Super-cute $3 find from Salvos. It's for a round table (perfect!) and my new fave.
LOVE IS a gorgeous cloth on which to partake in afternoon tea!
LOVE IS a gorgeous cloth on which to partake in afternoon tea!
Sunday, 9 March 2008
More on ye olde aprons!
My mum loved her peg bag (!!!), and traded it for these stunning examples of my Nan's handiwork.
In the twenties and thirties, good girls did their embroidery and needlework. Nan was one of nine siblings, and I think at times she would have been happy to ditch the needlework and climb a tree!! She was the best knitter I have ever met though, and her masterpieces are still worn, talked about, and treasured.
Nan must have made these aprons early on, embroidering them, hemming, etc. Mum tells me they all had 'bibs' to them, but Nan didn't like aprons with bibs so cut them all off!
These are all aged and tatty, but still charming. I have been through Nan's old sewing box to see if the binding strips are still there... Some are, so I may have a go at an apron make-over for Easter.
Mum thought maybe they could become bags, cushions, or something. What do you think?
In the twenties and thirties, good girls did their embroidery and needlework. Nan was one of nine siblings, and I think at times she would have been happy to ditch the needlework and climb a tree!! She was the best knitter I have ever met though, and her masterpieces are still worn, talked about, and treasured.
Nan must have made these aprons early on, embroidering them, hemming, etc. Mum tells me they all had 'bibs' to them, but Nan didn't like aprons with bibs so cut them all off!
These are all aged and tatty, but still charming. I have been through Nan's old sewing box to see if the binding strips are still there... Some are, so I may have a go at an apron make-over for Easter.
Mum thought maybe they could become bags, cushions, or something. What do you think?
Scraps, selvedges and stuffing...
Do you use your scraps? Do you toss them away? They were once used as stuffing for softies (so were old pantyhose). We now buy soft fill/hobby-fill instead. I use what I can, and pass on other bits to a friend, or the pre-school for pasting and collage.
Jodie made a selvedge quilt some time ago, and I have been collecting mine to do same since. I Love it! Jodie just made another which she turned into a bag, which is amazing and very original. Have a look here.
Another great use for those scraps!
Jodie made a selvedge quilt some time ago, and I have been collecting mine to do same since. I Love it! Jodie just made another which she turned into a bag, which is amazing and very original. Have a look here.
Another great use for those scraps!
Saturday, 1 March 2008
Yellow is the colour of...
Winter Wattle, or Golden Grevillea. Stunning addition to the rainbow. Green next.....
Modern Home Laundering a.k.a. bring back the apron!
This is Mary Carlisle. She has a wonderful adventure in Modern Home Laundering, which I picked up at a local second hand shop as the cover appealed to me:
Mary has some great tips, such as:Empty all pockets - I found a frog in Johnny's once.
Always start with 2 to 3 inches of suds - watch the water whip up to a thick, rich foam.
Always start with 2 to 3 inches of suds - watch the water whip up to a thick, rich foam.
I just love the silhouette images above - the aprons, heels, and full face of make-up to do the daily chores.
Bring back the apron - Emmeline is a gorgeous example you can create for yourself!
Look at what Meg has created here where you can also buy this spectacular pattern.
This second one is yet to be named (the subject of a competition currently) but is already on my wish list!! Meg has used gorgeous ladybird print fabric and matching covered buttons - the whole look is wonderful.
Vintage Patterns - mint condition!
A lot of op-shopping lately - it's rather therapeutic I find. I love getting lost in the manchester and haberdashery (great words, pity they aren't used more).
So a while back I found these for the rather bargain price of 50c each ("they're a bit old dear" said the lady at Chapman Op Shop, also commenting that they would be unlikely to fit me(!)
Rather lovely. I was offered $5 for the second one by a retro-chic lady at a local market (!), but I can't part with the first one. It may need to be framed...
So a while back I found these for the rather bargain price of 50c each ("they're a bit old dear" said the lady at Chapman Op Shop, also commenting that they would be unlikely to fit me(!)
Rather lovely. I was offered $5 for the second one by a retro-chic lady at a local market (!), but I can't part with the first one. It may need to be framed...
Soup in this weather!
Well, Canberra has announced Autumn with a blast of icy air from the mountains!! We are rugged up here already, with boots and scarves today!
I was having a clicky visit to other sites, and saw that the talented Pip at Meet Me At Mike's has a soup posting frenzy going on, which I had to join. Here's the recipe:
My Easy, Peasy, Speedy...
Chicken, Leek and Risoni Soup
Chicken, Leek and Risoni Soup
With thanks to Donna Hay's Issue 9, some time ago.
1 tsp olive oil
1 leek (sliced)
1 chicken breast (sliced thinly)
4 cups chicken stock (cubes are fine if no fresh - I suggest Massell powder)
1/3 cup risoni (or other small pasta)
1 Tblsp chopped parsley
Sea salt and pepper to taste.
Heat oil in a pan over a medium heat. Add leek and chicken, stirring for 2 mins to colour. Add stock and pasta, and cook for roughly 8 min or until pasta is al dente.
Sprinkle parsley on top. YUM with hot, buttered toasted Turkish bread. Eat it in a big mug to warm your hands!!
P.S. Here is a super-cute mug-cosy for you to knit to keep your soup soup-er warm (hehe). Enjoy!!!
Pattern: Mug and French Press Jacket by MK Carroll. Image from great knitty blog here.
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