Peace and love...

Today was the last day of the kids' holiday before going back to school tomorrow, and they decided to spend it in their favourite manner - lounging around, playing odd role-play games, watching telly, playing on the computer and fighting with each other (well, 4 out of five ain't bad!). Which meant, you guessed it, sewing time for Mummy. WooHoo.

One thing I did was some Valentine's ornaments for the swap on Creative Swaps - these aren't due until the 2nd of Feb, but given the slowness of the post these days, I thought, why take chances. I started with a bit of tie-dyed fabric (the rest of the FQ I used on the 60s postcards below) which I quilted heavily with circles and loops in a variegated pink thread. I then couched on some pink yarns. All that, I did while the piece was still one large piece - I then cut out the hearts, added some ribbon, beads, sequin waste, lace, or whatever. Some heart shaped brads, a lace flower, a little face and there you go. I forgot to take a photo of the back, but what I did was add another piece of batting, and a double layer of sheer fabric and stitch around the edge. Then I put a heart shaped piece of paper with my name and details on it and some heart shaped sequins between the sheer fabric and a layer of multi-coloured mesh and satin stitched the edges. I didn't want to really do anything elaborate on the back, but I did want the back to be attractive... Anyway, I think they turned out well - I sort of wish I'd made an extra for myself, but that's ok, I have the photos!



The other thing I did today was the postcards for the 1960s swap - which means I am all caught up with my postcard swaps (until the 15th of January anyway!) . I was writing out a list of various things I have committed to in the early months of 2008, and I actually feel a bit better now, because it's not as many things as I thought it was - and there is a wide variety of stuff, too, which is always more fun. I have very few PC swaps on at the moment, but that's ok - I'm sure I will do at least one or two a month, just not quite so many as last year.

Anyway, all I did with the 60s PCs was to take some tie-dyed fabric, add a peace symbol and quilt peace symbols and the words "Peace, man" onto them. Simple, but definitely 60s!

And finally - last but by no means least, my postcard from Vicki has FINALLY arrived - only took nearly a month to get here (it's postmarked in Virginia on the 4th of December). I'm just glad it's not lost because I really like it. (I knew I would when I saw it on her blog.)