Decorating in the kitchen

Like many of my readers I love to trawl the seconhand shops and garage sales in search of little things that make my heart sing.

The problem with that is that you end up with a lot of things that you really have no room for.

I know because I have three boxes still in the shed which hold all my pretties, most of which fortunately have had homes in my previous rentals.

This time however there really is nowhere to display anything and the owners or agents seem rather tough on the adding anything ideas.

It's taken me quit a while to finally work out how to store things up and over the kitchen sink.

And I think it works.

Only problem is that those three boxes are still unopened in the shed because I have continued my habit of finding little bits. 

What you see has all been collected in the last  seven or eight months.

Eeek. 

I might have to make another shelf.

The shelf is made by hanging a found piece of skirting board using $9 worth of chain from Bunnings and two key rings from the Plaza onto strong nails hammered in right above the picture rail. The nails are firmly anchored so the strength of this relies more on the chain than anything.

Walking home

I dropped my daughter's not quite one year new car off to the mechanics in our sister town today and chose to walk home as it was still earlyish in the morning and I knew I could cope with the heat.

I'm so glad I took these pictures as they are the only worthwhile part of that exercise as the mechanic just rang to say the replacement carpet was as shoddy as the original.

Not to worry I enjoyed my walk and snaps anyway.

I hope you found something to enjoy in your day too.

Pink and purple - a request.

I said I was never making another one. 

I had made way too many and producing on demand was tiring me out.

But as we all know we should never say never.

And really it was rather fun.

Searching through the old curtain samples, mixing and matching till my mind said it was right. 

I even managed a little pocket inside and for me that is worse than most people's fear of installing zips.

Just hope the little lady likes it.

Making

I'm having heaps of fun making these colourful quilt as you go blocks. 

Of course I am doing the easy part because Jan Mac from Oz Comfort Quilts is going to be putting them together into a full sized, bound quilt. I expect this one will go to Bundaberg as it only has a light wadding and would not be warm enough for the colder parts of Australia.

So far I have finished 12 blocks and will try to get another 8 done in the next few days.

If you want to join in the fun of sharing you can either send finished quilts to Chookyblue or unfinished quilts or even just a few blocks to Oz Comfort Quilts.

The instructions for making the blocks can be found here.

Happy sewing!

Calling all quilters

More than likely you have all heard or read about the terrible bushfires that have affected parts of Australia in the last few weeks. 

One of our blogging community, the lovely Chookyblue  ,from deep in NSW and very close to the Coonabarabran fires is putting out a call for completed handmade quilts. I realise that not all of my readers (if there are any left) can perform such a feat as to make a quilt from start to finish but, if you can, please consider using this talent to comfort some of the many households affected by the recent devastations.

Apparently there is also a group called Blazeaid that helps build new fences as this is one area that farmers generally cannot afford to insure because of the huge cost of insuring due to the extent of fencing in rural areas.

Last two  photos are from the Blazeaid album which speaks volumes for the work involved.
Even if you are unable to contribute could you please spread the word.
Thanks in advance

Lots of painting, putting up of shelves, cleaning and lining cupboards as well as install chicken wire for a doggie fence and my daughter's new home is finally ready. 

It's amazing what a little trickery will do to a home with good bones and this one has it.

An old bath, a little wood stove in it's own bricked alcove and even a hidden room.

Maybe a few too many good bones?