2011 Too Little Time - A New Year Begins

My Blogging has been non existent and there have been so many other things going on I haven't been
doing much but can't believe the time passing so quickly.... Another battle with the BIG C - just
when I thought I had gone through Breast Cancer, Chemo and looking good, the little nasty came along under the breast and another operation late last year which really threw me so not much craft, althoughlittle bits to save my sanity.  Without my sewing and craft being my 'pick me up' and just calming and just doing little projects have kept me sane, while the house and garden went backwards.

A long long list to catch up on this year and I am determined to try very hard to get the UFO's finished.

1. My Babushka Quilt has been sitting around and I was not happy with the plain white border,
    so finally found 'a spot' which I liked and finished that off.  Now to think about getting it quilted or
    maybe just get it 'tacked' and I can do some hand quilting (not much good at that actually)
    I thought just to outline the dolls and then on the plain blocks???
    More thought in the middle of the nite.

A few Xmas gifts that were good to do

Felt Kit from Australia on a Old Fashioned Wooden Cotton Reel.

Oops A Daisy Jelly Roll Strip Quilt - this was good to do after watching a tutorial on Utube and

finding the Jelly Roll in the cupboard!!! Not a stunning lap quilt but will spray baste and

just do straight lines I think - maybe hand quilt with running stitch in bright cottons. Thinking again.

 This was for a girlfriend and I put yummy christmas caramels in the Bon Bon.  I was stitching it
when she came to visit and wanted to know who was getting it for Xmas - little did she know....

These little cuties were in a tin - heavens knows what I will do with them - of course I just had to have them and make them up.

I purchased these months ago on the internet and had put them away.... now they're out and being used. I just love the three pieces.  Makes me happy when I use them...I guess that's the pleasure we
get when sewing/patchwork and any craft.

I can't have George Clooney but I bought myself a Nespresso Machine which George has been
advertising on your TV Channels for months.  At least I can imagine having coffee with him.

Yummy coffee and lot's of froth. You just put the coffee capsule in the top and it heats up the milk and water at the back.  Press a button to decide which of four styles you want and Voila.

Lastly my Life is Beautiful Quilt is coming along after 18 months... Only 4 more centres to hand sew

onto the blocks.  I have taken the back circles off to lie flat - being terrified I would cut through into the front - not a good job to do after a full working day. This was a pattern from Helen Stubbings a wonderful craftsperson from Australia.  You can either Quilt as you Go or the usual with Borders
and quilt after the 3 layers are put together.  mmmmm not sure on this either.

Here are a few photos of Trinity Beach - about 15 minutes drive from Cairns in Qld.  A girl friend
and I went up there for R & R after Christmas and had a beautiful 2 bedroom unit opposite the beach.
Lots of restaurants to walk to within 5-10 minutes and we just sat and read books, walked along the

beach- very rejuvenating.  It's a beautiful area with Port Douglas about 1/2 drive - bit upmarket and
usually for overseas visitors along with the prices... Trinity Beach is very laid back and good for
families too. Cairns was pretty and walking along the ocean with grassy areas make it very relaxing
and an enormous amount of restaurants and cafes across the road. Hot and steamy in Dec/Jan but would be a lovely area to visit in the spring and autumn months.

A train trip up to the tablelands at Kuranda for the day which was delightful.  Lunch overlooking the rain forest and a collection of market stalls - mainly for tourists but pleasant to wander through.  A full day and the train back down the mountain.  For a extra amount you can sit in the old fashioned lounge and be
served soft drinks, champagne, wine or beer. Along with a 3 tiered tray with cheese, crackers and dried fruit.  HOW CIVILISED.  And we were picked up by our driver and taken back to our unit!!!

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........

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