Yes I DO still sew!

In the case of Buttons versus the Blog, we submit the following evidence that the Janome is still fighting fit and producing merrily.

Of course there have been more tiered skirts. They are a staple, and I love them. Question is, would you buy one? What's the going rate for wonky craft?! I'm no professional but I do need to feed the habit... At a market stall not a shop where you expect a bit more like perfection, what price tag would sing to you? I'm interested in feedback from you. I have a number in my head - is it too low? Too high? Just an aside.



There have been bags using up scraps and thrifted zippers, from my head as well as on line tutorials. These are destined as gifts not commercial gain, as they are not my 'original' designs. (What IS original anyway???!)




Also a present for a great friend who ADORES President Obama. I used a free downloadable image of a cross-stitch pattern and printed it onto silk. Using interfacing and trim to 'frame' the image, it now graces a t-shirt for her!

Finally a wonky-looking (as it's full already!) bag for Master 7's computer-gamey thing. Necesary not beautiful. I was not going to buy one for $20 - I knew there was polar fleece and velcro around here somewhere that could be used!

In closing, in the pile of things to sew are: a dress for Miss 2 for the upcoming 40th of a certain BB family member; PJ pants for me; mending; a memory quilty thingy idea for a pressie; and innumerable other options for bunting; tiered skirts; and pants for Master 7. Elasticated pants (necessary for the Asperger in him) are hard to find past size 6.

As long as the family don't want the dining table back soon I will be fine to continue sewing daily. Cheap therapy!

And for gratuitous cute value, here is Miss 2 colouring in her Easter page for the local competition. No parental help here, an entry from a two-year-old is in fact done by... a two-year-old! Note that the toasted cheese sandwich finger prints are her own original touch.

j

Auction action

Consumption Rebellion and I went to a deceased estate auction on the weekend. We had no idea what to expect, however the dozens and dozens of cars lining the street made us rather optimistic.

The elderly lady who had lived in the house had been a hoarder, (it was billed as a hoarder's auction), and her house (and 2 sheds) were filled with all manner of items. There were no fewer than 6 big stripey bags and 5 big plastic containers of fabric, as well as bags and bags of yarn, boxes of craft items, and years of accumulated stuff. An entire shelf of a bookcase was devoted to craft books and sewing patterns, all allocated lot numbers we dilligently recorded.

We got there to view the house and contents, registered as bidders, and sat in the rear yard. What a crowd there was, many of whom obviously were very well-versed in the auction company's procedures. Already we have a list for the next one - chairs, pens, clip-boards, drinks, proper coffee, picnic rug, reading material. The local Scouts were there with sausage sizzle, egg and bacon sandwiches, soft drinks etc. It's quite a business! From start to finish the whole event can take from 9am to 2pm - little did we know...

We bid both successfully and unsuccessfully on a number of lots, split some lots, took some to the Salvos, and have plans for the rest. I am thrilled at the chance of finishing some of her UFOs, and cherishing some of her treasures.

Funny old leather coin purse that was inside a bag of linen I bought. The linen was actually a chenille bedspread, and 6 aprons as well as other items. Quite a lucky dip as it turned out.

More of the linen - perfectly starched napkins -mint condition with fabulous roosters.

One of the aprons - aqua seer-sucker with Holly Hobbie-esque design. Rather perfect actually!


An enormous Bushells Tea tin with Australiana on the tin in my favourite blue and while. The pen is on the top to show scale. It needs a good clean but is rather good!


The other view of the Bushells Tea tin.

More tins! Vintage Quality Streets and a rectangular canister labelled 'prunes'. Also the green teapot which pours rather well.

Folky coin purse which I actually bought with the next photo's napkins and placemats from a lady who outbid me. She wanted other items in the lot. Lovely. I adore these Austrian images, and have now a little collection of my own!


The next on-site auction is in Hughes on April 5th and promises a similar outcome! Unfortunately Mr BB will be away so I may have to take the fan club...

Record bowl take two

This time I accidentally left the LP in the car while I browsed in my local Salvos. An hour in the sun within the enclosed car, and voila! Unintentional change dish perhaps?

j

Clothes Swap this Saturday in Melbourne!

Public Service Announcement for those of you in Melbourne this weekend:

The Clothing Exchange are having a clothing swap this weekend on Saturday 28th March. You need to check in at 3.30pm, and the event finishes at 5pm.

The event is held as part of the Earth Hour Celebrations, at Box Hill Gardens, Irving Avenue, Box Hill.

You need to bring six garments you value but no longer wear to swap for those you will. Swap not shop. Bookings essential on 9262 6555.

For more info regarding the whole program, visit www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/sustainablelivingweek

What a great idea - anyone want to help me organise one in Canberra??

Enjoy!

j

Afternoon tea as a free form cake

TLK is a little over 40 (chronologically only), on Wednesday. She had a few belles over for afternoon tea today, however the cake exploded and became free-form.

It was DELICIOUS as almond chocolate cakes are, even gluten free ones! We ate the whole cake between 4 of us..... YUM

Happy Birthday to a darling friend, mother, and inspiration. XX

j

You galah!

This morning as I was cleaning for a house inspection, I saw some movement on what was once the front lawn. This is what I saw.


Can't tell what it is?

Here's a closer look:


Galahs! Dozens of them. I do love their colours. There are so many galahs and cockatoos in Canberra - come for a visit and see them!

A reminder too for any of you from Canberra; Lifeline Book Fair tomorrow.

x

LP bowls

Image from here.

Am I the last person to try and make these?

There is a very good reason for me not doing a craft that relies on the oven. Simply that I forget things. Bath is running. An hour later - the hall is flooded. The sprinkler's on. Five hours later, the garden is knee-deep (years ago, pre-drought!!!!)

So when there are clouds of toxic smoke in the kitchen, and you throw open windows and doors to let fresh air in and search frantically for the source of the smell.....

Remember you were melting an LP.....

For the uninitiated, I have since been told 10 mins at 100 degrees C is sufficient, NOT 40 mins in a fan forced oven at 220 degrees C. Really!

Mum, I need two cakes! Pleeeeeeeease?

So Master 7 wanted a cake like a seven, but also a Ben 10 (*shudder*) cake. "Like an Omnitrix Mum, you know!" (actually, no, I don't know...!)



The things we do - and although there was disappointment (read Aspergers' meltdown), that there was not an Omnitrix in sight, the Ben 10 cake was later proclaimed "awesome".

Phew. He's now making up for his lack of "stuff" by compiling his list for Santa. Yep, it's March..... How did this happen?????!

j

"Happy days are here again...

... The sky outside is blue again!"

There is nothing like an open afternoon to create without any time pressures. This weekend I had such an afternoon. Miss 2 and Master 7 were with friends, Mr BB was bike riding; so I had no impediments.

Skirts made a triumphant reappearance on the agenda. I love these. I now have a little system going when I do them, and no longer have to think. After nearly ten down, I am still not finished with them! A dear friend has offered a skill swap for some of her artwork, so another one to make for a little poppet! Yay!

Size 2 for Miss 2 with thrifted denim and ric rac, and stash fabrics. A fine leaf pattern from years ago, and a more recent toadstool print from Japan.

Lemon yellow for my niece Miss almost-2, little PP. This is also lined as the cotton voile I made it from is so fine.

Size 4 for Miss 2 as a longer skirt, to grow into. Thrifted everything except the floral, which was a 30cm strip from my old work.

Also made a library bag for Miss 2 who starts 3-year-old kinder in a couple of weeks. Handles used to be a draw-string in a pair of Miss 2's track pants.


Tried my hand at some more piecework for a patchwork class. The fabrics were all provided, so I did an eye-spy cushion for Miss 2. I'm no good with novelty prints usually. Miss 2 was a little overwhelmed too I think, as she keeps the backing up (a mermaid print) rather than the chaotic front. Zippered for easy washing it may not be here long.


Love, love, love having the Janome back out, and reluctant to put it away. Do need to clean her out though - vacuum the fluff out etc, oil the bits, change the needle. Do you clean your machine regularly? Ever? It works so much better when you do!

SO SICK OF The Little Mermaid! Kids watch it too much. Miss 2 has taken to quoting it: "Dad, I'm not a child!" which of course is pretty funny.
CAN'T STOP EATING choc-coated bullets - the choc part is fake, the licorice is painfully chewy, but they are. as Mr BB would say, Spanish! (Moorish)
READING Pride and Prejudice (Did you watch Lost in Austen? Rather fun take on an old classic, complete with Mr Darcy/Colin Firth comparisons and wet shirt scene!), Does my Bum look Big in This Clutter, Brideshead Revisited, TV Guide.
WATCHING Life on Mars Series 2 (UK version) and 24 (Jack's back!)
WORKING on my CV to get a job that is not cleaning, retail or reception. Those years at Uni won't be wasted!
LOVING the cooler weather in Canberra this week. I'd forgotten what it was like to be cold. Lovely!

xx

SEVEN

Seven. Lucky for some. Master Six has now reached that magical number.

I feel humbled by the amount he has grown, what he has achieved, how he blooms every day. He is my perfect little man and he is growing up so fast.

Mr BB took the big day off work so we could marvel that seven years ago we were at the Freemason's watching Nee Naw tap dancing to pass the time in delivery suite. A great way to celebrate the achievements and to mark being parents, together, for 7 years.

Master 7 took lamingtons to school to share with his classmates. Grandparents came to Canberra for the party. He coped with the fuss admirably. We are so proud of him.

Happy Birthday Darling.

xx

Life could be a dream (sha boom, shibori...)

Shibori is a Japanese method of essentially tie-dyeing. Stitching then dying creates a beautiful effect for the patient craftster. I am more an immediate gratification/results please craftster. I did some the other day with friends, using the old techniques of pegs, string and rubber bands.



We then tried a Japanese technique using clamping with triangular blocks. In this method the fabric (in this case silk), was folded between and around the blocks, and then held together tightly with rubber bands. The end product shows the sections of the fabric which were exposed to the most and least dye.


Now I will learn how to do a rolled hem (perhaps best by hand) and complete this as a scarf for Mum for Mothers' day.

Nothing like trying something new - particlarly when you can recover previously stained old shirts and items to create a new life for them.

What are you learning at the moment?

j

Pottering around with friends

This week has been wonderful. I have crafted almost every day. As my friend Ruth said on Tuesday (as we did some quilting): "it's the cheapest therapy around!"

Wednesday Consumption Rebellion and I did some book upcycling. I had a battered and falling apart copy of Pigling Bland by Beatrix Potter. Quite damaged in sections, but lovely illustrations. After the previous post and the use I am getting from the Kamahl jotter, I thought I needed a dainty little book for ideas.

After a brief trip to Officeworks for the binding, please meet my new pal:


Some pages have been retained for character, and also as they have delightful sketches on them for Miss 2 to colour. I have some lined pages, some plain pages, and some reused envelopes for pockets for ephemera. I am rather chuffed, and have many more planned, including a little pressie for this girl who has lent me her binder and guillotine! Thanks E! You can see what she spent the day making here. Much more impressive!!



j