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?

 

Playing with pixlr-o-matic

Corners of the garden

We have been in our new abode for just over a month now. 

I am enjoying the way that old things can look good in their new environment. 

You will notice that we have a short fence. That means my 81 year old neighbour can come out and enjoy a chitchat while we peg the washing on.

According to my Mr Google's references the house was probably built just after the war and is a Streamline Moderne crossed with a little suburban box house. 

When I went looking with his prompting I found lots of art-deco features:

port hole windows, a symmetrical front with rounded corners and the correct cornices and original art deco door plates.

Rooms have been modified and added on over time and the horrible plastic wall covering attached to the exterior but this new to us house is still very appealing.

PS No sewing has been attempted except the hemming of the new shower curtain.

For the chair

It seems that I have passed on some of my love for old things to at least one child.

Kara, my eldest, keeps appropriating my precious finds. This chair cost me a mere two dollars at a garage sale years ago. 

It was quickly recovered and then served as a dog chair downstairs at our last house. It's been sprayed for fleas many times and lately washed with a gentle bleach solution. The rain hit it often and possibly even the rottweiler and some native birds have sat in it. 

But now it serves as a cushion holder in Kara's bedroom. She claims she is taking it when she moves out shortly along with some of my other vintage bits and bobs. 

OK. I've agreed but only because I have too many. 

The latest batch of cushions were made from recycled skirts - one from a swap and the other bought at the thrift store - and filled with brand new inserts gifted by a friend who bought the covers cushions but didn't like the fact that they were so plump. 

The map at the rear is a piece of printed fabric found on the net and turned into a throw with a backing of fabric from Ikea.

My Make it in May Skirt

Thanks to Miss Curly Pops lot of skirts are being made this month that might otherwise never have seen the light of day.

This is mine.

A simple circular table cloth which had it's waist hole cut out weeks (and more) ago.

It's a lovely winter weight fabric and I am very glad that it will be able to be used this year.

For more wonderful and neat sewing try the Flickr group.

Slightly inspired

OK
 Maybe not so inspired but at least it got me out of doing the dishes. 

I promise that the colour looks better in real life.
What is really good about this refashion of a dated jumper is that I have just rescued it from the huge pile destined for a trip to the op shop.
Originally the top was bought with this sort of idea in mind but what happens to so many of my ideas also happened to it. It got hidden amongst all the rest of the garments that were bought secondhand so as to be refashioned.
I finally got tired of the huge pile. I had no idea what was in there and we have just received a no-fault termnation of our rental premises set to take place in about three months.
So it was either cull everything again or move huge unknown piles to the next place.I chose thw first option as the last move nearly killed me and I want this one to be easier.
Then tonight, while reading this post over on the Re-Fashion Co-op I got back enough mojo to actually do something.
A quick cut up the centre, some complimentary lace zigzagged on and I have a new cardi.
Maybe I'll hang on tho those bags for a couple more weeks and see what else pops out before I take them back.

 I didn't realise when I cut the jumper that it had a button closure in the back. 

But really, you would have to be a contortionist to know that my new top has an opening in both the front and back! 

         

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 And here is my wee helper.
 He's not deep in thought, just enjoy off cuts from the sour dough bread.
Nearly as good as chicken.

The Mamma of all Teapots.

I can't remember if I picked this up at a garage sale or else where but I do remember my heart going all a-flutter as soon as I saw this grand old dame.

She's a little the worse for wear, although much shinier in real life but she still has all the curves in the right places.

And very heavy like any good Mamma should be.

On another note, I thought I would share this link with you. 

Just click on the picture to download a button that clearly lets your readers know if you are happy or not for them to pin from your site.

I made the bed.

I do that sometimes.
!!!

And folded the washing.
Now that is an usual thing and well worth the photo.
All except the bits I bought for my ragrug.
 .

.

Super fast sewing

Just a quick sew up of a pencil case with fabric from the stash. 

A note pad made with left over scrapbooking papers and a few other bits scrounged from the paper drawers and there you have it. 

A few things to occupy a two year old who has a day full of sitting in front of her.

Colours in my washing machine.

Inspired by the  AWESOME library chick from Ballarat (she's after postcards from anywhere and everywhere so click on the link if you can help her) I have finally started saving fabrics for a rag rug. 

I am intending to use the toothbrush method although my toothbrush may or may not actually be that. I love to invent so I'll investigate what suits me.

As you can see the colours favour pinks and blues. The blacks in there are a maxi picked out by a friend I bumped into at the oppy and an overseas destination inspired skirt from Lavender Blue that will either be worn by DD1 or cut up for a poster or cushion.

Have you found some happyfying bits and bobs lately?

Would you like to  join in with RicRac's slow rag rug-a-long?

The latest

 I saw this at the oppy the other day but took a night to realise that I really wanted it.

A day of work and rain, another day for the memorial service, the weekend and now finally it is home.

It will probably take me a while to get the enrgy up to recover it and I am at a total loss about where I want to go with my base colour for decorating.

White would be nice.

Kids - even young adults.

Dogs.

Well maybe not white.

Looks like I'll just have to keep searching.

I'm totally in love with those arms!