Electrical Appliance- take two plus some new Smalls!

Once the oven was installed, we decided to update the barely functioning cooktop / stovetop. Our local electrician was again enlisted in his minimal spare time to do the change over.

 



Lots of cutting was needed to fit the cooktop. I could not believe how clean this electrician was, he had his assistant bring in the heavy duty vacuum cleaner to tidy up his dust and shavings.

 

 

Not only did he complete the project in his minimal free time on the weekend, he kindly donated two dozen pairs of Bonds boxer shorts to our boys. He had bought them on Ebay, they were too small for him, he decided our boys would be the recipients of his online shopping. All new and unworn!

 



The least I could do, was send the electrician and his helper on their way with the remainder of a batch of fruit scones. They were so hungry, and were eating them constantly.

 I felt we came off in front / winners with the afternoon's activities-- two doxen boxer shorts, a new cooktop,   ----   he received the remainder of a batch of fruit scones + his payment for his Saturday afternoon activity!

However, he was so delighted that the boxers would fit some youth in the local community - and not go to waste!

Source from here

If any locals need the help with locating an electrician, I am only too happy to share his details!
He works all hours of the day and night, as long as food is provided!

Love Heart Quilt completed

This quilt is back from the quilter, Mrs WB, again such beautiful quilting has happened.

I ordered some fabric to bind this quilt last week, it arrived promptly, enabling me to have it bound whilst enjoying some summer weather this week.

 

 

Binding Pool Side

 

Gorgeous quilting by Mrs WB

The backing fabric is a Tanya Whelan print, a gorgeous soft floral design.

I bought several prints and colourways of pretty Tanya Whelan fabrics, in a destash sale on Instagram. They are being utilised and enjoyed very quickly.

A finish up for 2013

Hexie Mug Rug

 

I bought the above pattern by designer Helen Stubbings at the recent Stitching in Spring workshop in Warracknabeal. The pre-cut applique papers were included in the kit.

Old habits die hard, I automatically basted the hexies with thread --completely forgetting that I quite easily could have ironed the applique papers to the fabric, and used a glue stick along the edges to baste the fabric to the paper.

Basting threads removed.

The applique paper is made up with 50% soluble and 50% non soluble fibres. The papers can be left in the work, and will be partly dissolved after washing. Leaving the papers in, gives stability to the sewing.

After taking out the basting threads, I decided to leave the papers in, I used a dot of  basting glue prior to ironing the hexies onto the background fabric.

Ironed in place

Fabrics are a mix of Denyse Schmidt, Vintage Modern by Camille Roskelley,

 the spots and stars - a range from Spotlight.

I used a clear monofilament thread to sew the hexies onto the fabric, and used the same thread to quilt about the hexie shape, lines spaced a 1/4 inch apart, and also in the middle hexie as well.

 A fragrant birthday candle together with the Mug Rug were soon wrapped and gifted to the Birthday girl.



Happy Birthday Mrs Zippy Zippy!

A piece of fabric used in the Mug Rug was also favoured by Mrs Zippy Zippy.  By chance, all items were matching for the birthday girl. Brooch and bag were also made and modeled by Mrs Zippy Zippy.

Odd socks

 The bane of every parent's life--odd socks

We have used a front loader washing machine for the last few years, I have enjoyed the water efficiency the front loader machine offers.

  However' I feel that the odd socks have been breeding at an alarming rate with the purchase of the front loader.

As much as the machine does a lovely wash, we cannot add extras to the wash -- once it has been started

Having a rare home day today, all others in the household being at work and school, I decided to tackle the baskets, bags and piles of odd socks that were hidden throughout the house.

This was a huge undertaking. Sports socks, school socks, work socks, name brand socks, international socks, plain socks, patterned socks, footy socks, socks with coloured toes and heels, holey socks, small socks the 5BN children have long grown out of.

 Cheap socks, expensive socks, labeled socks, wool socks, cotton and synthetic socks -- I am sure I sorted all of these varieties and more.

I paired so many socks today, I growled to all who would listen - and those who chose not to listen.
No sooking that they had no socks! 
There were enough socks paired to fit every hoof and foot on the Ark after today's effort. Still too many socks left without mates--where are those extra mates!  I nearly had a mild coronary doing the sums of the total cost of the socks paired or singular--stacked precariously in their piles.
What do you do with all those lonely single socks?  Where are all those lonely single socks hiding?

Love Heart Quilt

Too much time is spent on Instragram, moments snatched here and there.   Enabling me to dream of much inspiration, aspiration --but in reality not enough time or expertise!

However I instantly was taken by the quilt below.

Cath's new nephew is framed most beautifully on this masterpiece.

@cathmosely on Instagram made a gorgeous, vivid and  bright rainbow baby heart quilt with a Kona Solids Roll Up / Jelly Roll.

I scoured the net to find such a vivid Jelly Roll, only to be put off by the brutal shipping / postage charges from overseas.

 

A light bulb moment ensured I raided the stash. I had a half jelly roll of  Vintage Modern left from a previous project. I auditioned the fabrics several times, enlisting the help of family and friends to ensure the colours ranged from darkest to the lightest. Using a black and white filter on the camera also helped with colour placement / colour values.

Absolutely brilliant.  This magnificent work of art has
 been designed and made by the talented @cathmosely on Instagram

 Enlisting the assistance of my SIL the ever so prolific quilter, she had a pattern draughted whilst I was still muddling about at home.  My SIL drew up a pattern, raided her stash, and made the quilt below. She is so quick, and so inspiring.

Masterpiece from the SIL!

Now for mine to be quilted, bound and gifted.

Candy Buffet

At a recent family function, I was delighted to see this wonderful table of goodies. The macaroons were melt in the mouth bliss, yummy pastries, and  delicious bite sized cake pops .

 

The 5BN children were delighted to be the recipients of the yummy party bags filled with a variety of treats.

Listen and Learn

I was in Melbourne recently for a work conference, these days were very long and busy.

Listening and learning;   meeting old friends and new.

glitz and glitter at the Conference

Mellow music at morning tea

 After two long enlightening days, the car headed for home,- but it was not long before I realized I had to drive past this wonderful establishment.
Millrose Cottage had just shut after a busy Saturday, but it did not stop the gorgeous Sue, opening the Red Door to allow me in.  Conscious that they were in reality shut! --   I did a speed shop.  But not before I was privileged to see the photos of her gorgeous new grandson Ollie!  Welcome to the world baby Ollie, and thanks to the gorgeous and accommodating new grandmother Sue--enabling me to do a super fast shop.
Some stripes to make the Charge Nurse from Jodie's Ric Rac fame.




Christmas prints to keep working at Camille's pattern from her newest book

 Miss 5BNhas decided the blocks below need some green to match the Christmas colourway, I have been sewing with a layer cake of Cherry Christmas, so will need to make some more blocks with extra colours, before this will be sewn together.

Oops, error noted in the middle row, I will need to correct this.!

Hoping to make some more Churn dash blocks to add to this WIP. Let's hope this quilt is finished before Christmas this year, however the Christmas carols have been heard this week in our local supermarket this week ---way way too early!

After attending the Conference in Melbourne, I decided I needed to do some more study,-- books and DVD's will hardly make for bedtime reading --however I must persist, and keep at this.  There may be little sewing attempted for the next few months --whilst I hit the books!

Favourite Fabrics + Friends

These nappy / name bags are the requested gift in our rural community.

I only make them in a limited range of fabrics - this makes it so much easier for those prone to indecisiveness!  A work colleague ordered this for a new grandson, she has all grandsons.  This lady so wants a grand daughter to buy pink and frilly for. As her work friends-- we are amused;  her daughters are such tomboys, all having boys!!  Not sure if and when the  grand daughters arrive-- if they would ever dressed in pink!

Hello Master Thomas!



Well Hello-- Master Zachary!



Bag + Blanket to Zachary

 

This is one of the favourite fabrics I use often, I am down to the last precious piece.

This is

Friendly Neighborhood Firemen

by

Alexander Henry

circa 2006

 

 

I would love many more metres of this fabric, --  if any readers know of a shop selling this fabric, --- do please let me know.  I will be purchasing as much as I can!

Or if any readers feel the need to destash this fabric -- I am more than willing to purchase this fabric.

 

 

 

My sister has ordered the bag + blanket for baby Greta.

Greta's mother and my baby / youngest sister have gone through all their 13 years of schooling together, they have travelled overseas together as adults.

 My sister was bridesmaid to Greta's mother. 

 Greta's mother will be Matron of Honour for my sister when she marries early next year.

 

 

 Greta's mother had extreme and severe post delivery complications after delivering Greta.
Thank goodness we live in the 21st century with modern medicine, and access to appropriate and timely medical / obstetric care.
 Greta's mother is alive today to care for Greta and the toddler siblings in this household +  also the lovely supportive husband.
My sister will still have her first choice as a Matron of Honour when she marries in 2014. These two girlies will continue to be able to support each other and their families for many more years to come.



Precious Greta, how we are delighted you and your Mum are here today with us all.

Welcome to the world Miss Greta!

Book Week Costumes

International Book Week was back in August, the theme for 2013 - was - "Read across the Universe" .

Our younger children had no hesitation  in choosing their character - to dress up as. Both characters were based on the books from the compete series that they were currently reading. It was only after the event, that I realized they possibly had characters that were 'Read across the Universe!

 

 Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling seemed to be popular at school this year. The middle 5BN has systematically read all the books in order, and watched each DVD on completion of each book.

Low key effort with Harry Potter; --- cape, wand and glasses purchased from a local chain store.

 

 

Miss 5BN has read her way through  Lily Quench - The Dragon Slayer  series, and loved them all;  after discovering them in the school library.

A Brisbane / Aussie author --Natalie Prior has written these books, aimed at the middle to upper primary school years.

 

Lily Quench the Dragon Slayer.

 

Miss5BN knew exactly how she wanted the costume made. Luckily the current Spotlight had costume mesh featured in that current week's catalogue. Unfortunately for us, our local Spotlight received a limited range of the product - and none of the silver that we needed. Many phone calls and hours later, we located 1.6 metres left of the silver costume mesh in Frankston.

A telephone order was arranged, and we awaited the postie to deliver.

$9.99 / metre

 

I was surprised at the price variance, price in the current catalogue was listed at $7.95 metre.

VIP Price was also listed as $6.50 metre, and we were charged $9.99 metre, despite giving my VIP number to the staff member on the phone.

Anyhow despite this --we needed this last 1.6metres for Lily Quench to wear to school in  less than 48 hours!

Pattern drafting a la very rudimentary style!

 I measured up a t shirt that Miss 5BN was wearing, and cut into the mesh quickly, I used some bias tape around the neck to help hold the shape, and to stop the mesh unfurling.

Bemsilk was used for the cape, as well as the skirt.

Miss 5BN concentrating on sewing the hem of the cape.

Lily Quench the Dragon Slayer

The hat was found in the local $2 shop, from memory it was labeled as a gnome hat!  Miss 5BN found some yellow feathers in the craft department and inserted them into the hat.

Only a couple more years of costumes to be chosen and made at the 11th hour!


In the next week, her class re-enacted for the school - the arrival of the First Fleet to Australia.
Miss 5BN was to be a convict. Her outfit was hastily borrowed from another school family the night before. Oh thank goodness for the class curriculum that is repeated from year to year, just ask a child in the class above, can you beg, borrow or steal their outfit---it may ensure that your child has convict entry into Australia.