Lots of new things

 When I saw this cute little pouch on Moda bake shop I knew I wanted to make one, with the help of a dear friend who showed me how to put a zip in, I thought it turned out really well.

 I then got brave and had a go at making another one but this time I made it a bit bigger and I did the zip all by myself. I love it.

 My spring stitchery arrived from Barb for our lets Celebrate swap. Its so pretty, now I just need to decide what to make. I think a cushion will be nice.

 This is what I made for Barb.

 I did a needle case swap with  Deb, from Frog Cottage designs blog, I made the needle case above.

 And this is what Deb Made me, I should have included a photo of the inside, its beautiful. I'll do that another time.

My friend Cathy went to London and she found a Cath Kidston shop and bought me back these beautiful treasures, I love them all, thanks buddy.

So I have lots of new pretty things to keep me happy.

I'm taking a little break from my blog   and spending some time with my family but I'll be back to share my latest designs and projects with you all in a few weeks.

Take care and Happy sewing.

A new quilt.

 I have had a very productive week in my sewing room, I finished a few swap gifts and I got my In from the cold quilt together, I love this quilt.

 Yesterday I quilted it at work, the pattern is called Frisky feathers, there was a lot of white space on the quilt so the quilting fills it in perfectly.

 It looks so fresh and pretty,

 Now I just need to bind it and it will be ready to hang at Christmas.

 My garden is finally getting some life into it after such a wet and cold winter. Daffodils are popping up everywhere, they are so bright and cheery don't you think.

 Hyacinths are in full bloom and smell divine.

Today is catch up on the washing day and hopefully I'll  fit in a bit of sewing . I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Friday night sewing results

 I'm finally here to share my Friday night sewing results with you, yesterday we had internet issues. After so much rain and the NBN men digging up our footpath I'm not surprised there are  a few problems.
I worked on my In from the cold cup quilt, a free pattern designed by kate Spain over at Moda Fabrics.

 The cups are so pretty and fun to put together. I got them all done, now I just need to stitch the steam on 3 cups.

I also started a cute little pouch, this is another free pattern from moda bakeshop. Its called A Quilted pouch. I had to call on a very good friend to help me with the zipper. Now its in I can sew the pouch together. I'll be back to show you the end result. I hope it works. Bags are not my speciality.

Its a miserable day today, more rain and storms are predicted, the ground is already soaking wet, you can see the water  running down the footpath. Its a good excuse to stay in and sew.

I hope you have a good day and you find some sewing time.

Exciting times.

 Its not very often I do a mid week post but I couldn't wait to share my exciting news with you all. My very first design has been published in Patchwork and stitching magazine. Vol 14 No.7

 To add to my excitement my cushion is also on the front cover. I was thrilled when I saw it.

The photography looks so wonderful, everyone involved did such a good job of presenting my design.

Its celebrations all round in my house tonight. The magazine is due out in Newsagents any day now. 

Enjoy your evening, I know I will. I can't get this big smile off my face.

Christmas scrappy trip along quilt.

 My christmas Scrappy trip along quilt is all quilted. I went to work yesterday and quilted it. Its always fun when I get to play with my own quilts on the long arm.

 The pattern I chose to do is called Passionfruit, it was such a fun design.

And here it is in all her glory, so pretty with all my favourite christmas prints and a few  others thrown in,
I only had small pieces of some fabrics so I had to cut each individual square to 2 1/2 inches, it was a slow process but once I got going it wasn't too bad.
Now to find some binding. I want a stripe I think.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend, I have some baking to do and of course I'll fit in some sewing somewhere throughout the day.
Take care.

Sewing for a great cause.

Do you  have lots of scraps that you know you will never use  well how would you like  to help Patchowork and stitching magazine mak some pillow cases for a great cause. They are launching a charity drive for pillowcases for Oncology kids.
If you would like to donate some pillowcases to this great cause then please head over to their facebook page to learn more or send them to the above address on the flyer.

Bits and Pieces

 I enjoyed making my other scrappy trip around the world quilt so much I decided to make another, this time with a christmas theme. I have been making blocks all week and I have nine to go.

 I love how its looking so far. I have kept it fairly scrappy by adding a few of  my favourite prints that aren't a christmas fabric but the colour is perfect. I can't wait to show you more.

 A few weeks ago I did a little swap with my blogger friend Melanie from The Patchwork robin, I made the tilda needle case I showed you a little while ago and these are the lovely gifts I received.

 Thankyou Melanie I love them all.

 Last week was my friend Wendy's birthday, I made her a needle case and a pin cushion, They were so much fun to make, I love anything with stitchery.

 Just a few nights stitching in front of the tele and they were done. So glad you like them Wendy.

I joined a pin cushion swap on Instagram and on Friday this little lady arrived at my house, isn't she a beauty. Thankyou Lyn.

Ok, off to do some house work then I can make a few more scrappy christmas blocks, have a great Sunday.

Christmas In July gifts

 Today I got to open my gifts from the Christmas in July swap, hosted by the lovely Cheryll. My secret santa was Cheryll herself so I was very excited. I received some beautiful gifts, these lovely cushions are so sweet.

 Also a very pretty heart, this will also be great to use on Valentimes day as a door hanger.

 Cheryll also made me this lovely stitched wall hanging, I love everything you sent me, thanks so much.

 The lady I made for has no blog so I'll share my gifts to her.   I made Anne lots of stitched things. you all know how much I love to do stitchery.  A mini cushion or perhaps Anne could use it as a pin cushion, designed my Red Brolly. The heart mug rug is my design, this was fun to make.

I also made Anne a christmas tag with a reindeer on it designed my Gail Pan.

It was such a fun swap, thankyou Cheryll. Happy Christimas in July,

Swapping and sewing.

 A little while ago I did a swap with my new Instagram friend Roslyn, we decided to make each other a needle case, Roslyn likes blue so I went to my Tilda stash and found some very pretty blues. I loved making this project, the stitchery on the front is Red Brolly.  If you would like to see what other sewing projects I put on instagram then you can find me at leannemilsom

 I also did another swap with a new blogger friend Melanie who lives in England, I made her a needle case to with a Red Brolly stitchery, I also sent her a few extra goodies. I will share my gifts from Melanie in another post.

 Friday night sewing was a great success, I started a new quilt with my much loved Tilda fabrics, I got the first row together. Its going to be such a pretty quilt, this pattern is perfect for big prints or fussy cutting your favourite fabrics as the blocks are big.

I also cut 60 hexagons and sewed the triangles to them, they are ready for another sewing day now.


I hope you got some sewing done,

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Friday night sew in

 Don't the weeks go by fast, tonight is Friday sew in and I'm  ready for a sewing marathon.

 I want to work on this quilt, I have quite a few more hexagons to cut out also a bit of stitching I need to do.
If you would like to join us go here to sign up, Its lots of fun.

My Christmas in July presents have arrived, can't wait to open them.

Happy sewing everyone,

Sunday stitching.

 Last week was my dear friend Tracee's birthday so I made her a special gift. If you read Tracee's blog you will know her beloved cat Brutus passed away. Tracee loves cats so much I knew I had to make her something with cats on. I found these free stitchery patterns over at Red brolly blog.

 They were perfect for what I had in mind, I made a needle case and pin cushion.

 I was thrilled with the end result and so was Tracee, they were so much fun to make I want to do more.

 I also made a mug rug for the Let's Celebrate swap with Barb.

And this morning I whipped up my first block in the Fat quarters new BOM. I love these fig tree fabrics.
Now I'm going to make sausage rolls for lunch and do some more stitching.

Enjoy your Sunday.