difference in my life.

Andi :-)

PS. I have signed up for three Pay It Forward gifts, so will soon be posting a Pay It Forward of my own but offering NINE handmade items. (What was I thinking!!!)

Half Square Triangles

I have been so completely intrigued by Rita's brilliance with the half square triangle that I have been inspired to have a go myself.

The great thing about HSTs is the amazing variety of layouts you can choose.

I had a bit of a play with these designs:



and finally settled on this ....


Rita has inspired me in more ways than one:

I'm usually an incredibly lazy sewer but with this one I even trimmed my blocks!!!

I finished up the quilt top on the weekend.


The fabrics are mostly from my stash but the grey is a thrifted flat sheet from the oppy!!

The blocks are 6 inches cut (5.5 inches sewn).
The quilt is 14 blocks squared so (quick calculation .....) 77 inches squared.

I'm planning to hand quilt this one with lots of different coloured threads (to match the fabrics) in the grey areas. Thanks to Kate for that great idea!!!

Now I just need to buy some backing and wadding and get to basting (my least favourite job .... ugh!!!)

See you VERY soon with my first blogiversary giveaway.

Andi :-)

Whip up!!

Ella's birthday is coming up next month.
She has asked for a rainbow quilt this year.

So this morning, I whipped this up .....


Squares are 8.5 inches cut.
48inches x 56 inches sewn.

Super quick and easy to throw together.

I'm considering turning it into a picnic rug for summer time tea parties.

Any suggestions for what to use on the under side?
Something water-proof-ish? Washable?

Andi :-)

October Beehive Block

More Beehive action overe here.

Andi :-)

Handmade boys gifts

I really prefer giving a handmade gift.

But once the boys get a bit older, I find it hard to make them something they can appreciate and use, and not find too 'babyish'.
They tend to prefer something they can build and smash apart again!!!

My son was invited to three 6-year old boys parties this week.

Here's what I came up with ...




At least I know the mums will appreciate them.

What ideas do you have for gifts for 6-year old boys?

All suggestions muchly appreciated!!!

Andi :-)