Yesterday we celebrated the 2nd birthday of our Little Guy. Being 2 days after Christmas is a bit of a bummer but all our friends and family made the effort to back up for morning tea and to make the day special for our little man.
He is right into Bob the Builder and Thomas and all those other boy things so husband Guy and I made him a 'Scoop' cake (the digger from Bob the Builder). Although he is a bit young still to ask for particular things, our only wish was that he would recognise Scoop.

And I think we did a pretty amazing job. We actually have a history of making cakes - but they have both been wedding cakes not birthday cakes. Last year I made a number 1 shaped cake for him with the help of my mum but this year Guy decided it was his job. Guy does all the cooking in our household and has worked as a cook so all the party-goers were eagerly anticipating the results.
He baked the cakes from scratch, assembled and mostly iced it, I just added the finishing touches to the icing.
Four little glasses cases all in a row. The last of my major sewing for Christmas. I will do some more cushions if I get time though.
It may have taken me 12 months but I finally finished and mailed my first Pay it Forward gift a couple of weeks ago. The lovely Anya from Hills Creek Quilter has just emailed me to say that she's received it in the mail.

The gift was made up of some coasters made from an Aboriginal inspired print, 2 pieces of fabric featuring Australian native birds and flowers, and a few random pieces of selvedge.
I'm so pleased you liked it Anya.
Just 1 PIF gift to go.
Another present done - tick!
A cute little apron for Miss 3 who loves cooking. Will team it with some of those bright silicone baking utensils. Looooooove the gorgeous Japanese fabric.
And the design is an original - straight out of my own little head. Ahhhh.
Hello again, I'm a wee bit late but nevermind.
Here is my latest stash - some filigree in dusk and fesitval by Anna Maria Horner.
More stashy here.
Well I've officially given in to peer (family) pressure and agreed to make Christmas pressies again. Although I have said I'm not going to completely bust a gut like I did last year.
So first cab off the rank is my dad, who was actually the last cab last year. His present is kind of the same as last year, just different fabric. Last year he received some coasters as just a bit of a gesture but he has used them so much and said how fantastic he thinks they are that he had to get some more! Plus he really loved the golden retriever fabric so the choice was easy.
My favourite part about making coasters? The quilting of them at the end. I like to go a bit wacky with how I quilt them, some turn out looking better than others but hey! And it really really helps when my walking foot 'walks' properly too!
Good morning everyone! My sunday stash today are 3 fabrics I purchased this week. On my birthday mum and I had a nice lunch then went on the hunt for a patchwork shop I'd heard of but hadn't found yet (in Brisbane this is a rare thing!). We found our way to Thread and Ginger at Victoria Point which is one of the most beautiful stores I've ever been in to. You don't get the full effect from their website but the decoration of the shop is great. And although only quite small, their range of fabrics is quite unique.
The first fabric is a strange one, different bird's eggs with the name of the bird underneath. But the colours are just compelling. The second was a must have of course - Japanese heavy cotton with scenes of Paris. And the third is old style newspaper with all the ads about sewing and notions.A little quirky collection!More stashers here.Have a lovely day!
And this happened yesterday too...

I mentioned the other day that I had a little something coming from this great lighting shop. Well it arrived the other day so here is my big 'ta dah'.
It's a fantastic, bright little light, doesn't take up much space on my desk and is just perfect for when the ceiling light just won't cut it.
And I love the groovy industrial look too!
Today's sunday stash is Blue for Boys.
Good boy fabric can be hard to find, as are good patterns and gifts. But I think I do ok when it comes to finding fun and funky boy things. And they aren't all necessarily blue - although I do like blue.
More stashy stashy here.
I've just found a website with the most fantastic collection of lighting.
I love lamps, my girlfriend has all these awesome floor lamps in her house and I always think that I'd like some just like that! But with a small child - I fear for the lamp's safety!
Anyway I have a little lamp heading my way, for my own corner of the world (my sewing table).
I will let you all have a look when it gets here. But meanwhile have a bit of a drool over the fantastic lighting here.
This week's sunday stash:
Some ultra thick Japanese cottons with which I'm going to make a bean bag/ cushion for little Guy.
And some Spellbound by Patricia Bravo - as yet undecided about destination.
More stashers at Tam's.
On Saturday my Mum, Aunty and I went to the Quilt Fair in Brisbane. I was really surprised how many stalls and people were there, many more than last time. We had a lovely afternoon browsing and picking up some goodies. But I think my favourite part was the display quilts. There was a group of ladies there who are attempting to make the World's Biggest Hexagon Quilt. Their aim was to make the quilt about 15 metres long, so far they have 40 metres! Anyone can help, you just need to piece 1 inch hexagons into rosettes - the middle hexagon must be in a green material, then the six around the outside can be any colour of your choosing. Every entry goes in the draw to win a $250 fabric bundle.
And the really lovely part of this is once the quilt has been finished and exhibited it will be cut up into smaller quilts and donated to patients in Nursing Homes and Aged Care facilities.
Your completed rosettes must be received by the organisers no later than 1st December, 2009. The quilt is then going to be quilted and bound and will be on display at The Australia School of Applique on 14-16 May 2010 as part of a Retrospective Quilt Show displaying new and antique quilts. There will also be a judge from the Guiness book of World Records coming.
Pop over to their blog for the address details.
It's great to see Tamara back on board and the Sunday Stash alive and kicking.
I thought I'd share a few bits and pieces today, my stash is becoming a little out of control!
First off a piece my Aunty recently bought me back from Liberty in London.
And a piece I picked up at the craft show yesterday, I just love the shiny spots.
And a couple of pieces from Paula Prass Flights of Fancy.
Head on over to 1/4 of an Inch for more stashy goodness.
I'm beginning to realise that there are a few things that I really enjoy sewing: bags, cushions, coasters....
Here is another cushion I made for my Mum, to match the one I made the other week. I quite like this one.
And I have finished the first of my Pay It Forward gifts - for Anya from Hillscreek Quilter. It will be winging its' way to the USA this week and I'll let the rest of you have a looky once I know Anya has received it.