But you promised!!!!

I know I promised way back in January that I would be back with crafting and blogging mojo aplenty. Not the case.
It seems that 'real life' has become rather overwhelming and I have been unable (or unmotivated) to get back to this blog.
I have also been absent from most of your blogs too as I have been occupying myself more in said 'real world'.
I just wanted to stop by and let you know that I'm OK. I'm not brilliant ... but I'm OK.
And I won't be back to blogging in a hurry. That is going to take some time.
To all of you who have noticed my absence and have sent me the "Are you OK?" emails ... I thank you so very much. It's so much of what I love about this community.
And to those of you who have shared wonderful crafting and life news on your blogs but I have missed it, I'm so sorry and I send you all much crafty love.
Catch ya later!
Andi xx

Thank you for your patience (AKA the Festival of Jake)

I have had the laziest of summer breaks. No blogging. Hardly any photos taken and extremely little crafting was done.

You see ..... between late November and early January we have both kids' birthdays, both Grandmothers' birthdays, Hannuka and Christmas to celebrate. I do A LOT of entertaining and A LOT of baking and gift buying/making and by the end of it I am EXHAUSTED!!!

But I am back to blogging with a renewed energy and would like to spend this first post honoring my Jake who turned 8 exactly 1 month ago.  (See here for the recent Festival of Ella post).

__________________________________________________________

So, my delicious Jakey ... This year you have grown so much. You have learned so much due to your enthusiasm for school and ANYTHING written in a book!! You have blossomed as a social creature with such a lovely group of friends who care for you and who you love. You love your food and have grown so much physically. You are nearly as tall as me and your feet are a whopping size 6!! (Better stop feeding you I think)  ;o)

The school circus concert happened and you were dazzling with your hoola hoop:

 

Birthday books were donated to your school library:

 

Red House rewards day was celebrated with red EVERYTHING .... even your hair!!

 

Before school finished up for the year (and kids scattered to their family holiday destinations) you had a go-karting birthday party with your friends:

 

Would you check out the hair (and makeup) on the party organiser!!!!

A fabulous (yet amazingly easy) cake was provided by yours truly:

 

   

Of course a second celebration with family on the actual day involved ANOTHER cake. This time ... a chocolate ripple cake in the shape of a 'J':

 

You have serenaded us all with your guitar. It has been so exciting to see your growing love of music:

 

 And we took your traditional photo with Homer:

 

 

I love you so much my Jakey boy. You give the yummiest cuddles and the sweetest kisses and make me smile everyday.

__________________________________________________________

 

Among the many and varied gifts received by Jake over this very festive season was, of course, a mum-made quilt but I will show you that in another post.

More crafting posts to come ... promise!

Hope you have had a great January and look forward to catching up with you in February and beyond.

Andi xx

PS Also ... I turned 40.

End of a crafty year

2011 has been a challenge on many levels for me and my family. That's why I can't wait to ring in 2012!!

I hope the coming year brings love, happiness, good health and great creativity for all of us.

Andi xxx

Test pattern quilt

And now, here is my final contribution to The Beehive.
A finished quilt made by me and 11 fabulous women.

 

Specifically: Sheridan, Amy, Karlyn, Belinda, Kat, Megan, Julie, Jo, Annabel, Tanya and Megs.

 

To appease my husband (who says "its too busy and bright to have in a bedroom ... or any other room for that matter") I have made the back of the quilt much simpler with just a strip of busy patchwork through the centre.

 

The incredible quilting has been done by Karen Terrens. She is a genius with a long-arm quilting machine!! (And she comes from such a creative family. Her mother is an incredible craftswoman and you just may have heard of her sister).

 

So, now all that's left is to snuggle up with her and enjoy my memories of this wonderful quilting bee.

 

Thanks girls! I'll miss you!!

Andi xxx

PS Why "The Test Pattern Quilt"?  

 

That's why!!

Bye bye Beehive

After 2 lovely years together, the members of the Beehive have decided not to continue with the Bee next year.

Although it has been a lovely bunch of stitchers, making such beautiful quilts together, many of us have new priorities to contend with in 2012 and the Beehive has simply had to take a back seat  :(

These are my last blocks for the Beehive.

 

They are for Megs who is making a very pretty quilt for her daughter.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this lovely quilt come together!

In fact, there are a number of Beehive quilts that are not yet completed so some beautiful surprises will still be coming via the Beehive in the coming year as quilts are completed and shared.

And my 2011 Beehive quilt is now complete. I will be posting pics very soon!!

Andi xx

Quilt - finished and given

For Jake's teacher who had a birthday last week.

All quilted, finished and bound.

 

You can see more info about this quilt in this earlier post.

Hope you are having a stitchin' weekend.

Andi xx