Lulabell

2010-08-01T21:36:00.005+10:00

We are back from our honeymoon, settled into my new job and loving married life.
Our very incredibly talented and wonderful photographers at Elise Gow Photography have kindly blogged some of our beautiful photos. These are a few below, if you would like to have a look at more and see some of the ladies wonderful other work, check them our here . These girls are truely wonderful and made our experience and day perfect. Elise even helped stop me melting down over the rain!

I have also started sewing again! yay! I have been working on my 'Oh Christmas Tree' and I can not wait to finish it. I grabbed the kit from Ballarat Patchwork .

I have been doing some crochet as well, not as easy as I thought it was going to be. I have finished a blanket, will blog that next.

Take care

Hayley

The wedding...

2010-03-30T12:37:00.009+11:00

So we got married. It was a absolutely brilliant day despite getting married the day of Melbourne's storm of the century

The day started out wonderful, sunny skies. Three bridesmaids, my wonderful flower girl and myself got ready at my parents house. I watched the weather radar and my Dad kindly informed me there would only be a quick yet big down poor and we would just miss it, my Dad is always right so I think he was just trying to ease my nerves . Our ceremony was to be under the huge Morten Bay Fig tree at Melbourne Zoo with the reception to follow at the carousel park marquee also located in the Zoo.

Our photographer arrived at my parents house and the rain started, and didn't stop! We flew outside for some quick shots to take advantage of my parents wonderful garden, yet that was stopped by the rain. Our cars arrived and in we dived to travel to stand still traffic in the city due to flooding, I think the time spent in the car was needed to ease my nerves. The plan was the ceremony was to be under the tree, our guests could then take advantage of our location and wander the Zoo and see the baby elephant, coming back to drinks and canapes while the bridal party was getting photos, then sit down to a meal for the reception. Due to the rain, things didn't quite go as planned. Once the ceremony was over everyone stayed in the marquee while we raced off and thankfully the clouds were kind and only lightly showered for our location shots.

We had a wonderful night will all of our friends and family, and time sure does fly. We then jetted of to a cyclone filled honeymoon in Vanuatu. Luckily Vanuatu was not hit like Fiji, so thankfully we were safe and we enjoyed a few days of sunshine.
Daniel my now husband thinks we must be the luckiest people to have all this rain, he keeps insisting we buy lottery tickets and I have to keep reminding him that rain on you wedding day means good luck in your marriage!

These photos are not the professional ones, once I have those I will post a few. I will also do another post shortly with all the details from the wedding.

Take care XoXo

Hayley

3 weeks to go...

2010-02-14T16:36:00.003+11:00

With only three weeks until the wedding, things are starting to heat up in the Lulabell house.

I made these three clutch bags for my bridemaids, the colour and beading match their dresses perfectly.

I used this pattern and altered is using a heap of tricks from other patterns. It was a real production line and I loved making these. I just hope my 'maids' like them.

Take care
Hayley.

Creeping...

2010-01-07T19:42:00.002+11:00

Happy New Year, Christmas and everything else that has happened while I have been in Wedding world.
Time is just running away from me. There is only two months till the big day and I can't wait!
Almost everything is organised, just running around to appointments with suppliers like a mad woman. Ill show you some more wedding related photos in my next post.

I have been doing some sewing in the moments I need to escape from 'bridezilla' town... ill post those photos soon as well.

Take care.

Hayley

Wrap up!

2009-10-04T20:31:00.002+11:00

This is my fabulous Doll Quilt from DQS7. I love it to pieces, the colours, the quilting, the raw edge applique and the piecing, just simply perfect! Thank you so much Barb.

If you have not already joined the DQS I highly recommend it, there is nothing like making a special quilt for someone and then tearing open the packaging to your own special quilt.

My DQS7 made is way to its owner the wonderfully talented Mrs Schmenkman.

Back later in the week with a quilt and a bag!

Hayley X

Last doll quilt swap for a while!

2009-09-12T15:39:00.006+10:00

This is my quilt for Doll quilt swap 7. My last for a long time...

It is trapunto flowers with a small blanket stitch and machine quilted. It took me longer to come up with this design than it did to make it, I was trying to step away from my normal. The binding is done in my favorite method.

I really hope my partner likes it as much as I do...

Love the back! I also finished quilting the baby quilt. I really enjoy sitting down to a big session of stippling.

Lastly, I have made travel pouch for my overseas trip! whooop whop!
Take care

Hayley

This and that...

2009-08-01T11:13:00.004+10:00

I went off the the Craft Fair last weekend, with no intention of buying anything, maybe just some fabric I have been trying to hunt down. I ended up with a drunkard path quilt kit.

I feel I love with it, I love the colors and how it plays with the eye. 2 days later the kit was all cut up and I am about 2/3 the way through piecing... I am trying hard not to give up on this one.
Through the cold winter, I have been snuggling up on the couch trying to finish off some embroidery for my Truly Scrumptious block of the months. Only 3 more blocks to go!
I have signed up for the Doll Quilt Swap 7. What was I thinking! This is my third swap and each time I spend such a long time planning the quilt. This time I am stuck! I don't have any idea, my partner is a master of all styles of quilting and I have lost my mojo.
Hopefully I can come up with something soon.

Till next time.
Hayley

Back...

2009-06-28T16:14:00.003+10:00

I have been sewing, not much but I have been making a few things. With it now being winter, wedding planning and the cold dark nights, I have not been able to take photos.
I made these Heather Bailey Apples and pears.

I pieced this quilt for a new baby in the family. Its the same as this quilt, but instead I used a kiwi green. I am really looking forward to quilting this, I love sitting down to a big project like quilting.

I have also made my first piece of clothing, a Anna Maria Horner Socialite dress. It took me a while to learn the garment pattern terms, I also used plain cotton just in case it didn't work! I am now making a second for a friend and then Ill be making another for myself. Perfect for my tropical holiday in a few months.

Back to reading the +400 posts in Google Reader!

Take care.

Hayley

Wow...

2009-05-24T17:48:00.003+10:00

This week I received my quilt for Doll Quilt swap 6.

When I went to the post office to collect my package, the post office clerk brought out a parcel with 3 green little hexies on the envelope, and I nearly squealed!

It is hand pieced and hand quilted by this wonderful lady, all those tiny hexagons. Such wonderful colours and so many different fabrics, I have already spent a lot of time spotting new fabrics I didn't see before.

Thank you Anastasia! I love love love it!

Hayley X

Stacks!

2009-05-16T23:19:00.005+10:00

The wonderful Janelle from Threads of Friendship sent me some Amy Butlers. Thank you ever so much Janelle, love that I have my own personal fabric shopper who has connections!

These two stacks are for quilts in progress.
and lastly a little wristlet for my Mum.

I am fighting off the winter blues and it's only autumn. My sewing room is so cold that I am thinking of moving my sewing machine next to our heater! Maybe then Ill actually create something.

Take care

Hayley X

Tutorial and give away to come

2009-04-23T20:44:00.005+10:00

This week I have not really touched my sewing machine. Although I have been totally inspired by OhFransson! and purchased a fabric dying kit. This could be messy, very very messy!

Great news, Bronwyn at Whippet Good received her Doll Quilt Swap 6. She was my swap partner and she likes it. phew big sigh of relief.

Whats with the big fresh chunk of rising dough? Its waiting to be used on our brand new little pizza oven. We received it as a engagement gift and its awesome!

I am thinking of having a give away soon. I just have to make the prize. So come back soon and see.
Is anyone interested in a eye mask tutorial? They are so quick and easy to whip up.

Hayley X

Happy Easter!!!

2009-04-10T14:11:00.003+10:00

Just taking a break from eating chocolate to show you...my Doll quilt swap 6 is finished! I finished it at the start of the week but now that day light savings has ended I get home in the dark. Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments. I hope I answered your questions Lori? I just hope my partner likes it (fingers crossed)The back of my dolls quilts are always my favorite.
This is how I will be spending my Easter break, sorting the mess below that not so long ago looked so pretty!

...along with making more small little things. The passport holder is a wonderful pattern by the A Spoon Full of Sugar girls. The eye mask I made from my own pattern, they are so easy I think ill be throwing these in with all the passport holders I make!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter, hope the Easter bunny is kind to everyone.

Hayley X

Doll quilt swap 6

2009-04-05T11:13:00.004+10:00

Here is my quilt for the doll quilt swap number 6.

Cant wait to put the binding on and show you all the back.

Back to it!

Still here...

2009-03-31T20:38:00.004+11:00

I had my first sewing class. Two days at Amitie learning free motion quilting with Deborah Louie. I picked up many tips, learnt so many tricks and spent way to much on more fabric! I cant wait for next years class.

I also made a 'Bambino'

Have a look at Kellie's very wonderful giveaway on her blog. I have my fingers crossed!

Back soon with my DQS6 (hopefully)

Hayley

Back to normal...

2009-03-11T16:42:00.004+11:00

First quilt for 2009!

Well it has been quite busy in Lulabell land. Our engagement party was this weekend just gone. Thank goodness that's over, now I can just concentrate on the wedding.

I have deferred school until after the wedding, I could not concentrate and apply myself to the 10 hours of study a week, plus full time work, plus engagement and wedding planning... yuck!

So now its back to normal, just work and planning a wedding.

I have finished this quilt! Thanks for your input, I did go for the green. As for making it a boy quilt, I have a strong feeling the baby will be a he! Fingers crossed otherwise ill have to chain myself to my sewing machine.

This one is my next mini project.

I have also signed myself up for Doll Quilt Swap 6. I had in my mind that I needed to made a totally different quilt to DQS5. Then I realised that what I made is my style, from my one little imagination, why change what I love?

Take care

Hayley

busy...

2009-02-24T19:10:00.004+11:00

I have been so busy with work, study and planning the wedding and engagement party. I have not had much time for sewing. I have been slowly putting together this quilt...
I love that 3D zoo fabric. I have not sure about those dark green blocks (centre, top right and bottom left) what do you guys think?

I made this pillow, its for the owner of the aboves quilts big sister.

x Hayley

Oh Victoria...

2009-02-08T18:08:00.005+11:00

This is what I have been sewing lately...

It is the start of a Oh, Fransson quilt for a very close friends baby, due in 6 weeks. No I don't know what the gender is yet! Big risk.

This weekend was spent in Dromana, Victoria. Oh what a beautiful place
This photo was taken this morning. It was very hot yesterday, +40c. We went strawberry picking and my fridge us busting open from all the blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

My country is burning, the current deaths is 65. Every time there is a update on the TV, I start to get tears in my eyes and have to walk away. My friend is currently at her parents house fighting to save their home, we were going to go out there to help but the roads are now blocked off from the fires. While we sit and watch the coverage on the news, peoples home a lost and there is nothing we can do.

Back to watch the news coverage.

Hayley

Strawberries...

2009-01-25T18:41:00.003+11:00

The hunt has been on, for the perfect dress. Yesterday I found it, loved it and now I have to wait another year to wear it! I am very glade I started the dress mission early.
On the sewing front, there are not many completed projects to show you guys. I have made two velveteen strawberries to make up for my strawberries the birds and sun and stopping me from having. Its been super hot here in Melbourne and my strawberries are frying in the heat. These strawberries are a Heather Bailey pattern.

Today I made chocolate and pecan biscuits. YUMMO!

I also continued my pillow for a very special little girl. While sewing I get to enjoy my backyard and my green green grass courtesy of the washing machine water. I wish it would rain, for my garden and for our farmers.

Hope everyone in Australia enjoys their long weekend and everyone else enjoyed their short one :)

Hayley

Fabric & Penguins

2009-01-09T23:07:00.009+11:00

I sorted my fabric stash...

This will be destroyed in a few days. Does anyone have any special ways they sort their fabric? I need something to help me with all my fat quarters. There is also more fabric, its just hidden till after the wedding!

We also went to see the Penguins at the Melbourne Aquarium with some friends. I love the aquarium, I could spend days in there just sitting and watching.

Lastly, I learnt to not use a blunt blade on my rotary cutter. I need to stop being lazy and telling myself "Its only one piece to cut" while almost slicing my thumb off in the process. Lots of blood and lots of pain killer to get to sleep that night!

Have a good weekend

Hayley

Coming along...

2009-01-05T21:32:00.005+11:00

For me to complete a project seems to something of the past. I have heaps of UFO's laying around but nothing seems to be getting finished, maybe I should have made a new years resolution!

This is my lastest UFO

Engagement invitations...

The dates are set, the engagement party is almost organised and the wedding reception is booked! I cant believe it, thanks to the Christmas slow period...

I will hopefully have some sewing to show in the next few days.

Hayley

merry Christmas...

2008-12-24T18:07:00.004+11:00

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and if you are driving a safe trip.

This is what we will be lucky enough to be eating all day tomorrow....

Mars bar slice, Chocolate spiders, Apricot and coconut truffles, Chocolate and Walnut fudge and Peppermint and Chocolate truffles YUM! Just hope they last the car trip...
I have not been doing much sewing, to much planning! I did sew this wristlet and passport holder for my cousin, fabric is perfectly her.
I should be back after Christmas with some sewing, the entire weekend after Christmas is reserved for some sort of sewing!
Hayley

Diamonds are a girls best friend...

2008-12-10T18:43:00.005+11:00

The reason for my absence is because of this...

and now too much of this!

Yes the boyfriend proposed, so now he is my fiance! It was very romantic proposal and he did so well to keep it all a secret. He took two of my girlfriends ring shopping on numerous occasions and I just LOVE it. I just cant wait till the ring is back from the jeweler's from being re-sized. In crafty news, I ordered some decorator weight Alexander Henry 2D Zoo fabric, I just love it and its the perfect baby boy fabric. I have a very important baby arriving early next year and again I am unsure of the gender, so the collection starts!
...and one of my favourite part of Christmas here in Melbourne, eating loads to many of these and having red lips.
Hopefully be back soon... If not you'll find me under a pile of silk in some bridal store!

Hayley

Avoiding...

2008-11-24T17:44:00.006+11:00

I have a few days off work to study, not that much of that has happened! I am spending the time distracting myself from actually sitting down to be absorbed in the books, Acts and Tariffs.

I actually have my fingers crossed that my Doll Quilt swap partner receives her quilt. I don't know what I will do if its lost in the mail, don't even want to think about that! (Edit: SHE HAS IT! YAY!)

Hayley

Update...

2008-11-23T10:58:00.002+11:00

This week I have my last exam for the year. So much preparing not much sewing, I have managed to finish my second block for little bluebirds.
Its was raining most of yesterday. I love wet feet on concrete, reminds me of my childhood.

Cross your fingers for me!

Hayley

I Heart Blogville...

2008-11-08T12:28:00.007+11:00

I really do love my blogville, checking out my favorite designers & crafters blogs to see what beautiful designs they are making and receiving lovely comments. Those comments really make me smile from ear to ear and are what I really love about my blog. So thank you.
This week I have decided I am going to have only two projects going at a time. So I am in completion mode, starting with a few smaller projects.
My Rudy softie by Melly and Me from Honeysuckle Cottage's Christmas Club, my 2nd pin cousin of the month and softie for a special person (fabrics reflect her style)
Hopefully now I will start sleeping better with less projects to think about. My teeth and much better, healing really well.

Have a good weekend

Hayley

Ouch!

2008-10-31T00:31:00.009+11:00

I had all four wisdom teeth taken out on Monday under general anesthetic. Monday, Tuesday and most of Wednesday have been a big blur to me, although I did manage to get some sewing done on my DQ. Three cheers for sick leave!

Thursday was all smiles, I walked outside to see a little parcel at my front door. It was my Doll Quilt made especially for me! I love it, the mix of colour and white, the puffs and buttons are just beautiful. Thank you for much Jody, hope you don't mind that I stole the photo from your blog.

My doll quilt is almost done, just needs a label. This little quilt has a long journey ahead of her and I hope my partner likes it.

Have a good weekend

Hayley

Progress...

2008-10-25T16:16:00.004+11:00

Almost finished my DQS quilt top, trying to decide if I will add a pieced strip to the right.
Have a good weekend.

Lucky duck...

2008-10-18T20:49:00.009+11:00

This week has been one full of little surprises. I won two giveaways!

Normally most of my blog reading happens at work (on my lunch break of course!), and unfortunately my IT department does not allow me to make comments (how dare they). So the only time I can comment is if I happen to read any from home. So I commented on two giveaways for the first time and won them both, very lucky girl.

First I won Rosalie's beautiful new stitchery patterns. They have arrived and are just as fabulous as ever. I also won a pattern from Amanda Brooke, I will be whipping up the swag as soon as it comes.

I also received the second Pin Cousin of the Month. I have fallen in love with the pin toppers and have banned myself from looking at her shop in fear of buying the lot!

I have started my Doll quilt for the swap, this has become high priority as I could not live with myself if I was late. These are the fabrics Ill be using. Have a good weekend.
Hayley

If I need it, make it!

2008-10-12T12:27:00.008+11:00

At night school I need a laptop, which means I need a laptop bag. I use my laptop in class and at my full time job, so I carry the laptop with me everywhere. So I needed a new one, made from Amy Butlers new fabrics...

I have also joined my first swap, Doll Quilt Sway 5. I am really nervous about this, maybe I should have tried something a little easier first!

Now my Sunday will consist of dreaming of ideas and making these for this...

Have a good week.

Hayley

Domestic bliss...

2008-10-05T21:06:00.004+11:00

This weekend I was quite busy. I made homemade fresh pasta, chocolate chip cookies and finished off this...

Its by Janelle Wind from Quilt Fabric Delights, one of my many BOM on the go at the moment.

I also made 4 more Passport holders for friends

Next up the piecing for little bluebirds and another Giraffe.

It has been school holidays for us here in Victoria, which means less traffic on the road and no school for us part time uni students. I can do so much more at home with those extra two nights a week. Back to the rat race tomorrow.

Have a good week

Hayley

Well why not...

2008-09-29T19:02:00.004+10:00

I gave the passport holder to my Mum yesterday. By this morning I had a phone call with the request of a matching camera case. So why not, this is what I whipped up after work today.

Have a good week.

Miss Poppy...

2008-09-28T18:54:00.003+10:00

Introducing the lovely Miss Poppy...

The outcome of most rainy days in Melbourne.
Sleeping with her friend Billy
and keeping D's bum warm!

What a life

Hope you had a good weekend.

I wish....

2008-09-20T17:59:00.003+10:00

I was using these...
I made 5 in total, one has already been hijacked. I used a tutorial from here.
It very quick and easy and I am sure I will be making more.

Have a good weekend.

a few more photos...

2008-09-16T20:59:00.007+10:00

Here are the quilts I was talking about in a past post.I have mainly female cousins, this was for the first cousin to have a bubba. They did not find out the gender while she was pregnant, so it was a hard task of piecing the quilt with a mix that would go either way. I waited till the baby was born before adding the borders. The name is just machine appliqued.
This was for a friends niece, just a simple one. It was the second part of her birth gift from her aunt, the first was Mrs Perkins below.

The quilt was a second request as the mother fell in love with the Kaffe Fassett fabric. Haven't we all!?

Until next time...

Time for photos

2008-09-15T22:01:00.005+10:00

I have been slack in putting photos up...

I have joined the Pin Cushion of the Month, here is some photos of my progress. Dont you just love the pintopper?

I'll post more photos tomorrow.

Check!

2008-09-10T20:31:00.002+10:00

Cousins baby quilt - CHECK!
Friends nieces quilt - CHECK!
Mrs Perkins - CHECK!
I only have many Block of the Months to start/complete, a few softies and numerous ideas running around in my head.
My temporary sewing desk that was put in our study has past its used by date (by 2 years). It is actually a old camping fold up table and once I get into a sewing rhythm the table bounces!
Its time for a new table, more sturdy, more practical with more room to spread... which means more junk but hey I need it. So the search is on. Wish me luck!

I now get it...

2008-08-18T23:39:00.004+10:00

I never used to understand when people said "there are never enough hours in the day". When I was younger I would always have so much time in the day. Would see all my friends, cook myself tea and have everything ready for the next day.

Yet since my recent addiction to all things fabric, I have lost these spare hours. I don't have enough time to do all the things I would like to in the day like clean (do I really want to do that?)

Once I am fixed on a project and its looming dead line (babies being born), I am like a bull in a china shop, what ever comes into my path is left a mess!

My cousin had her first baby. Racing to finish that before the first visit.

Here is a photo of a quilt I finished early this year. Its a BOM by Hatched and Patched.

Until next time...

Babies, School, Work and sleep!

2008-07-31T20:16:00.002+10:00

So much baby news at the moment. I have been trying to finish some projects for babies coming and start projects for babies already here...
Two softies, one quilt. Doesn't sound like much but I have so little time to do it in.
Just purchased a laptop today for school. Have to wait and see if I hate it or love it!
My camera has been hijacked, once I have it back Ill take some photos.

Until then

Just a quick one...

2008-07-12T21:54:00.002+10:00

I have finished another project, just a small one. I have been stitching my little heart out.
Ill post a photo tomorrow.
My fabric addiction is getting out of hand! I have purchased so much this week!
Need to stop!

2008-07-04T13:27:00.005+10:00

I have worked out how to put a photo on my header. Yet still need to work out how to make it smaller.

I am working on a quilt for my cousin's first baby. First cousin to jump into the world of mother hood.

I am using Strawberry Lemonade by Me and My sister for Moda. I love the playful colours. As I don't know the gender of the bubba I tried to make it fun and playful, its a little girly but that's because I have a funny feeling it IS a girl!

Still need to join the blocks together, do a little hard stitching and wait till she/he is born. Then I can put the name on the front.

I am using a pattern by Nancy Halvorsen.

Testing Tesing 1 2 3 .....

2008-07-03T18:17:00.000+10:00

Wow I am finally a blogger!