willywagtail

A bag

2012-01-28T23:22:00.000+11:00

Tragedy

2012-01-25T22:24:00.002+11:00

Calvyn 59 Patricia 81 Donald 81

source 1, 2

source 3

I loved you all dearly.

In God's memory.

" And a book of remembrance began to be written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and for those thinking upon his name." Malachi 3:16

Little jobs = lots of satisfaction

2012-01-24T14:44:00.000+11:00

They are only little bits of sewing but to my mind they equate to three more jobs off my list so three less things I still have to do.
The skirt I picked up from the op shop the other week was a size 12 which is really a tad (or more) too small unless I wanted to wear it as a corset. That was easy to fix. Simply remove the zip, cut about 3 inches off, reattach the lining and the zip and now I have a really happy skirt to wear.
Next was that long forgotten quilt top. I simply cut a piece of the corner fabric to match the over all size, sewed around it at 0ne in the morning, turned it inside-out and ironed it.
One new bed cover for those hot summer nights.
And last was the Bible cover I finally whipped up for myself out of material I found under my bed whilst seeking the backing fabric for my bed cover.
Three simple, simple jobs but so often I don't possess the push to just do even the simple tasks.
In other news I have taken the 14 days free trial on ancestry.
Lots of late night trawling, digging and even the odd skeleton in the closet being revealed.
Lots of fun.

Before and after of that long finished dressing table

2012-01-23T19:44:00.001+11:00

Remember this ?

I was working on it back in August of last year.

Sanded, painted and moved to our new address.

Then some imported glass nobs and a 200 year old map of Switzerland later it was finished.

Except that I forgot to share the final outcome with you.

So here is the grand reveal.

That sneaky UFO

2012-01-18T15:37:00.000+11:00

It was hiding for nearly six years and I forgot about it in my purge last year.

I am so happy I did.

When I saw this post whilst perusing google images I suddenly know that I could use this gorgeous top that I still love as a summer bed topper.

I think I will just lengthen it with a bit of the corner fabric still hiding somewhere.

So there you go folks: when I said I had no UFOs lying around I was actually telling a fib.

Fly away home

2012-01-16T18:58:00.000+11:00

The goodies above will hopefully be winging their way to the southern capital in a day or two, trapped inside a lovely young ladies suitcase.

Today was one of those days where you go looking and find exactly the things that fit your brief.

And the kindest of people behind the counter who virtually give the goodies away for free.

Wonderful.

The man behind the counter told me that he thinks this little beakless bird could be a fairy wren.

I don't know.

But I have a feeling she might just like it.

The tablecloth down the bottom is a keeper for me.

Fits my table like a glove and suits my personality perfectly.

It wasn't my turn to cook tonight but todays chef is off colour so I am making pancakes.Best get cracking.

Cover for Dibs

2012-01-10T23:40:00.002+11:00

Working on ....

2012-01-09T20:53:00.001+11:00

Cushions for an elderly couple who have just had their lounge repainted a soft shade of green.

The sashing mimics the wall colour and the idea for the Japanese influence was their big Japanese fan above the settee.
I'm having heaps of fun.
Hope you are too.

I made a hat

2012-01-08T00:23:00.001+11:00

And a pinny.

And some little nappy pants.

All for Reya.

Who is about 6 months old and so cuddly and cute everyone wishes they could take her home.

I picked the greens because they remind me of her Mumma who told me she absolutely loved the fabric.

I used this pattern for the hat.

PS My model is not Reya.

She is a real live, loving baby.

PSS

I really want to join Pinterest. I've requested an invite about a week ago but haven't heard anything since. Does anyone know how long it takes to be accepted please?

I am linking to a twitter account which I set up merely to join Pinterest.

My friend Gordon

2012-01-07T21:42:00.001+11:00

Gordon is here.

Actually Gordon has been here for a few weeks now but as he is the elephant, not me, and my memory is so bad I've forgotten to share his photos with you.

I promised him today that I would so here they are.

As you can see Gordon came in his very own travel case, complete with goodies for me.

He tells me that he loves the relaxed country life where we sleep all day and play all night. The sea and salt of this little corner of the coast suits him perfectly.
As you can see he has made a bevy of new friends who he hangs out with all the time.
He originally comes from Victoria, from a home where many bears and others friends come and go so he is used to lots of company. He was designed and made by the wonderful Jess of TeddyBearsWednesday fame.
The only negative thing he has to say about this place is that the canine company is a little to rough for him and he prefers to hang up high with his friends rather than down on the bed with his Mum.

Love ya Gordon.

Thankyou Jess!

One forty-five in the morning

2012-01-06T02:22:00.000+11:00

I'm not suggesting that you get up at this time in the morning to let the dogs take a refreshing walk in the back yard or to spray the kitchen for the ever present cockroaches or have half a cup of milo with some milk while you are there but IF you should do so this is what you might see:

At least it will give you something to blog about until you have finished googling all the possible projects the net has to offer and get down and actually do something.

I bought an iron today.

2011-12-27T16:35:00.000+11:00

So this is my story. It's not about high powered irons or the most that money can buy. It's just about me and irons and what I like.

I like Sunbeam irons. I always have. Maybe it's my Mum's fault. Maybe it's because that was the best iron around when I was a kid. I don't know. I just like their feel and the shape of their sole plate. They fit. I don't have to get used to another shape. I don't have to spend time thinking: "I hate this iron". I can just get straight down and start using it.

Of course the only time I like using irons for is sewing. Ironing clothes. Pffft. I hate that. Ask anyone who knows me, especially my kids.

So. I bought an iron. Why? Because I have a feeling the old one was dropped a number of times and then when I moved some loving soul laid it down flat in the laundry cupboard onto some sort of corrosive material that buckled the teflon.

Since then ironing, even for sewing, has been a nightmare. I've had to go out in freezing (note as low as 20 degrees at least) weather and rain and dark to turn the electricity back on at the power box because the iron kept shorting the power supply. That means I got yelled at (metaphorically speaking) by everyone in my house because their TV/computer switched off. No good.The only way I could stop the shorting was by having virtually no water in the iron.

And that my friends is a calamity. Because I am a steam freak. That's right. I am completely sold on steam doing the trick It's the only thing I ask for in an iron. As well as a shot of sparay too. O and a non stick sole plate. Just simple things like that. Only apparently those things were not simple once upon a time. I remember buying my first iron for a whopping $80 just so I could get those simple tricks. Then my husband proceeded to throw it in a fit of temper and I had to make do with just a spray iron. Or was it just a steam/no spray iron,. I can't remember. But it was either one or the other. And I've had to learn to live with cleaning the sole plate in between every second swipe with the iron because I could not afford all three gimmicks in the one iron. It was just too pricey.

Which brings me to today.

Today I bought a new iron with 6 different steam settings, shot of spray, special platinum non stick sole plate all for $49. Did I tell you it also has a 15 min automatic cut off if I forget or neglect to switch it off. My husband would have loved that. Pity he didn't stick around for the latest in standard iron technology that even his temper could have left me affording.

Subeam Ultura 70

Corners of my home

2011-12-15T00:56:00.000+11:00

Today Kate spoke about her home being a Copper Art home. Now I don't for a moment believe that to be really true but I guess many of us can identify with starting our homes with stock, standard decorating ideas.

There is no real reason though why we should continue to be crowd followers if we don't want to.

I've used my very dodgy camera to point and shoot a few corners of my home to prove that it doen't need to take a lot of money to make a home feel individual.

Shoe cupboard $5 garage sale

Picture $1 op shop

Small table free curbside

Basket from my childhood

Table free curbside find
Doily $1 op shop
Jug $3 op shop

Table from ebay $200 including 6 chairs some of which are no longer with us

Various chairs from op shop or garage sale - most expensive $15

China cabinet free from friend
Pretties from ebay, op shops or garage sales.
Only the cats were bought new.

One jug bought new.

The other one thrifted.

Lavender left over from days gone by when I had more money than sense.

More bags in my creative space

2011-12-07T23:39:00.001+11:00

In response to all your lovely comments on my last bag I decided to make a similar one and pop it in my madeit shop.

I have also decided to make a couple of others and will put them in as soon as they are finished.

Here is the next one half way done.

For a peek at what other creative people are doing this week go here.

Rescinding

2011-11-30T19:04:00.001+11:00

To rescind: Revoke, cancel, or repeal

So now I am cancelling what I thought earlier.

To whit: that I will never make another bag.

Because I just did.

Hope you like it Becky.

It's big enough for the folder or the beach or the market.

Or else to swap.

Click here to see what other people are making this week.

Another t shirt embellished and refashioned

2011-11-25T16:27:00.001+11:00

I hope I'm not boring you with all my refashions but I'm having heaps of fun doing them.

This one is done with a simple $5 tee from K Mart.

Why?

Because I liked the colour.

Specifically I wanted a colour I could wear with this circle skirt which was made a couple of years ago from an old tablecloth.

But a plain $5 t shirt isn't very inspiring so I decided to jazz it up with the help of some doilies.

Unfortunately, two doilies were hurt in the course of this job.

I used two squarish ones and laid them diagonally along the v neckline then simply sewed along the original seam line and snipped the left over pieces off in the back and zigzagged them neat.

The work didn't take much longer than the typing of this once I had made up my mind to do it.

Because the top was a little long and wide I took it in on the sides and ruched it up by applying ordinary 1/2 centimetre elastic along it using a largish zigzag stitch.

I found that the elastic needs to be stretched almost to it's ultimate stretch to give the effect I want.

And that's about it.

Except that I then decided to use the scraps I had cut offfrom the sides and make a little decoration for the centre.

Psst.

Thankyou to everyone who said to mow.

I did but it's rained heaps this week and it all needs redoing.

O dear.
Looks like I'm going to have to do it all over again.

To mow or not to mow

2011-11-13T22:55:00.001+11:00

I have a feeling that I am really a hippy at heart.

I love to see a well manicured garden but a field of wild flowers puts my heart all a-flutter.

The little tableau in the middle of my rental backyard was to hide my son's attempt at helping me get rid of years of old paperwork.

The grass got a little bit black - ahem - and as we had an inspection a couple of days latter I needed to do something to pretend that we are respectable people.

I lugged nearly a dozen pavers from useless spots int the garden and put on a little show.

It looked really good.

Roadside finds on crisp orange square pavers embellished with a couple or three of potplants relocated from a few feet away.

Unfortunately, I left gaps between the pavers to increase their coverage and that allowed the weeds to thrive in our warm moist climate.

Now it's not just the weeds but the whole back yard that's thriving and I really like the overgrown look.

Trouble is we have an another inspection in two days time and I'm not sure whether prospective buyers (here's hoping they are investors who will let us remain) will agree with my view.

What about you?

Do you love the overgrown look or the perfectly trimmed yard?

T-shirt refashion

2011-11-10T09:09:00.000+11:00

Take one Black Pepper t-shirt with a touch of bling

Cut a couple of inches of the hem.

Slit it down the centre.

Shape the neckline and undo and inch or so of the shoulder seam.

Sew beautiful cotton lace purchased by beautiful daughter whilst in New York along the bottom.

Sew more beautiful lace along the centre.

Do a touch of handsewing, including attaching some buttonsand neatening the shoulder seams etc.

Now you have a refashioned Black Pepper t-shirt jacket.

Hooray!

Re-using a cot

2011-11-09T02:00:00.000+11:00

Now that I have moved to a new house my sewing space is in the lounge room. Fortunately the kitchen/dining/family room is open plan and perfect for our normal family life . This means that having the sewing in the lounge room is no big deal.

Still, my old cutting table, which was a six seater dining table that had been raised several inches using all manner of goodies from Bunnings, was too large for this new area so it went to the tip with all the rest of the clutter that got thrown out on moving day. I am glad it went because in the end it had to be held together with string and the height adjusters would fall off every time I re-arranged the room.

So... I needed a new cutting table.

Even though I am only short I like my table to be high enough that I don't need to bend over when using the rotary cutter.

What could I get that would fill not only the height requirements but also allow me to hide all the goodies I used to store on and over my old table?

Why, a cot of course!

Found at the op-shop for a mere $15 and in a lovely aged cream colour this folding wooden cot is perfect.

At the moment I am just using a piece of 9mm MDF from the shed on the top but I think in time I will get a piece that fits correctly so their are no gaps for goodies to drop through. The best part is that I can store things in the cot (hidden by vintage tableclothes when I get that far) and also underneath.

PS In the interest of sanity I have not vacuumed the floor or tidied anything up.

Refashioning - How to enlarge a too small t-shirt

2011-11-03T23:08:00.000+11:00

This tutorial will only work if your t-shirt is longer than you would normally wear it. I am a short person so am quite happy generally to shorten my tees. Or you may wish to use co-ordinating or contrasting fabric from another tee. I have also seen this done simply to featre a favourite piece of woven fabric so that is another option for you.

I generally wear an XL but found this perfect size M at the oppy today. I knew that I really wanted to spend some time playing around with unfitting clothing and doing some refashioning so this was a perfect start for me.

First I cut off the hem just above the stitching line.

Then I cut a section approximately 7 cm from the bottom of the t-shirt. You must work out how much you will need to add according your t-shirt size.

The best way is to measure your bust. Then measure the bust of the t-shirt when it is lying flat and unstretched. Take this measurement away from your bust measurement and you will have the overall difference. Next you need to divide this for the two sides and add on two seam allowances. This will tell you how wide your inserts need to be. Hopefully you will still have enough length on your finished t-shirt for your height as well as inserts that are long enough to go from waist hem to sleeve hem. Please calculate these before proceeding.

After that I carefully removed the side seam being sure to only cut off the smallest amount.

The 7cm (0r whatever size you are dealing with) strip from the bottom of the tee is then split into two pieces by cutting the side seams out.

One piece gets sewn into the gap at each side, being carteful to align hems at the waist.

After that you simply cut off the extra pieces at the sleeve and hem according to your taste.

If you want to turn over a hem at the sleeve you will need to leave enough allowance for this when you cut off the extra bit.

Please don't forget to clean your seams according to your favourite method.

If you are a novice when it comes to sewing with knit fabrics like I am then I would suggest taking a slow speed and gently feed the fabric in from the front and side.

DO NOT pull from the back or you will stretch the fabric.

I used a 1/4 inch seam in size 3 stitch length (Brother machine) and cleaned the seams with a simple zigzag, feeding the seams in slowly again so as not to buckle them. Of course if you have an overlocker or serger and know what you are doing with knits this will all be a breese for you. As it is the project does not take a long time.

Enjoy!

I may or may not be back to show you how I further embellish this top. (that's if I even do!).

A bag for Patricia

2011-08-02T23:01:00.001+10:00

I find it amazing that a project that has defeated my creativity for months could suddenly be finished in an hour and a half after midnight.

But there it is.

I was asleep or almost asleep when this bright spark leapt in my brain and next thing you know I had produced the long awaited bag.

Just a little purse bag and not precisely according to my original plans but it is finally done.

I'm thinking that I probably should have nipped the sides in but Pat says it is fine as it is.

Hope some bright sparks leap in your brain from time to time too.

Befores and Afters

2011-08-02T11:34:00.000+10:00

A ten dollar dressing table from the tip shop.

Sanded and coat with two oats of paint.

A toy basket from the side of the road.

Painted in cheap white paint from Bunnings ($16).

Oops!

I think I need to go back and paint the base.

The rest of the mess is courtesy of moving time.

Reality

2011-07-29T09:00:00.000+10:00

This is how my my house lookd on Monday afternoon when I read the very kind article by The Craft Revival.

It touched my heart because I had also recently read a post by a blogger who was feeling very emotionally snowed under. A special lady who has had to deal with more than her fair share of life but still goes around making other people happy.

My bed is seldom made because I spend a lot of time in it and because it is wedged up against the wall and it is not as simple as just swinginga doona across because I use a sheet plus various quilts.

Here's hoping the lounge, dining, office room will be vastly improved when we move to a house big enough to seperat all these areas.

Here you see evidence of the big girls culling the evening before, some packing already started and cane baskets awaiting painting.

Yep more white paint waiting to be splashed around.

O the joys of small house living and moving and kids (even if they are grown up) all in one place.

PS The vac isn't always out but I am a touch lazy with it during moulting season as sometimes I ought to vaccuum every half day!

For more reality go here.

O! So that's how you do it!

2011-07-27T11:43:00.002+10:00

When I asked my son (20 year old) to get rid of the wrecked wood on this roadside find I meant with a hammer and possibly a screwdriver.

Well what would I know about these things?

Apparently this is the way to go about it.

Did you know that you can take the boy out of the fire but you can't take the fire out of the boy?

My precious hot water bottle

2011-07-25T14:34:00.003+10:00

This is my (he actually belongs to DD2 but I've claimed him) little chihuahua poking his head out between two of my quilts.

He loves sleep even more than I do and loves to snuggle underneath anything he finds.

He's also becoming a lap dog which can be a nuisance if you sit cross legged at the computer.

But in bed he is toasty hot and always snuggles up close to keep me warm.

Of course he doesn't compare in looks to any hotties that CurlyPops is showing but I love him all the same.

What I've been doing

2011-07-20T17:43:00.000+10:00

We hope to move soon although getting a rental home with three dogs, even if they are tiny, is not going to be easy.

Howeve, the decision to move has been made so I am slowly getting ready.

At the moment that just means culling the contents of this house so that it will be easier to move.

Our present house is high set so everything that leaves the house has to be taken down stairs. That does not make for any easy move.

Today I cleaned out my special kitchen cupboard. Mostly it just needed a clean with soap and water as it is right next to the stove and appears to allow a whiff of oily air in. I was happy to see that despite a couple of years of no attention my cupboards are in really good shape.

It was a pleasure handling all those vintage and collector plates.
I think I might hang some up in the new house as the really aren't that heavy and I should be able to use those horrid rental hooks without fear of them falling off.

I rediscovered these 'Original Suffolk Cannisters' that I had picked up at a garage sale a while ago.

Although I do like them I'm thinking of selling them on ebay as they are too good to just leave in the cupboard unused.

The same with the retro Royal Worcester egg cups. They are cute but really not me so it is time to let them go.

To keep in with everyone else I should be retro but the truth is I prefer vintage feminine and floral.

Two of my large cannisters finally got the shove today. It was really hard to throw them out as originally they made a set of five in descending order but now I only have three left. I bought these nearly 30 years ago from a place called 'Earth and Fire' near Bendigo in Victoria and have carted them everywhere since.

Other than that only one saucer went out today because it's colouring really didn't go with the rest.

A blast of purple.

2011-07-17T11:32:00.000+10:00

I love it when a gift is exactly what is wanted.

When the squeels of delight are better than a monetary reward.

I knew Melly wanted a cover for her big Bible so that it would not become wrecked or distorted from constant use.

I only meant this for the short term until she was able to get a professional one but she says it is so perfect that that is it.

Good thing it even matches her bedroom!

Bags for Mel

2011-07-16T22:16:00.003+10:00

My friend Melanie is going away for a two week school and I thought I would give her some special bags to help carry her loads.

She happened to mention a couple of months ago that she needed a laptop bag so this is what I whipped up for her tonight.
That buckle was originally on someones belt. Another weighty op shop find.

This next bag is for her big study books.

It is basically like a green bag and doesn't even have a flap. Listening to the rain pour down right now I am wondering whether I should add one quickly.

This gorgeous print is from a little ebay shop called Vintage Creation.

There are so many superb prints and it was really difficult to choose one. The print ended up being larger than I thought and as I am too tired to think straight it hasn't been framed as nicely on the bag as I wished it was.

The lining was made using an Ally X shirt from the oppy.

The fabric is cambric which I simply adore working with as it always does what you want it to.

I love the way the shirt details have added individuality to the bag. That last button on the top is to cover the fact that my measuring was lousy and I simply tucked at least an inch in instead of recutting it.

Thanks for stopping by.

I think I'll go to bed now and enjoy the rain on the tin roof.

With love from NYC

2011-06-21T09:26:00.001+10:00

An Anthropologie wallhanging.

Anthro doorknobs, including a litlle bird - maybe a willywagtail?

How cute is that!

Photos, coins

and

A Gucci scarf.

Thankyou Kara!

Tutorial - easy peasy storage drawer

2011-06-16T09:39:00.001+10:00

Materials needed

1 top shelf from any fridge so long as it already has a drawer

*****

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 140C

2. Remove all rosemary leaves, bits of cheese, etc that may linger after turning it upside down over the bin.

3. Clean item in warm/hot soapy water or with whichever method you might normally use to clean it.

4. After rinsing and double checking for unwanted pieces left in hard to find crevices allow to dry for half an hour, turning frequently to drip all water out.

5. Switch oven off.

6.Place clean teatowel on oven rack so that plastic will not melt and stick to it.

6. Place item in oven on towel. There may still be a few drops of water left but that is not a problem as these will quickly evaporate.

7. As I forgot to time the process I cannot say for sure how long this will take. Let intuition be your guide and check back every couple of hours.

8. When completed to your satisfaction remove from oven.

Cost: $55 plus postage and handling.

This will not be available in my madeit shop but purchase is available via this blog.

For a reduced price please quote the word "stupid".

Visit here for other creative projects.

Curbside boutique shopping list

2011-05-25T15:49:00.002+10:00

OK So this what I threw out.

Loads of worn out stuff from the dog motel under my house, and miles of rust. I graciously offered my friends any amount of rust they wanted, but only for this week, but they all refused.

Funny that.

Anyway I thought it was time to clear out as much as I could, especially in view of the fact that my kids want me to move again in a couple of months if we can find a landlord kind enough to take our three little dogs as well as us and the rent.

I was intending to be a good girl and not bring anything home and I believe I showed remarkable restraint.
I left behind a vintage bassinette complete with stand and tray underneath, loads of carved table legs that could always be used for something, two painted lattices with frames and even a huge peg board.
How good is that?!
Then there were the other two white cane chairs with suss bottoms and some possible vintage suitcases, white concrete planters and I dread to think what else.
O yes. There was that gorgeous stripped old dresser minus it's mirror and some picture frames I managed to ignore.
I think I had better not dwell too long on all those lost goodies or I might have to have a little cry because I know their fate is the crusher truck.
*******

For my memory - the list of goodies found:

*2 humungous, perfect clay pots with saucers for an eighty year old friends garden

*1 perfect wave board to be shared by everyone

*2 large baskets for me

*1 big pink cane toy box with attached lid - not sure who for yet

*1 cane picnic basket in perfect condition sans the dishes

*1 white cane decorative planter basket for me

*4 different leather or leather type bags including a Gladstone style one - probably to be sold, possibly on ebay

*2 heavy metal dining style chairs in wrought iron for me - must keep them out of the rain so they don't rust

*1 perfect, virtually new, white cane chair to add to my collection but being minded by a special friend who doesn't want the big dog downstairs to wreck it (!)

*1 vintage treadle base (the rest is going to be removed as it is already falling to pieces), slightly rusty - but who cares - it's a Singer

*1 already stripped vintage small table to be used as a gardening table for now - seen here with items from past shopping sprees

*1 el-cheapo style milk tin with lid - I just love milk pails so this one will have to do

and

TaDaa!:

I've left the best for last.

I surreptiously stripped these covers from a ruined parker chair on the outskirts of town. only to see newer style fabric underneath.

Somebody went to great lengths to cover these with gorgeous fabric then threw them out before there were any major signs of wear. Lucky me!

First clutch for New York

2011-05-19T15:25:00.000+10:00

This is my first version as a trial of the pattern.

It is an all in one piece but next time I think I will add the flap in seperately.

I didn't like turning the inner corners although this may be the best way to have a neat, compact finish.

The lining has it's own reinforcement made by cutting heavy sunblock fabric to the exact size of the finished article and top stitching them together in a pleasing pattern.

I think that worked because it means there is no extra bulk in the seams but the piece is still stiff.

The strap is one of my Mother's necklaces.

Next time I need to use a smaller magnetic closure and place the magnet on the flap so there is less interference with credit cards.

Also a flat button would have been better than one with a shank.

Other creative spaces are here.

Heritage

2011-05-17T22:49:00.002+10:00

WHERE I'M FROM

I am from homemade bread, fromVegemite and cheese.

I am from gleaming wooden floors and ash in the sand, from caravan and goulash for tea.

I am from the frangipanis and the snow, from jumping from the door to my bed to escape the sharks at night to climbing the trees and bottling the fruit.

I am from overseas parcels with their own special smell and from moving all the time to strange places, from libraries and markets and the zoo.

I am from the love of bushwalking, getting lost on the slopes and trips to the sea.

From being honest and doing the best that you can.

I am from love of God's word and love of His creation.

I'm from an island in an icy river to an island on the equator, from apple strudel to taro and pawpaws, from chickens and ducks and a goat.

From the backwoods of a large land, the lost aristocracy of another, and the love of cloth and needle and pattern.
From my family, my friends and my kids.

I am from those who worked tirelessly and one who was sick, from talking and playing and grieving.
I am simply me.

Where are you from?

If you want to play along see the template here.

Recovered travel pillow

2011-05-16T14:31:00.000+10:00

photo credit

From one of these in blue to one of these in red (did I mention red is NOT her favourite colour?)

with the flip of some stretch fabricwhich has been in the stash for 6 or 7 years, a little badly sewn shirring thread pulled up to gather everything in the right place and some embroidery thread to pull the ends together.

Definitely not another like it on the planet!

(flowers courtesy of the florist daughter!)

My creative space

2011-05-11T23:15:00.000+10:00

Why, o why do some projects fly along and others take forever, even when they shouldn't?

Could it be because they are forced out of us instead of flowing?

Thankyou Beccasaurus

2011-05-10T22:45:00.000+10:00

I love this fabric because it reminds me of my Mum who I am sure had curtains very similar to this in the blue colourway.

Fortunately the lovely Beccasaurus (for the full story click on her title) thought it was horrible and threw it in the bin.

But then when she knew I loved it she rescued, cleaned it and sent it on.

Now it is living it's third life: first - curtain, second - stool cover, third - cushion.

I love it. Totally.

Only trouble is, the colour does not suit my decor, so after I savour it's flavour for a bit more it will move home yet again to the house of a dear friend who will totally love it.

Thankyou Bec.

You totally made my day.

Front.

Back has zipper inserted under deep overhang.

Co-ordinated travel folder and camera case.

2011-05-07T18:46:00.000+10:00

I wonder if I can remember, between now and the next time I make a camera case, that the real trick is to make the flap seperately and insert it before the final seam.

I'm sure that would make for a neater finish as well as allowing for a better padding than was used this time.

Maybe 11cm wide instead of the 10 I used too.

mmm. Must try to remember.

I did manage to line the flap with a thin fabric while the rest of the case has a fine velour so that it doesn't scratch the camera.

It's funny that my daughter is not really a red person because it is the common colour for all of her little bits.

But maybe it's because she has been thinking about the Big Apple all along.

All homemade items from the stash.

Magnetic clasp pinch from last camera case attempt.

My creative space

2011-05-05T10:01:00.000+10:00

Just dabbling with material this week.

A recovered memo board, a matching shoe bag to use up the left over fabric and ribbon and a new bag to hold the Dad's stapler.

New computer chairs - almost

2011-05-03T11:33:00.000+10:00

I had to do something about those horrid computer chairs before important guests arrived on Friday.

Unfortunately my $100 stapler decided to kick the bucket, or in other words, find all the rust in the world and had to be thrown out.
Boohoo. What was I to do?
Then the bright idea entered my head that I could use a hammer and nails in much the same way.
Knock the nails half way in and the sideways to hold the fabric.
The material is from my stash, works in very well with existing furnishings (couch in the background) and was given by a dearly departed friend (gone to Melbourne no less).

Just thought I would add in the dining room picture because there is nothing on the table today and I thought it looked pretty with it's mismatched chairs.
My youngest daughter works at a florist one day a week and proudly brought home a little flower arrangement for me on Friday.
Isn't she wonderful?

My creative space

2011-04-28T10:26:00.000+10:00

Not much happening here this week but I have managed to cut out the pattern for a skirt for my oldest daughter.

Thrifted wool fabric and thrifted pattern.

I can't cut the material until my nerves settle otherwise I'll make a mistake with the lines.

I hate lines!

Any ideas on how to line a skirt with front pleats?

For more
Creative Spaces please see the lovely Kootoyoo.

Some beautiful places to visit.

2011-04-25T22:13:00.000+10:00

Do you sometimes look for new bloggers to love by trawling through those long lists in people's profiles.

I did that today in a break between sleeping and bleaching the ceilings in preparation for the winters onslaught of mould.

Click on each picture to take a cruise around with me.

Job done

2011-04-25T11:46:00.000+10:00

And here's the finished skirt.

I took the pattern by tracing through baking paper from a 12 gored denim skirt I love.

Because I wasn't totally exact in my seam allowance I've ended up with a slightly larger than needed waistaband even though I added elastic in the waistband seam.

Might try to correct this in the next version.

Overall I am very happy with this - even the zipper went in easily.

My daughters hate it but my friends don't and since I have come to the conclusion that I shall return to my youthful eccentricity I don't care either way.

A project for this weekend

2011-04-23T14:37:00.000+10:00

It started as a tablecloth and was quickly cut into odd shaped strips

then sewn back together to look like this.

It's going to be my new skirt .

What are you making this quiet weekend?

Yay. I feel free!!

2011-04-14T11:14:00.000+10:00

Well. It is finally here!

The new doona cover,

pillow slips and pretty cushions

curtains where there previously were none and a new cloth for under the TV to tie it all together.

Yay!!!

I feel free.

Now lets see what else needs doing.

My creative space - not a diversion!

2011-04-07T08:45:00.000+10:00

That's right.

This time the work is not stopping me from doing the bedroom set because it is part of it.

But really, it is still stopping me because I'm a little scared of finishing it.

This is just an 80x80cm square of lining fabric that has been shirred roughly every ten centimetres from left to right and top to bottom.

I just roughly wound the shirring cotton on the bobbin and used a 2.5 stitch length.

The curtains are of the same fabric as this as is some of the applique on the doona cover.

It is cheap lining fabric fromSpotlight chosen because it was the only fabric in the shop with the exact right shade of burnt orange that DD2 wanted.

Unfortunately DD1 likes it so much she wants me to make her one soon but that's OK because it is very fast to do unless you count the constant changing of the bobbin.

I'll admit that I made this more than a week ago but as it is the only piece of work on the go that you have not seen I thought I would share it with you.

For more creativeness head over to Kirsty's.

More non-bedroom sewing

2011-04-05T22:32:00.002+10:00

Still further derilection of duty occured in order to make these little girls bags, suddenly requested for a friend's two and three year old grand-daughters.

They are completely made from stash items and were quicker than normal because I made the executive decision that such little girls don't need pockets.

Folders for real men

2011-04-03T17:52:00.001+10:00

Moving sideways for a minute to quickly fill a couple of orders for mens folders.

I'm still hoping to get the bedding finished tomorrow if I can make a deal with my energy to last another day.

My creative space - doona cover making

2011-03-31T09:37:00.000+11:00

Just a peep into what is taking shape at my place.

I'm hoping to have the whole set finished by Monday.

Sorry o the lack of commentig lately bu evything hs to be typed on the on-screen keyboard and tht is not easy and takes a lo of correcting.

For more creative spaces go here.

Live

2011-03-22T21:54:00.003+11:00

And thankyou to the lovely Wendy from the textured leaf for the very sweet Leibster Award featured on my sidebar.

I would like to pass it on to "Anne" who gives me much encouragement when I am down and to "Yves" who makes me feel so good.

If I could I would also pass it back to Wendy who inspires so many of us with her natural, earthy creativity.
I'm also sending the award to "Jan" who sews for love of people. She seems to work non stop making quilts for the needy and I really love to look at her amazing contributions.

To all my other regular readers and commenters - if you like the look of this aweard and you comment regularily here I would love you to have it too.
You all rock!

UFOs donated

2011-03-19T12:43:00.001+11:00

I love all of these UFOs but really keeping them is just increasing the amount I need to shift if and when I move next.

In fact, most of these have moved 4 or 5 times already.

That's just way too much waste of energy when the could be going to good homes.

Jan of Oz Comfort Quilts is willing to take our unfinished work, complete it - ie. do all the hard bits - and hand it on to people who have lost everything through flood or fire or other causes.

I wasn't going to post these on my blog but then I knew I would have no other way to remember them and they are my babies after all.

Boo hoo.

Definitely a worthy cause though.

Bunting finished

2011-03-13T23:32:00.000+11:00

Glad that's done.

I just zigzagged the turned triangles onto a craft ribbon and added a new one everytime the old one got to the end of the presser foot.

Too easy.

Right now....

2011-03-07T14:53:00.000+11:00

I'm having another one of those days of exhaustion but happily the triangles I cut yesterday have been sewn up today.

I thought I was working to a purple theme but aparently the young lady is now going for pink too as her best friend has just had her bedroom painted in hot pink (only half the walls fortuantely).

So I'm sticking with the purples which I know she loves but looking for extra pinks in my stash.

Would you believe I am nearly all pinked out?

Looks like I may have to cut up that gorgeous "Little Wishes" sunsuit I picked up for a song.

It's the only thing that seems to have the right depth of colour.

Does anyone know how far apart each triangle should be place in bunting to make it look good?

Please do tell.

My creative space

2011-02-24T11:30:00.001+11:00

Slightly more sewing on the little balnket.

Of course, it would be finished if my machine stiopped breaking the threads all the time.

For more creative spaces see the wonderful Kirsty's blog.

Blankets of Love

2011-02-21T20:27:00.002+11:00

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon the BLaNKEtS of Love site but I am glad I did because it allows me to do some small bits of sewing, limited only by my imagination, that will then be of benefit to others.

Blankets of love are used to wrap little ones in. Whether stillborn or having passed away from different causes, the parents wrap their baby in these blankets to say their goodbyes. Then they keep them. ....the parents can smell the baby on the blanket and it offers them some comfort.

Please check out the blog for more information

The blankets are not difficult to make and should be no more than 60cm or possible smaller for the tiniest little ones.

Cheerio!

Keeping the Status Quo

2011-02-19T20:26:00.000+11:00

According to an on-line dictionary 'status quo' is defined as

"the existing state of affairs (at a particular time)"

"the situation as it currently exists."

And that is what I am working hard on doing.

Just keeping my home at the level that it is.

Keep the dishes done, the washing finished fairly regularily and the floors not getting totally out of hand

O and the dining table cleared.

That's a big thing in itself sometimes because our home is so tiny that it often becomes the dumping ground for everything from folding to schoolwork to shopping.

Right now that is "the situation as it currently exists" and that I need to work on maintaining.

Nothing more and nothing less, hopefully.

Anything else is extra and wonderful but not required.

My energy levels keep dropping so I have to focus almost soley on my little home and family.

Whenever I feel too washed out to do anything, I remember that small phrase "keep the status quo" and I know that is all I have to accomplish.

And it works because I am not putting extra burdens on myself by requiring more than I can do. Do you have any personal phrases that keep you sane?

Cheerio!

Dr Zhivago in Sydney

2011-02-14T18:01:00.002+11:00

Shattering.

Compelling.

Powerful.

It will reach you from the third or fourth scene.

And hold you till the end.

Even without Anthony Warlow, who injured himself minutes before the first preview, this show is a masterpiece.

Hats off to Anton Berezin for a wonderful performance.

He may not have been up to scratch on the first night (knowing all the scores but not all his placements), but bearing in mind that what we saw was actually a preview to the world premiere he did great to be flawless by his second go.

Maybe Berezin could even BE Dr Zhivago?

He certainly was mine.

I hated the intermission but it was needed to change scenery as the story relocates from the streets of Moscow to rural Russia.

The music is also noteworthy and is sure to sell once it makes the CDs.

The Lyric Theatre in Sydney's Star City has perfect sound and stageworkings but from what I could make out is a fire trap.

There was no clear signage anywhere as to how to enter or leave.

The elevators were overloaded with people hoping to find the right floor and the casino, which is where we landed has no obvious way out. Very disappointing and also rather distressing to have to mingle with depressed people senselessly wasting their money right after such a profound show.

In other news, the trip to Rozelle Markets was fun.

I found this vintage vase for a friend, another non-matching chair for around my dining table and sundry other items, including clothes and cloth.

A lovely weekend in Sydney.

Thankyou Kara!

How much is a koala bear?

2011-02-11T01:58:00.002+11:00

I found this poor koala sitting all lonely at the op shop the other day and just knew he belonged to me.

You see, when I was little my brother had the smaller version of this (and still does!!) but I had nothing.

Then we moved to Bundaberg for a few months and Mum bought us pale blue ice blocks to keep us cool through the long humid nights.

I thought mine resembled a bear because of those bits that stick up around the neck of the block.

Finally Mum got the message that I also needed something special and bought me a handcrafted toy.

The closest I could get to the prized bear was a penguin.

He was great but never a leather koala.

So now I have a bear.

A real live vintage leather bear.

The questions are:

How old is he?

and

What is he really worth?

If anyone out there knows anything about these please tell me.

His nose is genuine, the eyes are glass and seem to stick out a bit and he appears to be stuffed with some sort of firm yellowish foam which obviously has now aged.

My creative space

2011-02-10T10:33:00.001+11:00

The only creativity going on around here has been in my head.

Inspired by what has come in the post.

A beautiful humungous layer cake of vintage sheeting sent by the generous Ange from Ange's Ramblings.

So delectable that I am not sure I really want to cut into it.

You just can't beat some of those old sheets for beauty.

Steph has used some of her vintage sheeting to make this gorgeous tissue holder as a thankyou for joining in with the Hope Sotie push.

Thanks Steph.

In other news, I have also creatively spent three hours this week before finally working out the best positioning of furniture in my living area.

You will undertsnd my difficulties if I tell you that the space is only 4.4m by 5.2m and contains three desks, a china cabinet. a three seater and two one seaters of chunky lounge and a vintage dining table with mismatched chairs.

O and one exercise bike which is used by family members.

And my mothers old treadle.

All in the one room and finally all making sense in their own zones.

For more creative spaces go here.

What are your cutting tools? - Link In

2011-02-05T18:00:00.003+11:00

I'm not a professional anything so what you are about to see is not up to the best standards. However, these are the only cutting tools I use in my sewing.

And I don't know where I would be without them.

I thought it would be a good idea to share our cutting secrets with each other so have enlisted the help of Mister Linky.

It sure would be grand if you could let us know what you use in your crafting world because a little advice, of others tried and true methods, never goes astray.

I use two el-cheapo cutting mats, sitting side by side, on my cutting table which is just my old dining table raised up, using all sorts of contraptions found at the hardware shop, to a level that allows me to cut without straining my back or arms.

Luckily I am only a short person because I don't know how many more plumbing extensions or verandah post holders can be added to one table leg!!

Anyway, generally these two mats are together as you see them here so that I can cut across longish pieces of fabric.
Sometimes, though, as in my previous post, I will take one out to the proper dining table and just keep turning the mat as I cut so that I don't have to lift the piece I am working on. This seems to give a neater finish to the item.

I've even been known to put them down on the carpet to assist when cutting out curtains, etc.

And of course, they are always pulled off and shared around when the kiddos get together for scrapbooking or other crafts.

I use two acrylic rulers.

One is 24" and the other 14".

Unless I specifically need the large one I'll just pick up whichever one is closest.

I have used plastic rulers in the past before I purchased these but I think these are better as the weight helps to hold the fabric down as you cut.

They also have angles printed on them and these are great if you can figure out how to use them.

I bought my rotary cutter years ago for 1/2 price.

For many years I used the same blade which a friends' husband kept sharpening for me.

I didn't realise that a new blade only costs around $10.

Now I keep the old blade in a little casing and use it when I want to cut heavy cardboard for my folders.

My scissors are cheap but sharp.

The brown handled one is for paper cutting and will definitely let you know if you try to cut fabric with it.

I've had a number of expensive scissors before and have come to the conclusion that sharpness, not expense, is what matters.

And, of course, keeping your sewing scissors for fabric only.

Cutting paper, wire, wood or tomato plants is not healthy for them.

I think I would like a few more pairs as they are one of those items that can easily get lost under all the piles of goodness in my sewing space.

And where would we be without the trusty quick unpick?

I did a post a couple of years ago and received a comment to the intent that Clover makes a really good one.

I can't dispute that as I've never tried theirs.

I just know that this wonderful little invention is heaps better than trying to unpick with pins or needles or with a razor blade as I was taught when I was little in the !960's.
This is another product that you can never have too many of.

If you have time to share your cutting tools with us and explain why they work for YOU that would be great.

More creativeness on the horizon.

2011-02-03T13:23:00.000+11:00

Sorting

Cutting.

Tidying.

IKEA scrap blocks finished

2011-02-01T18:03:00.000+11:00

They call it improvisational or intuitional sewing.

I just call it fun.

Now that these are finished an photographed they will wing their way to the lovely Corrie of Retromummy who will kindly make them into a quilt and send it off to someone in need.

I think they would look lovely with white sashing, don't you?

Corrie herself is going through a personal tragedy so if you have time to pop over and give her a verbal hug that would be nice too.

Fun at the fun park

2011-01-31T23:57:00.001+11:00

While everyone else was struggling with soaking wet slippery slides, too fast cornering down steep hills and sunshine, I was quietly enjoying a break from housework.

With just a friend to talk too, icecream to eat and a wonderful shady roof over my head I was able to spend Saturday crocheting to my hearts content.

Loving those IKEA scraps

2011-01-18T15:15:00.000+11:00

Now that the softies are done I am starting on blocks for Quilts for Queensland which is being organised by the supermum Corrie from Retromummy.

I'm just using scraps from my stash, all IKEA fabrics.

Every time I work with these I get so excited, much more so than if I had whole pieces.

Corrie would like blocks of any kind so long as the finished piece is 12 i/2 inches.

You can find more details on her blog.

Flown the Coop

2011-01-18T12:04:00.000+11:00

Many years ago, when I was seven and living in Bundaberg, I realised that I was a neglected child who did not own a teddy bear.

My brother did.

One of those collectible real leather koalas that was probably given to him when we arrived in Australia.

He would have been 21 months and worthy of a toy but the 3 month old me wouldn't have appreciated it.

Fast track to those days in Bundaberg when I realised my lack.

I nagged my poor Mum for one. She couldn't afford it but ended up finding me a hand made penguin.

About ten inches tall, black and white with yellow felt feet and beak.

I'm not sure where Pengy is now but he gave me heaps of happiness, mostly just twirling him on his wings.

I do know that his beak and feet were stretched to pieces but he still was strong enough to spend time with my children and give them love.

That's why I know that, despite the fact that these are not fashionable softies, they should make someone happy.

Twirling between their wings and gazing gently into their eyes.

Softies getting ready to fly

2011-01-16T12:12:00.000+11:00

I haven't been able to design a softies since I was a kid making cloth dolls for myself.

And I can promise you that is a long time ago.

Fortunately my brain finally decided to co-operate this week and let me come up with a simple shape in keeping with my blog name.

I'm using vintage cloth for these first two and will let you know how they trun out before they wing their way to Queemsland.

More ideas for Queensland relief

2011-01-14T15:47:00.000+11:00

Here are a couple more ideas of what you can do to help those touched by the terrible tragedies in Queensland.

I love both of these ideas because they are simple, do not require a heap of work or money and will go directly to affected people.

Mon Petit Poppet says:

I would love to provide each and every child with a small handmade softie to comfort them in this dark time and give them hope that things will get better.

And Oz Comfort Quilts is calling for quilt as you go squares to make clean blankets.

You can find out more about these projects by right clicking on their buttons.

What to wear for walking.

2011-01-09T19:55:00.004+11:00

We stayed at the Falls Mountain Retreat in Wentworth Falls.

We had a top studio with a rear outlook onto trees and the central courtyard in the front.
It was a lovely quiet place to stay

OK Here I am ready for a bushwalk in the Blue Mts.

I haven't been bushwalking in years but I did grow up doing a fair amount.

If there are any runners in my possesion I can't remember where they are so I donned these flat sandals.

Then we came to our first off-the-track spot.

The water was divinely cool and we took advantage of it by having a little splashing fun.

Next stop down the track and I still haven't returned the shoes to my feet.

I love walking barefooted.

Even through mud.

And over stones.

I've discovered (?) that my knees no longer have that old spring in them so walking without shoes helps me to get a better feel for the surface and react quicker than I would with shoes.

Maybe I am still just a little kid but it seems like my daughter enjoys the experience too.

She did end up putting her runers back on but I walked all the way home in my bare feet (except for the bits of hot tar on the final stretch!).

My blouse is a genuine, baggy $10 top from Millers that started with a full collar, longer length and rolled up sleeves secured with tabs.

It's one of the few things I have bought new for a while but even then my intention was simply to use the basic cut and light material and transform it into my own product.

I've shirred about 2 inches at waist height between the back darts, shortened the overall lenth as well as the sleeves and replaced the collar with a v-neck.

The crochet detail was originally a round doily.

There was only enough for the front of the blouse so now I know that I would need a bigger doily or a smaller width from the outside of the same size doily to go around the full neck.

I simply cut it in half after removing the centre, sewed the edges down and bound the whole neck with a bit of bias made from the leftovers.

The central crochet flower is to hide the fact that I've stretched the neck a bit in the making.

Grand Creations

2011-01-08T11:07:00.001+11:00

Mostly we all have craft blogs. We love to make and do and create new. We love the comments we get prainsing our abilities.

But do we ever stop to think and thank the Grand Creator for the things we can only copy?

colour

form

shadow play

shapes

playfulness

contrasts

curves

delicacy

strength

greatness

Spending time while waiting

2011-01-06T09:53:00.001+11:00

I'm not much good at standing still.

Lying down and waiting or sitting and waiting but definitely not standing and waiting.

I can get extremely tired just standing around even in shops so generally I like to keep walking until everyone else is finished with what they need to do.

So when we were stuck in a ranger's dusty front yard, waiting for the courtesy bus to pick us up and take us down to Jenolan Caves I decided to keep busy by taking pot shots of my surroundings.

Up close ones that is.

Little details of the beauty around me.

The other piece of material

2011-01-05T14:31:00.000+11:00

I can't believe I have used two fresh pieces of material in such a short period of time.

If I had gone to the shop to buy fabric it would have sat for so long that I forgot what I bought it for and ended up giving it away. Apparently that is what happened to Karen from and-so-i-sew which was really lucky for me because she sent me some of her forgotten pieces and it came at just the right time for me to be inspired enough to do something.

First off I gave one piece away, then I made the red dress and now the last piece has been made into a tiered skirt for number one daughter.

Here she is wearing it on a cold, wet day on Bondi Beach.

We had never been there so checked it out on our way home from the Blue Mts.

New Flower Brooch Tutorial

2010-12-29T12:07:00.001+11:00

I just whipped this little number up after contemplating doing it for about the last half year or maybe more.

I don't know where todays' energy is coming from but I sure hope it holds for the next few days because my oldest daughter is taking me for a lovely holiday in the Blue Mountains for 5 days.

Five whole days of non stop action. Eek!!

Anyway, I thought I would just give you a quick run down on how this is made.

You need a fine doily ie, not heavy, thick fabric, about 12 cm across and shirring thread in your bobbin.

I used five pins to mark the petal divisions then started sewing each one.

If you can follow my diagram you should start at the big dot and follow the red markings up and down until all five petals are formed.

Then without breaking your thread you just start sewing in an ever widening circle till you reach a point that you are happy with.

Because you are now sewing over already shirred fabric you will need to stretch the fabric.

Don't be too fussy though as all your mistakes will be hiden in the gathering.

Except if you don't sew your button on correctly.

Like mine. That's obvious and will need to be fixed.

OK. Once that is done you sew your brooch attachment to the back - I just used a tiny safety pin left over from some swing tag. Then a button on the front and you are done.

Enjoy!

New artwork

2010-12-21T17:58:00.002+11:00

I found this today.

I'm not a connoiseur.

I don't know if it is good enough.

But I like it.

Possibly Venice???
That's what I will think when I see it anyway.

Someone else thinks it's worth looking at too.

Chicken scratch

2010-12-18T17:21:00.002+11:00

Chicken scratch is a form of cross stitch embroidery done on gingham fabric, also known as Teneriffe Lace, Snowflaking, Depression embroidery or Depression lace, gingham lace or Amish embroidery.

You either like it or you don't but more than likely you are reminded of some old lady in a small cottage serving food.

Maybe your Grandma. Maybe her apron.

I am now reminded of a certain blogger who has just learned the meaning of the term and who should receive some of these about a week after I send them.

Hopefully she will hand their beauty on to future little ones in the form of gorgeous clothing.

I am sure a child would have great fun tracing the tactile stitches and dreaming that they too could make something like this.

And really this is a form of embroidery that a lot of children could learn because it relies on three common stitches: the running stitch, the double-cross stitch and the woven circle.

Beginner stitches sewn onto the easily recognisable graph of gingham.
I am not sure where to find the old patterns but i am sure you could convert simple cross stitch motifs into chicken scratch patterns as it would appear that the lady who made these aprons did.

I'm so happy!

2010-12-17T18:32:00.003+11:00

A huge, huge thankyou to Magdalena from The Craft Revival for picking me to win the new 'Handmade Living' book.

What a generous giveaway.

What a generous book.

I want to shout out to everyone out there who hasn't yet had a chance to see this book that it is totally worth it.

It is jam packed with beautiful, up to the minute creations that will also stand the test of time.

Congratulations to the wonderful ladies who contributed to the making and compiling of this.

I can't say enough in praise of it. It is a book that is definitely representative of our time, right now, here in Australia

Thankyou again Magdalena.

Today I'm........

2010-12-15T14:09:00.000+11:00

....finishing off this skirt for a friend. I found the dress, a size 12, and knew instantly that it belonged to Mellie. Unfortunately, she is a tiny size 8.

So with the help of a mutual friend who does her ironing I cut the skirt down to size yesterday.

Today I've done everything except sew the final hem and finish the waistband.

Haven't decided what i will do with that yet as I want to keep the fabric from the top of the dress to make something else with.

......receiving this in the mail.

I bought these from an etsy seller called Needle Creations.

These are divine. Perfectly made and so tiny.

I think I am going back for more.

The $19 makeover and reveal

2010-12-14T17:28:00.002+11:00

I so wish I had remembered to take some before photos for you but all I have is a quick shot of the original curtains. I made these for my friends spare room about three years ago. The match the bedcover really well even though they are just scraps of curtain fabric sewn together.

Anyway this was the sort of colours that were in this room before I arrived today for a quick makeover.

This incredible bunk bed was made by the grandfather for the arrival of his two grand-daughters who are to spend 6 weeks here before and during school holidays.

The man is a wizz with any power tools and has a mind that doesn't accept defeat.

He is intending to make his resident grandson a similar contraption but with desk, etc under it.

Great ideas for tiny spaces.

So the bed was painted in light blue for grand-daughter 1 and trimmed in strong purple for grand-daughter 2.

But I came along and thought the bedding colours were all wrong.

A blue dolphin doona cover that had originally belonged to my oldest for the purple lover and that adult grey-brown colour for the pale blue lover.

The chest of drawers had slips that matched the grey-brown look to cover them.

What is a girl to do if she thinks it's not quite right but offer to do a quick makeover.

The offer was accepted so last night I madly washed the new-from-the-oppie blue vintage sheets and then proceeded to rip and sew until all the really weak areas were gone. It took two single sheets to make the top of this cover. The bottom is left overs from something that belonged to the grandma I think.

We tend to share stuff around here and I don't always remember where things came from.

Today I had to do a mad dash down to the shops for milk for breakfast so I took the opportunity to pop into the oppie to get extra props for the room.

$13 later I had 4 soft toys, enough blue fabric to work two pillow cases from and a new doona cover in lilac and pinks for the younger one.

Everything got washed and dried while I struggled with my machine to finish the blue bedding.

Then it was over to the house to set up the beds and work out what else needed doing.

After another trip to the oppie and then parting with $6 more. I had enough to complete the makeover just in time before the family came back from picking the girls up from the airport.

I added a white cane chair from my bedroom topped with a thrifted blue sheet ($1) which is there to protect the new cushions (50 cents each!).

A pretty lace runner from my house and a $4 cream doona cover thrown over the curtain rail and tied back with scraps of blue from the pillow cases.

I would have liked to cut the doona in half so that the frills were in the middle and each panel could be tied back but I know the grandma well enough to know that she would prefer to have the complete cover for another day.

She is a very grateful and resourcefully frugal woman and I know that it will not go to waste.

I am really happy about this super fast makeover and got lots of kisses which I think means everyoine else is too!

Some thankyous and a dress

2010-12-12T20:06:00.002+11:00

First off a big thanks to Jay from Finki who chose me to win this fabulous tee.

I couldn't believe it.

A black tee with my very own little birdie on it.

Of course, it doesn't look this good on me which is why I stole her picture.

And then not long after that I get an email to say that I have won this fabulous lot of fabrics.

Karen from And so, I sew was doing a bit of a clean out at her place and had three different colour lots up for grabs in a giveaway.

My eyes almost popped when I saw these reds. I just love batik and so I chose them.

Of course, I forgot to read the fine print and thought they were probably just fat quarters and how good would that be.

But you know what?

They aren't fat quarters. They came in two metre lengths.

A huge heavy parcel.

What a fabulously generous lady. Thankyou so much Karen.

Well I can tell you I was inspired.

With a little push from DD!, who incidentally has put dibs on the linen look fabric for a tiered skirt, I decided to actually do something.

Not just dream about it but really do something.

I looked around and thought what a nuisance it was going to be to get my meagre supply of patterns out but then I spied this lovely sitting in a corner on my sewing table.

I can't actually remember buying it but of course I must have. I would say it was a recent acquisition from an op shop because all my old patterns are also way too small for me.

Anyway the floor was clean enough for me to spread the material on it and cut out this super simple dress. I did fiddle a bit and fortunately measured my hips before cutting so that I could add the extra for my curvaceous figure. I added a little extra in the back seam and also a lovely curve from the waist out on the side seams.

A few darts later and two goes at fitting the zip and here we have a dress.

I've discovered that I don't actually need the zip if the neckline is cut lower as I did it and I also needed an extra dart coming in from the sleeve hole to near the nipple line to take up the slack in the armhole.

All in all a very happy few hours of sewing.

Thankyou so much Karen for sending me this fabric which has inspired me to use a pattern for the first time in years.

PS. I just checked my emails and found out I've won another giveaway!

A copy of the handmade living book from The Craft Revival.

Incredible.

Hope my postie doesn't mind!

Cheerio!

Happy, happy, happy

2010-12-10T20:53:00.001+11:00

Kate from Foxs Lane suggested we tell the world our reasons for happiness today.

I have to say my number one happiness today was learning how to crochet ric-rac which I learned from Kate's very own tutorial. It is so simple. I've made it using some thrifted cotton I picked up last week.

And can you beat these gorgeous cushions at only a dollar each. I didn't even know their price but I knew they were mine as soon as I saw them.

So creamy and rich in their crochet.

They are dfinitely keepers.

I am also very happy that we can get secondhand clothing here so cheaply. Many ideas here for me, my daughter and friends.

And I am happy for the lovely small circular cloth my friend dropped on my lap this morning.

And above all I am happy for having such wonderful company to enjoy every Friday morning.

Such great friends whose company inspires with it's intellectual, spiritual or trivial content depending on our joint moods.

I never fail to have been lifted emotionally when I part from them.

Three in one hit

2010-12-08T09:31:00.000+11:00

Preparation for three dresses that is!

These are the centres of four tablecloths that will be fitted onto singlets to become dresses for moi.

I've had that orange one forever.

Wait till you see the whole dress.

What an eyeful!

That's probably why I was drawn to the pink and white combo - a checked laura ashley table cloth combined with an almost sheer white and pink floral.

Hope it isn't too little girlish for me because this really appeals to me at the moment and is looking so pretty draped a round my white bedroom.

Now for the real work - sewing!!

Wonder how long that will take?

I can't say no

2010-12-07T18:12:00.003+11:00

I mightn't have the energy for much but I still won't say no to a foray into the op shops when I am forced to go out for important things like more library books or new glasses.

I've found heaps of great doilies and I am happy to say the prices have gone back down to reasonable amounts.

Some gorgeous tablecloths - hopefully I will get to the point of showing you some of these in their refashioned states.

Also a couple of bags that I am trying to sell on ebay. This leather is what I absolutely wanted back in the eighties but couldn't afford.
Now that I find one for next to nothing I can't use it because DD2 can't stand second hand things.
Another funny thing about this bag is that it is genuine cowhide from India. Who woulda thunk it?!
The leather has a definite offer on it which is exciting because I've never sold via ebay before and the other is going to the lady I bought it for in the first place if no one sees it's beauty from the photo.

This little tot sized beauty definitely reminds me of dorothybills but I am afraid her daughter is too big for it now so it will have to hang around my house till I find the perfect person for it.

Not crafting but.....

2010-12-05T20:08:00.001+11:00

I don't know if it is the new naturopathic medicines but these last couple of weeks I have been getting more and more tired.

No energy to do anything yet things still seem to get there.

Just one or two garments folded before I move back to the computer chair or the bed.

Just a few dishes now and then although that should improve now that my dishwasher is off the blink again.

I shall be exceedingly grateful to cut my Mum taxi activities down in about three months when my youngest gets her P plates.

For now I am just going with the flow because that is what Mums do but taking her to two different jobs a week plus doing my own once a week work and housework is almost more than this disability pensioner can cope with. This week I almost didn't have the energy to do the food shopping and the car has not even been filled up.

However, I am happy to report that all the bills are paid and DD1 and I finally got the herb garden she has been desperately wanting done.

All pots, containers and furniture are courtesy of the last couple of years council clean ups.

My apologies to everyone whose blog I have not commented on. I am reading but seem to have no words coming out of me at the moment.

I am actually incredibly surprised that I have managed to write this much today.

Maybe things are going to look up.

Bags on Madeit

2010-11-29T23:42:00.002+11:00

Yippee!!

I've finally listed some bags in my madeit shop.

No white backgrounds.

No fiddling with photos or worrying about wording. I just did it.

And it sure feels good!

Yeehah!!!!!

SOLD

A finished bag

2010-11-20T19:26:00.001+11:00

Well it is finished and my daughter says it is good enough to sell so when I get the correct photos taken I will be uploading this one and the other two in my room to my shop.

This is all made from curtain samples except for the vintage doily and new button!

I've been a good girl. Really I have!

2010-11-19T14:38:00.004+11:00

Despite the fact that this November is my No-spender I am allowed to buy secondhand doilies and sewing necessities which are defined as things needed to finish projects.

Taking advantage of this gap in the rules I visited three op shops today and was remarkably restrained in my spending.

As you can see I picked up some delicious doilies and some very 'essential to sewing' things.

I can safely say that all of these will be used to finish projects in someone's lifetime.

I did buy this non-essential record though, because my son is VERY keen on Beethoven and I just thought the cover was brilliant.

Can you imagine it hanging on his wall amongst all those long haired, black clothed other musicians he loves?

O! I forgot.

I did buy one teeny tiny t-shirt for a friends son but that was only 50 cents so I don't think it really counts.

Just a whimsy in my creative space

2010-11-18T09:28:00.001+11:00

I had a little thought and if it pans out as a good one I might even list it in my empty MadeIt shop.

More creative spaces at Kirsty's.

Twenty Qustions Answered

2010-11-16T14:37:00.003+11:00

Sweet or Savoury? Definitely sweet only now I am suddenly supposed to turn savoury for health reasons and I know it is going to kill me.
Dresses or Jeans? Dresses all the way, any time of day.
House or Apartment? House because kids and pets do better there although an apartment might be nice if I were to live on my own because I wouldn't be responsible for the lawn anymore. (Did someone say lawn? What lawn? We only have wild grasses swaying in the wind here!)
Shop Online or Offline? Offline. It's all about the exercise ladies. It's why French Women Don't Get Fat (which doesn't explain me does it?!).
DVDs or Downloads? Neither really. I am so cynical these days that I have to be dragged kicking and screaming in to watch anything.
Cocktails or Juice? Juice but really I would prefer water.
Chocolate or Strawberry? Chocolate. Why the need to ask!!
Laptop or PC? PC because that's all there is.
Magazines or Newspapers? This one is really tough because I buy neither (what's wrong with online) but read either. I think it is more about the date on it.
Facebook or Twitter? Nope although I do snoop a little on my daughter's.
CDs or MP3s? CDs
Kids or Pets? Both but if I was forced to choose I would take the kids.
Macaron or Cupcakes? Mmmm. Macaroons. (Oops. I am not meant to eat sugar anymore.)
Walk or Run? Walk. In my youth it was because of the ankle turns; after 3 babies it's for other reasons ;D
Breakfast in Bed or Breakfast Out? I think maybe in bed, although I don't have much experience with either - I just love my bed.
Market or Supermarket? Supermarket
Sourdough or Grainy? Again if I could choose I would love, love the sourdough but all grains are out for me now. Sourdough with salami. Yummo!
Heels or Flats? Heels. My social studies teacher said I was the only person he had ever seen who could successfully hike in high heels. I also worked an industrial machine for 5 or 6 years with heels. Of course I have a bunion to show for it too.
Late nights or Not? It all depends on the day.
Coffee or Tea? Tea but again I would just prefer water.

So there you have it.

If you would like to find an uncluttered link for this try Mikes

Another doily and beads T shirt

2010-11-15T18:15:00.000+11:00

Well this one is finally done.

That means I can put away the bread board that was holding it perfectly flat while I decided if I wanted to do it or not.

That is, if I could be bothered to do it or not.

But moving the board around finally got to me so I ironed all the bits on and then machine sewed the large pieces. The rest is hand stitched down while the beading took place.

Wouldn't you love to have creamy white skin and a svelte figure like my model?

Some more from before

2010-11-09T20:51:00.004+11:00

I really can't understand why I am constantly needing to tidy new places in my house.

Very annoying and time consuming.

It is, however, a good excuse for not getting anything done because all available surfaces get covered in the relay of goods from one place to another.

This time it all started because my son told me he needed more drawers.

Well, with no council cleanup looming and no money to spend either I decided to use my powers of reason and come up with another way to solve the problem. Hence the mess you saw when I was looking for my creative space last week.

Which, incidently, is still hidden, only now with different piles.

Anyway, I though I could give him the wire baskets from my wardrobe which were holding the wool and crochet.

This meant rearranging that space which in turn led to another brilliant idea for sorting out some of the mess in there.

And so on and so on, etc...

Which led to the discovery of these old projects of mine.

You could call some of them UFOs.

I prefer to think of them as memories.

An applque and embroidery that I stated the instant I saw it in whichever mag it was but then lost half way through.

My first ever attempt at a journal cover, complete with stencilled teddy for the middle, which ended as a mini quilt.

And that tracing of the poky little puppy for the center panel of a quilt for my youngest which she didn't like then but was amazed at today.

Incidetally, if you want to give me a gate like in the first picture I would be very happy to take it.

According to my wise source the correct word for this is reconfuffling.
I must remember that!!

Perfect!

2010-11-08T23:52:00.001+11:00

Thankyou Sally!

You're just the best.

I love these more than I can say.

That pink is just perfect in my house and the hand printed fabric is already finding a spot in one of my projects.

And I know that ribbon braid will find the perfect home one day too.

Thankyou!

On my wall

2010-11-05T13:39:00.001+11:00

I bought this painting around twelve years ago from Copper Art.

I know - very middle class.

But it has special meaning to me because, although it is undoubtedly a mass produced speed painting, it reminds me of a house my parents nearly bought when I was 12 or 13.

A friend from the same part of the world was able to look at this and see the same things I saw - a little house nestled right below a bump of a hill at the bend of the road and he knew the house I was talking about.

The other special thing was that it was bought with money my Mum left for me when she died.

And on top of that it had a small bit of the plaster missing in one corner of the frame and I haggled for the first time ever in my life to get a reduction and then promptly fixed the edge up with my metallic craft paints.

I still love the memories and it looks great over my lounge.

For more of what people have on their walls take a gander to The Textured Leaf.

Searching for my creative space

2010-11-04T10:55:00.001+11:00

Is it here amongst the unfinished crochet and wool?

No.

Or here in that big basket of clothes waiting to be reinvented?

No.

Or here with all those doilies and scraps and books?

Not even here although I must say some of this is rather enticing.

Aha. Possibly it's here, hiding under yet another basket of crochet.

Yep. That's it.

I definitely like this combo.

I'll think this will turn into a folder too.

More found creative spaces over here.

Eeek!

2010-11-03T22:39:00.001+11:00

Do you think 2 x 20cents counts as shopping?

I hope not because when I went to drop off that huge garbage bag of no longer fitting clothes that I have been hanging on to for years, I spied these and knew they were necessary to my sewing.

I'm already thinking that the white towel with the green border will make a nice folder for someone I know.

The old homestead

2010-11-02T19:25:00.002+11:00

I haven't done anything over the past few days that I can share with you so I thought I would share some of my family history.

My Dad is from British Columbia in Canada. At some stage in his youth his father located on the last remaining available homestead in their area. Of course, the rules meant building a house on the property and proving up or making it into a workable proposition. After 5 years it would become theirs.

I think the bottom centre picture shows the original homestead which housed the parents and four children as well as the little addition my Dad made for his mother a number of years later.

The top left photo is of a lake at the edge of the farm or nearby.

The barn was partially built by my grandfather and then finished by my Dad working on his own.

He cut lodgepole pine in the hill behind and snaked it down with the help of the horse.

The central beam was raised using his own system and again the horse. He completed all the roofing on his own.

This barn still stands and is protected under heritage laws.

On a trip back to the area a few years ago he was standing at the roadside admiring it when an old local come up and told him with pride that "Donny built that".

My Dad's name is Don.

I think the other log cabin seen in some of the pictures may have been the school.

This all sounds Little House on the Prairie-ish doesn't it? Yet my father was born in 1933 and given that the family moved around a fair bit and Dad still had the homestead when he was 19 I would guess that the occupation of this land didn't take place until after the second world war.

Strange how close real history can be to us isn't it?

November is my no-spender

2010-10-31T13:54:00.006+11:00

Well it has finally happened.
After a couple of years of enjoying the rewards of constant op-shopping I have been put on a diet.
Almost like an AA for op-shoppers.
I have promised to not frequent or possibly even enter these places for the whole month of November.
It is going to be hard, real hard.
I'll have to take the less scenic route into town now so that the desire of my eyes does not force me to make a little foray in to my favourite one.
But at least I have admitted I have a problem.
So anyone else up around here who loves vintage tablecloths, doilies and crocheted cardies can rest easy for this month knowing that the said items will still be there for them when they get there a little later than I used to.......
Please think of me people's while you are enjoying your month of goodies.

O and did I tell you I have also pledged not to buy anything unnecessary for November either?
Sadly that also is true.

And if I just slip up and post about some special goodies (wink, wink) please don't tell the local police, er, I mean my daughters.
I don't weant to get in trouble.

Sigh.
Well here goes.....

These pictures that my son took have nothing to do with this post.
But I still like them.

Thanks Tinniegirl and Curlypops for a fantastic Blogtoberfest.

PS Monetpaisley has just offered to go shopping on my
behalf in November which makes me feel SO much better.
lol

Garage sale goodies

2010-10-30T17:35:00.011+11:00

Happy hour with a family of folders

2010-10-29T15:23:00.001+11:00

Three folders for the same family makes a family of folders, doesn't it.
Two for the Mum who loves orange, purple and flowers
and one for her 3 year old with a zippered pencil pocket on the outside and an exercise book inside.
The pocket features a small cross stitch picked up at the oppy.

This week has been productive in clearing out lots of little projects that have been hiding on my cutting table for a couple of months.
I am so happy because soon I will be able to work straight from my daily inspiration, without the obligation to finish off things I have promised to others.
That is of course, if I totally ignore some year or two year old projects.
But they are so far from my desires at the moment that I can easily do that.

For more happy hours see dorothybills

CFM or Clothes For Mum Challenge

2010-10-29T05:25:00.004+11:00

"The brief is to spend the next month (October 23rd - November 19th) focusing on sewing clothes for yourself."
Now isn't that wonderful.
I'm sure most of us do heaps of sewing for others, markets, etc but seldom use our talents to adorn ourselves.
But for nearly a month we can take on the challenge of caring a little extra for us too.

My creative space

2010-10-28T07:17:00.003+11:00

Another skirt on the make.
More creative spaces at Kirsty's.

PS there is an amzing giveawy going on over here but I don't really want you to go check because I want to win.

A tiered skirt

2010-10-27T07:42:00.004+11:00

I always get stuck when I write the word 'tiered' because my mind always skips across to tired.
No idea why although it could have something to do with me sleeping all the time!
But this skirt ain't tired even if it is made up mostly from used goodies.
The white and pale blue were both blouses from the oppy and the bottom tier is part of an old tablecloth.
The only fresh piece is the second layer which comes from the cupboard of the grandma of the young lady who will wear it and could just be tired from sitting in there for the past 4 years.
I've been a really naughty girl there because that one is a poly-cotton while all the rest is cotton.
Please don't tell.
I thought it would be alright as this skirt is only for the big holidays when the two girls come down to visit with their little brother and grandma.
Grandma will finish it off by inserting the correct length of elastic because young miss 12 could have expanded by then.

We have two winners!!

2010-10-26T09:44:00.004+11:00

Giveaway drawing time is always such a hard time for me because I want everyone to win. If I had the money I would scour the world and find heaps of milky brown jugs but alas I only have 1 today which goes to dorothybills who said she loved the browns.

The peg pinnie was also well received and it goes to Brianna who fortunately had a partiality to it rather than the jug.

Please email me with your addresses girls.
To everyone else: Please do not think of yourself as losers as your kindness in joining in has brought a smile to my heart and that makes you all winners in my book.
Thankyou.