Homemade decorations

I decided to have a go at making some tree decorations from felt as it’s been a while since I did any sewing. This is just a start. She has a certain character I think. Perhaps I should stick to the drawing.

New skills…. book binding

I made a book today. It was an assignment for computers so it’s filled with altered portraits that I done over the past couple of years.  The tutor did an excellent job of explaining how to do the book binding. Of course I didn’t listen to a word of it so I had to watch a wonderful American lady on you-tube. They both made the whole exercise look easy but I can assure you it isn’t. There were scalpels and large needles involved, no blood (thank god) but sweat…it’s 36 degrees outside today. It’s one of those things, like quilting or dress making, that’s all the the prep and should involve measuring carefully. That’s probably why all the pages are jiggly.  I’m fairly pleased with the result though. 

Prettying things

Look at this. Isn’t it boring?

This, on the other hand is totally fabulous!! I got the gorgeous Amy Butler fabric from Funky Fabrix and just stuck it on…. genius.

Crochet Crazy

I have started the insanely ambitious project to crochet myself a jacket. I drove all the way to Narre Warren to get enough of this delicious bamboo thread and so far this tiny piece has taken me a week. But the Ashes and the Tour de France are on so D’s happy that he gets to watch that in peace.

I had a near disaster last night though. I caught the train to meet D for dinner in town and was so busy crocheting that I nearly missed the stop. I leapt off the train with bag, wool and needle and then felt the peice of crochet land on me as a kind man threw it at me just as the doors were closing. It had unravelled a couple of rows but I have palpatations just thinking what would have happened if he hadn’t been so thoughtful. I’d have stood on the platform and wept as the train took off and the whole lot unravelled before me. But that didn’t happen. Hooray for kind and thoughtful people.

Happy Hooker

I am soo excited. I finally received my copy of  ‘The Happy Hooker’ by Debbie Stoller that I order ages ago and it is truelly fabulous. Since my sister left I have been manically crocheting using fairly basic stitches. I have inflicted it on my poor innocent children.

Thankfully, after a protest and a scream of  “I’m not wearing the brocolli hat!”,  this got a rethink and was made into this.But I didn’t stop attempting to get the kids to wear my creations.

These two did actually come in handy during a recent trip to the snow.

And lastly my lovely snuggly warm scarf.

I have inflicted my new passion on my mother…she really did need a new hat and scarf. And a couple of new born twins. They can’t protest until they’re old enough to see the photos and laugh.

In my quest to find victims who can’t protest even Barbie has been given a new item of clothing.

Red quilt

Several weeks ago I bought a new sewing machine and it has been sitting on the table being admired occasionallly without being used. So this weekend I made a baby quilt for some friends of ours who are getting married and christening their four month old little girl on the same day. It’s been ages since I did any sewing and it’s so theraputic. After a week of house guests, which was fabulous but tiring, I needed to achieve something. Now the kids are on holiday and the two little ones are ill so we’ll probably just hang out, take it easy and watch movies today.

  

Piece for The Birthright Quilt

I have finally finished my little piece for The Birthright Quilt. It’s a beautiful project to build awareness surrounding the difficulties that people have with birth in Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander communities. I can’t say I’ve done a fabulous job here and it is a tiny contribution but I’m glad I did it. 

   

Sketch                     Painting                      Sewing

Of course there’s some much better examples of very cool sewing here, here and here. I am thrilled to bits that I have bought a new sewing machine today so hopefully I’ll be embarking on some more adventurous sewing soon!