Sunday 21 August 2011

UFO Top Finished

Yeah-I'm pleased to say I spent the weekend doing chores but with the sewing machine up
on the kitchen table as it has more light and I can more to the laundry and iron as I go more
easily.

My Babushka Quilt Top is nearly finished.  It's about 1 year old and I did the dolls by 'buttonhole'

stitch.  I did run out of material and had to search the internet for ' Flower Sugar' by Leican.
Didn't get exactly what I wanted but used up quite a bit.  I did have 1 applique block left over
and decided to add another row down the left side of the quilt.   I didn't have enough green spot
so I have an IMPERFECTION - can you spot it.....

I was thinking of just putting a white border around the quilt and then binding it in the small
green floral as I have enough to bind the quilt.  The backing is made up of large pieces of materials
left over from the collection.  At least I am using up the materials. I had this thing about not
using the bits for the backing and would go and buy MORE to match the top of the quilt but really
 

that is an extravagance nowadays and then it goes in the cupboard and I don't use it.

While sorting out the sewing cupboard I found this backing - I love it and haven't used it yet.
They are little 'arrows' but look like 'ANTS' running about the fabric.  Luckily we had sunshine
this morning (Sunday) so quickly gave it another wash as it was in the plastic container for
about 4/5 years should be able to use this on another 15 year old UFO.... more on that
next time


Off to iron the material and see how much I have and elve into the quilt cupboard and see what's next to finish off........

Friday 5 August 2011

Is Spring Coming...

Spring is getting closer in Sydney. Lorakeets feeding on my Grevilla


 Have been busy having a clean out.  In particular the TV wall unit - how many cd's dvd's and old
videos can you have..  Started with the old VHS videos as I no longer have a VHS machine and
found old children's Ninja Turtles and cartoons, tapes I wanted to keep, Diana's Wedding. Old cassette
tapes and CD's that are old and will never use.  Sorted through my old LP's - that was a trip down
memory lane and have kept all of them also with the 45's. 
A lot went to a charity shop and boxed up the rest and now neat and tidy.l  Will have to load up the IPOD with the old songs.  When will I do this....
Craft Cupboard - sewing room (spare room).  Wardrobe is full of craft and decided to use clear
boxes and sort out all the materials and equipment again and label the boxes, so much easier now



Another ocean rock pool - this time at Freshwater Sydney.

Lunch a couple of weeks ago at Manly looking across at Manly Wharf where the ferries come

in from City of Sydney.
Last  night walking along the beach front going to dinner with a girl friend and a girly LONG chat.


This is the 'Cardinal's Palace - at Manly which was originally a Catholic Seminary for new
Catholic Brothers and Priests.  Have been there for a Catholic Mass in the small chapel and
many weddings are held there now.  Very expensive but what a view. You have make it out
in the background of the ocean pics above.  Beautiful grounds and is now an International School for Cooking where students come from all over the world.
                                                                  POT HOLDERS
I have been making little gifts of Pot Holders as a friend saw one of my basic ones and wanted to
buy some and I have been making some for little gifts to add to G/Friends presents.  I try and make
at least 1 handmade gift when giving presents.
Front and Back of Oriental Fabric Pot Holders.
I found these to be a good size for holding the handles or wrapping around the handles of saucepans and quick and easy strip piecing.  I used wool batting and Insulbrite batting. Put the Insulbrite on the back layer.
WHILE THE PICTURES ARE DOWNLOADING I'M ON THE LAPTOP DOWNLOADING
SOME FREE BOOKS FOR MY KOBO.  No wonder my head aches.
A cupcake Pot Holder which was a bit fiddly but got the hang of it.  It was a bit loose, so sewing a line down each side of the top(icing) so my hand wouldn't slip which is a lot safer.  Thought the colours
where good too.  Not a brown person but loved these fabrics - which are also in the 'striped pot holder'


My best girlfriend in Melbourne has become a grandma for the 6th time.
Her youngest daughter Rachel have birth to a boy named Joshua Robert so had better
knit faster as I am knitting a rug for him to snuggle up in along with his 2 brothers!
Lots of different coloured stripes and various widths.  It's in 5 ply so going to take a while but can't sit idle while I watch television and at least it's plain knitting.
I picked up this old cane sewing basket on Ebay last week and it arrived at the post office this morning. I intend to put my cottons, pins, scissors and various needle cases in it on the end of the lounge instead of in various parts of the family room and sewing room.  I have a small cane one from my childhood and still in good condition.  Bit small for all the bits and pieces so it's put away.  This should be really handy and when I go away or


out for the day - picnic etc. I always throw a bag of craft in just in case, whilst sitting.

 

My little Cup Cake Needle and Pin Holder
Off to make Lasagne for dinner and hope you enjoyed the Spring Update