5 on FRIDAY - GRATITUDE late as ever!

Yes, this was supposed to be done over the weekend, but time slipped away.
Seeing the world has gone crazy, it's been hard to think about our "gratitude's", but here are some small things that have made me smile just lately.

Enjoying some house plants & finding I've missed not having them around the house for quite some time.

Watching the bees & insects gathering pollen/nectar & knowing they are helping pollinate ornamental & vegetable gardens along with our orchards.

Having a very clever husband who has built me this chest of drawers, which I am in the process of decorating.  In this we have some scraps from other projects, pallett timber for the top, part of an old wardrobe that belonged to our youngest granddaughter, and a second-hand TV cabinet (costing all of $12).  I've bought some old handles as well as a few new ones.  I'll show it again once finished.

Tomatoes in our small veg plot.  This year I didn't plant out as much as might normally, due to our very strange weather, but the two tomato plants I put in are doing well now, as is our rather abundant silver beet.  As I said to a friend who is worried about running out of food, at least I'll be able to eat tomatoes, spinach & blueberries from the freezer.😊

And onto my fifth gratitude.  I've plenty of scraps hoarded to make into some little quilts to give away closer to winter (not the best time to be travelling too far at the moment), to help  out in our fire ravaged areas.  Just a little something more personal, than money, which is not necessarily reaching everyone.  These two still need quilting.

I know that I've missed the linkup for this but you can pop across to Kate's blog & see the other links.
I hope to catch up with a couple of other posts already planned during the week as we can't venture out very much/far until this crisis has passed. 
Take extra care everyone & lots of huggles from down under.
Susan.

PORTABLE DESIGN WALL.

Recently my blog friend Joy, from Days Filled with Joy,  talked about her new design wall & a couple of people pointed out that with rental properties there were limitations to what they could use.
Hopefully my design wall will be an interesting alternative to something permanent.  Mine came about, as where I sew is quite small, being the third bedroom and measuring approximately 9'8" x 11', including a built-in robe.

 In it's usual position in front of the wardrobe doors.  It is easy to move out of the way, by folding & placing somewhere else.

                                                               Shown partially folded.
HOW IT WAS MADE.
We used a slim core board, sold here in Australia under the brand name Corflute & was purchased at Bunnings a big hardware chain.  The pieces were 900mm x 600mm x 5mm thick.  We used 4 which cost us $31.40 ($7.85 each).  They are extremely lightweight.

 Next we taped them together as above using general purpose cloth tape measuring 5cm wide.

A close up of the taping.  Under the felt on the front, I think it was over the join lengthways, but on the back we put it both sides of the join so it will fold nicely.
Next came the felt for the front.  This was purchased at Spotlight (another big chain store here) and comes on a roll.  It is quite fine & wide enough to cover both boards & I must have bought about 3 metres to cover the length.  Again we used the tape to secure it on the back after pulling it quite taut.  I had tried a thin batting, but found it awkward and it seemed to stretch out of shape.  The felt has stood the test of time over 4 years so far. 

                                                                The tape in position.

The board folded in half and easily moved out of the way.  It is lightweight enough for moving & as I'm only about 148cm tall, I don't have any problems & most blocks, etc stay in place.

I also have a small design wall made around 1997 which has moved all over the place with us & has always sat not too far from my sewing machine .  I use this when piecing individual blocks or as is shown below, for contemplating bits 'n' pieces I may be playing with.😉

The little table beside my machine desk is a recent purchase from........ ALDI, of all places, & I'm sure everyone has heard of them, not just here in Oz.  It extends both sides, and is great when attaching borders or binding, as it supports all the weight of the growing quilt.

Excuse the messy sewing space and the quality of the photos, but the sun was in & out whilst trying to snap the room.  I really wanted to get this post done for someone who was interested.
Today is very miserable with gusty high winds, biting cold, gloomy grey skies and the occasional showers and we have been told there is more to come over the next 4 days possibly.
Hope this post helps any quilty friends who need an easy design wall solution.
Hope to be back with a bit of crafty catch up from DH and I before too long.
Take care all & huggles.
Susan.