Hello Jordyn

A work colleague welcome her first born into the world last week, a dream pregnancy - however she went so overdue and endured a battle to bring Jordyn into the world. Obviously this bub thought she was too cosy in the womb! Mum reports she can now walk and sit pain free-- oh the joys of it all!

Jordyn was in at work for show and tell yesterday, all settling into a lovely little routine, and  the new Mum is enjoying being home.

 

Our children loved the  Hairy Maclary books, our first introduction into this series was sent from New Zealand as a baby gift to our first born - fitting that the author is a Kiwi! We have read many of the Hairy Maclary books over the years. There was no hesitation in including this book in the gift, the family are dog lovers - with a gorgeous chocolate Labrador that is well loved.

Summer Sewing

New babies in our area, meant some sewing needed to be achieved.

 

 

 

 Exuberant horse fabric is "Hondo" by Alexander Henry , circa 2003

Felix seems to me -- he should be involved with the Roald Dahl / Quentin Blake book series. Unfortunately I was not aware that this fabric existed - until after I had made the Felix bag.
The Fantastic Mr Fox book and also the fabric range of this same name - may be on my wish list!

I had used this teacup fabric previously and was not happy with the contrast against the Sand Homespun fabric. This time;  I used a brighter fabric I had purchased in the #greataussiedestash on Instagram. The vibrant pink dot is Queen Street by Jennifer Paganelli for Free Spirit / Westminster Fabrics.  I am so much happier with the brighter contrast, I will use this fabric combination again.

The barter system is alive in our rural community. We were after extra chook shedding for our Aracuana chooks. Charlie's parents were happy with the trade--their chook shed - in exchange for a name bag!

Fair deal all around!

 

 

A work colleague ordered this name bag for her new arrival.

Best of luck to young Riley as you speed through life!

 

This fabric is Michael Miller "In Transit" retro

 



Sweet dreams Niamh

More baby sewing of recent times, little baby Niamh made a very early delivery into the world, surprising her parents, who really did not expect the arrival for a few more months, Little Miss Niamh is progressing well, fattening up, growing and maturing well.

 

Let's hope that the NICU Staff are able to correctly identify Niamh for her feeds and medications, -  that little easier!

 

The backing fabric is more from the recent destash purchase I made on Instagram

 

I used this gorgeous Porcelain Tea Cup fabric to make the Bag,

 

 I was disappointed with my choice of fabric that I did use for the letters to make the name Niamh.

 I used what I had in the stash, I did not want to wait for more fabric to arrive by post, or for the next trip into town. The Tanya Whelan fabric is gorgeous quality, however not bold enough in colour contrast against the linen pocket on the bag.

I did not take a photo of the completed bag, such was my frustration with the final product,

however Niamh's parents reported their delight in the baby gift.

I have more of the Tea Cup fabric in the stash, I must take it with me and find a bright and strong contrasting fabric to put with it for the next bag I make.



Sweet dreams Miss Niamh

 

2014 will be a wonderful year - when baby Niamh finally goes home to the household, eagerly awaiting her discharge from hospital.

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?