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!