Sunday, December 31, 2017

Another Year Over A New One Begins.

This year will be filled with even more travel. Love our cruising. Maybe even a quilt cruise.

 A few changes have taken place in preparation for our 2018 life style.  First thing to go was facebook spending way too much time there, not enough time being creative.  
Neglecting  the garden, fabrics, cooking etc.  Going back to a simpler time of family, friends and getting out and about.
Now that hubby is on the mend after nearly two years of  health issues, he has a clean bill of health.

First stop is New Zealand again for my brothers Wedding.  That's right brother no 2 is getting married and going to live in NZ. Such a beautiful place to live.

Grandchildren live in Melbourne and l go down to visit  every chance l get.

Mother and Father are planning on moving out of Melbourne, they say it has become to busy for them now, when they first moved to the family home it was an orchard.  Now that all their children and grandchildren have moved the are ready themselves.  Too much crime and way too  many youths wondering the streets at night making them feel unsafe. The traffic is moving to fast, so they are thinking of handing in their licences.

Looks like everyone is shuffling around in 2018.


                                    Hope You All Have A Happy And Safe New Year. 2018.

Friday, November 17, 2017

New Cushions

Three new cushions made this morning for our bedroom as l wanted a beach feel to our room. Cushion leaflet and fabric are at spotlight.  Now to paint the feature wall a moody cool grey.

New Birdhouse.


Latest birdhouse made for our garden. Trying to encourage birds to return to our yard. Thinking it could use a rocking chair on the porch. Maybe some solar powered Christmas lights. This one will be in the rear yard.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Oooha lala Megan's French Bag.

Megan is going on a trip of a life time to Europe in January 2018. Megan is Lachlan's girlfriend.(Son No.3)

l was making a number of bags for the girlfriends, but life got in the way and Megan's was put on the back burner until now.
 Finally started making one similar to the one l made for Elise.  A few posts back. As l know Megan liked, she always comments on it when she sees it.

This one matches the travel journal we will give her for Christmas.
Once again used hardware to glam up bag. Added external pockets with trim.  As well as internal pockets with zips.
Bag hardware to give shape and to keep bag open when in use.

Hopefully making it easier to find what every it is that you are looking for.

That peskie phone ringing when you least expect, hiding at the bottom of your bag.

Love the shape and style of this bag. just the right size for many occasions.

Megan is going to love this bag l am very sure. Her travel journal fits perfectly.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Ladybug Costume for Bianca


 My beautiful granddaughter "B" is at that cute stage were she is dressing herself in the mornings not always successfully.  She loves to dress up in her dads t- shirts and mums heels and hand bag.    So l thought l would make some dress ups for her.  After a conversation with her mother came up with some of her favorite TV and Movie characters.

Haven't worked out how to make a Kung Fu Panda costume as yet.  Might have to be a oneys. 

After purchasing all that was needed for the Ladybug costume, l came across the Nemo one in spotlight the cost was the same.  So bought one and made one.   I am sure she will have many hours of fun.

Saw two little girls at the shops dressed up as the frozen princess out with Nan.
Was easier to buy a red t-shirt which happens to have a lady bug embroidered on front.  Made a head band for the feelers.
Mum will have to make wings as to bulky to send through post.

Project Three Hexi Bear


 Third project completed from my self made challenge, to use the same fabric for as many projects as possible.

After cutting out 3 inch hexagons from each of the fabrics, then sewing them back together to form one large piece of fabric, only then to cut out the bear pattern front.


Sewed the bear together and stuffed it firmly.  All three plus projects will be given away to one recipient in time.  Still might have enough fabric for one or two more small projects.
Will have to watch this space.

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Motivated Sewer.


 Thought l would set myself a challenge, to see how many projects l can achieve by using these 12 fabrics. Each a Fat Quarter.
Have already made a wedge cushion see previous post.
Started this cot quilt using half square triangles, very time consuming. Intending to add two boarders of some kind.  Quite happy with progress thus far. Only used 1/3 of each.
Quilt top complete, now to quilt and finish.

Ready to start next project.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Bird House


Busy week for post.

Have been wanting a bird house for the garden for some time and after many, many, months/years of nagging hubby finally caved.

Making this beauty standing proud in our side yard.
Hubby bless his heart has decide to make another for the back yard not as tall or as many.  Single house with picket fence.  Just goes to show, enough nagging and you finally get results. LOL.

Mini Retreat


Had this fabric for a while and didn't know what l was going to make with it.

Thought this weekend was the perfect time, as l am having myself a mini retreat.
Have made wedges 12 in total and made myself a large cushion to throw on a bed.
Sorted out the order of placement then got to sewing .  Two by two then four by four etc.
came together well.
Now requires a large fabric button for the center. Some stuffing and maybe a small sachet of Lavender.
One project complete.  Have plenty of fabric left over lets see how many projects l can make out of the leftovers.  Any ideas would be appreciate.

Summer Festive Bunting


Purchased Fun Festive Fabric for my Bunting from The Quilters Angel in Highfields.

Have made Buntings before but this was the best by far.  Missouri Star You Tube Tutorial.   Quick and easy.

Looking forward to many a summer Party/BBQ.

One item made for my mini retreat.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Lachie's Rest Pillow.


 Side pocket fabric add to his theme of 60's Hippy.

Put this project together for Lachlan when l came across this adorable fabric on line.  It is just him.

Now he can sit back and enjoy playing his computer games with some extra support.
Came together really quickly. It is a pattern off You Tube.  I seem to be surfing You Tube more and more for ideas.

He is really going to flip when he see this in his room.

Another project completed and a new one
started.



 Have a little fabric left over to make a bag for his power cords and phone chargers whilst traveling for work.

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Bag & Bed Reading Cushion.


 Purchased this fabric on line as the younger girls in the family wanted a Paris inspired theme, to there bags and bedrooms.  Came across this very bright and lovely fabric on line. 1 yard has  made a Duffel style bag for overnight stays or for there carry on luggage for a trip.
Bottom of the bag called for feet to help keep  bag off the floor.
 Bag pattern was free on you tube and had no internal pockets so with the last pieces of fabric made two large side pockets.

 If l was to do this bag again would have placed them on the outside, then placed smaller ones inside.
Added zip pockets to my pockets, giving even more places to hide bits and bobs.  

Now have matching Bed Cushion for reading in bed or watching TV.  With very stylish Duffel bag.


Megan received the bag and absolutely  loves it packed it and took it off to Uni.  She was asked by others as where she bought it.  Nice feed back for Megan.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Bag For Bianca.

Whilst sewing bags the other day, l saw a large scrap of fabric sitting in my stash and decide to continue on making yet another bag. This time a smaller version of the one l made for Elise.  Not really knowing who the recipient was going to be.
Have now decided to give this to my granddaughter Bianca. On our trip to Melbourne in the next few days.

A Baby On The Way.


 My Gorgeous Niece and Hubby are expecting their first child.

Have been busy making a few things to add to their nursery.   It is such a great pleasure to do this in celebration for the safe arrival of the newest edition to the family.

Of course within the theme of the mother to be strict guidelines.

One nappy stacker as ordered with matching receiving blanket plus a few extras bibs, storage bin, burp cloths, hooded towel and bath washer toy.

Now ready for packaging and sending off on there journey. Teddy bear to follow once baby has arrived.  So l can embroider details on back. 

One bear for Nate complete with embroidery on bottom with full details,  because of the variegated thread couldn't get a good picture.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Paris Bag For Elise.


Putting together a bag for my fourth son's girl friend Elise.

Adding my own personal details and touches.

Such as handles, pocket trim, internal pocket sizes, as original pockets too small.
Very time consuming working out measurements that would work.

Cutting each main fabric piece, lining and stiffening as well as interfacing for every piece, pressing,  trimming plus setting out and remeasuring. Top stitching and of course adding zips.
Coming together very nicely.   Bit bulking with the foam interfacing but manageable.
Think these extra details make the bag look less home made. Added extra hard wear to give bag shape.
 This would be the bag without hard wear and is still a nice bag, but the younger crowd like anything home made to look more shop bought.
 The hardware also assists when bag is open to sort through your many and varied items kept
within.  Beautiful new bag ready for Elise.