Results of Swap/giveaway

I had a few respondents to the swap, and I think there are some of us up for a swap of pre-loved craft and sewing stuff.

I'll put the names together, and be in touch.

I have made a controversial decision though regarding the giveaway. I've kinda rigged it, as a woman in the community runs a craft group for young mums (like 12-20 kind of young) to connect them to others, make them feel like they are productive, and they are socialising, and learning skills, and she needs resources.

I gave her a box full of fabric, threads, books, patterns, etc, in the hope that these will be useful, and then kinda remembered I had said I'd send them to YOU....

Is this OK???!! I can rustle up some more if you are really put out but I kinda thought you'd understand...

:-)

j

Mirabel Softie

Mirabel softie completed and sent (unsure if it arrived), and although it's rather clunky, it's cuddly and soft and not too ugly!! Go to Mikes to see lots and lots of others, or details to do your own contribution. Great cause, thanks for co-ordinating it Pip.

x

Miss 2 turns.... 2!

Miss 2 has finally had the birthday, and turned 2! Master 6 had a pyjama party at school that day, hence he is in his jammies at the park! The cake was a cat (no reason, just that it was do-able).


She loved her vintage wooden puzzles and all the attention. She had Granny visiting for the birthday as well which was super-special!

Happy Birthday Bubba!!

x

Vanilla Ice Cream

Hubby is very talented in the kitchen when the ice cream machine is out. This was a wedding present 10 or so years ago, and he is the only one who uses it!



I Love Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. He made this batch to complement Mum's Sticky Date Pudding on the weekend. Magnificent mutual appreciation society!



x

Lovely friends send lovely parcels!

My dear, dear, dear friend Emma lives Too Far Away, and I am touched that she pops in to the blog now and then to see what I have been doing.

She is the God Mother of Master 6, and is such a treasured friend. Hubby went to Uni with her and her hubby Many Moons Ago.

She sent these lovely items and some knitting books as she thought they would be happy here! I am thrilled, and just love them.



Thanks Em!!!


x

Swippity Swap?

I have been sorting through craft books, fabric, wool, patterns, etc, and have a pile of stuff to offload.

Would anyone like it?

It's a mixed bag of surprises, so no piccies, and taking the lead from Emily, I will restrict it to Aussie gals as postage will be hefty.

If you want to try for Pot Luck, please leave a comment, and I will draw one out on Sunday afternoon.

If you would like to swap, please comment and include your email address, and maybe there will be a few of us that can swippity swap together!

J.

And now for something completely different.....

The Dormouse and the Doctor, by A. A. Milne

There was once a Dormouse who lived in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),
And all day long he'd a wonderful view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).



A Doctor cam hurrying round, and he said:
"Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed.
Just say 'Ninety-nine,' while I look at your chest.....
Don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?"

The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied
(When he'd said "Ninety-nine") that he'd tried and he'd tried,
And much the most answering things that he knew
Were geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).



The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head,
And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said:
"What the patient requires is a change," and he went
To see some chrysanthemum people in Kent.

The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view
Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue),
And he knew there was nothing he wanted instead
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant,
He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent.
"Now these," he remarked, "give a much better view
Than geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."



The Doctor came round and examined his chest,
And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics and Rest.
"How very effective," he said, as he shook
The thermometer, "all these chrysanthemums look!"

The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sight
Of the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white).
"How lovely," he thought, "to be back in a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red.)"

The Doctor said, "Tut! It's another attack!"
And ordered him Milk and Massage-of-the-back,
And Freedom-from-worry and Drives-in-a-car,
And murmured, "How sweet your chrysanthemums are!"

The Dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes,
And imagined himself such a pleasant surprise:
"I'll pretend the chrysanthemums turn to a bed
Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)!"



The Doctor next morning was rubbing his hands,
And saying, "There's nobody quite understands
These cases as I do! The cure has begun!
How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun!"

The Dormouse lay happy, his eyes were so tight
He could see no chrysanthemums, yellow or white.
And all that he felt at the back of his head
Were delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

And that is the reason (Aunt Emily said)
If a Dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed,
You will find(so Aunt Emily says) that he lies
Fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes.

A stitch in time saves nine...

How was your weekend?

Mine saw work, an enjoyable afternoon of knitting a Debbie Bliss hat for wee Miss Tilly (more when completed), lots of mending, and getting moving on WIPs (should be WsIP - works in progress!)

BTW, an op-shopping find which thrilled me. The picnic basket is circa 1974 - the year I was born. Aw. $1. Perfect for pressie for Miss 2. She actually turns 2 this week, and after telling all and sundry she will be FOUR, we have just stopped talking about it!!


Mending is a funny thing. I tend to wait until I have a few things to do rather than do things as they need. As such, at least an hour was spent doing little bits and pieces. Nothing to show for it, but glad it's done!

Other sewing attempted:

A bib which was ordered for an expectant couple with a motorcycle obsession... Not my thing but happy to make to order -



My apron for the sassy apron swap - my first ruffle, and I'm quite happy with it! The swap theme is Summer, and I had a hula-thing going... Have a look what it's all about here. I saw a tutorial on how to make a jeans-leg apron, and loved the idea. Mine is not as nice as hers, but I am pleased with the result. Next time, the frill will be shorter, as I ran out of fabric to do a matching waistband. That's what comes from not planning things first. They tend to just grow as I work on them usually.



Also a bag in progress for me, actually started using a commercial pattern (rare for me!!!), and after swearing at it and chucking it in the corner, have adapted it to my own needs... Gotta stop buying patterns that have crap instructions...



Started a quilt for a friend's baby due July,




And laying out an I-Spy quilt for Master 6 (he says I never make him anything!)


What did you do??!

Off to prepare for Mum coming up for a visit tomorrow - I can't wait. Flailing at the moment.


x

This is... A day early!

This is... this week has a recycling theme.

We have a special way of recycling here. The kids are totally involved, and even point out that certain brands have too much packaging, some of which is not recyclable.


Mind you, Master 6 does go into the pantry and empty boxes that he 'needs' before they are empty... Lots of craft possibilities from recyclables. When they are deconstructed again, they go to school for art, then are recycled.

It's no secret that I frequent op-shops regularly, as why buy new when better quality often exists at a fraction of the price, and proceeds go to a good cause?

I'm a button-chick, and what I make uses recycled vintage buttons (orders taken ;-)


Some items that are labelled with the recyclable symbol are not actually ABLE to be recycled in your country. So here's what we do if we buy un-recyclables. (This is also recycled from a previous post!)

Tetra packs are NOT actually recycled in most of Australia. So we use them are cool-bags for the shopping! I also keep my current knitting in one. Daggy but oh-so-recyclable!

Thanks Angela for this meme - I love it!! Check out who else is playing along.

x

A grey day

Just a quick post -

I am distracting myself from various draining medical mysteries in my house.

So many lovely things on-line, wish I had the energy to sew, create, etc.

Reading the magnificent new book by Philippa Gregory keeps me going though!

Lovely things happening in blog land though - I can't possibly comment on everyone's, but I AM thinking of you!

Lovely recipe here
Beautiful art here and here
Funny link here
Good inspiration to crochet here
International recognition here (thanks Cam and Kerry-owl for the heads-up!)

My continual inspiration here:

Have a good weekend!

x

Save a thought

I am not one who regularly pray, but will certainly have special thoughts tonight for those in Burma and China, and their families and communities around the world.

We are so lucky here, thank God.

Map courtesy Nations Online Project

x

Op Shops In Canberra - for Ruth!!

For those who know Canberra, I am a south-sider. I only ever op-shop on the south-side, and it's a weekly thing.

For those of you not from Canberra, sorry about this!

Salvos in Phillip has a great assortment of linen, vintage pillowcases, kids' clothes, furniture, and the occasional tea cup and saucer set.

Vinnies in Phillip (a bit more expensive), has a small but good collection, often with fabric in the room at the back.

Salvos in Weston has often got good sewing supplies - zips, tapestry wool, dmc thread, buttons, and heaps of patterns all 50c each. Also here are good books, often vintage kids' books, pretty good toys at times, and the occasional bit of linen.

Salvos in Tuggeranong has rarely anything I love, but is probably good. I tend to go for linen, fabric, books and toys. However last time I was there, there were some 1970s sheet sets still in packaging! About 8 of them!

Vinnies in Tuggeranong often has a 50c clothing barrel, which has been great for refashioning supplies. They also often have good fabric and bric-a-brac.

Chapman shops has a little oppy that is lovely and clean and well-ordered, for knitting wool, and the occasional piece of household bric-a-brac.

Retro Rack in Weston (upstairs, Cooleman Court), has good clothes, some linen, and often has patterns (including older-style knitting patterns).

Aussie Junk is a favourite, for general junk and the occasional great find.

I pretty much will go anywhere, but these are the regular haunts.

Sadly the Salvos in Curtin closed last year, which always had great finds. Vintage linen and cutlery was always there.

Also the Red Cross (?) in Woden closed, which was always good for clothes.

My tips are to go regularly, look hard, take your time, and keep an eye on the turn-over.

What did YOU do today??

I got Miss Buttons, some Aunty Cookie, and another little cutie in the mail - I'm very excited to have Miss Buttons, but I may leave her in the pack for a while - Angela has put together such a lovely kit that I just like looking at it!

I made a couple of hair clips and re-glued a brooch for the beret -

And got cracking on some new creative ideas for the button business -

A bit of sorting is in order though...

I have been asked to share with you where I find my treasures, and which op-shops are my preferred ones. I will do so!

x

This is.....

Today, being Mothers' Day, This Is... is themed appropriately.

So many things remind me of Mum, but the main ones are:
Cups of tea
Garden gloves
Warm house
Roast potatoes
Flowers from the garden
Joy

HMD Mum. xoxoxoxox

Master 6 woke me at 6.10am to give me a beautiful card and a school-made finger puppet - which I love to pieces. He knew I wanted a thimble for my embroidery, and thought this would help. Love him.


He also gave me a Yoda keyring from Coles. Why Yoda? Because "you're old and wise Mummy". Mwah! At least I'm not green and wrinkly too!


x

Friday's 'frifty finds!

I am a huge fan of alliteration, so please pardon the bastardisation of the title to this post!

I have been very lucky in the thrifty stakes this week, but after another horrendous start to the day, I took myself and Miss 2 off for a little retail therapy to the local oppy, who happened to be reducing everything by half price or more....

Kiddy picnic basket which appealed to the Holly Hobbie-lover in me.


Little bakelite teacups to go in the picnic basket.

Wooden Bambi and Thumper puzzle

Another wooden puzzle (will be perfect for Miss 2's upcoming birthday!)

5 more vintage pillowcases!!

So with $3 spent (I am NOT joking), we went to a little-visited gem that I rarely get to. Miss 2 was happy with her 'teaset', and proceded to have a tea party while I collected...

Another beautiful wooden puzzle,

Table-cloth for my rosey collection,

Beautifully embroidered pillowcase which will end up on my bed!

Vintage Norfolk Island tablecloth which will become a few shopping totes,

And yet another pillowcase, this one a lovely little koala on quality cotton! The pillowcase fairy has been wonderfully good to me lately. Since Kirsty's Week of Pillowcases, I have 32. The quilt needs 36, so nearly ready to commence!

We celebrated with a fairy cake (there is such a thing as Too Much Cream!) and 'cinos.



Most happy with our purchases, we wandered home through the Autumn leaves, scuffing and singing.

Great pick-me-up, but I think the house is well past full. With enough to open a shop, I think etsy and I have a date...

Beautiful pay it forward gift arrived!

My first bloggy mail has arrived!

I have recently joined in my first swap (Sassy Apron Swap here), and am excited about receiving something in the mail. I had however, forgotten that I had commented for a Pay It Forward from the talented Nicola.

I recently received this:

I am really touched. It has been personalised by the addition of a vintage button, which I love. Thanks Nic!

Also my first Etsy purchase (I know - FIRST - I am rather slack...) arrived from the talented Emily Martin.

Isn't she beautiful?!

I couldn't NOT get The Button Collector print! (oooh - double negative - time for coffee to get brain firing...)


I love this crafting community - LOVE IT!

From knitting to welding...

I've been quiet about a kind of special project I am involved in lately... A group of us have won a grant to create a sculpture for the resource centre (i.e. tip) here.

I've been collecting images of sculptures, artworks, etc.

The project details are still a little blurry to blog about, stay tuned!

In the meantime, enjoy Jeff Thomson's Cows (c. 1987) which are housed at Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen, Melbourne. I have loved these since they arrived at Heide, and was thrilled to show the kids on the recent trip south. (Have a look at the incredible Rick Amor exhibition when you are there too).

With my new welding, angle grinding, pipe-bending and tip-scouring skills, I may just have a go at rustling up a cow or 2 for the backyard!

Thrifty day finds

Miss 2 and I had a lovely morning, and stumbled over these...

With only $5 budgeted for op-shopping this week, (I don't NEED), we did rather well!


Unopened pattern for a Winter coat for Miss 2

Bundle of DMC thred, zips, linen and calico


More patterns!

A HUGE piece of seersucker perfect for a Summer dress, a pinny, and some bias edging!

Lots of beautiful things, total: $2.