Farbenmix

Mr Amazon sent me a parcel last week containing a book that has been on my christmas wish list for two big fat whole years. He's nice like that isn't he. I'll tell you all about the wonderful book, that had I known it would just cost me $14 from kind Mr Amazon I wouldn't have waited so damm long for, another time. Maybe it's a case for the return of Monday Morning Book Club. Anyway, what I want to share with you now is this, Farbenmix ribbons.

I'm now speechless! Just go look for yourself. I've ordered heaps:)

One for the Soul

By the way, when I was going through the 'very old unfinished projects' pile I had stored in my grandma's sewing basket last Saturday night, I also pulled out this oldie piece of patchwork I've been pondering over for years. Just for an affectionate look and a little fondle.

It's a hand stitched traditional hexagon patchwork I remember starting when I was about sixteen whilst working on my mums tapestry stall at the Knitting and Stitching Show at the Alexandra Palace in London. I'm not really sure I like it anymore, just one to keep for the soul. It reminds me of those days at the expo. I'm not sure I really appreciated the amazing exhibits at the show at the time, but I was interested enough to explore the zillions of textile stalls and admire the works of Rowan and Kaffe Fasset. And I guess something must have inspired me enough to spend hours working on the millions of teeny tiny little stitches.

It was always the 'big one' for my mums little business and there was lots of pocket money earning opportunities for me beforehand counting wool, taping canvas and packing kits. Then mum would stuff her old Mazda 323 estate full with tapestry kits, drive up to London and set up the stall. I would catch the coach up on Saturday morning and help her out on the stall in return for a day to myself in London - that was a big deal treat at sixteen, I loved it. I would always go to the same places; Kensington Market, Carnaby Street and Camden Market in search of cool clothes, shoes and nik-naks.

I also remember the walk from the bed and breakfast we would stay at in Muswell Hill to the Alexandra Palace was just beautiful with some great views of the city. Imagine if I could go to the expo now, what a big deal treat that would be, how much more I'd appreciate it!!!!

My Creative Space

It's been a bitsy week, bits here

........bits there

........bits and pieces everywhere!

It feels so good to finish Georgie's jacket, make a good start on Maggie's jacket and finish 'the village' bags which I will soon be sending to my new stockists; Sally Ruth and the Crossed Spoons Cafe at Boat Harbour, Tasmania.

Now for those who are not familiar with the 'my creative space' phenomena, head over to here to see what it's all about.

By the way, the Crossed Spoons Cafe is mine and Maggie's favourite place to lunch at the moment; good healthy nutritious food at a reasonable price with lovely new owners and very child friendly. The type of place where you could easily end up spending a couple of hours chatting or relaxing reading newspapers over lunch. You've got to go there, it's on the main road (Bass Highway) between Wynyard and Boat Harbour - also known as Killynaught. Lets support them to become a success, they deserve it and we need a good new cafe.

My Creative Space

Woops, wow this is late! I've just been so busy playing with all Maggie's new toys:)

Michelle and I have decided to do a little swap: she - a crochet jumper for Maggie, me - a jacket for Georgie. I've been in ponderland about making a jacket/coat out of an old blanket for some time now (just the 'using a pattern issue' to get over) so this swap was the impetus I needed to get going with it. Michelle also had a piece of black/white striped jersey cotton which she thought would be good to use. So I combined our ideas and came up with this.

I've just got to sew on the toggle buttons. I'm so pleased with it, it will be so warm and it isn't heavy at all. This was the first time I've actually persevered with a proper pattern, although I nearly gave up on it at the inital cutting stage at Tuesdays 'Stitch and Bitch' cos I wasn't enjoying having to concentrate and miss out on all the chatting.

I ended up adding my own 'design elements' i.e. the red binding, the frill at the join on the chest and the toggle buttons. I just can't help myself! What do you think to a red pom-pom on the point of the hood? I'm just abit scared it looks abit klu-klux-klan'ey at the moment ....... hehehehe.

And of course I can never make just one of anything so this will be Maggie's - my weekend project. Yep that's right, four layers to cut in one go thanks to my brilliant new scissors. To see what everyone else has been up to in their creative spaces this week have a peek here.

My Creative Space

My 'Village' applique bags have still been completely and utterly consuming me this week. These are just perfect for kiddiwinks library bags as I made them big enough for the lovely large picture books.

And yesturday I spent a couple of hours just cutting fabric as I was getting abit low on squares and triangles for quilts and  bunting. Not my favourite thing to be doing but it's so satisfying seeing them all cut and ready to go in my cupboard. It also makes it fun for people to choose their fabrics and have a play with designs when they want a bespoke quilt or bunting, with a matching toy. 

What have you been up to this week? I'd love to hear. And don't forget to pop over to Kirsty's blog Kootoyoo to see what others have been busy creating.

Lavender and Tea Tree

Hey peeps, time for a quickie? I was just hanging my latest charity shop fabrics on the line and thought i'd share with you one of my household tips - a true good housekeeping special from the ultimate desperate housewife.

When you're washing your new charity shop purchases, add a capful of water soluble lavender or tea tree oil to the wash once it's in full swing, preferably on the last rinse cycle. You can buy these in Woolies, often in the medical/vitamins aisle.

It leaves your linens smelling fresh and as beautiful as a gorgeous summers day. Especially if they were bought from a particulalry whiffy charity shop!

Have a beautiful day all and please feel free to share your favourite household hints, the ones passed down from Grandma's are the best don't you think?

My Creative Space

In my creative space this week I've made a start on those items that are at the bottom of my list. I had so much fun making things for Maggie's party, I now need to knuckle down and get on with making some crocosuarus's......and with only snippets of time here and there this week, it's difficult to get to the sewing bit before the disappearing ink vanishes on the outline.......gee whizzer I hate that, don't you!!

I'm thinking of doing my first ever farmers market in Burnie this Saturday (if I can get my lazy bones out of bed early enough) so I'd like to take along some crocosaurus's (another claireyloo special word - pronounced as you would think then add 'russes' on the end).

He looks rather camouflaged in amongst his mates doesn't he. Now go grab yourself a cup of tea and a biccy then come back and head over here to see all the amazing things that others are creating this week......have fun.

...more My Creative Space

Maggie went to 'school' this afternoon with her new school bag. Today especially she deserved a new bag as today she went to 'school' without a nappy on!......scary, but successful:))))))

Whilst she was at school, I finished off her party invitations.

I love it when the creative juices are flowing. Hope yours are too.

My Creative Space

I seem to have a thing for little villages at the moment. I've been drawn to making little cottages, whether it be cereal box versions for Maggie's train track or applique on my sewing projects.......and I'm loving it. I bought this pink cord dress in a charity shop this week, took off the horrible frilly collar thingy that was on it, did 'the village' applique around the bottom and made some binding for the neck and sleeves.

 

Still a few windows and doors to go! And I also started on a  new 'school' bag for Maggie. 

Pop over here to see what everyone else has been up to this week. Oh and before I go, I can tell you that my apron for The Great Apron Swap 2010 will be going in the post today so pop back in a week or so and I'll put up some pics once I know it's been received by Damaris. Have fun peeps x

My Gathered Treasures

I pulled out all my piles of 'best' fabrics yesterday and took some photos. I've been meaning to do this for a while so that I could pop them over there on the left side bar for all to see. Then it got me thinking..........

.............wouldn't it be lovely to see each others. Abit like, I'll show you mine if you show me yours!!!!! So if you'd like to share your collection of fabrics, trimmings, buttons, beads or whatever with everyone, why not write a post called "My Gathered Treasures" including a link to me. Then leave a comment here to let me know you're in and I'll put all your links on my sidebar. Easy huh?

I'm laughing on the inside again, reminds me of when I was young, not that I did show 'him' mine you understand........hehehehe x

My Creative Space

So many lovely projects on the go this week and so many little projects finished; including the hand stitching on Ada's quilt. Thank you to those that have asked to see the entire quilt - here it is.

Last night I decided to make some goodie bags for Maggie's forthcoming birthday party. I used some red gingham squares that I already had cut for my patchwork for the bag and some scraps for the front label and then embroidered 'with love' on some calico. Tonight I'll pinking shear the edges and put a draw cord in the top with piping cord. Inexpensive and quick to make. I made the first five whilst watching Spicks and Specks!!......weren't the dress-ups great last night, so funny:)

Oh dear, what a tangled mess of embroidery threads!

Hope you're all having fun in your creative space. Check out some more over here at Kirsty's.

Ada's Quilt

I took advantage of a glorious sunny day to take some pictures of my quilt for new baby Ada. Such beautiful bright colours deserve beautiful sunshine.

I'm so, so pleased with my new labels.

Spot the pins!! Just the last bit of hand sewing to do.

I think I may have also fixed the problems I was having with my 'comments', so please try again if you've been unsuccessful in the past, and thanks to those that have emailed me to let me know:)

Mexican Oilcloth

Over the years I have owned several things made from mexican oilcloth, mainly cosmetic cases. I remember first discovering it in a fab little shop in Amsterdam. Can you imagine?......a teeny weeny shop stuffed full of all things made from glorious garish mexican oilcloth. What eye candy that was. I wish I had a picture. It was so long ago now. Anyway, I bought some the other day from Me Too Please.

These are just some of the many colours and designs available. Can't wait to make something with it.

The Blue Dress

Thank you everyone who's asked to see the blue dress I promised I would put up a while ago. Here it is. I think I might still put some binding and ric-rac around the bottom to match the arms and neck, I just ran out when I was making it and then.........well you know how it goes:)

Mr Creative Space

I had to have abit of a tidy up of my creative space this morning as I was fed up of standing on pins with my bare feet !!! And low and behold look what I found in one of the many 'work in progress' piles..............

Of course I hadn't really forgotton about it, it's just that it's one of those projects that I've been putting away and coming back to time and time again. I just can't quite get it to look how I want. They're big buttons covered with beautiful embroidery. I'm stuck on the 'packaging'. I want to use lovely illustrations of roses from an old book, but........well.........you tell me what you think?

I like the typeface on this picture. Hmmm, back on the pile for now though I think. I've also been playing with some dry felting to make some cosy winter cushions for the couch. Once again, it was the colours that made me pick the wool off the shelf. It's so quick and easy to do, just watch those fingers:)

My there's some lovely clever people, have a look before you go http://www.kootoyoo.com/.