Happy New Year one and all

I hope that all had a wonderful New Year (and also Christmas and any other holidays that are not mentioned), ours was very quiet, there were some issues but heck I am not starting the year with that lot lets just say life is back to quiet and peaceful at present.

I was working on my Boho bag though wots that I hear you all say??? well Boho is short for Bohemian bag and if you do the numbers on my age you will work out I was around when I could and did wear flowers in my hair LOL. The pattern comes from the one and only Pat Winter. Pat has a  magazine that began last year - crazy quilting oriented but also has a magazine on making a Boho Bag. Very well written and easy to follow interested - head to the above link and ......... Anyway I have been stitching and pulling apart and stitching!!

Do you like how its coming along- I cheated a lot with this - yes I did do my spider-web roses - they are hidden in there. The Gypsy pic is also a gift from Pat- its in her book and also her magazine - Autumn 2011. Anyway I had a lot of the wee flowers but they are not all ones I picked up along the way _I also made stacks myself they are so easy and make up so quickly.

Anyway I will make the bag up and let you all see the finished  item.. I already have plans for another one. Pat Winter you have much to answer for LOL you are so right when you say try and stop at just one. Oh and BTW no I am not getting anything for this plug but Pats magazine is orientated for CQ and comes out 4 times a year (personally I want it bi-monthly but hey I am pushy! If interested please go to the link and look at the info there.

love n hugs
Bear xoxoxoxoxo

Hewoo I dun promised Piccies didnt I???

Well here I am again - hewoo to you all


I promised piccies last time I wrote and I do my darndest to do the right thing - sometimes it doesn't work but hey presto I dun did this time whoohoo!! I doubt many would remember about this particular item except Hideko and I- we have been in the process of exchanging a bag to each other for more time then either of us could remember. Anyway Hideko sent me her beautiful bag to me earlier this year, its ever so gorjus (when I find the camera I will take piccies of it to show its a beautiful piece of art from a lovely lady!

Anyway then things came in and got in the way- the Earthquake and Tsunami in Sendai and surrounds and I just didn't feel like embroidering bags at that time but did 2 blocks for the Quilts that were made up and sent to Hideko to raise funds to help out children  after the terrible earthquake/Tsunami. Then in between I had so much trouble with my dear old hands- this arthritis happening in both of my thumbs and several fingers has slowed me down a lot but with the return of some warmer weather I have been able to do some more and the BAG IS FINISHED.

La Te Da Hideko I feel like jumping up and dancing (nope can't do that either of deary me how boring can life be ggg) But now for the truth the whole truth I had almost completed the bag earlier this year- when for some reason I took it outside in the sunlight and I HATED it- not only hated it but the fabric was downright filthy. THAT would not do I thought. So I came in grabbed a pair of scissors and cut up the bag there and then- I was so angry I could have washed it no doubt BUT I was really at the stage where it had been hanging around here and I just got to the stage where I hated it (if you look back on other blog entries I have written no doubt you will find piccies of THAT bag.

So now wot to do- I had cut up bag number 1, which was actually bag number 2 (I originally thought to do a smocked bag - but changed my mind when the bag I like only had 4 rows of smocking on it and that was back smocking only, so out came the fabrics and I put together a new front and new back and began to put together this bag. My  spider web roses are made with hand dyed ribbons I purchased from Flights of Fancy Boutique - oh so pretty. The bag is several shades of purple and  greens with a little black Jacquard patch to add a touch of spice. I only used Roses to embroider the bag and again stuck to purple (several shades) and the red ribbons. The only other adornment are the butterflies, which is why I call this " Butterfly's on Roses" of course I couldnt NOT put Swarovski crystals in and around and on the roses.

The other thing that slowed down the finishing of this bag was I couldn't find a purse clasp that I liked !! I chased purse clasps everywhere. Finally Lincraft in Elizabeth did get in some new purse clasps and I bought 2 of these, but then I thought them to ordinary and plain Jane so when Colin took me to the craft Show I picked up another couple of purse clasps there, they were either to big or too small - although I could have made them fit - I had left enough fabric to be able to alter the top of the purse to fit any clasp if it wasn't too big. I just didn't like them I guess- Col took me to Elizabeth again and I looked  in the store there and also at Spotlight here in Munno Para, Just didn't have purse clasps or not the ones I wanted. So I rang a lady who sells them privately here in South Australia and when they came I thought yes I finally have just want I want, grabbed the purse put the frame up against it and LOATHE the frame. Would you believe I finally wound up using the very first purse clasp I bought at Lincraft in Elizabeth, the fancier frames overpowered or screamed at the bag they just didn't suit the bag at all- maybe because I had so many roses covering the bag itself that it just needed a plain clasp and so on Monday(our time here) Cols taking me down to the Post office and Hidekos' Purse (bag either or) and her Birthday present (yes that was months ago as well  I may be slow BUT I DO get there in the end) will be on there way to her FINALLY!!

With Much Love and biggest Hugs to you Hideko-- I pray you like the bag and book dearest friend. To all others I hope you all enjoyed the telling of the story behind Hidekos bag

lottsa love and hugs Bear xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

I have joined the Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

Hewoo all

I guess you are all getting sick of me being all talk and no piccies - sorry this will be the last one for a bit but wanted to let you all know about the http://cqjp2012.blogspot.com  this is a way of geetting Crazy Quilting out there and to be seen by more people.

Basically each participant (yup I am IN) makes a 6x6 inch block each month (hey these can be bigger - once again go check the link gang) and embellish it then sent a piccie of it to the web addie and it will be put up on a web page. I am really looking forward to this as I have been getting trims and bits and bobs for over 12 months now to make myself sit down and either make a wall hanging or begin a quilt for us, this I hope is going to force me to do it and one block a month isnt too terrible taxing - well is it????

 So if you are interested please hit the link above and read the ruels/ regulations and the where and why fors its all so much more made of plain sense  on their blog then I am here........

love n hugs bear xoxoxoxoxoxo

To those who werent able to do TAST last year read on!

Hewoo there all my dear friends

Sharon Bogon has just announced on her http:// www.pintangle.com that next year she will again do her wonderful Take A Stitch Tuesday, whats tht I hear you say ---dont know what it is all about - well do go to the web page and read on.

Briefly though  - Sharon picks a Stitch for the Challenge and each indivual works  the stitch for a week. You can put in as much effort as you want to- some will really take the stitch and work many different ways of including it or just make the one stitch and learn it really well. Each Challenge stitch is there on Tuesday and is worked on for a week- you can show it to all or not - your choice again ...... such a laid back Challenge - no making you feel guilty cos Sharon is not like that, this is a Challenge you can enjoy and whats more you will learn so much.

Sharon is an absolute doll and makes this challenge as guilt free as she can- this is a challenge for the indivdual to get the most out of the challenge that they can.

Please please go to Sharons web page- http://www.pintangle.com and read the instructions -Sharon explains it so MUCH better then I have here and also  you will need to send her an email etc with your details - but again, please go to Sharons web page - it DOES explain all of this so much clearer then I have ............

love n hugs Bear xoxoxoxoxxoxoo

well its been such a while hasnt it??

 Hewoo All

                Well the winter flu season caught up with us here and bang it really hit the three of us fortunately our 2 kids were lucky and caught a mild version and were up and back in action with in a week. Dad also managed to get over the worst of it in  a little over a week while Col and I went down and it took us 4 weeks to finally say well I am feeling better and even alive now. Wont go into the boring details - least said and all that - but it was a horrid thing and my bed and I became very good buddies while Col and his beloved recliner chair became better buddies then they normally are - heck he even came and had a sleep on the bed in the daytime several times- UNHEARD of  but he did I was thinking the man is THAT sick hell better get the willls signed and sealed, but hey hes all better again PHEW !

               I figure you all deserve an update on my sewing- Nothing was attempted while I was ill so nothing has been completed -- boohoo - I know Hideko is probably sick of hearing this but hers is on the way again- I am actualluy about to set the sewing machine in to action and sew the seams of the bag n the lining -- now --- this very --afternoon - do u believe it- no I dont either but who knows if I do U will see the noise on here tomorrow or the next day. I have completely redone Hidekos bag - the other one just didnt set me alight - I just couldnt get the enthusiasm moving for it -----so I completely redid the bag no, no photos til its finished and on its way to Hideko I think everyone will pass out the day I say its in the post and going to her I know I will  heavens its been a long long time........

                So until later I will say - adieu. Take care you all.-- I will be back and will try to be a bit better and  be here a bit more often then I have been.

                                               love n hugs to all Bear xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Well I have finished some more of my 6 and a !/2 inch Squares

Hewoo one and all

I have had a few little blocks that I am doing in the Secret Meaning of Flowers  a kind of Block of the month But I just go to the online catalogue and choose what I want and when and away I go.I am seriously thinking of now doing a wall hanging with these sweet little blocks. I think I did tell you that I am getting these little flower blocs from the pink bunny lady -  www.valeriebothell.com Anyway I have the Iris Block waiting to be completed and have just orded daffodil - love daffodils actually I love all flowers and I have had my few daffies flowered here at Dads and they are now setting seed  --they doubled in number from last year and did look so pretty - I should have taken a piccie but didnt -oh well!

Anyway I have scanned the blocks I have now completely finished apart from my initials and the year, so I am feeling rather happy with that so without further ado here they are-------

I have been thinking of doing the meanings on all the blocks as I have done on a couple of them  ie joy -so am still pondering on that after all -- return of happiness-- is a lot to put on the Lily of the valley blocks isnt it, though Innocence wouldnt be a problem on the Daisy block and Message would  be fine on the Pansie block - though that has its meaning on the tiny silkie, and so do a couple of others but thats for the future and I didnt rescan the rose block as its just below this entry. I hope you all like--- please feel free to let me know how you do  like or not (LOL), I have a couple of other things on the burner at present but they will be for future blog entries and piccies---- so for tonight - nighty night and please have a safe day where ever you are.

love n hugs Bear xoxoxoxoxox

I am so sorry to have been missing in stitching!

Hewoo all,

I am sorry its been such an age to tell the truth ,my hands arms shoulders etc have not coped with winter at all this year and I had trouble stitching and also typing - But enough of that its so boring to hear bear complaning such when in this world there are those starving and with diseases that are far more serious then mine. So lets say this its be a pain and leave it at that- when  I felt a little better then I would do a wee bit of stitching until it hurt and then leave it for another day - so I have actually managed to complete another couple of the Language of  Flowers a monthly 6 inch Cq block that can be you can also purchase as I did  by going to the designers web site www.valeriebothell.com

Vals web site is gorgeous and no I am not being paid for these comments, I am in such awe of her CQ designs etc so go and have a look see there is another CQ block of the month on the site and other things of interest. Anyway I thought you may like to have a quick look at one that I say is finished but I noticed a small empty space- oh heavens I hate empty spaces I may have to do something with that - but for now here is Joy the pink rose being the flower for joy! I am sorry to say I hate to do an alteration on it Joy gggg I just cannot do anything without adding a wee thing that is different thats so weird of me isnt it?? Hope you like it - I will try and do some more on my blog tomorrow and catch you all up with what I have been doing in the past few weeks!

Love n hugs Belinda
(aka bear)
 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoox