Kokeshi Doll Love

Kokeshi dolls......what is it about them that makes me love them so? Is it because, as a child, I don't think I really played with dolls, my Mum tells me I preferred Matchbox cars! Although I do remember that I had a biggish set of tiny dolls, who all wore their national costume. So maybe it springs from there. I just know that looking at these two, makes me cock my head to one side and smile.

They are both from this place, although they weren't bought on line, but in different retail shops in the UK. The one on the left is called NINTAI (Patience) and the other is JUNSHIN (a Pure and Simple Heart).

Yesterday, I found this shop on Etsy. I've promised myself that when I have enough $'s in my PayPal account, from sales in my Mandalin shop, I'm going to get one......or two, eeek!
The three things I managed to put in the shop have sold, oh excitement, so I'll be restocking this week with some pencil cases and a couple of other items.

Hope your all having a fabulous holiday.
Cherrio for now
X Mandy

"My Hugul", for Lily

I must get some more of this Kaffe Fassett fabric, I love how the "My Hugul" softie looks in it. I tried a new face on this one, wool! The stitching is wool thread also, I like the effect, it looks softer, cuddlier.

Anyhow, back to it!
X Mandy

mostly pictures!

Teacher's present




Placemat Swap received from issacsmama. LOVE this sooooo much!


And the placemat I made for issacsmama.


This needle case was a gift from Hanies, it came with my Show & Tell block. I use it every time I sew. The triangles in the wonky star are ever so teeny tiny. Adorable!



This is the block I made for Skipper, from our Bee Crazy Flickr group.


This super divine 5" square sweetie came to me from Julie (fairbanksfancygoods), for the Teeny Tiny Mini Swap. Look closely, there are lots of sequins and seed beads as well as the outer beads. This sits on my bedside table, too precious to be mislaid in my sewing area.

And lastly this is the fabric postcard swap I made for .....opppps, can't say just yet, it's still on it's way.


I think the idea was to post it, just like a real postcard. But I chickened out, it does have rather a long way to go, and the back is also fabric and I was worried the postage label would come off.

Okay. I think we're all caught up?
I've still some sewing to finish, just don't seem to be able to fit it all in.
Mmmm, actually I think I've possibly forgotten something. Oh dear, next time.

Cheerio for now,
X Mandy

A New Bag

Finished this one today, and I'm loving it.

As well as liking the look of a bag, it also has to sit well on my shoulder, and this one does a great job of that. It really annoys me when a bag keeps slipping off my shoulder, I just simply won't use it again. I'd make a little adjustment to the width of the strap, not much, just a smidgin'. All in all, a successful flying by the seat of my pants, let's see what happens when I......


The fabrics are Wonderland by MoMo, Arcadia charm squares by Sanae (they came from Katy, thanks again Katy). And some of the Kona cotton that arrived on Monday, mid grey (lining). I bought several Kona cottons, along with the mid grey came coal, snow, cactus and everglade. I won't be able to buy homespun cotton at spotlight again, Kona really is a superior quality and fabulous to work with. And buying from the US at the moment is really quite good!

The other finish I've had this week is my first cushion cover.


This was a heap of fun! It was one of ten samples I've put forward to a community run art & craft shop here in the Blue Mountains. It only stocks art & craft made in the Blue Mountains, and has been going since 1996. The monthly meeting was tonight, hopefully they will think my work will fit in and find me a space. If so I'll have to get busy, not that you'll hear me complaining. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

And so to bed
Cheerio for now
X Mandy

Peeping Owls!

I just couldn't wait any longer! These Owls were calling to me to do something with. As my winning comment was about when the owls come out, boys should be asleep. It seemed only natural to have them outside the window! The panel's not quite finished and I need to go to Ikea to get some sheets. I thought I'd make it into a bed set. Put the panel on a pillowcase, repeat the triangles and diamonds along the top of a flat sheet but keep the fitted sheet plain. Sounds like a groovy Christmas present for a little girl I know. But, have to get to Ikea first.

Anywoohoo, cheerio for now
X Mandy

Sunday Stash #15

Sunday Stash #15
Originally uploaded by mandalin18

I feel like I'm on a Blue Binge! I just love the blue on blue, with a little dull sunshine to contrast. And the one in the front, um well yes, I splurged. It's Amy Butler, but not just any Amy Butler.




Amy Butler...Love...Laminate!!
oooo so soft, and for the first time ever, I wanted to grab my scissors and cut into it instantly. But I resisted, it really is a good idea to have a plan first.
Follow this link for the inspiration behind my choices.

Show & Tell blocks finished

Donna wanted scrappy

Tacha wanted dots

Sara wanted black & white

and Sudi-Laura also wanted scrappy

Hopefully these will fit the bill.

This really is a super block. So simple to make, yet a myriad of effects can be achieved. I expect there are lots of blocks like that, I just really love pinwheels.

And what about these fabrics, aren't they just the cutest!I know at least one of you out there will agree.

They came from Cherri, of Cherry House Quilts, whose daughter is Lizzie of 'Lizzy's Red Letter Day' fabric. Such a generous giveaway, and I'm proud as punch that my comment was one of three that Cherri chose. She wanted to know what we would make from the fabric. I said I would make pillow cases for my boys, to remind them that when the owls are awake, they should be asleep. I've not made a pillowcase in my life! How hard can it be though. I, as did every commenter, promised to show our creation. And so I will. I'm slowly whittling down my WIP's.

Show & Tell Oct blocks - Done
Show & Tell Nov blocks - Done
6" mini quilt - Posted
Place mat Swap - Posted
STUD (swap til you drop) - Posted
Bee Crazy Oct block -
Bee Crazy Nov block -

So, only the Bee Crazy blocks to do and I will make some pillow slips. I've other things on the horizon, an order for x4 pencil cases, and some stock samples to make for applying to the 'Nook' in Leura. If it doesn't happen, I'll just add them in my 'madeit' shop listings. Yes! I finally did that too. I've only 3 things in there at present, but I do plan on adding some more to Mandalin soon.

Well, cheerio for now
X Mandy

the Falls ArtFest stock

The bags

The larger lined pencil case/wallet

approx 9" x 6"

The medium lined purses

approx 7" x 7"

The little lined purses

approx 7" x 4"

And a little cheery bunting,
because sometimes you just can't stop!
approx 2 yards

I also made quite a few cards, but they'll have to wait for another day. I really enjoyed making these bits and pieces and am going to start to put some items in my made it store. But probably not before the end of the week. I have some serious swap catching up to do. I've contacted my swap buddy's, and everything is toot sweet.


Cheerio for now

X Mandy

Falls Artfest '09

These were my handmade offerings at this years
'Falls Artfest'.

I'm very happy and proud to say, that much of what you see here, has been sold. I'll be back tomorrow, with some more pictures.

X Mandy

My home from home is....

the Post Office at the moment!
Oh no, I'm not complaining, I'm lovin' it!

This little parcel below went to a lovely Lady in South Australia. For whatever reason......she never received a DQS7 swap little quilt.

'ere tis.

I so LOVED making this.

I'm pretty sure it's all Kaffe Fassett fabrics mixed with cream linen and cotton solids. I've wanted to try the half square triangle blocks for quite a while. I'll definitely make another, but much larger (bed sized), and have rows of zig-zags which will change direction once or twice, like in Megs Doll quilt. The Kaffe fabrics were purchased as a mixed lot of 5" squares in an auction, eons ago. Hence the reason for so much pink!





I wanted to do a pieced back, and found all these little pieces in my stash that went great with a square that I didn't want to mix with the others on the front. My only regret, is that I didn't make the time to do a more classy label, ho hum, next time.

I love squiggly quilting, I just think of it as drawing with a pencil, trying not to get boxed into a corner with nowhere to go, but off the fabric. It works for me, mind you I still haven't tried it on a big quilt, yet!


Anyhow, that's me for the moment.
Cheerio for now
X Mandy


Oh, to come in a few weeks....

3 quilt swaps, they all need posting by the end of October! All heading off this isle, so I have to have them finished earlier. I'm aiming to post them all by the 21st, which should give them ample time to reach their destinations.
1. 6" (max) oh too cute, how could I resist that swap. Posted, yeah!
2. 13" x 17" (ish) placemat swap. How long can it take !?! Fabrics cut & layout finalized.
3. 15" x 15" (max) quilt. No worries, I'm an expert now. Fabrics picked.

I'm on target, but........

I also have the "Falls ArtFest" starting on Friday 23rd October, ooops!
So far I've made - 1 x handbag - 1 x zippered pencil case, no lining - 1 x zippered pencil case, with lining - 2 x zippered purses with lining - 8 x fabric Christmas gift drawstring bags.

So.....I guess I'd better finish this post!

Sunday Stash #13

My one and only Jelly Roll. I just couldn't leave the shop without it. Can't afford it, but it was the only one there and who knows when I'd find another one. Japanese Indigo fabrics really are a passion of mine. If I'd purchased the minimum cut of all 30 of these fabrics it would have cost me close to $150! No, I'm not kidding. Also, I've actually never seen a total of 30 Indigo fabrics together. The other three are 30cm cuts that I bought at the Sydney Quilt & Craft show earlier in the year. They cost me between $6 & $7 each, which I thought wasn't bad. It'll probably take me a week or so to unroll it, and a significant amount of weeks to decide what to make with it. It has to be special, and it has to be for me!

Cheerio for now,
X Mandy

Friendship Bag Swap

SPOILT!

Yes, indeed I was. Because I didn't receive a Friendship bag, I received two!!!
And a couple of fat quarters, and some yummy ribbons. Love the 'Calico Cat' fabric, very much.
And look at those bags, arn't they just. so. adorable. The left hand bag is made from 'Swell', I have a Pinwheel Wall Hanging in progress using a charm pack of this. The right hand bag is, arrgggghhhh, Roseanne please remind me. I made a table runner from it, it's Moda, it's......'Nell's Flower Garden' ha, memory does work under pressure after all. There's also some Arcadia by Sanae, another favourite of mine.

These were made for me by Roseanne of Sparrow Bee Designs, and I love them. Thank you so much for spoiling me Roseanne, I really appreciate the time you spent on my bags. Take a gander at what Roseanne received, some really gorgeous stitchery!

I hope my bag arrived in Sweden safely, I've not heard, and can't find my partner listed in the Friendship Bag Swap Flickr group members list either. In my haste to send my parcel off, I forgot to take a picture of the bag I made, doh! Or the little extra goodies I sent. Not to worry, I just hope it arrived.

Must go to bed now, relying on the speller tool too much!
Cheerio for now
X Mandy

The Wonkiness is free!

My first 2 wonky blocks.

Gee I enjoyed making these. I'm not sure I'll be able to stop! So much freedom in picking fabric scraps, whacking them around a cute center image and then putting a solid border on. Love it! These are just a few of the scraps that mommymae sent me with my DQS7 quilt. I just used a calico remnant I got from Lincraft for the border. I'm going to make them into little zippered pouches for the 'Falls Artfest'. YES!!! I finally had a go at putting in a zip! Crazy to wait so long to try it.

Red Apple

Green Apple

Pencil Case

Christmas Gift Bag

These little bags (I'm making about 10) are made from already sewn blocks I purchased from One Shabby Chick on etsy. I was going to make a Christmas Quilt to sell at the 'Falls Artfest', but had a brainwave to make some Christmas gift bags, they ended up about 8" square. I think they turned out cute!

Cheerio for now
X Mandy

DQS7 received

from the lovely mommymae......I just love how the colours in the quilt echo the colours I choose for my garden. I actually added this one to my fav's on Flickr, I commented on many, but really only fav'd a few. So........I was very, very, happy, when I opened the parcel. Jenny also included a bundle of stunning scraps, all my fav colours. I've promised some wonky cabin blocks will come out of them. Absolutley sure about that.

I've also received my Friendship Bag Swap bag (or should I say bags!!!). But haven't managed to take a good enough photo yet. Also in the mail came a fabric trade from the US. My very first piece of Munki Munki. It's oh so new to me. I think it's a clothing line, that has Heather Ross designs on it. Anyhow, I am now the proud owner of a pyjama leg! But...it is a bright red, teetering on orange background, with a lost, 3 eyed, Martian family on it. Some are on the mobile, some are looking at space maps and some are looking rather confused. Rohan, over my shoulder, saw a block made with the fabric and asked if I could get some. I commented on the photo about what Rohan had said, and she offered a swap! Love this crafty community.

Anyhow, the long and the short of it is.....I need to take some more photo's.
Be back in a day or so.
Cheerio for now
X Mandy