My creative space

This week, my creative space is involving actual design. Most unusual for me - usually my creativity is limited to fabric and pattern choices. It's quite exciting.




My nephews are turning 3 this weekend, and I hope to have a doll made for each of them - preschool time tomorrow will be sewing time - if I get the pattern finished tonight, that is.

More creative spaces here.

UFO no more

As in, today I took the Un out of an Un Finished Object.

'The Colours of Australia' was made as a result of a fabric swap organised through the Southern Cross Quilters to celebrate the Centenary of Federation in Australia.

In 2001, 100 swappers cut up quite a lot of fabric into 100 6 1/2 inch squares and sent them to a central location (Vikki, I believe), who swapped them and sent us back 100 different squares each. We also swapped 2 inch signature squares, which I haveused as part of my backing.

Today, I sewed on the binding, and the quilt is complete, and 60 inches square.




The individual Australian map blocks are foundation pieced using a pattern from Oz Dye Art Fabrics, a sadly now defunct Australian business.


I wanted to make something with a touch of patriotism after seeing so many US flags incorpated into quilts. I considered our flag, but instead used some flag fabric and our map.

Another Centenary of Federation Quilt made with fabrics from the same swap by Barbara Barko can be seen here.
Better photos tomorrow.... when the sun shines.

My front yard

A frosty start on our way to school at 8.45...

returning from a quick shop this morning 10.30 to see kangaroos across the road (a first for us)


and a hint that spring will come...

Lovely mail!

I was lucky enough to win one of Rialla's giveaways recently, and look what arrived at my door;





Thanks so much :)
Lovely wool, pink fabric, and an intriguing booklet of patterns for making toys from felt. I'm very tempted to sew an elephant, and a deer, and a frog. First, I'd like to get some nice wool felt.

Speaking of which, there's an ad in the back of the booklet which mentions that in 1968, the Felt and Textile Pressed Felts plant at Granville used more than 1 million pounds of Australian wool. I wonder when the abominable acrylic felt became our default choice.

Sewing time

A long while ago, I bought a pattern, after seeing some enchanting bonnets here.

I put the pattern away carefully, and left it away. This past weekend, I was considering what the perfect baby shower present would be, when I remembered the pattern.

It's incredibly quick and easy to make.... and I may well be seeing more bonnets in my future.

Time with Agatha

My English sister regretfully gave Mum permission to dispose of her treasured complete Agatha Christie collection last time she was home. Mum talked about it with the local second hand bookshop, who were prepared to offer 50c per book. So instead, I've taken them.



They really are the perfect books to convalesce with - short, not too challenging, and vaguely familiar.

Time out...

Another inadvertent blogging break.

My time out included;

* Annabelle's birthday party



* Annabelle's birthday



* a short break down the coast with my parents




and quite a lot of unphotographed knitting.

We've also been sick. Severe colds, passed from person to person and back again. We've another week off school, so I'm hoping the break will help us (except DH who is supposed to be working flat out.)