A smattering...

Okay - I have a moment of spare time to show you some random things....

My DD2's framed artwork on the wall - abstract to say the least, but we love it!

Some more artwork - a very lovely piece (The Silver Tree) purchased recently - artist proudly standing by!

Now hanging in a spot we see a hundred times a day and hubbie often remarks on it.  I knew he would love it too :)

A sweet and delicate set to go with my treasures Mid Century (Scandi) collection - 

Dutch I believe, so close enough ;)

Found at Salamanca Market, Hobart.

A hardback edition of The most amazing book - written entirely by a man who, at 42, suffered a stroke which left him entirely paralized, bar his left eyelid. He dictated his story with one eyelid, which is not only an incredible thing to do, but his writing draws you in; funny, witty, incredibly sad.  I read this book about 15 years ago, and loved it then and love it now.  So pleased I found a copy at a secondhand bookshop for $9. This was my best treasure found in Hobart.

A bit of scoring at Le Op Shoppe - 2.5m of a heavy wool (I think) fabric for $20 - I am thinking a Clover Cape (Style Arc) could look good in this.....am I bonkers to think that will happen???

and some vintage flannelette single sheets - I LOVE these - pjs here methinks

Cannot say goodbye to this post without mentioning my 3 day weekend away with The Girls - Kylie, Anna, Wendy, Karen, Kirsty, Narelle, Kylie and Sam - lots of sewing, singing, eating eating eating, antique auctioning, coffee slurping, pj wearing good ol retreat....Great Times Girls!!

I did make this!!!

Vintage robe pattern made from AMH's rayon challis

Slinky, silky, oh so cool and smooth on the skin

oooh lalaa

(I skimped on how much fabric I would need - the tie is super long made from offcuts of both fabrics - I enjoyed that bit of patchwork hehehe)

and last but not least

The Time Lord

Block 2

Doctor.Who.Along

Phew!!! Told you it was random smandom!!

A Bit of Something for Everyone

Now off to the multiple loads of washing to get on the line of this Most Beautiful Sunny Winter's Day

Never thought I would

Even though I am on a fabric diet (see sidebar reminder), I'm sure that doesn't include other crafty paraphenalia such as.......

BOOKS

I have had my eye on this book for maybe years now?, though it is not very old - bit of a whim buying it, thinking "love the concept, but never going to execute...."

Well, I surprised myself, but actually sewing my very first cathedral window

and it wasn't that hard!!!!!

I love an example of a wall hanging of CW's - this is my inspiration....I have some little lovelies coming my way soon, which could be perfect for a window collection......

Lynne makes the most stunning designs with many different colours (she does love batiks, which I could take or leave, though they Are highly effective in this medium), and then different shaped windows, which gives movement and interest and are amazing!!

The author has made the book extremely easy to read - very light and conversational - she gives little snippets of advice here and there - this one is a GEM:

My DQS 7 quilt

Based on a design from Material Obsession Book 1, which Leah, of pugglelogic, mentioned, I made this view out the window, oooh, that reminds me, I haven't named it yet;

Window View will be its name.

It's got curved piecing, crazy piecing, needleturn applique and iron-on applique - the mixture of applique is a long story - basically, I was growing too impatient with the needle-turn, and not really putting in the hard yards to learn how to do it properly (sorry Claire and Cathy; n-t-a queens!!) I really need a hands-on lesson methinks!

It is not my best work, but I was quietly pleased with it - of course, hubbie wanted it to stay home - He Loved It! God Bless him! Maybe that had to do with his wonderful suggestion of quilting sunshine rays across the quilt.

Fluffy clouds on the back!

(Label not entirely accident free)

I added some cute sock monkey and banana fabric - I think they would all suit Leah and her family! Glad she likes it!

Book Hunt

While enjoying a rare moment of aloneness amongst shelves of crafty books (ie both kids away, hubbie in some other part of the bookshop), I came across this gem:

A very interesting book with lots of technical advice on the scary world of quilting my quilts - the pictures of quilts were so good that I feel like getting the book just for the pictures!!

The book was a little too expensive for me to buy then and there - but I can not find it anywhere else, except for sites such as Amazon where it amazingly seems to be twice as dear!!

Tried my beloved 'Bookdepository' and no luck

Anyone got one they would like to part with or swap - I am open to suggestions!!

Do you like to dress-up?

I love a good dress-up - don't believe me - see here!

I love a good costume - in another life, I would love to be the Costume Mistress for the Australian Ballet - or something like that - so when I found these little old books on the For Sale trolley at the library - I snapped them up -I don't care that they are yellowing at the edges (I know how they feel!)

Historical costuming is really fascinating to me - because it is not just let's pretend, but clothing that was worn everyday by everyday people, in all situations. Here are a few of my favourites:

The Book Cover is of Year 1250

Years 1100 - 1200 Love the shoes:

Yrs 1200 - 1300

Years 1755 - 1760 Love her cheeky smile!

Years 1720 - 1730 Acck!

Year 1740

Year 1750

A classic I had to 'nap' mainly because of the following picture!

Isn't this frontispiece a dramatic painting?

I also picked up this book: again, historically interesting, though pretty much out-dated, I have always had a soft spot for Kate Greenaway. Apparently, no-one ever actually wore the clothing she illustrates, but almost created a fashion trend for people to dress their children as if they were a Greenaway drawing!

Who knew that that slimy slippery moss-covered front path means that I love my children!

I think I understand why 'Dead Leaves' means Sadness!!??

Lost and Found

Before I tell of my expeditions, Big Reminder of Bushfire Quilting Bee this Saturday - Jan would really love any response from people if they are coming or not, or can help in some distant way! (click on icon on sidebar)

I am able to go in the morning only - so I would love to see you there too!



Happened across this wonderful trash and treasure store called 'Lost and Found Market' at 12 Smith St Collingwood (just up from Victoria Parade)

Treasure treasure treasure! Lots of 60's, 70's, 80's kitch and kaboodle

This is oh so a small view of the multi-tiered shop! Prices are not so cheap as an op-shop ie much more of a secondhand sellers shop so expect apropriate pricing - and only takes CASH, so be prepared!


Little pile of perfect condition tablecloths - turn into aprons or skirts?

Chenille!!! Want it want it

Very very soft leather handbag - yucky metal rings for straps, but maybe you could cut them off?

I think there are a few of you who love a vintage pattern....



I tried on the most beautiful and stunning piece of clothing I have ever seen or felt - but I could get red paint thrown at me! A fur coat, if anyone's asking! Made with bunnies' fur - could I? Should I? Is it still wrong? Someone said that bunnies are a national vermin here in Australia, so go for it....I Just Don't Know...will I be getting hate mail now?

I bought this instead .....

Spied it days and days ago.....slept on it......slept some more.......could Not Sleep Anymore Without It!

I think the tassels have to go and the fabric does not fit in at all...

A more modern shape and maybe some of this fabric to cover, or fabric more vibrant and in-your-face?


.......what do you think?



Salvos, Camberwell:

Books - love finding classic kids books - especially hardback with dust cover in fantastic condition!

Couldn't resist this little sweetie too - very soft spot for Peter - oh, no, back to the bunny theme again!

Opped til we dropped!

D1 and I treked off to Pakenham today - Robert Gordon Pottery Factory Outlet

Very very nice stuff - some old styles that may never leave the shop (think brown and orange trout!!!) - but also lots of deliciously pastel and genteel colours of milk, cottonflower, ice, pink vovos, plus some handsome stripes of blue and red. Lots there for everyone! Cafe and a workshop to paint your own (hmmm...maybe a birthday party there would work?)

We got pressies for Weddings, pressies for Birthdays, and pressies Just Because!

"When the pie was open, the birds began to sing..."

Love Cath Kidston and Love Toile!

Then we trawled the Oppys of Pakey!

There are 3 in the main strip shopping then one huge Salvos just around the corner from the Pottery place - I got some pressies that I am going to bring to my Craft Day-Away, plus stuff to sell on ebay and this little treasure:





I know I don't knit, but still....I thought of you guys....


Maybe someone would like it? Just have to ask!


These little fellas are my favourites in the book....

because of Bob, of course.....

This is Bob - he fell out of a tree (about 5m to the road, missed by two cars and rescued by Whippet Good Family) - he went straight to our local Wildlife Rescue Lady who promptly told us that he was a baby Brushtail Possum (not Ringtail, as we thought) and so, needed lots of care - actually another 12 months of care! Bev showed us her other ones in care - two Flying Foxes and a microbat! Absolutely wonderfully facinating! What a great job she does! My two girls were facinated and wanted to become Wildlife Rescuers!

Isn't he the cutest?

Possum's not bad either! Hehe!